New York Family May, 2013 by New York Family

KID-crafteD Desserts

unDerrateD natIonal parKs

WIn the ultImate baby nursery! page 10

JOIN US at the

New York

Baby Show! MAY 18-19

Details On Page 10

melIssa

Joan hart must reaD the hot booK on

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contents

MAY

newyorkfamily.com

pg.54

pg.82

pg.32

pg.22 pg.12

20 | Scoop NYC’s Newest Kids’ Gym, AfricanInspired Fashion, Delicious Cupcake Crawl, And More

pg.76

Features 32 | A Total Sweet Hart Everyone’s Favorite Teenage Witch, Melissa Joan Hart Is Now A Mom Of Three—And Still A TV Star With Singular Charm 39 | Moms We Love This Year’s Group Of Local Mom Heroes Reminds Us Of The Many Ways To Contribute To Family Life In The City 54 | Hot Summer Programs For Cool City Kids A Preview Of Great Children’s Programs For Summer Fun And Learning 60 | When Day Is The Way Many Day Camps Now Attract Older Campers Who Appreciate Their Mix Of Programs And Attractions

Family Fun Guide 12 | Ten Great Events For May NYC Wildflower Week, All About Frogs, Block Building Galore, And More

Home & away 76 | Quality Time Play With Your Food! Three Whimsical Springtime Recipes For Kids 78 | Travel Where The Wild Trips Are: America’s Most Underrated National Parks

Columns 8 | Editor’s Note Big Hug

65 | Terrific Twosomes Discover Some Of The City’s Best Mommy & Me Classes

10 | Contests & Special Events The New York Baby Show, Blackboard Awards, Ultimate Nursery Giveaway, And New York Family On Pinterest

71 | Registry Rescue Ten Tips For Taking The Stress Out Of The Baby Checklist

16 | It’s My Party Birthday Celebrations At FAO Schwarz, The Gaga Center, And All Souls

New York Family | May 2013

18 | Kid Report Two Weeks At St. Jude Children’s Hospital Turned An NYC Teenager Into A Dedicated Advocate For Its Mission

22 | LYSST Pass These Fabulyss Mother’s Day Gift Ideas To Your Partner—Or Just Treat Yourself! 24 | Activity Of The Month A Writer Reflects On Some Important Life Lessons That Horseback Riding Taught Her 26 | A Special Place With The Addition Of Specialized Programming For 3- To 5-Year-Olds, Gymboree Is More Popular Than Ever With City Families 28 | Growing Up A Prominent Author Finds The Secrets Of Successful Families In Some Unlikely Places 82 | The Last Word Hoping Mightily For A Natural Childbirth, A Local Mom Labored Through 20 Hours Of Contractions Before Wrestling With A Different Choice Cover: Photo By Lindsay May For Classic Kids Photography www.newyorkfamily.com

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family New York

1. Editor and co-publishEr Eric Messinger emessinger@ manhattanmedia.com

2. dEputY Editor Whitney C. Harris wharris@ manhattanmedia.com 3. associatE Editor Christine Wei cwei @ manhattanmedia.com 4. art dirEctor George W. Widmer gwidmer@ manhattanmedia.com

contributing photographErs

Daniel S. Burnstein, Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurick

contributing WritErs Nick Bell, Leah Black, Natalie Diaz, Gavriella Mahpour, Chrissy Makris, Pearl Shin, Sothea Shreck, Anna Sims, Mia Weber 5. publishEr John Hurley 212.268.3086, jhurley@ manhattanmedia.com 6. associatE publishEr Mary Ann Oklesson

maoklesson @ manhattanmedia.com 7. sEnior account ManagEr Gina Waldman gwaldman @ manhattanmedia.com

spEcial projEcts dirEctor Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer@ manhattanmedia.com 8. EVEnt ManagEr Laura Mishkin lmishkin @ manhattanmedia.com For MorE inForMation on thE babY shoW 212.268.3086 circulation Aaron Pollard apollard @ manhattanmedia.com

businEss ManagEr Shawn Scott sscott@ manhattanmedia.com accounts ManagEr Kathy Pollyea

kpollyea @ manhattanmedia.com Manhattan Media cEo Joanne Harras WEb dEVElopEr Christian Pando cpando @ manhattanmedia.com

New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, Mitzvah magazine, and The Blackboard Awards. ÂŠ 2013 Manhattan Media, LLC | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

New York Family | May 2013

www.newyorkfamily.com

editor’s note

BIg Hug I write this note looking ahead to Mother’s Day but thinking back on a Sunday brunch at my apartment a few weeks ago. My wife and I hosted two long-time and dear friends of hers, one a working mom living in the city, like my wife, and the other visiting from San Diego, a successful journalist who never wanted to be a mom (and never became one). Amid the feast of lox and bagels, there was lots of catching up and shared laughs, but at one point our local friend, whose son was born a day before our daughter almost 13 years ago, started crying. It was brief, surprising. There wasn’t an obvious precipitating incident, but we all understood it instinctively as a cry of stress—the stress of work, marriage, ailing parents, motherhood— all of it, swelling into tears. As I recall it, the brunch didn’t detour all that much from the general pleasure of the reunion. She had her cathartic cry—it could have been any of us— and she really didn’t seem to need or want sustained attention. I was sitting next to her, uncertain about what to say or do, but my wife clarified the situation. “Will you hug her already?” she instructed me. I did. Life ain’t easy, but it goes down a lot more easily

when you have people in your life like my wife and our buddies from brunch, women who fill their days and their families with love and decency and laughter. And when I think about this issue, timed to Mother’s Day with our annual tribute to Moms We Love, I feel it’s best to honor all of you (98% of our readers are mothers) not with vacuous happy talk From what I saw, Melissa about motherhood, still has the magic. but with a simple wish that during your own humbling journeys as parents there is much light and love and a few good friends. By the way, the issue is stocked with a great gift roundup (page 22), but the gifts that keep on giving are our mom profiles (page 39), a report on the habits of happy families (page 28), and our cover story on an impressive and charming mom of three, Melissa Joan Hart (page 32). Happy Mother’s Day, Eric Messinger, Editor emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

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New York Family | May 2013

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contests&special events the New York BaBY Show iS here!

Vinny DiDonato

Join us at the New York Baby Show! The familyfriendly event for new and expectant parents with infants and toddlers from the Tri-State area and beyond will take place on the weekend of May 18-19, 2013. Explore a mix of top products and services for maternity, baby, and toddler, along with an inspiring menu of speakers and demonstrations from maternity designer Rosie Pope and other highly regarded experts in the world of parenting and pregnancy. Some highlights: great children’s entertainment like Radio Disney on-site playing music and games, moms and dads lounges, and a fun kids’ play area. Tickets are available now: $10 for individuals and $20 for families. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit newyorkbabyshow.com

wiN the ultimate NurSerY! For expectant and new parents, here’s your chance to win a dream nursery. One lucky reader will be gifted with everything needed to build a beautiful nursery for a newborn—complete with a Bellini Stella Collection by Newport Cottages, which includes a crib, dresser with changer and bookcase, a custom designed bedding set, an upholstered glider, and much more from some of the best parenting brands out there. The new Bellini line will debut at the New York Baby Show, where parents can sign up to enter the ultimate nursery giveaway. For more details and to enter online, visit newyorkfamily.com and click on the Contests & Giveaways link for details.

NomiNate Your Favorite teacher For a BlackBoard award The prestigious Blackboard Awards honor local schools, principals, and teachers of excellence from every educational sector—public, private, charter, and parochial—and from nursery through high school. Please take a moment to think of that certain teacher who adds so much to your child’s life and your school community and nominate him or her for a 2013 Blackboard Award for Teachers. The deadline is Friday, May 10, so encourage your classmates, friends, and family to submit their special teachers for an award, too! For more information, visit blackboardawards.com

NYF oN PiNtereSt Come pin with us! We’ve been having a photo ball on Pinterest lately and want you to join the party. From children’s fashion tips and trends to family recipes and travel ideas, our boards are loaded with delightful and inspiring ideas. We’ll be sharing great visuals on a regular basis, so check us out daily at pinterest.com/newyorkfamily

New York Family | May 2013

www.newyorkfamily.com

Come Join The Fun!

Register Now For Fall 2013 Gymtime is the savvy parent’s resource for recreational and educational activities for children ages 6-months to 14-years old. We offer: n GYMNASTICS n CoMpeTITIve TeAMS n MOMMY & ME (7 months-3 years) n SpoRTS n TAe KWoN Do

n KITCHeN LITTLe CooKING CLASSeS n ART & MUSIC n BIRTHDAY pARTIeS n pReSCHooL eNRICHMeNT CLASSeS

1520 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 • 212.861.7732 For more information visit: gymtime.net @GymtimeNYC

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David Bruce and Glyn Maxwell’s

Based on the novel by Philip Pullman

May 3 – 12 For everyone 8+

“Exuberant…

Co-Produced by The Opera Group and Opera North in association with ROH2 and Watford Palace Theatre featuring the Metropolis Ensemble chamber orchestra

The New Victory Theater recognizes the generous support of American Express, corporate sponsor of The Firework Maker’s Daughter.

THE NEW VICTORY THEATER ®

Art: Tom Slaughter, Photos: Brian Mengini, Robert Workman

the dancing is

spectacular.

Join the celebration.” − NYTheatre.com

May 17 – 26

For everyone 6+

RHAW is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

NewVictory.org • 646.223.3010

Alexis Buatti-Ramos, Jean-Louis Sagot

family fun

MUSEUMS

MUSIC

THEATER

ATTRACTIONS

FOOD

Clockwise from left: Children’s Museum of Manhattan (Play’s The Thing), american Museum of natural history (Frogs), The new Victory Theater (“Fragile”)

great events for May By Nick Bell

Through May 12 PuPPeT Tales [Ages 4 And Up] “Fragile,” one of the newest productions to hit the New Victory Theater stage, is a magical display of masterful puppetry, wordlessly chronicling the travels and travails of the vaudevillian compagnon as he navigates tricky terrain with only the use of his optimism and a suitcase. Don’t miss this heartwarming testament to the power of resilience and character for all ages. $20 (members $14); 10:30am, 12:30pm & 2:30pm, Thursdays sundays. 646-223-3010, 5 West 28th street, newvictory.org

Through May 19 a 2-in-1 shoW [Ages 5 And Up] Presented as two one-act musicals at TADA! Youth Theater, “Adventures from Ezra Jack Keats” is based on the original works of the award-winning children’s author. “Apt. 3” tells the story of two brothers driven to search their tenement for a mysterious harmonica player. “Maggie and the Pirate” chronicles the encounter between a buccaneer and a young girl with her pet cricket in tow. $20 ($8 for children); various dates and times. 212-252-1619, 209 West 42nd street, tadatheater.com

May 5 The Play’s The Thing [Ages 5 And Up] The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, one of the premier spots in NYC for toddler-friendly programming, is teaming up with the New Victory Teaching Artists to help little ones see what it’s like to be a part of a unified dance crew. At the Play’s The Thing workshop, led by urban dance guru Rennie Harris, families will learn to pop and lock, bugaloo, and perform other moves to give the MC something to talk about. Free with admission (children and adults $11, seniors $7); 1:30pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm. 212-721-1223, 212 West 83rd street, cmom.org continued on page 14

New York Family | May 2013

www.newyorkfamily.com

10 Great events

family fun

May 12-20 get Wild! [All Ages] Fun fact: Our city has a whopping 53,000 acres of open space that boasts over 778 plants native to the five boroughs! That’s why NYC Wildflower Week is celebrating with tons of nature-y fun for all ages all over the city. Special children’s events include a lesson in wildlife scavenger hunting and “bug box” making, flora walks in Prospect Park and throughout Queens, and a Deedle Deedle Dees show about NYC’s birds, bugs, and flowers—just to name a few. Mostly free; various locations and times. nycwildflowerweek@gmail.com, nycwildflowerweek.org May 18 Best oF Ballet [Ages 5 And Up] Featuring excerpted performances from the New York City Ballet’s 2013 American Music Festival, Family Saturday is a special kid-adapted program that offers a glimpse into NYCB’s vibrant and diverse repertoire, all set to modern or classic American standards. Hosted by NYCB soloist and choreographer Justin Peck, this onehour program is a perfectly succinct introduction to the world of dance for performing arts lovers as young as 5. $20 per participant, 11am, david h. koch theater, 212-870-5636, 20 lincoln Center Plaza, nycballet.com

New York Family | May 2013

liberty science Center (Block Party)

May 18 Madison square Park Fest [All Ages] Madison Square Park Conservancy’s Spring Kids Fest 2013 is back! On this day of free outdoor fun, children can enjoy live performances, yoga lessons, face painting, and arts and crafts from fave groups like Karma Kids Yoga, apple seeds, MoMath, and more. Plus, tasty and healthy snacks like Pop Chips and Treats Truck will keep you fueled. Free, 10:30am-1:30pm, 23rd street & Broadway, 212-325-2101 madisonsquarepark.org May 18 To January 5, 2014 riBBit, riBBit [All Ages] Amphibian lovers, get excited—the American Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibit, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors, features more than 150 live creatures, from the spectral poison-dart frog to the corpulent African bullfrog. The exhibit will showcase over 25 species from around the globe in recreated habitats, complete with live regional fauna, rock ledges, and waterfalls. Come explore the evolution and biology of these fascinating amphibians and learn about the threats they face in a changing world. Free with admission (children $10.50, adults $19); 10am to 5:45pm. 212-769-5100, 200 Central Park West, amnh.org

events

May 12 in honor oF MoMs [Ages 5 And Up] Looking for an exciting and meaningful way to show your appreciation for Mom? Join Milagros Day Worldwide and spend Mother’s Day walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoying a multi-cultural concert at Cadman Plaza Park. Established to benefit the survivors of domestic violence, the walk departs from Park Row and Centre Street and concludes with a three-hour celebration of live music and festivities. $10; 10am-3pm. 249 Broadway, City hall Park, milagrosday.org

Tom Moore

continued from page 12

May 24 To January 2015 For all lego lovers [All Ages] With more than 1,600 oversized blocks, cubes, cogs, cylinders, and arches, Block Party is one exhibit in which children can let their imaginations run wild. At the Liberty Science Center, kids can create whimsical architecture, oceangoing vessels, space-bound rockets, futuristic cities, and fabulous forts in this engineering free-for-all. Builders under 5 will have their own designated playspace with hundreds of blocks. Free with admission (children $12.50, adults $16.75); 201-200-1000, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, lsc.org May 29 To June 3 Week oF the geek [All Ages] Returning to New York City for its fifth anniversary season, the World Science Festival features a fantastic selection of more than 50 events all over the city, many of them geared toward families. From a staged production of the Icarus myth to astronomer-guided stargazing astride the Brooklyn Bridge to a parkwide botanical safari along the historic East River, there’s an outlet for every scientific interest. Mostly free; various locations and times. 212-352-3101, worldsciencefestival.com

For more event picks for families, check out our Family Calendar at newyorkfamily.com/events www.newyorkfamily.com

Registration begins MAY 16.

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birthdays

IT’S MY PARTY

karis Millet turns 4 at fAo Schwarz. 1. Karis takes the lead in song-making on the giant piano at New York’s most famous toy store. 2. As if this party wasn’t fun enough, a snake makes a thrilling appearance at its animal show. 3. Mom and Dad—and a protective soldier—gather ‘round their beautiful birthday girl. Photos by Karen Haberberg, karenhaberberg.com

Miles Singer turns 8 at the gaga center. 1. Miles winds up for a strong, powerful hit. We can tell that he’s been practicing! 2. The birthday boy’s friends have some mad gaga skills, too. 3. The whole family loves Mom’s amazing homemade cake, made extra tasty with lots of love. Photos by Heidi Green Photography, heidigreen.com

Tanys Mayman turns 6 at All Souls. 1. A yummy cupcake turns Tanys into the very image of happiness. 2. Dad jumps into a magical, hilarious mystery show to help Miss Pinkie find her lost bunny. 3. There’s the bunny! All’s well that ends well, especially with such a sweet grin. Photos by Heidi Green Photography, heidigreen.com

LookIng foR A PIcTuRe-PeRfecT bIRThdAY venue? vISIT newYoRkfAMILY.coM/bIRThdAY-PARTIeS 16

New York Family | May 2013

www.newyorkfamily.com

kid report

An InternshIp to remember Sarah Merians Photography & Video

Two Weeks At St. Jude Children’s Hospital Turned An NYC Teenager Into A Dedicated Advocate For Its Mission By Tashween Ali Patients ride in little red wagons. Colorful decorations deck the hallways. The cafeteria’s made-to-order meals feel like home. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tennessee, purposely doesn’t feel like a hospital—instead, it’s a place for hope. Every day, the institution strives to solve medical problems and treat patients in need. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute and is the first institution to develop a cure for sickle cell disease. What’s more, no family ever pays for anything at St. Jude. These are just a few of the facts that make Samantha Cohen, a New York City high school junior, a proud and passionate supporter of St. Jude. Her work with St. Jude began when her father took a tour of the hospital with the Eric Trump Foundation (ETF) two summers ago. He fell in love with the institution and wanted Cohem to experience it, too. The following summer, she and two friends had the opportunity to spend two weeks at St. Jude on a service-based internship, doing arts and crafts with recovering patients, serving dinner, playing bingo, singing karaoke, and participating in other social activities that lightened up what seemed to be a remarkably lively place for a hospital. Months later, Cohen still vividly remembers her time there. The high-spirited patients stand out especially. “I got close with about 30 kids,” she says. “Seeing their positive attitude day in day out challenges you to be as positive as you can be. You want to be there for them.” Buoyed by her internship, Cohen has since volunteered at St. Jude’s offices in the city and has begun to lay the groundwork for a big fundraiser this summer. “If you want to do anything for St. Jude, realistically, what they need is money,” she says. “No kid is denied there— even if you have something that they’ve never even seen before, they’ll create a protocol for you.” Plus, un-

New York Family | May 2013

Samantha Cohen: philanthropist, advocate, high school student

like some other research centers, St. Jude also has an open research policy and shares its findings freely with doctors and scientists worldwide. One of the most important and eye-opening facts Cohen learned about St. Jude is that most of its money comes from everyday donors, who often contribute on a special payment plan of $19 per month (or about 63 cents per day). They are essentially the lifeblood of hospital. “I know you can do more than just give money, and that’s why I went to the hospital last summer,” Cohen says. “But then again, St. Jude is the kind of place where money is what they need to continue doing what they do so well.” Cohen isn’t a first-time philanthropist. Her charitable work officially began in 8th grade, when she volunteered for Operation Smile, which helps children with cleft lips and palates, and with Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, which raises money for research on leukemia, lymphoma, and related cancers. She continued her work with Operation Smile until she began focusing on St. Jude this year. She also is interested in education and has been, through the JCC’s Literacy Program, tutoring at her local public high school for four years, helping second graders who are falling behind. The message she would like to give other kids who want to do philanthropic work is simple: Do whatever you can. “If you do something that means something to you, it will mean something to the person you’re helping.”

For more about St. Jude, viSit StJude.org

www.newyorkfamily.com

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scoop

KEEPING PARENTS IN THE KNOW

ACTIVITY MEDIEVAL NIGHTS Offering a blend of fantasy and imaginative fun, the Knightwatch Medieval Children’s Slumber Party is a series of interactive overnights hosted by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. On May 3 and 24, kids and parents are invited to spend the night in the world’s largest gothic Cathedral. Upon their arrival to the candle-lit church, each child will encounter their individualized noble title and coat of arms. They’ll then join a jesterguided scavenger hunt for clues to assist a damsel in distress before creating their own clay gargoyles, followed by a celebration with medieval song and dance. Guests will then be lulled to sleep by the resident raconteur and find the modern comfort of a continental breakfast waiting in the morning! One adult must attend for every three children registered. Admission is $135 per person. stjohndivine.org

SHOPPING

TOUR CUPCAKE CRAWL From luscious red velvet to tempting toppings aplenty, cupcakes are going strong as the city’s dessert of choice. But has your family tasted the exceptionally wide variety of them? Dig into the sweet obsession with Sugartooth Tours, which is hosting a new Cupcake Crawl Across Manhattan tour. Groups are brought beyond the mass bakeries to some of the lesser known bakeshops where they can taste a total of six different treats and enjoy fun cupcake trivia in between. Available most Wednesday through Sunday afternoons, this tour is a great way to explore a very sweet side of our city. Tickets are $50 and include all tastings. Guests must bring their own MTA cards. Appropriate for children 8 and older (or those capable of a three-hour tour using public transit). sugartoothtours.com

New York Family | May 2013

GLOBAL KIDS CLOTHES Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham drew inspiration from her sarong-wearing childhood in Kenya to create the new children’s brand Kalulu Kids—a vibrant line of striped dresses, tunics, and jeans that combines East African culture with NYC wearability. “The kikoy fabric has been woven over hundreds of years, worn originally by fisherman on the beach,” she says. “I just wanted to find a way to get it to my kids.” This NYC mom holds a finance degree and started Kalulu Kids as a side project. Now, with her clothing in NYC stores like Picnic, Acorn, and Shoofly, Kiggundu-Bentham is giving back to the African communities that inspired her work. Kalulu’s partnership with non-profit SCALEAfrica allows for 5% of the proceeds from trunk show sales to go toward helping build schools. kalulukids.com

WEBSITE

CLASS RUNAROUND UPTOWN The popular My Gym franchise on the Upper West Side, which opened in 2005, is spreading north with its largest site yet in Harlem. At 258 Saint Nicholas Avenue near Morningside Park, the new gym features two rooms: a gym for tumbling, balancing, and movement and a studio for dance, martial arts, yoga, and theatre. The noncompetitive recreation center caters to children from 6 weeks to 13 years old and regularly offers free trial classes for its varied programs, which range from free play to martial arts. As in all the gyms, My Gym Harlem classes are taught by trained instructors who foster fun and positivity for growing minds and bodies. mygym.com

LEARN & BUY Shopping for newborn gear can be overwhelming for new and expecting parents who are entering the world of baby and its countless brands. With the internet telling you to buy one thing and your friends telling you to buy another, it can be hard to discern which products are credible. To help navigate the sea of stuff, NYC parents Allyson and Jack Downey founded weeSpring, an online network where moms and dads can shop, learn, and share opinions about baby products and gear. The website also highlights the products that your friends and other parents deem most useful. It’s like a popularity contest for products—and all parents win! weespring.com FOR MORE TIPS ON LOCAL RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, CHECK OUT NEWYORKFAMILY.COM

www.newyorkfamily.com

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lysst

Mother’s Day treats Pass these fabulyss gift ideas to your partner, or just treat yourself. Either way, let’s agree that you deserve it! By Lyss Stern

Mother Runner Fitness-minded mamas will absolutely love Newton’s lightweight, hot pink running shoes that are the perfect combo of function and fashion. $155; newtonrunning.com

Be A Hero Don’t get her flowers just for Mother’s Day—buy her buds throughout the year! When you sign up for H.Bloom’s Hero floral subscription, you pre-pick the days your lucky lady will receive a gorgeous bouquet delivery. $60/bouquet; hbloom.com

It’s All In The Wrist Jennifer Fisher’s first jewelry design, a hand-stamped dog tag with her son’s name, was born out of a mother’s love. In addition to her customizable pendants and charm necklaces, Fisher offers a collection of cuffs inscribed with Momma, like this great brass piece. $225; jenniferfisherjewelry.com

Butter Her Up! A little luxury goes a long way. Give her one or more of these springtime shades from non-toxic nail polish brand Butter London, plus a gift card to her favorite salon or spa for a mani and pedi. A little bit of pampering is all any mom needs. $15 each; butterlondon.com

New York Family | May 2013

Scented City Bond No. 9’s fragrances pay homage—in name and scent—to New York, from Park Avenue to Sag Harbor. The truly elegant Central Park South is a fresh floral fragrance with notes including violet leaves, blackcurrant, and jasmine. Bonus: The blossom medallion atop the bottle doubles as a brooch or bracelet. $190 (50 ml.); bondno9.com www.newyorkfamily.com

Sunny Days Ahead What DivaMom doesn’t look forward to a beach getaway? Make hers especially luminous with this oversized straw hat that’ll make her look stylish and feel protected while in the sun. $74; hatattack.com

Picture This A modern picture frame gets even more fabulyss with a beautiful family photo in it. This one will stand out like a piece of statement jewelry on any woman’s vanity table. $68; jonathanadler.com

Slumber In Style Sometimes moms just need to relax in style. Help her lounge in the lap of luxury with this 100% cotton pajama set that’s soft, comfortable, and perfect for a weekend breakfast at home with the family. $120; marigotcollection.com

Mum’s The Word This lambskin notebook from chic British designer Smythson is the perfect place to jot down notes and reminders, from school conference info to thoughts on the latest DivaMoms Book Club pick! $60; smythson.com

Hot Handbag A structured basic black bag is the perfect springtime accessory. The Show Off Tote is beyond gorgeous and able to fit a mom’s must-haves while remaining sleek and simple. $528; marcjacobs.com

Write For Mom Sending a thank you note or a just because note is always chic—especially on a beautiful card. These personalized notecards from stationery/ invitation website Tiny Prints were designed by luxe-modern home furnishings retailer DwellStudio. $34.75/25 cards and envelopes; tinyprints.com www.newyorkfamily.com

Sweet Talk Sweeten her day with Sugarfina’s adorable mom-themed candy set. It comes with three delysscious mini boxes of candy, dubbed Sugar Mama (chewy peach sweethearts), Mama Bear (mama and baby bear gummies), and Hot Mama (spicy chili ginger hearts). $16; sugarfina.com

LYSS STERN, AN UPPER EAST SIDE MOM OF TWO, IS THE FOUNDER OF DIVALYSSCIOUSMOMS, DIVAMOMS.COM May 2013 | New York Family 23

activity of the month

In The Saddle The Author Reflects On The Important Life Lessons That Horseback Riding Taught Her By Erin Shea I can’t explain why I started riding. I guess in a way I was born into it, since both of my parents are horse lovers. My mother rode when she was younger and my father was involved in the thoroughbred racing business. I barely remember the first time I was on a horse, but according to my parents it was the pony rides at a festival in my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, when I was 3 years old. I finally asked for riding lessons a few years later. As an animal lover, I wanted to be involved with horses any way I could, and learning how to ride seemed to be the answer. Soon after my first lesson, I found myself going to the barn a few times a week for either formal instruction or to hang out with the other kids. On Saturday mornings, I enjoyed getting there early to help clean the stalls in exchange for riding lessons. At that age I was more willing to clean a horse’s stall than my own room.

Erin’s dad and a family friend assist her during a pony ride when she’s 3 years old

The lessons I learned in that messy but muchloved stall ring true to this day as I navigate the world of being a twentysomething living and working in New York City. I gained respect for animals and other people and discovered how to be a responsible young adult. If one of the riders had been careless in not cleaning or putting away the bridles after a lesson, our trainer would hide them from us so that we’d have to go on an elaborate search before we could tack-up our horse the next time. After an exhausting few minutes spent searching for your stuff, you make sure to never leave anything laying around again. Riding also taught me independence and discipline. I soon realized that no one else was responsible for my achievements and mistakes but me. Working hard day after day was expected. It wasn’t easy going an entire lesson without stirrups while a trainer yells, “Eyes up! Shoulders back! Heels down!” But it was worth it after bringing home the ribbons from shows. As I got older, I started riding almost every day of the week—sometimes multiple horses a day—and showing regularly. The barn wasn’t a place to simply hang out anymore; it was a break from school and a time to perfect my sport. I worked with serious

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trainers and equally serious competitors so that I could be stronger during competition. When I was 14 years old, I started to feel pain in my right elbow. It seemed to be overworked from cleaning stalls in the barn, playing softball, and riding. During a jump-off round (used to determine the placing of the competitors) my high-spirited mare, a former racehorse named Kim, forcefully yanked her head down. I felt a sharp pain radiate through my arm. Like any serious competitor would, I finished the jump-off with the reins in one hand. I immediately went to the hospital straight from the ring. I later found out that I got a second place in that class. Not too bad for one-handed riding. However, there was bad news. My arm wasn’t just overworked; I had a benign tumor growing close to my elbow and needed surgery. But while I was bold enough to ride a 1,200-pound animal over a four-foot fence, the thought of having an arm operation terrified me. Cut to four surgeries and almost three years later: I was finally tumor free and ready to resume riding. When the time finally came for me to get back in the saddle, it just so happened that Bo, a sweet older thoroughbred in our barn, recently had colic surgery and needed to be rehabbed back into shape—just like me. We started slowly and both made full recoveries later that year, eventually competing in the jumper divisions with Bo’s new show name, Bodacious. Years later when I went to college, I volunteered with an organization that retrained ex-racehorses for new careers. Being a thoroughbred lover, this was the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to give back to the community and work alongside the animals that gave me so much while I was growing up. Training young, sensitive thoroughbreds taught me to be strong mentally and physically, since they take advantage of any weaknesses and mistakes. If you’re not giving all you have, you’re not helping the horses. Some days I would start before the sun came up, ride multiple horses a day, do barn chores, and then go to class. The real reward was seeing them adopted into loving forever-homes and start new careers as pleasure horses, show horses, or children’s horses. Sadly, I don’t ride much nowadays, but I would take it up again in a heartbeat. The introspection and lessons learned from riding can be beneficial to anyone, especially young children who are just learning about personal responsibility. I’ve been able to apply the confidence, dedication, and respect that I’ve learned through riding to all aspects of my life. And, on a no less trivial note, I’ve learned to have better posture as a result. If I ever begin to slouch, I can hear a trainer’s voice in the back of my mind, “Shoulders back!” For more inFormation on horseback riding in and around nYc, visit newYorkFamilY.com

www.newyorkfamily.com

May 2013 | New York Family 25

a special place One of the early pioneers in children’s exercise and enrichment, Gymboree Play & Music currently has seven thriving venues in Manhattan alone. Joanne Hirkaler, the director of operations overseeing these locations, gave us the lowdown on the franchise’s enduring appeal, along with some insights into what city families really want.

Andrew Schwartz

Does Gymboree have a core philosophy? What distinguishes it from other children’s programs offering exercise and enrichment? Our overall philosophy has always been that we deal with the whole child. We don’t just focus on the physical development; we do cognitive, physical, and social. Naturally, parents are always enchanted by the physical part; they always come in with their cameras when their children first start walking or accomplishing other physical milestones. But parents really appreciate the other important aspects of our classes, whether it’s cognitive development like working on opposite concepts (such as up/down, left/right, or hard/soft) or the socialization of learning how to be around other kids. For many years we had a tagline that, I think, perfectly captured the spirit of our classes. It was: Play With A Purpose. That still says it all.

There’s nothing quite like ending class with bubbles!

Where Play Is (stIll) the Way Gymboree Has Always Been A Big Hit With Babies And Toddlers. With The Addition Of Specialized Programming For 3- To 5-Year-Olds, The Venue Is More Popular Than Ever With City Families By Eric Messinger

New York Family | May 2013

My kids are 13 and 9 now, but I was once a Gymboree parent when they were very little. I remember a lot of emphasis on bonding, really getting in there and helping them, enjoying the time with them. Is that still how it is? For us, it’s not just about the baby or toddler; it’s about the family, especially in early classes, which are designed for the parent, grandparent, nanny, or sitter to play with the child and support them in every activity. For instance, you cannot instruct a 12-monthold to climb the bridge ladder using their bilateral coordination. But you can say, “Grown-ups, please help your little ones onto the bridge climber and support their backs as they climb each notch. Your touch helps them feel safe.” It’s constant encouragement. The parent/caregiver is, in most cases, a child’s first and best role model. Later, as the child develops and becomes more independent, the parent steps back a bit and gives verbal support. In all situations, bonding is happening! What are your core age groups and offerings? We are a great place for 0-5 years. Many families start really early with us because there’s a lot of nurturing and learning going on even in our infant and baby classes, which are 0-6 months and 6-10 months. For example, in the infant class, we do discussion time and every lesson plan has a topic. New parents are very happy to share their experiences—the good, the bad, everything.

www.newyorkfamily.com

Other offerings? The main class, the one we’re famous for, is Gymboree Play & Learn (with age-appropriate levels for 0-5 years). Those are all in the gym. The other core classes are Music (6 months to 5 years) and Art (18 months to 5 years). But the most popular program to come along in recent years is our preschool alternative class—which we call School Skills—for 3-5 years. It’s a drop-off. As you could imagine, it’s a fraction of the price of a preschool in the city, and most families do it for at least two days a week. One of the things that makes us a little different is that many preschools don’t have a gym—but, naturally, we dedicate a part of the day to time in our gym. When you’re so geared to focusing on 0-3 years, is it hard to do a great job with the 3-5 group? Not really. Adolescents would be another story. But 3to 5-year-olds are very much a part of our mission. In fact, in recent years, we’ve also instituted a dedicated sports program for those ages, which covers the basics in a lot of sports: t-ball, track and field, hockey, soccer, tennis, and more. What’s great about that is it gives the child and the parent a clear direction to move in when they’re ready to go deeper into particular sports. That’s better than spending money on ten tennis lessons—and all that equipment—only to find out your child isn’t really into the sport. Do you also do camp programming for 3-5? Yes, we call it Bubble Camp. It incorporates all of our core activities—sports, music, and art—but also introduces lessons from our Global Kids lessons plans. Every week they get to visit a new culture. In addition to classes, does Gymboree offer any special events? In the course of the year, we have a number of fun events for members and non-member families, including our Shamrock & Roll Party and our Autumn Pumpkin Party. I noticed that Gymboree has begun to offer lifetime memberships. Does that work? When my kids were little, I wanted to try out lots of different venues. For parents who love our program and think about it practically, it’s a great deal—basically allowing you to take two classes every semester from birth through age 5. After everything we talked about, you haven’t mentioned Gymbo, the franchise’s iconic clown sock puppet. Should I be concerned? Is he still around? No worries. Of course, he is! Eric Messinger is the Editor of New York Family.

FOr mOre InFOrmAtIOn AbOut GymbOree, vISIt GymbOreeclASSeS.cOm Or cAll A lOcAl venue

www.newyorkfamily.com

May 2013 | New York Family 27

growing up As first-time parents, Brooklyn-based author Bruce Feiler (The Council of Dads) and his wife, Linda, found themselves completely overwhelmed with the notion of raising twin girls while trying to develop a family identity. Searching for answers from friends and relatives proved fruitless. Met with the same tiresome answers from the same conventional sources, the author decided to turn to the minds of Silicon Valley, corporate America, and the military for more innovative solutions. The product of a three-year quest to uncover the best family-building strategies and methods from some unexpected and sometimes counterintuitive sources, The Secrets of Happy Families provides parents with a fun and introspective set of fresh ideas for developing and maintaining family harmony. What was the inspiration for the book? I think that the inspiration came out of a very simple emotion: We were completely lost, frustrated, desperate, and we did what a lot of people do—we would call our parents, even though their experience is so outdated, it’s almost quaint. We’d also reach out to friends and on Facebook, and everyone was just as clueless as we were. And I almost felt a little annoyed with the “family improvement” industry—the self-help books, the shrinks—there were no new ideas coming from that space. And yet, in every other area of contemporary life—whether it’s Silicon Valley, or corporate America, or the military, or sports teams— there are all these incredible ideas about teams and groups running more smoothly. My thinking was to go to these people, find out what they’re doing with their “families,” and then test-drive the concepts at home.

Home Improvement

A Prominent Writer Finds The Secrets Of Successful Families In Some Unlikely Places By Nick Bell

Who is this book for? Are you gearing it to a particular type of parent? It’s aimed at the parents with kids in the “golden age” of childhood—from first step to first kiss. It’s about a decade-long window where you have a dwindling opportunity to create a family culture. Would you say that every family out there has their own unique identity (set of values, traditions, etc.)? Every parent I know worries about teaching their kids values. The question is this: How can you expect your children to follow your values when you never properly identify and articulate them? If I were to identify one of the top things we took from [writing] the book, it was creating a family mission statement, which was derived from popular commercial branding techniques. We started listing our values, came up with a set of statements that describe who we are, and narrowed it down. The final now hangs in our living room. The mission statement continued on page 30

New York Family | May 2013

www.newyorkfamily.com

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continued from page 28

forced us to distinguish values we might admire from those we hold dear. In the process of writing and researching the book, were you and your wife implementing these ideas as you went along? She was a little wary at first, but now she is so much more gung-ho than I am. The family meeting is her single favorite thing about this family now. We basically give our children a much greater hand in their own upbringing. The book has around 200 new ideas. We still go back to it every now and again whenever we need a reboot. The ideas we were using a year ago are very different from the ideas we’re using now. Why is this concept of being adaptive so alien to some people? Adaptability goes hand-in-hand with giving your kids more responsibility and acknowledging that parents aren’t invincible. And some people have a really hard time with that. Somebody said: In the dot-com world, if you’re doing today what you did six months ago, you’re doing the wrong thing. And, to me, that completely applies to parenting. My one friend who has four kids under 14, he says everything is a phase— even the good parts. It sounds like such a simple idea, but it’s incredibly profound: Adapt all the time. Among your findings, what would you say genuinely surprised you? When you’re disciplining your children, sit them in upright chairs with cushioned surfaces. When we sit on rigid surfaces, we are more rigid and inflexible, and when we sit on cushioned surfaces, we’re more open and accommodating. So literally how you sit can affect the way your family interacts. [And] when it comes to sex, it’s not the talk; it’s a series of talks. You’ve got to give up the idea that you get one talk about the birds and the bees with your children. You should be starting as early as—and I know this sounds nuts—18 months, with identifying anatomy and using proper words. I was totally that loser that spoke to “down there” and “privates” and made the jokes about guys having to come through me and the shotgun to date my daughters. Guilty as charged. You talk a lot about getting kids more involved in their upbringing. Why is that a good approach? First off, I think parents need to be parents. I’m not suggesting you be lax or let the kids run the asylum. But basically there are two primary reasons: 1) No one segment of society is more top-down today than it was a decade ago, whether it’s corporate America or the military. Every aspect of contemporary life is all about collaboratively bringing the best ideas together and abandoning the kind of top-down paradigm we’ve seen for so long. 2) Abundant brain research shows that children who pick their own rewards and punishments and monitor themselves build up their brain and end up with higher self-esteem and more independence in their lives.

New York Family | May 2013

QuIck TIps

for fAmIlIAl BlIss The Secrets of Happy Families provides hundreds of fresh ideas about fostering happiness and chemistry within your family. Here are a few of the counterintuitive takeaways: everything is a phase so prepare to adapt all the time. “Strong families are structured yet flexible,” says Feiler, “and they adjust in response to stressful situations.” have the sex conversation as soon as your kids can talk. From identifying anatomy (penis or vagina versus “privates”) to making sex an ongoing conversation rather than a singular discussion, parents can lessen the sense of taboo and instill reasonable, responsible understandings about sexuality. let your kids pick their punishments. Giving your children more of a hand in their upbringing boosts confidence and instills a sense of personal responsibility.

You mentioned technology as a challenge to families today. Is it the problem, the solution, or a little bit of both? I personally think technology is a somewhat neutral force. I believe that there are tremendous advantages in using technology to bring families together; my children Skype with their grandparents, and mobile devices make it easier to check in with your children when they’re not directly in front of you, thereby giving them some more freedom where you don’t have to hover over them all the time. The problems arise when parents use technology as a babysitter. We all do it sometimes, like when we travel, but it’s when we regularly outsource that to the technology that it’s a problem. And it’s a problem when we don’t help children set limits so they can fit [technology] into the larger array of things we want them to be experiencing. You touch on spiritual well-being as it pertains to healthy family function. In what ways do you think religious families have an edge over their agnostic or atheistic counterparts? Let me say that 50 years of literature supports the idea of families having a religious or values-based identity [which] makes them happier. One common explanation is that people who are religious tend to have this large support community and clearly established core of ethics and morals. Nothing in the research suggests that you need a specific tradition or that not having one means you’ll have a more difficult time. The chief takeaway is making sure that your family is clear about your values and interacts with neighbors, community, and extended family.

To reAd more of our InTervIeW WITh Bruce feIler, vIsIT neWYorkfAmIlY.com

www.newyorkfamily.com

† USA Today, “Average cost of 4-year university up 15%,” Christine Armario, June 13, 2012.

Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in the plan.

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* May be subject to recapture in certain circumstances — such as rollovers to another state’s plan or nonqualified withdrawals. Before you invest, consider whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. The Comptroller of the State of New York and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation are the Program Administrators and are responsible for implementing and administering the Direct Plan. Upromise Investments, Inc. and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC serve as Program Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, and are responsible for day-to-day operations, including effecting transactions. The Vanguard Group, Inc. serves as the Investment Manager. Vanguard Marketing Corporation markets, distributes and underwrites the Direct Plan. No guarantee: None of the State of New York, its agencies, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), The Vanguard Group, Inc., Upromise Investments, Inc., nor any of their applicable affiliates insures accounts or guarantees the principal deposited therein or any investment returns on any account or investment portfolio. New York’s 529 College Savings Program currently includes two separate 529 plans. The Direct Plan is sold directly by the Program. You may also participate in the Advisor Plan, which is sold exclusively through financial advisors and has different investment options and higher fees and expenses as well as financial advisor compensation.

Sign up for NY’s 529 before December 31st. Whatever your child dreams of doing, chances are it starts with a college education. But when you consider that tuition at 4-year public colleges jumped 15% in just two years,† it’s never too early to start planning. As a New York taxpayer enrolled in NY’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan, you’ll earn a tax deduction every year you contribute to the plan. Up to $10,000 annually for couples filing jointly and up to $5,000 for individuals.*

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Find out more at ny529directplan.com. Or call 1-800-420-8580.

TOTAL T E E SW HART A

New York Family | May 2013

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arris ey C. H n y for it h say Ma y By W d in L s By raph Photo hotog P s id K Classic o a Cott Monic y B d i Style Nasell y Chris Long n a Hair B Jord y B p u Make

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www.newyorkfamily.com

Melissa in blue silk blouse by Joie, vintage necklace, jeans by 7 For All Mankind; Tucker in Sierra Julian shirt and pants

May 2013 | New York Family 33

New York Family | May 2013

melissa tells

us all

What are thre e Words you Wo uld use to desc your life right ribe noW? Joy. Exhausted. Op timistic. Which do you find yourself doing the most ing, crying, or : laughscreaming? I’d like to say lau ghing but, these days, probably scr eaming. What are you most proud of ? When my boys say “please” and “th ank you.” What’s the cr aziest rumor that you’ve he about yourse ard lf? That I could recite Pi up to fifty numb ers. All I know is 3.14. What the best advice you’ve ever received? Bill Murray told me when I was pregn ant to tell everyon due date is a mo e your nth later than it ac tually is, otherwise one will be callin everyg you that week. Who are your role models? My mother, of co urse, because sh e’s been there by through everythi my side ng. My husband— the kind of fathe ily man that he is r and famand the values tha t he instills in our is really impressi children ve. if you Weren’t an entertaine r, What profes Would you pu sion rsue? Party planner. What’s your fa vorite Way to spend a free ho alone? ur Take a nap—but that never actually happens. describe your perfect mother ’s day. Sleep late without feeling guilty, go out to a nice bre brunch, and then akfast everyone climbs in one big bed an a movie. d watches

the boys that played her brother—the inimitable Ferguson—and her floppyhaired guy friend, Sam. As Hart remembers, whenever another girl was on set, she made it her mission to make a friend: “I was like ‘Do you wanna have a sleepover? Do you wanna make cookie dough and watch “90210”? Do you wanna rollerblade in the parking lot? Let’s hang out all week!’” Not that there really was that much hang time. “I was working 70-hour weeks and balancing school,” Hart says. This meant that the all-important SATs and college applications were squeezed in between takes of “Clarissa.” But in spite of the difficult schedule, she persevered, and after the show ended in 1994, the New York native enrolled in NYU and got halfway to graduation over the course of seven years while working full-time as television’s favorite teenage witch. “I had a career in my hands; I didn’t need to be finding one,” Hart remembers. “But I loved to learn, so I started a book club on the set of ‘Sabrina.’ And that was fulfilling to me.” continued on page 36 www.newyorkfamily.com

Purple dress by Gabriel Rocha

f you were a girl in the ‘90s, chances are “Clarissa Explains It All” and “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” were part of your television diet. The star of both shows, Melissa Joan Hart, effectively graced the screens of TVs across the country for over a decade, gaining a stable of young fans who grew up with the actress over the years. Many of us may still associate Hart with the innocence of childhood and the eccentricities of adolescence, but she’s been playing up the edgy side of her wholesome family act more recently as the plucky local politician Mel Burke on the ABC Family hit series “Melissa and Joey,” which begins its third season at the end of the month. After a brief hiatus from the small screen to start her own family, the fair-haired 37-year-old says her latest character, Mel, may well be her career favorite. As conventional as family television can sometimes be, Hart prefers characters with idiosyncrasy. From a witty and likeable adolescent with a unique fashion sense, to a good-natured teen with supernatural powers, to a spitfire pol who suddenly has to care for her recently abandoned niece and nephew—she typically plays characters known as much for their subtle sarcasm as for their general benevolence. Which is actually not too far from how the working mother is in person. Fresh from a spin class with baby Tucker in a stroller and her essential bag of gear in tow, the mom of three arrives for her cover shoot completely composed, but she jumps right into wryly describing the chaos that can sometimes claim family life. “Evenings and mornings are a little interesting… We’re just running, running, running to get everything done,” the TV actress says. “Once I’m at the gym, I’m like, ahhh. So being busy is good, because it doesn’t give me a chance to think about my workouts! I don’t have time to freak out.” Though it’s hard to imagine one of television’s most family-friendly faces freaking out, it’s easy to see that Hart has her hands full. The baby is getting over a cold and Mom is preparing to move the family to the West Coast for five months. She typically tapes “Melissa and Joey” on weekdays in L.A., but decided that traveling back and forth without her Connecticut-based clan was too hard on everyone. “I really don’t want to leave my family again,” she says. “That’s no way to live.” Having worked since she was just 4 years old, Hart is no stranger to long commutes, longer hours, and other sacrifices when it comes to her profession. The precocious child star got her start by simply asking her mom if she could try acting, and the two would commute into Manhattan from Long Island for auditions. “The theater work ethic really taught me to dig in and do the job,” she explains. But her life as a recognizeable actress really took off when she was 13 years old and starring in her very own Nickelodeon sitcom. During those “Clarissa” years, Hart worked in Orlando, Florida, for three out of every four weeks while her parents and siblings remained in New York. It was tough for the young teenager, especially working on a set where her only peers were

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Despite practically growing up on set in the notoriously cutthroat teen television industry, Hart managed adolescence with aplomb. In many ways, the career-minded actress seems cut from an entirely different cloth than many of her show biz peers. Free of substance abuse, incriminating rumors, or other young Hollywood scandals, she sailed through adolescence and her twenties relatively unscathed.

“I told ABC Family, I’m so sick of playing characters who always have it together. I want to play someone who’s a wreck. And that’s what I love about Mel: she’s totally flawed.” Hart strongly attributes her success as a young woman to her upbringing. “I think my parents did a great job of raising all eight of their combined kids,” she says about her mom and dad, who separated when she was 14 years old. “We all have good selfesteem... Everyone takes care of themselves.” “My parents made us feel like we could talk to them about anything,” she continues. “But I also felt a certain sense of responsibility for my mom. I didn’t want to let her down. I didn’t want to get bad grades or get in trouble in school or stay out past curfew.” The conscientious Hart is now responsible for a big, supportive family of her own. She’ll be celebrating her tenth wedding anniversary with her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson, in July. The family-focused couple has three boys: Mason, 7 years old, Braydon “Brady,” 5, and Tucker, 8 months. “We really took it easy this year on activities,” Hart says when describing her family’s weekly routine. “Mason and Brady are only doing hockey. They were both doing soccer twice a week, baseball, [and] flag football.” When she was pregnant with her first child, Hart was like so many other expectant mothers—afraid of doing something wrong, thinking and rethinking every decision she made, taking everyone’s advice to heart. “I basically stayed in bed and ate Sweet Tarts because I was afraid of everything—except diabetes,” she deadpans. “I went back to all my old foods from childhood, all my New York foods. Rice pudding and bagels and things I hadn’t eaten in a decade.” Now, juggling three children at very different developmental stages in their young lives, Hart gets to enjoy watching their personalities develop. “Mason is testing boundaries and Brady is my little angel right now. It’s funny because it used to be the opposite,” she says of her 5-year-old adjusting to his new role as the middle child. “Tucker is very social. We were in airport the other day and there was a wall with this huge picture of this man smiling. I looked down at Tucker and he was laughing at the guy!” Hart hints at the fact that she’s a softie when it comes to her children. Calling Mark the disciplinarian,

New York Family | May 2013

one of the toughest things about parenting for her is taking a hard line with the kids while also being there for them. Like most parents, she’s hoping to engender both respect and trust from her children. “We try to be open with them so they will always come to us with problems, good things, bad things,” she says. And while they agree on their parenting approach, most minor disagreements that Hart has with her husband can be attributed to the typical disputes about sharing the workload. “We both feel like we’re doing a lot for the kids, so the fights tend to come from who’s doing more or who’s not pulling their weight,” she says, while admitting that she relies on Mark to do the cooking. But having it all figured out doesn’t seem to be at the top of Hart’s list. She seems to embrace challenge and growth and trying new things, if only to see what she’s capable of. It’s how she describes her current character, Mel Burke. Of the three titular roles she’s played, “Mel is, I think, the closest to my personality,” says the actress, who’s also the show’s executive producer. “I told ABC Family, I’m so sick of playing characters who always have it together. I want to play someone who’s a wreck. And that’s what I love about Mel: she’s totally flawed.” The show’s other star, Joey Lawrence—best known for his roles on sitcoms like “Blossom” and “Brotherly Love”—is a close friend whom she’s known since they were kids. “We work really well together. But we’re like brother and sister, too. We have our great little arguments,” Hart says. Curious about these flaws and arguments? The squeaky clean, churchgoing mom will divulge the stories behind her successes and her setbacks in her memoir, Melissa Explains It All, coming out this October. Aside from her steady and unadulterated career as an actress, producer, writer, director, and even sometimes singer, the book will give fans deeper glimpses into Hart’s personal life. Readers may be surprised to learn that she likes to wakeboard, snowboard, and—although she hasn’t done it since having her first child—drive racecars. On the acting front, Hart is both practical and aspirational. She’d like her career to go the way of celebrated film actresses like Sally Field and Goldie Hawn. But her current dream job seems to be closer to home. “I would love to do ‘When Harry Met Sally’ at the Westport Country Playhouse and then transition it to Broadway,” she says. “I want to play Sally so bad—and I would be great at the orgasm scene. I had to do it for ‘The Vagina Monologues,’ so I’m ready!” With a baby cradled over her shoulder, it’s something only a woman as charming as Hart could say and still sound so sweet. For More photos FroM our IntervIew wIth MelIssA JoAn hArt, vIsIt newyorkFAMIly.CoM

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May 2013 | New York Family 39

BUILDING SOCIAL COMMUNITIES FOR LOCAL PARENTS

Sergio Kurhajec

Anna Grossman, Founder Of Hudson River Park Mothers Group, And Susan Fox, Founder Of Park Slope Parents By Chrissy Makris

Being a new parent means a whole new set of rules, responsibilities, fears, and joys. While having a baby is a beautiful experience, it can be a lonely, transitional time for new moms. Susan Fox and Anna Grossman know the feeling. These NYC women are the respective founders of Park Slope Parents and Hudson River Park Mothers Group—and are responsible for extraordinarily vibrant and helpful online and real-life networks for neighborhood parents to connect with each other for advice and support. Less than a year after the devastating events of September 11 and her inauspicious September 12 due date, Fox made the decision to focus her time on local quality of life, by addressing community issues, and getting to know neighborhood parents. In July of 2002, Park Slope Parents was born. “I was a new mom who had been doing the ‘rat race’ life at a job in Manhattan, and when I brought my new baby home in Brooklyn, I realized I didn’t know anyone,” Fox says, who used to be a market research and branding consultant. So she launched PSP in an effort to connect with and learn from seasoned parents with older children and to find new homes for the baby gear that so often gets tossed to the curb before it’s worn out. Now, with more than 4,900 members, PSP is home to over 90 pregnancy, bilingual, daddy, single parent, and advice groups, as well as career networking and classifieds. PSP also connects members to community organizations like the local police precinct, park officials, and politicians—an added bonus that many parenting groups don’t offer. In reaching out to the less fortunate, the group often partners with nonprofits to provide items like clothing, cribs, and

New York Family | May 2013

blankets to needy families. Membership comes with access to a slew of discounts and promotional deals from over 450 local businesses. But, arguably, the greatest benefit of being a member of PSP is the sense of support and trust that comes with being part of a growing and diverse group of local parents. Now, more than ten years since PSP’s inception, the mother of two is pleased with how her group has evolved. “Being able to create change in the community and have a positive impact is extremely motivating,” she says. Like Fox, Grossman was also inspired post-9/11. Motivated by the city’s concerted efforts to return to normalcy, she and her husband moved from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan where she ultimately created Hudson River Park Mothers Group, affectionately known as HRP Mamas. “I didn’t want to look at the [Manhattan] skyline anymore. I wanted to be in it,” says Grossman, who was a professional photographer. After moving a block away from Ground Zero, she felt a strong need to unite with those who returned to lower Manhattan to rebuild their lives. And after giving birth to her first child, Julian, she experienced a sense of isolation and longed to be a part of a community that offered a daily connection. After her local new mom support group ended, Grossman continued to meet with the eight other group mothers who she says helped lessen the shell-shock and self-confidence issues that she was experiencing as a new mom. She began giving her phone number to stroller-pushing mothers she’d pass on the street, encouraging them to join her mommy playgroup. As HRP Mamas grew through word of mouth, Grossman created a website to facilitate membership and rented classrooms and instructors to entertain the children that accompanied her newfound friends. Currently, with more than 2,000 members, most from downtown Manhattan, HRP Mamas offers informative message boards, classifieds, Mama Margarita Nights, and several subgroups to replicate the intimate connection the original eight mothers shared. The group relied on that cherished sense of community in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, when members opened their doors to displaced New Yorkers. When Grossman put out a call for blankets for seniors who had been affected by the storm, Mamas delivered hundreds to the lobby of her apartment within hours. And when one member’s child developed leukemia, the group coordinated bone marrow drives that registered thousands of new people to the National Bone Marrow Registry. Just as PSP has for over a decade, HRP Mamas thrives on the belief that parents and expecting moms and dads can greatly benefit from mutual support. “I love it when Mamas email me to tell me that they’ve made new friends through the group— that’s really what this is all about for me, even nine years later,” Grossman says. Visit parkslopeparents.com and hrpmamas.com continued on page 41 www.newyorkfamily.com

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Moms we love

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Sarah Aucoin, Director Of NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers By Anna Sims

When environmentalist Sarah Aucoin announced that she and her husband, Brian, were leaving their converted chicken coop home next to Arizona’s Coconino National Forest and moving to New York City, friends thought she was crazy. Aucoin had previously worked as a park ranger among active volcanoes in Hawaii and in the forests of Colorado. What could the city atmosphere possibly offer the accomplished environmentalist? But New York had a whole career of opportunities awaiting her. Though more renowned for its skyscrapers than its parks, NYC is actually home to 29,000 acres of parklands, 10,000 acres of which are completely undeveloped, natural lands. “[Two parks in the Bronx] host thriving populations of breeding coyotes,” Aucoin says. “We live in such an urban metropolis but we have the landscape that can support such a rich, natural ecological habitat [and] ecosystem.” As the director of the Urban Park Rangers, a division of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department, it’s Aucoin’s job to share this information with the public and help New Yorkers enjoy and connect with the natural world around them. The Urban Park Rangers work from Nature Centers located in parks in every borough, offering programs for schools and camps as well as free drop-in classes which anyone can join to explore the outdoors. “We do kayaking, canoeing, and archery [programs] in every borough,” Aucoin says. “We run a lot of the kinds of programs that you wouldn’t really think would happen in the city.” They also travel outside of the parks and into neighborhoods

New York Family | May 2013

to share their nature lessons. Aucoin develops the curricula for the Urban Park Rangers’ programs, working with staff from National Geographic, Columbia University, and the New York City Department of Education. She’s also responsible for fundraising and writing grants for those programs. In 2002, as deputy director, she even persuaded the city to approve a permit to raise bald eagles in Inwood Hill Park. Aucoin has a long, impassioned list of reasons why her job is important to the community. Studies show that kids who spend more time outdoors in their neighborhoods are better able to retain information and that teenage girls who are active have higher self-esteem. Plus, neighborhoods with more trees have lower hospitalization rates for childhood asthma. “It’s a human right to be able to reap the benefits of connecting to nature,” Aucoin says. Though she never planned to raise children in the city, the mom of two couldn’t be more pleased that her boys have grown up in the Bronx. “Some of the smartest, best, most interesting people I’ve met in my life were raised in New York City,” she says. “Hopefully, I’m raising two of those [people] myself.” Her sons share her passion for the outdoors; they’ve only recently discovered that parks are places children go to shoot hoops and play baseball, not just raise bald eagles and plant trees, she admits, laughing. Participating in tree plantings and other park events has given her boys a sense of purpose and value, and those are gifts she works to share with every New Yorker. Visit nycgovparks.org/programs/rangers

SWEET CITY LIVING Jenna Park, Blogger And Confectioner By Anna Sims

Carolyn Fong

BRINGING NATURE TO THE CITY

In an age when anyone with kids and Internet access can take to the blogosphere and proclaim himself or herself a parenting expert, Brooklyn-based blogger continued on page 44 www.newyorkfamily.com

Jenna Park offers something unique. Her Sweet Fine Day blog chronicles the day-to-day life of a mother who’s performing the great juggling act of running a baking business and raising two daughters, and of a woman who loves living in New York. “What I write, it’s a personal reflection. I don’t set out to inspire anyone,” Park says. “If I’m relatable because I do tend to speak my mind, that’s a great result.” Park started Sweet Fine Day in 2008 when she and her husband, Mark, were launching their handmade sweets business, Whimsy & Spice. At the time, Park was already an experienced blogger. She’d founded a webzine where she wrote about food and pop culture for Asian Americans in NYC, blogged for the technology review site Popgadget, and later founded what was known as Babygadget, for which she reviewed new baby products. As a web-savvy writer, Park believed that her family’s new business needed an online marketing push. Five years later, Sweet Fine Day is less about the business’s confections and more about living and parenting in New York—though readers are still treated to baked goods photo ecstasy on a regular basis. Whether she’s recounting her family’s recent trip to the MoMA, reflecting on her Korean culture—Park was 3 years old when she immigrated to the U.S. from Korea—or her position as the family breadwinner, or declaring Rockefeller Center as the New York epicenter of hell during the holidays, this mom’s writing is refreshingly unadorned and honest. Beyond the resonance of her writing, Park’s photo essays are flush with emotion. She’s the mom of biracial children—her kids are 1/2 Korean, 1/4 Russian, 1/8 Norwegian, and 1/8 Italian—and one of her photo essays showcases other multiracial families. In another, she captures the quiet beauty of the snow-covered city while as she makes her way to the doctor’s office. The inescapable backdrop of Sweet Fine Day is New York City, the home that Park has grown to appreciate even more since having children. “It’s just become a really good place to raise your kids,” she says. “It’s sort of easy to just stay in your little neighborhood and [my family is] guilty of that, too. But…there’s so much we should take advantage of while the kids are young.” Visit sweetfineday.com

BRIDGING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE Megan Sheekey, President Of The Mayor’s Fund To Advance New York City By Pearl Shin As the president of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City—managing over $40 million for more than 100 city programs annually—Megan Sheekey has a special role in the life of the city. Collaborating closely with Mayor Bloomberg and First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris, she helps identify the needs of

New York Family | May 2013

Moms we love

Robin Caiola

continued from page 42

the city, big and small, and marshals together public and private resources toward addressing urgent as well as long-term quality of life issues. “I think it’s remarkable what you can achieve through public-private partnerships,” Sheekey says of what she loves about her job, praising the Mayor in recognizing the value of working with the private sector. “The Mayor’s Fund allows City government to move beyond traditional service delivery, test the efficacy of projects, expand reach, as well as respond rapidly to community needs. I love being involved with such a wide variety of programming—from school gardens to anti-poverty initiatives—[and] I feel so fortunate to work with so many hardworking, committed people serving the city.” On any given day, Sheekey can be doing anything from overseeing grant applications to meeting with different agencies about important projects as varied as youth development and financial empowerment. One recent ongoing effort she’s been particularly pivotal in managing is relief for Hurricane Sandy. To date, the Mayor’s Fund has committed $51 million of the $57 million in donations they received—including providing over 330,000 hot meals and essential services like showers and transportation for evacuees and volunteers—on top of gathering $6 million in donated supplies. Now, Sheekey and the Mayor’s Fund are focused on large-scale recovery projects that include help with legal services, a mold-removal program, and funding repairs (in close partnership with the Mayor’s Housing Recovery Operations office). At home, instead of drawing a hard work-home boundary after a long day at the job, Sheekey turns her responsibilities at the office into teachable moments for her three daughters. After Hurricane Sandy, she showed her daughters—6 months, 2 years, and 4 years old—photos that she took at Staten continued on page 46 www.newyorkfamily.com

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Island, the Rockaways, and Coney Island, explaining why she had to be away from home and what was happening in the city. “I try to make them aware of local issues and of the fact that they are part of a larger community,” Sheekey says. Indeed, her elder children now ask if she helped the people who lost their houses when she comes home at the end of the day. And if she’s involved in a weekend volunteer service project, like the MillionTreesNYC planting day, you can be sure that she brings them out to help. For this busy mom, prioritizing is a very important factor to staying sane, as is having a sense of humor— “like when you’re about to get out the door in the morning and someone covers you in orange juice,” Sheekey laughs. In fact, as difficult as the balance between parenting responsibilities and work can be, she believes being a mom has helped her manage her position at the Mayor’s Fund. “Being a parent can [help] you bring a greater sense of calm in stressful situations,” she explains. Maintaining a sense of humor, in the right manner, doesn’t hurt in the workplace, either. When she’s off-duty, Sheekey loves visiting the carousels—a favorite of her daughters’—and enjoying the plethora of low-cost or free attractions in the city, like all of NYC’s parks and museums. But what she particularly enjoys is simply spending time with her daughters and husband in their borough of Brooklyn. And perhaps that’s what has made her such a great person for the job. Who better to help manage the city’s most important projects than a mom immersed in finding joy at the neighborhood playground and the local library? Visit nyc.gov/fund

HELPING NEW FAMILIES MIRED IN POVERTY Katherine Snider, Executive Director Of Baby Buggy By Nick Bell Having a baby and raising a healthy and happy child can be a challenge for even the most privileged of parents. For those less fortunate, the difficulties— financial or otherwise—that accompany parenthood are magnified. Which is why the dedicated team at Baby Buggy has made it their mission to provide poor and vulnerable moms and dads with material goods and educational services they need to raise children. Founded by local philanthropist Jessica Seinfeld in 2001, Baby Buggy supplies parents-in-need with everything from cribs and car seats to nurse services for first-time mothers and fatherhood education programs for new dads. With help from donors ranging from corporate partners like Johnson & Johnson to numerous individual families, the group has provided over six million items for hundreds of thousands of local families over the last decade. At the helm of Baby Buggy is Katherine Snider, the executive director and a local mom of two with

New York Family | May 2013

Moms we love

Erica Berger

continued from page 44

a distinguished pedigree working for museums and philanthropic foundations. “A parent making minimum wage has to work two hours just to be able to afford a pack of diapers in NYC,” Snider points out. “It’s hard to paint a picture for some people, to describe what’s it like to be one of three families living together in a single apartment in the East Village or a mom who has to put her baby to bed in a drawer because she can’t afford a crib.” Originally, Snider was inspired to join the fight against poverty after a series of trips to Africa while working for the Rockefeller Foundation. “I kept migrating to these children and taking pictures of them, and really missing my own. As a mother, I felt particularly compelled to do something to help families here at home,” she explains. At Baby Buggy, which she joined in 2008, she oversees both the organization’s fundraising and day-to-day operations. Just don’t call it charity work. “I always bristle when someone calls [Baby Buggy] a charity, because it’s not; we function as a foundation and think of ourselves as a catalyst for change. Our donations help incentivize parents to take steps towards self-sufficiency.” Helping parents become better parents is a core part of that work. In addition to the essential goods and gear the organization distributes to the city’s disadvantaged population—the most vital of which are diapers, strollers, and pack n’ plays—Baby Buggy offers social service assistance in the form of parenting support and education (such as safe sleep workshops), job training, and more. Through partnerships with 60 community based organizations such as Head Start and the Harlem Children’s Zone, the foundation is able to get the children’s products and family educational services to parents who need them most. Not surprisingly, Snider finds that her work in aiding underprivileged families often translates to her continued on page 48 www.newyorkfamily.com

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own parenting philosophy. And her two sons, Tobey and Riley, ages 7 and 8, take their cues from Mom on the value of philanthropy. The boys are regular volunteers at Baby Buggy and have helped to sort and organize diapers and boxes of food for victims of Superstorm Sandy, in addition to clean and package books for families during the holidays. “I feel very lucky to have this job because I can teach my children about the importance of giving back and also open their eyes to what other children and their families are living through,” Snider says. Visit babybuggy.org

BRINGING THE MUSEUM INTO THE COMMUNITY Leslie Bushara, Deputy Director Of Education Of The Children’s Museum of Manhattan By Sothea Shreck Families who regularly visit the Children’s Museum

of Manhattan (CMOM) love the museum’s interactive exhibits, age-appropriate educational programs, and kid-friendly concerts and performances. Less visible but equally impressive is CMOM’s extensive outreach to underserved communities through the city, using its expertise in connecting with families to promote health, literacy, and other essential causes. In recent years, CMOM has established more than 50 key partnerships to provide interactive learning experiences to children who may not otherwise have access to the necessary resources. One such partnership is with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): CMOM conducts weekly health and literacy programs for families at the new Community and Children’s Center at the Johnson Houses in East Harlem. This summer, CMOM will actually replicate components of its acclaimed PlayWorks and EatSleepPlay exhibitions in the Center, bringing rich museum content directly to the community. Spearheading most of the strategic community outreach is a local mother who’s dedicated herself to the institution for the past 17 years. Mom of two Leslie Bushara is the deputy director of education and guest

New York Family | May 2013

services at CMOM and her responsibilities include outreach to public schools, hospitals, libraries, and other community institutions, while also overseeing all of the museum’s in-house programs and educational offerings. “What’s so great about my job is…that every day there are amazing surprises, challenges, and opportunities to work with so many different families—and moments where you feel that you’ve actually helped someone discover or learn something new,” Bushara says. Local non-profits like teaming up with CMOM for just that reason: their ability to connect with children and families. The museum, for example, works with the United Way of New York City and the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), acting as a lead partner of the Healthy Eating for a Healthy Start pilot program. CMOM’s role is to help Head Start centers support staff, teachers, caretakers, and families in developing knowledge and behaviors that will result in the adoption of healthier habits and more active lifestyles. Part of what makes such programs so successful is Bushara’s efforts to keep the individual in mind. “I’ve seen how differently children and adults take in knowledge…and I’ve tried to be respectful of those different learning styles,” she says. Bushara first started working at the museum shortly before giving birth to her first son, Oliver, who is now 16 years old. Over the years, he’s come to know CMOM as a second home. “When Oliver was in middle school, he was on the kid advisory board [for a CMOM exhibit],” Bushara remembers. “And he really enjoyed and was proud of that.” Her other son, Teddy, is 10 years old and was also raised with the museum as his private playground. “Teddy has [helped] work through many different exhibit components to make sure they’re safe,” Bushara says. When not working at one of the Upper West Side’s family-friendly institutions, Bushara enjoys spending time in Central Park with her family. “My boys love to bike ride, climb rocks, listen to outdoor concerts, and people watch at the Lincoln Center fountain,” she says. “The most important thing is that when you’re with [your family] to be as present as possible,” she continues. “I think those moments are really important.” Visit cmom.org

BIG DREAMS WITH SMALL RESOURCES Dr. Shefali Khanna, Chair Of Pediatrics At Lincoln Medical And Mental Health Center By Mia Weber While the ever-present urban pulse of New York City sends some parents running for the suburbs, it never continued on page 50 www.newyorkfamily.com

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gave Dr. Shefali Khanna—the chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx—any pause whatsoever. This working mother spends her days caring for the health of some of the city’s poorest children, then uses the city’s unique offerings to help teach, inspire, and entertain her growing pre-teen daughters off-hours. Dr. Khanna grew up in Bombay, India, and traded one bustling metropolis for another when, after completing medical school and her equivalency exams in India, she arrived in NYC in 1993 to do her residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. “The thing that attracted me most to New York—and I’ve never lived anywhere else in the United States—is the whole multicultural aspect,” she says of her initial impressions of the Big Apple. “You really see and do everything in New York.” For Khanna, much of her own seeing and doing in the city had to do with following her lifelong dreams of being a doctor and working in pediatrics. From her residency, she went on to become chief resident at St. Luke’s, before accepting a position at Lincoln Medical Center (which is a member hospital of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation)—where she became associate director and later the chair of the Department of Pediatrics. In her role at Lincoln—which serves a population that’s historically very low-income and in need of quality health services—Khanna keeps ties between the hospital and the local community strong as she maintains an active role in teaching medical students at the Weill Cornell Medical College. Despite working in an often-challenging environment that has very few resources but many needs, Khanna always keeps sight of why she loves what she does. “I really enjoy advocating for children—and

New York Family | May 2013

Moms we love advocating for what’s right and what’s healthy,” she says. For Khanna and her staff at Lincoln, doing that goes beyond simply treating injuries and illnesses as they come. It’s more about cultivating lifelong healthy habits in kids who may not otherwise get such guidance. Khanna points to the work that Lincoln does in fighting pediatric asthma and obesity as examples of how healthcare is evolving to encourage well-being in children after a hospital visit. To bring down the number of asthma-related admittances for children, for example, they were one of the first to help families gauge symptoms and avoid full-blown asthma attacks by teaching creative, symbol-based ways that little ones who can’t yet read can use to express their symptom levels, in what’s known as the Asthma Action Plan. As far as obesity goes, Khanna is proud to report that Lincoln is similarly proactive. “We try to teach the children the ‘5210’ formula—that means five fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour of exercise, and zero sugary drinks a day,” she explains. Then this easy-to-remember equation is paired with a roster of Zumba, salsa dancing, and Tae Kwon Do classes to create the Lincoln Fitness Fun program, to entice all ages to take an interest in staying healthy. Outside of the hospital, Khanna stays young at heart thanks to her husband Dr. Anirudh Khanna and two daughters—Tara, age 12, and Naomi, age 9. They live on the Upper East Side, which Khanna describes as the “quintessential family neighborhood” where the pizza man on the corner knows her kids personally. From Tara’s Tae Kwon Do lessons and music rehearsals, to Naomi’s regular practices as a budding gymnast and pianist, to the fact that Broadway and a cornucopia of worldly bistros and cafes are practically at the family’s front door, Khanna sees NYC as an unbeatable place to raise a family. “Children are exposed to everything, both good and bad,” she says. “You learn from the bad, so you don’t get scared and you don’t get fazed. And the good is that you’re exposed to every kind of culture— and every kind of person.” Visit nyc.gov/html/hhc/ and search “Lincoln Hospital”

A VOICE FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN Kim Sweet, Executive Director Of Advocates For Children Of New York By Anna Sims As the granddaughter, daughter, and sister of teachers, Kim Sweet broke the mold by studying law. But it seems that the education bug never left her blood. As the executive director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), Sweet has made a career out of helping city students get a quality education that meets their needs. continued on page 52 www.newyorkfamily.com

Moms we love

continued from page 50

Parents are juggling childcare along with jobs, families, and other issues,” she says. And that’s exactly why her work is so important. “When a child is having trouble in school, it’s one more very stressful thing that a parent has to deal with—and sometimes it’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back.” Though Kim originally hails from Massachusetts, she loves raising her family in the city and has come to think of herself as a New Yorker. She laughs as she confesses that her favorite part about city life is definitely not the small living spaces, but she’s quick to enthuse about how much her family enjoys visiting NYC’s parks, especially Central Park and Riverside Park. Kim hopes that her children are proud of the work she does and that they’ll learn the value of giving back. But, even more importantly, Kim wants her kids to understand her passion. “I hope that my children see how much my work means to me and grow up to do something just as meaningful,” she says. “If you think of all the 1.1 million schoolchildren in New York City in three groups—the ones who will succeed no matter what their schools do; the ones who need a little extra help to succeed; and the ones who won’t succeed unless they get a whole lot of help—it’s the third group that really motivates me and that drives AFC’s work,” Sweet says. From immigrants to low-income students to those with special needs, AFC helps children and families by offering free legal advice and representation, informing them of their rights through workshops, advocating for policy changes, and, when necessary, taking legal action to get kids the behavioral and learning accommodations they need. In addition to her work with AFC, Sweet also founded the ARiSE Coalition (Action for Reform in Special Education), an organization which she calls a great complement to AFC. The organization works to reform policies and make schools more accessible— both physically and academically—for special-needs students. They collaborate with a growing list of partners that currently include the United Federation of Teachers, the Mental Health Association of New York, and Parent to Parent of New York State. Sweet admits that her work as a children’s education advocate found her more than she found it. Prior to working at AFC, she spent 10 years at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, where her initial case assignments involved children’s education. From working on these cases, she discovered her passion for giving a voice to children and families who were not always supported by the education system and became the organization’s leader in special education advocacy work. When the job of executive director of AFC opened up in 2007, she jumped at the chance to further immerse herself in this work. The mother of two says being a working parent has only “intensified” her passion for the cause and gives her the all-important parental perspective. “Becoming a parent made me much more keenly aware of the competing demands on parents’ time.

New York Family | May 2013

Visit advocatesforchildren.org

HER HAPPILY EVER AFTER Melissa Francis, News Anchor For FOX Business By Whitney C. Harris

“We’re one of those families that squeezes the life out of this city,” says Melissa Francis, the doe-eyed NYC mom of two and host of “Money with Melissa Francis” on FOX Business Network. “It’s such a fun and fantastic place to live.” The Manhattan mom was recently recognized for her top financial reporting by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. And with the U.S. still in the midst of an uncertain economy and an unreliable www.newyorkfamily.com

Moms we love job market, Francis’ daily news coverage tackles everything from national politics to personal finance. On the home front, the energetic working mother seems to know how lucky she is to have both a thriving career and a happy family. From dropping off her two boys, ages 2 and 6, at school on the Upper East Side, to getting through a busy workday at FOX headquarters in Midtown, to bathtime, pajamas, dinner, and homework at night—Francis feels fortunate to live in a city where she can get from one activity to the next in record time. “I developed a very strong work ethic growing up,” says Francis, who you may recognize from her days as a child actress on “Little House on the Prairie.” The financial news reporter recently chronicled her L.A. childhood in front of the camera in her eye-opening memoir, Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter. “It’s something that I want to pass on to my kids, the pride in a job well done and an honest day’s work.” But after reflecting upon the hypercritical nature of her and her sister’s relationship with their impossibleto-please mom, Francis is parenting on her own terms. “An unrelenting type of parenting might make some children disciplined and focused and champions,” Francis says. “But it can be wildly destructive to others, really robbing them of their confidence and their identity.” “I would never tell anyone how to parent,” she continues. “My kids are so young and who knows how they’ll turn out—I only hope for the best—but I try

to be really mindful of how they’re reacting to what we’re doing and adjust my parenting for each kid, because each is an individual.” Married to private equity executive Wray Thorn, Francis has the benefit of a supportive partner who shares the burden of managing their children’s increasingly busy academic and extracurricular schedules. “He knows more moms at school than I do! He’s very involved…and very patient.” As for Francis, she sneaks in quality bonding with her kids right before bedtime, when her older son often resists sleeping. “It’s when he’s most chatty. That’s the best time to get information out of him.” And Mom can be credited with keeping her kids just as active and curious as she is. Whether they’re at the 92nd Street Y for swimming and soccer practices or at Kidville during their Rockin’ Railroad classes, the Francis-Thorn boys enjoy the city in all its kid-friendly glory—not to mention, its quaint and kitschy aspects. “In the summer we do more of the touristy things,” Francis admits. “My older son and I never get tired of going on one of those silly double-decker buses!” Visit foxbusiness.com

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May 2013 | New York Family 53

There’s perhaps no better way for children to spend a summer day than learning and growing with friends while immersing themselves in various camp activities. Whether it’s through performing arts programming or extreme outdoor sports, day camps can engage children’s minds and bodies in so many wonderful ways. Here, in Part II of our preview series, we give parents a look at some programs in and right outside of the city that do just that. (See our April issue at newyorkfamily.com for Part I.) The 14th Street Y is teaming up with programming partners Amas Musical Theatre, MCC Theater, and the Red Fern Theatre Company to create a Teen Theater Summer Institute. From July 8-19, students entering grades 6-9 can learn from musical theater, acting, and theater for social justice experts. Classes will include physical theater, script analysis, and training for high school theater auditions. The program will conclude with a presentation of student work for family and friends. 14streety.org/teens The younger set, ages 2.5-6 years old, can enjoy weekly themed arts and crafts, science, cooking, and story time at 74th St. MAGIC Summer Days Camp. With flexible schedules and half- and full-day options, MAGIC’s programs build upon the nursery school experience with outdoor play on a private rooftop playground and gymnastics in their state-of-the-art gym. Themes range from Take Me Out to the Ball Game to Surf’s Up. 74magic.com

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At 92Y’s Camp Yomi (ages 5-12), campers experience a blend of artistic, athletic, and educational activities. And new this summer: fun, hands-on science and history activities, with Liberty Science Center and New-York Historical Society experts! Other offerings include: swimming, zip line, climbing wall, ceramics, digital photography, robotics, and gaga. Sports are taught by Super Soccer Stars, Baseball Center NYC, and BumbleBee Tennis. Yomi Seniors (ages 10-12) choose electives and go on an end-of-summer overnight trip. 92y.org Camp Applause is taught by professional actors and offers performing arts classes such as singing, acting, improv, dancing (hip hop and Broadway), movie making, and costume and set design. For children entering kindergarten through 11th grade, the camp brings in a Broadway guest each week for a meet and greet. Younger campers also enjoy weekly themes throughout the summer. applauseny.com Summer Day Camp at Asphalt Green gives kids ages 4-13 the chance to work on progressive skill development with expert sports instructors. After 25 years on a 5.5-acre campus on the Upper East Side, Asphalt Green is expanding its signature camp to Battery Park City at its new 52,000-squarecontinued on page 56

New York Family | May 2013

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Kids looking to brush up on their academic prowess can enroll at Fusion Academy for summer tutoring and test prep. Offering customized schedules and a one-to-one learning environment for students of all ages (from kindergarten to college), Fusion Learning Center is staffed with qualified, practicing teachers in all subject areas including chemistry, biology, algebra, calculus, English, writing, and more. Students can sign up for a specific subject or fundamental math, reading, or writing skills. Fusion also has a Get-Ahead Program in which students get a head start on textbook reading to enhance familiarity. fusionacademy.com

Children can craft, paint, sculpt, design, and decorate at The Craft Studio’s June Art mini-camp. Great for ages 3 and up, the studio also offers summer afternoon programs in July and August in which kids can take part in crafting and games. On Fridays, snack and juice are served to start the weekend right. craftstudionyc.com Discovery Programs has three age-appropriate camps for children 2-10. The smallest campers ages 2-3 enjoy art, gym, movement, and sprinkler and rooftop play along with songs, stories, and games. Ages 3-4 enjoy similar activities, with the addition of science and cooking. Campers 5-10 engage in performing arts including theater, dance, music, gymnastics, and art. The summer session culminates with a performance and reception. discoveryprograms.com If you’re looking for a great half-day camp, East Side Tae Kwon Do is offering specialty programs like Ninja, Far East Movement, Samurai, and Forms Unleashed, for ages 5 and older. Little ones will learn safe fighting techniques and physical movement in addition to Eastern art such as calligraphy, origami, and zen gardening. eastsidetaekwondo.com Educational Alliance Preschool has a summer session for children ages 2-5 that introduces little ones to studio arts such as photography, sculpting, and painting; creative movement such as yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts; culinary arts; sensory exploration; music; and outdoor play. edalliance.org/ preschool Where can your child engage in Lego robotics, gymnastics, chess, ceramics, soccer, fencing, cooking, recycle sculpture, and swimming? Empire Children’s Programs (Empire Camp) allows campers ages 3-15 years to choose the classes they’re interested in during registration, so they’re sure to have a summer to remember. In addition to a wide variety of offerings, the camp takes the children on citywide explorations that include visiting museums and zoos, playing in the parks, and attending performing arts events. empirecamp.com

New York Family | May 2013

74th St. MAGIC

For up to three days a week in July and August, Gymboree Play & Music will run Bubble Camp for children ages 3-5. This summer’s theme is Global Kids, which means that little ones will explore how children in different parts of the world learn and play. From literature and pre-writing to numbers and scientific exploration, the program’s offerings will help kids master the concepts needed for successful school-age learning. As the program may be the first separation experience for some campers, Gymobree’s well-trained staff of teachers is friendly and warm in creating a caring atmosphere. gymboreeclasses.com A wide range of educational and enrichment activities make for an unforgettable summer at Camp Henry Day Camp. With affordable options for children ages 4.5-13, daily activities include arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, and swimming, in addition to museum visits, amusement park trips, bowling, and other adventures around NYC. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available for an additional fee. The sixweek program is also offered as weekly sessions with various discounts for families. henrystreet.org With three Manhattan locations at Columbia University, New York Institute of Technology, and New continued on page 58 www.newyorkfamily.com

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SUMMER CAMPS

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York University, iD Tech Camps offer day programs for beginner through advanced learners ages 7-17. Courses include computer programming, apps, video game design, and web design to foster STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning. Sports, creative games, and life skills round out the camp’s offerings for children. internaldrive.com The half-day summer camp program at Jodi’s Gym offers flexible scheduling for ages 3-5. Children spend the morning learning the fundamentals of gymnastics while also enjoying music, art, story time, games, and lunch. From air castle bouncy time to parachute play to freeze dance, kids will develop motor skills and confidence throughout the summer. A Tiny Dancers Camp is also available. jodisgym.com Kids At Work has a gentle separation program for ages 2.3-3.5 years that will take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from June through the end of August. Little ones are never required to sit during art sessions, which also include hands-on science and sensory projects. Once a week, campers will take part in soccer and dance activities with partners Super Soccer Stars and Creation Station Dance. Plus, weekly trips to the playground and other outdoor adventures round out the interactive fun. kidsatworknyc.com For 80 years, Mohawk Day Camp has helped make unforgettable summers for children ages 3-13. On its 40 acres of sports fields, farm, heated pools, craft and hobby areas, tennis courts, and more, campers can enjoy an environment of inclusiveness and exploration. Beyond the traditional sports, Mohawk offers circus skills, cheerleading, rocketry, doll making, songwriting, and guitar lessons. campmohawk.com Mount Tom Day Camp is all about sports and the arts for ages 3-14. Activities include basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, kickball, gaga, archery, horseback riding, and more. During choice time, kids can also take part in rugby, cricket, squash, and lacrosse. As far as the arts goes, there’s music, drama, dance, crafts, t-shirt art, juggling, and cooking, and during choice time, kids can engage in magic, cartooning, ballroom dance, yoga, jewelry making, and zumba. mounttomdaycamp.com Does your child want to learn chess? This summer, NYChesskids is hosting weeklong camps at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for ages 3-6. This beginner program is also suitable for kids who know a little about the game and will foster creative thinking, concentration, logic, and analytical skills. nychesskids.com Summer Adventure Camp at NY Kids Club is an exciting journey across America from Niagara Falls to the Everglades to the Golden Arches of Missouri and beyond! Children 2.5-6 years old will participate in thematic activities including art, gymnastics, dance, science, sports, cooking, martial arts, and yoga.

New York Family | May 2013

Parents can choose to enroll children in either two, three, or five days per week. nykidsclub.com For a tailor-made summer camp experience, check out private picassos and their in-home programming. During the summer months, Private Picassos brings all the artful fun directly to the camper at home, a museum, or a local park, for children as young as 18 months. Built around the child’s age, interests, and schedule, this individualized camp offers families the convenience of 45-60 minutes of camp on their own schedule. privatepicassos.com super soccer stars is offering a wealth of programs this summer, including outdoor flexible drop-in classes and four-week mini sessions for ages 2-8, indoor mini camps for ages 2.5-5, full-day camps for ages 6-12, a parent-child pre-soccer program for 12-24 months, and an advanced camp for premier-approved players ages 6-14. Plus, check out their soccer in the Hamptons this summer! supersoccerstars.com For a lip-smacking and culinary-focused summer, check out one of the 13 week-long camps at Taste Buds Kitchen. Little ones are divided into age groups 4-8 years, 9-13 years, and 10-15 years and make up to four recipes each day. The budding chefs receive aprons, custom recipe books, and diplomas upon graduation from the program. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons, Taste Buds also hosts classes for children ages 2-3 in which they can make cupcakes (Mondays) and savory dishes (Wednesdays). tastebudskitchen.com Offering half- and full-day creative writing summer camps for students ages 6-18, Writopia Lab workshops are led by published, award-winning authors and playwrights who guide peer-driven conversation during class. Campers choose from either Fiction and Fun—where the focus is on short stories—or Playwriting and Performance, which involves theatre workshops and culminates in a performance. Activities include graphic novel writing, songwriting, trips to publishing houses, poetry in the park, acting workshops, and original writing games such as Character Kickball and Steal the Story. writopialab.org Serving kids 2-16 years old, YMCA Summer Day Camp operates out of 20 branch locations throughout New York City. With offerings ranging from Kindercamp for littlest ones to dedicated sports (basketball, soccer, tennis, gymnastics) and arts camps, children can enjoy active and creative activities all summer long. Counselors may also bring campers to offsite facilities such as local parks and schools. ymcanyc.org

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When Day Is The Way Many Day Camps Now Attract Older Campers Who Appreciate Their Mix Of Programs And Attractionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;And The Ability To Return Home At The End Of The Day By Jess Michaels Like sleepaway camp, day camp is a fun, nurturing, and safe environment dedicated to giving children special summertime experiences. These programs help children build confidence and independence, forge lasting relationships, and cultivate strong life skills. Day camp also gives campers the best of both worlds:

camp and home. Campers enjoy their days filled with exciting activities, then, after hours of fun, they get to go home. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot packed into those days, so much so that, at least in terms of their range of programs and activities, a day at many day camps increasingly resembles a day at many sleepaway camps. continued on page 62

New York Family | May 2013

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Go for a tour of a full-service general interest day camp or visit a camp’s website and you’ll find a menu of activities that includes: ropes courses, climbing walls, bumper boats, go karts, tennis, horseback riding, yoga, cooking, golf, zip lining, fishing, kayaking, and more. No matter what interest your child may have, you can be sure there’s a day camp that caters to it. Throughout the summer, day campers also enjoy themed event days like Color War, Halloween Day, Olympics, and Carnival. Besides all the fun that happens on camp grounds, many organizations schedule day trips throughout the summer to sporting events, museums, Broadway shows, miniature golf, water parks, bowling alleys, and the beach. These trips are a break from the everyday activities and expose children to many different experiences, both educational and entertaining, beyond the camp itself.

“day camps today offer a wide range of activities to their campers, which include adventure ropes courses, fullblown stage productions, team sports and league play, and weekly field trips. the summer day camp experience has grown dramatically and has become a large piece of a child’s overall growth and development.” “While the core camp experience for children— achieving personal bests, friendship, and fun— hasn’t changed much over the generations, what has changed drastically is the menu of program offerings,” says Doug Pierce, Owner and Director of Pierce Country Day Camp in Roslyn, NY. “Day camps today offer a wide range of activities to their campers, which include adventure ropes courses, full-blown stage productions, team sports and league play, and weekly field trips. The summer day camp experience has grown dramatically and has become a large piece of a child’s overall growth and development.” If you’re a working parent and need before- and after-camp care, there are programs that have extended hours to accommodate your schedule. Josh Male, Owner and Director of Gate Hill Day Camp in Stony Point, NY, says, “We offer early and late stay programs daily, included in a camper’s tuition, plus an academic support program that some families find essential for their kids.” Many day camps also offer flexibility in session length, which can range from a full season to a few weeks, or half-day or part-week options for the youngest campers. Many also offer transportation to and from camp for your child with door-to-door

New York Family | May 2013

pick-up/drop-off or centralized pick-up/dropoff locations. Whatever your family’s schedule or summer plans are, there are day camps that can fit your lifestyle. Many families who send their child to day camp often assume that their kid will eventually end up at sleepaway, because of the unique virtues of being away from home. But the untold story of day camp is that it attracts a lot of older kids who just aren’t that interested in going to sleepaway full time. “I have three children, all well-adjusted and full of varying interests,” says one New York mom. “The oldest and the youngest love sleepaway camp. The middle one, who happens to be the best athlete of the group, never had any interest: ‘Why go away when I can have my own bed?’ But he always went to day camp and ultimately became a counselor.” Another twist on the day camp experience that sweetens the deal for kids is that they sometimes offer occasional overnight experiences, too. Many day camps partner with sleepaway camps to send age-appropriate day campers to overnight camps for a few days. This gives children a feel for being away from home to see what sleepaway camp is like and whether it appeals to them. Some day camps host overnights for their campers over the course of the summer. Others have “late nights” after day camp hours, with movies or other evening entertainment. These experiences are often a child’s first experience away from home and another big step towards independence. Day camps have adapted to the needs of older campers as well. To keep them engaged, many camps offer travel programs that include weeklong trips to places such as Toronto and Washington, D.C. “Our Trailblazers: Teen Travel program is geared toward our 8th and 9th graders, both first-time and returning campers,” says Male, of Gate Hill Day Camp. “They travel the East Coast on overnight trips, day trips, and enjoy special days in camp. Our teens see this as something new and different, but still within a day camp philosophy and a community that they love.” Other camps schedule a couple of overnight trips for older campers throughout the summer to places such as Hersheypark, PA, or Six Flags Great Adventure, NJ. These programs are great options for campers who want to still be part of the camp community and participate in camp activities, but would also like the adventure of traveling. “The popularity of day camp continues to soar due to the broad programs being offered,” adds Pierce, of Pierce Country Day Camp. “Children join an environment that’s free of failure with something for everyone and success for all.”

For more inFormation on camps, visit aca-nynj.org, therightcamp. com, and newyorkFamily.com

www.newyorkfamily.com

Kids at Art  

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www.kidsatartnyc.com 1412 Second Avenue (73-74th Streets) 212-410-9780

2.6 year-olds - 5.6-year-olds For children both separated and non-separated. Outdoor activities include water play and playground. Indoor activities include gymnastics and sports in our state-of the art gym, cooking, music, art and library. Our teachers are regular members of York Avenue Preschool and Early Learning Foundations Preschool and maintain the same high standards that we expect throughout the school year.

Summer Classes

7-month-olds - 18-year-olds Gymtime is the savvy parents resource for recreational and educational activities for children. Choose from sessions 1, 2 or 3. Our programs include mommy & me, gymnastics, sports and fitness, tae kwon do, cooking, art, music and combo classes.

Gymtime Gymnastics Camp

5-6.11 year-olds & 7+ year-olds Activities include morning yoga or stretch class, outdoor play, cooking and art classes, indoor swimming and daily gymnastics.

Call 212.861.7732 to Register Today!

1520 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 • 212.861.7732

For more information visit: gymtime.net

@GymtimeNYC

facebook.com/gymtimeNYC

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Featuring: May 18 & 19, 2013 • 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Pier 92

Tickets available now Single $10 • Family $20

FEATURING ROSIE POPE Meet Rosie Pope and test your Mommy IQ at noon on both days Shop the top brands for new and expectant parents See new product launches not yet available in stores Try the hottest strollers on the newly expanded Stroller Test Track Relax in the Comfort & Harmony Moms’ Lounge Attend a New Dads Boot Camp hosted by the NYC Dads Group Dance and play games in the Play Area with Radio Disney on Sunday Sing along with local musicians and have fun with the family!

www.NewYorkBabyShow.com

Applause NY

Terrific

Twosomes Discover Some Of The City’s Best Mommy & Me Classes

Michael Jurick photography

There’s something about getting out there and sharing some classes with your little child. Yes, it’s fun and educational for them. But a big part of what makes the experience worthwhile is the social factor: You’re putting them in the vicinity of other children and yourself alongside other parents. Hopefully, some friendships—or at least playdates—will follow.

The Art farm in the city

14th Street Y Meet other parents and babies in a relaxed environment at their New Moms Stroll-In (drop-in) class, for parents and children from birth to crawling. Parenting Director Kiki Schaffer leads discussions on topics such as sleep, feeding, infant development, and balancing work and motherhood to guide you through the joys and challenges of parenting. 14streety.org 74th St. MAGIC Their colorful mini-gym is the perfect place for little ones to explore movement and develop gross motor skills in their Tiny Tumblers class, available to 6-10 months and 11-18 months. Music is played during all the activities and each class ends with fun playing with bubbles and the parachute. 74magic.com 92Y Playing with your food can be fun and educational. In Kids In The Kitchen, children (ages 2-4) learn to follow directions, knead dough, and mix ingredients. Then, you and your child get to eat, enjoy, and share the results. There’s snack, story, and circle time, too, plus single-session classes for grandparents to cook and kvell! 92y.org Applause New York For future thespians, head to the Broadway Babies class (4-12 months). Each week, babies are introduced to a new Broadway show where mommies and tots can continued on page 66

www.newyorkfamily.com

May 2013 | New York Family 65

continued from page 65

sing along. Crazy costumes and props are part of the fun, along with musical instruments. applauseny.com The Art Farm In The City Who doesn’t want a furry friend? In their Rock, Smocks, And Animals class for infants as young as 14 months, each animal adventure includes an Animal of the Week complemented by music, crafts, and an indoor petting zoo. theartfarms.org Asphalt Green Focusing on the basics of gymnastics for children ages 2-3, Tumble Tots includes rolls, balance beam, swings, holds on bars, and, of course, jumping on the trampoline! Parents share the fun of creative movement and tumbling with kids as they develop fundamental motor skills. asphaltgreen.org Chelsea Piers Get your young one interested in sports at an early age in their Little Athletes classes (12 months to 5 years) that boast age-appropriate activities used to stimulate social and physical development. Kiddos get free access to the Little Athletes Exploration Center, an incredible indoor play area. chelseapiers.com Columbus Gym Keeping in the spirit of fun while teaching young children the skills they need as they grow physically, socially, and emotionally, the Tiny Tot Fitness program (for ages 6 months to 3 years) concentrates on balance, coordination, and fine motor skills as children explore tumbling mat circuits, balance beams, rings, bars, trampoline, and activity stations. columbusgymnyc.com Discovery Programs A joy-filled exploration of the unifying bond of music, Music, Dance & Storytime mixes live accompaniment, traditional and world instruments, dance, and animated storytelling to encourage self-expression, listening skills, and enthusiasm for music and dance among 12- to 36-month-olds. discoveryprograms.com Eastside Westside Music Together Children from birth to 4 can attend their family-style Mixed Ages class, which cycles through one of nine song collections each semester. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones; older children learn by leading younger ones; and each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, and exploring musical instruments. eswsmusictogether.com Gymboree Play & Music Their 3-level Music program, spanning ages 6 months to 5 years, provides an active and playful approach that will have you and your child dancing, singing, and playing instruments together. You’ll enjoy a range of musical styles (class favorites include the Beatles and Caribbean) as you build a foundation of musical skills. gymboreeclasses.com

New York Family | May 2013

Clockwise from top left: 92Y, Kids In Sports, Gymtime Rhythm & Glues

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues The PEP and PEP Plus classes offer toddlers a preschool-like experience that combines time in a play-based classroom with physical activities in their state-of-the-art gym. Classes are designed to help develop small motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and muscle control and to begin recognition of lines, shapes, and texture. Both programs emphasize experimentation and imagination while building independence and confidence. gymtime.net The JCC In Manhattan In Coo & Crawl, babies will play while parents get a chance to discuss topics such as sleep, co-parenting, feeding, getting out and about with baby, body image, sibling rivalry, and more! The weekly class is led by a lactation consultant and doula who will connect you to a world of resources and to other new parents. Appropriate for babies 0-12 months. jccmanhattan.org Jodi’s Gym A popular class for children 12-35 months who love to both move and groove, Rockin’ Rollers combines the fun of their 45-minute action-packed Mighty Muscle Movers gym class topped with a 30-minute music class in which one of their dynamic music teachers will lead you through a singing and dancing extravaganza. jodisgym.com Karma Kids Yoga The Mom & Baby Yoga class combines yoga and play continued on page 68 www.newyorkfamily.com

yrs. of Fun, Frien ds, & Fitness !

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Three action packed hours where your child will run, jump tumble, balance, stretch, sing, create, move and groove under the supervision of our enthusiastic and well trained and certified staff. www.jodisgym.com 244 E. 84 th St. NYC • 212.772.7633

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school-year classes at various locations on the Upper East Side are available. moeysmusicparty.com MoonSoup Perfect for engaging toddlers, Messy Art & Music is a super-fun mix of interactive music and ageappropriate hands-on art. In addition to providing a good time, the class helps with social development as the kids learn to share at a group table. moonsoup.net

Kidville

to get back in shape while strengthening the bond between mom and infant (6 weeks to new walkers). Experience flowing asanas, challenging postures, and calming restorative time. Learn baby yoga exercises to strengthen growing muscles, aid in digestion, and promote better sleeping patterns. Dads welcome too. karmakidsyoga.com Kick & Play Brought to you by Super Soccer Stars, Kick & Play is a parent-child pre-soccer and movement program for toddlers ages 12-24 months. Your little ones are guided through a world that exposes them to the basic principles of physical movement and pre-soccer through engaging activities using music, puppets, and more. It’s the best way to learn to have a ball! kickandplay.com Kids At Work The wide age range in Toddle Around, from 12 months to 2.5 years, inspires observation in little ones and leadership in older students. Classes begin with sensory art stations meant to develop decisionmaking skills, followed by intimate music (including guitar) and movement. kidsatworknyc.com Kids In Sports Two-year-olds love The Little Athlete Class, a 45-minute adult participation program. In this actionpacked class, children have both free play and structured exercises tailored to their age and ability level. All major team sports will be covered. kisnyc.com Kidville Each week in Rockin’ Railroad: Unplugged, a crew and conductor take newborns to 12 months and their parents on a musical journey featuring movement songs, lap activities, story time, group drumming exploration, and bubbles galore. The class explores a different instrument and genre every week and meets special puppet friends along the way. kidville.com Moey’s Music Party This joyful, interactive class introduces young children to songs, movement, puppets, phonics, and musical story time based on a weekly party theme. Summer themes include beach parties, cowboy parties, and princess parties. Summer classes in Central Park and

New York Family | May 2013

My Gym For ages 7-13 months, Tiny Tykes learn a variety of stretches, exercises, songs, agility skills, and introductory tumbling. A relationship of movement and physical activity develops as they discover their new mobility and body control. The class wraps the work in fun and laugher, so the babies are having a blast while learning and developing. my-gym.com New York Kids Club Rooted in thematic, age-appropriate lessons Cuentos Musica Y Arte immerses children 18-36 months in Spanish language through music, story, art, and play. Their enthusiastic native speaking instructors introduce a number, a letter, a shape, and an animal every class. A fun flash card art project, which brings the four elements together, allows the students to continue their learning at home. nykidsclub.com Poppyseed Pre-Nursery Having fun while prepping for nursery school? It’s easy as ABC. Poppyseed has amazing art projects, musical collaboration with instruments, story circles, dancing, tumbling, and more! Meeting 2-3 times a week, tots and moms boogie and bond while forging new friendships for life. The perfect bridge between home and nursery school, Poppyseed is for babies, toddlers, and twos accompanied by adult. poppyseedprenursery.com SwimJim A caregiver and child class, SwimBabies helps little ones learn socialization skills, water safety, gross motor skills, peer motivation, and self-esteem through happy songs and fun games. The babies also begin to explore breath control, balance, and buoyancy. This class is ideal for children 16 months to 3 years old. swimjim.com TLB Music This spring and summer, babies and toddlers can take a special theme class—Betty Loves Broadway—in which students travel with an adorable NYC girl each week to discover a new Broadway musical in class, targeting developmental goals for each age group through play. The featured musicals include “Mary Poppins,” “Les Misérables,” and “The Lion King.” tlbmusic.com FoR MoRe GReAT MoMMY ANd Me CLASSeS, vISIT NeWYoRKFAMILY.CoM www.newyorkfamily.com

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345 E. 86th Street Opening Summer 2013 still accepting applications for the 2013-14 school year IPSnyc.org/86

The

2013

Hon ori ng Excellence In Educa tion Sinc e 2 0 0 2 For over 10 years The Blackboard Awards have celebrated outstanding teachers from all education communitiespublic, private, parochial and charter-and from all grade levels, from nursery school through high school. Every year a distinguished panel chooses the very best from thousands of nominations. Please take a minute to think of that certain teacher who adds so much to your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and your school community by nominating him or her for a 2013 Blackboard Award For Teachers!

Honor an outstanding teacher or guidance counselor Go to BlackboardAwards.com & Submit Your Nomination Today! Nomination Deadline is May 10th

RegistRy

Rescue

10 Tips For Taking The Stress Out Of The Baby Checklist (Plus, Some Products Picks From The Pros) By Leah Black Oliver B city of Dreams 3-Piece crib Bedding set with ventilated slat bumpers. www.newyorkfamily.com

May 2013 | New York Family 71

continued from page 71

One of the first thoughts to strike a new parent— after feelings of joy, of course—is just how much stuff their new bundle of cuteness requires. Hence the baby registry, a smart way to keep track of baby’s needs while providing loved ones with the chance to give you something they know you’ll appreciate. But creating a baby registry can be an overwhelming process. I remember standing in the middle of buybuy BABY with my all-powerful laser gun, frozen with indecision over which changing pad to scan. There’s just so much stuff out there— and every parent wants the best. To help the overstressed parent-to-be, we asked the registry experts for their 10 best tips. 1. Start early. “This gives you plenty of time to consider your choices and change your mind,” says Ali Wing, founder and CEO of giggle, who recommends registering four or five months before your due date. “It also allows for proper lead time on larger items and special orders.” Plus, if the baby comes early, you’ll already have everything taken care of. 2. USe Starter checkliStS. “Let someone else do the homework for you,” Wing says. Rather than beginning your registry from scratch, use checklists available at stores like giggle and community websites like thebump.com to help jumpstart the process; they outline the basic gear and clothing that newborns need. 3. talk to other new parentS. With so many products on the market, it can be confusing to discern what you truly need. Asking new moms and dads who’ve been there can help. “They can tell you what was great, what worked for them and what they thought was pointless,” says Ingrid Prueher, founder of NYC Baby Planner. 4. toUch and feel. “It’s important to try out what you’re getting,” Prueher says. You don’t have to leave your home every time you add something to your registry, but it can be a good idea. A baby blanket

may appear luxuriously soft on your computer screen but have a very different texture when you actually get your hands on it. 5. combine Several regiStrieS into one. Most parents end up registering at several stores. To make life easier for you and gift-givers, Prueher recommends consolidating all your registries into one place by using a website like amazingregistry.com. 6. Strike a balance between StUff yoU’ll USe now and later. “The amount of clothes we get for newborns is crazy because they outgrow them so quickly,” Prueher says. Instead of registering for countless onesies, include toddler gear like a high chair or umbrella stroller that you’ll need later. 7. don’t StreSS over price pointS. “Unlike bridal registries, it’s typical for a baby registry to have a lot of smaller items and everyday essentials,” Wing says. Choosing items with a range of prices lets you accommodate all budgets. Include splurges, too. “You never know when friends or family might want to go in together on a gift!” she adds. 8. regiSter for gift cardS. If you’re unsure of what to register for, include a few gift cards. Family and friends are often happy to give them, and “it leaves room for items you may need later on [after the baby is born],” says Wing. 9. don’t keep yoUr regiStry a Secret. People want to give you something you’ll use, so don’t be shy about spreading the word about your registry. Wing recommends taking advantage of stores that have insert cards for shower invitations. “Or ask to see if they have an e-mail template so you can send notifications from their websites,” she says. 10. remember what’S important. In the end, what’s on your registry isn’t going to make or break your life as a new parent. “Babies need a home. They need to be loved, to be changed and fed, and they need a certain amount of clothes,” says Prueher. “Everything else is just accessories.”

Spruce up Any regiStry with hand-picked itemS from the proS

MacKenzie-Childs

rocking chair: “Now that MacKenzie-Childs has officially launched a brand new beautiful children’s line, I suggest the Wee Rocking Chair. I love the whimsical hand-painted pattern.” –Lyss Stern, Divalysscious Moms (divamoms.com) baby carrier: “Ergobaby makes on the go with the baby so easy, especially when you have another

New York Family | May 2013

Ergobaby

child—and with no backache! It’s so lightweight and easy to tote around all day. Plus, they make not only fashion but basic colors as well, so anyone can find a style they like.” –Melissa Keswin, Gilt.com

continued on page 74 www.newyorkfamily.com

Featuring:

Win The Ultimate Nursery by A complete dream nursery compliments of Bellini. Enter to win their brand new Stella Collection designed by Newport Cottages, which includes a crib, dresser with changer and bookcase, also receive a custom designed Bellini bedding set, upholstered glider and much more from some of the best parenting brands out there!

Enter to Win: NewYorkBabyShow.com

Pictorial representation. Actual items in the giveaway will be from the new collection launched at the show.

continued from page 72

Harper Crib Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair

Britax Marathon 70

HIGH CHAIR: “The Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair is a new family essential. Thanks to clean lines and the optional choice of bold colors (we love the orange), this highchair is the ultimate confluence of form and function. Pull it up to the table and have baby join in the mealtime fun. No need for bulky, disposable plastic gear junking up dining room.” –Nicole Feliciano, Momtrends (momtrends.com) CAR SEAT: “The Britax Marathon 70 car seat is basically one step away from wrapping your baby in bubble wrap. It has a special technology to lower baby’s center of gravity, so she’s less likely to propel forward in the event of a cra sh—very high-tech! There’s also a 70-pound weight capacity and two buckle positions for a growing child, so it’s bound to last you a long time.” –Elena Mauer, The Bump (thebump.com) CRIB: “Our very own Harper crib is everything we think baby furniture should be—from its quality construction to its clean, classic lines that fit every decor style. Perfect for parents on a budget, the Harper was designed with both long-term durability and great value in mind. It’s made from a combo of solid birch and birch plywood, can be converted into a toddler bed (with the purchase of our optional conversion kit), and is eco-responsible, containing non-toxic and low-VOC finishes.” –Ali Wing, giggle (giggle.com) WEBSITE: “When it comes to creating the registry itself, we’re in love with the universal registry concept from Babylist (babyli.st). Their Pinterest-like technology allows expecting parents to select both products and services (think home cooked meals and doulas!) from anywhere on the web and add them to their registries, all in one place. It’s the way of the future in baby registry.” –Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio, Project Nursery (projectnursery.com) UPGRADED BUMPER: “With bumpers becoming a crib no-no, Oliver B’s ventilated slat bumpers are

New York Family | May 2013

aden & anais serenity star

a welcome alternative, offering a cushion for baby and plenty of air circulation. My newborn son and I loved the bumpers so much, I even designed a new crib collection for them called City of Dreams.” –Elina Furman Landauer, A-List Mom (alistmom.com) PLAYARD: “Normally, I’d say register for a breast pump, but that’s changed now that insurance covers them. I’m going to suggest registering for the 4moms Breeze playard. It’s one of the best products I’ve seen in years, and its one-handed open and close nails it.” –Jamie Grayson, The Baby Guy (babyguygearguide.com) SLEEP SYSTEM: “We love the serenity star by aden + anais for so many reasons. A clock, feeding diary, sound machine, temperature indicator, and nightlight all in one—a must have!” –Michelle Freedberg, Bellini (bellini.com) SUBSCRIPTION: “Send a new, eco-friendly handmade teether or toy to the lucky little one every month with the Wee Wood of the Month Club. Plus, it supports one of our favorite mom and dad-run Etsy shops.” –Liz Gumbinner & Kristen Chase, Cool Mom Picks (coolmompicks.com) BOUNCER: “What’s better than a newborn? A relaxed, non-crying newborn. The Baby Bjorn Bouncer Balance Soft is a new hybrid bouncy seat that rocks newborns into a magical state of placidity. Ergonomic, organic, and washable, the seat has four positions—newborn, sleep, rest, and transport—that take babies from newborn to two years old.” –Amy Koch, Bump It Up (bumpitupstyle.com) BABY MONITOR: “Some of the coolest new baby monitors are coming from tech companies these days. The MBP41 Video Monitor from Motorola uses wireless technology, infrared night vision, and allows for two-way communication. Plus, it works as far as 590 feet…in case you live in a truly sprawling apartment!” –Whitney C. Harris, Deputy Editor of New York Family (newyorkfamily.com) www.newyorkfamily.com

home&away

QUALITY TIME PETITE WATERMELONS Victoria Belanger is the blogger behind The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn (jellomoldmistress.com). She creates craft Jello molds in unexpected flavors and artistic presentations. This summery, fruity recipe is excerpted from her new book, Hello, Jell-O! 50+ Inventive Recipes for Gelatin Treats and Jiggly Sweets (Ten Speed Press, 2012). 1 c boiling water 1 package strawberry flavored gelatin (3 oz) 1 c chopped fresh or frozen and thawed strawberries 1/2 c cold water Rind from 5 limes, halved, with pulp scooped out and discarded 1 tsp black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or basil seeds In a bowl, add boiling water to gelatin and stir the gelatin until fully dissolved. Transfer gelatin to a blender. Add strawberries and cold water and blend until liquefied. Refrigerate until thickened, about 90 minutes. Skim off any foam that has risen to the top and stir mixture to evenly distribute the strawberry puree. Spoon into lime rind halves. Refrigerate until firm, at least three hours. Carefully halve the gelatin-filled lime rinds again. Sprinkle with seeds and serve.

RAINBOW COOKIES

FOOD PLAY 3 Whimsical Recipes for turning children into culinary artists By Chrissy Makris This spring, we want children to play with their food! Making food art isn’t just about tapping into your creative side; it’s also about promoting self-esteem and confidence as kids take an active role in preparing meals (or snacks) that they love. Plus, they can brush up on math by measuring ingredients, learn about colors by mixing food coloring, and improve comprehension skills by reading recipes. We got in touch with three local food bloggers for some playful recipes that families can whip up together at home. See underlined steps for where mini sous chefs can help.

New York Family | May 2013

2 large eggs 2/3 c granulated sugar, plus additional 2 tbsp 2 tsp lemon zest from 1 lemon, freshly grated 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (10 oz), softened 1/2 tsp table salt 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 c unbleached all-purpose flour (15 oz) 6 food coloring colors (suggested: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) 1 tsp large egg white, lightly beaten Place eggs in small saucepan, cover with 1 inch water, and bring to boil over high heat. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let sit 10 minutes. Meanwhile, fill small bowl with ice water. Using slotted spoon, transfer eggs to ice water and let stand 5 minutes. Crack eggs and peel shell. Separate yolks from white; discard white. Press yolks through fine-mesh strainer into small bowl. Add sugar and lemon zest to a bowl. Use fingertips to rub the mixture until it resembles pale yellow wet sand. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar mixture, salt, and cooked egg yolk on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl and beater with rubber www.newyorkfamily.com

Photo by Angie Cao

Petite Watermelons

Ken Leung’s food journal and blog, Hungry Rabbit (hungryrabbitnyc.com), features sweet and savory treats that he cooks up in his New York City kitchen. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Leung’s early cooking education came from observing the daily happenings in his family kitchen. Don’t the colors in these cookies (pictured on next page) just scream “warm weather cheer”?

spatula. Turn mixer to low, add vanilla, and mix until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Stop mixer and add flour. Mix on low until just combined, about 1 minute. Using rubber spatula, press dough into cohesive mass. Divide dough into six equal portions. Add food coloring to each piece and mix to achieve desired colors. Roll each portion on a piece of plastic wrap into a long strip, about 3 x 11 inches at 1/4 inch thick. Wrap each strip with the plastic wrap and chill until firm, about an hour. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Place purple dough on a cutting board and brush with egg white. Place blue dough on top of purple and brush with egg white. Repeat with remaining dough in the order of the rainbow. Using a chef’s knife, trim edges and slice dough into 1/4-inch-thick rectangles. (If dough is too soft when slicing, chill it for an additional 20-30 minutes.) Place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Bake cookies for 14-16 minutes, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, transfer to wire rack, then cool.

Rainbow Cookies

SWEETIE PIE PIE POPS Lauryn Cohen is the founder of Bella Baker, a made-toorder, customizable dessert company here in New York. Her blog (blog.bellabaker.com) features adorable and inventive desserts that anyone with a sweet tooth can re-create at home. These lovely heart-themed pie pops would make a delicious Mother’s Day surprise…or anytime snack.

TO MAKE THE FLAKY PIE CRUST 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 3 tbsp sugar 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (12 tbsp), cold or frozen and cut into 48 small pieces 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 6-7 tbsp ice water Combine flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and shortening and pulse until mixture resembles coarse peas or cornmeal. (Chunks of butter here are fine.) Sprinkle the water, one or two tablespoons at a time, over the mixture and pulse a couple of times in between each addition. Pinch the dough—if it holds together, it’s ready; if not, add more water until the mixture begins to clump. On a flat surface, lightly knead the dough into two flat disks. Wrap each disk in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Dough can be made up to 3 days ahead. Sprinkle flour onto a clean work surface and, using a rolling pin, gently roll out the chilled dough. If dough begins to stick, lift it from underneath and sprinkle additional flour. Once the dough reaches 1/4 inch in thickness, cut shapes out of the pie dough using a 2- or 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter (or round biscuit cutter).

www.newyorkfamily.com

Sweetie Pie Pie Pops

TO MAKE THE CHERRY FILLING 5 to 6 cups fresh pitted cherries 2 tbsp lemon juice 1-2 tsp lemon zest 2/3 cup sugar 3 tbsp cornstarch 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients except for the vanilla extract. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue to simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract, remove from heat, and cool.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place half the dough hearts or circles onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Place a 6-inch lollipop stick on top of each circle, pressing gently so it sticks into the dough circle, going about halfway up the circle. Add about a teaspoon of filling to each dough circle or heart and place another dough heart on top. Use the tines of a fork to carefully crimp together the edges of the dough. Make sure that the edges are secure all around, so that the filling doesn’t leak out, then bake for 10-12 minutes. May 2013 | New York Family

WHERE THE WILD TRIPS ARE America’s Most Underrated National Parks By Nick Bell

TRAVEL

Established to preserve and protect what Teddy Roosevelt once deemed “our greatest national asset,” America’s National Parks are tranquil and affordable options for families seeking escape from the pressures of city life. Here are six family-friendly National Parks across the country that we love for their unique offerings and stellar kids programs. LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA Though nearly a century removed from its last eruption, Lassen Volcanic National Park still bears the telltale signs of an active geothermal area— adventurous families need not search far and wide to encounter boiling mud pots, festering fumaroles, and churning hot springs. Together, parents and their children have the rare chance to experience not one but four varieties of volcano, either taking part in the historical Pioneer Program or venturing out via bike, boat, horseback, or kayak. The park features ten family-friendly trails, four of which are accessible by stroller. Kids can also participate in one of Lassen Volcanic’s 13 children’s programs for preschoolers through tweens. For tots, puppet shows explain local flora and fauna while Chipmunk Cards help with tracking the park’s local wildlife. For 7- to 12-year-olds, the two-hour Junior Ranger adventure provides an explorer’s backpack stuffed with binoculars, a magnifying glass, rock identification cards, and other helpful tools for discovering and mapping the park’s robust ecology. VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK, MINNESOTA Featuring more than 80,000 acres of water and just 10 total miles of roads, Voyageurs National Park is the ultimate water park. Families with waterborne wanderlust will delight in its thousand-plus glacial islands, all accessible by boat. Named for the Franco-Canadian trappers and explorers who canoed the area in the 18th and 19th centuries, Voyageurs remains largely unchanged from the days of its eponyms. Families wishing to take a step back in time can sign up for the North Canoe Voyage program, an interactive trip aboard a 26-foot replica of those used to first explore the territory, and learn age-old river navigation techniques and paddle salutes.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

New York Family | May 2013

continued on page 80 www.newyorkfamily.com

National Park Service

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Presented By:

The Food & Wine Event in The Hamptons Hosted by Chef Bobby Flay

Honoring Long Island Wine Council, 2013 “Two Forks Outstanding Achievement Award” Music provided by DJ PHRESH!

Saturday July 13th, 2013 Sayre Park

156 Snake Hollow Rd., Bridgehampton, NY, 11932

40 RESTAURANTS • 20+ VINEYARDS

General Admission $155

VIP Admission $235

Tickets available at danstasteoftwoforks.com Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Beyond Luxury

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors NORTH SHORE Linens

VIP Reception 6:30–7:30 P.M. | General Admission 7:30–10:00 P.M. Must be 21+ to attend.

For more information please call: 631.227.0188 A portion of the proceeds benefit All For The East End (AFTEE)

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AcAdiA NAtioNAl PArk, MAiNe Who says you need to go out west for the best in nature? Boasting a network of rugged hiking trails, old carriage paths, and granite peaks strewn across thousands of acres of protected coastline, Acadia National Park in Maine is a hiker’s dream right here on the East Coast. Whether your family is ready to hike your way to the summit of the 1,500-foot Cadillac Mountain, bike along the sprawling Park Loop Road, or simply take in the local ecological wonders at the Wild Gardens of Acadia, this park has a little something for everyone. To literally get the lay of the land, Acadia Quest is a year-round integrated park experience, using hiking, biking, walking, and water activities to foster awareness about local ecology and topography. From mid-May to October, kids ages 5-12 can forage for clues in scavenger hunt bingo and partake in ranger-led outings (think: hawk watches and beaver tours) as part of the Junior Ranger Program. But envy not, parents—the park also offers a senior ranger program for guests over 18. MesA Verde NAtioNAl PArk, colorAdo Featuring the largest and most pristine assemblage of ancestral Pueblo structures on the planet, Mesa Verde National Park is a gem of American antiquity. Essentially unchanged since the 13th century, Mesa Verde offers families a terrific opportunity to step into the annals of lesser-known Mesoamerican history. The park is home to over 400 public campsites, but for families who don’t want to rough it completely, the Far View Lodge atop an 8,000-foottall mesa offers modern accommodations with private stargazing-friendly balconies. Back out on the main grounds, kids love the Spruce Tree house—a cliff dwelling constructed over 800 years ago with over 130 rooms ripe for exploration—and Balcony House, with tons of meandering tunnels to crawl through. Final itinerary tip: Don’t miss Mesa Verde’s Indian Arts and Culture Festival from May 25 to June 1, full of kid-friendly activities like nightly tribal dancing, the annual Bear Dance and Pow Wow, and traditional food tastings. GrANd tetoN NAtioNAl PArk, WyoMiNG Home to some of the country’s most stunning vistas, Grand Teton National Park features one of the tallest peaks in North America, sprawling blue glaciers, and over 300 species of birds. While it’s one of the smaller national parks in terms of net real estate, Grand Teton’s range of activities and programs is just as exciting and active as any.

New York Family | May 2013

National Park Service

In the summer months, the park’s placid lakes are ripe for family fishing expeditions, featuring robust walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass populations—not to mention mild weather for terrific camping in over 175 park-approved sites. If you’re visiting in cooler seasons, don’t fret; the park’s crosscountry ski rental and snowshoe loan programs are great for exploring the preserved frozen landscape.

Mesa Verde National Park, colorado

To get acquainted with the wildlife, board one of the park’s 15-person rubber rafts and travel down the Snake River for a half-day trip, during which you’ll spot all sorts of animals from moose and pelicans to coyotes and blue heron. Or explore the magnificent terrain on your own terms via the 25 family-friendly hiking trails. Younger visitors should be sure to pick up a copy of The Grand Adventure, an activity-based newspaper for kids focusing on park geology, wildlife, and American-Indian culture. The park is also home to the Teton Junior Science School, which offers weeklong programs for third through sixth graders throughout the summer months. Eight- to-12 year-olds can also partake in scavenger hunts, short hikes, habitat games, and more in the daily 90-minute Junior Ranger programs. rocky MouNtAiN NAtioNAl PArk, colorAdo For families who can’t choose between winter and summer travel, Rocky Mountain National Park offers a two-pronged vacation experience. At the park’s higher elevations, families will find a winter wonderland with year-round snowfall. Back in lower altitudes, visitors encounter lush meadows and prairie amidst idyllic 70-degree conditions. Perfect for kids who love staying up after bedtime, the Rocky After Dark program takes families for a nightly flashlight tour of the surrounding terrain, where park rangers will teach you how to identify species of tree by touch and provide a detailed rundown of the park’s nocturnal fauna. Of course, there’s plenty of daytime fun to be had, too. The Tails for Tots program uses puppet shows to teach kids 3-5 about forest wildlife, and the Kids Adventure Program encourages 6- to 10-year-olds to pretend they’re animals and discover their place within the “web of life.” Love bugs? Choose one of three programs for ages 6-12 that explores insects, animals’ senses, and how those senses inform their actions.

For More GreAt trAVel ideAs, Visit NeWyorkFAMily.coM www.newyorkfamily.com

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the last word

THe Marathon Hoping Mightily For A Natural Childbirth, The Author Labored Through 20 Hours Of Contractions Before Wrestling With A Different Choice

My gyNeCOLOgisT DesCriBeD me as “Type A.” i knew what i wanted, convinced that willpower, Lamaze, and knowledge garnered from watching “The Business of Being Born” would help me fulfill the epidural-free hospital birth that i had hoped for. When contractions hit hard at home, i managed them in the shower until the water ran cold. When it was time to leave for the hospital, all i really wanted to do was plop my rear end into a tub of warm water—it’s what my body craved. But of course, that wasn’t an option at the time (+1 for birthing centers). At the hospital, i was admitted into a typical labor and delivery room where it was impossible to get even a little bit comfortable. “Where the eff is my rocking chair and birth ball?!” But i was still intent on being in a Zen state, so i tuned into my iPod instead, summoning Adele and Coldplay to relax me. There is, however, only so much that Chris Martin can do for a laboring woman, and i soon turned to Hubby for support. Hubby is more than twice my size and an overall big dude. i have never seen him cry— eVer. During my contractions though, i squeezed his hands with every bit of estrogen i had, and i’ll be damned if he didn’t cry for his mommy. i thought i was doing a decent job until my doctor came in to study my monitor and said the words that anger me to this day: “i see you’re having a crappy labor.” Crappy labor? Did he sleep through his bedside manners class in med school? i happily rejected the Pitocin he recommended, stating that i hoped to progress naturally. He then asked if i would rather go home. My imaginary self flew off the hospital bed and delivered a kung fu kick into his jugular. My real self said, “i’m not going home. i live in Queens!” Like i was gonna haul my laboring butt onto the Lie during rush hour. Ha! After managing contractions for about 14 hours at home and six hours in the hospital, my labor never progressed. Or perhaps it didn’t progress fast enough

New York Family | May 2013

for my doctor’s liking. Hours after he originally checked on me, he returned to offer Pitocin, but was clear that i could end up having a C-section. The alternative was to just do the section immediately. Never anticipating that i’d be faced with a choice like this during labor, i asked Doc what he would do if his wife was in my situation. He said he would opt for the section. And i agreed. Because at that point i just wanted the experience to be over. i had already succumbed to the epidural, was wearing an oxygen mask, and was sobbing over my failure to birth. My hope of experiencing that surreal moment of birthing my baby and bringing that precious bundle right to my chest had shattered. When i lament about my birth story, people tend to say, “you have a healthy baby and that’s all that matters.” That’s 100% true, but my birth experience also mattered. The most significant part of my ninemonth journey mattered tremendously to me. i wanted to birth the way a marathoner wants to cross the finish line, arms raised in victory. i wanted to do what my body was designed to do; what women were doing since the beginning of time. i wanted that feeling of accomplishment. There’s the saying: “if you make a plan, god laughs.” Well, if you make a birth plan, the OB laughs. But despite the awful labor and surgery, something beautiful happened in that operating room. As soon as Little Peep emerged and let out a cry, i cried. An automatic, innate cry that connected the two of us across the raised sheet that shielded me from my incision. That moment proved to me that we were truly connected even though she wasn’t brought into this world in the way i had hoped. Aimee DAly is a meat-eater living in Queens with her vegetarian husband and finicky daughter. Prior to mommyhood, Aimee had a full-time career in human resources at a Fortune 500 company and was addicted to crocheting. www.newyorkfamily.com

Illustration by Justin Winslow

By Aimee Daly

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This spring, love is in bloom at Bideawee, and we want to share it. For the entire month of May, all cats 6 months and older will be FREE. Spring is a time for fresh starts and budding love, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season. Visit Bideawee in Manhattan or Westhampton or visit Bideawee.org to ﬁ nd the perfect cat for you, and welcome a little free love into your life today.

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