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BigAppleParent AUGUST 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Organize

Your Home • 8 Hacks for Taming the Mess • What to Do With Kids’ Artwork

How to Turn After-School Activities Into College Scholarships! Reasons to

Relax

Why Me Time Is Good for Your Health

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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BigAppleParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

August 2017 ››

Features

12 Battling Burnout How me time benefits your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships 16 Easy Home Organization Hacks for Families One mom offers tips for taming the mess and getting your home in order.

20 Hang, Store—or Toss? Ideas for organizing and displaying kids’ artwork 22 DIY Your Home Three projects to make your decor uniquely you, plus an easy way to clean crayon and pencil marks off your walls 42 From Extracurricular to Extra Cash How to turn your kids’ after-school passion into a college scholarship 49 The Dangers of Dry & Secondary Drowning What to watch out for even after children leave the pool

50 Bring Shake Shack to Your Kitchen Rather than wait on line for what feels like hours, you can make the NYC chain’s customer favorites at home.

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Lyss Stern, founder of Divalysscious Moms, talks reclaiming your identity after giving birth. 54 Voices: What Potty Training Taught Me

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

26 Outing: Wild West City 29 Family Activities Calendar 40 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Berries

Directories 52 52 52 53 53

Party Central Professional Services Open Houses Party Planner and Family Resource Guide Advertisers’ Index

ON THE COVER ›› Organize Your Home: 16 8 Hacks for Taming the Mess 20 What to Do With Kids’ Artwork 12 Reasons to Relax 42 How to Turn After-School Activities Into College Scholarships facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

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Where Smart Kids Get Smarter. BigAppleParent

AUGUST 2017 • Vol.32 • No.8

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling

EDITOR’S NOTE

DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf

Hack Your Home Organization

erhaps you’re one of those people whose home seems immaculate and clutterfree every moment of every day, even as the kids run around being, well, kids. I, most decidedly, am not. Despite our efforts to keep some semblance of order and to teach our kids to clean up after themselves and put stuff away when they’re done with it, our house seems consistently overrun with toys large and small, notes home from camp or school, books strewn about, and of course, artwork everywhere. If your house is anything like mine, read on as we bring you our first-ever Home Issue. In these pages, find easy-to-do hacks for home organization (p. 16), tips for what to do with all that kids’ artwork (p. 20), and DIY projects to make your home feel more uniquely your own (p. 22). I’ve always found late August to be a good time for home projects. Summer is winding down, and my mind is on my kids’ school year ahead—a time to take stock, literally and figuratively, and get organized. It’s also a time for figuring out the kids’ after-school activities and classes. In recent years, mine have participated in a mix of gymnastics, drama, academic enrichment, and chess programs. For younger kids like mine, these are fun activities that build skills and character. For older kids, though, they can be even more rewarding and lucrative, even life-changing, as high school seniors seek scholarships to help with college costs. If your August to-do list includes gearing up for college applications—and figuring out how to pay for it all—check out Samantha Neudorf ’s report on how to turn your child’s extracurricular activities into scholarship money (p. 42). In the meantime, though, there’s plenty of time left to enjoy summer—safely, of course. I love swimming with my kids, but I must admit to feeling a bit of relief when it’s time to pack up and head home; there are so many potential dangers at the pool that I sometimes find it hard to relax. Recent headlines have reminded me, however, that the danger is not over just because a child is no longer in the water. Dry drowning and secondary drowning (related but different syndromes) happen in the hours or even days after a child has gulped water accidentally, and they can potentially be fatal. Learn more about these conditions, including how to prevent them, recognize the signs, and react if you suspect your child has them (p. 49). For fun beyond the pool, find the best activities in the region with our calendar (p. 29), or check out our report on Wild West City in Stanhope, NJ (p. 26). And finally, don’t forget to take time for yourself. Katelin Walling explores the importance of me time to your health and well-being (p. 12)—so if you need an excuse to take a run or relax in a coffeeshop, now you have it! Michael Kress Editorial Director

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BigAppleParent

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

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Who: Kweller Prep What’s New: An after-school program for students in fifth through seventh grades, which is scheduled to start Sept. 12 at the Queens and Manhattan locations. The new program will concentrate on helping students with their English language arts and math homework, in hopes of building a strong foundation in preparation for specialized high school entrance exams. Kweller Prep offers tutoring and educational programs for Hunter College High School, specialized high schools, and SAT exams. Want More Info: 370 Lexington Ave., Suite #800, Midtown; 1-800-6311757; info@kwellerprep.com; kwellerprep.com

Courtesy Kweller Prep

Kweller Prep to Offer After-School Program in Midtown

Kweller Prep serves students in third through 12th grades.

Who: Manhattan Soccer Club What’s New: Carlos Moreira, the U5-U7 Development Academy director, who started July 1. Moreira is a former Division III offensive player and has been playing soccer since the age of 5. He has coached club soccer for more than eight years and also serves as Manhattan Soccer Club’s Boys U8 Division staff coach. The U5-U7 Development Academy classes, for children ages 4-6, are meant to be fun and informative experiences that focus on learning and building upon basic skills. Under new leadership, the Development Academy plans to expand class offerings. Want More Info: See website for locations; 877-423-4672; soccer@ manhattansc.org; manhattansc.org

Courtesy Manhattan Soccer Club

Manhattan Soccer Club Hires Academy Director

Manhattan Soccer Club offers training programs and travel teams for boys and girls ages 8-18 years old.

Who: MAGIC Activity Center What’s New: STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) morning classes for children ages 2-5, starting in September. The drop-off preschool alternative program was expanded to include morning classes—in addition to its afternoon classes—due to requests from parents. “We try really hard to listen to our parents and to give them what they need,” says director Julie Wolf. “It’s hard enough to be a parent in the city, the last thing you need is to try and adjust to our schedule.” The program has rolling enrollment, though classes are capped at 10-14 students. Want More Info: 510 E. 74th St., Upper East Side; 212-737-2989; macinfo@ magicactivitycenter.com; magicactivitycenter.com

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy MAGIC Activity Center

MAGIC Activity Center Adds Morning Classes

MAGIC Activity Center serves children ages 2 months to 5 years.

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UOTABLES Be easy on yourself postpartum. Ask for help. Call upon your village. Allow yourself to process all the feelings that come up. There is no rulebook. Practicing gratitude every day will help you keep things in perspective. My dear friend always says, “It’s like a hurricane in a teacup.” This phase feels like 1000 years when you are in it but I promise you it will pass. It gets easier. —Lindsey Bliss, in the “Honest Motherhood” series on theglow.com

in an instagram Saturdays. (Posted by @kaityvelez, aka Kaity Velez, co-founder of wellroundedny.com)

A SPECIAL MILESTONE

in an instagram When your friends force you on a ride.. what the heck #yolo Thanks @Lunaparknyc for hosting us (Posted by @mamidoesitall, aka Karen Angustia, who blogs at mamidoesitall.com)

“My son—he is exactly like me, we are kindred spirits and he drives me up the wall. We butt heads, we argue, we never see eye-to-eye which doesn’t make any sense because we are so damn alike. I guess you could say it literally does feel like we are two positive sides of a magnet trying to come to together yet repelling each other at the same time.” —Katie Smith, in a post entitled “It’s Not Easy When Your Child is Just Like You,” on mom.me

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“My son has autism and, at age 13, recently saw a movie in a theater for the first time. It is not something I thought would work for him—until now.” —Manhattan mom Dana Greenberg in an article entitled “Taking a Child with Autism to the Movies: 5 Tips From a Mom Who’s Been There.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/autism-movies.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: SAND & SURF: Find the best beaches near you at nymetroparents.com/beaches. LUNCH TO GO: Discover the perfect picnic spot at nymetroparents.com/picnic. SUMMER FUN: See 100 things to do in NYC this summer at nymetroparents.com/summer-fun. KEEP ‘EM SAFE: Learn tips for keeping kids safe at amusement parks at nymetroparents.com/park-safety.

NYMP Q&A

Motherhood is Fabulyss ››

The Mary Louis Academy

TMLA +

By Bethany Braun-Silva

Lyss Stern is the founder of Divalysscious Moms, a networking company for moms in New York City. Stern recently wrote the book Motherhood is a B#tch! 10 Steps to Regaining Your Sanity, Sexiness, and Inner Diva. Why do you think it’s so important for moms to reclaim their identity after giving birth? Being a mom is wonderful but that’s only part of what defines me. Motherhood should be added onto everything else a woman was before she became a mom. Of course, if you want to take a pause from work and you want to change careers or be a stay-at-home mom that’s 100-percent great with whatever you choose to do, but at the end of the day, moms, especially new moms, shouldn’t lose sight of who they were before they had a kid. So what are some things moms can do to get their mojo back? If you can get an hour of exercise a day or an hour to yourself a day, that’s ideal. Everyone can carve out five to 10 minutes a day whether it is going to your local coffee shop and having a cup of coffee with a girlfriend or locking yourself in the bathroom for 10 minutes and reading a magazine. For me, I take a bubble bath and I light some candles; that is my time. Go sit quietly for 10 minutes and meditate. Go for a long walk in the park, whatever it may be, do something just for you, and it doesn’t have to cost any money. Just hit the pause button, just take a moment to breathe, and you will start to feel a little bit better every time you do that because we take on so much. It’s great how you take ownership of the word b#tch. Can you tell our readers what being a b#tch means to you? In the book, we spell it out for you. “B” stands for, be the person you want to be. “I,” identify with that. “T,” take time out for yourself. “C,” care for yourself. “H,” ask for the help. We spell the word b#tch for you by giving you ways to make yourself stronger: to empower yourself to be the best you can be, to learn to say the word “no,” to practice self-care, to ask for help. I talk about it in the book, but when I first started off 13 years ago, I thought I was Wonder Woman. I had black hair and blue eyes, and I thought I could have it all. I could have the career and have these kids and do it all by myself. But here I am, 13 years later, and it was a wakeup call for me because I can’t do this all by myself. I want to ask for help, I want to delegate, I want to take time for myself, I want to be the woman I visualize myself as. And I think that if all moms took a moment to realize this, we will be much better off.

At The Mary Louis Academy, you will find your own voice—distinctive, confident, intelligent, creative, and empowered—a voice that will be one of your greatest assets in life.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, October 15, 2017 10am-3pm

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Please pre-register for our open house at tmla.org

VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.tmla.org

The Mary Louis Academy is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Chartered by the State of NY.

176-21 Wexford Terrace, Jamaica Estates, NY 11432 Phone: 718-297-2120 | Fax: 718-739-0037 @WEARETMLA | #HILLTOPPERNATION | TACHS #016 BigAppleParent 11

FOCUS ON: ME TIME

Battling Burnout

››

Why spending 15-20 minutes every day doing something for yourself will benefit your physical and emotional health, as well as your relationships with your partner and children By Katelin Walling

our kids left their shoes in the middle of the entryway, and your first reaction is to lose your cool and yell at them. You’re pulling away from your partner because you feel like he isn’t doing his fair share of household chores. Your mental, physical, and emotional health is crumbling because you consistently feel stressed out. If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you but you’re not sure why you’re feeling this way, I have two words for you: caregiver burnout. Yes, it’s a very real thing. And the antidote to caregiver burnout? Me time. “The way I like to put it often is, if you don’t put on your oxygen mask first, you can’t really help anyone around you. So to some degree women often do feel responsible and even guilty and push themselves to be there for everybody else in their lives,” says Gail Saltz, M.D., a Manhattan-based psychiatrist and author of The Power of Different. And to do so with maximal effort and without staying attuned to their own emotional or physical needs, they can become very depleted and unable to care for themselves and for others, she says.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Health Benefits of Me Time

“Me time is recovery time, it’s recoup time, it’s regeneration time,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love. “When you continually do something—even if it’s something you enjoy doing—if you keep doing it and pushing yourself without ever taking a step back, that’s like training for a marathon and running 100 miles a day. You can’t do that. Your body can’t handle it,” she says. So how, exactly, does me time positively affect physical and mental health? Overall, it relieves stress, which can: Boost the immune system. Based on research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of the effect of the mind on health and resistance to disease), when we are stressed out, we’re more likely to get sick because our immune system doesn’t function as well, according to Dr. Lombardo.

Help prevent and relieve chronic pain. Constant stress is also likely to cause aches and pains, Dr. Lombardo says. When she first started her private practice in psychology (she also has a background in physical therapy), Dr. Lombardo worked exclusively with those who had chronic pain known as medically unexplained pain. “The majority of those people had something in common, which was they took care of a whole lot of other people and did not have a lot of me time. They didn’t allow their bodies to rest and recoup, and they pushed it to the limit until their bodies finally said, if you’re not going to listen to me, I’m going to make you listen to me, and they developed chronic problems,” she says. Lead to better overall health. Moms who don’t take any time for themselves tend to forgo exercise and may skip doctors visits. “Physically you don’t have cardiovascular health and all that goes with it, you don’t go to the doctor and do preventative health care, you don’t go to the doctor and catch things in early stages that maybe can be dealt with as opposed to waiting,” Dr. Saltz says. Prevent negative thinking. “When we are at heightened levels of stress without coming down, it affects our ability to think and we tend to use cognitive distortion. We tend to think in more negative ways,” Dr. Lombardo says. “We personalize that our kid doesn’t pick up their shoes and get more upset about it than we need to.” Cause more positive emotions and prevent unhealthy habits. “I think for moms the biggest issue becomes depression or anxiety related to feeling that they have not done anything to meet their own emotional needs,” Dr. Saltz says. When we experience negative emotions, Dr. Lombardo says, we tend to turn to alcohol, retail therapy, and what she likes to call Ben & Jerry’s therapy to squelch those feelings. Lead to a better night’s sleep. Constant stress can lead to trouble sleeping, which affects mental and physical health, Dr. Lombardo says. “I don’t know about you, but when I don’t get enough sleep, I can’t think straight and I’m frankly not a very nice person, and that can affect our mental health,” she says.

Your Me Time Benefits Everyone in Your Life

Burning out affects more than just physical and mental health; it affects relationship health, too. “When we have that time to ourselves, we can be close to our true self, and that true self is the person who has less stress, is compassionate and loving,” Dr. Lombardo says. “When you are your true self, you are a lot more fun to be with, you are a lot more forgiving.” Mia Redrick, The Mom Strategist™ and author of Time for Mom-Me: 5 Essential Strategies for a Mother’s Self-Care and Time for Mom-Me: 365 Daily Strategies for a Mother’s Self-Care, adds that when you spend time “dating yourself” (something her mother made her promise to do every week as a mom), you become clear about what’s good for you—what you really want and need in life—and truly knowing yourself adds value to yourself. “I think that one of the greatest assets is being a parent that has added value to herself and therefore you can add value to that parent-child relationship. Imagine that because you are connected to who you are, your kids now know the things that make you happy and fulfilled,” Redrick says. Another thing to consider is children constantly observe their parents. “If you think about how you want your children to be

when they become parents, my guess is we all want our kids to be healthy, well-rounded parents. …So it’s really modeling positive behavior for them to be able to see that Mom gets time for herself,” Dr. Lombardo says. “And that’s a good thing.” Plus, not taking me time is unhealthy for the parent-child relationship “in terms of being so enmeshed with your child and promoting the idea that your child can’t be okay without you,” according to Dr. Saltz. “You want a child to be able to separate and feel that they can be independent and they’re okay.” As for how me time benefits relationships between partners? For moms who don’t have me time, “their primary relationship may start to decline, their sexual relationship may start to decline. Particularly, moms can become so focused on children that spouses can feel like, hey, there’s nothing going on between us—anything from strain to feeling disconnected and feeling like, [she’s] not in love with me anymore, or even feeling like, [I’m] not in love with [her] anymore. So time must be taken to maintain a healthy primary relationship,” Dr. Saltz says. Dr. Lombardo shares a story about one of her clients. He and his wife were having issues, and they had young children. For their anniversary, he got a hotel room for one night and had her stay there alone. “Honestly it’s the best thing he could have done for their marriage,” Dr. Lombardo says. “To realize that he understood she just needed some time to herself, and he was not only okay with it, he made sure it happened. I’m not saying it saved their marriage, but it did a lot.”

“Finding” Time for Me Time

“Before we even talk about finding time, we have to talk about giving yourself permission,” Dr. Lombardo says. “Because here’s the thing: We all have the same amount of time, we all know that. So if something is so important to you, you’re going to do it. No one says, I haven’t brushed my teeth all month because I just couldn’t find the time. So the first thing is to realize why it’s important to you personally, but also to your kids.” Once you’ve given yourself permission to take me time—and we’re only talking 15-20 minutes a day—a good next step is to figure out the best time, Dr. Saltz says. Is it when your partner is home to care for your young child, or if you want to do something with your spouse, can a grandparent or babysitter care for your child? For Redrick, finding that time comes from implementing three techniques: Mirroring: When you’re doing something for yourself, have your kids do that same thing for themselves. For instance, tell your kids, Mommy is going to read a book to herself for two minutes, and you’re going to read a book to yourself for two minutes. “I did this with my kids when they were very young. As they got older, the time grew, but as a result of that, I could always read for myself, by myself every single day,” Redrick says. Blending: When Redrick does something for her kids, she looks for an opportunity to do something for herself during that time. “I do something for myself every day because it’s tied to me doing something for my kids. For example if I push them on the swing, I do a squat for myself. If I sign them up for an activity, I can write my book while they’re in their class or practice. I always look for opportunities to do things for me and advance me while I’m doing things for them and advancing them.” continued on next page ››

BigAppleParent 13

‹‹ continued from previous page

DIPP: Delegate household chores or tasks to family members to create more time for yourself, even something as simple as “having the kids do the dishes so you can read a book,” Redrick says. Incorporate others in your space. “Maybe, if you’ve got young children, you have a mother’s helper—a 13- to 15-year-old that comes over to your house so that you can make some calls if you’re trying to start a business while she reads to your kids for an hour, or something like that. Maybe its grandparents who ritualistically commit to coming over to get the kids so you can take a bath alone without the kids knocking on the door,” she says. Plan time for yourself. It’s impossible to make time for you if you don’t plan it. You don’t get the support you need if you don’t plan it. Purge your calendar and get rid of activities that no longer add value to your life. “I think so many moms are really good at addition and not great at subtraction. We just add and add and add. And then you try to figure out why you’re feeling overwhelmed, why there’s no room for me time—it’s because we’re connected to so many things,” Redrick says.

Suggestions for Me Time

Now that you know why taking me time is important and how you can find the time, the next step is to figure out what you want to do during your alone time. “Once you identify [what you want to do], figure out how can you do it. So if someone says to me, oh, I just want to go to the beach and get away for five days. Okay, maybe you can’t do that, but maybe you can do part of that. So if you live near a beach, you can go for a walk down there. If it’s just sitting in the warmth, maybe it’s taking 20 minutes [to sit] in a hot tub or getting in the warm bath. So just looking at what do you want to do and looking at ways to do it,” Dr. Lombardo says. If you’re stumped and need an idea to kick-start your me time, try: Indulging in self-care. Take a nap, meditate, or do guided visualization “where you can kind of go on a mental vacation,” Dr. Lombardo says (you can find free guided visualization videos on YouTube). Or splurge a little and get a massage or a mani/pedi. Doing something small and inexpensive. “A lot of people think me time has to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be,” Redrick says. “I initially would just go to a coffee shop and enjoy a cup of coffee and read a book to myself, or I would go to the bookstore and spend some time alone, or I would go to a park with a picnic blanket and snack that I like and I could spend some time just to hear myself think.” Reading a book or magazine. “I had one client who was talking about how she had a stack of magazines that built up over three years. She had three kids and she had the magazines, but hadn’t read any of them,” Dr. Lombardo says. “And just the thought of sitting down with her feet up without anyone asking her for anything for 10 minutes was all she wanted, and that’s so easy to do.” Signing up for a class or activity. Just because you say you’ll take me time, it doesn’t mean you’ll always commit to yourself and actually take it—something inevitably will come up. “If you find you’re one of those people and you have all the support in the world, then what you do is you commit in advance with an activity,” Redrick says, “So I would book a concert series six weeks out, and I knew I would go because I paid in advance, or a cooking

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

class, or a yoga class, or Zumba. Commit with your dollars to a class that has a date and that will get you out of the house.” Engaging your creative side. Whether it’s music, journaling, painting, knitting, writing, or drawing, your creative talents can be utilized during me time. Dr. Lombardo has a client who, when they were talking about musical instruments, said she used to play the guitar and wished she had never stopped. When Dr. Lombardo asked why she didn’t play now, “she looked at me like I was crazy and said, ‘I don’t have any time!’ And I said, ‘What if you took 15 minutes once a week to play the guitar. What would that be like for you?’ And she just became dreamy, just that thought to her was so wonderful,” Dr. Lombardo says. Going to the gym or for a walk. “I think exercise is a biggie because it really helps with mood, it helps with mental health and physical health. So that’s an important thing to try to be doing,” Dr. Saltz says. “But if you don’t find exercise to be pleasurable, then it is important to have times when you’re picking something that you do enjoy.”

Overcoming the Mom Guilt

While the idea of taking me time is well and good, what about that ever-lingering feeling of mom guilt and the fear of being on the receiving end of mom shaming? “When people are concerned about being judged by other people, what they really are is judging themselves. Because if you aren’t judging yourself, if you are one hundred-percent fine with it, then another mother could say some comment or remark like, oh, it must be nice to be able to do that, and it doesn’t hurt,” Dr. Lombardo says. Moms feel guilty about spending time alone because they have a perfectionistic expectation of themselves and they shouldn’t need me time, according to Dr. Lombardo. “In psychology we talk about should-ing all over yourself. I shouldn’t do this. I shouldn’t do that. That’s ridiculous, and it’s so harmful psychologically, it’s so harmful physically, it’s so harmful socially,” she adds. “We are such an all-or-nothing society—you’re either selfish or selfless, but there’s a lot in between. So realizing that it’s not being selfish, it’s practicing good self-care. You can’t consistently be a great mom if you’re so overwhelmed you’re not taking time for yourself. We have needs like rest, we have needs like having fun…and we really need to take care of those needs. You can take care of yourself and that doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you human.” On the other hand, “if you’re so overwhelmed with guilt that you can’t take 15 minutes to go take a bath or to read a book, I would be concerned that either you have separation anxiety from your child, or your child is having something going on that makes it feel like you can’t leave. Maybe they have an issue that needs attending to or you have an issue going on that needs attending to,” Dr. Saltz says. “It should be okay to take 15 minutes to do something relaxing or engaging that doesn’t include your child.” And if that mom guilt does start to creep in when you’re doing something for yourself, just remember: “We’re human. Everyone needs time for themselves, it’s just part of they way we’re made up,” Dr. Lombardo says. “Remind yourself, I’m being a really good mom by taking this time for myself because I can be much more engaged with my children. I can be more present.” This is the first in a two-part series on me time. Next month: Why downtime is important for kids—and how to balance it with their busy after-school activities schedules.

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A pill organizer makes for great hair tie storage.

Use food containers to store craft supplies.

Easy Home Organization Hacks for Families

Recycle shoeboxes to organize messy drawers.

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Clutter is a fact of life for most parents. One mom offers tips for taming the mess and getting your home in order.

Hack #1: Baskets

By Jennifer Garry

Let’s be honest: When you have kids, you accumulate an abundance of stuff. From products to soothe and comfort them as babies to itty bitty figures and the countless toy houses that go with them when they’re a little older, it can get really tough to tackle clutter. While I can be the queen of messes, sometimes I go on epic decluttering sprees that leave me feeling much more sane and in charge of my surroundings—even if neither of those things is actually true. In the spirit of helping a mother out and making you feel more sane and in charge, I’m sharing eight super-simple organization tricks that my sister and I swear by.

In my house, there are baskets everywhere. We have shelves filled with them. They’re in our cabinets and under side tables. They’re next to my girls’ desks and all over our basement. The reason? They offer an incredibly easy way to contain similar items and hide things that look messy. Toys are sorted into different categories and the baskets are put onto our shelves. Things my daughters need to put away are in baskets next to their desks. Smaller baskets hold like food items to make it easier to grab and go. And I love the look of nice, cozy blankets stored in a basket instead of haphazardly strewn over chairs. Baskets can also be a great way to store puzzles and card games, which brings me to our next hack…

Hack #2: Storing Board Games I won’t lie to you—our board game situation was the bane of my existence for a while. I cringed any time one of the girls asked to play a game because I knew that getting a board game out was going to require some serious Tetris skills and would more likely than not end with me getting hit in the head with flying game pieces. That is until I made the (brilliant) decision to store all of our board games sideways instead of lying them flat and on top of one another. This way, when someone wants to play a game, all you have to do is slide it out of its slot. There’s no delicate balancing act or cursing or crawling on the floor looking for tiny pieces. Pro tip: You might want to secure boxes with a rubber band if you store them this way to make sure the tops don’t slide off. 16

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Hack #4: Food Containers for Craft Supplies Like dress up, craft supplies are another area that gets unruly really quickly. For one, I’m kind of a craft supply hoarder. Aside from typical things such as crayons, markers, and glue, I keep an assortment of things that may otherwise have found their way into the garbage. I love seeing what creative ways my daughters find to use things such as bottle caps or a pair of jeans that got too tattered to wear anymore. (The jeans were turned into a pretty cool throw pillow by my tween.) The problem? With so many random things on hand, it can be difficult to corral them and then store everything neatly—until my repurposed craft supplies inspired me to repurpose containers to hold them in. Now I clean and save takeout containers or any other plastic containers our food comes in (hummus containers, for instance, are a great size for holding tiny beads) and store craft supplies in those. Not only is it cheap and eco-friendly, but it keeps things contained and makes it easier to stack them inside our craft closet.

Hack #5: Pill Organizer for Hair Ties Hack #3: Kids Dress Up Outfits I don’t know about you, but I’m a saver. If I think my kids will get use out of it, it stays. That means we have a ragtag collection of old Halloween costumes, party props, and dress up clothes exploding all over the place. While I’ve yet to tackle our mess, I absolutely love how my sister organized my niece’s dress up. With nothing more than a hanging rod and a shelf, not only does her dress up look nice, but it’s organized in a way that’s manageable for my niece and makes choosing things much less overwhelming than digging through an enormous mound (which is our current situation). The baskets up top keep all of the loose accessories together and out of view.

Another kids organization problem always making me crazy is hair ties—especially the teensy, tiny hair ties required for babies’ fine hair and for securing small braids and ponytails. They’re so small they’re hard to keep track of to begin with. Add in varying sizes and kids who get very specific about what color is allowed to grace their head each day and you have yourself a situation that can easily suck up more of your precious morning time than you’d like. Pill organizers have completely changed that for me. The small compartments are the perfect size for sorting hair ties of different colors, sizes, and materials. It makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and helps limit choices if your daughter has to pick them out herself. It’s essential to note that, obviously, this is not a great idea if you regularly use pill organizers for actual medicine. I wouldn’t want my daughter feeling comfortable sorting through one for hair ties if there were organizers elsewhere in the house containing medicine that she might find and feel free to explore.

Hack #6: Shoeboxes for Storage This one is similar to baskets, but it’s a free, ecofriendly version for spots that don’t need to look pretty. You can, however, make them pretty if you need to with a coat of paint or some scrapbook paper. My kids’ dressers always drive me crazy. They’re constantly digging and pulling things out of there so that it becomes impossible to find anything really quickly. To combat that, I’ve started using shoeboxes to keep smaller items together. I fill open shoeboxes with underwear, socks, tights, and bathing suits to make them easier to find. I can’t even tell you how much time this one little tip saves me. I also use shoeboxes for crayons, markers, colored pencils, and stickers. It’s so much easier than trying to keep them in the boxes they typically come in. My girls generally destroy those pretty quickly. continued on next page ››

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Hack #7: Toilet Paper Tubes for Cords

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I realize this one sounds a little insane at first, but hear me out. We had tangled messes of power cords and wires for all of our technological devices spread all over the house. My husband solved the tangling problem with Velcro strips, which at least helped tame them into little circles. But there was still the problem of having cords all over the house and constantly being unsure of where to find the particular one we needed. Enter toilet paper tube organization! Once the cords are wrapped into tight circles and secured with Velcro, they fit perfectly into toilet paper tubes—which fit nicely into shoeboxes. Now, we line up toilet paper tubes inside of a shoebox (which is so easy to tuck into cabinets and out of sight) and store a cord in each tube. Pro tip: Use washi tape to make labels for each of your cords to make finding them even easier.

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August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Hack #8: Wine Crates for Storage Sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit. My sister scored a bunch of wine crates for free at a local liquor store. Like baskets and shoeboxes, they are a great way to contain things, but they add a different kind of visual feel. While baskets can almost melt into the background and go unnoticed, wine crates are a little unexpected and add a cool touch. They’re also nice and sturdy, which comes in handy if little people are going to be sorting through them. If you have any hacks for organizing your home that you swear by, I’d love to hear them. I’m all for anything that makes life easier Jennifer Garry is a freelance writer and Westchester mom. She writes the blog CuddlesandChaos.com.

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Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised

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Hang, Store—or Toss? A simple kids’ art wall, using wire and clothespins

A child hangs her artwork in frames her parents have hung on the wall for this purpose.

Kids love to create, and create, and create some more. Here’s how to display and organize all that artwork—and when it’s okay to make it disappear. By Bethany Braun-Silva

et’s face it, there’s only so much room on the fridge, and hanging macaroni art or finger paintings on the living room wall might not be to your design taste. No judgment, it’s not mine either. So what do we do with the countless art projects our kids create in camp, in school, at after-school programs, at friends’ houses, and at home? Sure, we can toss some of it, but we naturally want to keep a lot of it, albeit without creating clutter. Luckily, there are some fun ways to display and store your kids’ artwork, all while getting them involved in the process, too.

Let Your Child Decide

Kids love to show off what they’ve learned and accomplished, and that’s why a DIY gallery wall is a great way to give them some ownership of their space and their artwork. Hang several empty frames of various shapes, sizes, and colors in your child’s room. Then give her some blue tacky or scotch 20

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

tape and let her decide which of her masterpieces to display. The artwork can easily be swapped out, and older pieces can be moved to storage (or recycled!). If you don’t have a ton of wall space, leave it to Target to sell the perfect solution. The Loft by Umbra Kids Art Display & Storage frame allows you to store artwork right in the frame: Your child can pick a piece of artwork to display while storing several other pieces behind it, and she can switch it out when ever she feels like it. It’s a space-saving lifesaver! Another easy way for kids to display their own art is by hanging a wire and attaching some clothespins to it. Haeley Giambalvo, a DIY expert and founder of the blog designimprovised.com writes, “The art wall has become a rotating display in the playroom. It is right by their table so the girls can hang up something on their own once they are done.” It’s a simple and fun way to display kids’ art.

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New Yorkers know apartment space is sacred, simply because we don’t have a lot it. And even in the ‘burbs, plenty of us find extra wall space is at a premium. We turned to Sharon Lowenheim, a certified personal organizer and founder of Organizing Goddess, to give us some advice on how to display our kids’ art when we don’t have a lot of room to do so. “First, you need to decide how much space you are willing to devote to storing your child’s art,” Lowenheim says. Once you decide if it’s a little or a lot, she suggests you “buy a portfolio or plastic bin of the appropriate size, and then make sure that you don’t exceed that space. This will require you to continually make decisions about what stays and what goes.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Throw It Away

Throwing away your child’s art is usually harder on the parents than it is on the kids—cue the mom guilt! But unless it’s a particularly special or important project, your child will probably not be all that attached to it. After all, they create so much! Talk with your child about recycling his art instead of throwing it away. This might make the conversation a little easier and also help to teach him about repurposing items and the process of recycling. “We always involved our daughter in making the decision about what would be displayed and what would go directly into the recycle bin. Small children are very passionate about recycling and will understand that what doesn’t get kept should be recycled,” Lowenheim says. “It’s important for your child to learn that not everything can be saved, and that decision-making about what to keep is important at every stage of life,” she adds. If throwing your kid’s art away just simply isn’t your style you always have the option of gifting it to friends or relatives. Sending several pieces to Grandma and Grandpa is a great way to free up space in your house, while at the same time deepening their relationship with their grandkids and reminding them just how important they are to your kids.

they can be viewed at any time or put into a photo album that is easily accessible when you’re feeling nostalgic. Or, if you have a digital photo frame, you can display your child’s art on rotation. • Make your own storage binder using clear sheet protectors. Much like a photo album, you and your children can go through it together and see their progress through the years. For larger artwork and projects, Bonnie Dewkett of The Joyful Organizer suggests, “For three-dimensional pieces of art, the easiest thing to do is take a photo of your child with the piece; keep it [the project] for a little while, and then dispose of it. I usually suggest moving it to another area of the house, such as the garage, after a period of time. If it’s not missed, you can easily get rid of it.” Courtesy makelifelovely.com

Heather Bauer, thecaterpillaryears.com

Solutions for Small Spaces

A binder in which you can neatly store kids’ art.

As much as we want to honor our kids’ work by keeping and displaying it, it is also important for children to understand organization and tidiness, and how to know when to keep and when to throw away certain items. Letting your little Picasso curate her own bedroom gallery might have you well on your way to a more organized home.

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Turn to Tech

These days, there are tons of ways to store your kids’ art and schoolwork on the web. Apps like Keepy allow you to store, save, and even privately share your children’s artwork and schoolwork. All the photos you take of your child’s work is uploaded to the cloud, which is backed up on Keepy’s own server to ensure your stuff is always safe. Similarly, the app Art My Kid Made is like an Instagram for kids’ art. Parents take a photograph of the artwork, upload it, tag it, and share. You can also upload to other social networks through the app, and there is even an option to print.

Storage Ideas

After putting pieces on display for a certain period, it might be time to put them away to make room for newer pieces of artwork from the creation machines all children are. Here are some great ways to store your kids’ art: • Souvenarte Books (souvenartebooks.com) will make a coffee table book of your child’s art. “It’s a great way to honor your child’s creations without having to save them all,” Lowenheim says. • Snap a photo. Even without a dedicated app, photos of kids’ art can be uploaded to the family computer, where

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DIY CORNER

DIY Your Home

Make your decor uniquely you with these projects from “Make It Yours,” “Rag Rugs, Pillows, & More,” and “Sunshine Spaces.” Plus, an easy way to clean crayon and pencil marks off your walls. Time: 1 hour Difficulty: • Learn: How to decoupage wood surfaces Remix: Use this decoupage technique for keepsake wooden boxes or recipe boxes Materials Wood panel, 18-by-24-inch with 2-inch cradle 400-grit sandpaper (optional) Rag Rubbing alcohol (optional) Base coat paint (optional) Foam brush, 4-inch (10cm) Laser printer

Message Board

As an anti-list maker and avid forgetter-of-all-things, I’ve had to change my ways now that I’ve got a toddler in tow. I wanted a message board that looked good whether it’s blank or packed with messages, so I worked up this project. These wood panels are available in many sizes in art stores and their depth allows you to rest a chalk marker on the top for writing. Remember that you must use photocopies from a laser printer. (An inkjet print will bleed when it hits the liquid Mod Podge.) You can just bring the book to the copy shop or lay the template directly on the copy glass. Because you don’t glue the graphics down until later, you can move them around until you get the composition you want.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Graphics (visit nymetroparents. com/message-board to download) White paper (standard weight, not cardstock) Scissors Scrap paper Mod Podge Chalk marker

Directions 1. Prep the wood panel if it is rough by sanding with 400-grit sandpaper. Cleaning off wood with a wet cloth will raise the grain. Best to use a soft rag that is either dry or moistened with rubbing alcohol that evaporates quickly. Prime and paint the panel a solid color if you like, using a large foam brush. 2. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the surface and sides of the wood panel with a foam brush and allow it to dry. 3. Photocopy the graphics provided or design your own. Use a laser printer to print the images on white paper and then cut out the graphics with scissors. 4. Position graphics in place to create a composition. I chose to space the graphics at least 2 inches inside the perimeter of the panel and then space them evenly from one another, but you could bunch them together as well. My composition means I will be writing my list over the graphics, but I chose this design so the board would still look interesting when there was no writing on it at all. 5. Place one of the graphics facedown on scrap paper and use foam brush to coat it with Mod Podge. Then quickly place graphic back in position. Use foam brush to coat the front of the graphic with Mod Podge, stroking from center to edges. This will adhere the graphic and ensure a smooth surface. 6. Repeat step 5 until all the graphics are adhered in position. 7. Paint several coats of Mod Podge over the entire surface and set it aside to dry for at least 24 hours. 8. Use a chalk marker to write your messages and wipe them off with a damp cloth when needed.

Reprinted from Yellow Owl Workshop’s Make It Yours. Copyright © 2017 by Christine Schmidt. Photographs copyright © 2017 by Aubrie Pick. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

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Hiding Space

How much do kids love a hiding space? For that matter, how much do adults love one, too? I love it when my kids create their own spaces to hide in, but I don’t love the mess left afterwards. I feel like I’m folding up sheets and putting away cushions for days. This is a hiding spot you can make that is somewhat more permanent, and can be quickly collapsed and put away for another day. It can also be moved outdoors and lined with blankets and a few cushions, to provide a comfy, shaded reading / napping / tea-party spot for both kids and adults alike. You Will Need: Scrap paper 4 10-foot lengths of white fabric, about 4 feet wide (I used varying weights but all lightweight fabrics, such as gauze or poplin) Acrylic paints: grey, mustard, pale pink, navy (or use fabric paints if you have them) Wide paintbrushes

Scissors Pins Sewing machine and thread Retractable knife 20 feet of ¾-inch wide flexible cream-colored irrigation tubing 3 irrigation tubing joiners Tape measure and pencil 26 feet of 1/8-inch rope or cord, cut into four equal lengths

Directions: 1. Cover the work area with some scrap paper, then place your first length of fabric on top. Have all your paints ready. 2. Using a wide paintbrush, paint large waves and swirls on the fabric. If you don’t have enough space to lay the whole fabric length on the table, paint sections and then, when it’s dry, move the fabric along to the next blank spot. 3. Use a variety of shapes and colors, keeping the pattern fairly simple. Repeat the process with the remaining three lengths of fabric.

4. When the painted fabric lengths are completely dry, cut them in half lengthways so you end up with eight pieces, 10 feet long and 2 feet wide. At the top of each piece, fold over 2 inches of fabric to create a loop for the tubing. Pin and sew. If you like, hem the bottom of each length (I didn’t, but I’m lazy). 5. Cut the irrigation tubes into one 3-foot, 3-inch, one 6-foot, 8-inch, and one 9-foot, 10-inch lengths. Join the ends of the 6-foot, 8-inch length together with tubing joiners to form a hoop. Repeat for the 9-foot, 10-inch length. 6. Feed the 3-foot, 3-inch length of tube through the loops at the top of each fabric length, ensuring the painted side of the fabric is facing outwards. Fasten with a joiner. 7. Place the hoops in order of size, starting with the smallest in the center (the smallest hoop will have all the fabric attached). Using a tape measure, measure and mark eight equally distanced spaces around the hoops: 3-foot, 3-inch hoop = 5 inches; 6-foot, 6-inch hoop = 10 inches; 9-foot, 10-inch hoop = 15 inches. 8. Align the ends of the four lengths of rope, then fold them in half and tie in a knot at the folded end, leaving loops at the top for hanging. Tie the eight ends of rope at the marked spaces on the hoops, starting at the top hoop and moving down to the next marked line on the next hoop, so the rope stays in line. Leave 8 inches of rope between the top knot and the smallest hoop, 10 inches between the small and medium hoop, and 12 inches between the medium and largest hoop. Trim any excess rope. Hang from the nearest shady spot using a lasso knot.

Excerpted with permission from Sunshine Spaces by Beci Orpin, published by Hardie Grant Books April 2017, RRP $24.99.

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Braided Rug

Braided rag rugs have been popping up all over social media recently as a fun way to upcycle old T-shirts into something both beautiful and useful. One of the greatest draws is that you don’t need much specialist equipment. In fact, you probably have everything you need at home already! As long as you choose colors you love then it is very difficult to go wrong with the design and the only slightly tricky part is the sewing together of the braid. My main advice if you decide to give this project a go, is to take your time when sewing everything together to make sure that the rug lies perfectly flat in the end. Materials Assorted fabrics (I used 14 T-shirts to make a rug 45-by33½ inches) Fabric scissors Bag clip or clothespin/peg

Ruler or tape measure Pins Needle and thread (I used button or extra-strong thread) Color Palette: Assorted colors

Tip: I like to use at least four “neutral” colors (here I’ve used two whites, light and dark gray, and navy) to ground the color scheme. I mainly use solid colors (as opposed to patterned T-shirts) to create a bold palette. Before turning your T-shirts into fabric yarn, place them next to each other to make sure the colors complement each other. If any of the fabrics look out of place, choose a different color to replace them.

Directions 1. Choose 14 plain T-shirts in various colors for your rug. Turn all the T-shirts into balls of fabric yarn (visit nymetroparents.com/ braided-rug for a step-by-step guide). 2. Choose the three colors you would like at the center of your rug. I recommend choosing at least one “neutral” color to start with. Tie the ends of the three yarns together to form a knot. Weigh down the knot with something heavy to make the braiding easier.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Tip: Before braiding, think through how you would like your rug to look. Braiding similar shades together creates a bold color band in the rug, while mixing different colors together creates a “speckled” look. Do not overanalyze your design—if you are happy with the colors you’ve chosen, then it is hard to go wrong. The colors naturally blend together as one braided color ends and the next yarn is added in. 3. Braid the three yarns together, making sure to keep the braid fairly loose. Secure the braid as you go using a clip or clothespin/peg. As you braid, try to tuck in any seams so that they are on the underside of the braid—the tidier you can keep the top of the braid, the neater your rug will look. During braiding, the fabric strands will get tangled in a counter-braid further down the yarn, so untangle them from time to time. Wind the braid into a ball as you go. 4. When your first ball of yarn is coming to an end, attach the next ball. If you are unsure which color to choose next, unwind the ball of braid and lay it out on the floor in a loose coil to see how the rug is shaping up. Keep braiding until you are happy with the size of the rug, then cut the yarns and tie the end of the braid in a knot. 5. Carefully wind the braid into a large ball. The end of the braid that you would like on the outside of your rug should be at the center of the ball. Before you start assembling the rug: The hardest part of this project is achieving a rag rug that lies perfectly flat. When sewing your braid together, make sure you leave enough excess braid around any curves in the rug. This will prevent your rug from curling up like a bowl. 6. Place the beginning of the braid upside down (you will be sewing on the slightly messier side) and measure 22 inches from the end of the braid. Bend the braid back on itself (all the time keeping the braid facing downward) and pin the bend in the braid together to make sewing easier. 7. Starting at the bend in the braid, sew the two inner edges of the braid together tightly so that the stitches are not visible from the neat side of the braid (fortunately it doesn’t matter what it looks like from the back!). When you reach the knotted end of the braid, cut off the knot and sew the loose edge on top of the bend in the braid (still on the underside) to secure it in place. 8. Continue sewing the braid together in a clockwise direction. It is extremely important that you feed the braid loosely around the corners (so that there is excess braid around any curves) or the rug will curl up. It helps to lay your rug on the floor every now and then to make sure that it is lying flat. 9. Continue sewing your braid in a clockwise direction until you are happy with the size of the rug. It is best to attach the end of your braid to the curved corner of the rug rather than a long, straight edge so that it blends in. Trim the end of the braid and overlap it with the braid inside. Sew it on top to secure the rug. Tip: If you find that your finished rug does not lie flat, stretching the rug out and attaching nonslip backing may fix the problem. Otherwise, lightly dampening the rug, then steaming it flat with an iron can help.

Images and text excerpted from Rag Rugs, Pillows, & More by Elspeth Jackson ($19.95) with permission of CICO Books. Photographs by Emma Mitchell.

HOW TO REMOVE CRAYON AND PENCIL MARKS FROM WALLS If you have little ones running around your house, it is a sure bet that one day you will be dealing with a crayoned or penciled masterpiece on a wall! Rest assured, there is a super-simple solution that will have you wiping it right off.

CURRICULUM NIGHT 2017

Discover the Bright Horizons Difference

Yield: Varies

JOIN US! SEPTEMBER 25 - 29TH

Ingredients: Lemon essential oil Directions: On a damp cloth or sponge, add a few drops of lemon essential oil. Gently rub the crayon or pencil marks until they disappear. That’s it! Easy, right? Did you know... Lemon oil can help in conquering allergies. Lemon oil can also be used as a safe and natural furniture polish. Diffused lemon oil can help purify the air that you breathe every day.

Excerpted from Natural Solutions for Cleaning & Wellness by Halle Cottis with permission of publisher. Cover and book design by Page Street Publishing Co.

Find an event near you

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OUTINGS: Wild West City

nymetroparents.com/outings

Get a Taste of the Wild West

Step back in time to the 1800s at this western-heritage theme park in Stanhope, NJ. ›› By Caitlin Berens

Joyce Bambach

Courtesy Wild West City

Regina Hartman

Courtesy Wild West City

1 Wild West City’s Main Street is a bustling strip with shops, museum-quality exhibits, and live-action shows. 2 Guests best keep their wits about them when riding on the horse-drawn stagecoach—they might be stopped by bandits. 3 Guests of all ages can learn about life in the 1800s from living history stations including a mountain man, blacksmith, and school marm. 4 Some of Wild West City’s live-action shows and special events encourage child participation. 5 Guests can mine for gold like the real ’49ers at Egan’s Mine #1.

o be transported to the wild west one just needs to drive to New Jersey. Wild West City, located in Stanhope, NJ, features live-action shows, stagecoach rides, and family-friendly events. The western-heritage theme park is a recreation of life in the 1800s in Dodge City, KS. It opened in 1957 and has been family-owned and -operated by the Stabile family since 1963. “For the cost of about a movie you can come and be entertained all day,” says Mary Stabile Benson, park manager of Wild West City.

Nonstop Action on Main Street

There are 22 daily live-action shows on Main Street, some of which encourage child participation—like when the sheriff needs help to capture the notorious Jesse James. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of competing cowboys, the Pony Express, cancan girls, and more. Beyond the re-enactments, Main Street has reproductions of period buildings that include museum-quality exhibits with farming tools, a large collection of Native American art and artifacts, and more. Just be sure to behave, or you might find yourself in one of Wild West City’s circa-1890 jail cells. Main Street also has an old-time candy store, 26

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

spots for lunch and snacks, a photo center at which visitors can dress in western garb, and places to buy clothing and souvenirs.

Hop Aboard a Stagecoach

Step aboard a horse-drawn stagecoach for a ride around Wild West City—but keep an eye out for bandits. Along the route guests will get to see a one-room schoolhouse, a chapel, and may even meet a mountain man. “We have a variety of living history stations,” Benson says. “You can go and watch the blacksmith make tools, and you can talk to the mountain man and learn about survival skills. You can talk to the school marm about lessons back in the 1800s or the chuck wagon [cook] about...how they made meals while they were out on the range.” Train and pony rides are also available.

Hands-On Experiences

Try to strike it rich while panning for gold at Egan’s Mine #1. Swirl dirt in a gold pan like the real ’49ers and you just might find a nugget that glistens like real gold. For some fun in the shade, visitors can aim for a holein-one at the 18-hole miniature golf course. A visit to the Barnyard Zoo will introduce

guests to the animals found on a typical pioneer farm including Billy the goat. The zoo also has a calf and sheep as well as egg-laying Rhode Island Reds (a breed of chicken).

Wild West Events

Wild West City has several entertaining and interactive events including band performances and Wild West Dress-Up Day. Visitors can learn about Chuck Wagon Camp Cooking Aug. 18-20, and Cowboy Larry’s Wild West Show, Aug. 5-6, will showcase rope spinning, bullwhip demonstrations, and trick riding. The popular Native American Intertribal Dancers will return in September.

Want to Go?

Address: 50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ Directions: Approximately a 55-minute drive from Midtown Hours: Daily through Sept. 4, 10:30am6pm; weekends only Sept. 5-Oct. 9 Admission: $17.25; $15.25 children ages 2-11; $13.50 seniors ages 62 and older; $4 per person for select attractions (miniature golf, stagecoach, train, and pony rides); special rates for groups of 20 or more and school groups For more information: wildwestcity.com

Advanced Test Preparation Grades 3-12

Courtesy Wild West City

Joyce Bambach

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FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER PROGRAMS

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11:27 AM

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

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Turn the page for details on Summer Streets 2017 (No. 4 on our list).

AUGUST

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EDITOR: EMMA STEVEN nyccalendar@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

Special Needs

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Crafty Kids

On Screen, Show Time!

Dance Party

Fun Fairs & Festivals, Smarty Pants

Movers & Shakers, The Great Outdoors

Once Upon a Time

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

SummersStage FamilyDay: They Might Be Giants and Bill Childs FREE

‘Pete The Cat’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 2-5pm WHERE: Rumsey Playfield, Mid-Park at 72nd Street, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: This year’s SummerStage family event features indie and kids rock legends, They Might Be Giants and Bill Childs: creator and host of the hit radio show for kids Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Audience participation, singing, dancing, and fun for all ages. The CityParks PuppetMobile will also be performing. WHY WE LOVE IT: Fun music that will have the whole family dancing together. WANT TO GO? summerstage.org.

WHEN: Through Aug. 18: daily, see website for times WHERE: Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Theatreworks partners with 150 local social service agencies and summer school programs to provide a theater experience for some of our city’s underserved youth. This year’s show is Pete the Cat. WHY WE LOVE IT: Although most tickets go to nonprofit organizations there are a limited number of free tickets made available to individuals each show day at the theater on a first-come, first-served basis. WANT TO GO? 212-279-4200. theatreworksusa.org.

Battery Dance Festival FREE

Summer Streets 2017 FREE

WHEN: Aug. 13-18, Sunday-Friday, 7-9pm WHERE: Robert F. Wagner Park, 20 Battery Place, Lower Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: New York’s longest running public dance festival features dance companies from around the world with diverse dance backgrounds and styles. WHY WE LOVE IT: Enjoy international dance performances in the scenic setting of Wagner Park. WANT TO GO? 212-219-3910. batterydance.org.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Aug. 5-19, Saturdays, 7am-1pm WHERE: Between Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park along Park Avenue and connecting streets, Lafayette Street and Park Avenue up to 72nd Street, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: For three Saturdays in a row, 7 miles of Manhattan’s streets will be closed off to traffic, giving you the chance to explore and take part in the numerous fun activities on offer. WHY WE LOVE IT: Did someone say giant waterslide? We’ll see you there! WANT TO GO? nyc.gov.

FlyNYC Kite Flying Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 19, 12-5pm WHERE: Pier I, Riverside Park South, Enter the park at 68th Street and Riverside Boulevard, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Come and fly a kite at this fun festival for all ages. Kite-making kits will be provided for children and there will also be entertainment. WHY WE LOVE IT: A great chance for urban kids to fly a kite, thanks to the breezes of the mighty Hudson River. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Street Soccer Program FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 27: Sundays, 9-11am WHERE: William F. Passannante Ballfield, West Houston Street and Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids are invited to learn and play street soccer pick up games. Reservations required. WHY WE LOVE IT: Learn how to play soccer like some of the greats did: on the street with no rules! WANT TO GO? 646-469-9459. futbolrebels.com.

Kids Food Festival 2017

WHEN: Aug. 26-27, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Location TBA, see website for address, New York AGES: All WHAT: Come and celebrate the joy of cooking and eating at this fun food festival just for kids and their families. WHY WE LOVE IT: Full lineup to be announced but expect workshops, demos, performances, and tasty treats. WANT TO GO? $25 workshop admission. 212-768-4242. kidsfoodfestival.com.

Vital Theatre Summer Family Theater Festival

WHEN: Through Aug. 27: See website for times WHERE: McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: A summer theater festival for families featuring five of the most entertaining kids shows around. WHY WE LOVE IT: Highlight’s include The Amazing Max magic show, Pinkalicious the Musical, and The RagTag’s Theatre’s Cinderella. WANT TO GO? $18 and up. 212-579-0528. vitaltheatre.org.

Summer on the Hudson: Riverside Park Skate Clinic FREE

WHEN: Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Thursday-Friday, 4pm; Saturday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Riverside Park Skate Park, 108th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This three-day, cumulative skateboarding program provides a strong skill foundation for beginners and intermediates. Registration required. WHY WE LOVE IT: The program takes students to the next level: contest preparation. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

NYC Unicycle Festival FREE

Toddler Twos – Grade 8 School Tours Available October – January Located on 3 campuses in Manhattan’s Gramercy & Murray Hill neighborhoods, The Epiphany School consistently and cohesively provides an educational environment rooted in the value-centered Catholic tradition and community with a rigorous academic program. Religious Instruction • iPads for All Students • Real Touch Displays Fully Equipped Computer Labs • Foreign Language • Library • Science Lab Sports Teams • Art • Music • Physical Education • Free Breakfast Early Drop Off & After School Programs • Wellness in the Schools Lunch Program

www.theepiphanyschool.org admissions@theepiphanyschool.org

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Nursery School

A NON-SECTARIAN PROGRAM WELCOMING ALL CHILDREN SINCE 1952 Dedicated to children’s Specialists for music, movement, studio, growth and learning gardening & healthy Experienced, nurturing snack program staff Large airy classrooms, Children ages 2.3 to 5.3 rooftop playground & indoor play space The First Presbyterian Church Nursery School 12 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011 Call 212-691-3432 or visit our website www.fpcns.org

Kathleen Cook, Director

WHEN: Aug. 31-Sept. 3, daily, see website for schedule WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from 10 South St., Financial District AGES: All WHAT: World-famous riders display their skills, and members of the public have the opportunity to try one-wheel riding. This festival’s main event include races, competitions, exhibitions, and a variety of unicycle sports including basketball, hockey, and sumo. WHY WE LOVE IT: This is a great opportunity for all ages to try out this unique sport. WANT TO GO? 212-938-0836. nycunifest.com. ››

Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com BigAppleParent 31

KIDFlix Film Festival FREE

WHEN: Aug. 4-25, Fridays, 7pm WHERE: Fulton Park, Chauncey Street between Lewis and Stuyvesant avenues, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Now in its 17th season, this annual event draws hundreds of families to experience kid-friendly features, documentaries, shorts, and television programming by filmmakers of the African Diaspora. This year’s theme is Growing Up Muslim. WANT TO GO? 718-230-0492. mocada.org.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. 2017 Summer Playstreets Program FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Monday-Thursday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Various locations, see website for addresses, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Sugar Hill AGES: All WHAT: The Police Athletic League will again close off streets and use playgrounds and parks throughout New York City to provide children with safe, supervised places to enjoy outdoor summer activities. Activities include fitness challenges, nutrition education, and basketball clinics and tournaments. WANT TO GO? 212-477-9450. palnyc.org.

106.7 LITE FM’S Broadway in Bryant Park 2017 FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Thursdays, 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Head to Bryant Park every Thursday at lunchtime to watch musical numbers from New York City’s most popular shows. The lineup features stars from Kinky Boots, Wicked, Cats, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-981-5288. litefm.iheart.com.

dOGUMENTA FREE

WHEN: Aug. 11-13, Friday-Sunday, 8am-1pm and 4-8pm WHERE: Brookfield Place, 220 Vesey St., Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: The exhibition is the first in America to ask artists to address the canine community’s concerns, interests, and worldview and to make artwork catering to a four-legged sensibility. WANT TO GO? brookfieldplaceny.com.

Storytime at The Battery FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 17: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am WHERE: The Battery Urban Farm, Broadway and State streets, Battery Park AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Story time and introduction to urban farming with activities such as planting seeds, touching the soil, crafting, or tasting new and delicious herbs and vegetables. WANT TO GO? 212-344-3491. thebattery.org.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CRAFTY KIDS Start with Art and Music

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 3, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Look, move, and sing while exploring art and music together in the galleries. This month’s theme is The Great Outdoors. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Studio Sunday

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 6, 10am-1pm WHERE: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Columbus Circle AGES: All WHAT: An art making workshop for all ages, in which kids can create their own projects. WANT TO GO? $16; $14 seniors; $12 students; free for children 18 and younger. 212-299-7777. madmuseum.org.

Family Tours at The Met Breuer

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 11am-12pm and 2-3pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Natural Tie-Dying Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 1-3pm WHERE: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Columbus Circle AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Textile designer Barrie Cohen will teach the traditional Japanese techniques of Shibori tie-dyeing with indigo, using onion skins and cochineal as additional sources of color. Either use the fabrics provided or bring your own to dye. WANT TO GO? $55. 212-299-7777. madmuseum.org.

Madison Square Kids: Art in the Park FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 22: Tuesdays, 10am-12pm WHERE: Madison Square Park, Sol LeWitt Lawn, 25th Street and Fifth Avenue, Flatiron District AGES: 3-12

WHAT: A series of workshops led by artist instructors, in which children can create their own Art in the Park, express their creativity, and explore the current Mad. Sq. Art exhibition: Josiah McElheny’s Prismatic Park. WANT TO GO? 212-538-1884. madisonsquarepark.org.

Open Studio at the Whitney

WHEN: Through Aug. 27: Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District AGES: All WHAT: Get creative in the Whitney’s Hearst Artspace. Families are invited to make their own artworks based on works on view in current exhibitions. Each week is a different art making project. WANT TO GO? $22; $18 students and seniors; free for children younger than 18. 212-570-3600. whitney.org.

Potted Plant Still Life

WHEN: Aug. 26-27, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4:45pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Use simple materials such as pom-poms, colored wires, and felt pipe cleaners to create your own style of fun and playful plants. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1; seniors pay as you wish. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

Family Sundays at the Rubin Museum

WHEN: Through Sept. 24: Sundays, 1-4pm WHERE: Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3 and older WHAT: In August, create symbols of protection that represent your bond with friends and family in honor of the Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan. Kids will create amulets, adornments, and friendship bracelets. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

DANCE PARTY Victory Dance

WHEN: Through Aug. 3, Thursdays, 7pm WHERE: The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Shows curated to introduce younger audiences to dance. WANT TO GO? $10. 646-223-3065. newvictory.org.

Young Dancemakers Company: Finale & Reception FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 7:30pm WHERE: Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W. 55 St., Columbus Circle AGES: All WHAT: The company of young dancers compose their own choreography. WANT TO GO? 718-329-7300 x3358. youngdancemakerscompany.org.

B-Boy Royale II

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 27, 7-10pm WHERE: Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place, East Village AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Eight crews battle it out. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-352-3101. mcdonaldsnytristate.com.

Let’s Dance!

WHEN: Through Oct. 1: Sunday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Kids can discover dance from a variety of entry points. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-721-1223. cmom.org. ››

Art Lab: Nature FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: Saturday-Thursday, 10:30am-4:30pm; Friday, 10:30am-6:30pm WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Discover how artists and designers are inspired by the natural world, create your own nature-inspired design, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org/artlab.

www.cityandcountry.org BigAppleParent 33

Summer on the Hudson: Playdates! FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 1-4pm WHERE: West Harlem Pier Park, West 125th and Marginal streets, Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy monthly outdoor parties featuring children’s entertainers, arts and crafts, and neighborhood fun. This event features a puppet show from WonderSpark Puppets. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam FREE

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Hindu Lamp Ceremony FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 4-8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pebble Beach, Main and Plymouth streets, Dumbo, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Help Aeilushi Mistry bring peace and harmony to the shoreline as she performs the traditional Hindu Aarti Ceremony at the park. WANT TO GO? 718-624-4719. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Sweet Spot Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 3-9pm WHERE: West Harlem Pier Park, 125th and Marginal streets, Harlem AGES: All WHAT: A friendly gathering of community, cultures, and music lovers of all ages, featuring reggae, soulful house, disco, and afro-beat music spun by a rotating collection of great DJs. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

10th Annual Great Jazz on the Great Hill FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 4-7pm WHERE: Great Hill, Central Park West and West 106th Street, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: Spend a sunny afternoon enjoying jazz, swing dancing, and blues in Central Park. WANT TO GO? centralparknyc.org.

New York Musical Festival 2017

WHEN: Through Aug. 6: daily, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, Theater District, Times Square AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Every year the New York Musical Festival showcases the best new musicals and musical theater talent in this three-week event. This year’s festival has 15 family-friendly shows, including musicals about Blackbeard the pirate, and the Berlin Wall. WANT TO GO? $27.50. 212-664-0979. nymf.org.

Uptown Bounce FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: Wednesdays, 6-9pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York and Museo El Barrio, Fifth Avenue and East 104th Street, East Harlem AGES: All WHAT: A collaboration between the Museum of the City of New York and Museo El Barrio that turns East 104th Street and Fifth Avenue into a block party. Enjoy music, food, art making, break-dancing, and gallery talks. WANT TO GO? 212-534-1672. mcny.org. 34

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 10am-5pm WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from 10 South St., Financial District AGES: All WHAT: The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam is a spectator-judged vintage Volkswagen car show and picnic with nearly 100 original VW’s circa 1950-1970. WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

24th Annual Harlem Meer Performance Festival FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Sundays, 2-4pm WHERE: Central Park, Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox avenues, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the best local talent on an outdoor stage at this free festival. Featuring established and emerging local artists in jazz, Latin, world, and gospel music and dance. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. centralparknyc.org.

SMARTY PANTS Stroller Tour at the Guggenheim

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 3-4pm WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: This interactive, museum educator-led tour of the Guggenheim’s current exhibitions is offered for caregivers and their babies. Includes touchable objects, and art making, alongside adult conversations about art. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org/familyprograms.

Garden Camp

WHEN: Through Aug. 4: Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm WHERE: Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace, Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: One of the mansion’s gardeners will lead the group through activity-based lessons about gardens, bugs, soil, colonial history, and everything in between. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $10; free for children younger than 12. 212-923-8008. morrisjumel.org.

Stroller Tour at The New-York Historical Society

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 11, 9-10am WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Early childhood educators will lead you and your child on an exploration of art, history, and creativity. Singing, movement, texture exploration, and art-making in the galleries will make for a memorable morning. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Second Sunday Family Tours

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 13, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Family-focused tours that include hands-on activities for kids. The theme for this event is Telling Tales. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org/familyprograms.

WHAT: This large-scale exhibition will reveal the history of drone technology, from its modern-day origins in World War I and its military development to its current applications in solving complex humanitarian challenges. WANT TO GO? $33; $31 seniors; $24 children ages 2-12; free for children 4 and younger. 877-957-7447. intrepidmuseum.org.

Eloise at the Museum

WHEN: Through Oct. 9: Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: A celebration of the feisty charm and audacious spirit of Eloise, who continues to be a picture book superstar more than 60 years after her debut. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Gulliver’s Gate

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: daily, 9am-10pm WHERE: Times Square, 216 W. 44th St., Times Square AGES: All WHAT: Artists from eight countries took part in building this fantastic miniature world, featuring cities from across the globe, all built to scale. You can even pay to have your body scanned and become part of the exhibit. WANT TO GO? $36; $27 seniors and for children 12 and younger. gulliversgate.com.

Central Park Conservancy’s Chess Lecture and Simul Series FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 11am WHERE: Chess & Checkers House, Mid-Park at 64th Street, Central Park AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Learn techniques from some of the best names in chess, and then put your new skills to the test in a simul with fellow players. August’s event features Grandmaster Larry Christiansen. This is a program for adults and experienced kids. WANT TO GO? 212-794-4064. centralparknyc.org.

Centennial Sunday: March with Suffragists

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Saturdays, 11am-4pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Stand alongside the women who won the vote in New York three years before the 19th Amendment. Learn how they each fought for women’s rights, listen to stories about their rallies, and line up for their next march. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Living History: Fighting the American Revolution

WHEN: Aug. 20-27, Sundays, 11am-4pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Meet military re-enactors and learn about life in the Revolutionary War. See their uniforms and equipment up close and even line up to learn a military drill. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Drones: Is the Sky the Limit?

WHEN: Through Sept. 1: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, New York Harbor AGES: 5 and older

SPECIAL NEEDS Family Fun for Families with Kids on the Autism Spectrum FREE WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 9:30am WHERE: The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District AGES: All WHAT: A sensory-friendly guided gallery tour of Calder: Hypermobility, offered before the museum opens to the general public. Families will then create their own works of art in a hands-on studio activity. WANT TO GO? 212-671-1823. whitney.org.

AMC Sensory Friendly Screenings

WHEN: Through Aug. 8: Saturdays and Tuesdays, see website for show times WHERE: AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9, 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem; and AMC Loews 84th Street, 2310 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Every month this program provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy films in a safe and accepting environment. In August see The Emoji Movie. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 212-665-6923. amctheatres.com.

Open Play Community Day FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 12: every other Saturday, 10am-12pm WHERE: ATLAS Foundation for Autism, 252 W. 29th St., Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: Every other week, ATLAS welcomes members of the autism community and their families to drop in, play, gather, and connect in a worry-free environment where acceptance is the norm. WANT TO GO? 212-256-0846. atlasforautism.org. ››

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Hudson RiverFlicks: Family Fridays FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 18: Fridays, 8:30pm WHERE: Pier 46, Hudson River Park, Charles Street and West Side Highway, Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: This outdoor series features family-friendly movies every Friday at dusk, around 8:30pm. In August see Sing, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Karate Kid. WANT TO GO? 212-627-2020. riverflicksnyc.com.

Outdoor Movie Night FREE

ON SCREEN Summer Movie Series FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 8: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Chelsea AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Watch free movies on the flight deck and bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food. In August see The Martian and Back to the Future. WANT TO GO? 212-245-0072. www.intrepidmuseum.org/movie-series.

Movie Night: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 10, 8pm WHERE: Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace, Harlem AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Movie night on the lawn of the historic house with free popcorn. WANT TO GO? 212-333-2552. morrisjumel.org.

GKIDS presents ‘Mune: Guardian of the Moon’

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 12:55pm WHERE: Union Square 14, 850 Broadway, Union Square AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Animated film about Mune, a small and frightened forest faun who has to become the Guardian of the Moon. This opening day event also features the GKIDS Mini-Fest, an ongoing festival of the best animated shorts from around the world. WANT TO GO? $18-$22. 844-462-7342. fathomevents.com/events/mune.

Eloise on the Big Screen

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 13, 2pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Families will pick up some popcorn and an Eloise tattoo before heading to the Klingenstein Library to watch Eloise at The Plaza, with Julie Andrews as Nanny, and special appearance in the film by the illustrator Hilary Knight. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Summer on the Hudson Picture Show FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 16: Wednesdays; 7pm WHERE: Pier I, Riverside Park South, Riverside Drive and 70th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Free movies every Wednesday night in Riverside Park. In August see The Muppets Movie on Aug. 2 and Beetlejuice on Aug. 16. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org. 36

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Aug. 20: Sundays, 8:30pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, Field 81, Randall’s Island AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Catch outdoor movies surrounded by great views from Randall’s Island every other Sunday. Watch A League of Their Own on Aug. 6 and Motorcycle Diaries on Aug. 20. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.

Central Park Conservancy Film Festival: Marcus Garvey FREE

WHEN: Aug. 21-22, Monday-Tuesday, 6:30pm WHERE: Marcus Garvey Park, 18 Mount Morris Park W., Harlem AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Free summer movies in the park. See Annie on Monday and The Wiz on Tuesday. WANT TO GO? centralparknyc.org.

Waterside Summer Event Series FREE

WHEN: Aug. 7-28, Mondays, 8pm WHERE: Waterside, 25 Waterside Plaza, Lower Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Free summer movies every Monday, including How to Train Your Dragon and Alice in Wonderland. WANT TO GO? eventbrite.com.

28 Liberty Summer Film Series FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Thursdays, 8pm WHERE: 28 Liberty, 28 Liberty St., Lower Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The film series will feature a different Tom Hanks movie every Thursday evening including Toy Story and Forrest Gump. WANT TO GO? fidifamilies.com.

SHOW TIME! ‘Everything About A Day (Almost)’

WHEN: Aug. 1-3, Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm and 2pm; Friday, 12pm; Saturday, 2pm and 4pm WHERE: TADA! Youth Theater, 15 W. 28th St., 2nd Floor, Upper West Side AGES: 3 and older WHAT: A musical revue about a typical day in the life of a kid. The story will follow a day full of quizzes, math problems, report card stress, and even crushes. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 children. 212-252-1619 x5. tadatheater.org.

Citi Summer in the Square 2017 FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Thursdays, see website for times WHERE: Union Square, 33 E. 17th St., Union Square AGES: All WHAT: Every Thursday during the summer, catch a mix of kids’ performances and activities in Union Square. WANT TO GO? 212-460-1200. summerinthesquare.nyc.

‘Into the Woods’ FREE

WHEN: Aug. 11-13, Friday and Sunday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm WHERE: Beacon High School, 522 W. 44th St., Hell’s Kitchen AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The high school actors of the Wingspan Arts Summer Theatre Conservatory present the Lapine and Sondheim classic. WANT TO GO? 212-586-2330. wingspanconservatory.wingspanarts.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 20, 7pm WHERE: Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 E. 123rd St., East Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Based on MGM’s classic motion picture, this stage version follows John Kane’s adaptation for the Royal Shakespeare Company. WANT TO GO? $10-$20. 212-868-4444. harlemrepertorytheatre.com.

Summer String Fest Concert FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 25, 3pm WHERE: Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 W. 67th St., Upper West Side AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A free performance featuring student ensembles, conductors Rob Kapilow and Tristan Rais-Sherman, and the acclaimed Harlem Quartet. The program includes works by Vaughan Williams, Handel, Dvorák, and Aaron Copland. WANT TO GO? 212-501-3330. kaufmanmusiccenter.org.

‘The Amazing Max’

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Saturdays, 3:30pm WHERE: McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, 4th Floor, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Fun magic show for kids starring Max Darwin as part of the Vital Summer Theater Festival. WANT TO GO? $34.50 and up. 866-811-4111. theamazingmax.com.

AGES: All WHAT: This unique production sees Cinderella living in Brazil and attending Rio de Janeiro’s biggest carnival. There are two performances at the SummerStage Family Day on Aug. 12 and J. Hood Wright Park on Aug. 30. WANT TO GO? cityparksfoundation.org.

Hudson RiverKids FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 14: Mondays and Thursdays, see website for times WHERE: Hudson River Park: Pier 62, Hudson River Park and West 22nd Street, Chelsea; and Pier 25, West Street and North Moore Street, Tribeca AGES: All WHAT: This popular program of kids entertainment has been extended to run at both Pier 62 and Pier 25 this year. The performances feature the best of kids entertainment throughout the summer. In August see Bilingual Birdies, Suzi Shelton, Penny Jones Puppets, Ramblin’ Dan and the Freewheelin’ Band, and Mister G. WANT TO GO? hudsonriverpark.org.

‘Checks and Balances, or Bottoms Up!’ FREE

WHEN: Aug. 5-Sept. 17, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: See website for locations AGES: All WHAT: Every year the Theater for the New City presents a new show, suitable for all ages, that they then tour around parks and playgrounds during the summer. This year’s show is a topical piece about community activism. WANT TO GO? 212-254-1109. theaterforthenewcity.net. ››

‘Gruff!’

WHEN: Aug. 4-27, Friday-Sunday, 1pm WHERE: McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Gruff! is an interactive, family-friendly reinvention of The Three Billy Goats Gruff that calls audiences to action in the fight against climate change. Part of the Vital Summer Theater Festival. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-579-0528. gruffthemusical.com.

CityParks Puppetmobile: ‘Cinderella Samba’ FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 30: See website for show times WHERE: Various NYC parks throughout Manhattan, see website for locations, Manhattan

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Are you concerned about your daughter’s weight or eating habits? Columbia Center for Eating Disorders at New York State Psychiatric Institute is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of eating disorders. Currently, we are studying how the brain changes over time in teens with and without anorexia nervosa. Females 14-18 years old who are interested in research participation may be able to receive inpatient, outpatient, or day treatment at no cost. Monetary compensation is up to $250 per visit. To learn more, please contact us at 646-774-8066 or email edru@nyspi.columbia.edu.

BigAppleParent 37

New York Junior Tennis Community Tennis Program FREE

WHEN: Aug. 1-31, Monday-Friday, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, see website for addresses, New York City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Free tennis program that runs in locations across the five boroughs. Registration is made in person on the day, and child must be present. WANT TO GO? nyjtl.org.

City Parks Foundation Free Summer Sports FREE

MOVERS & SHAKERS Target Design Kids: Imagination Playground FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 2: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11am-1pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Play with the award-winning Imagination Playground, giant mobile construction blocks that children can use for creative play. WANT TO GO? 212-849-8353. cooperhewitt.org.

Parent and Me Yoga FREE

WHEN: Aug. 5-26, Saturdays, 9am-9:45am WHERE: Fort Tryon Park: Abby’s Lawn, Linden Terrace, Cabrini Boulevard and Fort Washington Avenue, Fort Washington AGES: All WHAT: Free yoga for children and their parents or caregivers with Christina Shablak, a certified children’s instructor. Bring your own towel or mat. WANT TO GO? 212-795-1388. forttryonparktrust.org.

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: See website for registration and activity times WHERE: Various parks across the five boroughs, New York City AGES: 5-17 WHAT: This free sports program provides tennis, golf, soccer, track and field, and fitness instruction and use of equipment. Lessons for kids are offered at all skill levels on a first-come, first-served basis. WANT TO GO? 212-353-9585. cityparksfoundation.org.

Kayaking

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: See website for dates and times WHERE: Hudson River Park, Pier 96, Hell’s Kitchen; Pier 84, Clinton; and Pier 26, Tribeca AGES: All WHAT: Take a kayak out on the Hudson River. There are three different locations, with many offering lessons as well as rentals. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. hudsonriverpark.org.

Art and Games FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 26: Thursdays, 3:30pm WHERE: Rockefeller Park, North end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace, Battery Park City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Make art, play games, make friends, and have fun. WANT TO GO? bpcparks.org.

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 9:30am WHERE: USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Road, Flushing, Queens AGES: All WHAT: The day features a ticketed Stadium Show and concert preceded by a free Grounds Festival, which includes interactive games, face painting, music, and tennis clinics, along with a chance to get up close and personal with the biggest stars of tennis. WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 718-760-6200. arthurashekidsday.com.

Make it Move! FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 29, 10am-1pm WHERE: The High Line, West 14th Street and Tenth Avenue, Meatpacking District AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This month’s activity has a movement theme as kids are invited to design moveable creations, learn a new dance move, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-500-6035. thehighline.org.

Kids Yoga FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 30: Wednesdays, 10am WHERE: Washington Square Park, east side of the park, Greenwich Village AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Bring your little one to yoga class for kids. Class will be held opposite the large kids’ playground. WANT TO GO? 212-396-5873. nycgovparks.org.

Summer on the Hudson: Tots Soccer and Pee Wee Basketball FREE WHEN: Aug. 3-31, Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am WHERE: Riverside Park South, 71st Street, Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Introduction to soccer and basketball for kids. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org. 38

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Ranger’s Choice: Little Red Lighthouse Lantern Tour FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 5, 8pm WHERE: Little Red Lighthouse, Fort Washington Park, West 181 Street and Plaza Lafayette, Fort Washington AGES: All WHAT: A chance to tour this literary landmark at night. Registration required, tickets by lottery. WANT TO GO? 212-628-2345. nycgovparks.org.

Nature Walk FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 13, 4pm WHERE: Stuyvesant Square Park, 16th Street between Second and Third avenues, East Village AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the greenery and wildlife of Stuyvesant Square. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Hayden Special Event: Total Solar Eclipse

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 21, 12-3pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Hayden Planetarium Space Theater, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Watch NASA’s live broadcast of the total solar eclipse and learn more about this rare celestial event. WANT TO GO? $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Drawing Tour: Hudson Water Life

WHEN: Aug. 21-25, Monday and Thursday-Friday, 10-11:30am

WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Explore the Hudson River with teaching artists and create drawings inspired by underwater life. This is a walking tour and art workshop. WANT TO GO? $25 per family. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

Discovery Walks for Families: Towering Trees FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 26, 1pm WHERE: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, inside Central Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth avenues, Harlem AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Bring your family for a guided walk and hands-on exploration to learn about the trees in the park and the animals and birds that live in them. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. centralparknyc.org.

Summer on the Hudson: SunGaze FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 27, 12-4pm WHERE: Pier I, Riverside Park South, Riverside Drive between 65th and 72nd streets, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Gaze at the central star of our solar system using special safe scopes with the Amateur Astronomers Association. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Urban Farm Exploration Days FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 14: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Urban Farm, 20 Randall’s Island Park, Randall’s Island AGES: All WHAT: Come discover the Randall’s Island Urban Farm, meet the chickens and explore the farm. An expert will be on-site to answer questions. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.

Big City Fishing FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 15: Sundays, 11am WHERE: Hudson River Park - Pier 25, 225 West St., Tribeca AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Each summer, Hudson River Park offers Big City Fishing to those children who are eager to learn both how to fish and about the Hudson River environment. WANT TO GO? 212-627-2020. hudsonriverpark.org.

AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Weekly story telling with a nature theme. Featuring a series of different storytellers including Story Laurie, New York Public Library, and poet, actor, educator, and author Charles Waters. WANT TO GO? 212-538-1884. madisonsquarepark.org.

Eloise Après Déjeuner

WHEN: Aug. 9 and 30, Wednesdays, 3-5pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Families will start the afternoon in the New-York Historical Society’s restaurant with a menu of savory and sweet treats, then continue the fun in the exhibition Eloise at the Museum with a special read aloud story time. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Storytelling in the Park FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: Saturdays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Central Park, Hans Christian Andersen Statue, 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue entrance, Upper East Side AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Gather at the famous statue for stories from a different storyteller for folk stories, fairy tales, mythological fables, and more at this Central Park landmark. WANT TO GO? storytelling-nyc.org.

Eloise’s Storytime

WHEN: Through Oct. 6: Tuesday-Friday, 2pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Skibble into the Eloise at the Museum story corner and listen to the exploits of The Plaza’s most famous resident. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Coming up next month:

ONCE UPON A TIME The Uni Project at Sara D. Roosevelt Park FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 13: Sundays, 11am-3pm WHERE: Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Hester Street, Lower East Side AGES: All WHAT: A pop-up reading and drawing room that tours parks, plazas, and other public spaces to offer reading, drawing, and hands-on activities. WANT TO GO? 212-288-6220. nycgovparks.org.

SEPT. 10: National Theatre Live: Peter Pan at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, Greenwich Village SEPT. 14-24: Feast of San Gennaro along Mulberry, Hester, and Grand streets, Little Italy SEPT. 16-23: Morningside Lights lantern-building workshops and procession at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre and Morningside Park, Morningside Heights

Reading Room Kids FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 19: Saturdays, 12-1pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Summer program featuring music, magic, and visits from favorite literary characters every Saturday. August’s shows feature Funkytown Playground Band with Aly Sunshine, a Comic Con-themed event, and storytelling from the Storytime Quartet. WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.

Madison Square Kids: Story Time FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 23: Wednesdays, 10am WHERE: Madison Square Park, Sparrow Lawn, Madison Avenue and 23rd Street, Flatiron District BigAppleParent 39

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Pick Your Own Berries

››

Research by Jaime Bonchick and Amanda Marrone

Enjoy the sweet fruits of summer by picking your own berries at a local farm! Kids will love plucking fresh strawberries, blackberries, and even cherries straight from the bush. Many of these farms also have farm stands at which you can purchase pre-picked fruits, baked goods, and fresh juices. Want even more farm fun? Lots of our picks offer hayrides and activities to keep kids busy after they’ve collected their basket of fruit. Note: Dates and availability are projected. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these farms. Melick’s Town Farm Apple Orchard: 19 King St., Oldwick Strawberry Patch: Farmers Market at 170 Oldwick Road Peaches: 472 County Road 513, Califon 908-439-2318; melickstownfarm.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own peaches July through September. Call about other seasonal pickings. Phillips Farms 290 Church Road, Milford 908-995-0022 phillipsfarms.com Open daily, 8:30am-6pm (U-Pick closed on Tuesdays) Pick your own black and red raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, and apples (call for availability). Farm stand with a variety of fresh produce.

NEW JERSEY Bergen County Demarest Farms 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale 201-666-0472; demarestfarms.com Open daily, 8am-6:30pm Pick your own peaches starting at the end of July. Farm market with pre-picked seasonal fruits and vegetables for sale. Petting zoo on-site.

Burlington County Johnson’s Corner Farm 133 Church Road, Medford 609-654-8643; johnsonsfarm.com Open daily, 8am-7pm Pick your own blueberries through midAugust; peaches through the end of August; sweet corn late June through end of August. Hayrides offered MondayFriday, 10am-1pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm; plus Wednesday and Friday, 5-7pm (Wednesday and Friday evening hayrides mid-June through August are 40

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

free). Farm market, bakery, and produce hours are 8am-7pm daily; ice cream window open until 9pm. Wednesday night is Family Fun Night from 5-8pm. Friday nights are Cruise Car Nights, when you can drive your classic car to the farm and receive a free ice cream.

Cape May County The Allen Family Farm 26 Tarkiln Road, Woodbine 609-861-3778 facebook.com/theallenfamilyfarm Open daily from sunup to sundown; call ahead to verify hours Pick your own blueberries. Check the Facebook page for updates. Produce is unsprayed.

Hunterdon County Califon Farm Stand & Orchard 472 County Road 513, Califon 908-832-2905; melickstownfarm.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own peaches and pears through September. On-site store with fresh produce, ice cream, and baked goods.

Schaefer Farms 1051 Flemington/Whitehouse Road (County Route 523), Flemington 908-782-2705 schaeferfarms.com Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm (changes in the fall) Pick your own blackberries July-August and raspberries through August. Farm stand with homegrown sweet corn, a variety of vegetables, and Nutrena seeds. Farm-grown eggs, pork, chicken, duck, and beef also available. Valley Crest Farm 14 Allerton Road, Lebanon 908-238-9696 valleycrestfarmnj.org Open weekends, 10am-3pm (through Nov. 1) Pick your own peaches through September and apples through late October. Call for availability. Farm stand with pre-picked vegetables and fruit; open 10am-2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/berries

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Lilianne Gering will be attending Muhlenberg College this fall as a double major in business and dance.

From Extracurricular to Extra Cash ››

Whether your kid is committed to sports, the arts, or even community service, here’s how to turn that passion for after-school activities into a college scholarship By Samantha Neudorf

enna Turato, a rising junior at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, knew she wanted to go to college at a young age and knew she could use softball to get there. Turato began playing softball when she was in third grade and watched her older sister play softball and receive a scholarship to college, so she seized the opportunity once it was her turn to apply. An accounting major who lives in her hometown of Garden City South, Turato currently is a pitcher for the Molloy Lions softball team and receives a $7,000 scholarship each year for athletics and academics. “I realized how much softball could really make a difference in my college experience,” Turato says. It’s no secret college is expensive—and, with tuition costs rising, continually getting more out of reach for many families, especially low-income ones. Overall college enrollment declined by 3 percent between 2008 and 2013, falling from 68.6 percent to 65.9 percent, according to an annual survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. The most dramatic decline happened among low-income families, dropping from 55.9 percent to 45.5 percent. 42

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Many families may not be able to afford college without assistance, and this is where scholarships for academics or afterschool activities can help to make it more attainable—and even, in some cases, tuition free. (These are separate from the need-based financial and student loans many families rely on to afford college.) Alexandra Timoshenko graduated from Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville in June and will be attending Molloy College in the fall to study music therapy. She is enrolled in the dual-degree honors program and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship because of her committed involvement in afterschool activities. In fact, Timoshenko received full-tuition scholarships at all of the schools she applied to, including Belmont University, the State University of New York at Fredonia, and Seton Hill University. In high school, Timoshenko was captain of the cross-country and track teams and participated in the jazz ensemble and band, along with a band program outside of school. On top of that, she took numerous Advanced Placement and honors courses and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She attributes her success in

obtaining the scholarship to her work ethic. “Everything I did I poured myself into one hundred percent, and all that hard work paid off,” Timoshenko says. Lilianne Gering, a recent graduate from Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, was awarded various scholarships to attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, in the honors program as a double major in dance and business. Gering received merit scholarships, dance talent scholarships, and a scholarship from the Italian Genealogical Group for research on her Italian heritage. In total, she was awarded $38,000. “I was very excited and also a little shocked because I figured I’d get [scholarships], but I was surprised at how much I got,” she says. Gering started taking dance lessons when she was little and was a part of the Spotlight Dance Studio in Wantagh for 15 years, where she did ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, and kickline. Along with dancing there six days a week and teaching classes, she performed in her school’s production of The Nutcracker during each of her four years there. With two other girls, Gering was co-president of the production in her senior year, as well as the choreographer, director, and a lead role. Gering advises students who are interested in applying for talent scholarships to become very involved with the activities about which they are passionate and to take on leadership positions in high school. “Colleges really want to see students who have leadership potential and the ability to lead and take on new roles within their school,” she says.

The Journey to a Scholarship

No one says it’s easy to earn these scholarships, as these successful teens’ stories attest. All require a strong commitment and passion—not just for the activities themselves but also for the sometimes-arduous college recruitment and scholarship application processes. In order for Turato to have been recruited to play softball at Molloy, she played on a travel team and at recruiting tournaments, to which college coaches are invited in order to decide who will receive offers and scholarships. According to National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, only Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships; Division III schools do not. For fine arts areas such as dance, theater, music, and art, students must submit a sample of their work or audition in person. Gering attended an in-person audition to be considered for a dance scholarship at Muhlenberg. Dance scholarships range from $1,000 to $4,000 a year at Muhlenberg and vary at other schools. When applying for merit-based scholarships, students must follow detailed instructions for submitting the required documents, such as a resume, essay, and transcript. Students should speak to their guidance counselor or teacher for recommendations on scholarships for which they should apply. John Rodis, music department chair at Long Island Lutheran High School, teaches AP Music Theory and symphonic band and prepares students for college through his program. His students follow the New York State School Music Association track, which is the New York affiliate of the National Association for Music Education to evaluate student musicians from elementary through high school. Rodis helps his students prepare for the final level of NYSSMA, which is to audition for the all-state level. Passing this level means that the student is able to read college-level music. When students go through this program with Rodis, they have more opportunities to apply for music scholarships.

“These NYSSMA pieces themselves are great vehicles for college auditions,” Rodis says. “If the opportunity [to apply for a scholarship] presents itself to you, you will be prepared.”

A College’s Decision

Colleges, of course, factor in grades and standardized test scores when making admissions decisions, but they also review an applicant’s resume to be considered for various scholarships the institution offers. Marguerite Lane, the director of admissions at Molloy College, says an applicant’s activity involvement comes into consideration if a student did average on SAT or ACT scores. “The reality is that the students who are the busiest are usually the ones that are the most successful, even in their academic subjects,” Lane says. “They learn very valuable time management skills at a young age that will be very transferable for when they come to college.” And it’s not just sports and the arts that can win a committed high school student tuition relief for college. Many schools also offer community service-based scholarships. Molloy’s range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year and are awarded to students who have served their schools and communities. “We are a mission-based institution and we recognize that [community service is] that component that’s equally as important [as academics],” Lane says. Manhattanville College in Purchase offers community service scholarships starting at $2,000 as well. Nikhil Kumar, vice president of undergraduate enrollment management at Manhattanville, says students with more extracurricular activities on their resumes are favored because national data proves those students are likely to be involved and engaged on campus. “Some would argue that you learn just as much outside of the classroom, if not more, just by having those kinds of experiences,” Kumar says. “It’s teaching you life lessons and humility to give back and get involved.” Involvement in an extracurricular activity in high school does not just translate into potential scholarships; it may also help students transition into college life because they can make friends with people from that same group or team. “It helps them adapt to their new environment,” Kumar says. Kumar suggests applicants research the college and engage with the admissions office or faculty in their area of interest. For example, Turato kept in contact with Molloy coaches and made herself visible at recruiting tournaments while on her travel team. An institution tends to be more interested in a student if that student shows an interest in that institution, Kumar says. “It shows what we call demonstrated interested, and that always weighs heavily in the admissions process.”

Other Scholarship Sources

When seeking scholarships, Lane advises students to find opportunities beyond the colleges, such as scholarships offered by nonprofit and community organizations. “Students don’t realize that if they sit down and take the time to write that five hundred- or one thousand-word essay, it can really help offset their college education costs,” Lane says. “It’s really wellworth applying for as many scholarships as they are qualified for because those independent scholarships can really help them, even if it’s with books for the semester or travel expenses.” continued on next page ››

BigAppleParent 43

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE ‹‹ continued from previous page

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Some of Lane’s suggestions include researching Awana clubs, Knights of Columbus, local churches and foundations, and opportunities from parents’ employers for scholarships. When applying, she also says students should thoroughly explain how deeply they have been involved in outside activities. For example, if a student volunteered at a church, it is better to specify how many hours for however many months she did so, rather than just saying she did volunteer work generally. “Show the level of commitment and how it impacts your life and how that has made you ready for college and for life,” Lane says. All that effort and passion for after-school activities just may pay off and make college more financially attainable.

SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST There are many types of scholarships out there to apply for, if you do your research. Here are the requirements that are typically needed for any type of scholarship: • Essay • Letters of recommendation • Resume • Test scores • Transcript

Photo: Eduardo Patino.NYC

Performing arts scholarships, including dance, music, art, and theater, require all of the above, but also: • Audition video (if you cannot attend in-person) • Portfolio of work

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The Dangers of Dry & Secondary Drowning ››

What to watch out for even after children leave the pool By Stacey Pfeffer

here’s nothing better than swimming in a cool pool during the scorching days of summer. But parents can be forgiven for being wary after reading recent headlines about children who’ve died from a condition called secondary drowning—including a Texas toddler, Frankie Delgado, who lost his life a full week after getting knocked over by a wave at the beach. How can this happen? And more importantly, how can parents make sure their little ones are safe after exiting the water? While secondary and dry drowning make up only 1-2 percent of all drowning deaths, it’s important for parents to know the symptoms, because they can be life-threatening. Secondary drowning and dry drowning are two similar but technically different conditions that can affect anyone, although children are especially vulnerable. As the names imply, both affect their victims after they’ve left the pool, usually with no idea anything is wrong. Symptoms of dry drowning typically occur immediately after any incident in the water, while secondary drowning usually begins later, within one to 24 hours after exiting the water—but it can progress over one to two days, or, as in Frankie Delgado’s case, several days. “Children are more prone to dry and secondary drowning because of their small size, stature, and immature gag reflex,” says Robert Glatter, M.D., an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. Toddlers, especially, may be at heightened risk because they don’t know to keep their mouths closed or how to blow bubbles in the water.

Symptoms

Secondary drowning happens when someone inadvertently swallows too much water and it goes into his lungs. Patients suffering from secondary drowning may feel tired after a short period in the water, have a dry cough, and complain of chest pain. These symptoms can progress over a longer period of time as the child loses oxygen in his blood, a condition known as hypoxia, according to Dr. Glatter. While many pools post rules prohibiting horseplay and dunking other people in the water, parents should emphasize this safety lesson to all children because just a few mouthfuls of water

accidentally swallowed can lead to water entering the lungs. Symptoms of dry drowning are much more profound and develop suddenly, with a spasm of the vocal cords causing them to snap shut. The child cannot get any air in or out and her breathing will sound high-pitched. Wheezing often occurs due to a blockage in the airway and she may turn blue as well. “This child should be taken to the emergency room immediately so that he or she does not asphyxiate,” Dr. Glatter says.

Treatment

While there are no medications for secondary or dry drowning, the treatment is close observation. If necessary, a breathing tube may have to be inserted if oxygen levels drop. Parents should keep a close eye on their child for 24 hours after he may have swallowed water during swimming or had any difficulty breathing in the water. If symptoms do develop, bring your child to the emergency room immediately instead of a doctor’s office or urgent care facility. In the ER, she will have access to an immediate chest X-ray, IV placement, and advanced airway support such as a breathing tube or respirator.

Prevention

The vast majority of children recover from dry or secondary drowning, despite the terrifying headlines about toddler deaths. However, the best way to avoid these conditions altogether is to teach kids water safety and to remain constantly vigilant as caregivers. Babies as young as 6 months can begin taking water safety classes. Children should never swim alone, and parents or caregivers should keep a close eye on them at all times. Dr. Glatter also warns parents to not use their phones or any social media while your child is in or near the water. As tempting as it may be to take a video of your child enjoying pool time, he says, “it’s a diversion, and parents must remain cognizant of the risk of secondary and dry drowning. Take all of that attention and focus on your child and remember that drownings can even occur in shallow water—including bathtubs, sinks, toilet bowls, and small plastic pools.” Stacey Pfeffer is a writer based in Chappaqua.

BigAppleParent 49

FOOD & NUTRITION

Bring Shake Shack to Your Kitchen ››

Rather than wait on line for what feels like hours, you can make the NYC chain’s customer favorites at home. The ShackBurger

Okay, here’s our sacred cow! Makes 4

Most likely the reason you have this book in your hands—our version of the great American cheeseburger. Like all deceptively simple things, it took us years to get it right, but now you can master burger perfection in five minutes. 4 hamburger potato buns 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 4 tablespoons ShackSauce (recipe on opposite page) 4 pieces green leaf lettuce

8 ¼-inch slices ripe plum tomato 1 pound very cold ground beef, divided into 4 pucks ½ teaspoon Our Salt & Pepper Mix (recipe on opposite page) 4 slices American cheese

1. H eat a cast-iron griddle over medium-low heat until warm. Meanwhile, open the hamburger buns and brush the insides with the melted butter. A soft brush is helpful here. Place the buns buttered side down on the griddle and toast until golden

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

brown, 2-3 minutes. Transfer buns to a plate. Spoon the ShackSauce onto the top bun. Add a piece of the lettuce and two slices of tomato. 2. I ncrease the heat to medium and heat the griddle until hot, 2-3 minutes. 3. Evenly sprinkle a pinch of Our Salt & Pepper Mix on top of each puck of meat. 4. Place the pucks on the griddle, seasoned side down. Using a large, sturdy metal spatula, firmly smash each puck into a 1/ 3-inch-thick round patty. Pressing down on the spatula with another stiff spatula helps flatten the burger quickly. Evenly sprinkle another big pinch of Our Salt & Pepper Mix. 5. Cook the burgers, resisting the urge to move them, until the edges beneath are brown and crisp, and juices on the surface are bubbling hot, approximately 2½ minutes. Slide one of the spatulas beneath the burger to release it from the griddle and scrape up the caramelized browned crust. Use the other spatula to steady the burger and keep it from sliding. Flip the burgers. Put the cheese on top and cook the burgers 1 minute longer for medium. Cook more or less depending on your preference. 6. Transfer the cheeseburgers to the prepared buns and enjoy.

Our Salt & Pepper Mix

‘Shroom Burger Makes 4

We knew that our idea of a community gathering place meant we wanted to offer our vegetarian guests more than just fries to munch on. We set out to create a vegetarian experience even meat eaters would crave. Hence the ’Shroom Burger’s crispy mushroom halves surrounding a creamy, cheesy filling. After it became so popular, we created the Shack Stack, piling a ’Shroom Burger atop a ShackBurger, so our meat-loving friends can get in on the ’Shroom action. For the mushroom caps: 4 4-inch portabello mushroom caps ¼ cup canola oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1/ 8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1½ cups flour 3 eggs 2 cups panko breadcrumbs For the filling: 1½ cups grated muenster ½ cup grated cheddar ½ teaspoon minced onion

teaspoon minced garlic ¼ teaspoon flour 1 egg yolk 1 pinch cayenne 1/ 8

To cook and assemble the mushroom burgers: Canola oil for deep-frying Kosher salt 4 tablespoons ShackSauce (recipe at right) 4 hamburger potato buns, toasted 4 pieces green leaf lettuce 8 ¼-inch slices ripe plum tomato

1. For the mushroom caps, preheat the oven to 375°F. Put mushroom caps on a medium baking pan. Rub caps all over with the oil, then season both sides with the salt and pepper. Arrange mushrooms gill side down in a single layer and roast until tender, 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Slice mushrooms in half horizontally. 2. Put the flour in a wide dish, beat the eggs in another wide dish, and put the panko in a third wide dish and set aside. 3. For the filling, mix together the muenster and cheddar cheeses, onion, garlic, flour, egg yolk, and cayenne in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside. 4. Shape the filling into four equal disks, ½ inch smaller in diameter than the mushroom caps. Place cheese disks on gill side of each mushroom cap, cover with other half of cap, cut side down, and gently press together to secure the filling. 5. Dredge the stuffed mushroom caps in the flour, then dip in the beaten egg, coating them completely, then dredge in the panko. Set prepared mushrooms on a plate and refrigerate while heating the oil to deep-fry them. 6. To cook the mushroom burgers, pour the oil into a deep, wide pot to a depth of 3 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 350°F on a candy thermometer. Deep-fry the prepared mushrooms, one or two at a time, until golden brown and crisp all over, 3-4 minutes. Transfer mushrooms with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels. Season with salt. 7. Spoon the ShackSauce onto the top bun. Add a piece of lettuce and two slices of tomato. 8. Transfer the mushroom burgers to the prepared buns. Enjoy!

We mix ½ cup kosher salt with ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper and use that mixture to season our burgers as they cook. You’ll see we call for a pinch or two of the mixture in every recipe.

ShackSauce

Makes approximately ½ cup Long ago we threw away the key to the secret recipe for ShackSauce; but we promise to get you really close with ingredients easily found in your kitchen. ½ cup Hellman’s mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¾ teaspoon Heinz ketchup

¼ teaspoon kosher dill pickling brine Pinch of cayenne pepper

Put all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Sauce will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Cheese Sauce

Makes approximately 6 cups 1 tablespoon canola oil ½ onion, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick 6 thin slices jalapeño 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons white wine 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups grated American cheese 2 cups grated cheddar

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, jalapeños, peppercorns, and salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the vinegar and wine, and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the cream. Remove the pan from the heat and let the cream steep for 30 minutes to build flavor. 2. Return the saucepan to the stove and heat over medium heat until very warm (don’t let it come to a boil). 3. Meanwhile, put the American and cheddar cheeses into a large heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream through a strainer (to remove the solids) over the cheeses, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth, approximately 3 minutes. Sauce will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to one week. You can easily reheat the sauce in a microwave or over a pot of gently simmering hot water.

Reprinted from Shake Shack. Copyright © 2017 by Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC. Principal photographs copyright © 2017 by Christopher Hirsheimer. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

BigAppleParent 51

PartyCentral Professional services Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly Serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone. PARTY PLACES THE FASHION CLASS 21 W. 39th St. 646-329-6663 thefashionclass.com Learn from real fashion designers with a runway or sewing party this year in our 2500-square-foot, bright, sunny, and pink fashion studio! Guests can choose from a variety of our most popular sewing projects, or put on a full runway show! FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience! GALLI THEATER NEW YORK 151 W. 26th St., 7th Floor 212-731-0668 gallitheaterny.com; galliny@gmail.com Party with the Galli Theater New York. We offer a party package for any need and budget! Whether you opt for a personally selected private performance or a workshop party showcasing your little one’s skills, a Galli Theater Birthday is one you will never forget!

JODI’S GYM 244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 34 years. LAUNCH MATH & SCIENCE CENTERS 173 W. 81st St., lower level 212-600-1010 launchmath.com; info@launchmath.com Launch Math & Science Centers provide full service birthday parties featuring hands-on STEM projects as entertainment at the UWS flagship center or in the home! THE LITTLE GYM 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side 212-799-1225; tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-007; tlgscarsdaleny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444; tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests! PIER 62 CAROUSEL Pier 62 at Hudson River Park (by Chelsea Piers) 718-788-2676 pier62carouselnyc.com info@nycarousel.com Enjoy a classic carousel-themed birthday party—includes 2 hours in VIP party tent, unlimited rides, games, goodie bags, and a host to help. USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, Queens 718-760-6200 x0 ntc.usta.com Birthday party packages include 1 hour of court time with drills and games organized by our USTA Pro staff and 1 hour in a private room for pizza.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals SPECIAL NEEDS

EASY PEASY POTTY TRAINING-GREATER NYC AREA 516-318-5228 easypeasypottynyc.com EASY PEASY POTTY offers a customized potty training plan specific to your child’s needs, and at affordable prices. Consultation can be offered on the phone or in person. Complete the intake form online to begin the process. LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500 Hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.

OPEN HOUSES 2017 Book Nook

167 W. 81st St. (at Amsterdam Avenue) 212-873-BOOK (2665) booknooknyc.com Book Nook is a year-round literacy development program for toddlers, preschoolers, and grade-school children. Visit one of our open houses to find out more. Details on our website.

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool

Locations throughout Manhattan brighthorizons.com/nyparent Curriculum Night at Bright Horizons® Sept. 25-29. Explore our classrooms and inviting center, meet our engaging teachers, learn about our world-class curriculum, The World at Their Fingertips®, and find out how your child’s interests inspire learning and discovery.

The British International School of New York

20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204 bis-ny.org; bis-ny.org/summer-camp info@bis-ny.org To set up a private tour please email admissions on admissions@bis-ny.org

or telephone 212-481-2700 to set up a convenient time. We look forward to welcoming you!

Brooklyn Robot Foundry

347-762-6840 Tribeca: 72 Warren St. Upper East Side: 1597 Second Ave. North Slope/Gowanus: 303 3rd Ave., Brooklyn South Slope: 586 5th Ave. Brooklyn Atlantic: 492 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn brooklynrobotfoundry.com contact@brooklynrobotfoundry.com Brooklyn Robot Foundry is hosting an After-School Open House for its new 492 Atlantic Ave. space in Brooklyn! On Sept. 16, come for classes, crafting, live robots, and more!

Saint Ignatius Loyola School

48 E. 84th St. 212-861-3820 saintignatiusloyolaschool.com You are invited to attend one of our Parent Tours. All tours begin at 9:30am. Kindergarten tours: Sept. 18, 21, 25, and 28; Oct. 2, 5, 16, and 30; Nov. 13 and 27; Dec. 4 and 11. First-seventh grades tour: Oct. 12, 19, and 26; Nov. 6 and 20; and Jan. 4.

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE To advertise: 212-315-0800 or nympads@davlermedia.com MUSIC INTRUCTION

START YOUR CHILD PLAYING PIANO Responsive teacher for all levels. Masters/Music 25 yrs. experience. Fun pre-piano activities for tots. Creative song-writing workshops! East Village Studio or your home. Affordable.

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Need to plan the perfect party? FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers, and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.

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BigAppleParent 53

Melissa Errico

VOICES What Potty Training Taught Me ›› Why the biggest lesson from potty training was for me, not my son By Emma Steven

ver since I got pregnant with my first child I’ve been a parenting book junkie. Books on pregnancy, birth, newborns, sleep, child development, baby-led weaning, traditional weaning, toddler behavior, gentle parenting, traditional discipline—you name it, I’ve read it. My husband rolls his eyes when another Amazon box arrives. “Another parenting book?” he’ll say, before I explain why I need this particular book and how it will change our lives. My friends laugh because whatever the parenting challenge, I’ve usually read a few books about it and can quote them. I can’t solve the particular problem, but boy do I know a few opinions on what we could do. Unfortunately this obsession has yet to turn me into the perfect parent. So when it came to potty training—one of the most dreaded times in toddlerhood—everyone was expecting me to line up some good reading material. “What do the books say?” my husband asked whenever the topic came up. “I don’t know...” I said, for the first time in my parenting life. Perhaps it was because I’d just had another baby, or perhaps it was because I just wasn’t ready for potty training myself. For the first time I didn’t deal with a parenting question by buying a book. I didn’t know what to do; there were so many books, not to mention blogs, videos, and storybooks for kids—how was I to choose? Why were there so many different methods? Why do people need potty training consultants for something that should be so simple? It was overwhelming. My Amazon cart stayed empty. Then my son turned 2. I half-heartedly read a couple of online articles about potty training readiness. But instead of researching the subject thoroughly I did nothing. I bought a potty seat and showed him how to use it. He got the hang of it but showed zero interest. “He’ll do it when he’s ready,” I told my mom. “Eighteen-yearolds don’t wear diapers after all.” So we waited...and waited. I offered to buy him underwear: no interest. I offered a special treat if he potty trained: cue tantrums. I asked him if he wanted to be a big boy and say goodbye to diapers. He said no, he wanted to be a baby and wear diapers forever. His third birthday came and went. His friends all potty trained one by one. The other moms discussed different methods and what worked for them. Still he wasn’t interested. I began to

despair. I knew that he could do it if he wanted, but he didn’t. “What if he’s never ready?” I wept to my husband. “He’s nearly 4!” I shrugged off the disapproving comments in mom forums about the topic of “late” training. I ignored a potty training consultant who told me that kids have to potty train between the ages of 2-3 or face long-term problems. I refused to try and force him, as was suggested by some of these “experts.” Everyone had a piece of advice to give me. “Read him potty stories,” his preschool teachers said at parent-teacher conferences. We had a dozen. “Go underwear shopping,” said other moms. We had drawers of unwanted underwear. I realized that half of my anxiety stemmed from the fact he had always been the first of his friends to hit milestones. Was my competitiveness and anxiety causing his reluctance? He certainly couldn’t care less that he wasn’t potty trained. The mere discussion of it would result in tantrums and tears. So we waited some more. I decided to focus on what he wanted, rather than what he was “supposed” to be doing. Then one day, when he was 3 years and 8 months old, I told him casually we were about to run out of diapers. “Okay,” he said. A few days later he came out of his room asking to sit on the potty. I cheered and did a special dance. Two more days passed and instead of peeing on the floor, he said, “I need to go potty” and ran back to the bathroom. Something had shifted. A week later I told him we’d run out of diapers, and within three days he was trained, day and night, with no fuss, and no need for big rewards. I can count the number of accidents he’s had since then on two hands. My gut instinct had been right all along. When people ask me what method I used I shrug and say, “I didn’t. I just waited until he was ready and he did it.” It took me three years and nine months to realize that the parenting expert who has the most to teach me about my son is my son.

Emma Steven is a writer and NYMetroParents’ Manhattan calendar editor. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, two toddlers, and two cats.

August 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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