Issuu

BigAppleParent MAY 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Are You Raising a

Sugar

Addict? Tips for cutting back

SpecialParent The Campaign to

End the

‘R-Word’

Kids Cover Contest 2017 See your child on our cover!

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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Are your child’s immunizations up to date?

Call your Child’s Doctor Today!

Fidelis Care is working to keep our members and the community healthy. Measles and chickenpox are just two of the diseases that you can prevent by having your child immunized. Children under the age of 2 don’t have all the defenses they need to fight infection. Immunizations (shots) protect them from dangerous childhood diseases like:

• Whooping Cough • Hepatitis • Rotavirus • Mumps

• Diphtheria • Flu • Polio • Measles

• Chickenpox • Tetanus and more...

Is Your Child Covered? Fidelis Care offers New York State-sponsored free or low-cost health insurance coverage for children under 19 through the Child Health Plus program. To learn more about applying for health insurance including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, the Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 1-800-421-1220

BigAppleParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

May 2017 ››

Features

16 The Not-So-Sweet Truth Too much added sugar is detrimental to our health—here’s why and what you can do

20 Fitting Fitness Into Your Day Some easy ways to make sure you’re exercising daily 22 Avocado Toast—Elevated Kick up this basic meal with unexpected additions 24 Growing Up Mixed There are more mixed-race families than ever, but parents still face challenges raising kids in two cultures. 42 Putting a Stop to a Slur Parents of kids with special needs join other advocates to push for an end to the ‘R-word.’

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Sam Weinman shares the benefits of losing. 15 Mommybites Tip of the Month 54 Voices: Why I’m thankful for all the parenting advice I got along the way

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

12 DIY Corner: Fizzy Bath Bombs 13 Media Matters: Summer Movies 14 Get Your Kid on Our Cover! 15 Humor: Happy Mother’s Day to the Superheroes 26 Outing: Gulliver’s Gate 29 Family Activities Calendar 40 Where-To Guide: Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens

Directories 44 51 51 52 52 53

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

Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)

››

ON THE COVER ›› 14 Kids Cover Contest 2017 16 Are You Raising a Sugar Addict? 42 The Campaign to End the ‘R Word’ facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

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

DOUBLE YOUR KIDS’ LEARNING & SAVE! Enroll your kids in BOTH the Kumon Math and Reading Programs in May and receive a

SPECIAL RATE!* Contact your local Kumon Math & Reading Center for details.

*Valid at participating Manhattan Kumon Centers only. Once a student discontinues one subject, the tuition for the remaining subject will increase to the then prevailing rate. If the other subject is added after June 1, 2017, the discount will not apply and the student will be charged the then prevailing rate for the subject. Kumon may discontinue the discount with thirty (30) days’ notice. Most Kumon Centers are independently owned and operated. Additional fees may apply. Kumon North America, Inc., is committed to protecting your privacy. © 2017 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Combine Reading and Math to give your child a strong academic advantage. Math Benefits:

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BigAppleParent

MAY 2017 • Vol.32 • No.5

NYMetroParents Publications 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 REGIONAL EDITORS:

Healthy Kids, Healthy Parents

Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Sabrina Sooknanan

efore my kids were born, I thought I’d never be the type of parent to negotiate— let alone do battle—about desserts and sweets. Sure, I’d let my kids eat a moderate amount of junk, but I’d also be sure to have plenty of yummy fruits and vegetables around. Perhaps we’d cut them into fun shapes or make other irresistible but healthy snack creations. Then I actually had children. I know I am not the only one whose kids’ craving for sweets seems insatiable and all-consuming—and no, fruits and vegetables will not cut it. I am sometimes amazed at how much time and effort they spend thinking about—and conniving to acquire—their next snack. I am a firm believer in “everything in moderation,” but when it comes to kids and sugar, how much is too much? In this issue, Katelin Walling speaks with a nutritionist and other experts to find out, and the answer may surprise you (p. 16). Of course, our kids follow our example, so modeling a healthy lifestyle is essential. But how many of us feel we have the time to take care of ourselves and hit the gym with any regularity? To help fix that, we’re offering tips on how to make time and space for fitness in our busy lives (p. 20). And if you want to truly relax after a good workout, suggest that your child make you our “Fizzy Bath Bombs” (p. 12) for Mother’s Day. If it’s May, that also means the NYMetroParents Kids Cover Contest is in full swing! You know your kid is the cutest in the world, so go ahead, enter the contest for a chance to see him or her on the cover of one of our magazines. See p. 14 for more details and enter at nymetroparents.com/cover. We’re proud to feature our contest finalists on our covers throughout the year, showcasing amazing local kids who reflect the diversity of backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and abilities found in our communities—this month is no exception. As parents, we often tell our kids people come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors—differences that we should embrace and celebrate. This month, we have two in-depth reports on the challenges some kids face for being different. In the first, Samantha Neudorf explores the growth of multiracial families in our area by speaking with several local parents in mixed-race families—and she reflects on her own experiences growing up in two cultures (p. 24). In the second, we meet a group of moms who have been working hard in recent years to end use of the “R-word” (p. 42). Bullying takes many forms, but one pervasive example is calling kids with special needs “retards.” It’s a painful slur that is used all too often by adults as well as kids, in casual conversation as well as in schoolyard taunts. Sabrina Sooknanan takes us inside the efforts to end the use of that word. Happy Mother’s Day—and happy May—to all!

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jessica Leonhardt, Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Reynolds DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

MARKETING

HEAD OF MARKETING: Jacqueline Lachman

ADMINISTRATION

CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Barbara Byrd

Davler Media Group CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

Michael Kress Editorial Director, NYMetroParents

nymetroparents.com davlermedia.com nybarbatmitzvah.com

Keep in Touch: nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

Now g Enrollin ring For Sp n Sessio

Ask About Spring Break Camp

The Little Gym of Waldwick www.TLGWaldwickNJ.com 201-445-4444

BigAppleParent

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-bap

Who: Riverside Park Conservancy Summer Sports Camp What’s New: T-ball, flag football, and girls basketball have been added to the summer camp offerings. The weekly all-day camp for children ages 4-16 added T-ball to provide more options for younger campers ages 4-5. Everyone can participate in flag football. “We wanted to show that football could be played in a safe manor,” says Ahmed Cohen, camp director. Girls basketball, for ages 8-14, is currently the camp’s only single-sex sport. “We really want to empower female participation and promote girls in sports,” Cohen says. Want More Info: Camp: sports fields and courts in Riverside Park between 96th and 110th streets on the Upper West Side; sports@riversideparknyc.org; riversideparknyc.org/sports-camp

Courtesy Riverside Park Conservancy Summer Sports Camp

Upper West Side Sports Camp Adds Summer Programs

Riverside Park Conservancy Summer Sports Camp offers tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, flag football, and T-ball.

Through its sports leagues Benswic trains athletes who want to develop their skills and compete.

Courtesy John McEnroe Tennis Academy and SPORTIME

Who: Benswic What’s New: Soccer and baseball sports leagues for children ages 6-18, which will be launching this summer. In addition to its track and field sports league, Benswic, formerly known as Fuse Academy, offers an after-school program. Launched in September and held five days a week at P.S. 290, it includes team sports such as basketball and baseball. Experienced coaches lead Benswic’s programs, which take place in community buildings and various parks in Manhattan. Benswic intends to open a brick and mortar location in the Harlem area within the next year. Want More Info: 917-659-3549; benswic.com

Courtesy Benswic

Athletic and Personal Training Business to Expand Offerings

Patrick McEnroe Joins John McEnroe Tennis Academy Who: John McEnroe Tennis Academy and SPORTIME What’s New: Patrick McEnroe, who joined John McEnroe Tennis Academy as its co-director in January. Patrick is a former U.S. Davis Cup captain, past professional tennis player, and younger brother of John McEnroe, a former professional tennis player. “I am looking forward to bringing my lifetime of learning, as a player, coach, and program manager, to my new role,” Patrick said in a press release. “There probably isn’t anybody that understands American tennis and New York tennis better than Patrick,” John said in a press release. Want More Info: Locations on Randall’s Island, in Westchester, and on Long Island; 212-427-6150; sportimeny.com/jmta

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Patrick McEnroe, a former professional tennis player, recently joined John McEnroe Tennis Academy as its co-director.

central park

Sp end Your Summer in the Greatest Park in the World!

in the heart of manhattan!

As Close to Sleep Away Camp as You Can Get! • Ages 3-16 • 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Extended hours available • Hot lunch option • • AC transportation available • Low staff/child ratios • Flexible enrollment • • Sports, games & outdoor adventure • Visual arts, crafts & performing arts • Special events & theme days • Color war & carnivals • Red Cross Swim Instruction •

800-317-1392 • www.oasischildren.com Join us for an info session! @ PS 84 • (32 W 92nd St, New York, NY 10025) May 10th & May 17th at 6:30 pm

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Visit our other location in Downtown Manhattna@ PS 110

(285 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002) May 11th & May 24th at 6:30 pm

BigAppleParent

UOTABLES There are times, be it a short drive to school or a longer weekend trip, when I just want to lose myself in a blast of ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica without three toneless backup singers in the back seat fighting for the air-drumming rights. Yes, they know all the words. Even my 3 year old. —Lea Farrow, in a post entitled “7 Unexpected Things I Miss About Life Before Kids,” on her blog TheMethodMother.com

in an instagram 55 degrees! Perfect weather to follow dinosaur tracks and learn about fossils at #DinosaurStatePark #dinosaurs #travelandlearn #nyckids #weekendplans #littletraveler #familytravel #hartford #connecticut (Posted by @thelandoftwo, aka Aurora Aquino, a New York mom)

SKIPPING HOMEWORK

in an instagram Fearless #internationalwomensday #fearlessgirl #fearless #wallstreet #womenofthefuture #bravegirl #forceisfemale #fearce #disneyjunior #disney #disneyjr #artmonte (Posted by @a_a_almonte, aka Alexandra Almonte, a New York mom)

“When we bought this house, we pictured ourselves staying here forever, but I guess that’s normal. Humans don’t put down roots while simultaneously planning to uproot them. Still, I have spent the last several weeks mourning the childhood I assumed would take place right here.” —Rebecca Woolf, in a post entitled “And Keep Sailing,” on her blog GirlsGoneChild.net

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“After giving up homework, she was able to spend hours doing things that children should have time to do: swing on the swing set, blow bubbles, plop down on the grass and watch clouds go by, catch fireflies, and make wishes upon stars. She could wonder about things.” —Diane Roncone in an article entitled “Why I Let My Daughter Say No to Homework;” read the whole thing at

nymetroparents.com/no-homework.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: CRAFTS FOR MOM: Make it a flowery Mother’s Day with these crafts (nymetroparents.com/mothers-day-crafts). SAIL AWAY: Where to go catch a boat in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/boat-rides). UNDER THE SEA! Discover a marine life paradise at Atlantis Bahamas (nymetroparents.com/atlantis). SPRING IN NYC: Check out all the fun NYC has to offer this time of year (nymetroparents.com/nyc-spring).

NYMP Q&A

Losing Is Winning ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

am Weinman is the digital editor at Golf Digest and has been a sports journalist for 20 years. His new book Win at Losing, which was inspired by his kids, shows the benefits of losing and what we can learn from it. What do we win from losing? Losing is great feedback. When you lose at a certain endeavor, you are learning something about where you need improvement. Losing exposes weakness and things you can be improving upon. So if it’s sport and you lose, you are ultimately given an indication at what you need to work on. The second thing is character. Losing is an inevitable part of life and the more we navigate that dynamic the better we get at it and the better we’re equipped to handle losing in whatever realm. Losing is a great character-building moment in that you are given the opportunity to experience something difficult and emerge from it and that is ultimately a really great growth opportunity. What should parents do after their child experiences defeat? I would start by telling your child everyone loses and encourage them not to despair when you go through these moments because it may not be right away but there will be something good to come out of that loss and something positive to take from it. If you can get your kid to wrap their brain around that and know good can come from losing, then they’re less afraid of trying new things because they will be less afraid of failing. The undesirable outcome can yield something positive. Anything parents shouldn’t do? The first thing is to not put your kid in a position where they are shielded from failure. There is a point when winning and losing is just part of the deal of growing up and I would be very leery of trying to protect your kid from that. Ultimately you are depriving them the opportunity to experience it and learn from it. The second thing is when your kids are upset after a loss, even if it seems trivial to you, don’t belittle how they are feeling. Try to meet them where they are and recognize that while it may seem insignificant to you, it’s a big deal to them and you should validate their feelings. Do you suggest letting kids win at a young age? Or should parents play fair from the beginning? At a very young age you are dealing with emotion versus reason so my feeling is when you’re engaging in an activity with your kid you shouldn’t be rewarding winning or losing as much as rewarding trying something different. Try to focus on the process of playing the game or having fun and that’s true even as they get older, that yes you don’t want to shelter your kids from failure, but you can still define success a lot of different ways. It can be trying something new or sticking to a process or plan, or when they understand the rules. There’s value in commending that. BigAppleParent 11

DIY CORNER TREAT YOUR MOM

Fizzy Bath Bombs

The main ingredient in bath bombs is the chemical sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda. The other key ingredient is citric acid. These chemicals don’t do much as dry powders, but in water they react and dissolve to produce tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, which is what causes the fizzzzzzzing! (A similar reaction is commonly used in volcano science projects to create foaming “lava.”) The fizzing helps the bath bombs dispense faster and, combined with the hot water, spreads whatever yummy scent you have chosen. Pamper Mom this Mother’s Day by making these with her favorite scents and colors for a bath-time treat she’s sure to enjoy! Maker Checklist Large bowl ½ cup citric acid 1 cup baking soda ½ cup cornstarch ½ cup Epsom salt Small bowl or glass

1 tsp. essential oil 1 tsp. water 1 tsp. olive oil Soap colorant in various colors Multiple small bowls Small plastic containers

Directions 1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. 2. Stir wet ingredients together in a small bowl or glass. 3. V ery slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and keep mixing! Mix, mix, mix, so it doesn’t fizz and bubble up! After it’s all combined, let your mixture sit for a few minutes. It should feel like wet sand and stay together when you squeeze it in your hand. If it’s still too dry or crumbly, add a drop of water or olive oil—but be careful not to let it get too wet! 4. S eparate the mixture into smaller bowls and add a drop of soap colorant. Mix well! We found mixing by hand was the most effective way to get an even color. It’s also nice to leave one bowl white for layering.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

5. Layer your mixture into molds. We used plastic ornaments split in half and experimented with small plastic containers and other recyclables, like yogurt cups. 6. Pack the layers down tightly into the mold by pressing with your fingers. 7. Let dry for a few minutes before carefully removing the bath bomb from the mold. Don’t try to handle the bath bomb yet! Turn it out from its mold directly onto a surface to dry, and let dry a few hours or overnight. 8. Drop in a warm bath and enjoy! Reprinted with permission from Curious Jane © 2017 by Girls Dream Out Loud Inc. Published by Sterling Children’s Books. Photography by Elissa Josse and Samantha Razook Murphy.

Media Matters: Summer Movies

5 Movies Your Kids Will Want to See in May and June

Guardians of the Galaxy

Opens May 5 • Target Ag

Vol. 2

e: 11-13+

The sequel to the hit space adventure promises to be an actionpacked good time.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Th

Opens May 19 • Target Ag

e Long Haul

e: 9-12

The fourth Wimpy Kid mo vie has a new cast, but exp ect the same silly antics and potty hum or for which the series is kno wn.

Captain Underpants: The

Opens June 2 • Target Ag

First Epic Movie

e: 5-8

Expect plenty of rude lan guage and cartoonish vio lence in an animated movie based on the hugely popular boo k series.

Cars 3

Opens June 16 • Target

Age: 5-8

The Pixar racecar threequ el looks family-friendly, but with some intense moments.

Despicable Me 3  Opens June 30 • Target

Age: 5-8

The third film in the popula r, kid-friendly supervillain series promises to be a fun choice for kids and parents to enjoy together, with lots of laughs and positive messages.

Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD Info & Applications | Info. y Solicitudes | 信息和申请 Manhattan Charter School 1—(212) 533-2743 100 Attorney Street—New York, NY 10002 Manhattan Charter School 2—(212) 964-3792 220 Henry Street—New York, NY 10002 www.manhattancharterschool.org/apply

WHY PARENTS CHOOSE US:  Consistently higher performance than state standards   Daily music lessons for every child   French instruction beginning in Kindergarten   Small class size that allows for personal attention   Extended school hours 

Now accepting applications for Grade K-3 Preference given to students speaking a language other than English at home To apply: www.manhattancharterschool.org/apply

BigAppleParent 13

Arts Festival 2017

Get Your Kid on Our Cover!

››

BigAppleParent OCTOBER 2016

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

May 20th – 21st 11am – 6pm (Rain or Shine)

55 W. Railroad Avenue Garnerville, NY 10923 www.garnerartscenter.org Photo Credit: Kristi Veltidi

Where History & Contemporary Art Collide Amongst 14 Acres of 19th Century Industrial Spaces • Open Artist Studios • Workshops • Food Trucks • On Site Craft Brewery & More $8 Adults, $6 Seniors/Students, Children under 14 are free 1 and 2 day pass packages available with additional discounts. Go to garnerartscenter.org for details.

Scheduling Woes How to solve common birthday party dilemmas

Time for a Cellphone? Knowing when kids are ready for independence

BigAppleParent SEPTEMBER 2016

NYMETROPAR ENTS.COM

Haunted Fun Find Halloween events near you

BigAppleParent AUGUST 2016

WHERE TO PICK PUMPKINS

•

BEST JOBS FOR TEENS

TS TS.COM PARENTS.COM NYMETROPAREN

Calm the Cafeteria Chao s

The 2017 festival celebrates social change & the inclusion of everyone in a broad society

Kids can eat health y and socialize,

too. PLUS: Your Back-t o-Scho ol Resource Guide

All About Gap Years Why many

grads are waiting before starting college

Making Melodies

All you need to know about kids’ music lessons

Behind the Thrills water parks

PLUS: Find the best

Should Kids Pla Contact Sports?y Weighi

after-school activities

How keep everyone safe

ng the risk of concus sions

Rebecca School is a therapeutic day school for children ages 3 to 21, promoting the education and development of children with neurodevelopmental delays in relating and communicating, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Our curriculum is based upon the DIR® (Developmental Individual Differences Relationship-based) model of Dr. Stanley Greenspan, which considers the variations in individual motor and sensory processing systems and tailors each child’s program to his or her specific needs. We are committed to celebrating each child’s strengths and supporting their limitations.

Learning Through Relationships Elizabeth O’Shea, Admissions Director (212) 810-4120 ext. 234 eoshea@rebeccaschool.org

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

40 East 30th Street NYC 10016 www.rebeccaschool.org

WHER E TO PICK APPLE S

•

MEDIC AL MARIJ UANA

FOR SICK KIDS?

Olympic s Conversation Summer

Using the Games to spark family discussions

WHERE TO PICK BERRIES

•

THE POWER OF PRESCHOOL

ave you ever looked at the cover of this magazine and thought to yourself, “My child should be featured there”? Well, now’s your chance! The 2017 Kids Cover Contest is currently underway. And this year we’ve expanded it to include 10 finalists, all of whom will be professionally photographed and have a chance to be on our cover. Here’s how it works: Go to nymetroparents.com/cover. You’ll be asked to upload a photo of your child, and you can add a caption, if you like. We’ll ask for your child’s name and age and for some information on how to contact you if your child is a finalist. Our editors will choose nine of the finalists, and the 10th is the Fan Favorite—the entrant with the most votes. So after you enter, be sure to send the link to your friends and family and post it to your social media to get votes for your child. After the photo shoot, our editors will choose two winners from among the 10 finalists, and both are guaranteed to be on a future cover of the magazine. One winner will receive a photo shoot from Barbizon and a one-year scholarship to Barbizon Modeling and Acting School, while the other will win a free two-night stay at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, the largest indoor water park in the U.S. The rest of the finalists might be featured on future covers as well, and the Fan Favorite will win four tickets to Sesame Place. The cover contest is open to children ages 2-16 and ends June 9. Enter at nymetroparents.com/cover!

HUMOR

Happy Mother’s Day to the Superheroes! Alison Wong is the writer and illustrator of New Mom Comics: The First Year, which offers a humorous and relatable take on the wild journey of parenting. “That first Mother’s Day completely changes its meaning. I felt more thankful for my own mother and very grateful to be a mother,” Wong said in her book. Anyone celebrating Mother’s Day this May will appreciate Wong’s illustration on the superpowers moms possess. Alison Wong is an illustrator, product designer, and innovation consultant. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and son. Visit newmomcomics.com for more.

MOMMYBITES TIP OF THE MONTH

Be a ‘Tour Guide’ for Your New Nanny ››

Our friends at Mommybites are offering a monthly tip to help parents who employ—or are considering hiring—nannies. “As a new employer, the most important thing that you can do to ensure an easy transition is to act as a family interpreter; you need to teach your new nanny the ‘language’ of your home. Try to reserve at least a few days to be her exclusive ‘tour guide.’ On her very first day, take her on a detailed tour of your home. Show her where everything is and familiarize her with her new surroundings. Describe in detail a typical day with your kids and be very specific about what role you expect her to play: Does she dress the children? Prepare meals? Who packs lunches? Is she responsible to take the children to and from school or do you do it? What about housework? Communicating these details clearly will ensure that she understands what you expect of her.” Mommybites’ mom-generated nanny board and babysitting boards have been some of the most popular child-care sites in New York City for more than 10 years! See more at mommybites.com.

BigAppleParent 15

The Not-So-Sweet Truth

››

Too much added sugar is detrimental to our health—here’s why, and what you can do about it. By Katelin Walling

ifty-six. That’s how many different names the food industry uses for sugar. Here’s another number: 19½. That’s, on average, how many teaspoons of added sugar each person in the U.S. consumes each day. To be clear: We’re talking about added sugar—the sugar the food industry adds to foods, not the sugar found naturally in foods. The daily maximum recommendation from the American Heart Association? Six teaspoons for women, 9 teaspoons for men, less than 6 teaspoons for children ages 2-18, and zero for children ages 2 and younger. Ready for another? One-quarter: the number of pounds of added sugar Americans are consuming daily, on average, which equates to 90-100 pounds of added sugar annually. “The problem is you’re really supposed to be consuming zero [added sugar], but you could consume an ounce or an ounce and a half,” says Robert Lustig, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist, professor of pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at University of California, San Francisco, and author of Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease. 16

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

So, why is it a big deal that we’re consuming so much added sugar? Dr. Lustig—who was also featured prominently in the 2015 documentary Sugar Coated (available on Netflix) and is a member of the SugarScience team, an authoritative source for the scientific evidence about sugar and its impact on health—shares what we need to know and think about before saying “Yes” to sugary foods.

Glucose vs. Fructose

There are two main sugars found in foods, and it’s important to know the difference because one is necessary and one isn’t. Glucose, which is found in starch, is the energy of life, according to Dr. Lustig. “Glucose is so important that if you don’t consume it, your body makes it,” he says. The liver has a way of turning fat into glucose called gluconeogenesis. So while it’s necessary for life, it’s not necessary to eat. Fructose, on the other hand, is an entirely different molecule. “There’s no animal cell on the planet that needs fructose for any reaction at all,” Dr. Lustig explains, adding that it’s sweet, it’s energy, and it’s calories, but it’s not nutrition.

Effects of Too Much Sugar

chemistry, it causes that mild reaction to occur seven times faster and generate a hundred times the number of oxygen radicals called oxidative stress that damage proteins and lipids inside cells,” Dr. Lustig says. “So basically sugar drives aging faster than other carbohydrates.”

Liver fat: “Because of the way fructose is processed, it goes to the liver and excess gets turned into liver fat, and that liver fat gums up the workings of the liver. When that happens, you end up with a phenomenon called insulin resistance. You have a situation where the liver’s not responding to the insulin signal so the pancreas has to make extra,” Dr. Lustig says, which raises insulin levels all over the body and leads to hyperinsulinemia. Excess insulin, Dr. Lustig explains, does two things in your body to make you gain weight: It turns energy into fat cells, and it blocks leptin, the hormone that sends a signal to the brain when you’ve had enough to eat. Continued insulin secretion is also one of the major factors involved in chronic metabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and dementia. “All of those are referred to in total as metabolic syndrome. Some people will get some of those diseases, some people will get others of those diseases, and some unfortunate people will get all of them,” Dr. Lustig says. “Anything that drives insulin is going to drive those, and because of the liver fat issue, fructose drives it.”

Dopamine: Fructose causes the reward system to release dopamine, the reward response. When dopamine is released, it fosters continued consumption, according to Dr. Lustig. “That’s something only fructose does. So you get into a vicious cycle of consumption and disease.”

Aging: Have you ever thought of why bananas brown? It’s a chemical reaction called the Millard reaction—the aging reaction. “All carbohydrates bind to proteins, all carbohydrates cause a mild reaction. But because of fructose’s unique

When sugar is cut from your diet, “your metabolic primers get better, and you feel better, and your metabolic parameters improve, and you detox, and you don’t crave it as much.

Acutely, too much sugar doesn’t have significant effects on the body. It’s the long-term effects that are the issue. Dr. Lustig says there are three things fructose does to our bodies that glucose does not:

To paint a clearer picture, Dr. Lustig compares fructose to alcohol: “Alcohol is calories, but it’s not nutrition. Consumption of alcohol is dangerous in two ways: It’s dangerous acutely, and it’s dangerous chronically. Fructose is not dangerous acutely, but it is dangerous chronically for the same reason that alcohol is. In fact, fructose and alcohol are metabolized exactly the same in the liver, and that’s why kids are getting the disease of alcohol—Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease—without alcohol. Fructose sugar is the alcohol of the child. While we have the capacity to metabolize a limited amount of alcohol, excess is dangerous. While we have a limited capacity to metabolize the sugar in our diet, excess is dangerous.”

What Happens When You Cut Sugar From Your Diet?

continued on next page ››

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Everything gets better,” Dr. Lustig says, referring to a study his team published in October 2015. For that study, the research team studied the diets of 33 Latino and African-American kids with metabolic syndrome (obesity plus at least one other chronic medical condition) to determine a home-baseline diet. Then, for the next 10 days, sugar was cut from the kids’ diets. “What we did was we gave them starch instead so they would not loose weight. We took pastries out, and we put the bagels in. … We took the chicken teriyaki out, and we put turkey hotdogs in. We gave them processed foods, but there were no added-sugar foods,” Dr. Lustig explains. After those 10 days, the kids were assessed, and “every aspect of their metabolic health improved and their liver fat reversed. That is without any change in calories or any change in weight. This shows fructose is the primary driver because when we gave them extra glucose instead of fructose, it got better unrelated to calories and unrelated to weight,” Dr. Lustig says. “That proves that sugar is the driver of these metabolic diseases. It may not be the only driver, but it certainly is the primary driver, and the one that children are exposed to.”

Easy Tips for Cutting Sugar

When working the following tips into your family’s lifestyle, the first thing to keep in mind is to cut back gradually and make realistic goals for your family. “It’s really hard to go to an extreme. I work with families that want to cut everything all at once, and that’s usually unsuccessful,” says Nicole Silber, R.D., a pediatric nutritionist based in New York City. “Meet your child where they’re at, engage them in the plan, and cut back slowly, which I think will end up yielding more success than to cut back drastically.” Be weary of foods labeled as fat-free. “There are a bunch of fat-free items that tend to be loaded with sugar to compensate for the loss of fat in the product, especially in baked goods,” Silber says.

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Opt for fresh fruit over dried fruit or fruit sauce. With dehydrated fruit and sauces, it’s a matter of the source of sugar being concentrated, Silber says. For example, when you dehydrate a plum, what’s left is the fiber and natural fruit sugar. “It ends up being much smaller, so you could eat five prunes, which will fill your stomach the same amount as one plum, but you’re consuming five times the amount of sugar because you’re essentially eating five plums,” Silber explains. The same thing happens with applesauce. “It will take a child a few minutes to eat a whole apple, which has the skin, the fiber, the liquid. When you boil it down and puree it into a sauce, you can probably have four or five apples in the same amount of time it would take to eat one whole apple,” Silber adds. Choose plain yogurt over flavored. Yogurt can be unhealthy if you’re not picking the right one, Silber says. “If a child is used to high-sugar yogurts, you can add in your own fruit, jam, maple syrup, honey,” she advises. “You can even add in your own white sugar. I’m confident you will add in less than the food companies.” And make sure you check the labels on baby yogurts; Silber says some brands are really high in added sugar.

Preventatively, don’t introduce infants to juice or sweetened foods in their first year. Silber advises to give babies more veggies and less fruit to accustom their taste buds to less sweet foods. When shopping for baby foods or making your own, opt for blends that have one or no fruit. Cut down your weekly dessert intake. Wherever your family is now, cut back one to two servings per week, Silber advises. “If a family has dessert every night, I would say cut back to five nights per week,” Silber says. Another option is to substitute fresh fruit and eat the fruit when it’s extra ripe because it will taste sweeter. Check out Silber’s no-sugar-added recipe for chocolate banana ice cream at nymetroparents.com/banana-icecream. Drink water rather than sweetened beverages. Nearly twothirds of kids in the U.S., ages 2-19, consumed at least one sugarsweetened beverage per day, and roughly 30 percent of children consumed two or more, between 2011-2014, according to a study published in January by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. That includes soda, fruit drinks, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened coffees and teas. Silber says most kids don’t need to consume beverages aimed toward athletes. “Usually water and a nutritious snack before and after will be sufficient to restore the nutrition and hydration,” she says. Leave sugar out of recipes when possible. With cooking, Silber suggests cutting the sugar from the recipe entirely, or cutting it in half. “I do this a lot where I see a recipe for a marinade that has a lot of honey or white sugar that I will eliminate and I still think the recipe comes out tasty,” she says. For baking, Silber says to look for recipes that use more natural forms of sugar, such as honey, agave, or maple syrup because they’re more concentrated, so you’ll use less of it. And remember: “There is a time and a place for [sweets],” Silber says. “Just because it doesn’t have the white sugar doesn’t mean it’s a food that should be given all the time.” Read and understand the Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods. The Food and Drug Administration announced a new Nutrition Facts label in May 2016, which among other changes includes an “Includes X g Added Sugars” field. Food manufacturers will need to implement the new label by July 26, 2018, while smaller companies will have an additional year to comply, according to the FDA. Until then, Silber suggests thinking about it in terms of a sugar packet, which is approximately 4 grams of sugar. If you choose a food product that has 8-12 grams of sugar per serving, “envision yourself opening up two or three sugar packets and pouring that into your dish. That can become quite alarming,” she says. Silber recommends choosing condiments (ketchup, salad dressing, and marinades) with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving, and foods (breads, yogurts, cereals, etc.) with no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving. An easy way to keep track of your added sugar intake is to convert the grams per serving into teaspoons. There are 4.2 grams of sugar per teaspoon, Dr. Lustig says. That comes out to less than 25 grams per day for children and teens, 25.2 grams for women, and 37.8 grams for men. “We’re currently at about 90 [grams per day] on average. That’s a big difference,” Dr. Lustig says.

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Fitting Fitness Into Your Day

››

As parents, our lives are crazy busy, so here are some easy ways to make sure you’re finding ways to exercise. By Rosalind Muggeridge

espite all the advice we parents get about self-care these days, our busy schedules—kids, work, extracurricular activities, and for many of us, aging parents—ensure that our fitness goals consistently end up last on our priority lists. To help remedy that, I spoke with Rachel Lozoff, a Pilates teacher, dancer, and founder of Daily Body Pilates, to get some tips for seasoned parents and new moms alike on developing and, even trickier, maintaining productive fitness habits.

You May Already Be Doing It

Make your daily routine work for you. It’s a fact that many of us are abysmally overscheduled, so finding an hour three times a week to hit the gym may not be practical for everyone. (Kudos to you if you are making that happen!) It turns out you can still work fitness into your life by simply noticing and taking advantage of what you may already be doing. “I always tell my clients that everything counts,” Lozoff says. “Walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, playing with and picking up your kids, stretching or moving your body while you watch TV, or 20

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

even adding a little aerobic exercise to your daily life by walking everywhere you normally walk, just a little more quickly.” Be aware. I remember being surprised at how physically strenuous taking care of my first child felt. Whether it’s wrangling a fractious toddler into a stroller or spinning kids around during a dance party, parenting can take a physical toll. Trying to tune into your movements is a great way to help strengthen your body and avoid any chronic pain from starting or worsening. Lozoff calls this type of awareness “Livelates”(pronounced live-a lotease, a term Lozoff has trademarked), and it is one of the main strategies she says she uses to help her “stay strong, functional, and able to have daily wrestling matches with two young boys.” Even when you’re not around your kids, you should try to maintain that awareness. Sometimes it makes sense to sweat the small stuff. “Alignment and posture are also things you can be aware of as a way to prevent overuse or injury,” Lozoff says. “Are you twisting your body to look at your computer screen at work? Do you carry all of your bags on the same shoulder all the time? Details like this may seem minor or unimportant in the

moment, but can contribute to general aches and pains, and even overuse injuries, over time.” Consider how you’re framing it. It may be helpful to think about working out in a way that speaks to you and your own personal needs and wishes. Maybe it’s a means to incorporate some time to yourself, a way to stay sane when everyone is wanting a piece of you, or simply something that is going to make you a calmer, better parent. “While the physicality of our lives in NYC can be taxing,” Lozoff says, “seeing your fourth-floor walkup as a daily opportunity to keep your legs and gluteals strong can help it feel less like torture and more like a few minutes of exercise that really will add up and make you stronger.”

Make a Habit of It

Take some time to plan before you start. Lozoff breaks down how to carve out time from our busy daily routines. The first step, she says, is to find 5-10 minutes of movement. “This can be from a class you take, a video you like, or one of many online fitness options,” she says. “If you can memorize the movement over time, this will make it easier to fit in to your daily life. Another thing Lozoff recommends is picking a time of day when you can squeeze in those few minutes. That could be first thing in the morning, after your child goes down for his nap, on your lunch hour, or after your kids go to sleep at night. “This five to ten minutes can be a manageable amount of time to start with and can still go a long way toward feeling good,” she says. “Once you get into the habit of fitting regular movement into your day, you can slowly start making your routine longer,” she adds. When I first began exercising after childbirth, I started by simply lying down on my yoga mat and trying to tune into my abdominal core muscles. Once I felt ready to move on, I worked up from there to include more strenuous exercises. Lozoff also advises trying to make the first five minutes of your session consist of the same exercises, so that over time you know the movements so well that you can lie down anywhere, anytime, and devote a few minutes to work out. Do it before you can talk yourself out of it. For many people this is in the morning. For me, it’s as soon as I put my youngest down for his afternoon nap. It helps if I’m already wearing workout clothes, thereby eliminating one more step that might get me off track. For Lozoff, “As soon as I put my son down to sleep, and before I do anything else like clean up toys or do the dishes, I get out my yoga mat and do my 25-minute routine. Though it has changed over the years, I still have that routine and at the end of each busy day, it still feels good to know I had that time for myself in my day. And there are still some days when I can only do five minutes! But it counts.” Have fun with it. I didn’t start being even remotely consistent about my fitness until I figured out that doing the loop in Prospect Park is where my bliss lies. I go even more frequently if I’m meeting a friend who is expecting me to be there at a certain time. We try to finish the full 5-kilometer loop; sometimes we run half of it and sometimes we walk the whole thing quickly—it just depends on how we’re feeling that day. Tracking the subtleties of the seasonal changes allows me to become much more in tune with nature and makes me feel like I’m getting a respite from urban living. Plus, being outside on a regular basis clears my head and makes me feel much more calm and centered.

Involving your family is also a great way to get motivated. Or if you’re exercising at home try Lozoff’s tip: “Save your favorite TV show to watch while you exercise, so the whole thing feels like a treat.”

Post-Partum Moms

Take it slow, but try to check in with your body as often as possible. After my daughter’s extremely difficult delivery, I was overwhelmed by how disconnected I felt from my body. There were days I wondered if I would ever have the energy and motivation to even start thinking about getting back into shape. But as I learned, feeling fit doesn’t have to involve making a huge commitment. “Finding time to do something every day, even for just a few minutes, is really essential, especially when you’re postpartum,” Lozoff says. “Not only is it physically beneficial to move, stretch, and strengthen your body, but knowing you have a small part of the day that’s just for you can be both energizing and calming.” Lozoff ’s first son was born via emergency cesarean section. “Suddenly my life and my body were completely new to me,” she says. With help from her own fitness instructor—who even held her new baby during the workout—she was able to develop a 25-minute routine. “Scheduling and finances were such that I could only see my teacher a couple times, but once I had that routine, I had the tools to come back to my body and feel strong again.”

YOU REALLY ARE WHAT YOU EAT It’s fruitless to talk about fitness without considering what we’re feeding our bodies. Because some (okay, maybe a lot) of my sustenance comes from eating the remaining scraps from my kids’ meals, I asked anatomist, biochemist, and Ayurvedic practitioner Rebecca Dietzel, M.S., about ways to fuel your body to ensure you have the energy to meet fitness goals. “Food provides not only fuel for the muscle work of exercising, but also the minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and other factors required for the repair of tissues,” Dietzel says. “Physical exercise results in micro-damage to tissues. In the process of repairing that micro-damage, our bodies build stronger tissues. We need to provide both the fuel and the repair and maintenance materials to our bodies.” So what should we be reaching for when we want to get the most bang for our buck nutritionally? “Whole foods provide the best, most clean-burning fuel while also providing the resources to optimize the repair process. There is no protein shake nor energy bar that can replace the value inherent in real food,” Dietzel says. And just like starting off with five minutes of exercise, don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t able to make major dietary changes overnight. “Over time, small changes become new habits,” Dietzel says. “Experiencing what those new habits bring to your health and well-being both inspires and motivates exploration of new food habits, creating a self-sustaining cycle of change.” So just do what you can, have fun, and perhaps most importantly, go easy on yourself. In this (as in most respects), parenting really is more a marathon than a sprint. BigAppleParent 21

FOOD & NUTRITION

Avocado Toast—Elevated

››

Kick up this basic breakfast with some unexpected additions.

Avocado toast can be enjoyed in three simple steps: toast bread, top it with avocado (smashed or sliced), and eat. But Lara Ferroni shares 20 ideas to elevate the basic meal, from why-didn’t-I-think-of-that combos to unexpected and unusual flavor choices.

From left: Sourdough, smashed avocado, cucumber, chili flakes, fish sauce; sourdough, sliced avocado, strawberries, balsamic vinegar; sourdough, smashed avocado, nectarine slices, fresh mozzarella, fresh mint; sourdough, diced avocado, bacon jam, arugula

Clockwise from top: Brioche loaf, smashed avocado, banana, cinnamon, sugar; brioche loaf, sliced avocado, Nutella, pear slices; brioche loaf, smashed avocado, mandarin orange segments, coconut cream, fresh mint; brioche loaf, sliced avocado, scrambled egg, hot sauce

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Clockwise from top left: Baguette, sliced avocado, almond butter, honey, lemon juice; baguette, smashed avocado, radish slices, Herbs de Provence, flakey sea salt; baguette, sliced avocado, marmalade, flakey sea salt; baguette, smashed avocado, grilled romaine, boquerónes

Clockwise from top left: Bagel, smashed avocado, summer tomato slices, fresh basil; bagel, diced avocado, pickled beets, chèvre; bagel, smashed avocado, feta, black sesame seeds, cilantro, lime juice; bagel, sliced avocado, smashed sweet potato, ricotta salata

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Clockwise from top: Lettuce, smashed avocado, apple slices, cabbage, poppy-seed dressing; pita, sliced avocado, roasted poblano (or jalapeño), crema; cracker, smashed avocado, pepper jelly; chip, sliced avocado, cheddar, caramelized onions

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Courtesy Nicole Perrino

Courtesy Bicultural Mama Courtesy Betsy Vilca

Courtesy Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Suffolk County blogger Maria Adcock and her family at a birthday party. The kids are half Chinese and Maria hopes they embrace that side of their heritage.

Jen Rabulan-Bertram and her family live in Denville, NJ, and call themselves the “token mixed family” of their area.

Nicole Perrino and her family live in the Bronx, where she says the diversity makes them comfortable raising mixed-race kids.

Queens mom Betsy Vilca, who is Peruvian, says she and her husband, who is Irish, teach their kids about both cultures.

Growing Up Mixed

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There are more mixed-race families than ever, but parents still face challenges raising kids in two cultures. By Samantha Neudorf

here is no worse feeling than when people think you and your child are unrelated. At least, that’s how my mother felt. I am half German and half Filipina, and I remember many times when I would be out with my Filipina mother and people would come up to her and say, “What a cute child! Are you her nanny?” or “Is she adopted?” One person even went so far as to flatout deny I was her daughter and insisted, “I just don’t see how that’s possible.” All because I did not look exactly like her. Incidents like these stuck with me and are among the major challenges parents face when raising a mixed-race child. I decided to speak with parents here in the New York metro region to hear their accounts of raising bicultural children today.

Looking Different

In my own experience, identifying as multiracial is complicated because you look “different” from others. It’s challenging because you do end up relating to one side more than another—yet you are not entirely of that race, so you are not always fully accepted even 24

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

within that group. On the other hand, it feels great to be able to celebrate more than one heritage and be able to better understand other cultures. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013, 9 million Americans identified as two or more racial categories when asked about their racial background, and a more recent Pew study put that number significantly higher. In New York City, 4 percent of the population identified as “two or more races” in the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, while statewide more than half a million New Yorkers did the same— and the number is surely growing.

A Cultural Melting Pot

Often revered as a cultural melting pot, New York City and its suburbs are home to people of countless ethnicities. It is therefore not surprising that interracial relationships are on the rise, and with them, the birth of multi-race children. Nicole Perrino is the founder of the blog Bronx Mamas and is Italian-Irish. Her boyfriend Luis is Dominican, and their daughters

are Briana, 10, and Gia, 4. They live in East Bronx and found that the area has a blend of both of their cultures. “It’s so diverse and you never know what a person is just by looking at them,” Perrino says. Betsy Vilca is a blogger and YouTuber at Thats Betsy V, and a mother of two children: Ziana, 4, and Gunner, 1. She is Peruvian and her boyfriend Bobby is Irish. They live in the Kew Gardens section of Queens, which is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country. Vilca expresses concern about how her kids will be treated based on the current political climate. “I feel like it’s much more accepting to be a mixed-race family than it was years ago,” she says. “But at the same time, with Donald Trump in office we’re concerned our kids might be ostracized because they’re not whitewhite and they’re not Spanish.” Vilca is able to have her kids learn about both sides of their heritage in New York by going to St. Patrick’s Day activities as well as eating Peruvian dishes such as lomo saltado, a stir-fry of sirloin steak with onions, tomatoes, and French fries served over a bed of rice. “It’s very cultural here in New York and I feel like they’ll be able to identify more with different cultures when they get older,” Vilca says.

Preserving Tradition

One way to preserve tradition is to teach kids to be bilingual or to “speak their mother tongue.” Vilca’s daughter Ziana understands Spanish when she speaks to her, but sometimes refuses to respond because everyone around speaks English. Vilca grew up in Garden City Park on Long Island and felt the same way. “I grew up with a lot of Caucasians and my parents only spoke Spanish, so I couldn’t identify with those kids and was ostracized in that aspect,” Vilca says. She hopes her kids will grow up to speak Spanish fluently and understand it better than she does. Maria Adcock is the founder of the blog Bicultural Mama and is Chinese-American. She and her husband Matthew, who is Caucasian, live in Suffolk County and have two daughters: Ailin, 8, and Aimei, 2. Ailin is enrolled in Chinese school and Aimei will follow in her footsteps once she is old enough to attend. Adcock wants her daughters to go to Chinese school because there are not many Asians in her area and her family lives out of state, so her kids do not have a chance to hear relatives speak Chinese very often. She attended Chinese school growing up and wants her kids to be exposed to the culture, language, and traditions. “Some of the challenges of raising mixed-race children are ensuring that the minority heritage traditions are passed down and that my kids are embracing it and proud that there’s this part of them,” Adcock says. “It’s very easy for them to lose the minority heritage because they’re not immersed in it.” Adcock hopes that her daughters will continue to celebrate both cultures. She says Ailin identifies more with her Chinese side, but says that could change if she decides she wants to choose to embrace her Caucasian side more. “My husband’s family is nearby and we see them several times a month,” Adcock says. “That’s why I feel like I need to make sure that the other side is being reinforced as well.”

Uncomfortable Situations

Adcock talked to Ailin about racism and what to do if she is bullied. She grew up in Michigan and said she was teased, so she wants to make sure her kids know what to do if that ever happens. “I want them to be proud at a young age and try to protect them as much as possible.” There was an instance where Adcock was with Ailin at the post

office when she was a baby and an older woman approached them and said, “Oh my gosh, is that an ‘Amerasian’ baby?” The term “Amerasian” is used to define a person born in Asia to a U.S. military father and an Asian mother. It was first used during the wars in Korea and then Vietnam and could be applicable to U.S. citizens of any ethnicity, so this was a misinformed comment that made Adcock feel taken aback. “I can tell that she didn’t mean it in an offensive way because she was smiling and said she knew other ‘Amerasian’ babies,” Adcock says. “It was just kind of strange to be called out that way.”

Teaching Kids to Understand Others

Jen Rabulan-Bertram is the founder of the blog Next Kid Thing. She is Filipina-American and her husband Jeff is German, English, and Irish. Jen, Jeff, and their kids Jack, 9, and Josh, 5, live in Denville, NJ, and say they are the “token mixed family” of their area. Rabulan-Bertram grew up in Virginia, where she says people made racial jokes toward her and repeated racial stereotypes, so she made sure her kids learned how to embrace others. The common refrain in their household is that everyone is different, whether it’s how they look or if they are differently abled. Josh is in special education, so it is especially ingrained in her kids that they accept anyone regardless of race or physical differences. “You don’t know the other person’s story, so you just say that everyone is different,” RabulanBertram says. Rabulan-Bertram says Jack has been learning about his culture in school and hopes he grows up to embrace both sides. “Having a mom that looks one way and a dad that looks another is definitely something he should be proud of,” Rabulan-Bertram says. “Whether it’s having awesome food and learning about how his grandparents grew up in a really cool island, I think it’s important for him to know that.” As for me, being bicultural has allowed me to understand the world and empathize with others through a lens not many people can use. I understand and accept that people will continue to give me weird looks because they cannot figure out what my ethnicity is. I understand that I will be too Asian in some people’s eyes and too white to others. I understand the struggle to be accepted in society because at the end of the day, I’m still a minority. And I would never change any of it because I am proud of who I am.

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OUTINGS: Gulliver’s Gate

nymetroparents.com/outings

See the World in Miniature

You can travel the world—and occasionally through time—without leaving Times Square. ›› By Katelin Walling

Katelin Walling

Courtesy Gulliver’s Gate

Katelin Walling

1 The Russian section of Gulliver’s Gate is entirely handcrafted (made of balsam wood and hand painted), while other countries utilized 3-D printing. 2 Iconic

buildings in New York City have been miniaturized, including the commuter hub of Grand Central. Various trains, vehicles, and even planes will move throughout the exhibit. Here the MetroCard shows just how tiny everything is at Gulliver’s Gate. 3 Visitors will see scenes from throughout history, including Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 4 Until the masters of science and technology are able to make time travel happen, Beatles fans young and old will have to make do with seeing this iconic scene in miniature.

ulliver’s Gate (a nod to Gulliver’s Travels) is a re-creation of various major cities across the world in Lilliputian proportions—miniature models, built to scale. The extremely family-friendly venue— changing tables are in all bathrooms, a private nursing station is available for breast-feeding moms, and strollers are welcome—is set to become one of the most interactive miniature exhibits in America.

A Whimsical, Interactive Experience

Upon arrival, each visitor will exchange their ticket for a skeleton key (beginning May 9), which “unlocks” the interactive elements throughout the re-creation—until then, buttons control the elements. Examples include Nessie poking her head out of Loch Ness in Scotland and a bullring spinning to reveal a bullfight in which the bull, in an unusual turn of events, antagonizes the matador in Spain. (Keep an eye out for other humorous scenes like these as subtle and overt humor was integrated throughout—perfect for entertaining children and parents.) Bonus: You get to take the key home as a keepsake. 26

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

More Than Just Buildings

You’ll see renderings of famous buildings and monuments from all over the world—from the Statue of Liberty to the Eiffel Tower in France, among many others. Just don’t expect to see the full Empire State Building and One World Trade—they are so tall that even built to scale they don’t completely fit in the space. You’ll also see some scenes from history: the Beatles walking across Abbey Road, a Lenape village in New York, and Colossus of Rhodes standing over a harbor in Greece.

A Culturally Inclusive Exhibit

Eight countries took part in building Gulliver’s Gate, and the stylistic differences in the models show how the different countries interpret their regions and what they see as culturally significant. “One of the most important things for us is inclusion,” says Jason Hackett, head of marketing. “We want you to be able to see yourself in the model, no matter where you’re from.”

And you actually can. Step into a 3-D scanner (for an extra fee) and be rendered as a Lilliputian-sized model citizen to become part of the exhibit.

Learn How It Works

Visitors can learn behind-the-scenes details about the miniature world. The wood and high-tech model shops are open for visitors to talk to the builders and learn how the mini cities were created, and a hallway is filled with projections of the entire building process. The command center that monitors the circuitry and interactive components of the miniatures is also open for visitors to see, and the engineers are encouraged to explain how things work in ways all visitors can understand.

Want to Go?

Address: 216 W. 44th St., Times Square, Hours: Daily, 9am-10pm; last entry will be at 8:30pm Admission: $36; $27 seniors ages 65 and older and children ages 12 and younger For more information: gulliversgate.com

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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Turn the page for details on Fleet Week 2017 (No. 9 on our list).

MAY

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CALENDAR 30 Editor’s Hot Tickets

36 Holiday Fun

32 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Show Time

37 Smarty Pants, Special Needs

33 The Great Outdoors

38 On Screen, Once Upon a Time

34 Crafty Kids WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

EDITOR: EMMA STEVEN nyccalendar@davlermedia.com

35 Fun Fairs & Festivals

39 Animal Lovers

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!

Identification Day

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 12-5pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the museum celebrates natural history collections by inviting visitors to bring in their own specimens to the annual Identification Day. Scientists will attempt to identify your discoveries while showing you some specimens from the museum’s rarely seen collections. WHY WE LOVE IT: A chance to find out just what that rock, leaf, or feather you found is really from. WANT TO GO? $22; $17 students and seniors; $12.50 children; free for members. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

‘Peter Rabbit Tales’

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village AGES: 3-8 WHAT: See Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny as they have an adventure that involves a rescue of the Flopsy Bunnies and of course, an escape from Mr. McGregor’s garden. There will also be a pre-show workshop in the lobby during which children can make their own Peter Rabbit puppets. WHY WE LOVE IT: Beatrix Potter’s famous hero Peter Rabbit has been delighting children for more than 100 years. WANT TO GO? $25-$29. 212-998-4941. skirballcenter.nyu.edu.

Cherry Blossom Festival and Flow.17 Opening Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 12-4pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, Fields 62 and 63, Randall’s Island

AGES: All WHAT: Set along the backdrop of the Hell Gate Bridge and the Urban Farm, this festival welcomes the park’s cherry blossoms with live music, performances, games, exhibitions, face painting, and more. The festival coincides with the opening of the FLOW.17 art project, which brings outdoor art from emerging art to the park for the summer. WHY WE LOVE IT: This rite of spring will fill you with joy and hope for the new season. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

2 4

Harlem Children’s Theatre Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 10am-1pm WHERE: Aaron Davis Hall, 150 Convent Ave., Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Bringing quality children’s theater uptown, this free festival for kids features three new plays. WHY WE LOVE IT: There are also lots of activities such as puppets and crafts to enjoy. WANT TO GO? 212-281-9240. ccny.cuny.edu/edtheatre.

LC Kids Presents Spring Fling FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 11am-2pm WHERE: Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: A fun-filled day of performances, crafts, and activities across the plazas of Lincoln Center. Activities include story times, crafting, chalk drawing, artists from the American Ballet Theatre and The Juilliard School, and a performance by The Verve Pipe. WHY WE LOVE IT: This annual event is a great way to make the most of the warmer weather and get you in the mood for summer fun. WANT TO GO? 212-875-5000. kids.lincolncenter.org.

10th Annual Dance Parade and Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 1-7pm WHERE: Broadway, University Place, East 8th Street, St. Marks Place, and Tompkins Square Park, see website for parade route, East Village AGES: All WHAT: This parade and festival celebrates the power of dance as an art form as well as the dance culture of NYC. WHY WE LOVE IT: After watching the parade, there is a free dance festival featuring lessons, performances, and more. WANT TO GO? 267-350-9213. danceparade.org.

Bring the world to their ﬁngertips. Arts & Crafts | Swimming | 2000 sq. ft. playground | Indoor and Outdoor trips

CMA Kids Fair 2017 FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 11am-4pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Create art and memories alongside friends and family with the guidance of CMA Teaching Artists. Enjoy a fun shopping experience filled with unique artisanal products and services from local, family-friendly vendors and artists. WHY WE LOVE IT: This fair was so popular last year it’s back as part of the museum’s annual fundraising event. WANT TO GO? 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

Governors Island Family Fun Day FREE

MORNINGSIDE SUMMER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM June 19 - July 27 Open to 2.5 - 5.5 year olds Apply Online: morningsidemontessori.org 251 West 100th Street | Between Broadway & West End Ave.

WHEN: Sunday, May 28, 11am-4pm WHERE: Nolan Park, Governors Island; ferries leave from 10 South St., Lower Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Held Memorial Day Weekend, this outdoor festival will feature live music, theatrical performances, storytelling, arts and crafts, educational workshops, ice cream, and a build-your-own playground. WHY WE LOVE IT: Don’t leave without having a go on the slides at The Hills, too! WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

Fleet Week 2017 FREE

WHEN: May 23-30, daily, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, see website for addresses, New York AGES: All WHAT: A great opportunity to meet sailors, Marines, and members of the Coast Guard, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. WHY WE LOVE IT: Highlights include the chance to visit actual working war ships, a week of activities at The Intrepid, military band concerts, and aviation displays. WANT TO GO? fleetweeknewyork.com.

10th Annual World Science Festival 2017

WHEN: May 30-June 4, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, see website for addresses, New York AGES: All WHAT: Six days of groundbreaking discoveries and encounters with the trailblazing scientists and thinkers who are changing the world. This year the event will celebrate the achievements of Women in Science, and explore the impact of the award-winning teachers on the future of scientific discovery. WHY WE LOVE IT: The goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists and thinkers. Highlights include a free family event, the big fish count, and stargazing in Brooklyn. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 212-348-1400. worldsciencefestival.com. ››

BigAppleParent 31

Summer on the Hudson: Learn to Ride for Kids FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 27, 10am-4pm WHERE: Hudson River Greenway, Bike path at 135th Street, Harlem AGES: 5 and older WHAT: New riders will learn how to balance, ride, and enjoy life on two wheels. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

SHOW TIME! 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. LC Kids at the Atrium Season Finale FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am WHERE: David Rubenstein Atrium, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: This event features storytimes from Eric Litwin, author of Pete the Cat and The Nuts, and Elise Parsley, author of Magnolia Says Don’t, plus entertainment from Sonia De Los Santos with her joyful set of songs in English and Spanish. WANT TO GO? 212-721-6500. family.lincolncenter.org.

16th Annual Irish Dance Festival FREE

‘Nivelli’s War’

WHEN: Through May 7: Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, 12pm and 5pm WHERE: The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Inspired by a true story, this production mixes music, magic, illusion, and one incredible journey. It tells the story of a little boy who is stranded after World War II and helped by a stranger, who also happens to teach him about magic. WANT TO GO? $16-$38. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Bring Ya Mamma Brunch Comedy

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 1pm WHERE: Village Lantern Comedy Club, 167 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Family-friendly stand-up comedy show for all ages. Watch NYC club comics do their best mama-approved jokes and enjoy a delicious brunch menu. WANT TO GO? $10. 212-260-7993. facebook.com/bringyamammacomedy.

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 1-7pm WHERE: Pier I, Riverside Park South, Riverside Drive and West 68th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Irish Arts Center returns to the park with its 16th annual daylong Irish Dance Festival. Featuring performances by hundreds of the best Irish dancers, with opportunities for the whole family to join in. WANT TO GO? irishartscenter.org.

Composition Date 2017

34th Annual Hippo Playground Spring Fair FREE

Teen Resource Center Open Mic FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 10am-4pm WHERE: Hippo Playground, Riverside Park and West 91st Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: An Upper West Side institution, The Hippo Playground Spring Fair features pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, entertainment, and more. WANT TO GO? Some ticketed activities. riversideparknyc.org.

3rd Annual Hudson River Park Games FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 9:30am-3:30pm WHERE: Hudson River Park, Pier 26, North Moore Street, Tribeca AGES: All WHAT: Fundraising event that invites New Yorkers to compete against each other and enjoy sport-related activities to raise money for the park. Watch elite and local pentathletes fight it out, take part in free classes of outdoor yoga, spin, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-561-7450. hudsonriverparkgames.org. 32

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 7-10pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: A performance of works composed by students, performed by the New York Youth Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by students in the Robert L. Poster Apprentice Conducting Program. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org. WHEN: Friday, May 12, 4pm WHERE: New York Public Library, Chatham Square Branch, 33 E. Broadway, Two Bridges AGES: All WHAT: Open mic event featuring teens from the Teen Resource Center. Part of the Take the Stage! Teen Performing Arts Festival. WANT TO GO? 212-964-6598. nypl.org.

LC Kids Presents ‘In A Pickle’

WHEN: May 6-13, Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Clark Studio Theater, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 165 W 65th St., 7th floor, Upper West Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, this highly sensory performance by Oily Cart and Royal Shakespeare Company takes audiences on a voyage of discovery through the landscapes of Shakespeare’s imagination. WANT TO GO? $18. 212-721-6500. kids.lincolncenter.org.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Storefront Science: After-School Pop-Up Program FREE

John Steptoe’s ‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters – An African Tale’ WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 1:30pm WHERE: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., Tribeca AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A celebration of the mystery and music of the African continent. This production tells the story of two daughters of King Mufaro who go on a fantastical journey, which teaches many life lessons. WANT TO GO? $21. 212-220-1460. tribecapac.org.

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge Concert

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 11am WHERE: The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge’s original publication with this new musical based on the children’s classic. WANT TO GO? $15. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

‘Grug and the Rainbow’

WHEN: May 13-21, Saturday-Sunday, 10am, 1pm, and 4pm WHERE: The New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Theater District AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Grug enlists the help of his friends, Cara the carpet snake and Snoot the echidna, on a quest to capture a rainbow that he can call his very own. WANT TO GO? $20. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

‘Old Turtle and the Broken Truth’

WHEN: May 5-21, Friday-Saturday, 6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2:30pm WHERE: Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, 312 W. 36th St., Midtown West AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A truth falls like a star from the sky and breaks into two pieces. When the villagers discover only half of the truth, it causes so many problems that Little One, a brave young girl, decides to search for the missing half. WANT TO GO? $35; $25 children. 866-811-4111. rebelplayhouse.org.

‘Pinkalicious The Musical’

WHEN: Through May 28: Saturday-Sunday, 1pm WHERE: Theater at Blessed Sacrament, 152 W. 71st St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This musical of the best-selling children’s book is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Find out what happens when Pinkalicious gets Pinkititis. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-579-0528. vitaltheatre.org.

WHEN: Through May 5: Tuesday-Thursday and Friday, 3-5pm WHERE: Fort Tryon Park, Anne Loftus Playground, 741 Fort Washington Ave., Fort Washington AGES: All WHAT: Explore the natural world around you with this free event. Learn how to identify different trees and insects. Test and play with various science tools and play interactive games. WANT TO GO? 212-795-1388. nycgovparks.org.

Ranger’s Choice: Woodland Fairy House Walk FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Inwood Hill Park, Dyckman Street and Payson Avenue, Inwood AGES: All WHAT: Fun workshop in which kids will learn about the forest floor and build a fairy house with natural materials. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 212-628-2345. nycgovparks.org.

Family Discovery Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 12-3pm WHERE: Arthur Ross Pinetum, Mid-park between 84th and 86th streets, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Activities include learning and observing birds and invertebrates in the park, decorating a flower pot, getting up close to the lawnmowers and carts you see whizzing around the park, games, and a scavenger hunt. WANT TO GO? 212-310-6600. centralparknyc.org.

Discovery Walks for Families: Woodland Wonderland FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 1pm WHERE: Belvedere Castle, Mid-park at 79th Street, Central Park AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Learn about the architecture, landscapes, and ecosystems of the park through hands-on exploration using Discovery Kits: rugged backpacks filled with kid-friendly binoculars, field guides, and hand lenses. WANT TO GO? 212-772-0288. centralparknyc.org.

Summer on the Hudson: SunGaze FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 28, 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: May 7-Oct. 14, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, 20 Randall’s Island Park, Randall’s Island AGES: All WHAT: Come discover the Randall’s Island Urban Farm with these discovery days. Meet the chickens and explore the farm, an expert will be on-site to answer questions. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org. ›› BigAppleParent 33

CRAFTY KIDS

2017 Biennial Family Day

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 9:30am-3pm WHERE: Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss the chance to bring your kids to visit the Whitney Biennial, an hour before the museum opens to the public. As well as tours, there will be art making and a large-scale art workshop. Tours will be offered from 9:30am-12pm. WANT TO GO? $22; $17 students and seniors; free for children younger than 18. 212-570-3600. whitney.org.

Tours for Fours: Rainbow Connections FREE

WHEN: May 6-14, Saturday-Sunday, 10:20-11:15am WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St., Midtown AGES: 4, adult WHAT: For this Tours for Fours, look, listen, and share ideas while you explore color in modern and contemporary art. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org/family.

Mini Museum

WHEN: May 8-19, Monday and Thursday-Friday, 2:30-5:45pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-17 WHAT: In celebration of International Museum Day on May 18, young artists will help create a miniature CMA in this two-week extensive collaboration. WANT TO GO? $12; free for infants, seniors pay as you wish. 212-2740986. cmany.org.

Origami USA Special Sessions

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 10:30am and 2:30pm WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 15 W. 77th St., Upper West Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn the ancient art of paperfolding in classes run by OrigamiUSA. WANT TO GO? $35. 212-769-5635. origamiusa.org/specialsessions.

Make It: Molding and Casting

WHEN: May 6-21, Saturday-Sunday, 1:30-5:30pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This workshop gets three thumbs up, literally! Participants will learn about the art of molding and casting while they make exact replicas of their most important digit, their thumb. WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17. 718699-0005. nysci.org.

DrawNow! at the Central Park Zoo

WHEN: May 6-27, Saturdays, 10am-3pm WHERE: Central Park Zoo, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, Central Park AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Self-guided observational drawing from ocean biofacts, specimens, and still-life objects from the WCS aquarium collection. WANT TO GO? $18; $13 children ages 3-12. 212-439-6500. drawingcenter.org. 34

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Family Sundays at the Rubin Museum

WHEN: Through May 28: Sundays, 1-4pm WHERE: Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Many cultures throughout Asia have traditions of paper marbling. Join Family Sundays in May to create unique sheets of marbled paper inspired by the topographical works featured in the Sacred Spaces: Himalayan Wind Sacred Spaces exhibition. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

A Year with Children 2017

WHEN: Through June 4: Sunday-Wednesday and Friday, 10am-5:45pm; Saturday, 10am-7:45pm WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: This annual exhibition and arts program showcases artworks by students in second-sixth grades who participated in the Guggenheim’s artist-in-residence program in New York City public elementary schools. Each of the five boroughs is represented by more than 100 creative and imaginative works. WANT TO GO? $25; $18 students and seniors ages 65 and older with ID; free for children 12 and younger. 212 423 3587. guggenheim.org.

The 29th Annual Contemporary Art Education Exhibition FREE

WHEN: May 18-June 18, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 12-6pm WHERE: Gallery at BRIC House, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: BRIC presents the 29th annual Contemporary Art Education Exhibition, showcasing the works of students who participated in BRIC’s school-based residency programs that bring contemporary artists and their studio practices into the classroom. The opening reception is on Thursday, May 18 from 6-8pm. WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.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.

Brooklyn Historical Society Grand Opening

WHEN: Thursday, May 18, 11am-7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO, 55 Water St., DUMBO, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO is an exciting new museum that highlights the amazing history and beauty of the Brooklyn waterfront. WANT TO GO? $10; free for children younger than 12. 917-775-4636. brooklynhistory.org/dumbo.

New York Guitar Festival: Raga Marathon FREE

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS

WHEN: Friday, May 19, 8am-12am WHERE: Brookfield Place, 220 Vesey St., Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: A daylong Raga Marathon, featuring free performances celebrating the vibrant sounds of South Asia as part of the 2017 New York Guitar Festival, the annual festival that explores virtually every aspect of the guitar’s personality. WANT TO GO? brookfieldplaceny.com.

Tenth Avenue International Food Festival

Waves of Tradition Festival FREE

WHEN: May 1-5, Monday-Friday, 12:30-10pm WHERE: Brookfield Place, 220 Vesey St., Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: A week of cultural performances, celebrating the immigrant cultures that make up New York City. Each day will focus on a different part of the world, including West Africa, Japan, Ireland, the Middle East, and Latin America. WANT TO GO? brookfieldplaceny.com.

WHEN: May 20-21, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Ninth Avenue, between 42nd and 57th streets, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: For one weekend only, 15 blocks of Ninth Avenue will be closed off for this culinary festival. Experience various cuisines from different countries such as Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan, and Thailand. There will also be games and fun activities for kids and live stage performances. WANT TO GO? Food prices vary by restaurant. 9thave.org.

Spring Sheep Shearing

16th Annual Mamapalooza FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss this annual farm event with sheep shearing and wool spinning demo, which also features in-depth tours with farmers, craft stations, live music, hayrides, food, and more. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

WHEN: Sunday, May 28, 12-5pm WHERE: Riverside Park Pier I, 500 W. 70th St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate moms, families, and the people who love them at this annual music and art-filled festival featuring kids activities, crafts, ecoenvironmental information, food, vendors, interactive fun, and more. WANT TO GO? mamapalooza.com. ››

Annual Children’s Festival FREE

WHEN: May 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm WHERE: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, South Ferry AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the ingenuity and innovation of Native American games, toys, and more with an afternoon of family-friendly activities. WANT TO GO? 212-514-3700. nmai.si.edu.

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WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: A festival celebrating Korean culture. Featuring performances and workshops inspired by Korean artistic traditions, including Hanjiinspired paper making and 3-D game design. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1; seniors pay as you wish. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

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Mother’s Day Pillows

WHEN: May 13-14, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-12pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Create a pillow using uniquely shaped fabrics and stuffing. Turn your masterpiece into a unique thank you for mom with a hidden message inside. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 212721-1223. cmom.org.

Mother’s Day Card-Making

HOLIDAY FUN Cinco de Mayo Celebration

WHEN: Friday, May 5, 2pm WHERE: The Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Celebrate Mexican culture with a dance performance and picado banner decorating, and enjoy a Mexican snack. WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students with ID; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Mommybites Mother’s Day Luncheons

WHEN: May 3-5, Wednesday-Friday, see website for times WHERE: Sarabeth’s and Parlor Steak House, see website for addresses, Upper East Side, Gramercy, Tribeca AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: A special event for moms with babies or young toddlers on the Upper East Side on Wednesday, in Gramercy on Thursday, and in Tribeca on Friday. Enjoy a delicious three-course lunch in a popular restaurant, a kid-friendly musical performance, gift bags, raffles, and meet other moms. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $40. mommybites.com/newyork/mothers-day.

Children’s Day Festival: Kodomo no Hi

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 11am-2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Make a Mother’s Day card and explore the digital exhibition Port City, 1609-1898 to learn about Abigail Franks and Mary Alexander, whose independence, intelligence, and identity enriched the lives of their families. WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children younger than 19. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Yiddishe Mamas: Mother’s Day Walking Tour

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 11am WHERE: Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge St., Lower Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Mother’s Day-themed walking tour of the Lower East Side, including a light kosher brunch. You will then learn about generations of neighborhood women, discovering synagogues, shops, settlement houses, a mikvah, and even a red light district. WANT TO GO? $30. 212-219-0888. eldridgestreet.org.

Memorial Day at CMoM

WHEN: May 27-28, Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with two workshops. Make a star-spangled wind chime and a red, white, and blue fruit salad. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 212721-1223. cmom.org.

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 11am-4pm WHERE: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., Midtown East AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Children’s Day with a performance of a classic Japanese folktale. Families will participate by creating props such as samurai helmets and traditional carp streamers, and there will also be food including Kashiwa mochi to buy. WANT TO GO? $18; free for children 2 and younger. 212-715-1258. japansociety.org.

Memorial Day Parade and Service FREE

Koi-Nobori: Carp Windsock

WHEN: Monday, May 29, 11am-2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Visit the Muslim in New York exhibit to discover the photograph of Debbie Almontaser and her son who served in the National Guard. Then create a badge to honor and thank those who work hard to keep our country safe and free. WANT TO GO? $18, $12 students; free for children. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

WHEN: May 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 10am and 1pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Celebrate the Japanese festival of Children’s Day by creating a Carp Wind Sock. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 212721-1223. cmom.org. 36

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Monday, May 29, 10am-12pm WHERE: Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Drive and West 89th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Annual Memorial Day ceremony featuring a parade of servicemen, plus wreaths laid by veterans and civic organizations. WANT TO GO? riversideparknyc.org.

Memorial Day Badge-Making

MoMath Book Club for Tweens and Teens

WHEN: Wednesday, May 24, 4:30-6pm WHERE: The National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St., Chelsea AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Tween Primes is the MoMath’s book club in which tweens and teens discuss good math reads over pizza and ice cream. This month, they discuss Secret Coders: Paths & Portals by Gene Luen Yang. WANT TO GO? $15. 212-542-0566. momath.org.

Start with Art

SMARTY PANTS Family Fridays at MoMath: ‘Boxes of Troxes’ with Jonathan Bobrow FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 5, 6:30-8pm WHERE: The National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St., NoMad AGES: All WHAT: Family Fridays is designed to bring families together to enjoy a diverse array of engaging mathematical activities, promoting interest and enthusiasm among kids and adults alike. At this event, get a sneak peek at a brand-new toy called Troxes. WANT TO GO? 212-542-0566. momath.org/family-fridays.

One Day NYC High School Poetry Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 1-5pm WHERE: Poets House, 10 River Terrace, Battery Park AGES: 13-17 WHAT: A poetry workshop with some notable poets for the first 15 students who sign up. WANT TO GO? 212-431-7920. poetshouse.org.

FamilyDay@theCenter: Build a Lego City

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am and 2pm WHERE: The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Families will explore architecture, design, and construction with Lego bricks. Warm up with design challenges, playing with the basics of massing, corbeling, and spanning, and create your own masterpiece. WANT TO GO? $6; $12 chlidren. 212-358-6133. cfafoundation.org.

Stroller Tour

WHEN: Friday, May 12, 9-10am WHERE: The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Tour of the museum before it opens to the public, for families with little ones. An exploration of art, history, and creativity with singing, movement, texture exploration, and art-making in the galleries for a memorable morning. WANT TO GO? $25 per family. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Stroller Tour: Whitney Biennial 2017

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Special stroller-friendly tours for parent and caregivers with crying babies and are led by Ph.D. candidates in art history. WANT TO GO? $25 with admission: $22; $17 students and seniors; free for children. 212-570-3600. whitney.org.

WHEN: May 4-25, Thursdays, 3:30-4:30pm; Saturdays, 11am-12pm and 2-3pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, singing, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life every Thursday and first and third Saturdays of the month. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-570-3961. metmuseum.org.

Drones: Is the Sky the Limit?

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

SPECIAL NEEDS AMC Sensory Friendly Screenings

WHEN: Through May 13: 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 May, see Guardians of the Galaxy 2. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 212-665-6923. amctheatres.com.

CTD Special Needs Weekly Yoga Classes

WHEN: Through May 27: Saturdays, 2pm WHERE: Connect The Dots OT, PLLC, 38 W. 32nd St., Suite 604, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: A yoga class for kids with special needs, developed by an experienced occupational therapist who is also a certified yoga teacher. The weekly routines will encourage social interaction through fun exercises that build motor planning, body awareness, and self-regulation skills. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-290-0290. connectthedotstherapy.com.

Open Play Community Day FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 12: Saturdays, 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 in which acceptance is the norm. WANT TO GO? 212-256-0846. atlasforautism.org. ›› BigAppleParent 37

‘Humpback Whales’

WHEN: Through Sept. 14: daily, 10:30am-4:30pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii, and the remote islands of Tonga, this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play, and care for their young. WANT TO GO? $27; $17 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

ON SCREEN BPC Outdoor Movie Event: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ FREE WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 7pm WHERE: Rockefeller Park, River Terrace and Warren Street, Battery Park AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Watch one of the latest Star Wars spin-offs under the stars. WANT TO GO? bcpparks.org.

Best of the BAMkids Film Festival 2017

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy a selection of the most popular films from this year’s BAMkids Film Festival, including the “BAMmie” award winner for best short film as selected by the 2017 festival attendees. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org/kids.

Film Forum Jr. Screenings

WHEN: Through June 25: Sundays, 11am WHERE: Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St., Soho AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Enjoy classic movies at this family screening event. May’s movies include Little Women and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. WANT TO GO? $8. 212-727-8112. filmforum.org.

Summer Movie Series FREE

WHEN: May 26-Aug. 8, see website for schedule, 7pm WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Chelsea AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Celebrate Memorial Day and kick off the outdoor movie season on the deck of the Intrepid. The first movie of the season is always Top Gun. WANT TO GO? 212-245-0072. intrepidmuseum.org/movie-series.

Outdoor Movie Night FREE

WHEN: May 28- 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. In May, watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org. 38

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

ONCE UPON A TIME Free Comic Book Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, see store website for times WHERE: Various comic book stores, see website for addresses, New York AGES: All WHAT: Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. Participating stores in 2017 include Midtown Comics Times Square and Montasy Comics Chapter 2. WANT TO GO? freecomicbookday.com.

Saturday Morning Storytelling with the Hans Christian Andersen Storytellers FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 11am WHERE: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave., Murray Hill AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Stories from Scandinavia. This month meet a boy who loves butter, a tiny tomte, two-toothed trolls, and a witch who carries her head in her armpit. WANT TO GO? 212-779-3587. scandinaviahouse.org.

Storytime at The Strand FREE

WHEN: Through May 14: Saturdays, 11am-12pm and 2-3pm WHERE: Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Each weekend, a book character visits the Strand for story time and crafts. In May, meet Eeyore and The Gruffalo. WANT TO GO? 212-473-1452. strandbooks.com/story-time.

Storytime at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum

WHEN: Friday, May 19, 10:30am WHERE: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum, 421 E. 61st St., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: First outdoor garden story time of the year. Listen to stories and make pipe cleaner critters. WANT TO GO? $8; $7 seniors and students with ID; free for children younger than 12. 212-838-6878. mvhm.org.

All of a Kind Family Walking Tour

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 11am WHERE: Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge St., Lower Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A walking tour that brings to life the novel about growing up on the Lower East Side: All of a Kind by Sydney Taylor. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-219-0888. eldridgestreet.org.

Storytime in Nolen Library FREE

WHEN: May 2-31, Sundays, 2-2:30pm; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3-3:30pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Gather around to look, listen, sing, and have fun with picture books; then continue your adventure with a self-guided gallery hunt. WANT TO GO? 212-570-3961. metmuseum.org.

Summer on the Hudson: Locomotive Lawn Live FREE

WHEN: May 11-June 29, Thursdays, 10:30am-11:15am WHERE: Riverside Park South, 72nd Street and Riverside Drive, Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Musical story time hosted by Moosiki Kids. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

ANIMAL LOVERS Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 12-3pm WHERE: Highbridge Park, West 172nd Street and Amsertdam Avenue, Washington Heights AGES: All WHAT: Urban Park Rangers and nature rehabilitators will bring along owls, hawks, porcupines, and tortoises for kids to learn about. There will also be games, arts and crafts, a puppet show, and dance party with live band Shine and the Moonbeams. WANT TO GO? 212-628-2345. nycgovparks.org.

Discovery Walks for Families: Beginning Birders FREE

WHEN: Through May 20: Saturdays, 10am WHERE: Central Park, see website for locations AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Explore Central Park’s woodlands, and learn the basics of bird identification along the way. The event takes place at the Chess and Checkers House on May 6 and Belvedere Castle on May 20. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. centralparknyc.org.

Birding Bonanza FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 10am-1pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh, Randall’s Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn about the 152 species of birds that inhabit the park’s nearly 20 acres of wetlands and natural areas. Binoculars and bird guides are provided. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.

Meet the Fledglings with the Wild Bird Fund

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 2-3:30pm WHERE: The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Wild Bird Fund will teach children about our feathered friends and learn about wild bird rehabilitation. This program has an age restriction for the safety of the birds that will be handled and fed by the children. WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $20; $15 seniors, educators, and active military; $12 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

Immersive Dome Experience

WHEN: Through May 26: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: See jellyfish from a new perspective by stepping into the blue dome. WANT TO GO? $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Coming up next month: JUNE 3-4: FIGMENT NYC, Governors Island JUNE 13: Museum Mile Festival along Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th streets, Upper East Side JUNE 18: Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas Festival at Museum at Eldridge Street, Lower East Side

BigAppleParent 39

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Sponsored by

Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens ›› Research by Sabrina Sooknanan

Julie Larsen Maher

Read through our guide to find petting zoos, arboretums, nature preserves, farms and public gardens, all packed with fun nature activities for the whole family. Let your little ones loose to try their hands at zoo feedings and touch tanks, explore wooded trails, and learn about exotic plants. The spring season is the perfect time to explore the outdoors. As always, please call ahead before taking your crew to the zoo.

Flock to the Central Park Zoo’s Polar Circle exhibit to see king penguins.

American Museum of Natural History: The Butterfly Conservatory  Central Park West at 79th Street, Upper West Side 212-769-5100; amnh.org Hours (through June 22): daily, 10am5:45pm Admission: $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12 (includes museum admission) Enter a re-created tropical forest environment filled with more than 500 live butterflies. Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo  64th Street and Fifth Avenue, Central Park 212-439-6500 centralparkzoo.com Hours (through Nov. 6): Monday-Friday, 40

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

10am-5pm; weekends and holidays, 10am5:30pm Admission: $12; $9 seniors; $7 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3 This zoo has daily feedings of the sea lions at 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm. You can also visit penguins at the Polar Circle exhibit and see snow leopards. The exotic indoor Tropic Zone is home to many species of free-flying birds as well as reptiles, lemurs, mongoose, and tamarins. Admission includes entry to the Tisch Children’s Zoo, where kids can feed and pet goats, sheep, llamas, and other domestic animals. The Met Cloisters 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park  212-923-3700 metmuseum.org/cloisters

Hours (March-October): daily, 10am5:15pm, check website for updates Admission (suggested): $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12 (when accompanied by an adult)   A medieval annex of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters gardens were designed based on horticultural information found in medieval treatises and poetry, garden documents, and works of art. A central garden is set in a courtyard with arcaded walkways, while another garden area contains nearly 300 plant species that were grown during the Middle Ages. A third, smaller garden blooms with flowers through the fall. The Cloisters regularly hosts programs and workshops for kids and families; check the website for upcoming events. Conservatory Garden in Central Park Central Park, entrance on Fifth Avenue at 105th Street, East Harlem centralparknyc.org Hours: May 1-Aug. 15: daily, 8am8pm; Aug. 15-31: daily, 8am-7:30pm; September: daily, 8am-7pm Admission: FREE This 6-acre garden features French, Italian, and English designs. Seasonal plants include 20,000 tulips each spring and 2,000 Korean chrysanthemums each fall. An Italian Central Garden features crabapple trees, wisteria, and a lush lawn. The English-style South Garden, planted to be enjoyed year-round, features the Burnett Fountain, depicting a young boy and girl based on characters from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Conservatory Garden tours are offered on Saturdays at 11am, AprilOctober. Tours meet inside the Park at Vanderbilt Gate, Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th streets.

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Bronx Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx 718-367-1010 bronxzoo.com Hours (through Nov. 6): daily, 10am-5pm; weekends and holidays, 10am-5:30pm Admission: Total Experience Ticket: $36.95; $31.95 seniors; $26.95 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3; pay what you wish on Wednesdays. General Admission Ticket: $19.95; $17.95 seniors; $12.95 children Immerse yourself in an animal adventure with the tropical residents inside JungleWorld, get up close with lemurs and crocs in Madagascar!, and see the scaly, spectacular World of Reptiles! Plus, watch penguins and sea lions enjoy mealtime, and ride the Bug Carousel year-round.

Brooklyn Brooklyn Botanic Garden 990 Washington Ave., Crown Heights 718-623-7200; bbg.org Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 8am6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm; Closed Mondays (but open Memorial Day and Columbus Day, 10am-6pm) Admission: $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12; free for all on Tuesday (all day) and Saturday, 10am-12pm (except during special events). Combo tickets, which include admission to the Brooklyn Museum, are

available for $25; $16 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. A 52-acre “living museum” with various plant collections and special gardens, BBG strives to teach visitors the importance of plants in our everyday lives. Must-see May highlights include Bluebell Wood, the Lilac Collection, tulips in the Annual Border, and azaleas and wisteria in the Osborne Garden. Check bbg.org/bloom for updates on what’s in bloom. BBG also hosts nature-based educational programs for young children and their caregivers year-round, including a children’s garden program, discovery garden for kids, and summer camps. Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Heights 718-399-7339 prospectparkzoo.com Hours (through Nov. 6): Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; weekends and holidays, 10am-5:30pm Admission: $8; $6 seniors; $5 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 2 Meet a troop of Hamadryas baboons and watch their antics; experience various types of animal habitats, including gardens and marshes; visit the Barn & Garden area, where you’ll find farm animals such as sheep and a mini zebu; and watch some sea lions catch fish on the fly at 11:30am, 2pm, and 4pm daily in the Sea Lion Court.

From our sponsor: The Wildlife Conservation Society Education department’s goal is to spark connections with animals and nature. At the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium, we encourage children, teens, and families to conserve wildlife and wild places through our educational programs. For more information about our programs, please visit wcs.org/education/programs or call 1-800-433-4149. Five parks, endless opportunities!

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SpecialParent

Putting a Stop to a Slur

››

Parents of kids with special needs join other advocates to push for an end to the ‘R-word.’ By Sabrina Sooknanan

“ hate that word! I don’t want you to ever use that word again!” That’s what Kari Wagner-Peck yelled at a man who used the “R-word” in her son’s presence. Wagner-Peck, a Portland, MEbased blogger whose son has Down syndrome, says she felt as if the man understood her when she told him not to use language like that again. Not everyone is so understanding, however. Calling someone a “retard”—whether in supposed jest or as an insult—is common, with many people probably unaware how hurtful it is to people with intellectual disabilities. That’s why activists, many of them parents, are taking a stand against the R-word with the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. Hurtful language is a constant battle for many people with intellectual disabilities, who are often stigmatized. Advocacy against the R-word has been ongoing for decades, says Soeren Palumbo, cofounder of the campaign, whose sister has an intellectual disability. “Spread the Word to End the Word was created as a grassroots,

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

youth-led campaign in 2009 as part of the Special Olympics World Winter Games being held in Boise, Idaho,” he explains.

From Clinic to Slang

The word “retard(ed)” comes from the Latin word retardare, which means to delay or make slow. The R-word was originally introduced as “mental retardation” to clinically define people with intellectual impairment. Initially, individuals were defined as having mental retardation if they received an IQ score of 70 or below. IQ looks at the difference between a person’s chronological age and his developmental age. “If you would score below a 70, the thought would be that you might have issues with verbal, performance, and adaptability to daily life,” says Nava Silton, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Marymount Manhattan College, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Eventually, the R-word became part of everyday slang and

people began to use it in jokes and pop culture, and it came to be seen as a pejorative word. The gap between medical terminology and offensive language grew and the purpose of the word became blurred.

What’s So Bad About It Anyway?

Dr. Silton believes a big problem with the R-word is it dehumanizes the person with the intellectual disability. “I’m very much a proponent of people-first language, so [that means] saying you are an individual with autism or an individual with a physical disability,” Dr. Silton says. She adds: “You are a person first with all those things that are uniquely human and unique to you, and then you also happen to have a disability. When you use the R-word you are defining the person by that term, and that is so reductive to do that to somebody.” The language we use, advocates say, represents our values and can lead to certain behaviors, positive or negative. Using the R-word is a form of excluding and isolating people, but on the other hand, Palumbo says, “each decision to not use the R-word re-affirms the attitude that people with [intellectual disabilities] are valuable enough to not denigrate, valuable enough to include in shared human dignity.” For parents of and advocates for people with intellectual disabilities, using the R-word singles out certain people for different treatment—and is just plain hurtful. “[It has] the same effect and intent of any slur, whether racial, anti-Semitic, antiLGBT, anti-Muslim, etc.,” Wagner-Peck says. “It diminishes the person’s humanity. It is a hateful word whether the user acknowledges that or not.”

R-Word Offenders

Wagner-Peck works to call out those who use the word, unknowingly or not. This led her to publicly confront Chuck Klosterman, the best-selling author and former New York Times ethics columnist, about several occasions in which he used the R-word in print. In her open letter to Klosterman, she pointed out several instances when Klosterman had used the R-word and characterized the author as an “unrepentant hater of people with cognitive disabilities.” She ended the letter with a question: “What are the ethics of using the R-word?” Wagner-Peck says she didn’t expect Klosterman to respond to her letter, but he did—apologizing for his choice of words and even donating $25,000 for her to give to any charity. In his response, Klosterman wrote, “I realize the books that contain those sentiments were published over 10 years ago, but that is no excuse; I was an adult when I wrote them and I knew what I was doing.” Wagner-Peck says she reacted in yells and tears to his apology—and with shock to the donation. Ellen Seidman, a New York City blogger and mom of a son with disabilities, created a public message on her blog LoveThatMax.com to call out people who used the R-word and shed some light on the effects of it. Among her efforts is a YouTube video called “Would You Call My Child A Retard?” showcasing photos of her son Max and flashing phrases that detail offensive and belittling uses of the R-word. She begins the video by saying, “To me, he’s not a kid with disabilities. He’s just an awesome kid. But some people give him a bad name.” Seidman says most people would never say the R-word to a child’s face; however, she believes if you wouldn’t do that, then you shouldn’t use it in any place or situation. She writes in her blog post, “Ultimately, this isn’t just about a word—it’s about

respect. It’s about getting people to consider kids and adults with cognitive impairment equal members of society. It’s not about censorship, either; it’s about starting a conversation on how people can better treat Max and others like him.” In another post, Seidman tells a story of Joseph, a 9-yearold boy with autism spectrum disorder, and the amazing thing he did at a Target in Medford. While shopping with his family, Joseph noticed someone had arranged metal letters to spell out the word “Retards” on a shelf. He knew it was a bad word and spoke to his mother to confirm the meaning of the R-word. Joseph’s mom Tracy explained, “It’s a word people use toward people with disabilities or a word people use kind of ignorantly—instead of saying ‘stupid’ or ‘silly’ they choose to use that word and it’s really mean.” As a result, Joseph thought of his brother Max, who has autism, and felt that they needed to change the letters so nobody would see the bad word. Joseph searched the shelf for letters and rearranged them to spell his name “Joe” and the word “Dream.” He didn’t let the negative word affect him and he turned it into something positive, something Tracy says she really wanted Joseph to learn, according to Seidman’s blog post.

‘R-Word’ the Movie

Amanda Lukoff is a filmmaker whose older sister Gabrielle has Down syndrome. Inspired by Gabrielle, Lukoff is creating a film called The R-Word about “how the power of words, and the love between siblings, can inspire a movement.” In an interview, Lukoff recalled a time when she was little and a friend came over to her house to play. When the girl saw Gabrielle she asked to leave, and Lukoff ’s dad ended up driving the girl home. This was the first time Lukoff was exposed to other people’s negative reactions to her sister. She remembers that she, along with her and Gabrielle’s other sisters, were confused by the girl’s reaction because Gabrielle was their sister—and no different from other children in their eyes. “Growing up with Gabrielle made me and my [other] sisters more sensitive to the R-word—we advocated for Gabrielle by standing up to our peers about their use of the R-word,” Lukoff says. As a part of the film, Lukoff and her team created an animated short illustrating her experiences with the R-word and introducing her journey to find “how, when, and why the R-word became a part of pop culture, to discover if the R-word transcends American society, to uncover the lasting effects the R-word has on people with intellectual disabilities, and their friends and families, and ultimately, to try to empower people and communities and encourage everyone to think before they speak.” The film is set to be completed and screened this summer. No doubt, some people will inevitably come away from any discussion of the R-word unconvinced that it is a big deal. For them, Jonathan Franklin Stephens, a self-advocate with Down syndrome, has a message, which he conveyed in a Huffington Post article he wrote: “To all of you who use it, let me say it one more time, THE R-WORD HURTS. You don’t have to aim the word directly at me to hurt me and millions of others like me who live with an intellectual disability. Every time a person uses the r-word, no matter who it is aimed at, it says to those who hear it that it is okay to use it. That’s how a slur becomes more and more common. That’s how people like me get to hear it over and over, even when you think we aren’t listening.” Sabrina Sooknanan is a NYMetroParents intern.

BigAppleParent 43

camp GUIDE 2017 All My Children Daycare and Nursery School

Various locations; call for information or check us online Brooklyn: 347-708-7827 Queens: 347-708-7827 Manhattan: 212-419-5416 allmychildrendaycare.com info@allmychildrendaycare.com

Badger Day Camp

119 Rockland Ave., Larchmont 914-834-1084 badgersportsclub.com info@badgerdaycamp.com

Camp Fashion Design

I Can Do That NYC

1535 Broadway 888-757-5575 campfashiondesign.com modelingcamp@aol.com

334 E. 14th St. 212-777-4435 icandothatnyc.com info@icandothatnyc.com

Camp Henry

iD Tech

301 Henry St. 212-254-3100 x262 rperez@henrystreet.org henrystreet.org/camp info@henrystreet.org

Camp Huntington

Summer programs for ages 6–18. Held at more than 150 locations: NYU, NYIT, Columbia, St. Francis, Marymount Manhattan College, The Town School (Manhattan) idtech.com

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com

Incarnation Camp

Bold Arts

Camp Say

International Ivy

419-349-2465 bold-arts.com chelsea@bold-arts.com

828-393-4244 say.org info@say.org

Book Nook

Corbin’s Crusaders Day Camp for boys and girls ages 3 ½ –14

Benswic

917-659-3549 benswic.com wmarshall@benswic.com

167 W. 81st St. (at Amsterdam Avenue) 212-873-BOOK (2665) booknooknyc.com

Breakaway Hoops

646-776-2021 x0 Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm breakawayhoops.com info@breakawayhoops.com

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

Camp Clio

Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org

471 North St., Greenwich, CT 914-939-2969; 212-875-8174 Main Office: 351 E. 74th St., 5th Floor, Manhattan 212-875-8174 Westchester Office: 5 Eagles Bluff, Rye Brook 212-875-8174 corbinscrusaders.com info@corbinscrusaders.com

Digital Media Academy

866-656-3342 Concordia College, Bronxville Marymount Manhattan College, Manhattan NYU, Manhattan digitalmediaacademy.org info@digitalmediaacademy.org

ESF Summer Camps at Riverdale Country School 5250 Fieldston Road, Bronx 718-432-1013 esfcamps.com/riverdale kgongol@esfcamps.com

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

253 Bushy Hill Road, Ivoryton, CT 860-767-0848 incarnationcamp.org info@incarnationcamp.org

Office mailing address: 61Maple St., #636, Summit, NJ 908-899-1338 iisummer.com lily@ivyprograms.com

Jeff Lake Camp

38 Jefferson Lake Road, Stanhope, NJ 973-347-1230 jefflakecamp.com jamie@jefflakecamp.com

Jodi’s Gym

244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com

Kids Creative

646-485-5123 kidscreative.org info@kidscreative.org

Kumon of Manhattan

2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Central Harlem 212-866-6201 700 Columbus Ave., Upper West Side 212-866-1864 320 W. 23rd St., Chelsea 212-242-6528

381 Second Ave., Gramercy Park 212-683-1232 2 S. End Ave., Battery Park City 212-786-4295 747 Tenth Ave., Midtown West 212-399-4124 954 First Ave., Midtown East 212-702-8769 123 Baxter St., Chinatown 212-625-1883 237 E. 204th St., Bedford Park, Bronx 917-751-1888 kumon.com

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 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com

M.A.D. Sports Camp St. Thomas Choir School

202 W. 58th St. 917-822-3359 madsportsinc.com madsportscamp@gmail.com

MakerState STEM Summer Camp 845-399-9300 maker-state.com info@maker-state.com

Manhattan Soccer Club

1 Sherman Square, Room 6K 877-423-4MSC (4672) manhattansc.org soccer@manhattansc.org rcorvino@manhattansc.org

Modeling Camp

1535 Broadway 888-757-5575 modelingcamp.com modelingcamp@aol.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE MWS Student Camps

514-531-4193 mwscamps.com vanessa@mwscamps.com

National Academy Museum & School 1083 Fifth Ave. 212-966-1908 x250 nationalacademy.org

Oasis Summer Day Camps in Manhattan

Oasis in Central Park P.S. 84: 32 W. 92nd St. 646-698-1800 centralpark@oasischildren.com Oasis Downtown Stacie Soto, camp director 718-596-4900 downtown@oasischildren.com oasischildren.com

Play On! Studios

347-709-4149 playonstudios.com info@playonstudios.com

Portledge Summer Adventures Portledge School

355 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-750-3104 portledge.org/summeradventures mworth@portledge.org

SPARK Business Academy

Upper East Side and Downtown locations 703-371-3155 sparkbusinessacademy.com summercamp@ sparkbusinessacademy.com

SPORTIME Summer Camps Tennis and Sports, ages 4-17 212-427-6150 sportimecamps.com/nyc campsnyc@sportimeny.com

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.com

BigAppleParent 45

CAMP MARKETPLACE

SPORTIME SUMMER CAMPS Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy

Empowering the next generation of tech makers + thinkers.

Camp sta rt June 12, 2 s 0 17! Call and ask a our Pre-C bout amp!

SAVE $75 Discount code: BAPNY17

Tennis Whizz Ages 3-5

Kids and teens follow their passion for technology at Digital Media Academy STEM summer camps. Save $75 on an unforgettable summer experience learning Programming, Filmmaking, Music Production, Robotics, 3D Printing, Game Design, and more!

SPORTIME U10 Ages 5-10

JMTA Tennis Training Ages 7-18

NYCFC Soccer Ages 7-14

SPORTIME RANDALLâ€™S ISLAND

212-427-6150 | www.SportimeCamps.com/NYC

3950BAP

Find out about our Summer Camps across Long Island and the Hamptons, in Westchester and the Capital Region at www.SPORTIMECAMPS.com. Camp programs vary at each SPORTIME location.

@JMTANY

Visit www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org to register. Offer expires 5/31/17.

UPPER WEST SIDE & LOWER EAST SIDE LOCATIONS

p l a y e x p l o r e

c r e a t e

allmychildrendaycare.com 212.419.5416

over 20 years experience

learn

STEM Summer Camp Jul 3 - Sep 1

Ages 6-12

Coding & Game Design, LEGO Robotics, 3D Design, Minecraft Engineering, Moviemaking, Flying Machines

Held At:

CITY COLLEGE West 139 Street Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031 HUNTER COLLEGE 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065 MOUNT ST VINCENT COLLEGE 6301 Riverdale Ave, Bronx, NY 10471 STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL 345 Chambers St, New York, NY 10282

646.776.2021 46

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Laser Tag & Outdoor Play Every Day! Upper West Side - Upper East Side Lower East Side - Park Slope

www.maker-state.com

Learn to code with us!

CAMP MARKETPLACE

INSPIRE YOUR CHILD AT THE #1 TECH CAMP

iD Tech summer programs aren't just about building skills for a bright future. They’re about the “ah ha!” moments when a new concept clicks. The BIG impact of the right instructor. Your child can code apps, design video games, mod Minecraft, explore cyber security, discover VR, engineer robots, and more! For ages 6–18. Held at 150+ locations: NYU | NYIT | Columbia | St. Francis Marymount Manhattan College The Town School (Manhattan)

SAVE $50 ON CAMP

iDTech.com Use code: BIGAPPLE17

Ages 5-17 Art & Drama Drawing Painting Sculpture Mixed Media Digital Photography Portfolio Development Young Artist Intensive

Summer Programs for Young Artists

Weekly Sessions | June 5 - August 4 | 9am - 4pm daily BigAppleParent 47

CAMP MARKETPLACE

BOLD ARTS DANCE CAMPS

Summer Dance and Theatre Camp July 11 – August 18 | Ages 3.5 – 10

Visit BOLD-Arts.com

Save $50 through May 16th!

Dance! Sing! Act! Create!

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

• Camps led by Broadway Professionals • Classes • Camps • Private Coachings • Trial classes 212. 777. 4435

Dance. Sing. Create. Perform.

Serving Lower East Side, Gramercy, Union Square and PCVST locations. info@icandothatnyc.com • www.icandothatnyc.com

Locations on Upper East and Upper West

Featured on NBC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning, The Today Show, & More!

Mention METRO and save additional $25.

Multi-Sports Camp August 1st – August 15th

The life-changing 2-week sleepaway camp that builds confidence, communication skills, and friendships for kids & teens who stutter, ages 8-18. Camp SAY is located on a 500-acre, ACA-accredited facility in NC.

Get MAD

Join

NYMetroParents

Train Like Get advance notice on activities, An Athlete participate in group discussions and receive special notices.

CampSAY.org

St. Thomas Choir School 202 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019

828.393.4244

917-822-3359 madsportsinc.com madsportscamp@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

Modeling Camp TM

As featured on

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

Join

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices. www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Fun

SINCE 1983

Financial Literacy Camps for Kids! Unique financial education summer programs for ages 5-18 praised by leading business publications and local parents UES and downtown locations!

Save $100 with coupon code NYPARENTS

sparkbusinessacademy.com 703.371.3155

FRENCH LANGUAGE CAMPS in Montréal

Residential and day camp options • • For campers ages 7 to 17 • Located at McGill University in the centre of Montréal

www.mwscamps.com office@mwscamps.com BigAppleParent 49

CAMP MARKETPLACE

KEEP CALM AND COME TO CAMP! Daily Swim Instruction at our onͲsite pool Themed weeks including circus & safari! Music Jam Sessions P.E. & Soccer Science & Technology Enrichment Coding Lessons (seniors) Maths & Literacy Games and much, much more! When: June 26th Ͳ August 4th 2017 Ͳ 9am Ͳ 3pm For: Boys & Girls 3 Ͳ 10 years old 20 Waterside Plaza, East 23rd St, NY, NY, 10010 ▪ www.bis-ny.org/summer-camp ▪ ▪ camp@bis-ny.org ▪ (212) 481-2700 ▪ ALSO INTRODUCING CONSTRUCTION KIDS! At The British International School of NY - visit www.bis-ny.org/summer-camp for more details!

yrs. of Fun, Frien ds, & Fitness !

America’s oldest continuously running co-ed camp! Affordable rates for sessions in June to August Beautiful 700 acre property in Southern CT Programs for campers aged 7 to 15

2, 4, 6, & 8 week sessions available. Many activites to choose from including; Sports, Arts, Music, Ceramics, & Waterfront options.

www.incarnationcamp.org Spring open houses and tours available. info@incarnationcamp.org or 860-787-0848 for more details

G re at Pe rk s Fo r M em be rs

HELP WANTED! NYMetroParents is looking for experienced temporary help in our midtown Manhattan office.

•

Flexible MP SUMMER CA scheduling se oo You ch the days! You choose the weeks!

V is it O u r To ta Awe s o mll y e Ne w ly Re n ova te Fa c il ity d !

Fo r K id s 9 mos to 12 yrs

Nothing Else Even Comes Close! Gymnastics • Music • Playtime • Camp • Sports Ninja Challenge • Jodi’s To Go • Best Birthdays Ever

www.jodisgym.com 244 E. 84th St. NYC • 212.772.7633 25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisko • 914.244.8811 50

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Projects Include:

•

• Basic Help Desk Support

•

• Data Entry • Magazine/Flyer Distribution

Flexible Schedules & Earn Extra Income! Please email resume or work history to:

projectwork@davlermedia.com

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!

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals EASY PEASY POTTY TRAININGLEGAL SERVICES GREATER NYC AREA 516-318-5228 BAKSHI LAW easypeasypottynyc.com Offices in the Financial District, Long EASY PEASY POTTY offers a customized Island, and Westchester potty training plan specific to your child’s 917-244-6133; lawbakshi.com needs, and at affordable prices. Consullara.bakshi@gmail.com tation can be offered on the phone or in Bakshi Law specializes in special education person. Complete the intake form online law, representing parents and children with to begin the process. disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorLITTLE OPTICS INC. neys offer assistance on a sliding scale. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens SPECIAL NEEDS 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500 BAKSHI LAW Hablamos Español Offices in the Financial District, Long littleopticsinc@yahoo.com Island, and Westchester We provide eyeglasses and professional 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com; lara.bakshi@gmail.com eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any Bakshi Law specializes in special education self-esteem issues associated with the law, representing parents and children with stigma of wearing glasses. When your disabilities, attending suspension hearings, child leaves Little Optics, rest assured CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorthat they will feel confident. neys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

Manhattan Soccer Club is NYC’s largest and most successful soccer club that is committed to all levels of program development and competition, from training-only programs at the youngest ages (3-7- year-olds) to local travel teams (8-12 years old) to nationally-ranked elite teams (13-18 years old). Our program develops outstanding athletes on and off the field by providing professional leadership and consistent coaching, with an age-appropriate curriculum focused on technical training and player development.

Tryouts for the Fall season will take place May 1-5. If you missed the tryouts but still want to join a travel team then contact Rich Corvino at rcorvino@manhattansc.org. For details regarding travel team tryouts, dates, and locations, and for our 3-7 years old training programs, please contact Rich Corvino • rcorvino@manhattansc.org.

www.manhattansc.org

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.

BigAppleParent 51

OPEN HOUSES 2017 Breakaway Hoops

646-776-2021 x0 Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm breakawayhoops.com info@breakawayhoops.com Meet Washington Wizards Forward Chris McCullough on May 13 at our summer camp open house from 11am-3pm. Must pre-register by May 12. Register online at breakawayhoops.leagueapps.com/events /125187-2017-summer-camp--open-house.

Camp Clio

Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Want to see Camp Clio? Youth Open House: May 21 and 28, 10am-3pm, at Camp Claire. Teen Open House: May 21, 2-4pm, at Middlesex County Camp.

Oasis Summer Day Camps in Manhattan Oasis in Central Park

P.S. 84: 32 W. 92nd St. 646-698-1800 oasischildren.com centralpark@oasischildren.com Join us for an information session for Oasis Central Park (32 W. 92nd St.), on May 10 and 17, and June 6 and 20, from 6:30-8pm at P.S. 84.

Oasis Summer Day Camps in Manhattan Oasis Downtown

Stacie Soto, camp director 718-596-4900 oasischildren.com downtown@oasischildren.com Join us for an information session for Oasis Downtown at P.S. 110, 285 Delancey St., on May 11 and 24, and June 7 and 15, from 6:30-8 pm.

Rebecca School

40 E. 30th St. 212-810-4120 Admissions: Liz O’Shea at x234

eoshea@rebeccaschool.org rebeccaschool.org/admissions/tourinfo-request Join us for an open house on May 15 at 10am for children born between 2003-2007, and on May 16 at 10am for those born in 20082012. Adults only. RSVP required.

SPARK Business Academy

Upper East Side and Downtown locations 703-371-3155 sparkbusinessacademy.com summercamp@sparkbusinessacademy.com Virtual Info. Session: Join this interactive video conference call to learn about SPARK’s financial education summer programs (ages 5-18)! May 5, 6-6:45pm, zoom.us/j/519495716; May 10, 6-6:45pm, zoom.us/j/944626571.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.com Young artists flourish at Usdan. Be part of a Usdan visit and information session on May 7 from 11am-2pm. RSVP at usdan.org/visit.

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

MUSIC INTRUCTION 100+

CHARACTERS, INTERACTIVE DJ’S FACE PAINTERS & MAGICIANS SUPERHEROES PHOTO BOOTHS NEW! TREASURE ISLAND “ZOOBOTS” CARNIVALS & INFLATABLES CHARACTER SHOWS FAIRYTALE PRINCESS PARTIES THEME PARTIES SHOWS & ATTRACTIONS

COMPLETE CARNIVAL & PARTY PLANNING

914-235-7100

www.davescast.com

NEED to help your

child do better in school? FIND tutors, enrichment options, and other ways to help your child thrive – in our online Parent Resources Directory

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

START YOUR CHILD PLAYING PIANO

Want to know the best

activities for families?

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.

Call Richard 212-966-3297 typhoodynose@gmail.com

WEEKEND GETAWAYS Honey Hollow Farm Stay Treat your family to an old-fashioned farmy weekend in the Hudson Valley! Our fully-outfitted, renovated barn apartment sleeps six. Make friends with our sheep, ponies, chickens, bunnies, goats…Kids can take a lesson on the ponies, and the whole family can learn a traditional wool craft using wool from the farm’s sheep. Just 2.5 hours north of NYC!

www.honeyhollowfarmstay.com IG: @honeyhollowfarmstay

Subscribe to our family activity

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AD INDEX

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS

Chelsea Piers................................................................ 27

Jodi’s Gym..................................................................... 50

Golden Ivy Academy...................................................... 19

Chelsea Piers................................................................ 27

International Ivy............................................................. 45

Mad Sports Camp.......................................................... 48

Kumon North America..................................................... 5

Mind Over Matter........................................................... 23

BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES Big Apple Parent Party Planner..................................... 52 Chelsea Piers................................................................ 27 Gulliver’s Gate............................................................... 19 Jodi’s Gym .................................................................... 50 Little Gym ....................................................................... 7

MakerState.................................................................... 46 Play On! Studios............................................................ 49 SPARK Business Academy........................................... 49 Sportime........................................................................ 46 DANCE

FITNESS

HEALTH Affinity Health Plan........................................................ 56 Fidelis Care New York..................................................... 3 HOME SERVICES RCT Security................................................................. 18

CAMPS

BOLD Arts...................................................................... 48

All My Children Day Care.............................................. 46

Chelsea Piers................................................................ 27

LEGAL SERVICES

Benswic Inc................................................................... 17

I Can Do That NYC........................................................ 48

Gina DeCrescenzo, P.C................................................. 18

DEVELOPMENTAL

MUSIC

MWS Student Camps.................................................... 49

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................... 2

BOLD Arts...................................................................... 48 Book Nook..................................................................... 31 Breakaway Hoops......................................................... 46 British International School of New York........................ 50 Camp Clio...................................................................... 45 Camp Henry.................................................................. 49

SPARK Business Academy........................................... 49 University Settlement - Early Childcare......................... 17

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING Cirque-tacular Entertainment......................................... 11

EDUCATION

I Can Do That NYC........................................................ 48 Kids Creative................................................................. 41

Camp SAY..................................................................... 48

All My Children Day Care.............................................. 46

DMA Camp.................................................................... 46

Book Nook..................................................................... 31

I Can Do That NYC........................................................ 48

British International School of New York........................ 50

ID Tech Camps.............................................................. 47

Gina DeCrescenzo, P.C................................................. 18

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................... 2

Play On! Studios............................................................ 49 Tribeca Performing Arts Center..................................... 23

Incarnation Camp.......................................................... 50

Golden Ivy Academy...................................................... 19

International Ivy............................................................. 45

RETAIL

International Ivy............................................................. 45

Jodi’s Gym .................................................................... 50

RCT Security................................................................. 18

MakerState.................................................................... 46

Kids Creative................................................................. 41

Manhattan Charter School............................................. 13

Little Gym ....................................................................... 7

Morningside Montessori School.................................... 31

Mad Sports Camp.......................................................... 48

MWS Student Camps.................................................... 49

MakerState.................................................................... 46

Public Prep Network...................................................... 31

Manhattan Soccer Club................................................. 51

Rebecca School............................................................ 14

SPECIAL NEEDS

Modeling Camp............................................................. 48

University Settlement - Early Childcare......................... 17

Camp SAY..................................................................... 48

Morningside Montessori School.................................... 31 MWS Student Camps.................................................... 49 National Academy Museum & School........................... 47 Oasis Children Services.................................................. 9 Play On! Studios............................................................ 49 SPARK Business Academy........................................... 49 Sportime........................................................................ 46 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................... 2 CHILD CARE/DAY CARE All My Children Day Care.............................................. 46 University Settlement - Early Childcare......................... 17

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

SPECIAL EVENTS Garner Arts Center Arts Festival 2018........................... 14 Jewish Week (The)........................................................ 55 Summer on the Hudson................................................. 25

Gina DeCrescenzo, P.C................................................. 18 Rebecca School............................................................ 14

Cirque-tacular Entertainment......................................... 11

SPORTS

Garner Arts Center Arts Festival 2017........................... 14

Benswic Inc................................................................... 17

Gulliver’s Gate............................................................... 19 Inn at East Hill Farm (The)............................................ 41 Land of Make Believe.................................................... 51

Breakaway Hoops......................................................... 46 Mad Sports Camp.......................................................... 48 Manhattan Soccer Club................................................. 51

Tribeca Performing Arts Center..................................... 23

Sportime........................................................................ 46

Wild West City............................................................... 41

THEATER

FAMILY TRAVEL Inn at East Hill Farm (The)............................................ 41

Cirque-tacular Entertainment......................................... 11 Tribeca Performing Arts Center..................................... 23

CLASSES

Land of Make Believe.................................................... 51

TUTORS

Book Nook..................................................................... 31

RCT Security................................................................. 18

Golden Ivy Academy...................................................... 19

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Wild West City............................................................... 41

Kumon North America..................................................... 5

BigAppleParent 53

VOICES

Non-Judgment Day in the Village

››

Why I am thankful for all the parenting advice I got along the way—from friends, family, and strangers alike. By Heather Ouida

rior to being a mother I thought I knew all there was to know about raising a child. I promised myself that when I had children, my kids would never watch TV, stay up too late, eat junk food, scream in the supermarket, be fresh, or throw sand in the sandbox. I was so judgmental I didn’t even realize I was being so—until I had my first child. As a mom, I’ve learned I don’t have all the answers, and there is no one right way to raise a child. I recognize that sometimes you can do everything right and your 2-year-old may still flop on the ground and pound his feet in a full-blown, screaming tantrum in the check-out line. I admit what I now profess to know only came about with the help of so many—mothers, friends, even strangers, who, in short, helped me be less judgmental of myself and of others. I realize now the wisdom of “It takes a village…” and am thankful for all the women who helped me along the way. When my older son was going through a difficult time and I would start a sentence by saying, “Why can’t he just… (fill in the blank: eat like other children, go to mommy-and-me classes without crying, etc.),” they would say, “Because he’s just himself.” This is a mantra from the Village I continue to carry with me today. Now that I’ve opened this Village door, I can see just how many

people have played a positive, non-judgmental role. When my younger son decided getting up at 3:50am was a totally acceptable time to start his day, my family and friends would call with suggestions, encouragement, and empathy (and the occasional Cosmo when things got really rough!). They reminded me, too, that just as I can’t take credit for all of my kids’ successes (as much as I would like to!), I also can’t take the blame for all the things they sometimes do wrong. “Don’t make this about you and your parenting,” they would say. “Just help them through it.” The Village cannot be a parochial or provincial place. On that note, I want to acknowledge all the strangers who have helped me out in airports, restaurants, and grocery stores over the years when I was having a hard time with my boys. I promise you and them that I will pay it forward. I will not give you a mean look when your child is screaming, I will not tell you I can’t understand why your child can’t happily share because mine always does. I will not look at my watch when I see your child is up past what I consider to be an acceptable bedtime. I will remember that I, too, have been there. I will remind myself what I have learned from so many others along the way. I will help you, offer you a hand and listen; I will not judge you. I am part of your Village, too.

Heather Ouida is the co-founder of Mommybites, a site that offers nanny boards, online parenting education, and other services. She lives in New York City with her husband, two sons, and her pet turtle Squirtle. This essay first appeared on Mommybites.com.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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