Rockland Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM NOVEMBER 2017
Changing the World Amazing kids who started their own nonprofits
Choosing the Right Doc 15 questions to ask Plus: Kids and eating disorders
SpecialParent
Abilities, Not Disabilities
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HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
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NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
Contents
November 2017 ››
42
Features
12 15 Questions to Ask a Pediatrician How to find the best doctor for your family’s needs
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14 Kids Making a Difference These five young adults launched their own nonprofits. Here’s how—and how your child can, too. 20 10 Thanksgiving Traditions to Try Give thanks and try something new with your family this holiday season. 22 Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Help Make Amanda Grant shares recipes from Kids in the Kitchen that are perfect for children to help bake. 36 Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder? Three experts share what to look out for, the physical and mental health risks, and getting your child the help she needs.
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42 Focus on Your Abilities When your child with special needs starts to feel discouraged, let him read this, or use this as a guide, to help him through it. 48 How to Stop Kids with Special Needs from Being Bullied Tips for talking to your child’s teachers and peers
Connections
6 Editor’s Note 8 Quotables 9 NYMP Q&A: Jess Shatkin, M.D., M.P.H., talks adolescent angst. 50 Voices: Growing Up with a Brother with Special Needs
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Fun & Activities
Family Activities CALENDAR ››
Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)
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10 18 24 26 27 34
DIY Corner: Making Snot! Where-To Guide: Volunteer with Your Kids Times Square: It’s Not Just for Tourists Outing: Long Island City, Queens Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Ice-Skating
Directories 46 47 49 49
Meet the Health Care Professional Party Central Party Planner Advertisers’ Index
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ON THE COVER ›› 12 Choosing the Right Doc 14 Changing the World 36 Kids and Eating Disorders 42 Abilities, Not Disabilities facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents
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NOVEMBER 2017 • Vol.11 • No.1
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress
EDITOR’S NOTE
MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf
Season of Gratitude
L
ike many parents, I struggle to instill in my kids a sense of caring about the world around them and empathy for those less fortunate than we are. I see glimmers of hope occasionally, such as when we attended a political rally as a family or when my kids decide to donate some of their toys to charity. But sparking in our children a sustained sense of responsibility for other people and for the welfare of our planet is a daunting job. So it was with a mix of awe and envy that I read Julia Hyman’s report about amazing local kids and teens who went beyond caring and even volunteering to actually found nonprofit organizations, allowing them to have a much broader and longer-term impact than they could on their own (p. 14). If you have a budding social entrepreneur on your hands, you’ll also find tips for kids who want to start their own charities. For the rest of us, we offer a guide to local organizations at which families can volunteer this holiday season (p. 18). As we head into Thanksgiving and then December holidays, food—and lots of it— will be front and center at our family gatherings. It’s a time to feast and indulge, but we also need to be conscious of the fact our attitude and behavior toward food sends a message to our kids. For too many young people, food turns into its own struggle, leading to potentially serious health problems. Katelin Walling tells us what parents need to know about kids and eating disorders, from preventing them to recognizing the signs, to treating them when they happen (p. 36). When health problems do strike our kids, it’s essential we have a trusted pediatrician to turn to. For our family, that’s been a huge comfort and help in times of crisis. If you’ve got doubts about your doctor—or are expecting your first child and seeking a pediatrician—Bethany Braun-Silva offers 15 questions to ask that will help you find the right match (p. 12). For those kids with ongoing special needs, the barrage of specialists, therapists, tutors, and doctors can sometimes feel overwhelming and, I am sure, demoralizing. To help combat those feelings, check out our feature about focusing on kids’ abilities, rather than their disabilities (p. 42). And then see what that looks like by reading Amanda Marrone’s heartwarming essay on growing up with a brother who has special needs (p. 50). This issue marks my last one as editorial director here at NYMetroParents, and in this season of gratitude I want to say thank you to all of you, our readers, for being part of our community of parents and enriching my time here. I leave you with wishes for a happy Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and blessings!
REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Jordan Laird To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents
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UOTABLES As Marlowe grew from a baby to a toddler, I thought a lot about structure and discipline. About the dichotomy of allowing our children to be children, but also having behavioral expectations that they are aware of in order to create a structure that allows them to blossom and mature and learn. —Eva Amurri Martino, in a post entitled “Disciplining a Toddler,” on her blog happilyevaafter.com
in an instagram How city kids get to their recital. #DDF #ddfrecitals2017 #citykid #mta #subway #dance (Posted by @thebrooklynmom, aka Vanessa Muskopf, who blogs at thebrooklynmom.com)
WHEN FAMILY IS FAR
in an instagram My two champions!! Lately these two have been really pushing each other’s buttons. The arguments happen every hour on the hour, and it gets a bit out of hand. They have mastered it, and I honestly truly believe they do it out of enjoyment!? They are competing with each other a lot more— to be “better” or for everyone’s attention. It’s been tough, something really difficult to watch over & over throughout the course of the day. But I also try and remind myself that this is normal sibling stuff, and they absolutely adore each other no matter how much they annoy each other #brothersforlife #bestfriends #momlife #momstruggles #motherofboys (Posted by @mommygorjess, aka Jessica Salazar, who blogs at www.mommygorjess.com)
“I find myself getting depressed about the state of the world, wondering if I made a mistake bringing kids into it, wondering if anything I do even matters. But when the world feels like too much, I have to remind myself to focus on the way I can make a difference—especially because it’s been right in front of me all along, right here at home.” —Chaunie Brusie, in a post entitled “What Can We Do When The World Is Falling Apart? We Can Keep Showing Up,” on mom.me
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November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
“Coping with distance can be tough. The good news is that there are lots of ways to keep geographical distance from putting real emotional distance between your kids and their relatives.” —Cora Waring, in an article entitled “Wish You Were Here!: How to Keep Kids Close to Distant Relatives;” read more at nymetroparents.com/distant-relatives
MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: A SPIN ON THANKSGIVING SIDES: Give favorites a flavorful makeover at nymetroparents.com/thanksgiving-sides. NURTURE GRATITUDE: Learn how to teach kids to be thankful at nymetroparents.com/thankful. ENJOY FALL FOLIAGE: Discover where to go leaf peeping at nymetroparents.com/leaf. NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM: Get tips for applying to NYC high schools at nymetroparents.com/high-school.
NYMP Q&A
Adolescent Angst
››
By Bethany Braun-Silva
Jess Shatkin, M.D., M.P.H., leads the educational efforts of the NYU Child Study Center and recently wrote Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe. What is it about adolescents that make them want to take risks? We have known forever that adolescents act at times impulsively or irrationally. The confusing thing is, when you talk to them 1-on-1 or even in a classroom, they’re totally rational and are able to explain their thoughts and feelings. They are able to tell you whether it’s a good idea to do something or not to do something. They don’t make bad decisions because they can’t think them through. Part of it is the brain and all the disconnects from the frontal cortex and the emotional center. Kids feel passion, they can feel love, anger, envy, desire. You can control it when you are in your 20s much better than you can at 15, so there is a lot of unbridled passion. There is also a lot of dopamine in the brain that is higher than it will ever be. The intrigue of sex, the excitement of being on a roller coaster, the excitement of driving 100mph, the excitement of jumping off a roof into the pool—that is more exiting than it will ever be again, and teens are just driven by that thrill. How can parents be cognizant of the risks their children take or may want to take? The way we address risk is knowing our kids, knowing their friends, knowing their friends’ parents, spending time with our kids. Kids who have parents that spend time with them and who are available to them take fewer risks. They talk to their parents about the risks they are thinking of taking, they talk to their parents about their friends who are taking risks, and they see their parents as a reliable source of information and counsel. Parents who aren’t around, who aren’t engaged in the process, who don’t ask their kids about sex, who don’t ask their kids about drugs, who don’t just listen and hang out and let their kids chatter about whatever they want to chatter about, those parents don’t know what’s going on with their kids and their kids don’t come to them. By the time you find marijuana in your kid’s dresser, it’s pretty late, quite honestly. Are there any trends in this behavior and how has risky behavior evolved over the years? Things are pretty much the same in that the three top killers of young adults ages 13-25 are accidents, suicide, and homicide. Suicide has increased, and that has to do with social networking and with all of the access we have to constantly knowing what everyone else is thinking about us or the message they are trying to send about how great they’re doing or how wonderful their life is. You see this very clearly with this FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) thing kids talk about. It is a very real thing, and new imaging studies of the brain show when a kid is left out, they feel pain in the brain in the same areas as when they experience physical pain. If you are left out of a group, your brain feels like you are being burned or hit hard. Kids will do a lot to avoid that physical pain; they will take a lot of risks to be part of the group.
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DIY CORNER Health Experiment
Making Snot! To understand more about what snot is (and to gross out your friends), make some fake snot and then find out why you should never sneeze into your hand.
You will need: Kettle 2 small bowls 3 packets of unflavored gelatin Fork ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) corn (golden) syrup Green food coloring Vaseline Glitter 1. Ask an adult to help you heat water in a kettle until it is very hot, but not quite boiling. Pour half a cup of the almost boiling water into a bowl and sprinkle on the three packets of gelatin. Stir the powder in with a fork and then leave to soften for 5 minutes. 2. Put the corn (golden) syrup into another bowl. 3. S tir the gelatin mix with a fork until all the lumps have gone and then slowly add it to the corn syrup until your mixture looks like snot. Use a fork to stir it, as it will pull out long strands of snot. Add a few drops of green food coloring to make it even more disgusting. This looks like snot because it is made of the same ingredients as snot—protein, sugar, and water. They are different types of protein and sugar, but snot has a very similar chemical make-up.
STEP 1
STEP 4
4. N ow wipe a very thin smear of Vaseline onto a door handle that everyone in your family uses a lot. Sprinkle a thin layer of glitter all over it—it should stick to the Vaseline. Don’t tell anyone. 5. A fter a while get everyone to check their hands to see if there is glitter on them. Become a detective and check other places to find how far the glitter has spread. Imagine that you had cold and had sneezed into your hand and then opened a door. The bacteria and viruses from your snot would have been wiped onto the door handle. The next person who opened the door would have got it on their hands and spread it further and probably caught your cold. This is why you should never sneeze into your hand—unless you are going to wash it straight away!
Excerpted from My First Book of My Body ($14.95) by Susan Akass and Frances Butcher, photography by Terry Benson, with permission of CICO KIdz.
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November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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15 Questions to Ask a Pediatrician
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A good pediatrician is an invaluable resource—here’s how to find the best fit for your family’s needs. By Bethany Braun-Silva
A
s soon-to-be parents can imagine, and current parents know, having a trusted pediatrician is monumentally important. When you’re expecting, the checklists of tasks to be completed before baby comes home are already substantial, but nevertheless, it’s important to take the time to vet different pediatricians in order to find the right doctor for your family, location, and needs. And, since your baby will need to be seen by a doctor within the first week of birth, it’s important to find the right fit before baby arrives so you’re comfortable and confident at appointments. If you’re past that stage, there are many reasons why you might be considering switching pediatricians, from the practical concerns such as office hours or location to worries about fit and approach. So whether you’re expecting your first child or looking to switch pediatricians for your kids, we’ve come up with a list of 15 questions to guide you on your journey to finding the right doctor. 1. Is the practice in a convenient location? It’s one thing to strap your week-old baby in a carrier and hop on the subway for a few stops, but it’s quite another to lug a stroller up and down those subway stairs or call a car service to get you to the opposite end of town. A convenient location might not be the 12
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
most important requirement, but it sure does help should your child need an urgent sick visit or if you will be traveling solo or with more than one kid. 2. Is the pediatrician board-certified? If the doctor is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, that means she has passed a specialized exam in pediatrics. Additionally, if the doctor is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics the letters “FAAP” will appear after her name. This means she has met established standards for providing child health care. 3. What’s his child-care ideology? What are his thoughts on breast-feeding? Co-sleeping? Circumcision? These are all important things your pediatrician can help you with. You might also want to find out his philosophies on sleep training, potty training, and discipline. If your thoughts don’t align, this can make for some challenging visits. 4. How long does a typical check-up last? This is something you can get an idea of during a prenatal visit with a pediatrician, should you choose to have one. Does the doctor
take her time? Does she give you an opportunity to ask all of your questions? It is best that you don’t feel rushed during appointments. New parents are especially exhausted and overwhelmed and it’s important they feel at ease at the pediatrician’s office. 5. Is it a group or solo practice? If it’s a solo practice you will be seeing the same pediatrician each time you visit, although you should ask who covers for him while he’s away. If it’s a group practice you might be scheduled with different pediatricians or nurse practitioners each time you are there. Consider what’s important to you: seeing the same pediatrician every time, or the accessibility that can come from multiple doctors on staff. 6. Does the pediatrician have a subspecialty? Certain pediatricians have subspecialties, such as advanced training in allergies, behavioral issues, endocrinology, or psychiatry. This might be something to consider if there are pre-existing conditions that run in your family. 7. What is the doctor’s stance on vaccinations? While the topic of vaccinations can be a bit touchy, you’ll want to get clear before you commit on what the doctor’s opinion is regarding the timing of vaccinations. Some practices offer a gradual vaccination schedule, if that’s something you might be interested in, while others will only stick to the standard schedule. 8. Can you get a same-day sick visit? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called my son’s pediatrician needing an appointment for that same day. I have never been denied, and it has been a source of great relief for me and my family. Not all doctors offer this service, so if urgency is important to you, make sure this is an option.
13. What is the practice’s emergency protocol and hospital affiliation? If your child has a serious accident or allergic reaction, you will need to know your pediatrician’s protocol for handling these emergencies. Does she make house calls? Will he visit children if they end up in the ER? If the practice has a hospital affiliation, find out about its reputation and if it’s close to where you live. Ask how the hospital works in conjunction with the pediatrician’s office and if it allows parents to stay in the room overnight with admitted children. Hopefully this will be something you never have to experience, but it’s good information to have nonetheless. 14. Does the practice accept your insurance? Find out what plans the office accepts and whether your plan is one of them. Also, it’s a good idea to have some knowledge of all the plans they accept in case your insurance changes. If the practice does not accept your insurance, find out if it offers payment plans or a sliding scale for certain services. 15. What is your gut feeling? This is a question for yourself, not the pediatrician, but an important one nonetheless. This doctor will be a very important part of your child’s life for years to come. Ultimately you want to find someone who you trust and feel comfortable with. After all, he will be a key player in your child’s health and development.
9. Does the office offer evening or weekend hours? If you’re a working parent, it will be difficult to get your child to well visits, never mind sick ones, during regular working hours. Extended and weekend hours can be a lifesaver for some parents. 10. What’s the wait time? You’ll probably experience some wait time in any doctor’s office, but if the office is consistently behind schedule that can be a real issue. Waiting rooms are notoriously germy and full of not-sohappy-kids. Visit prospective offices and check out the wait time for yourself, or ask a parent who’s there. There’s nothing worse then a room full of crying kids waiting to get shots. 11. How does the office look? Is the place clean? Are there toys and books for your child to play with? Because you might spend at least a few minutes waiting to be seen, it’s best to have an office that is appealing to kids. Some offices even provide patients with separate waiting rooms for sick and well kids—something to consider. 12. Can you call with questions? Is there a number to call if you have a simple question regarding your child’s health? Sometimes issues are small enough they don’t warrant a trip to the office. You want to make sure your office has a number you can call that will connect you to a doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner on staff. This is also an important after-hours feature as well.
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Courtesy the Klein family
Courtesy the Ladybug Foundation Hannah Taylor started The Ladybug Foundation when she was 8.
Jake and Max Klein, founders of Kids That Do Good, pose at a school event.
Kids Making a Difference
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These young people were so dedicated to improving the world they launched their own nonprofit organizations. Here’s how they did it—and how your child can, too. By Julia Hyman
W
hen Hannah Taylor was 5, she saw a man searching through a dumpster on the street. She was sad, angry, and kept asking herself, Why? For the next year, that man seemed to be all she could think about. He inspired her to learn everything she could about homelessness. After educating herself, Taylor, who grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, took action to help make sure no one else would have to live like that man did. With her parents’ help, at age 8 she founded the Ladybug Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for and awareness about poverty and homelessness. Her motto: “Share a little of what you have and care about each other always.” “I’ve always lived an incredibly fortunate life,” Taylor, now 21, says. “Always had a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and love and care. I didn’t realize that anybody in Canada had to live a homeless life. It hit me right in the gut. I think that everyone has a moment like that in life. A striking realization that you just cannot let go and forget about. For me, this was it.” Starting a nonprofit organization is difficult to do at any age, involving a lot of planning and researching, not to mention inevitable challenges implementing even the best-crafted plans. To become a registered nonprofit in the United States, founders need to do their homework about the legal requirements. They’ll need to create a mission statement and business plan, establish an executive board, file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and more. The process can take multiple years and hit unexpected snags at any point—and that’s aside from the difficulties any individual
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November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
or group faces in tackling massive problems such as poverty or climate change. We spoke to several teens and young adults who have successfully navigated these challenges and created their own nonprofit organizations that are still thriving today. They told us how they did it and offered advice for how other kids can follow in their footsteps and make a lasting difference of their own by starting their own nonprofit groups. Since starting her organization, Taylor has spoken about its work at conferences, schools, and to whoever would listen. Because of her age, her efforts weren’t always successful, and she says many people challenged or doubted her along the way. Taylor recalls a difficult moment when she spoke at a conference and a man stood up and asked, “Do you think that is going to work?” She responded, “Well it’s a good place to start”—and he came back with, “It will work when pigs fly.” A few months later, she received a letter in the mail from that same man from the conference. He wrote that every day he would pass someone asking for change on the street. “After learning about Ladybug, a voice in his head would tell him to stop and ask how he is,” Taylor says. He ended up having an hour-long conversation with the man asking for change. His views on that man and those living in poverty changed as a result. “Along with the letter came a cast-iron pig with wings,” Taylor says. “It’s a challenge that you end up learning from. The only way to overcome it is to keep working and hope that you change
someone’s mind and hope that they show care and love in another way.” When starting a nonprofit, there always will be challenges and struggles along the way, but there are also going to be moments when the founders realize their work is changing lives. For Taylor, that moment happened when she was 10. She was on a tour of a homeless shelter so she could understand more about the people who use it. Kids from the shelter would join in on the tour and play with Taylor. “There was one girl, about 15 years old, who was quiet and hung back the whole time,” Taylor says. “Right when I was about to leave, she snuck through a crowd of people and hugged me. She had tears in her eyes and said, ‘Before today, I thought nobody loved me, and now I know you do.’” For Taylor, it’s essential to see past the challenges and remain focused on the mission, the purpose for which a young person is starting a nonprofit in the first place. “If things get hard or overwhelming or you are facing self-doubt, just remember your job as a change-making leader, and that is to create hope in other people,” Taylor says.
Kids That Do Good
Max and Jake Klein, 15-year-old twin brothers from Edgewater, NJ, have always loved helping those in need. They spend their birthdays raising money for charities instead of receiving presents. However, every time they wanted to volunteer, they were turned down because of their age. They didn’t want other kids to feel the same way they did, so they decided to do something about it. When they were 12 years old, Jake and Max founded the nonprofit organization Kids That Do Good. It’s an online platform that helps children of all ages find charities where they are able to volunteer. The website allows you to filter your search by age, location, religious affiliation, and cause. There is also a “Donate” option for people to help support their organization. “When people donate money, we hold it in our account until the end of the month and then donate that money directly to the Charity of the Month,” Jake says. Max and Jake insist they are just normal kids. The boys go to camp, participate in specialized clubs, and attend a business academy, all while still maintaining their organization. “Our board of advisors helps us make sure organizations we put up on our website are true charities, they help us search things, and they look at information from different angles than we do,” Max says. The Kleins started out by raising funds for organizations in their town that needed help, but Kids That Do Good has now grown to encompass charities nationwide. In 2015, a fire in Avalon, NJ, displaced 200 local families. Right away, Max and Jake decided to create a website to raise funds for those families. “Everyone responded really quickly and we had such a large outcome that we brought in over $200,000 that we divided up and gave to the families that were affected by the fire,” Jake says. The boys hope to keep Kids That Do Good up and running for a long time. When they move on to college, they hope to influence other young adults to do good as well. “We want kids to learn that giving back should be a part of everyday life, not just something that they do on a yearly basis when their parents tell them to,” Jake says. “For anyone that is starting their own website or organization, keep going at it and never give up,” he advises. “Because it could end up being a big thing and you should never give up on your dreams.” continued on next page ››
ADVICE ON STARTING A NONPROFIT— FROM KIDS WHO’VE DONE IT Hannah Taylor, the LadyBug Foundation If you are a young person who is interested in making a difference, you have to try a bunch of new things. Join organizations that people around you think are amazing or that you learn about in class. Often times, trying new things has to happen outside of your comfort zone. Once you find that thing, learn as much about it as you can. People talk about how knowledge is power, but I think that knowledge is only powerful when you turn that knowledge into understanding. I think the next step is that yes, one person can make a difference, but together we can make an even bigger difference. Jake and Max Klein, Kids That Do Good If you find something you care about, you will be excited to do it. You will be looking forward to it, and you will also need to ask your parents to help with some of it. Kids aren’t going to be the ones to contact the IRS to become a 501(c)(3) organization, so that will have to be put up on the parents’ end. Instead of just having a lot of kids involved, you should also have grown-ups so you are diversifying the age groups you have. Make sure you have people that will help you in starting your charity because we have had people help search things, build our website, and more. Always get opinions so you have something else to refer to. Cory Nichols, C the Difference: Cory Cares The one thing I’d say to all kids is that there is no idea too small, and you should go for anything you believe in. That was my mindset at 12 and I think it would be totally different if I did it now than at 12. You can’t really see the obstacles or what can go wrong. You just see the possibilities and that is what brought me to where I am now. You don’t know how good it feels to give back until you do it and giving makes yourself feel so much better. I know how I feel once I walk out of the food pantry, to see the shelves go from empty to notso-empty. I’ll never be able to fill up a pantry by myself, but just seeing the impact that you do make, makes you feel so good about yourself. Teagan Stedman, Shred Kids’ Cancer It can be difficult to get your own community involved with your efforts, but sometimes there is a ton of support through your events and by getting your friends to volunteer. There is a lot of variability as to how readily people will support your cause, but I think the biggest thing is to be persistent and to be sort of loud in trying to get your community on board. Try to plan very well. So if you’re trying to hold a fundraising event, make sure you market a lot. That can be a difficult thing to learn, making sure you know how many people you can get to come to your event, try to go around and get sponsorships and things like that. Social media is definitely the most powerful tool for getting the word out. You have to really try and keep your expenses low. We’ve had events that weren’t that successful, even just with the fundraising aspect. Even though you might be successful in engaging people and raising awareness, be aware because the expenses really hinder your efforts a lot. Venues and services from private people are really hard to control, which is one of the bigger challenges in fundraising. RocklandParent 15
Courtesy Cory Nichols
Courtesy Shred Kids Cancer
‹‹ continued from previous page
Oceanside teen Cory Nichols with some of the food that will go toward stocking local food pantries
A Bar Mitzvah Project Expands
After watching the documentary Hard Times: Lost on Long Island, Cory Nichols, then age 12, didn’t like knowing there were kids at school who rely on food pantries for their meals. The Oceanside resident decided to devote his bar mitzvah project to raising funds to stock the local food pantry for an entire year. That’s when C the Difference: Cory Cares was born. Today, Cory is 17 and C the Difference: Cory Cares, is a registered nonprofit organization. It has a junior advisory board made up of kids ages 12-18. The organization “shops and stocks,” Cory says. “We shop for food in the supermarket and then we stock the pantry shelves with food.” C the Difference: Cory Cares usually stocks five food pantries per month. It holds events to raise funds, such as Halloween for the Hungry, during which volunteers ask people to donate food to pantries that will be picked up at a later date. Cory says he loves to hang out with friends, play sports, and act in shows. It wasn’t easy for him to start his organization. He had to plan, prepare, and ask for help. “I had my idea and what I wanted to do. I think it all started because I asked for help,” he says. “You need to have your strength in terms of standing by what you believe in and knowing what you want to do, but you also need to be ready to ask someone to help you get to where you want to go.” Raising money to buy food and then stocking food pantries takes dedication and makes a difference, but actually seeing where the food goes and who benefits from it drives home to Cory the importance of the work his organization does. “In the five years I have been doing this, I never really saw where and to who the food was going to,” he says. “But then when I was volunteering, I actually watched the people who were with me put food together into the bags for the people who were walking in and out to receive them. ...Just seeing where everything that I have done is going and seeing that it is going to the right place and making a 16
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Teagan Stedman, second from left, presents a check from his nonprofit, Shred Kids Cancer, to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
difference is one of the biggest eye openers for what I started.” You never know who is going to be there to help you, Cory says. The willingness of the people who wanted to help surprised him. “There is always that worry that I’m not going to raise enough money, that no one is going to volunteer, but then as soon as I gave people the opportunity to, they were so helpful,” he says.
Kids Fighting Kids’ Cancer
When Teagan Stedman was 8, his friend Alex Berson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Instead of just saying “get well soon,” Teagan searched for things he could do to support the fight against pediatric cancer. Not many organizations would allow an 8-year-old to volunteer in hospitals, so he did the only thing that made sense to him—he started his own. Teagan and Alex both loved music, so what better way to show support than by raising money through music? He decided to plan a concert, a battle of the bands, with different children performing. He says he wanted to literally “shred kids’ cancer,” which is how he came up with the name of his nonprofit organization. Shred Kids’ Cancer has now been around for almost nine years. It continues to hold battle of the bands and other events to raise money and awareness. Originally from California, Teagan, now 17, moved to Avon, CT, and has continued running his organization there. One of the biggest challenges for him was his age. To get sponsorships and be taken seriously was a struggle because he was so young when he started. “Trying to become a nonprofit was difficult, especially when you have so little knowledge of that world,” he says, adding that the Internet was the biggest help in figuring it out. Teagan loves to play the guitar, spend time with his family, and work in the lab on his research project. He spent his summer working on drug delivery and cancer research. He says he realized
even the smallest things you do can make a difference when Children’s Hospital UCLA was granted a clinical trial. Noah C. Federman, M.D., a doctor at the hospital, was treating one of the “shredheads,” as the children helped by Shred Kids’ Cancer have come to be known. “Dr. Federman told me that the funding we gave was really crucial to their clinical trial because it was the funds that got the ball rolling on their progress, and eventually got them to their million-dollar grant that pushed the clinical trial through,” Teagan says. “That was something that really showed me how that what we were doing was important and actually making some sort of a dent.” Shred Kids’ Cancer is also working to help kids launch their own start-ups or clubs that will be connected to and partner with the larger organization. Its leaders are setting up a program to give kids guidance so they can be more equipped to start their own organizations. “We really want to be a resource to help guide kids through this process,” Teagan says. “We want kids to set up their own events, awareness campaigns, or clubs at school, or anywhere to benefit pediatric cancer research.”
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HOW TO START A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Do your research. There can be a lot of challenges that come with starting a nonprofit organization, so make sure you create a plan and identify everything you need to about your specific organization. Build a solid foundation. You need to build a structure for your organization. Think about who is going to be involved, what you need to do, when you should start, etc. Incorporation and state forms. Each state has different laws and protocols for starting a nonprofit, so be sure to research your particular state and ask the appropriate agencies if you have questions. Filing for federal tax-exempt status. Does your organization have the appropriate legal paperwork? To be considered for exemption, the IRS must recognize you as a trust, a corporation, or as an association.
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Be Social
Ongoing compliance. In some states, local governments require you to complete additional filings to be recognized as tax-exempt. Make sure you check with your local legal counsel to ensure you have all of the initial filing requirements. How to Incorporate a Nonprofit • Choose a name for your organization, but make sure to check your state’s laws for naming a nonprofit. • Create a board of directors, along with operating rules. • Decide on a legal structure—is your organization going to be a trust, corporation, or association? • Hand in your incorporation paperwork—you must file all the proper paperwork and pay a small filing fee to your state. • Apply for tax-exempt status—the IRS provides guidance and instructions on how to apply for this status. • Get necessary licenses and permits—did you get all of the necessary licenses and permits that you need to comply with federal, state, and local rules? RocklandParent 17
WHERE-TO GUIDE
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Volunteer with Your Kids
››
Research by Jordan Laird
Gear up to give back with our guide to volunteering with your kids! Projects big and small require lots of hands, and there are tons of local organizations that rely on the selflessness of volunteers to make sure these resources continue to give back to the Rockland community. Plus, volunteering with your kids is a great way to teach important, lifelong values of giving to others, and helps little ones realize the impact that one person can have on the entire world. Please call ahead to confirm volunteer requirements and details before heading out to serve others!
Make a Wish Come True
Be Neighborly
The Red Cross provides relief to individuals affected by disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Parents and kids ages 14 and older can help with mailings, help with fundraising events, or come up with their own projects to raise money for the Red Cross. To volunteer, fill out the application at nyredcross.org. People to People helps Rockland County residents through difficult times by providing food, clothing, and school supplies. Kids ages 14 and older can volunteer at the food pantry, where they’ll shelve, bag, and check expiration dates on food, or in the clothing room, where they’ll sort and rack donated clothing. Families with children younger than 14 are encouraged to participate in a food drive or other service project—contact the program director for more information. Volunteer applications are available on the website or at the front desk, between 9:30am-4pm Monday-Wednesday and Friday, and until 6pm on Thursday. Community service credit for school and religious groups is available. All volunteers must complete an application process. To get started, visit peopletopeopleinc.org or call the volunteer 18
program office to speak to program director Elyce Bristol at 845-623-4900 x213 or email elyce@peopletopeopleinc.org. Meals on Wheels, where “meals are just the first course,” provides more than a meal to the housebound, seniors, and others in need through nutritional, recreational, and social support programs. Parents and children of any age can assist by delivering meals for 1 hour, once a week; deliveries are made with your own vehicle Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm. Parents and children ages 12 and older can also assist in preparing and packaging food (Monday-Friday, 7-10am). Parents can also choose to deliver meals on holidays only, when they are off from work. Volunteers ages 18 and older are greatly needed to help with administrative duties, at the adult learning and day care centers, on the fundraising committee, putting together care packages, and more. Kids can also do take-home projects to earn community service hours such as caring cards and making small crafts for a meal recipient. To get started, contact Dianna Diffley at ddiffley@ mowrockland.org or at 845-624-6325, or visit mowrockland.org.
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Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength, and joy. The Kids For Wish Kids program allows children to help those closest to them: classmates or other kids in the community. Local children do it all—organize, raise funds, and manage their own programs with support from parents and/or teacher advisers. This hands-on experience shows children how their commitment and generosity can impact another child’s life and help grant a wish. For more information, visit hudson.wish. org/kids, or contact community outreach manager Hilary Ducker at 914-246-8680. For other volunteer opportunities, contact Abraham Almanza, director of volunteers, training, and digital engagement, at 914478-9503 or aalmanza@hudson.wish.org. hudson.wish.org.
Go Green
Keep Rockland Beautiful promotes a cleaner and more beautiful county. Families can participate in the fall waterway cleanup, which runs from September through mid-November and has a special focus on cleaning up local streams. Cleanup volunteers are also welcome year round; register online. Parents (PTA members) and elementary and middle school-aged children can also bring Earth B.E.A.T. (Basic Environmental Awareness Training) to their schools. Earth B.E.A.T. is an interactive environmental program that teaches kids about environmental topics such as the effects of pollutants on our watershed and the benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Volunteers all ages are welcome to participate. To get involved, call executive director Sonia Cairo at 845708-9164, or email questions to info@ keeprocklandbeautiful.org. 120-126 N. Main St., 2nd Floor Annex, New City. keeprocklandbeautiful.org.
Help the Homeless
Grace Episcopal Church helps organize food and shelter for the homeless in our county. Parents and children can volunteer through the church’s Helping Hands program, which provides a hot dinner and overnight shelter for homeless individuals three times a month, December through April. Volunteers can also participate in the Midnight Run program on the second Saturday of each month. To volunteer or get more information, call the church and leave your name at 845-358-1297. 130 First Ave., Nyack. Living Christ Church provides nondenominational suppers at 5pm each Sunday, year-round. Parents and children ages 12 and older can help with serving food and cleanup. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent. Please call at the beginning of the week to see if more volunteers are needed on a particular Sunday. Contact Gary Hecht at 914-419-5450. 150 Piermont Ave., South Nyack. Christ Episcopal Church runs a soup kitchen and thrift shop— both accept volunteers ages 15 and older. The thrift shop welcomes donations of gently used clothes, furniture, and houseware items. Contact Kitty Nash at 845-357-1615 x15. 65 Washington Ave., Suffern.
Mitzvah Movement
JCC of Rockland Mitzvah Program is dedicated to the enrichment and continuity of Jewish life and to the preservation and celebration of Jewish heritage. The center’s mission is to strengthen individual awareness and connection to the Jewish community, the state of Israel, and the community at large through recreational, physical, educational, social, and cultural programs. Volunteers are always welcome. The Mitzvah Program is designed for middle school and high school aged kids. For certain other JCC programs certified by the state, you must be 16 to volunteer, and for family event programs you must be 14 in
order to volunteer. If you would like to know how you can utilize your skills or outreach passion, contact Emily Shotland, director of teens and Maccabi experience, at emilys@jccrockland.org or Monica Rosenbaum, director of youth and family engagement, at monicar@jccrockland.org. 450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack. jccrockland.org. Rockland Jewish Family Service helps organize volunteers to work with its food pantry, the Rhoda Bloom Kosher Food Pantry of Rockland County, and various synagogues in the area to provide staples to families in need in the county. Once a month on Sunday mornings, volunteers prepare bags of non-perishable food to be picked up by the families enrolled in the program. For more information, visit rjfs.org or call Kathryn Samalin at 845-354-2121.
Walk for a Cause
Head to nymetroparents.com/ walks to find fundraising walks in your community. Walking together for a cause can bring your family closer together while supporting a worthy organization. It’s also a great way to get outdoors, exercise, and make new friends. Most charity walks in the New York metro area take place in the spring and fall. Be sure to plan ahead, because the sooner you register, the longer you have to raise money for the cause. Coming up: Give Hope Walk in April, Kids Walk for Kids With Cancer in May, March for Babies in April and May, Great Strides: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis in May and June.
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10 Thanksgiving Traditions to Try ›› Give thanks and try something new with your family this holiday season. By Sandy Wallace
T
ry out a new Thanksgiving tradition with your family this year. This list includes ideas for DIY holiday crafts, fun Thanksgiving-themed games, charitable activities, and more, all of which can help your family show gratitude and give thanks. Yes, the highlights of Thanksgiving Day are watching the parade (and the game) and eating turkey. But this special holiday isn’t just about the entertainment and the food. This year, start a new tradition that brings out the importance and symbolism of the holiday. Begin by asking yourself what Thanksgiving means to you. Is it about faith? Family? Giving back to the community? Incorporate these ideals into your new tradition in a fun, creative way. Keep in mind that the concept of Thanksgiving isn’t always easy for little ones to grasp, so involve your kids and give them a taste of what Thanksgiving is really about.
Construct a Family Tablecloth
Use a plain white tablecloth and fabric markers to personalize your Thanksgiving table before you lay out the turkey and stuffing. Have each person write their signature, the date, and what they are thankful for on the cloth before the meal begins. Use the same tablecloth each year and enjoy reading the old memories before adding new ones.
Create a Gratitude Tree
A gratitude tree is a fun way to share what Thanksgiving means to each person. Use a die cut machine or free-cut the shape of a tree with lots of branches from a brown 12-by-12-inch sheet of paper, then tape it to your dining room wall or attach it to the refrigera20
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
tor. Cut out leaf shapes from various fall shades of paper. Let each family member write something for which they are thankful on a leaf and attach to the tree with tape. Your tree will quickly take shape as the thankful leaves are added. You can add leaves daily during the month of November, or do it as a one-day project with the extended family on Thanksgiving.
Design a Family Cookbook
Does your family have some favorite traditional Thanksgiving foods? Type the recipes on the computer and print out copies to give out to the extended family. Have kids decorate the recipes with drawings of each food, and then scan them onto the document. This works especially well with old family recipes that have been handed down. Older kids can help type the recipes on the computer, too. Or get fancy and make up a recipe photo book using a program such as Shutterfly.
Make Place Mats
Create handprint place mats for the kids by tracing each child’s hand onto a plain white paper place mat. Let each child use markers to decorate their handprint to look like a turkey and write their names on the place mat. Stickers and glitter can add fun for younger kids. This can also be a fun project for the kids to work on with your babysitter or nanny before the big day.
Pin the Feather on the Turkey
This game will keep the kids entertained while dinner is cooking.
Make the turkey’s body by cutting a circle out of sturdy brown construction paper, and then a smaller circle for his head. Get creative by gluing on googly eyes, a beak, and a top hat. Let the kids come up with a name for Mr. Turkey before taping him to the wall in the dining room or living room. Make paper feathers in fall colors and have each child write their name on a feather. Attach tape to each feather and have the child close their eyes tightly and try to tape their feather onto Mr. Turkey.
Assemble a Gratitude Chain
Make a gratitude chain by cutting 6-by-1-inch slips of colored construction paper in hues of red, orange, and brown to incorporate a Thanksgiving theme. Let each person at your Thanksgiving dinner write one blessing they have received this past year or one thing for which they are thankful. Connect the ends on the first strip of paper with tape or glue and then connect each link to the chain. This is fun to work on all month with the family, too.
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Volunteer
Start a new family tradition by giving back to the community. Check with your local community center or homeless shelter to see if they serve a Thanksgiving dinner. If so, volunteer as a family to work in the center’s kitchen for the day. This will teach your kids the value of giving back and show the importance of helping those who are less fortunate. If you’re looking for a way to give back while getting some fresh air, look into participating in a local Turkey Trot. These races can be are a great way to burn off that pumpkin pie and most Turkey Trots benefit local charities.
Donate to Charity
Thanksgiving is also a great time to sort through the kids’ toys and clothing and donate what they no longer need to a local homeless shelter, preschool, church, or nursery. Christmas is just around the corner, so you’re going to need some extra room anyway! Let the children choose some toys to donate—just be mindful that little ones might have a difficult time letting go of things they’ve grown attached to, even if they haven’t played with them in a while. Explain to the kiddos that some little boys and girls don’t have many toys, and this is a way to share with other families.
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Do you live too far away from extended family to go home for Thanksgiving? Many local nursing homes or assisted living facilities run Adopt-a-Grandparent programs that strive to forge lasting relationships between seniors and members of the local community. You and the kids can visit with an elderly resident who doesn’t have family nearby to celebrate the holidays. Check with senior housing options near you to see if this program is available.
Have a History Lesson
Help the kids make pilgrim hats and read the story of the first Thanksgiving. Gather items to decorate the table like the pilgrims may have for the first Thanksgiving, such as leaves, pinecones, and a cornucopia filled with fruit. Talk together about how different life was for kids in 1621 compared to today. If you have older kids, let them do some research on the Internet and share what they learned with guests before Thanksgiving dinner. Make it a game to find a new, unusual fact about Thanksgiving’s past. Give a prize to the best answer. However your family spends Thanksgiving, remember: Giving thanks for the blessings in your life is what the day is all about, and family is one of the best blessings of all.
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FOOD & NUTRITION
From left: What’s-in-Season Fruit Crumble, Toffee Apple Tarts, and Mini Fruit Pies
Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Help Make ››
Amanda Grant shares pie, crumble, and tart recipes from ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ that are perfect for children to help bake.
W
e love when our kids help us out in the kitchen, and what better time to get them involved than preparing the Thanksgiving feast? While having them underfoot on the big day might not be the best option, try baking Thanksgiving dessert with them the day before, when you’re not stressed about getting the turkey in the oven on time and preparing a dozen side dishes. What we love about these recipes from Kids in the Kitchen by Amanda Grant is they are geared toward different age groups and help each specific age group develop important cooking skills, which are noted within each recipe. Happy cooking!
Mini Fruit Pies (ages 3-5)
Ready-made puff pastry dough is just right for these mini fruit pies. When you are rolling pastry, it is much easier to roll one small piece at a time instead of rolling one large piece, which is why I have broken the pastry into four pieces. These pastries taste delicious and are good for packed lunches, at snack time, or for desserts. If you choose to use big dried fruits like mango or apricots, you will need to use scissors to cut them into small pieces first. To make 16 mini pies you need: Ingredients: Small piece of butter, about the size of 2 pieces of chocolate, melted (ask an adult or older child to do this), plus a little extra 20 tablespoons (11/3 cups) dried fruits 1 teaspoon mixed spice 22
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
12½ oz. puff pastry dough A little flour for sprinkling A little demerara sugar for sprinkling Equipment: scissors, parchment paper, baking tray, mixing bowl, spoon, rolling pin, 2 pennies, round cutter about 2¼ inches across, table knife, pastry brush Skills: mixing, rolling pastry, cutting circles, brushing, using oven 1. Turn the oven on to 350°F. Cut a piece of parchment paper big enough to cover the baking tray. Put the melted butter, dried fruits, and spice in a mixing bowl and mix with a spoon. 2. Break the pastry in half, then break each piece in half to make 4 pieces. Sprinkle a little flour on the work surface. Flatten one piece of dough with a rolling pin until it is about the same thickness as 2 stacked pennies. 3. Take the cutter and, starting at the edge of the dough, push it down to cut out circles. Keep going until you have used up all of that dough. Roll out another piece of dough and cut out circles. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Using a teaspoon, spoon a little fruit mixture onto the middle of each circle. Bring the edges of the circle up together to seal the mixture inside. There should be no gaps in the pastry! 4. Turn the parcels over and flatten slightly with your hand. Using a table knife, carefully cut two or three short slits in the top of each pastry—this will let the steam escape when the pastries are baking.
5. Put them on the baking tray. Dip a pastry brush in a little melted butter and brush over all the pies. Sprinkle with sugar. Ask an adult to help you put the tray in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. They should look golden!
What’s-in-Season Fruit Crumble (ages 5-7)
One of the first things my mom taught me to make was a crumble. It’s a great way to learn how to rub butter into flour. Once you know how to do this you can have a go at making pastry. You can sprinkle this crumble mix on top of so many different fruits. Try to choose fruit that is in season—if you are not sure what that is, ask the person working in the produce section of the supermarket or go to a local famer’s market. Berries are easy to use as you don’t need to chop them first. For 4-6 people you need: Fruit filling: Seasonal fruit e.g. 15 plums or about 1 lb. 4 oz. fresh or frozen berries or about 12 peaches or nectarines 4 tablespoons orange juice 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 level tablespoon plain / all-purpose flour Crumble topping: 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons plain / all-purpose flour 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces 2 handfuls oats (or muesli if you prefer) 4 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice / apple pie spice or ground cinnamon Equipment: cutting board, small paring knife, spoon, 2 small or 1 large ovenproof dish Skills: rubbing butter into flour, cutting with knife, mixing with spoon, sprinkling topping 1. Turn the oven on to 350°F. To make the fruit filling, use the bridge-cutting technique to cut the plums in half: on a chopping board, make a “bridge” with a thumb and finger of one hand and hold the plum. Hold a small paring knife in your other hand and put the blade under the bridge, then cut downwards firmly. Move the plums around as you cut to avoid cutting through the stone. Take out the stones. 2. Put the plums into two small or one large ovenproof dish. Pour the orange juice over the plums, add the sugar and flour, and mix with a spoon or your hands. 3. To make the crumble topping, put the flour into a bowl, add the butter and rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. This can take a few minutes. Add the oats, sugar, and spice and mix with your fingers again. 4. Spoon the mixture over the top of the plums. Ask an adult to help you put the dishes into the oven using oven mitts. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is crisp, the plums are soft, and the fruit juices are bubbling up around the edges.
Toffee Apple Tarts (ages 7-11)
These tarts are so enjoyable to make that the boys who came over to my house to make them for this book asked to make some more in between taking the photos. Once you know how to make pastry dough, you can make so many different pies, cheese straws, small tarts, big tarts, and lots more. To make 24 little tarts you need: Sweet pastry / pie crust dough: 1 stick unsalted butter, chilled 1¾ cups plain / all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon sugar 1 egg yolk 1-2 tablespoons cold water Filling: 6-8 eating apples 12 toffee sweets / candies Equipment: table knife, mixing bowl, clingfilm / plastic wrap, parchment paper, two 12-hole cupcake tins / pans, rolling pin, round cutter about 3 inches across, cutting board, oven mitts Skills: cutting, rubbing butter into flour, lining tart tins / pans, sharing fillings, bashing with rolling pins, using oven 1. Use a table knife to cut the butter into small pieces and put into a mixing bowl with the flour. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. This can take a few minutes. 2. Add the sugar, egg yolk, and water and stir the mixture together with the table knife until it comes together and you can form a ball with your hands. Wrap the pastry in a piece of clingfilm / plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes this will make it easier to roll out. 3. Turn the oven on to 350°F. Using a scrap of parchment paper, rub a little butter inside the holes in the cupcake tins / pans. Break the pastry into four pieces. Sprinkle a little flour on the work surface, then roll out one piece at a time. Dip the cutter in flour, then cut out 24 circles. Gently press the circles into the holes of the pans. 4. Use the table knife and a cutting board to cut the apples in small pieces, avoiding the core in the middle. Divide the pieces between the pastry cases / dough crusts. 5. Put the toffees on a solid work surface and gently bash with the rolling pin to break into pieces. Scatter the pieces evenly over the apples. Using oven mitts, put the pans in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the toffee has melted and the apples are cooked.
Excerpted from Kids in the Kitchen ($19.95) by Amanda Grant, with photography by Susan Bell, with permission of Ryland Peters & Small.
RocklandParent 23
Times Square: It’s Not Just for Tourists ›› The popular midtown area offers a variety of things to do with the family in the heart of New York City. By Emma Steven
T
imes Square is a mecca for entertainment, well suited for kids of all ages. And, though you’ll have to get your kids into the car first, the approximately 50-minute drive promises a wide variety of food and activities conveniently clustered together. Yes, there’s more to the Times Square area than the worldfamous billboards and New Year’s Eve ball drop. Don’t let the crowds put you off; this section of midtown Manhattan has many attractions for families, making it a great destination for all ages. And, with two big new exhibits opening in the fall, it’s a great time to plan a visit.
National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
technology, augmented reality, and a 4-D cinema, visitors will be placed in the cleats of an NFL player. From the coaching back room to the Super Bowl arena, the star player is you!
Gulliver’s Gate
An epic miniature world, built entirely to scale. “Visit” cities including New York, Paris, and London, as well as historic scenes such as The Beatles crossing Abbey Road. You can even pay to have a miniature version of yourself created to be part of the exhibit. Parents, take note: Gulliver’s Gate is not suitable for very young kids due to the height of the displays.
You’ll want to add this new attraction, which opened Oct. 6, to your list if your kids love aquariums. Using sound and visual special effects, visitors to the National Geographic Encounter will dive under the Pacific Ocean in this 60,000-square-foot exhibition space—with no water at all! Kids will be able to virtually interact with squid, rays, sharks, and whales via the latest technology, all while standing feet from Times Square.
New Victory Theater
NFL Experience Times Square (Scheduled to open Nov. 17)
This famous store has been a must-visit for comic book fans since 1997. Stocking one of the best selections of Marvel, DC, independent, and alternative comics in the U.S., Midtown Comics also has action figures, T-shirts, posters, memorabilia, and more.
If you know your bootleg from your drawback, NFL Experience Times Square is for you. Set to open close to Thanksgiving, this is a perfect destination for football fans of all ages. Using immersive 24
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
This popular nonprofit theater is dedicated to shows for children and young people. Its seasonal calendar features a mixture of productions from across the globe including dance, circus, puppets, live theater, and book-to-stage. New Victory also has regular performances adapted for kids on the autism spectrum.
Midtown Comics
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds has been entertaining the public with her famous wax works since 1802. The celebrities may have changed but the appeal of seeing your favorite stars in wax has not. In addition to A-listers, there are movie-themed zones for Ghostbusters and Kong: Skull Island, as well as a Marvel 4-D movie for fans of Iron Man and co. Kids will love taking selfies next to their favorite characters and stars such as Katniss Everdeen and Selena Gomez.
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Broadway
A visit to Times Square brings you in striking distance of many of the top Broadway shows for families. Whether you’re looking for one of the classic musicals such as Cats, Aladdin, or The Lion King, or a newer show like School of Rock and the upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants, there’s so much to choose from at any time—you should be able to find something for even the fussiest child or teen.
AMC Empire 25
One of the biggest cinemas in Manhattan, this theater features a whopping 25 screens housed in the building of the Eltinge 42nd Street Theatre, built in 1912. With so many screens to choose from, there’s sure to be something that will satisfy everyone in the family, including 3-D and IMAX movies.
Museum of Modern Art
MoMA is walking distance from Times Square, and the famous, modern art space offers respite from the bustle of midtown. In addition to the many world-class exhibits, the museum features kids arts programs (except in the summer months), a kids’ audio tour, animated short films, and a dropin Art Lab. In the warmer months, the sculpture garden is a great place to sit and take a break.
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BOOK THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY
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Rockefeller Center
The view from the Top of the Rock is much more impressive than the view from the Empire State building, as many New Yorkers can attest. In addition to a trip to the top, the complex also has the famous ice rink and lots of food and drink options in the warren of tunnels underneath the main plaza. A trip to see the Christmas tree is a holiday must, and kids will love visiting the Lego Store that is close to Fifth Avenue. You can also visit the NBC studios and Radio City Music Hall, home of The Rockettes.
PALISADES CENTER MALL BOOK YOUR PARTY TODAY AT 845-348-6007
Chocolate Heaven
Chocolate lovers will adore the giant M&M’s World, which features three floors of chocolate and merchandise (don’t say we didn’t warn you!). Other kid favorites are the Disney Store and Hershey’s Chocolate World close by (Parents, please note: Hershey’s Chocolate World is now closed as it prepares to move to a bigger location nearby, which is slated to open later this year).
GREAT
Bryant Park
DEALS?
LOOKING FOR
GREAT DEALS?
When themoney traffic andon noise of Times Square Saving a New York Citygets to be too much, take a 5-minute walk to Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street and visit family day is easy!
LOOKING FOR
the midtown oasis that is Bryant Park. There are food and drink vendors, plus grass and chairs to sit on. In the winter there is the ice rink and holiday shopping. During the spring and summer months you can watch juggling, magicians, and kids performances. There are regular story times and a carrousel. For families with older kids, the majestic building of the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, New York Public Library, is close by.
Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!
Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.
Emma Steven is a writer who lives in Manhattan with her husband, two toddlers, and two cats.
RocklandParent 25
LOOKING FOR
Saving money on a
OUTINGS: Long Island City, Queens
nymetroparents.com/outings
5 Reasons We Love Long Island City, Queens
Culture, street art, and scenic views abound across the East River. ›› By Sabrina Sooknanan 2
Courtesy RESOBOX
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Sabrina Sooknanan
Courtesy Chop Em Down Films/Zane Meyer
1
1 Top To Bottom is a unique public mural project by talented street artists on a three-story building south of the Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City. 2 The Pepsi-Cola sign, a relic from a past bottling facility, shines bright near Center Boulevard and 46th Avenue, overlooking Gantry Park. 3 Children participate in the Amigurumi workshop at RESOBOX, in which they make stuffed crocheted animals.
L
ocated across the East River from Manhattan in the borough of Queens, Long Island City is a fun place to explore with the family. The neighborhood is known for its increasingly diverse community, thriving public art projects, and kid-friendly piers and skating rinks.
Different Cultures
While Queens consists of the most culturally diverse demographic among the boroughs, Long Island City exemplifies culture diversity in its people and in its food. Explore Japanese culture at RESOBOX, an all-in-one art gallery, café, and activity center that offers cultural classes in Japanese cooking, manga drawing, Japanese ink painting, and more. A vibrant restaurant scene— including Mexican hotspot Casa Enrique—further represents LIC’s diverse cultures.
Street Art History
Long Island City was once home to the 200,000-squarefoot graffiti mecca 5 Pointz NYC, an aerosol art museum that was whitewashed in November 2013 and demolished a year later. Fortunately street art murals were revived in 2015 by Arts Org NYC with Top To Bottom, a public mural project that showcases a vibrant union of colors and shapes by talented street artists on a three-story building south of the Queensboro Bridge in LIC.
Scenic Views
Take in an amazing view of the New York City skyline by visiting Gantry Plaza State Park. Located in Hunter’s Point, LIC, this waterfront park offers a stunning panoramic view and
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November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
peaceful piers. And we can’t forget about a famous city landmark overlooking Gantry Park: the Pepsi-Cola sign, which once rested on top of the soda company’s bottling facility. In 2001, the Pepsi plant was torn down and today you can see the sign light up in red in front of a high-rise apartment building near Center Boulevard and 46th Avenue.
Art Programs at The Noguchi Museum
On the first Sunday of every month The Noguchi Museum offers Open Studio for families with children ages 2-11. Led by museum educators, families can enjoy the galleries and make art based on their experiences. Arts for Tots is offered on select Saturdays and Sundays so families with children ages 2-4 can view the galleries while exploring art materials. The Noguchi’s collection includes sculptures, drawings, models, and designs. Enjoy free admission the first Friday of every month.
Ice-Skating Year-Round
City Ice Pavilion offers public ice-skating sessions on select weekdays and weekends. It offers holiday camps, group lessons, and youth hockey. You can also check out Long Island City’s ICE, which offers a wide range of opportunities, from elite personalized training to the Future Islanders Program, eight introductory hockey-training sessions for children ages 5-8 led by former New York Islanders Arron Asham and Radek Martinek.
Want to Go?
Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 10-minute drive from New City For more information: nymetroparents.com/lic
Ideas When You Need Them:
Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!
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Turn the page for details on Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (No. 7 on our list).
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nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: SAMANTHA BERANBOM rpeditor@davlermedia.com
NOVEMBER CALENDAR
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Editor’s Hot Tickets
31
Must-Sees in NYC
29
We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Browse & Buy
32
Show Time!, Movers & Shakers
30
Smarty Pants, The Great Outdoors
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Holiday Fun
EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS
Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the eight 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!
1
Santa’s Arrival FREE
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 10, 6pm WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Drive, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Welcome Santa and the holiday season, located on Level 1, East Court. WHY WE LOVE IT: ‘Tis the (start of the) season to be jolly! WANT TO GO? 845-348-1005. palisadescenter.com.
Operation Chillout: Homeless Veterans Benefit Concert
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11, 12-4pm WHERE: Debonair Music Hall, 2409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Rick Barth’s acoustic singer-songwriter series is performing a concert to raise funds and awareness for Operation Chillout, a Homeless Veterans Outreach program. WHY WE LOVE IT: A great cause to acknowledge Veterans Day. WANT TO GO? Donations appreciated. 201-833-0011. debonairmusichall.showare.com.
2
Laps for Literacy Mall Walk
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 9-11am WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Walk four laps to help benefit United Way of Rockland’s literacy programs. Enjoy giveaways, coupons, and discounts. Registration required. WHY WE LOVE IT: Walk for a good cause and shop after? Sounds good to us! WANT TO GO? $10 donation; $5 per child donation, $25 donation per family of four. 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com.
3
Children and Family Programs
WHEN: Nov. 5-12, Sundays, 1pm WHERE: Storm King Art Center, Old Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville AGES: All WHAT: These hands-on experiences are created and led 28
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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by artists, conservators, arts educators, and environmental educators. Attend Biomorphic Sculptures on Nov. 5 and Edgy Engineering on Nov. 12. WHY WE LOVE IT: A unique opportunity to foster an appreciation of art and the environment. WANT TO GO? $18; $15 seniors; $8 children ages 5-18; free for children younger than 4. 845-534-3115. stormkingartcenter.org.
5K Turkey Trot and Fun Run
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 9-11am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Navigate over roots, rocks, and streams, through nearly 400 acres of wetlands and hardwood forest. In addition, children can enjoy a fun run, a ¼-mile obstacle run around the yellow trail. WHY WE LOVE IT: Start the holidays off with fresh air, fun, and fitness! WANT TO GO? $25; $10 per child for fun run. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
5
Fall Children’s Reading Program FREE
WHEN: Nov. 2-20, Thursdays and Mondays, see website for times WHERE: Various libraries throughout Rockland County, see website for addresses AGES: 3-8 WHAT: An interactive pre-STEAM investigation about why the arrival of autumn causes such special changes for both young children and local woodland animals. WHY WE LOVE IT: Interactive hands-on activities are always the most fun way to learn! WANT TO GO? rocklandcce.org.
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
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WHEN: Through Nov. 25: See website for times WHERE: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss your chance to meander through a historic, 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display made of jack-o’-lanterns. WHY WE LOVE IT: A truly spooktacular event for fall. WANT TO GO? $20; $16 children ages 3-17; Friday-Saturday: $25; $20 children ages 3-17. 914-631-8200. hudsonvalley.org.
7
Public Skating Sessions: Season Opening
WHEN: Nov. 4-March 3, 2018: Monday-Tuesday, 10am1:30pm; Friday, 8-9:30pm; Saturday, 10am-9:30pm; Sunday, 10am-7:30pm WHERE: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain AGES: All WHAT: Lace-up for the season and enjoy skating outdoors. WHY WE LOVE IT: Where winter memories are made. WANT TO GO? $5; $4 children ages 4-11; $4 skate rentals; $10 parking fee. 845-786-2701. bearmountainicerink.com.
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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. Trash to Garden Treasure FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Tappan Free Library, 93 Main St., Tappan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This presentation will emphasize using recyclable materials in the garden, such as plastic water bottles, metal cans, empty wine bottles, tires, and even construction items such as gutters and step ladders. There will also be a discussion of composting kitchen scraps and yard waste. WANT TO GO? 845-359-3877. rocklandcce.org.
Prenatal Class FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 29, 5-6pm WHERE: Crystal Run Healthcare, 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to care for your newborn and what to expect in the first weeks of parenthood. WANT TO GO? 845-348-1100. crystalrunhealthcare.com.
Hogwarts Book Club FREE
WHEN: Nov. 2-Dec. 21, Tuesdays, 6-7pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Join the Hogwarts Book Club to discuss the stories and adventures of Harry Potter and his days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800 x25. hkdpl.org.
BROWSE & BUY Glen Rock First Fridays
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 3, 5pm WHERE: Downtown Glen Rock, Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a night of family-oriented activities in Glen Rock during which residents and visitors can stroll, taste, sip, and shop in a fun and friendly environment. The evening will feature live indoor and outdoor music, food and beverages, shopping, face painting, and more. WANT TO GO? Free admission. glenrockchamberofcommerce.com.
Made by Hand Art and Craft Fair
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 10am-4pm WHERE: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Get your holiday shopping on to benefit Nyack Center. Enjoy more than 40 vendors, food, music, and fun. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-358-2600. nyackcenter.org.
Piermont’s Down to Earth Farmer’s Market
WHEN: Through Nov. 19: Sundays, 9:30am-3pm WHERE: M&T Bank Parking Lot, Piermont Avenue and Ash Street, Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Down to Earth Markets bring together two kinds of vendors: local farmers and area food makers who source locally. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. 914-923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.
Holiday Boutique
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 12-5pm WHERE: Piermont Train Station Museum, 50 Ash St., Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Avoid the crazy crowds by checking off your holiday gift list at this unique boutique. WANT TO GO? Free admission. piermontchamber.org.
Ridgewood Farmer’s Market
WHEN: Through Nov. 26: Sundays, 9am-3pm WHERE: Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, Train Station Parking Lot, Ridgewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrating 17 years with fresh and delicious produce, fresh mozzarella, jams, pickles, flowers, and more every Sunday until Thanksgiving. WANT TO GO? Free admission. experienceridgewood.com.
Nyack Farmer’s Market
WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Saturdays, 2-4pm WHERE: Dave & Buster’s, 4661 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Join in for face painting on Saturdays. WANT TO GO? 845-353-1555. daveandbusters.com/west-nyack.
WHEN: Through Nov. 30: Thursdays, 8am-2pm WHERE: Main Street Parking Lot, 119 Main St., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Some of the greatest vendors come together in the center of Nyack to hold the weekly farmer’s market with produce, baked goods, sweets, and more. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-353-2221. nyackchamber.com.
Weekly Drop-In at Rockland Baby Café FREE
Clarkstown’s Indoor Farmer’s Market
Face Painting FREE
WHEN: Through Jan. 31, 2018: Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Rockland Baby Café, 14 S. Main St., Spring Valley AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Meet and talk to new moms, learn how to make breast-feeding easier, make sure your baby is latching and gaining well, and get tips on pumping, going back to work, and other parenting topics. WANT TO GO? 914-922-2240. rocklandgov.com.
WHEN: Nov. 11-May 12, 2018: Saturdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: Congers Community Center, 6 Gilchrest Road, Congers AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy fresh produce and goodies even when it’s cold out. Find baked goods, pickles, produce, vegetables, jams, eggs, meats, and more. WANT TO GO? Free admission. town.clarkstown.ny.us. ›› RocklandParent 29
WHAT: Hudson Valley artist Robert Hite grew up in Virginia but has traveled the world. Much of his photographic work juxtaposes the artificial with the natural and plays with architectural scale. WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.
Dwellings Exhibition FREE
SMARTY PANTS Fall Information Session and Campus Tour FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 10am-12pm WHERE: Blue Rock School, 110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack AGES: Adult WHAT: Blue Rock School invites parents interested in kindergarten-eighth grade to visit the beautiful, 4½-acre campus. Come meet the faculty and hear how this learning environment nurtures children’s natural curiosity and fosters a lifelong love of learning. WANT TO GO? 845-535-3353. bluerockschool.org.
WHEN: Through Nov. 19: Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: The exhibits explore the house form as an expression of sustainability, social structure and societal class, and family communication. These exhibitions explore issues of local knowledge, memory, environment, and domicile as living art. WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.
Public Space Mission
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2-5pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Just like the real astronauts, public crewmembers will attend a briefing session and then select tasks to perform on the mission. Small teams of space adventurers will conduct research, perform scientific experiments, and even deploy a probe. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and for children younger than 9. 845-357-3416. lhvcc.com.
A Morning in the Nursery/Kindergarten FREE
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 10, 9:30-11am WHERE: Green Meadow Waldorf School, Kindergarten Building, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: Adult WHAT: Experience a typical morning in the Early Childhood program and enjoy bread-baking, circle time, outdoor play, and more. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-356-2514 x311. gmws.org.
Public Planetarium Show
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 2-4pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Following a 1-hour planetarium show, participants will take part in a 1-hour hands-on astronomy-related project in the center’s activity room. The planetarium show and astronomy activities are a fun-filled way for the entire family to explore and learn about the wonders of the universe. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and for children younger than 9. 845-357-3416. lhvcc.com.
High School Open House FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 7-9pm WHERE: Green Meadow Waldorf School, High School Building, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Learn more about the advantages of a Waldorf High School education. The evening includes a faculty-student panel, campus tour, and Q-and-A. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-356-2514. gmws.org.
A Distant Embrace FREE
WHEN: Through Nov. 19: Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All 30
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
THE GREAT OUTDOORS I Spy Trail
WHEN: Through Nov. 1: daily, 11am-4pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Walk one of Tenafly Nature Center’s trails and be transported into the pages of I Spy. Follow funny and clever rhymes as you try to spot all of the hidden bats, ghosts, and ghouls that are hidden all over. WANT TO GO? $10. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.
Day Camp Open House FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1-4pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3-17 WHAT: The best way to learn more about this non-competitive, nature-oriented day camp is by coming to an open house. RSVP at camp@thenatureplace.com to set up an appointment. WANT TO GO? 845-356-1234. thenatureplace.com.
Full Moon Hike
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Experience the woods in the moonlight. The expert staff will ensure safe night hiking habits are utilized by the group and guide you along the enchanting scenery of the forest at night (weather permitting). Bring a flashlight or headlamp; registration required. WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 7-10pm WHERE: Alpine Picnic Area & Boat Basin, Alpine Park entrance, Alpine Approach Road, Alpine AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a riverside fire on one of the park’s old bathing beaches on the Hudson. The fire will take place in front of the Alpine Pavillion. Bring a chair or blanket and refreshments. Guitars and other instruments are also welcome. WANT TO GO? njpalisades.org.
CityBound Must-Sees in
N Y C Courtesy Madison Square Garden
Beaver Moon Beach Fire FREE
Winter Container Gardens
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 1pm WHERE: New Jersey Botanical Gardens at Skylands, 2 Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: An easy, child-friendly hike in the garden’s woodlands. Learn about the plants and animals around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Wear sturdy shoes and meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. WANT TO GO? 973-962-9534. njbg.org.
Celebrate the Seasons with a Waldorf Teacher FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 29, 3:30-5pm WHERE: Green Meadow Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Creative, age-appropriate activities that support seasonal rhythms for your family and help connect your child to the natural world. Activities vary by season and may include forest walks and cooking with apples in the fall, and sledding, indoor crafts, and baking in the winter. WANT TO GO? 845-356-2514. gmws.org. ››
Get in the holiday spirit with the parade of the wooden soldiers.
The Holidays Are Officially Here!
A New York City tradition, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes will dazzle novice and veteran audiences once again this holiday season! Combining the old with the new, the ever-popular holiday spectacle takes audiences on a gorgeously choreographed journey from Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, to the streets of Manhattan, to a beautifully classic “Living Nativity.” You’ll be on the edge of your seat waiting for the fat man in the red suit to make his appearance too. Nov. 10-Jan. 1, check website for times. Age: All. Starting at $35. Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown. 212-247-4777. rockettes.com/christmas. Kent Miller
Family Woodland Hike FREE
Meg Banks
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9, 7-8:30pm WHERE: South Orangetown Continuing Education at Tappan Zee High School, 15 Dutch Hill Road, Orangetown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This presentation highlights tips and easy techniques for growing ornamentals and miniature evergreens throughout the fall and winter. It will also demonstrate different methods of decorating the containers with branches, berries, and twigs for the holiday season. WANT TO GO? $35. 845-379-1012. socsd.org.
This not-to-be-missed march is good reason to give thanks.
A Turkey-Day Tradition
The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade promises its aweinspiring balloons—Hello Kitty, Ronald McDonald, the Elf on the Shelf, and Charlie Brown, to name a few—plus marching bands, performers, and floats that families always love. Arrive early so you can snag a good spot on the sidewalk or turn your TV to NBC and watch from home with some hot cocoa in hand. The parade will make its way from the Upper West Side down through the heart of Manhattan. Nov. 23, 9am-12pm. Age: All. FREE. Central Park West and 77th Street, moving south to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street via Central Park South and Sixth Avenue, Upper West Side and Midtown. 212-494-4495. macys.com/social/parade/2017. RocklandParent 31
MOVERS & SHAKERS TCS New York City Marathon FREE
SHOW TIME!
Mario the Maker Magician and The Bossy Frog Band
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2-4pm WHERE: Rittenhausen Theater at BOCES, 131 N. Midland Ave., Nyack AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Two beloved local family performers join forces for the first time for one big show. WANT TO GO? $18. 855-278-7762. artsrock.org.
Disney’s ‘Moana’ Sing-Along
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 1pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 5-8 WHAT: This animated film features Moana, the strong-willed daughter of the chief of a Polynesian village who sets out on an adventure to find a legendary demigod to help her return a mystical relic to a goddess before her homeland is destroyed. Take photos with Moana before the show and sing-along with all of the songs. WANT TO GO? $15-$25. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.
‘Beauty and The Beast’ Sing-Along
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 4pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This classic film features the bookish Belle and the Beast, who must learn to love and be loved in return in order to break an enchantress’s curse. Belle will lead the audience in singing along with the iconic songs and is available to take photos before the show. WANT TO GO? $15-$25. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.
Kids’ Movie Night
WHEN: Through Dec. 17: Sundays, 5:30pm WHERE: Harry’s Burritos, 90 Main St., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: See animated films for kids every Sunday night at Harry’s Burritos. Parents receive happy hour pricing on meals and drinks. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. 845-353-5220. harrysburritos.com.
‘Annie’
WHEN: Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Wednesday-Sunday, 1:30pm and 7pm WHERE: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals just in time for the holidays. The score features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written, from the unforgettable “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” to the anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” WANT TO GO? $53 and up. 973-376-4343. papermill.org. 32
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 8:30am WHERE: NYC’s five boroughs AGES: All WHAT: Thousands will run and millions will watch! Spectators can view from many different parts of the five-borough course, which runs from Staten Island to Brooklyn, through Queens and the Bronx, and on into Manhattan’s Central Park. WANT TO GO? tcsnycmarathon.org.
Public Rocket Launch FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11, 4-6pm WHERE: Weldler Park, 179 W. Maple Ave., Monsey AGES: All WHAT: Bring your own low-powered rockets to launch or just come to watch. Beginners and advanced rocketeers are welcome. WANT TO GO? 845-357-3416. lhvcc.com.
7th Annual Family Barn Dance with Live Fiddle Music
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 17, 7-9:30pm WHERE: Blue Rock School, 110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Renowned dance caller Eric Hollman will lead the way as guests keep step to live, traditional fiddle tunes from Ireland, New England, Appalachia, and beyond. This year’s musical lineup includes Nyack’s own Ian Moore on fiddle and Matt Greenhill on guitar. There will be a raffle, silent auction, and refreshments for sale. WANT TO GO? $10. 845-535-3353. bluerockschool.org.
Indoor Model Aviation Show
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 12-4:30pm WHERE: Pascack Community Center, 87 New Clarkstown Road, Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: The Rockland County Radio Control Club has prepared an exhibit of flying models spanning the century of aviation, as well as those unique to model planes. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 845-371-6650. rcrcc.com.
Month Of Drums
WHEN: Nov. 1-30, call to make an appointment WHERE: New City School of Music, 12 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Register for drum lessons in the month of November and receive a free drum pad and free pair of drum sticks. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. 845-709-8383. newcitymusicschool.com.
Public Ice-Skating
WHEN: Through Feb. 28, 2018: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Wollman Rink, 59th Street and Central Park South, Central Park, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This outdoor rink offers an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline, plus a skating school, a hockey program, and birthday party offerings on the ice. Check out the nearby carousel for $3 a ride in between skates. WANT TO GO? Monday-Thursday: $12; $5 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger; Friday-Sunday and holidays: $19; $9 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger. 212-439-6900. wollmanskatingrink.com.
HOLIDAY FUN Turkey Tales
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson AGES: All WHAT: Find out about the turkey’s natural history and amazing adaptations, make a turkey craft to take home, and enjoy free same-day admission to the Wildlife Education Center with paid admission to this program. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children. 845-534-7781. hhnaturemuseum.org.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation Event FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 22, 3-10pm WHERE: Upper West Side, West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Watch the big balloons fill up before they make their Thanksgiving Day trip through the heart of Manhattan. WANT TO GO? macys.com/parade.
91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 23, 9am-12pm WHERE: Parade begins at Central Park West and 77th Street, Sixth Avenue, Upper West Side and goes into Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This year’s parade promises all the awesomely soaring balloons including Hello Kitty, Ronald McDonald, Elf on the Shelf, and Charlie Brown, to name a few, plus marching bands, performers, and floats that families love. WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/parade.
Glen Rock for the Holidays
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 24, see website for times WHERE: Business District, Downtown Glen Rock, Glen Rock, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Kick off the holiday season with events and family fun happening throughout the town. Check the Facebook page for updated details. WANT TO GO? Free admission. glenrockchamberofcommerce.com.
Christkindlmarkt German Christmas Market
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 26, 10am-6pm WHERE: Downtown Historic District, 1 Jersey Ave., Port Jervis AGES: All WHAT: An enchanting family event with the sights, sounds, and aromas of the holiday season. Enjoy handcrafters, specialty foods, gifts, and live entertainment. Don’t miss the arrival of the Santa Express at dusk. WANT TO GO? Free admission.
Thanksgiving Weekend at WEC
WHEN: Nov. 24-26, Friday-Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson AGES: All WHAT: Bring the family to the Wildlife Education Center for some post-holiday fun. Visit with live animals and find out what they had for Thanksgiving dinner. “Meet the Animal” presentations will be at 1pm and 2:30pm. WANT TO GO? $3 per person. 845-534-7781. hhnm.org.
‘George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker’
WHEN: Nov. 24-Dec. 31, Thursday-Sunday, see website for show times WHERE: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: From Swan Lake to sugarplum fairies, the music of Tchaikovsky rings beautiful and clear in New York City thanks to this classic holiday performance. Watch stunning ballerinas flit across the stage in a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of soldiers and a blizzard leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 212-496-0600. nycballet.com.
‘Christmas Spectacular’ Starring the Radio City Rockettes
WHEN: Nov. 10-Jan. 1, 2018: daily, see website for times WHERE: Radio City, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Combining the old with the new, the Christmas Spectacular brilliantly takes audiences on a gorgeously choreographed journey from Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, to the streets of Manhattan, to a beautifully classic “Living Nativity.” WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 212-247-4777. rockettes.com/christmas.
16th Annual Holiday Train Show FREE
WHEN: Nov. 16-Feb. 4, 2018: daily, 6am-8pm WHERE: Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store, Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Kids can watch in awe as little Lionel trains roll along a 34-footlong, two-level track that looks just like a mini NYC with a nearby countryside. The scenery even includes its very own North Pole. WANT TO GO? 212-340-2583. nytransitmuseum.org.
Coming up next month: DEC. 3: Nyack Indoor Street Fair at Nyack Center, Nyack DEC. 14: Winter Wonderland Light Festival at Congers Lake Memorial Park, Congers DEC. 16: Beary Merry Holiday at Trailside Museums & Zoo, Bear Mountain
RocklandParent 33
WHERE-TO GUIDE
Ice-Skating
nymetroparents.com/where-to
››
Research by Kathryn Sheridan
Time to lace up your skates and practice your figure eights! Winter is upon us and local rinks are ready to have you on the ice. Whether you’re just learning to skate or a total pro, ice-skating is fun for the whole family. Plus, if you don’t land that jump you’ve been working on, you can always cheer up with a cup of cocoa at many ice rink concession stands. As always, call ahead to verify hours and prices before your ice-skating outing. Indoor Rinks
EJ Murray Memorial Skating Center: Ice Skating Rink 348 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers 914-377-6469; yonkersny.gov Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30am12:30pm; Friday, 9:30am-12:30pm and 8:30-10:30pm; Saturday, 11am-1:30pm and 8:30-10:30pm; Sunday, 12-3pm and 7:10-8:30pm. Extended hours during holiday periods; call for schedule. Price: $11; $3 seniors. $4 skate rental.
Outdoor Rinks
Bear Mountain State Park Ice Rink Palisades Parkway/Route 9W North, Bear Mountain 845-786-2701; bearmountainicerink.com Hours: Scheduled to open Saturday, Nov. 4. Monday-Tuesday, 10-11:30am and 121:30pm; Friday, 8-9:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10-11:30am, 12-1:30pm, 2-3:30pm, 4-5:30pm, 6-7:30pm, and 8-9:30pm (last session is on Saturdays only). See website for additional holiday schedule information. Price: $5; $4 children ages 4-11; $2 non-skaters and seniors; free for children ages 3 and younger. $4 skate rental. $5 skate sharpening. $10 parking on weekends and holidays. Indoor Rinks
Palisades Center Ice Rink 4900 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack 845-353-4855; palisadescentericerink.com Hours: Daily, year-round. Call or check the website for public skating times. Price: $10; $8 seniors and children younger than 10. $4 skate rental. Ten-visit punch cards and season passes available.
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Sport-o-Rama 20 College Road, Monsey 845-356-3919 sportorama.com Hours: Tuesday skate sessions: 3:30-5pm until Oct. 31 (times subject to change). Starting Nov. 4: Saturdays, 9-11pm. Starting Nov. 12: Sundays, 3:10-5pm. Holiday hours: 1-4pm. Price: $6 Tuesdays; $9 Saturday-Sunday; $10 holidays; $4 skate rental.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY Outdoor Rinks
Ebersole Ice Rink Delfino Park, 110 Lake St., White Plains 914-422-1390 914-422-1348 cityofwhiteplains.com Hours: Thursday, 12-2pm; Friday, 3-5pm and 8-10pm; Saturday, 1:45-4:15pm; Sunday, 8:30-10:15am (adults only) and 1:15-3:45pm. Price: General Admission: $10 adults; $8 children 18 and younger; $5 seniors. $5 skate rental.
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Hommocks Park Ice Rink 140 Hommocks Road, Larchmont 914-834-1069; hommocksicerink.org Hours: Through March 29, 2018: Monday, 12:30-2:30pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5:15pm; Friday, 1-5:15pm and 7:30-9:30pm; Saturday, 1-5:15pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm (During October, November, and March, the Saturday Public Sessions end at 4pm). See website for special holiday weekday schedule. Price: $8.50; $7.50 children younger than 12; $6.50 seniors. $4.50 skate rental. Discount with resident ID card (and Discount Cards for 12 sessions) and season passes available. The Ice Hutch 655 Garden Ave., Mount Vernon 914-699-6787; icehutch.com Hours: Year-round. Call for weekly schedule. Through Oct. 31: Tuesday, 3-5pm and Saturday, 1-2:30pm. Schedule updated 2 months in advance; November and December schedule available at the end of October. Price: $8 adults and children; $5 seniors. $4 skate rental. PlayLand Ice Casino 100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-481-5941; playlandice.com Hours: Year-round: daily, 1:30-3pm Price: $9.75; $7.75 for children 10 and younger; $5.75 seniors and for children 3 and younger; $4.25 skate rental.
Westchester Skating Academy 91 Fairview Park Drive, Elmsford 914-347-8232; skatewsa.com Hours: Year-round: Monday, 11:40am1:10pm and 1:30-4:30pm; Tuesday, 9:3011:30am and 1:30-3:30pm (Mondays and Tuesdays are subject to change during the winter season); Wednesday, 9:30-11:30am, 11:40am-1:10pm, and 1:30-4:30pm; Thursday, 9:30-11:30am; Friday, 9:30-11:30am, 11:40am-1:20pm, 1:30-4:30pm, and 7:3010pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-3pm. Extended hours during holiday periods. Hours subject to change. Check website. Price: $11; $10 children ages 4-10; $6.25 seniors and children ages 3 and younger. $4.50 skate rental.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ Outdoor Rinks
Rutherford Ice Skating Rink Rutherford Memorial Park, Monona and Darwin avenues, Rutherford 201-460-3000 x3177 rutherford-nj.com Hours: Weather permitting. MondayFriday, 6-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 3-9pm; call the weather hotline for updates. Prices: $10 residents; $20 non-residents; $10 skating badge for the whole season; free for seniors and children. Saddle River County Park Prospect Avenue, Glen Rock 201-336-7275; co.bergen.nj.us Hours: Outdoor pond skating, weather permitting. See website for updates. Prices: Not available at the time of press. Samuel Neklin County Park Rose Street, Wallington 201-336-7275; co.bergen.nj.us Hours: Outdoor pond skating, weather permitting. See website for updates. Prices: Not available at the time of press. Indoor Rinks
Fritz Dietl Ice Rink 639 Broadway, Westwood 201-666-9883; fritzdietlicerink.com Hours: Monday-Friday, 3:30-5:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-3pm until Christmas. Prices: $10 for a two-hour session for adults and children. $3 skate rental. Ice House of New Jersey 111 Midtown Bridge Approach, Hackensack
201-487-8444; icehousenj.com Hours: Through Nov. 19: SaturdaySunday, 1-4pm Prices: $10. $5 skate rental. Inline Skating Club of America 170 Schuyler Ave., North Arlington 201-998-4722; iscahockey.com Hours: Friday, 4-6pm; Saturday, 1-3pm and 4-6pm; Sunday, 1-3pm. Prices: $9. $4 skate rental. Mackay Ice Rink 130 W. Englewood Ave., Englewood 201-568-3133; mackayicerink.com Hours: Monday, 3:30-5:30pm; TuesdayFriday, 12-2pm; Friday, 3:30-4:45pm; Saturday, 1:30-4:30pm; Sunday, 2-5pm. Prices: $6 residents; $8 non-residents; $5 weekdays. $4 skate rental.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT Indoor Rinks
Danbury Ice Arena 1 Independence Way, Danbury 203-794-1704; danburyice.com Hours: Year-round: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 11am-2pm; Wednesday, 11am-2pm; Friday, 11am-2pm and DJ Teen Night for ages 13 and older, 8:3010:30pm; Saturday, 1:30-3:30pm; Sunday, 2:30-4:30pm. Schedule is subject to change, please check website. Price: $9; $7 for children 12 and younger; $6 seniors. $4 skate rental; $4 helmet rental. DJ Skate on Fridays: $10 Darien Ice Rink 55 Old Kings Highway N., Darien 203-655-8251; darienicehouse.com Hours: Year-round: Monday, 10am1:20pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 10am2pm; Wednesday and Friday, 12-2pm; Sunday, 1:10-2:50pm (starting in November). Schedule subject to change, check the website for updates. Price: $97; $7 children; $5 seniors. $4 skate rental. Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink 14 Sherman Ave., Greenwich 203-531-8560; greenwichct.org Hours: Monday, 12-1:30pm; Tuesday, 12-1:30pm, 7-8pm, and adults-only skate 8-9pm; Wednesday, 12-1:30pm and 3:30-5pm; Thursday, 12-1:30pm; Friday,
12-1:30pm, 3:30-5pm, and 7:30-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2-4pm. Price: Proof of Greenwich residency is required for admission. A Greenwich resident may bring a non-resident as a guest. $8 ($10 guest); $6 children ages 5-15 ($8 guest); free for ages 65 and older ($8 guest) and children younger than 4. Fairfield Ice Academy 85 Mill Plain Road (Building J), Fairfield 203-254-8399; fairfieldiceacademy.com Hours: Year-round; hours vary, check website. Price: $7; $10 every third Friday night teen disco 7-9pm. $5 skate rental. Sports Center of Connecticut 784 River Road, Shelton 203-929-6500; sportscenterct.com Hours: Year-round; hours vary, check website. Price: $12; $10 children ages 12 and younger. $6.50 skate rental; $8 skate aids for children ages 6 and younger ($5 deposit required) Stamford Twin Rinks 1063 Hope St., Stamford 203-968-9000; stamfordtwinrinks.com Hours: Year-round: Monday, 9am-1:45pm; Tuesday, 10:30am-1:45pm; Wednesday, 9am-1:30pm; Thursday, 9-11:45am; Friday, 9am-1:45pm and 8-10pm; Saturday, 12:302pm; Sunday, 12:30-2pm. Price: $9; $10 Friday night skating. $4.50 skate rental. Preferred customer discount cards available. Terry Conners Ice Rink Cove Island Park, 1125 Cove Road, Stamford 203-977-4728; tcrink.com Hours: Year-round: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:30am-2:30pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 10am-2:30pm; Saturday, 12:301:50pm; Sunday, 12:20-1:50pm. Check website for changes to the schedule. Price: $8; $6 children and students 18 and younger; free for seniors. $4 skate rental; $2 training aids. Multi-use discount card available for residents only. Winter Garden Ice Arena 111 Prospect Ridge, Ridgefield 203-438-4423; wintergardenarena.com Hours: Through May 2018: Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm. Starting Thanksgiving: Sundays, 2:20-3:30pm. Beginning in November, there will be Friday Disco Nights for $10 from 8:50-9:50pm. Price: $8; $5 children; free for children younger than 3. $4 skate rental; $5 helmet rental.
Find the full guide, including rinks in NYC, at ›› nymetroparents.com/ice-skating
Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder? ››
Three experts share what to look out for, the physical and mental health risks, and getting your child the help she needs. By Katelin Walling
N
ational surveys estimate that nearly 20 million females and 10 million males will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. And when most eating disorders get diagnosed? “Between the ages of fourteen and eighteen,” says Joanna Steinglass, M.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry and director of translational research in eating disorders at the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders. “There are some reports that people are noticing and diagnosing and getting kids to treatment even earlier, which may be a sign that parents are getting more informed.” In fact, NEDA cites an increase in the diagnosis of children, some as young as 5 or 6. Eating disorders are mental illnesses that are serious and can be treated, though it’s unclear for certain why they occur. Some factors include body image issues, self-esteem issues, being bullied about looks, the need to control something in his life, and societal pressures for looking like the actresses and models she sees on TV,
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November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
in magazines, and in the movies. There is also a possibility that eating disorders could be genetic. Studies have found that having a parent or sibling with an eating disorder increases a child’s risk of developing one, according to NEDA. And while the Internet and social media may have a negative role in eating disorders, a lot of celebrities and “regular people” have used various platforms to talk about their experiences with eating disorders, including Sadie Robertson of Duck Dynasty and Dancing with the Stars, who wrote about her eating disorder on her blog Live Original; actress Troian Bellisario, known as Spencer Hastings on FreeForm’s Pretty Little Liars, who wrote about her eating disorder for Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter; and pop star Kesha, who wrote some of the songs on her new album during a three-month stay at an impatient facility for women with eating disorders, addictions, mood disorders, and trauma while getting treatment for “an eating disorder that nearly killed her,” according to her recent Rolling Stone profile.
With eating disorders being talked about more and more often, parents may be left wondering whether their child has one, what the signs are, and how they can support him.
Eating Disorders Explained
“I think it’s probably most helpful for parents to know that there are a lot of different ways that eating disorders can present themselves,” Dr. Steinglass says. “It may be more important to have a sense of whether something feels like it’s not quite right and let the doctors figure out what the right name for it is.” While a medical professional should do specific diagnosing, it may be helpful for parents to know about the various eating disorders and how they typically present. Anorexia nervosa: A person with anorexia generally restricts the number of calories and the types of foods she eats, according to NEDA. Typically someone with anorexia is of low weight and is restricting his eating to the point where if he is growing, he’s not gaining weight, so he becomes thinner and more out of his range for expected weight and height, says Michelle Miller, Psy.D., a psychologist at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Health. Alternatively, if she’s stopped growing and stays at the same height, her weight is going down. “That is all due to restriction of eating that’s related to control, which may be a concern about weight or body image. Some individuals may be over concerned about a health focus as well. They feel that every food has to be ‘healthy,’ and so they’ll only eat certain types of food to maintain that,” Dr. Miller says, adding that an individual with anorexia may engage in compensatory behavior such as self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercising to address their concerns about body image and compensate for what he has eaten. Bulimia nervosa: An individual with bulimia will go through periods of two hours or less during which she eats an amount of food that is larger than what one would expect to eat in that period—and feels she has no control over the behavior. After that period of time, she engages in a compensatory behavior to “undo” the effects of binge eating, according to Dr. Miller. Binge eating disorder: Like with bulimia, an individual with binge eating disorder consumes a large amount of food in a short period of time. However, unlike with bulimia, compensatory behaviors are not present, and patients will typically present very overweight, according to Michele Calderoni, D.O., who specializes in adolescent medicine at Crystal Run Healthcare. While we all have occasional periods of time when we might eat more, such as a dinner out with friends or at Thanksgiving, “when they do it, they feel a lack of control in the episode, like they can’t stop eating,” Dr. Miller says. “They’ll eat until they feel extremely, uncomfortably full, and they keep eating even when they’re not physically hungry. They also may eat alone.” Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Previously referred to as Selective Eating Disorder, ARFID is similar to anorexia in that it involves limitations to the amounts or types of foods consumed, but it does not involve concerns about body shape or size, according to NEDA. A person with ARFID is “avoiding whole food groups not because of fear of weight gain or body image concerns or a need for control, but because of a lot of sensory difficulties, because they have low interest in food, and/or because they’re continued on next page ››
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concerned with having negative consequences from eating, such as feeling so uncomfortably full that they’re nauseous or they’re afraid of throwing up,” Dr. Miller says. “The condition usually starts early on, so it’s not something that we would typically see as developing later. You see it usually starting in childhood and they become pickier and pickier as they get older and start getting more and more anxious around food.” Rumination disorder: Those with rumination disorder regurgitate or vomit food, chew it, and swallow it, and there is no known gastrointestinal etiology, Dr. Calderoni says. “I actually have a patient right now who has this. She has had a full GI workup, and we can’t find any reason for her vomiting. It can happen any time on any day. There are no real triggers or explanation…and there are no electrolyte abnormalities that correspond and no physiological abnormalities that correlate,” she says. “[Rumination disorder] is very rare, but we do see it from time to time.” Orthorexia: Although it’s not formally recognized in the DSM, awareness of orthorexia—a fixation on so-called “healthy eating” that a person damages his or her own well-being—is on the rise, according to NEDA. Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder: Previously known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, OSFED is considered a “catch-all” to classify eating disorders that do not meet the criteria for anorexia or bulimia, according to NEDA. “It’s a huge category, which we all hate to use, but sometimes it really is the only diagnosis that encapsulates what’s going on at the time,” Dr. Calderoni says. “But we try very hard not to put our patients in that category.”
Signs of an Eating Disorder
The main signals for parents that their child may have an eating disorder are changes in behavior of eating, changes in behavior of physical activities, or changes in weight, Dr. Steinglass says. As an eating disorder progresses, you may start to see your child isolate himself, and see mood changes. Typically with anorexia, a child will become preoccupied with what foods she is eating, a decrease in the amount of food she is eating, she may push food around the plate, or make excuses as to why she can’t eat. “Bulimia and binge eating disorder are a little trickier to recognize because they’re often done in secret,” Dr. Miller says. Another possible sign of binge eating disorder or bulimia is if quantities of food disappear over an evening or a short period of time, Dr. Calderoni adds. Other possible signs of bulimia include frequent use of the bathroom immediately after meals, signs of vomiting or laxative use, and tooth decay from vomiting frequently. “And I think with all of these conditions, except with ARFID, you’re hearing concerns about how they look and what they’re eating and complaints about their weight,” Dr. Miller says.
Talking to Your Child
If you suspect your child may have an eating disorder, it’s best to approach him in a nonjudgmental way. “I think it’s really wise to sit down with your child and ask your child very nonjudgmental questions about their health and how they’ve been feeling. I think you need to make it nonjudgmental because you want your child to trust you and to feel that they can tell you what’s going on because many kids will try to hide this,” Dr. Calderoni says. “You can comment that you may have noticed changes or things they’re saying about themselves or things about their eating that made you concerned,” Dr. Miller says, adding to be cautious if 38
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
your child is showing signs of bulimia or binge eating as those conditions are associated with a lot of guilt. “So going about it like, I’ve noticed you’ve been stressed around your eating, and I want to see if there’s a way we can help you feel better,” she says. As with any medical diagnosis, it’s important to see a doctor to get your child evaluated. “It’s good to go to a doctor to get a health workup to see if there’s anything going on with [your child’s] health, and rule out any cause that is unrelated to eating. I’d also recommend getting an evaluation through a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders to help identify if it is an eating disorder before jumping to any conclusions,” Dr. Miller says. “If it is identified as an eating disorder, either through a physician or a therapist, then the next step would be to make sure the child is enrolled in treatment. Eating disorders can be very complex and is not something you should try and fix outside of therapy.”
Treatments for Eating Disorders
Across the board, “parents play a huge role in helping kids get out of an eating disorder and they may need to take a big role in figuring out how to get their kids back on track with normal and healthy eating,” Dr. Steinglass says. “The kinds of treatments that tend to be helpful are things that have a real emphasis on seeing change in behavior and paying attention to what’s actually happening with eating and normalizing eating. That can occur in all kinds of settings and all kinds of different ways,” While specific treatment plans will vary depending on the child and the eating disorder, there are a few techniques medical professionals employ when treating a child or teen with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or ARFID. Multi-disciplinary approach: With this approach, your child will have a three-person treatment team: a medical provider, a nutritionist, and therapist. “Eating disorders are multi-factorial and the treatment has to be tailored to each of these components,” Dr. Calderoni says. The medical provider identifies the medical consequences of an eating disorder and ensures the patient is physically and medically safe. The nutritionist ensures adequate nutrition is part of the treatment plan. “It’s important to have somebody who understands nutrition from a macro- and a microelement perspective, and who also understands eating disorders,” Dr. Calderoni advises. The therapist addresses the mental health piece of the eating disorder. “Again, it should be a certified eating disorder therapist. That’s very important as well because there are triggers and other behaviors that are just really not understood by all therapists,” she adds. This approach is very individualized, meaning the child is the one who works with the medical provider, nutritionist, and therapist. Family-Based Therapy: Unlike with the multi-disciplinary approach, parents are heavily involved in FBT, which can be used to treat adolescents with anorexia or bulimia. Families work with an FBT therapist through three phases of treatment. During phase one, the parents have complete control over what the child eats—the parents plan, serve, and supervise all meals. In phase two, the patient gradually gains control over mealtimes—deciding what, when, and how much to eat. In phase three, the FBT therapist works with the family in addressing other issues in adolescent development as needed, according to Dr. Calderoni. Off the C.U.F.F.: Developed for treating ARFID by Nancy Zucker, M.D., a child and family psychologist, eating disorder specialist, and director of the Duke Eating Disorder Center, C.U.F.F. stands for clear, undisturbed, firm, and friendly. This program provides practical strategies to help parents deal with their child’s eating behaviors.
When treating a child with ARFID, “it’s important that parents use different terms that are very clear and specific around what they want their child to eat and how much of it while remaining as calm and undisturbed around their child as possible,” Dr. Miller says. “That they’re being very firm in what they want their child to do, but they also have moments where they’re doing positive things with their child unrelated to food because often times when a child has an eating disorder, it can become the sole focus for the family. So we want them to do things with each other outside of the eating disorder.”
Physical and Mental Health Risks
Eating disorders have a number of associated physical and mental health risks. Eating disorders can: cause abnormalities in electrolytes; cause changes in potassium, phosphate, and magnesium; affect bone marrow and white blood cell count; put a young adult at risk for a heart attack; and affect growth. They can also compromise fertility and reproductive systems. “In young girls, they either won’t get their period, or if they were getting a period, their periods will go away, and when we look at the hormones that correlate with cycling normally—LH, FSH, and estrogen—those hormones are decreased. In young boys or young men, testosterone will also become decreased,” Dr. Calderoni says. The decrease in estrogen and testosterone affects bone density. Bulimia affects tooth health, while those with binge eating disorder are at risk for obesity. And “the starvation that comes with anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness,” Dr. Steinglass says. As a result of a malnourished brain, individuals with eating disorders may also experience depression, anxiety, irritability, inability to sleep, cognitive impairment, and decrease in memory and attention, Dr. Calderoni says. And social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder are common in those with anorexia, according to Dr. Miller.
Reducing the Risk
While there are no sure-fire ways to prevent children from developing eating disorders, there are things parents can do at home to reduce the risk of their child developing one. The experts we spoke with agree that families should not talk about food in terms of good and bad or healthy and unhealthy, and instead focus on having a balanced diet and moderation in meals. “Teach your child that having fruit one night and having ice cream one night for dessert is okay,” Dr. Calderoni says. “What I find is if you tend to have a very restrictive food environment at ACTIVITIES EVENTS MORE home, many times these kids become binge eaters or they learn that being restrictive is the way to eat.” Other things that can help reduce the risk are: have family meals together as often as possible, keep conversations during family meals positive, and make sure meals include a variety of foods, Dr. Miller says. Dr. Steinglass advises parents also keep the focus on body wellness—how your body can be healthy for you—rather than body image or size. “I also think families should try to not use negative terms like ‘chubby,’ or ‘you have thick legs,’ or ‘you’re built like Grandma, who is three-hundred pounds.’ I think staying away from comments about their bodies and body types is really important,” Dr. Calderoni adds. “We’re all born differently. Sometimes you do get one kid in the family that’s a little heavier than everyone else. It’s just best to not really talk about it. When you go shopping for clothing, try to stay away from sizes and comparison between children and not be so concentrated on what size your children are. Just love your child for who they are.”
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ONLINE EXTRAS Parents of kids with special needs are joining other advocates to put a stop to the “R-word.” Find out how, and what you can do at ›› nymetroparents.com/r-word
Children of siblings with special needs face their own unique challenges— and opportunities for growth. ›› nymetroparents.com/special-siblings
Meet Chase Bailey, a 15-year-old with autism, who has a YouTube cooking show, founded a charity, and released a cookbook ›› nymetroparents.com/ chase-bailey
The importance of having a circle of support cannot be underestimated. Find a group near you at ›› nymetroparents.com/ special-support
INSIDE
SpecialParent
42 Focus on Your Abilities: When your child with special needs is feeling discouraged, use this as a guide to help him through it. 48 H ow to Stop Kids with Special Needs from Being Bullied 50 G rowing Up with a Brother with Special Needs: The important life lessons I learned from my brother—and why I wouldn’t change a thing
SPECIAL NEEDS
To help your child focus on his abilities rather than disabilities, have him write down positive qualities about himself and tack it on the wall for him to look at when he’s feeling down.
Focus on Your Abilities
››
When your child with special needs starts to feel discouraged in school, let him read this, or use this as a guide, to help him through it. By Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., and Denise M. Campbell, M.S.
W
herever you are in the process of getting special education, you have probably been working hard at things that are challenging for you. But it’s important to remember that your challenges are not what make you special. They are not what make you YOU. There is a lot more to you than your difficulties. And it is important not to forget about all your strengths, talents, and skills.
Six Steps for Being a Positive, Confident You
Life can be pretty stressful when you worry a lot about why you have challenges and what you can do about them. It is important to focus on improving areas that are hard for you. But it is just as important to focus on your abilities. To help you do this, this excerpt will talk about six big steps. These steps can help you learn ways to feel positive about yourself and your skills. You can use these steps even while you’re working to improve in your areas of difficulty. As you read about these six steps, you may be tempted to skip 42
November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
over some of them. But try to go step-by-step without missing any. Each step is important. Step #1: Focus on the Positive Have you ever cheered up a friend who was feeling sad? Maybe you did this by reminding that friend how great he or she is. Good friends do this for each other. Confident people also do this for themselves—and you can, too. First, take a few minutes to think of at least three positive qualities about yourself. These qualities shouldn’t be about what you can do well. You’ll think about that next. Right now, think about your personality. Can you think of three great things about your personality? You can write them on notebook paper. Or you can type them on a computer and print out your list. You can also have an adult help you type or write the list. Then keep this list in a place where you can look at it often. If you have trouble coming up with three special qualities, look over the following list. Which words describe you? Feel free to use different words if you have qualities that aren’t on this list.
Est. 1961 • athletic • trustworthy • cooperative • patient • creative • considerate • insightful • honest • sensitive • responsible • happy • funny • respectful • outgoing • generous • positive
• gentle • awesome • sweet • brave • thoughtful • courageous • energetic • confident • helpful • smart • unique • caring • fair-minded • studious • loving • kind
Now, add some areas of talent or ability to your list. Maybe you really enjoy one of these activities or are really talented in one of these areas: • reading • remembering things • taking care of animals • painting • karate • chess • solving problems • spelling • being • organized • soccer • collecting coins
• dancing • juggling • computer games • baking • drawing • creating fun videos • writing poetry • swimming • taking care of younger kids • making people laugh • magic tricks
This list does not cover every talent that people could have. Write (or type) what your talents are, even if they are not on this list. Then, keep paying attention to things you’re good at. Whenever you notice one of your talents, skills, or special qualities, add it to your growing list. It can also be helpful (or just fun) to ask family, friends, teachers, or other people you trust what positive words they would use to describe you. Add those words to your list. Look at your list whenever you need reminders of all the great and special qualities that make up you. Step #2: Be Kind to Yourself In Step 1, you came up with a list of great things about yourself. How do you feel when you read the list? In other words, do you appreciate your special qualities and skills? Do you smile when you think about what makes you a unique person? You can be kind to yourself by remembering your abilities and talents. Be sure to do this even when things are tough. In fact, it is especially important to be kind to yourself at those times. Of course, everyone has bad days when it is hard to focus on the positive qualities. Maybe you are struggling with a homework assignment that seems easy for your friend. Or you might have baked a cake that came out lopsided. On days like this, can you still feel good about your abilities? If you struggle continued on next page ››
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‹‹ continued from previous page
to stay positive during difficult times, try some of these ideas for being kind to yourself. • Admit that you wished for a different outcome. It’s okay to feel disappointed when things don’t go as you had hoped. But it’s important to remind yourself that you are still a great person. • Remember that one disappointment does not represent who you are. One difficulty does not define you or explain who you are as a person. You will have disappointments and challenges. Everyone has them. But these difficulties don’t take away from all your abilities. Remember that your abilities are part of you no matter what challenges you currently have to deal with. • Learn from the experience. Use it to set new goals for the future. At the same time, try to feel proud of what you tried and what you did. • Laugh with yourself. We all mess up sometimes. But try not to laugh at yourself. That can hurt. Laughing with yourself is like saying, “Oops! Oh well. I may have made a silly mistake, but who cares? It really was a little funny.” Laughing at yourself is like someone teasing or bullying you. • Ask friends, family members, or teachers for tips on how they stay positive when they face challenges. Step #3: Believe That Hard Work Pays Off . . . Really Lots of kids roll their eyes when adults say, “Hard work pays off.” So, before you roll your eyes and skip this section, hang on! Putting in a lot of effort definitely can pay off. But maybe it hasn’t always worked that way for you in the past. If you try a plan over and over again and it doesn’t lead to success, you are still working hard. But it’s only leading to frustration. You probably need a new plan—one that gets you closer to reaching your goals. You also don’t need to focus only on tasks that are difficult for you. You may find it pays off to work hard in areas that you are already talented in. Working hard doesn’t mean you will have instant success. And it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to figure out how to do everything by yourself. Working hard does mean that you are willing to put in time to improve and that you are willing to try different ways to improve. It means asking for help when you need it. And it means feeling proud that you have the courage to keep trying. (This idea is also called perseverance.) Step #4: Remember That No One Is Perfect Have you ever looked around your class and thought, “That kid has it all together. He’s perfect!”? Or maybe you’ve looked at a friend and thought, “She just does everything right.” You might be surprised to learn that many kids have these thoughts about others. Even some adults feel like a coworker “knows everything” or a friend “never struggles with anything.” Here’s the truth: No one is perfect. And remembering this will help you accept yourself when you make a mistake or don’t do something perfectly. Instead of thinking that there is something wrong with you, you can remind yourself that you are human. That means that you and everyone you know will make mistakes and not be perfect at everything or on every day. So, why put pressure on yourself to be perfect? Confidence plays a big part in how other people see you. And it’s easier to be confident when you remember that no one
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is perfect. This can help you laugh at your mistakes rather than feeling disappointed or embarrassed. And it can help you feel better about getting extra help. If you feel like you have to be perfect all the time, think about this: Even Olympic athletes, who are some of the best in the world at their sports, aren’t perfect. In the Olympics, ice-skaters sometimes fall and runners sometimes trip. If you worry a lot about being perfect, talk about this with someone you trust. Step #5: Keep Trying When Things Are Hard We all run into obstacles and difficulties. We all fail or make mistakes sometimes. These mistakes don’t mean that we can’t eventually succeed at a task. They simply mean that we need to keep trying. What’s most important is how we handle the difficulty. It can be tempting to give up when we feel discouraged. And it’s true that some goals are impossible. When you were younger, did you ever try to fly by flapping your arms? No matter how hard you worked at that goal, it would never happen. Try to set goals that are possible and realistic. And as you work toward your goals, take pride in improvements you make along the way. As you work on not giving up, it can help to think about how you usually handle challenging events. Do you feel easily defeated? Or do you remember that you have lots of positive qualities, even when you’re struggling with something? Think about the following situations and pick the choice that is closest to how you would probably respond. 1. You and a friend both play a video game for the first time. You lose in Level 1. Your friend easily makes it to Level 4. You: (a) Think, “I’m terrible at this. I’ll never get better at this game no matter how hard I try. I’m never playing this game again.” (b) Want to buy the game to get better at it. Even so, you doubt that you’ll ever get past Level 1. (c) Plan to ask your friend for tips on how to improve. Then you’ll play the game again to see if you can come up with even more ideas. 2. Your teacher gives your class a week to complete a homework assignment. You have to write about your hero and then read your essay in class on the due date. When it is time to share, all the kids at your table have three or four paragraphs written about their heroes. You only wrote three sentences. You: (a) Think, “I know I stink at writing, and this proves it! I’ll have to find a way to leave the classroom before it’s time for everyone to read their essays.” (b) Tell the other kids, and your teacher, that you had a lot of things to do after school this week. You say that’s why you didn’t have time to write more. Then you read your three sentences aloud. (c) Tell kids, and your teacher, that you think of great ideas but have a hard time writing essays. You also ask for tips on how others write, so that you might be able to write more easily next time. 3. You like to run, and have always thought you were fast. Your older brother is on the track team. He says you should think about trying out. So you decide to go to a practice and see what it’s like.
At practice, the coach times everyone running 500 meters and then a mile. You come in 6th place out of 13 in the 500 meter, and last place in the mile. You: (a) Think, “I obviously can’t run fast when it really counts. My brother’s idea was stupid. I’m never going back there again.” (b) Feel embarrassed. You wonder whether you could ever be fast enough to make the team. But you decide you’ll go back to the track to try to beat your times. (c) Remind yourself that you are a hard worker. And now you feel really motivated to improve your times. You decide you’ll still try out for the team. If you make it, you’ll learn from your teammates and coach. You feel confident that you could be faster by the end of the season. How did you answer these questions? If you gave some “a” answers, you may sometimes give up when you run into challenges. If that’s true, it’s important to find ways to build your confidence and stay motivated. If you responded with some “b” answers, you learn from your experiences. You probably feel okay about yourself, even when you face obstacles. If you gave some “c” answers, then you know it’s okay to admit that you are not perfect. You probably also know how to set goals and work toward them. When you feel good about yourself, you’re able to handle challenges more easily. You are more likely to find the strength to keep trying and not give up. And you feel proud of your efforts. Here are a few tips on how to keep trying and not give up: • Check on whether your goal is possible. You might want to talk this through with an adult. If your goal is reachable, remind yourself of that. If it isn’t, work on setting a new goal. • Remind yourself of your abilities so you don’t get too discouraged or upset with yourself when you can’t succeed immediately. • Most people have to work to get better at things. Remind yourself that you may feel frustrated but that is not always a reason to stop trying or to get mad at yourself. • Remember that it’s okay to ask for help. If you are getting really frustrated, then it’s time to calmly ask for the specific support that would help you. • Rather than trying to reach a huge goal right away, try reaching a smaller goal that can eventually lead to the bigger one. For example, you could work on playing a scale on the piano before playing a difficult song. You might discover that you feel excited about taking on the challenge of learning something new or reaching a goal. It can also be fun to pay attention to your improvements along the way. These can help you stay motivated and positive as you work through obstacles. Step #6: Show Your Confidence It’s great to feel confident. It can mean that you aren’t too nervous to take on new experiences, because you believe you can handle them or you can comfortably ask for help. And showing your confidence can let others know that you value yourself and like being you. But many kids are not sure how to share their talents with others without sounding like they are bragging. (Some adults have trouble with this, too.) Here are some great ways to let your friends, teachers, and other people know that you are happy being you:
• Smile! • Stand or sit up straight and tall. • Make eye contact with other people. (But remember not to stare.) • Expect that most people will like you. • Honestly compliment others on their abilities. • Accept compliments from others. You deserve credit for your strengths. • Share your interests and talents with others so they know about what you like and what you do well. But try not to brag. For example, instead of saying, “I’m great at archery!” you could say, “One of my hobbies is archery. What do you like to do?” • Show that you are comfortable asking for help. • Show that you can bounce back from mistakes or tough times. Sometimes it’s hard to do this after something difficult happens in your life. But you can take steps to help yourself. For example, asking others for support is a sign of strength and courage. So is spending time focusing on what is relaxing or fun for you. Even if you can’t do this right away because you feel stressed or upset, it’s a goal to strive for when you are ready. • Try not to put yourself down, either out loud or in your mind. If you do, it’s okay to tell yourself, “Putting myself down doesn’t help. I need to be my own best friend and be kind to myself instead.” Think about people you know who seem confident. Pay attention to how they act and talk. You will probably notice that they do many of the things you just read about. You may spot other confident things they do, too. Next, give it a try yourself— act confident. It can help you eventually feel confident.
Excerpted from The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents) by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., and Denise M. Campbell, M.S., © 2017. Used with permission of Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 800-735-7323; www.freespirit.com. All rights reserved.
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Meet the Health Care
Gayle Sturmer L.C.S.W.-R. Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychotherapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy® 99 Main St., Nyack 914-450-2413; gaylesturmer.com
To be in this section, call 845-848-8021 or email nympads@davlermedia.com
Gayle Sturmer’s treatment method is short-term and solution-focused. Creativity and understanding are integrated into everything she does. She creates successes immediately to allow quick progression toward goals. Trained and skilled in many different methods, she is a licensed clinical social worker, certified CBT therapist, and certified Rapid Resolution™ therapist (RRT) with more than 25 years of experience with adults, children as young as age 5, and adolescents. She has a post-graduate degree in Child and Adolescent Therapy from Fordham University.
A&R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com
Marita Smith, D.D.S. Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-414-9626 smithslittlesmiles.com drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com
Kastin Orthodontics 6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 kastinorthodontics.com drkastin09@yahoo.com
Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net
PROFESSIONAL
At A&R Advanced Dental Group, patient satisfaction and comfort is our No. 1 priority. We are a cutting-edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art dental care to our patients. Dr. Roman Izmailov and Dr. Anna Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including high quality and affordable dental implants, zirconia crowns, porcelain veneers, fixed bridges, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, and composite fillings. Evening appointments are available and we accept most insurances.
With 16 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Brett Kastin prides his practice on conservative early treatment and cost-free childhood dental monitoring, enabling the most effective treatment possible, as well as being a knowledgeable, compassionate clinician and friend. He utilizes stateof-the-art materials and customized treatment planning for every patient to ensure the highest quality of care. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006, and was voted Rockland›s “Top Orthodontist” by the dentists of Rockland County for the past 10 years. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.
Smile More Kidz Meet Your Smile Team 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367-4866 smilemorekidz.com
At Smile More Kidz, we are part of a local tradition of providing your children with the very best that dentistry has to offer in a friendly, comfortable setting. Our entire team understands how children develop and learn and will make the extra effort to make sure nervous kids feel comfortable and respected. We offer 8am-7pm and Saturday appointments so our patients don’t have to miss school for their care, something our team feels strongly about. We believe in building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles by making every visit to our office a fun and informative experience.
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Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for a child to be comfortable and stress-free during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places a great focus on prevention, and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! Most insurances accepted. Evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available. Se habla Español.
Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care for your family, making your visit enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working with children who are apprehensive about the dentist, creating a fun environment with magic tricks, interactive Wii games, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game. Author of two books, Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back and Attack of the Sugar Bugs, Dr. Alpert makes visiting the dentist fun. She offers state-ofthe-art treatment for dental implants, crowns, and other dental treatments.
Tenafly Pediatrics 74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge, NJ 201-326-7120 Offices also in Tenafly, Fort Lee, Clifton, Paramus, and Oakland, NJ tenaflypediatrics.com
Dr. David Schaumberger is one of the pediatricians working out of our newly expanded Park Ridge office. As someone who lives nearby, he enjoys working in Northern Bergen and Rockland counties. Dr. Schaumberger completed his pediatric residency from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and has been working at Tenafly Pediatrics since 2001. On a personal note, he enjoys ethnic cuisine and spending time with his three children. Tenafly Pediatrics is a recent Angie’s List Winner with offices conveniently located throughout Bergen County.
Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net
Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute. Dr. Crohn is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He offers state-of-the art treatment including on-site cone beam 3-D imaging.
Crystal Run Healthcare 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com
Crystal Run Healthcare is a premier multispecialty group medical practice with more than 400 providers, offering the convenience of Primary Care and nearly 50 medical specialties, all under one roof. Our 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care by way of more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, including Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Urogynecology. In addition, our innovative facility boasts an Infusion Center, Urgent Care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, Diagnostic Imaging, and Women’s Imaging—making it a one-stop health care destination for all. We are here to meet the needs of every family member, regardless of age or medical condition.
Clemente Orthodontics 603 S. Route 304, New City 845-638-6646 60 W. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-2888; clementeorthodontics.com
At Clemente Orthodontics, our patients receive the benefit of experience, quality, and energy that comes with a multigenerational team. Dr. Michael Clemente and his daughters, Dr. Nicole Clemente and Dr. Marissa Clemente, work together seamlessly to care for your orthodontic needs. They run a state-of-the-art practice with digital X-rays, private treatment rooms, impression-free Invisalign, and a highly experienced staff. They are an Invisalign Super Elite Premier provider, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as treatment options. Consultations are complimentary.
Helping Kids Pediatrics 180 Phillips Hill Road, Suite 4A, New City 845-499-2339 helpingkidspediatrics.com hkp@helpingkidspediatrics.com
Drs. Stanley and Elizabeth are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have specialized training in caring for pediatric patients. They offer customized care and look forward to caring for the health and well-being of your children from birth through adolescence. Dr. Elizabeth is also an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, offering consultations in the office. In addition, they have specialized training in the Ear Well™ system for correction of newborn congenital ear deformities. This is a non-invasive, pain free, non-surgical option for newborns.
PartyCentral Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. 914-337-4000 42 Kinderkamack Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 201-782-9500 23 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ 201-541-0600 327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-1331 595 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 201-784-3311 bluemoonmexicancafe.com Looking to spice up your child’s next birthday party without sending your savings south of the border? Your party guests will revel in a fun-filled celebration with a mouth-watering menu. Call today to find out more!
BIRTHDAY GIFTS TILLY...A DEER’S TALE 914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift! PARTY PLACES BLUE MOON MEXICAN CAFÉ 7-27 Pondfield Road, Bronxville
Preschool & Childcare Open Enrollment
Infants to School Age • Operated and run by a NYS certified Elementary Teacher with a Literacy Specialization. • All Staff – CPR & First Aid Certified • We offer special rates for teachers!
• Before and after school programs as well as drop-ins for school delays and closures. • We follow a NYS pre-k curriculum • NYS Licensed Facility & NAFCC Accredited
Now Includes Weekly Dance Lessons
(914)420-5785 Two Great Locations in New City & Pomona
BrightBeginningsofRockland.com
You don’t have to deal with your child’s depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal thoughts or drug addiction alone. We’re here to help 24/7 free of charge.
BHRT
Don’t Wait. Get Help.
Behavioral Health Response Team
24 Hour Hotline: 845-517-0400
www.RocklandHelp.org
Don’t Wait. Get Help.
Division of Rockland Paramedic Services | Raymond Florida, Executive Director | Grant funded by Rockland County
RocklandParent 47
How to Stop Kids With Special Needs From Being Bullied ›› By John T. Walkup, M.D.
M
ost of the bullying children encounter in schools stems from ignorance and a lack of acceptance of those who seem “different.” Unfortunately, children with Tourette Syndrome (TS), Tic Disorders, and other disabilities often find themselves a target for bullying, especially since TS continues to be a largely under diagnosed and misunderstood disorder. The first step toward combatting ignorance is education. Meet with your child’s teacher and ensure that she is aware of the bullying and fully supportive and understanding of your child’s unique needs. It’s important for education professionals to know that a child with TS is not being disruptive or “rude” when they exhibit tic behaviors in the classroom. Many peers, and even some teachers, don’t realize the motor and vocal tics that children with TS experience are involuntary and cannot really be controlled. Ask about any appropriate classroom accommodations. Also, be sure to check out support groups in your community
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where you can seek advice from professionals and other parents with similar experiences. Treatments are available including effective behavioral management approaches. Reducing tic severity may go a long way to improve a child’s overall functioning. Once you know that the school staff is doing everything they can to create an accepting and appropriate environment and you’ve worked with a professional to improve your child’s tic severity, see if there is a way to empower your child to speak out. Many TS advocacy organizations, such as the Tourette Association of America, have resources and programs that can help to provide important educational information for children, teens, parents, and school personnel. Under the right circumstances, it might be reasonable for the child to directly address their classroom and talk about a day in the life of someone with the disability, or put on a presentation to the school that could lead a larger discussion about tolerance, but especially for those who have a tic disorder.
PARTY PLANNER
To advertise: 845-848-8021 or nympads@davlermedia.com
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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS
EDUCATION
Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry ...... 19, 46
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics ..................................... 9
Blue Rock School .............................................. 13
Spots OT ........................................................... 43
BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES
Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare .......... 47
Tenafly Pediatrics .......................................... 5, 46
Mathnasium of Nanuet ...................................... 39
RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES
Academy for Martial Arts ..................................... 5 Blue Moon Mexican Cafe .................................. 39 Dave & Busters - West Nyack ........................... 25 Gulliver’s Gate ................................................... 19 Jill’s Ceramics...................................................... 7 Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo ......... 21 Palisades Climb Adventure.................................. 3 Rockland Parent Party Planner ......................... 49 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics ..................................... 9
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS
ArtsRock of Rockland .......................................... 7 Dave & Busters - West Nyack ........................... 25 Gulliver’s Gate ................................................... 19 Palisades Center ................................................ 2 FITNESS
Academy for Martial Arts ..................................... 5
Blue Moon Mexican Cafe .................................. 39 Dave & Busters - West Nyack ........................... 25 Palisades Center ................................................ 2 RETAIL
Palisades Center ................................................ 2 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale............................................. 45 Toy Box (The) ...................................................... 5
Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo ......... 21
SPECIAL EVENTS
Palisades Climb Adventure.................................. 3
ArtsRock of Rockland .......................................... 7
CAMPS
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics ..................................... 9
SPECIAL NEEDS
Academy for Martial Arts ..................................... 5
HEALTH
Camp Huntington............................................... 43
Camp Huntington............................................... 43
Clemente Orthodontics ............................... 25, 47
Nyack Pediatric Dentistry .................................. 17
Camp Ramaquois ................................................ 5
Crystal Run Healthcare ............................... 47, 52 Dental Wellness of Suffern ...................... 3, 46, 47
Spots OT ........................................................... 43
Mathnasium of Nanuet ...................................... 39 West Rock Tennis Club ....................................... 7
Gayle Sturmer, LCSW-R ................................... 46
West Rock Tennis Club ....................................... 7
CLASSES
Jill’s Ceramics...................................................... 7 Mathnasium of Nanuet ...................................... 39 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics ..................................... 9
Helping Kids Pediatrics...................................... 47 Kastin & Newman Orthodontics......................... 46
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics ..................................... 9 SPORTS
Academy for Martial Arts ..................................... 5
Nyack Pediatric Dentistry .................................. 17
Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo ......... 21
Rockland Behavioral Health .............................. 47
Palisades Climb Adventure.................................. 3
Smile More Dentistry ..................................... 7, 46
West Rock Tennis Club ....................................... 7 RocklandParent 49
Courtesy Amanda Marrone
VOICES Growing Up with a Brother with Special Needs ›› The important life lessons I learned from my brother—and why I wouldn’t change a thing By Amanda Marrone
W
hen I was young, I don’t think I fully grasped the concept that there was something “wrong” or “different” with my brother. Joe and I are exactly 1 year and 4 months apart, so I have no real recollection of the many surgeries he had to endure or the fact that he had to be fed through a feeding tube as a baby. As the older sister of a brother with special needs, I just took Joe for how he was instead of acknowledging his differences compared to other kids. Joe was born with a birth defect that affected the blood flow from the left ventricle of his heart, which lead to him having multiple open-heart surgeries in his infant and early childhood years. As a result, he did not have enough oxygen going to his brain, and he was put on a heart and lung machine three times before he was even 6 months old. Due to this, Joe has developmental delays. Growing up with a sibling with special needs comes with a unique set of challenges and blessings. When we were little, we did a lot of the same things together, including playing on the playground, watching the same television shows, and playing with our toys. As time when on, I started to move on to more complex games and TV shows while Joe didn’t. I began to realize the limitations Joe had made him different from other kids his age. Joe required a lot of special attention from my parents to deal with his many issues, whether it was bringing him to frequent doctors’ visits for his heart or seeing a speech or physical therapist. I was often dragged along to these appointments and spent a lot of my time in doctors’ waiting rooms with the most boring games imagined. But that is how things were, so although I am sure I often complained, I began to accept it as a part of my life. At a very early age I needed to learn about the virtue of patience that comes with having a brother with special needs. Joe would often have outbursts when learning new things he felt were too difficult to learn. My parents and I would have to reiterate multiple times the simple instructions of buttoning up a shirt or removing the cap off a water bottle. It took Joe a lot longer to learn these simple tasks that come naturally to most. As we both got older, the way the world perceived Joe started to become more important to me. I think it is natural for older
Amanda Marrone with her brother Joe as young children
siblings to protect their younger siblings; however with Joe’s issues, I always seemed to take it more personally. I hated the way people would talk or ask about my brother when it was done with a sense of pity or discomfort. I don’t see Joe’s disability as a burden or a tragic event that happened to my family. Joe’s disability is part of him, and I don’t define him based on it. Joe is the life of every party or event my family attends. Everyone always seems to know (or at least know of) my brother. He is friendly and welcomes everyone with open arms. He makes the effort to get to know everyone he comes in contact with, even the waiter at a restaurant. Joe loves music and hanging out with his friends. He thrives in any situation that involves him interacting with people. He enjoys watching football on ESPN and knows more about the sport than one would expect. Although there are challenges that made growing up with a brother with special needs difficult, these experiences shaped me into the person I am today. Joe not only taught me patience in any situation, but also to have empathy toward others; that what might come naturally to one person might be a challenge for another. Joe’s issues also taught me a great deal about sensitivity to other people’s situations since everyone is fighting a battle that most people do not know about. The most important lesson Joe taught me is, even though someone has a disability, this does not diminish their capability to make a difference in the world or teach others. Joe has taught me that no situation can ever be that bad, and happiness is a choice regardless of circumstance. Without being Joe’s older sister, it is hard to say that I would have gained these characteristics or learned these life lessons that are essential to the person I am today. And because of that, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Amanda Marrone, a former NYMetroParents editorial intern, is in her senior year at Fairfield University.
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November 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH
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Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins
How to Manage Kids’ Schedules
What Makes a Good Mentor?
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(see our calendar, p. 26)
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Events
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Plus: Learning to Let Go
Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child
Where-To Guide: Berry Picking
•
Dinosaur Fun
Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science
NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions RocklandParent 51
URGENT CARE IS OPEN THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S!
YOUR TOP CHOICE FOR URGENT CARE IN ROCKLAND COUNTY WALK-IN MEDICAL CARE 7/365. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED. When life’s unexpected accidents and illness happen, rest assured that Crystal Run is available for you and your family. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays, Crystal Run Urgent Care offers convenient walk-in and extended-hour access to medical care for non-life-threatening concerns, treating everything from strains, sprains and breaks, to fever, coughs and colds. • • • •
Walk-in Medical Care Open 7/365 Physician-Staffed with Access to 40+ Specialties Pediatricians Available for Children & Adolescents Onsite Labs & Diagnostic Imaging including MRI, CT, X-Ray, and Ultrasound
Perel Schneid, DO Family Medicine
Accredited by The Joint Commission
CrystalRunHealthcare.com/UrgentCare | 845.348.1100 | 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack
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