new york family april 1, 2011

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330 East 61st Street (between First and Second Avenue) RSVP at [email protected]

Special Invitation: Family Fun Day & Travel FestFamily travel guru Kimberly Wilson Wetty has been contributing her expert destination tips

to Family Life pages for several months. Now we’re teaming up with Family Life to throw an amazing Family Party & Travelfest Expo, featuring three of the most family-friendly travel

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12 New York Family | April 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

April 2011

The Cover: Our cover model and winner of our child modeling contest, Gemma. Gemma wears a dress from Lester’s. Hair by Cozy’s Cuts for Kids. Photography by Melissa O’Neil for Classic Kids Photography (classickidsphotography.com). Shot at the Classic Kids Photography studio.

insid

e

FeATUres44 Sweet ANd

Simple Meet the winners of New York Family’s annual child cover model contest

46 New pAreNtS Guide

RWith her upscale maternity line, seminar series, concierge service for moms-to-be and a new reality show on Bravo, Rosie Pope is a go-to resource for pregnant women across the city (and the country!) (page 46) RThe author of the popular pregnancy and parenting series ‘What To Expect’ shares insights and advice from her new book about the toddler years (page 48)RAfter years of cultivating one of the most popular ‘mom blogs’ on the web, Brooklyn mom Alice Bradley has co-written a satirical guide for new parents; plus, an excerpt of her new book, “Let’s Panic About Babies” (page 52)RWhat to think about when buying baby’s first set of wheels; plus, our favorite strollers of the season (page 57)RBaby planner Jennifer Link helps expectant parents prepare in all kinds of ways, from creating a birth plan to outfitting a nursery (page 64)RLeading parenting experts, buyers and bloggers share their ‘must-have’ products for new parents (page 66)RExperts share their exercise do’s and don’ts for a healthy pregnancy and delivery (page 68)RCommon mistakes new parents of multiples (okay, all new parents) often make (page 70) R From baby supply stores to breastfeeding support, a helpful list of resources for new parents in the city (page 72)

75 Summer ClASSeS

thAt mAke A SplASh RWhether looking to create a work of art, learn a new language, practice their swing or say “ohm,” there’s a class to suit every city kid this summer

CoLUMns16 editor’S Note

Baby, baby, baby...

24 SpriNG tipSheetTips for teaching your child how to ride a bike

30 A SpeCiAl plACeWith its bright displays, endless array of delicious treats and a newly unveiled cupcake-themed party room, Dylan’s Candy Bar is proof that candy land has a home in midtown

26 GrowiNG upIn his book, ‘Scream Free’ parenting guru Hal Edward Runkel urges parents to connect with their kids by calming down

32 A Good ideA Destination Maternity offers a relaxing, all-natural spa for moms-to-be

38 houSe CAllS As the founder of the baby and home emporium giggle, Ali Wing helps new parents discover how living with kids can be comfortable, colorful, eco-friendly and chic. Not surprisingly, she does it herself in her fabulous (and functional) downtown home

40 ACtivitY oF the moNth

Martial arts keep kids fit while imparting valuable lessons

98 oN SeCoNd thouGht This mom of two couldn’t wait for her two small children to grow up—until they did

dePArTMenTs18 welCome to

the FAmilYNews from New York Family, including our big family travel event, a great giveaway for city parents and our family recipe contest with MiniMunchers and Sprout Foods

20 BuzzworthYInspired and natural family photography; glow-in-the-dark sporting goods; an online virtual safari that teaches kids about nature; and more great ideas for April

22 it’S mY pArtY Birthday fun at Three Little Birds, Sports Club/LA and the Children’s Museum of the Arts

36 oh, the plACeS You’ll Go!Whether you’re looking to stroll through one of America’s oldest cities or explore the Caribbean rainforest, a few inspired destinations for spring (and summer) travel

80 CAmp CouNtdowN RHow summer camps teach environmental awareness (page 80)

RPerforming arts camps let kids who love theater, music and dance hone their craft and have the time of their lives (page 84)

88 teN ideAS Our monthly round-up of family fun in the city

90 Culture For kidS April’s best exhibits and performances for families

88

TOC-0411.indd 12 3/22/11 12:39 PM


April 2011

The Cover: Our cover model and winner of our child modeling contest, Gemma. Gemma wears a dress from Lester’s. Hair by Cozy’s Cuts for Kids. Photography by Melissa O’Neil for Classic Kids Photography (classickidsphotography.com). Shot at the Classic Kids Photography studio.

insid

e

FeATUres44 Sweet ANd

Simple Meet the winners of New York Family’s annual child cover model contest

46 New pAreNtS Guide

RWith her upscale maternity line, seminar series, concierge service for moms-to-be and a new reality show on Bravo, Rosie Pope is a go-to resource for pregnant women across the city (and the country!) (page 46) RThe author of the popular pregnancy and parenting series ‘What To Expect’ shares insights and advice from her new book about the toddler years (page 48)RAfter years of cultivating one of the most popular ‘mom blogs’ on the web, Brooklyn mom Alice Bradley has co-written a satirical guide for new parents; plus, an excerpt of her new book, “Let’s Panic About Babies” (page 52)RWhat to think about when buying baby’s first set of wheels; plus, our favorite strollers of the season (page 57)RBaby planner Jennifer Link helps expectant parents prepare in all kinds of ways, from creating a birth plan to outfitting a nursery (page 64)RLeading parenting experts, buyers and bloggers share their ‘must-have’ products for new parents (page 66)RExperts share their exercise do’s and don’ts for a healthy pregnancy and delivery (page 68)RCommon mistakes new parents of multiples (okay, all new parents) often make (page 70) R From baby supply stores to breastfeeding support, a helpful list of resources for new parents in the city (page 72)

75 Summer ClASSeS

thAt mAke A SplASh RWhether looking to create a work of art, learn a new language, practice their swing or say “ohm,” there’s a class to suit every city kid this summer

40 SpriNG iNto ACtioNFrom swimmers to softball players, young athletes tell us what they love about their favorite warm-weather sports

CoLUMns16 editor’S Note

Baby, baby, baby...

24 SpriNG tipSheetTips for teaching your child how to ride a bike

30 A SpeCiAl plACeWith its bright displays, endless array of delicious treats and a newly unveiled cupcake-themed party room, Dylan’s Candy Bar is proof that candy land has a home in midtown

26 GrowiNG upIn his book, ‘Scream Free’ parenting guru Hal Edward Runkel urges parents to connect with their kids by calming down

32 A Good ideA Destination Maternity offers a relaxing, all-natural spa for moms-to-be

38 houSe CAllS As the founder of the baby and home emporium giggle, Ali Wing helps new parents discover how

living with kids can be comfortable, colorful, eco-friendly and chic. Not surprisingly, she does it herself in her fabulous (and functional) downtown home

40 ACtivitY oF the moNth

Martial arts keep kids fit while imparting valuable lessons

98 oN SeCoNd thouGht This mom of two couldn’t wait for her two small children to grow up—until they did

dePArTMenTs18 welCome to

the FAmilYNews from New York Family, including our big family travel event, a great giveaway for city parents and our family recipe contest with MiniMunchers and Sprout Foods

20 BuzzworthYInspired and natural family photography; glow-in-the-dark sporting goods; an online virtual safari that teaches kids about nature; and more great ideas for April

22 it’S mY pArtY Birthday fun at Three Little Birds, Sports Club/LA and the Children’s Museum of the Arts

36 oh, the plACeS You’ll Go!Whether you’re looking to stroll through one of America’s oldest cities or explore the Caribbean rainforest, a few inspired destinations for spring (and summer) travel

80 CAmp CouNtdowN RHow summer camps teach environmental awareness (page 80)

RPerforming arts camps let kids who love theater, music and dance hone their craft and have the time of their lives (page 84)

88 teN ideAS Our monthly round-up of family fun in the city

90 Culture For kidS April’s best exhibits and performances for families

88

TOC-0411.indd 12 3/21/11 11:56 AM

Register online at ASPHALTGREEN.ORG/CAMP 555 East 90th Street • 212.369.8890 ext. 2084

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Group publisher Alex Schweitzer212-284-9735, [email protected]

publisher John Hurley212-268-3086, [email protected]

AssociAte publisher Mary Ann [email protected]

senior Account MAnAGer Gina [email protected]

AssistAnt to the publisher Marissa [email protected]

circulAtion Joe Bendik [email protected] coordinAtor Jennie Valenti

[email protected]

business MAnAGer Shawn [email protected]

Accounts MAnAGer Kathy [email protected]

Manhattan Mediapresident/ceo Tom Allon

[email protected]

cFo/coo Joanne [email protected]

FoundinG publisher Barbara Wittdirector oF interActive MArketinG

And diGitAl strAteGy Jay [email protected]

Web production director Lesley [email protected]

events MAnAGer Stephanie [email protected]

new york Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of Avenuemagazine, our town, West side spirit, new york press, Mitzvah Magazine, the capitol, city hall, city Arts, chelsea clinton news, the Westsider and the blackboard Awards.

editor And co-publisher Eric [email protected]

Art director George [email protected]

deputy editor Katie [email protected]

style director Joy [email protected]

production MAnAGer Mark [email protected]

deputy production MAnAGers

Heather Mulcahey [email protected]

Jessica Balaschak [email protected]

photo editor Andrew [email protected]

senior editor Darcy Newell [email protected]

contributinG photoGrAphersDaniel S. Burnstein, Suzanne Cohen,

Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael JurickJennifer Lee, Josh Lehrer, Sarah Merians

contributinG WritersJanet Allon, Leah Black, Kristina Cappucilli

Kristen Drybread, Alessandra Hickson, Angela Johnson, Davita Louie,

Celene McDermott, Chandni Rathod, Ivy Tan, Christeen Vilbrun

and

© 2011 Manhattan Media, llc | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, new york, ny 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

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16 New York Family | March 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

My soon-to-be-11-year-old daughter graduates from grade school in June, and at

her school’s talent show last month, I tried to do my fair share of whooping-it-up in support of her and her class-mates. But I also was diverted by an-other kind of performance: the smiles and burbles of the most heavenly four-month-old baby held by his mom in the row ahead of me. He’d smile, I’d swoon. My wife even more so.

Unless the fates have something in store for us that I can’t presently imagine, chances are we’re done with baby raising ourselves. Still, the pull of having a very little and adorable person in our lives persists—and at the very least, I like to think of it as a kind of emotional bridge to readers who are at the beginning of their own journey as parents.

Keeping in mind that for them it’s

all new, crazy, joy-

ous, challenging,

scary, depressing

and amazing, my

team and I try to

do our part by

providing inter-

esting stories and

timely tidbits for new and expectant

parents in the mix of every issue. But

we really blow it out every April, devot-

ing a sizeable chunk of the magazine to

their needs, concerns and experiences. Did you hear that the author of the

“What To Expect” series has a new book on The Second Year? We have a good in-terview with her. You know Rosie Pope, who designs all that that great maternity wear? She has a new reality series on Bravo in which she comes to the rescue of pregnant moms with lots of ques-tions and concerns. We’ve got a good

editor’s N O T E

Baby, Baby, Baby… profile of her. We also have helpful guides to strollers and other “must-haves,” and on a lighter note, we have an interview with Alice Bradley, a Brooklyn mom and popular blogger who co-wrote a very clever satirical book on the new parent experience.

I also want to share another resource for

parents with infants and toddlers, and parents to be. We’ve tried to make our “Born and Bred” blog at newyork-family.com everything a new parent blog should be—informative, helpful, endearing and inspiring—with tons of great giveaways, too.

It’s the least we could do in ex-change for you raising all these babies that smile at us!

HavE a Happy april,Eric [email protected]

Open Daily | Central Park West at 79th St. | 212-769-5100 | amnh.org

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As the world’s largest solar collector, the ocean generates energy from the sun and also produces energy through

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Sunday, aPRIL 3Milstein Hall of Ocean Life • Noon– 4 pm

with Museum admission

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Ed Note_0411.indd 16 3/21/11 3:35 PM

Summer Sports Camps at

23rd Street & Hudson River Park212.336.6846

www.chelseapiers.com/camps

The City’s Best Summer Day Campsfor Tots to Teens.

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Celebrate your birthday at Chelsea Piers!

Celebrate your birthday at Chelsea Piers!


ONTHE W E B

Welcome to the Family ContestsAND GIVEAWAYS

Bicycle Benefi tWouldn’t it be a nice if less cars and more bikes occupied the streets of NYC? That’s the idea behind the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. And because May happens to be

Bike Month in NYC, they, along with our sister publication New York Press, are kicking off the month with The New Amsterdam

Bike Show on April 30, which will take place at Chelsea’s new cultural venue Center 548. Stemming from Amsterdam, one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, the event will provide lots of info on this healthy and eco-friendly “alternative transportation lifestyle;” families will be able to learn safe and useful bicycling tips, check out the three-fl oor show of one-of-a kind bikes and accessories, and get details on other bike events in NYC. For details, visit newambikeshow.com.

Family Fun Day & Travel Fest!Family travel guru Kimberly Wilson Wetty has been contributing her expert destination tips to our pages for several months. Now we’re teaming up with her to throw an amazing and free Family Party & Travel Fest next month, featuring three of the most family-friendly travel excursions in the world in conjunction with Valerie Wilson Travel, the large and well-regarded travel consulting fi rm, which will be on hand to help inspire you with ideas about family travel for spring and summer: w Adventures by Disney, offering Disney vacation magic in a whole new form. Adventures by Disney provides expertly planned and guided vacations in locations like Egypt, China and Costa Rica. Families can experience the destination of their choice in an eco-friendly, environmentally focused setting.w Club Med, with its affordable but luxurious all-inclusive family deals at stunning, newly renovated properties. Families can visit destinations like Cancun Yucatan, Mexico and the Dominican Republic and enjoy amenities like award-winning Children’s Clubs and lessons in outdoor sports and adventure.w Royal Caribbean International, which packs every conceivable family desire and need into its amazing cruises. Kids can partake in activities like ice-skating and rock climbing while parents indulge in the onboard spa, wine bar and fi ne dining.

The event will take place on Sunday, April 10th at The Sports Club/ LA, located at 330 East 61st Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues), from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please RSVP at [email protected] or visit newyorkfamily.com for more information.

Recipe Cook-Off ContestHow creative can you be with Sprout Organic Baby Food? Families are invited to show of their culinary skills with this month’s recipe contest, sponsored by New York Family, Sprout Foods, MiniMunchers and Taste Buds. To participate, simply submit your favorite recipe to compete for a chance to prepare your meal in front of expert judges at Taste Buds’ test kitchen on May 2nd. The grand prize winner will win tons of amazing prizes, like an opportunity to be photographed preparing the recipe with their child by heirloom photographer Sarah Sloboda, a month supply of Sprout Foods, a Britax B-Ready Stroller and much more. For more contest details and to enter, visit newyorkfamily.com. Submissions must be received by April 25.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Win Tickets to Champagne Pam’s Cabaret Performance at Don’t Tell MamaParents, if you are desperately in need of a night out on the town, we recommend checking out the new show at the famous cabaret and piano bar, Don’t Tell Mama, at which singer/songwriter Pamela Lewis—known as “Champagne Pam”—will reveal her alter ego, “The Dog-Walking Diva.” Pam, who is known for her sultry voice and bubbly personality, will charm audiences with renditions of beloved tunes like George Gershwin’s “Who Cares,” and Norah Jones’ “Man of the Hour.” Performances will take place on April 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. We’re giving away two tickets for dinner and the Wednesday night show to one lucky set of parents! To win, write to us at [email protected], putting “Dog-Walking Diva” in the subject line, including your contact information. Deadline is April 10.

Win The Latest Installment Of The ‘What To Expect’ SeriesHeidi Murkoff’s best-selling “What to Expect” series of pregnancy and parenting books have been read by more than 40 million families, and have helped to guide parents across the globe through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and parenting infants. This month, the series will introduce its latest installment, “What to Expect: The Second Year,” which is chock full of solutions and strategies for all things toddler-related, from talking to tantrums. We’re giving away fi ve copies of the book to fi ve reader families. To win, write to us at [email protected], putting “What To Expect” in the subject line. Please include contact information. Deadline is April 25. (And for more advice from Heidi Murkoff, check out our interview with the author on page 50).

New York Family is now on Facebook! Check in throughout the day for great family events, special giveaways, news items, and more tips on family life in the city.

Find Us On Facebook:

NYFPage_0411.indd 18 3/21/11 11:46 AM

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w V i r t ua l S a fa r iLittle explorers will love National Geographic’s “Animal Jam,” an online world that lets players ages 5 to 11 transform themselves into their favorite animals, make friends with other users and learn about science and nature. As kids explore the world of Jamaa, they gather and earn Gems, which allows them to personalize their animal avatars and decorate their dens. Best of all, parents can rest assured that kids are playing in a safe environment, as the game (which already has over a million users) is supervised 24/7 through moderation technology and professional monitors. Animal Jam is free to play, but members of the Animal Jam Club have access to more content. Membership pack-ages begin at $5.99 for one month. For more information visit animaljam.com.

buzzw o r t h y

w For more tips and ideas visit newyorkfamily.com

w l e t ’ S G e t G l o w i n G !Kids like things that glow in the dark, but they'll love things that glow in color! The new range of sporting goods from Oglo Sports™, which includes footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and flying rings, use a patented full color glow-in-the-dark technology, so the products glow in their original colors (instead of just florescent green). The toys are great for children ages six and up and are available at Target, Toys R Us, Dick's Sporting Goods and other retailers. Prices range from $4 to $14.99. For more information and to see Oglo Sports™ in action, visit nsi-int.com.

w Child modelinG

ConteStBaby Does NYC, a clothing label that supports NYC children’s charities, cre-ates adorable t-shirts that let your child show off his neighborhood pride with messages like “Baby Does East Vil-lage.” This month, Baby Does NYC is sponsoring a modeling contest to find five new models for its site, looking for kids of all ethnicities, from all boroughs and at various ages from six months to four years. Children that are selected will win $50 and a t-shirt, in addition to being photographed professionally and featured online. The contest will run through the month of April. For more information, visit babydoesnyc.com.

w r e a dy to r i e One of the latest trends in early education is the West Coast-based organization RIE, or Resources for Infant Educarers. Founded by educator Magda Gerber in the 1970s, RIE is dedicated to improving the quality of infant care and education, and encourages parents to bond with their babies through observation, attentive care and trust in their natural abilities—a philosophy that helps parents remain calm and in control, and helps babies cultivate a sense of independence early on. The RIE philosophy is relatively new to New York City, but one of the organizations that is embracing it is Kids At Work, a children’s educational center in Chelsea. Known by its tenet “A Quieter Place To Learn,” Kids At Work hosts RIE guidance classes for parents of infants and toddlers that are centered on calm, focus and reflection. For more information about RIE at Kids At Work, visit kidsatworknyc.com.

w PiCture PerfeCtIf you're looking for beautiful and natural family pictures, head to PhotoOp, an Upper West Side space that was recently named 2011’s best family portrait studio by New York Magazine. At PhotoOp, kids can dress up in costumes or pieces from J.Crew's kids line Crewcuts, pose in front of a colorful and textured backdrop (like the popular candy wall) and enjoy movie star style pampering. PhotoOp also offers inspired birthday parties, where kids can enjoy exclusive use of the studio’s space, pick one of two fun theme options (Glam-Op and Step It-Op) and of course, pose for fabulous photos with friends. For more information, visit photopnyc.com.

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Op.

ThE ChECKLIST FOR priA

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tucker Harris celebrates his 4th birthday with a Dr. seuss-inspired bash at sports Club/LA. 1. Tucker blows out the candles on his amazing, “The Cat in the Hat” themed cake. 2. Even The Cat has a special wish for the birthday boy! 3. Tucker, who also served as the magician’s assistant, has a big laugh. 4. The birthday boy poses for a sweet shot with little sister Charlotte.

Photos by Heidi Green (heidigreen.com)

miles silber celebrated his 2nd birthday with a jungle-themed party at the Children’s museum of the Arts. 1. Party guests were treated to jungle-inspired goodies and prizes. 2. Miles and friends enjoy a lively musical performance. 3. The birthday boy (with help from Mom and Dad) blows out the candles on his “wild” cake. 4. Miles takes a quick break from the celebration behind some colorful bouncy balls.


Hunter and matthew schulman celebrate their 2nd birthday with a musical party with three Little Birds.1. Hunter and Matthew make a wish as they blow out their candles—with a little help from Mom and Dad! 2. The birthday boys enjoy an impromptu jam ses-sion. 3. Meanwhile, party guests indulge in colorful, sprinkle-covered cupcakes.


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24 New York Family | April 2011

tip S h e e t

With any rite of passage, there’s anxiety as well as exhilaration. Learning to ride a bike is one of the childhood biggies, and having a stress-free stu-dent-teacher experience can mean the difference between enjoying a

lifetime of cycling and never getting beyond training wheels. Rich Conroy, a cycling instructor and manager of the educa-tion program at Bike New York, says the key is realizing that kids will teach themselves how to ride and the parents are there to help cheerlead. He offers the following tips:

Only When they’re ReadyTake notice of your child’s developmental level. Can your

child rollerskate, rollerblade, or ride a scooter? If yes, she has a decent sense of balance and she might be ready to ride a bike without training wheels as well. If not, then your child proba-bly needs more time. If you insist that she do it anyway, you’re likely to have a child who feels forced to learn and will be fear-ful and angry. According to Conroy, most kids learn to ride between ages five and nine, but some preschoolers are ready, too. Your child may learn in a couple of days, or it might take months. The emphasis should always be on having fun.

It’s All About the BikeA child should be able to stand over the frame of the bike

with an inch or two of clearance between the frame and the crotch area. Most bikes come with coaster brakes, but hand brakes are not necessary on a starter bike. In addition to a helmet, you may want to invest in knee and elbow pads as well as a pair of riding gloves. A well-padded child is likely to feel less frightened about the uncertainties of riding un-aided. You might also want to let your child pick out some stickers or other decorative items for the bike.

A Balancing ActThe first thing your child needs to learn is balance. Put

the seat down far enough so that the child’s feet rest flat on the ground. Take the training wheels and pedals off. Sitting

on the seat, the child should hold onto the handlebars and walk the bike forward with feet on the ground. Conroy ex-plains, “The idea is that he will get to the point where he lifts his feet off the ground so the bike rolls forward, and once he does that, he’s riding.” Then, put the pedals back on and have the child start again with feet on the ground. But this time he should take his feet off the ground and put them on the pedals and begin riding.

“I Said Stopppp!”Once she can pedal forward, the child needs to know how

to turn and how to stop. Teach your child that when she’s turning, she has to raise the pedal on the side in which she’s turning. If the pedal is pointed down, she’ll probably crash. To stop, show your child how to operate the coaster brakes. Don’t let your child get into the habit of using shoes to stop. Though many parents assume that their role is to basically run with the bike and let go when the child is ready, Conroy actually discourages parents from doing so, unless the child is more comfortable with the parent close by. His philosophy is that kids are resilient; he advises parents against having a preemptive discussion about falling. If a child does fall, par-ents should remain positive and not panic. “There’s a teach-ing moment there where a parent can explain, without saying ‘I told you so,’ that something the kid did might have con-tributed to the fall and provide some instruction,” he advises.

Safety RulesA child needs to understand the importance of stopping

and looking before riding into the street. Needless to say, he needs to wait until the light is green, but even then he should stop to check for traffic, looking left, right, left again and listening for oncoming cars that might not be immedi-ately visible. Also, explain to your child how stop signs oper-ate. Take your child to an intersection and practice carefully crossing by walking your bikes. Your child will learn a lot by example, so go on a ride together and reiterate the rules be-fore and then again after a ride, commending him for smart bicycling behavior. S

tips For teaching Your Child the Basics Of Biking

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‘Scream Free’ Parenting Guru Hal Edward Runkel UrgesParents To Connect With Their Kids By Keeping Their Cool

B Y L A u r A D e u t s c h A N D h e A t h e r O u i D A

In his book, “ScreamFree Parenting: The Revolu-tionary Approach To Raising Your Kids By Keep-ing Your Cool,” marriage and family therapist Hal Edward Runkel encourages parents to stop trying to control their kids and start controlling their own

emotional responses instead. We recently spoke with Runkel (who also authored the recently released title “ScreamFree Marriage”) about his book, the “scream free” approach, and how parents can “calm them-selves down and grow themselves up” in order to connect with their kids.

What is the “scream free parenting” philosophy?It’s a shift of focus. Instead of trying to control your

children, control yourself. We’ve all tried to control our children and none of us have been successful. The goal of this model is to control ourselves so that we can have a position of influence where our children can respect that mom and dad are adults and that they don’t lose their cool. ScreamFree is about creating a pause between children

pushing our buttons and our response. In that pause, we can begin to think more clearly: “I am going to be an adult no matter how childishly my children behave.”

You claim that one of the best things we as parents can do for our children is to focus more on ourselves. Can you explain?

If we don’t take care of ourselves, we end up needing our kids to take care of us by behaving and by making us look good. Then they are the leaders of the family, not us. What kids need most are parents that do not need them—I know this is a jarring statement, but it’s true. Focusing on yourself is one of the best things you can do because you are communicating to your kids that you don’t need them to take care of you.

In your book, you talk about how parents have to be aware of their own “emotional reactivity” in order to control their responses to their children’s behavior. What exactly is emotional reactivity, and how should parents deal with it?

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“Emotional reactivity” is the term we use for screaming, being passive-aggressive, shutting down, or becoming resent-ful [in response to other people’s behavior]. The central enemy you face as a parent is not your kids, it’s not TV, it’s not drugs. Your enemy is your own emotional reactivity. When we get reactive, we don’t just make things worse, we actually create the outcome we were hoping to avoid in the first place. Staying calm grants you a sense of authority. Parents may not always have the perfect thing to say or the perfect consequence, but when we stay calm the message to our children is, “No matter what you do, I am still in charge of me; I’m not going to do you a disservice by giving you my remote control and then complaining about the fact that you push my buttons.”

What if I have a difficult child who whines and complains, or is aggressive? What if my child does something really naughty, like hits their sibling? How do I stay calm, no matter what?

If you want to use it as an opportunity to lead them, don’t get louder. Get calmer. Get quieter. Go right up to them, be as still as you can, and whisper, “You are not going to behave this way. You are going into timeout,” or whatever you choose to be the consequence. The softer and calmer you get, the more serious you sound.

Parents have told us that conflicts often arise when they feel rushed, which in this city, is much of the time! How can we implement non-reactive parenting when we are feeling so stressed?

If you’re waiting until the heat of the moment to dis-cover this scream free muscle, that’s like not exercising and then trying to lift 200 pounds. This has to be something that you’re beginning to ingest on an ongoing basis, and it means that you start thinking strategically: what do I need to do to give my kids the best chance of succeeding in the morning? Perhaps it’s getting my kids up 15 minutes earlier. Mornings and bedtimes are not times to start ranting and raving; those are times that call us to a higher standard be-cause our kids are looking to us in those stressful moments for leadership.

Parents often describe scenarios like, “My child refuses to get dressed, get in the stroller, leave for school, eat dinner, etc.” How can parents handle these situations in a calm way?

They are refusing because they are testing. Ask yourself, what are the natural and logical consequences for refusing? Instead of saying things like, “Don’t throw the toy” over and over, say, “If you throw the toy, the toy goes away for ten minutes.” Don’t be angry about it.

Say they are refusing to get in the stroller and

I have somewhere to be. At some point shouldn’t I just pick them up and put them in the stroller?

Absolutely! Say, “You don’t have the choice as to whether you go to school on time. You do have the choice as to how you go to school. You can go the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is you get dressed, you get in the stroller and we start walking. The hard way is I pick you up and put you in.” Don’t be angry about it, just respect that they are choos-ing the hard way. You always want to give your kids some choice in the matter because that’s the skill you want your kids to develop most: decision-making.

But shouldn’t we insist that our children do what we, as parents, say?

So many parents think, “I should say it and they should do it.” I always ask them, until when? How long do you want to be responsible for telling them what to do every step of the way? When do you want them to begin to think for themselves? It’s our job to let them know the choices they don’t have—kids don’t have the choice between going to school or playing in the street—but also the choices they do have. One of the best things we can do is get to a place where there is nothing our kids can do to embarrass us. When we allow them to embarrass us we’re taking too much responsibility for them. We are not responsible for our kids; we’re responsible to them.

If there’s one piece of advice you hope parents take away from reading your book, what would it be?

That your kids are going to act like kids. The real ques-tion is, how old are you going to act? Someone once told me that this scream free model is like moving away from the impossible—controlling your kids—and moving to the really, really difficult—controlling yourself.

Laura Deutsch and Heather Ouida run the social and educational

parent networks Babybites and Kiddybites. For more info, visit

babybites.com.

“Kids are going to act like kids. The real question is, how old are you going to act?”

Babybites invites city moms (and dads and even grandparents!) to their annual Mommy-Bites Summit: The Ultimate Moms Night Out, happening May 19 at the Columbia Faculty House. It’s an evening to meet other parents; enjoy wine and snacks; check out a variety of cool kids’ products and services; and hear from notable parenting experts, including keynote speaker and “ScreamFree Parenting” author Hal Runkel, Cool Mom Picks publisher and CEO Kristen Chase, and Emmy-winning producers Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo. All attendees will be entered to win incredible raffle prizes and will leave with a gift bag. To learn more, visit babybites.com.

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Willy Wonka once sang to his young golden ticket winners, “Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.” His expansive chocolate factory featured unbelievable sweets, a river of milky chocolate, and more to see, touch and taste than its guests could ever experience in a day. It was an amazing Technicolor candy world with no real world equivalent.

But upon entering the New York sugar staple Dylan’s Candy Bar, located at 60th and 3rd Avenue, families will find a colorful, candy-filled oasis that’s even better than Wonka’s chocolate factory—because, of course, it’s real.

“I felt like there should be a place that had the magical feeling of being in a candy land,” says Dylan Lauren, CEO and founder of Dylan’s Candy Bar, which opened in New York City in 2001. In the 10 years since its debut, Dylan’s has expanded to include other New York locations in East Hampton and Garden City’s Roosevelt Field Mall, as well as in Houston, Texas and Orlando, Florida.

Today, Dylan’s Candy Bar boasts more than 7,000 edible treats and specialty sweets from around the world, rang-ing from life-sized Hershey’s Kisses and endless supplies of M&Ms to Gummi Bears (20 different kinds, in fact!) and nut-free, sugar-free and gluten-free treats.

Lauren, the daughter of famed fashion designer Ralph

Lauren and author Ricky Lauren, grew up with an eye for style, aesthetics and artwork. But after watching the classic film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at age six, she also had a taste for candy.

A self-proclaimed “true candy-aholic,” Lauren was studying art history at Duke University when she realized that candy stores nationwide were lacking in creativity, color and pizzazz. “I felt like all the candy stores were bor-ing and not colorful, and the candy wasn’t fun,” she says. Lauren’s initial idea was to create a party space filled with pop art and fun sculptures created by artists working with oversized chocolate and candy, but her vision soon evolved into a colorful candy retail emporium that doubled as an event space.

In dreaming up and designing Dylan’s Candy Bar, the pop art enthusiast drew inspiration from favorite artists like Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Claes Oldenburg. “They pay a lot of attention to the colors, fonts and graphics, and I love that,” she says.

Lauren was also inspired by family destinations like Disney Land, F.A.O. Schwartz, The NBC Store and Nike Town, which she says “have a real experience to them.” Similarly, when designing Dylan’s, Lauren always kept the shop’s aesthetic value in mind. “We pay a lot of attention

With its Bright displays, endless array of delicious treats and a newly unveiled cupcake-themed party Room, dylan’s candy Bar is proof that

candy land has a home in Midtown

By AlessAndrA Hickson

THE

SPOT

SWEET

A Special Place_0411.indd 30 3/18/11 11:43 AM

www.newyorkfamily.com April 2011 | New York Family 31

to not just how good the candy looks, but how it’s packaged and presented as well,” Lauren says.

When families enter Dylan’s, they’re instantly struck by the store’s bold colors, the incredible candy stair-case (named The Staircase To Candy Heaven), the sounds of sugary sweet tunes pumping through the speakers, and of course, the tantalizing smell of chocolate and fresh-baked sweets wafting from the customized cake and dessert buffet area.

However, this month Dylan’s regu-lars will notice an exciting addition to the shop’s amenities in the newly reno-vated café and party room, located on the upper level. The café will feature gigantic cupcake booths—similar to carousels—in pink, purple, yellow and blue, which will seat private parties of eight to 10 people. Meanwhile, smaller groups can sit at blue, red and yellow gumball-inspired tables, with coordinating chairs in marshmallow white. At the café, children will be able to indulge in brownies and cupcakes,

enjoy fun activities like Licorice Limbo and bubble gum-blowing contests, or color their own bags and umbrellas.

Many parents may think of Dylan’s as solely a heaven for kids, but Lauren insists that the shop (which has enjoyed such high-profile guests like Michelle

Obama, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Steven Spielberg) is adult-friendly, too, as its average customer is actually 27 years old. “Everyone has a sweet tooth—or a salty tooth— so we tend to attract the kid in the adult who wants a fun place to shop,” she says. In addition to its impressive array of treats, gift baskets and classic games like Candyland, the colorful space also sells candy-themed apparel, accessories, spa products, and jewelry. And Lauren says licensing more products is in the works, includ-

ing party stationery, party goods, party-on-the-go kits, and even a candy stroller with partner Maclaren’s.

The bar also hosts many events for adults and kids alike, whether it’s for an art show, a corporate party for the 21-and-over crowd (the shop has a liquor license), a launch for musician Prince’s own candy bar, or a celebra-tion for Barbie’s Fiftieth Birthday. “It’s fun just walking in the store and coming back season after season to see what we’re doing next,” says Lauren. For example, in February the

store hosted a Ken and Barbie-themed Valentine’s Party, in April it will focus on the Easter season, and come fall, will transition to fea-ture back-to-school products.

When she’s not working on finding boutique specialty candy makers, de-signing beautiful packaging and party

spaces or picking healthy alternative treats for Self magazine readers with a sweet tooth in a regular column, Lau-ren enjoys her favorite candies, which include marshmallow fluff, divinity and licorice.

“My life has always been inspired by the colors and sweetness of candy,” Lauren says. “As I walk through the stores myself, I still feel a rush at bring-ing this all to life for our customers.”

Dylan’s Candy Bar is located at 1011 Third Ave, 646-735-0078, dylanscandybar.com.

One of the world’s largest candy stores will become the backdrop for a fun-filled Easter event on April 17th, when Dylan’s Candy Bar hosts the 1st Annual Great Tail Hunt, of which we are a media sponsor. At the event, children can sign up to be a part of the official search team and hunt for Easter eggs surrounded by gumdrops, lollipops, candy and chocolate, competing to win—what else—candy! Guests will also be able to enjoy breakfast with Vanilla the Bunny, take pictures with Chocolate the Bunny, construct their own jelly bean mosaics and more. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $50 (includes accompanying adult). Registration is highly recommended. For more information and to register, visit newyorkfamily.com/dylans.

Join Us For An EAstEr Egg And CAndy CElEbrAtion!

Dylan’s founder Dylan Lauren poses for a sweet shot.

A rendering of Dylan’s new café, to be complete this month.

A Special Place_0411.indd 31 3/18/11 11:43 AM


B Y K r i s t i N A M . C A p p u C C i l l i

a good i d e a

What With all the Walking, climbing subway stairs and navigating narrow shopping aisles, being preg-nant in the city can be stressful. But Manhattan moms-to-be can unwind in style and comfort at Edamame Spa at Destination Maternity, located on Madison Avenue and 57th Street. From the minute the elevator doors open, the spa’s tranquil, Zen-like atmosphere transports guests to a relaxed, stress-free state of mind.

The spa, which launched about six years ago, has become a welcoming respite for expectant moms during a time when they are often overwhelmed by all the decision-making and anxiety that can accompany a pregnancy.

“We really wanted to create a place for women who are pregnant to come and relax,” says Sue Perez, a licensed esthetician and the spa’s manager. When they arrive, expectant moms are led into the tranquility room, where the built-in waterfall makes their short waiting time all the more peaceful. Combined with dimly lit candles enveloping the room and warm earth tones coloring the walls, it’s easy to feel relaxed before the pampering even begins.

The spa offers an expansive selection of body services for those who are past their first trimester and can safely indulge in treatments. Services include The Skin Resonance Facial, specially formulated to keep skin radiant despite the hor-monal changes of pregnancy; the signature Mom-To-Be Mas-sage, customized to relieve particular areas of stress through-out the body; and an array of other body treatments and enhancements. One of Perez’s favorites is the Lemon Verbena Body Polish, which exfoliates and hydrates skin. What’s more, all treatments are tailored to each expectant mom.

Because health and safety are of utmost concern for pregnant women, all of the treatments provided at Edama-me Spa are performed with certified organic products that contain no artificial dyes, carbons, sulfates or other chemical pesticides, Perez notes. Formulated with plant products har-vested from uncontaminated soil, each product is beautifully fragranced and conditions the skin back to a gentle, supple state. Products are sourced from companies like Mama Mio, Naturopathica and Comfort Zone and are also available for purchase. Of course, women who aren’t pregnant are also welcome, and can enjoy everything from deep tissue facials and aroma therapeutic massages to anti-aging treatments and body waxing. The spa also hosts parties and baby show-ers and offers discount packages and gift cards.

Whether it’s a one-time visit or a regular ritual, the spa’s philosophy is that moms-to-be deserve to kick up their feet and feel like a queen every once in a while. With adjustable, heated beds draped with 400-thread count sheets and a staff committed to client satisfaction, that’s easy to do at Edama-me Spa. What’s more, Destination Maternity even offers a lounge area where other family members can hang out and enjoy TV’s, computers and toys.

Relaxation is the goal at Edamame Spa, which caters to expectant moms trying to juggle it all. “Women living in New York—we work full-time, we have families, our life-style is hectic,” says Perez. “Going to a spa is something you do to feel better.”

Edamame Spa (located inside Destination Maternity), 28 East 57th Street at Madison Avenue, 212-588-1990, edamamespa.com.

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O H , T H E P L A C E S

Whether You’re Looking To Stroll Through One of America’s Oldest Cities Or Explore The Caribbean Rain Forest, A Few Inspired Destinations For Spring (And Summer) Travel

Spring Flings Resort guests take a pirate-themed cruise at

the Trade Winds Island Resort in Tampa, Florida.

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Trade Winds Island ResortsTampa, FloridaA quick fl ight from New York City to the Tampa Airport will transport families to a sunny escape at the Trade Winds Island Resorts on St. Pete’s Beach. Families can choose from the larger Island Grand Resort or the quieter Sandpiper Resort. Kids will love fl oating on a raft while watching “dive in” movies, careening down the three-story water slide or “parleying” with the resort’s resident pirate. Families can also plan excursions like dolphin-watching in the Gulf of Mexico, a trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or a visit to Busch Gardens theme park. Finally, eco-minded families will love that both resorts hold Florida’s Green Lodging Certifi cation in recognition of their efforts to protect the area’s natural resources, reduce waste and minimize pollution. (tradewindsresort.com)

The Verandah Resort and SpaAntiguaFor the family who just can’t get enough of the surf, sun and sand, An-tigua is the place to go—an island that boasts a different beach for every day of the year—yes, there are 365! The is-land’s Verandah Resort and Spa is all-inclusive, eco-friendly and boasts 30 beachfront acres of pristine sand and ocean views. During the day, guests

you’ll go!

can kayak, snorkel, windsurf and swim at the Verandah’s two reef-sheltered beaches, or leave the resort for a jeep tour of the nearby rainforest, a round of golf, or shopping in the historic city of St. Johns. When the sun sets, fami-lies dine at one of the Verandah’s three restaurants and take in a movie at the mini cinema. Parents will also love the luxurious spa, salon and fi tness center and the resort’s commitment to green values. (theverandah.com)

BostonMassachusettsBoston is a perfect destination for adventure-seeking families, espe-cially in the summertime. Known as “America’s Walking City,” Boston combines historic, New England charm with gorgeous harbor views, plenty of family friendly attractions and tons of green space for kids to play. From June 30th to July 4th, families can take in the annual Fourth of July festival Harborfest, which is especially family-friendly on the 30th (Children’s Day), when kids can enjoy whale-watching cruises or sail on the Liberty Clipper, a 125-foot historic replica of an 18th century clipper ship. Other must-sees in Boston this summer include a visit to the New England Aquarium’s new exhibit “Sharks And Rays: Touch,” a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, a cruise

around Boston Harbor, a visit to the ex-pansive Museum of Science, and stroll along Newbury Street to check out the famous shops. (bostonusa.com)

DON’T MISS THE FAMILY FUN DAY AND TRAVEL FEST EVENTNew York Fam-ily is teaming up with family travel guru Kimberly Wilson Wetty, of Valerie Wilson Travel to throw an amazing and free Family Party & Travel Fest this month. Here are some of the preferred partners you’ll meet:

Adventures by Disney. Adventures by Disney’s guided group vacations bring you closer to some of the world’s most popular destinations. Some of the places you will have the opportunity to explore in-clude South Africa, China and Costa Rica.

Club Med. Everything you expect from an all-inclusive. You’ll enjoy outstanding including accommodations that person-alize your stay, dining options, land and water sports and the Club Med’s Baby Welcome Program.

Royal Caribbean International. Cruises that fulfi ll every family’s wish including ice-skating, rock climbing, shore excur-sions to exciting on-foot destinations, on-board spa, wine bar and private balconies.

The event will take place on Sunday, April 10th, at The Sports Club/LA, 330 East 61st Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues), from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please RSVP at [email protected] or visit newyorkfamily.com for more information.

Hope to see you there!

Family travel expertKimberly Wilson Wetty.

Travel_0411.indd 36 3/21/11 11:51 AM

Call Us Today!applauseny.com(212) 717-0703184 East 76th St.

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Week-Long Musical Theater Camps this Summer!


B Y e r i k A t h o r m A h l e N

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as The Founder Of The Baby and Home Emporium Giggle, ali Wing Helps New Parents Discover How living With Kids can Be comfortable, colorful, Eco-Friendly and Even a little chic. Not surprisingly, she Does It Herself In Her Fabulous (and Functional) Downtown Home

alI WING lOvEs THINGs THaT FuNcTION. “I put my practicality lens on everything,” she says. As the founder and CEO of giggle, the retailer turned multi-platform brand that focuses on baby products for city-dwelling parents, Wing has a penchant for practical living that’s reflected not only in the products that giggle sells, but in her approach to home and family, too.

Wipe-able surfaces, compact design and hideaway stor-age—for Wing, these are priorities that let families (espe-cially new ones) just live. Add a punch of color and you’ve got what those who know her best call “signature Ali” style—arguably the secret to giggle’s success.

Unlike many mompreneurs, though, Wing’s savvy in the baby gear business didn’t start with motherhood, as her son Tyler’s birth came three years after she founded the compa-ny in 2000. And for all her urban sensibility, Wing was actu-ally born in Santa Rosa, California and raised in Montana, and she still considers herself very “West Coast.”

So how did this countrified non-mom come up with a bright idea about babies before she even had one? After spending 16 years with Fortune 500 companies in vari-ous market development roles focusing mainly on women, Wing’s “ah-ha moment” seems to have been born from that same practicality that defines her sense of style: she saw a gap and wanted to fill it.

While working for Gazoontite, a now defunct retail

chain and online supplier of allergy relief products, Wing noticed something telling: the average transaction purchase for parents buying for their children was 3.5 times the amount customers spent when just shopping for them-selves. “I kept observing this very changed demographic that was older, more educated and almost professional about parenting,” she explains.

Then, when a magazine publishing project required Wing to get to know “every manufacturer” in the juve-nile industry, it became evident to her that there was an unfilled niche.

“There was a proliferation of things we can sell to parents, but really no resource to edit,” she says. For that reason, Wing launched giggle with a single store in San Francisco in the fall of 2003, with the goal of providing the “best of” products for new parents, from cribs and nursery décor to baby bath tubs and potty training tools to mater-nity wear and clothes for infants and toddlers.

Today, having expanded to 13 stores and a robust web presence that includes online shopping, parenting advice, expert “guru” blogs and now, The Cradle, an informational resource for expecting mothers, giggle’s one-stop-shop ap-proach to new families has earned the brand its trademark stripes.

In fact, giggle’s color field logo and straightforward, lower-case motto—happy. healthy. baby.—embodies the same kind of fun, approachable simplicity that Wing herself exudes.

A tour of the three-bedroom Battery Park apartment that Wing shares with her husband, Will and their son Tyler

The

GiGGlelife

HOUSE CALLS_Giggle-0411.indd 38 3/21/11 11:37 AM


makes this clear. Bright, open and airy, with wrapping glass windows, the space is intentionally peaceful. “You can never take the Montana out of me,” Wing says with a sigh.

An oversized scarlet floor lamp from CB2 arching elegantly over the corner dining table hints at Wing’s biggest design influence: her mother’s love of color. “I don’t think we ever had a white wall. We always had red hallways and blue kitchens,” she says. For Wing, this meant painting their apartment’s master bedroom a rich aqua, “the color of the ocean.” Ad-ditional pops of color peek out from nearly every corner of the house, from the Eames’ coat rack with its gumball-like hooks to Tyler’s preschool collec-tion of Montessori paintings curated in the hallway.

Wing’s other design inspiration is family. As one of nine siblings grow-ing up in a multi-cultural household (five were adopted), she describes her parents as having “a unique focus on family,” which meant furniture choices had to be functional. “We never had a living room you couldn’t use,” she explains. Whether it was the drinking fountain they installed in the house to replace water glasses or the stacked loft beds to accom-

modate two, three and four sleepers per room, those child-hood impressions of utility proved the unlikely seeds for what she now amusingly thinks of as another design trend. “We always had the big table that had the long benches on the side before it was cool at Room & Board,” she says with a laugh.

That family-friendly “imprint” is why Ali and Will have made their home completely child proof. “There’s nothing Tyler can’t jump on or hurt,” she explains—a mantra

proven true when, shortly after, the eight-year-old boy quietly and politely borrows two pillows from the sofa to construct a fort. For Wing, she wouldn’t have it any other way: “I never thought of it as a constraint, it was just part of my design criteria. That’s just the way we function.”

The other priority on Ali and Will’s list for a family home when they moved to New York City from California in 2005 was a healthy one. For that they found The Verdesian, a luxury, environmentally-advanced development designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects.

Certified LEED platinum, the 26-story building faces the Hudson River and is as good for the environ-ment as it is for its residents. With fresh air circulation and continuous indoor air quality monitoring (IAQ), energy efficient appliances and a cen-trally filtered water system, Wing feels good knowing her family can breathe easy, though her mother-in-law is less thrilled with their high-efficiency dryer during visits. “She thinks our clothes are never dry, which drives her crazy,” Ali says with a wink at her husband.

And while the dining table is her

favorite spot in the house for Sunday’s newspaper-strewn family breakfasts, it’s Tyler’s room that excites her most on the tour. Inside, a repurposed school locker serves as a cool dresser (“We used to sell these at giggle”) and a brushed steel bunk bed from Room & Board houses Grandma and Grandpa for weekend visits—at least until the adjacent office gets a guest-room makeover.

The focal point of Tyler’s room—a large chalkboard-fronted cabinet cov-ered in family photos—opens to reveal what Will refers to as “Legoworld.” Inside, deep shelves house hundreds of the interlocking bricks in various states of construction; pullout bins keep loose toys in their place and ready to play. “I needed to figure out some-thing where Tyler could have storage and also feel like he could build in this dedicated space. It can be his world,” Wing explains. Colorful, easy-to-clean storage, covered in family mementos and designed just for a kid? Now that’s signature Ali.

giggle Better Basics Harper Crib in Walnut. “This crib is everything I think baby furniture should be,” says Wing. “It’s all about qual-ity construction and design, responsible manufacturing and great value.”

Multi Directional Stem Print Diaper Bag by Orla Kiely. “Here’s a bag that you’ll find every excuse to carry long after your child is out of dia-pers. It’s sophisticated and multi-functional with its waterproof outer, foldaway changing pad and abundance of compartments and storage pock-ets,” says Wing.

Orange Giraffe Personalized Ceramic Plate and Cup Set by Alex Mar-shall. “Each one is hand-paint-ed and personalized with the child’s name, so no one else will have one exactly like it,” Wing says.

Ali WinG’S THree MuST-HAve PrODuCTS FOr neW PArenTS

HOUSE CALLS_Giggle-0411.indd 39 3/21/11 11:37 AM


ACTIVITYOF THE

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Twenty-fi ve years after “The Karate Kid” fi rst hit theaters, participating in martial arts is an established part of Ameri-can childhood. But it’s not just about breaking boards in midair: martial arts keeps kids fi t while imparting impor-tant life skills. And in a city as varied as New York, Karate isn’t the only option—kids can take classes in Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Jiu Jitsu, Kung Fu, Judo and Capoeira, too.

Whether kids start when they’re two or 12, the long-term benefi ts of martial arts are wide-ranging. “It teaches children how to focus, how to really work hard, really emphasize their short-term goals, and set long-term goals,” says Paul Lim, owner of West Side Taekwondo. In other words, children exposed to the sport develop a healthy sense of self-discipline.

Participating in martial arts also helps develop coordi-nation and balance, improving kinesthetic awareness—the knowledge of where each part of the body is, and what motions they perform for any given task. Each of these skills can translate into other sports as well down the road.

But the biggest boon to kids who undertake martial arts training? Self-confi dence and self-esteem. “The great thing about martial arts is that you’re not competing against someone else or some other team, it’s about how much better you can become,” says Lim. With martial arts like Tae Kwon Do, for example, kids work their way through the belt system on their own, focusing on their individual accom-plishments each step of the way.

Last, while it’s an individual sport, martial arts have a lot to teach kids about getting along with others. Since children often enroll before they start school, it can be their fi rst experience learning in a group setting. Discipline and re-spect for instructors and each other are at the core of every program; the common practice of bowing both expresses and reinforces that respect. Exercises in class emphasize the skills kids need to succeed at home and in the classroom: patience, the ability to focus on a task, the ability to listen, the maturity to accept when peers excel and the discipline to persevere.

So, how old do kids have to be to start their train-ing? The majority of programs start at three to fi ve years old. “The younger they are, the easier they are [to teach]. They’re like sponges, there’s no fear—so they’re quick to

Martial Arts Is An Age-Old Sport That Keeps Kids Fit While Imparting Valuable Lessons

KarateKIDS

BY ELISABETH FRANKEL REED

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Chelsea Piers offers a gymjitsu class for kids up to eight years old.

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A1 Karate Kids110 West 14th Street, 2nd Floor212-807-7336a1karatekids.comAmeriKick Karate Studios529 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn718-768-8200amerikick.comAsphalt Green555 East 90th Street212-369-8890asphaltgreen.orgBrooklyn Aikikai408 Third Avenue, Brooklyn718-643-6044brooklynaikikai.comBrooklyn Dojo93 Pineapple Walk718-237-0568brooklyndojo.comChelsea Piers23rd Street and the Hudson River212-336-6666chelseapiers.com D-Dojo500 8th Avenue, 12th Floor212-537-6441d-dojo.org

Discovery Programs251 West 100th Street212-749-8717discoveryprograms.comEast Side Tae Kwon Do325 East 65th Street212-755-5982eastsidetaekwondo.comGymtime Rhythm & Glues 1520 York Avenue212-861-7732gymtime.netGotham Taekwon-Do328 East 61st Street, 3rd Floor212-326-9510nyctkd.comHarlem Tae Kwon Do236 116th Street, 2nd Floor347-624-5546harlemtkd.comHonma Dojo58 East 11th Street212-505-3656honmadojo.comJCC in Manhattan334 Amsterdam Avenue646-505-5700jccmanhattan.org

Manhattan Movement & Arts Center248 West 60th Street212-787-1178manhattanmovement.comModern Martial Arts NYCVarious locations in Manhattan212-772-3700manhattantkd.cmasdirect.comNew York Jiu Jitsu666 Broadway, Lower Level212-343-8310nyjiujitsu.comPremier Martial Arts548 Union Street, Brooklyn718-965-4222premiermartialarts.comReebok Sports Club/NY and The Sports Club/LA New YorkReebok: 160 Columbus Avenue, 212-362-6800Sports Club: 330 East 61st Street, 212-355-5100mpsportsclub.com, thesportsclubla.comShaolin Kung Fu Training Center109 West 27th Street212-242-7308shaolinkungfuntrainingcenter.com

Six Harmony Martial Arts Academy232 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor212-727-0714sixharmony.com Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts 39 West 19th Street212-727-0773 or 1-800-52-TIGERtsk.comUpper West Side Kenshikai Karate928 Columbus Avenue212-222-1172uwskenshikai.comWest Side Taekwondo700 Columbus Avenue212-663-3998westsidetkd.comWorld Martial Arts CenterManhattan: 69 West 14th Street; Brooklyn: 475 Atlantic AvenueManhattan: 212-941-8771; Brooklyn: 718-855-9898happykicks.comYMCA of Greater New York212-630-9600ymcanyc.org

ACTIVITYOF THE

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absorb what [they’re learning],” says Randy Dorleans, a martial arts instructor at Chelsea Piers.

In fact, East Side Tae Kwon Do has a special class for kids as young as 18 months old to participate in with a parent or caregiver. According to Mary Clare Bland, the owner/manag-er, the classes are more tightly structured than classes for old-er children. Toddlers learn to follow instructions, understand spatial relationships, jump and even stand still in addition to gaining improved balance and hand-eye coordination.

As kids get older and progress in their martial arts training, classes tend to focus more on physical endurance. “Martial arts is very good for physical conditioning in terms of core strength, fl exibility and cardio-vascular workout,” says Lim. Self-defense also becomes more of a focus—knowing that they are capable of taking care of themselves in dangerous situations will give them the confi dence they need to assert themselves when necessary.

Once you decide to enroll your child in a martial arts program, it is important to fi nd the right instructor. “The number one thing is, ‘Do I have an instructor who really cares about my child?’” says Mike Bailey, the youth sports director at Asphalt Green. Observe how instructors talk to their students and their individual teaching styles. Also, make sure that the martial arts program takes place in a safe environment. Check that the studios have padded fl oors and the students wear pads when sparring. Make sure that the instructors stress the importance of safety, and have the appropriate qualifi cations for teaching children. “Children function much better, and just seem happier if they feel safe; I think that’s the most important thing,” sums up Bland.

A Round-Up Of Venues Offering Martial Arts Classes For Kids

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East Side Tae Kwon Do’s class for three-and four-year-olds.

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SOBeautiful!Meet The Winners Of New York Family’s

Annual Child Cover Model Contest

Styled By JOY SherWOOdPhOTOgrAPhY BY ClASSiC KidS PhOTOgrAPhY

Name: GemmaAge Category: InfantFavorite Places To Go In NYC: Central Park, Carl Schurz Park, Kid-ville, local dinerFavorite Book: “Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?”Favorite Foods: Donuts, pizza, strawberries and grapesFavorite People: Mommy, Daddy, twin sister Kaya, grandparents and uncles

Name: TaraAge Category: InfantFavorite Ways To Play: Being read to, being entertained by big brother Andrew, playing with Sophie the Gi-raffe and Manhattan Baby WhoozitFavorite Places To Go In NYC: Playgrounds in Central Park and Boathouse RestaurantFavorite People: Big brother Andrew, grandmother Baba, Aunt Lisa

When we announced our Child Cover Model Contest, the flood of

entries reminded us of something we’ve known for quite a while: we live in a city of seriously cute kids.

Our overall winner and cover kid (as decided by the judges) was

Gemma; the readers’ choice win-ner (as determined by our online

poll) was Tara. Grayson, Lillie and Katherine were the judges’ top

picks in their age groups.We adore them all.

COVER_Models_0411.indd 44 3/18/11 4:32 PM


Name: LillieAge Category: 4-7 YearsFavorite Ways To Play: Arts and crafts, dress up, dancing and playing in her pretend kitchenFavorite Places To Go In NYC: Mandell School, Sunday brunch at Sarabeth’s, playgrounds and ice skat-ing rinksFavorite People: Parents, little brother Glen, grandparents in Texas, nanny Celine, next door neighbor Gabi, teachers, friends Maya and Marco

Name: GraysonAge Category: 1-3 YearsFavorite Ways To Play: Sledding, swimming and soccer outside; paint-ing, building with Legos and playing with his train set inside Favorite Books: “Goodnight Moon,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat,” “Snow Bugs” and “I Can Help”Favorite Foods: French fries, grilled cheese, rice, berries, frozen yogurt and anything dipped in ketchup

Name: KatherineAge Category: 8-10 YearsFavorite Subjects In School: Writing and P.E.Favorite Places To Go In NYC: Central Park’s Great Lawn, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Museum of the Moving Image, Dorrian’s Red Hand Restaurant and the playground at Asphalt GreenFavorite Books: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” and “Dork Diaries” Favorite Movies: “Despicable Me,” “Get Smart,” “The Lightning Thief”

COVER_Models_0411.indd 45 3/22/11 12:18 PM


Preparing for the arrival of a baby can be one of the most exciting and stressful times in a woman’s life. Faced with a new and daunting set of challenges, it’s easy for even the

most put-together expectant mom to become overwhelmed.

Good thing there’s Rosie Pope. The London-born en-trepreneur has literally made it her business to help women make the transition to new mom easier, and not just when it comes to deciding what to wear. In addition to a cloth-ing line known for its elegance and romance, Rosie Pope Maternity also includes MomPrep, a “training academy” for moms-to-be, as well as a maternity concierge service that assists women in doing everything necessary to prepare for their new addition, from designing a dream nursery to baby-proofing a Manhattan apartment. In fact, Pope and her concierge service are the subjects of Bravo’s new reality show, “Pregnant In Heels,” which premieres on April 5. Oh, and did we mention she recently gave birth to her second child?

Pope credits her husband Daron as the driving force behind the launch of Rosie Pope Maternity.

“He suggested I be a maternity designer since I liked fashion and wanted to have babies!” she recalls.

Pope was reluctant at first, as the idea was a long way from her neuroscience studies at Columbia University. But she took a job at maternity retailer A Pea in the Pod to learn more about the industry, and while there, she was surprised to discover how unsatisfied pregnant women were with their clothing options. If their choices were so limited in a city like New York, Pope thought, they must be even worse elsewhere. So she decided to take the leap, and Rosie Pope Maternity was born.

Inspired by the designer’s British roots, the line includes elegantly-tailored pieces for day and evening in both classic colors and romantic prints. Pope strives to make clothes that appeal to women of different style sensibilities, from the Up-per East Side moms who visit her boutique to women across the country who shop her website. Since becoming a mother herself, Pope says her approach has evolved a bit; there is now less emphasis on evening wear and more on everyday pieces.

“You have a real romantic idea about maternity clothes before you get pregnant—you have this idea that you will walk around in beautiful, flowing dresses all of the time,” Pope says. “I think there has to be a balance between what looks good and what is easy to wear.”

Rosie Really

With Her Upscale Maternity Line, Seminar Series And Concierge

Service For Moms-To-Be, Rosie Pope Has Become A Go-To

Resource For Pregnant Women Across The City. Now, With A

New Reality Show On Bravo, She’s Taking It National

By ANGeLA JOHNSON

NEW PARENTS GUIDE

Rosie Pope shows an expectant dad the ropes on her new show, "Pregnant In Heels," premiering this month on Bravo.

NewParents_LetsPanic-0411.indd 46 3/18/11 4:28 PM


Nevertheless, Pope discourages women from thinking about maternity clothes as merely functional, often drab pieces that they’ll only wear for a short period of time. In-stead she suggests they invest in a wardrobe of quality items that will make them feel comfortable and stylish throughout their pregnancy.

“When you’re pregnant, you’ll wear your favorite shirt all of the time. You get a lot more value from your maternity clothes than your regular wardrobe,” she says. “Nine miser-able months of wearing clothes you hate is just not good. It’s like getting married and saying, ‘I’m only going to wear this dress for a day, so I’ll buy myself a sack.’”

MomPrep evolved in much the same way. After becoming pregnant with her first child (J.R., now 2), Pope found it dif-ficult to find the kind of prenatal classes she was looking for.

“I signed up to take classes at the hospital, and I was sent to a psych ward that was not attached to the hospital,” she recalls. “I had to pee all the time because I was pregnant, and every time I went to pee they had to buzz me out because it was a locked facility. I thought, ‘This cannot be the best place to learn about parenting.’”

Pope’s solution was a one-stop shop for classes and in-formation on all things pregnancy and parenting, including prenatal fitness, infant CPR, nursery décor, child photogra-phy and more.

Classes are intended to provide information in as bal-anced a way as possible. For example, one of MomPrep’s most popular seminars, “Epidural: Debunking the Myths,” is a lively forum led by both a natural childbirth doctor and an anesthesiologist who field questions from women about the popular method of pain relief.

“I think we’re in a generation that wants to learn about being a parent in different ways, but classes seem to be either very pro-natural childbirth or very pro-intervention,” Pope says. “I think people want to have all of the information in an unbiased way, so they can make their own decisions.”

And as if all that weren’t enough, Pope also stars in the new reality show “Pregnant In Heels,” premiering this month on Bravo. The show follows Pope as she does anything and everything to meet the often outlandish demands of affluent moms-to-be—from assembling a panel of experts to help a couple choose the perfect baby name to planning a wedding for a woman getting married one week before her due date.

“Do you know how hard it is to find a wedding dress for a woman who’s 38 weeks preg-nant?” Pope laughs. “You change sizes every day!”

The show also chronicles Pope’s personal struggle to conceive her second child—a baby boy named Wells, born this past February.

“It felt like if we didn’t show that part of our story, I’d be living a lie—like it was so easy for us when it wasn’t, it was really difficult,” she says.

Now, with a brand-new baby, a new show and a thriv-ing business, Pope stresses the importance of maintaining a schedule to help balance the demands of her career with caring for her family.

“I think the mistake is trying to do everything at once—I’ll be playing Thomas the Tank Engine and think-ing about diaper bags and china,” she says. “You have to figure out a way that when you’re with your children, you’re with them.”

And even when she has to be away from her children, Pope says it feels good to know that she’s helping other new moms cope with the demands of modern parenthood.

“I’d really like to be the number one resource for preg-nant women and new moms, so they feel there is a lifestyle company that can support them and give them the best advice and the best product,” she says.

It seems she’s well on her way.

• Tighter is better. When you’re pregnant, you might as well have the bump where everyone can see. Plus, even though you’re big in the middle, everything else looks a bit smaller.

• You’ll need a dress that makes you feel good both during the day and at night. Go for a wrap dress in a nice material.

• Leggings can pair with anything: dresses, tunics, shirts. You can even sleep in them!

Rosie PoPe’s styletiPs FoR MoMs-to-Be

Rosie Pope with husband Daron and son J.R., 2. A second son, Wells, joined the family in February.



By chandni rathod

heidi Murkoff, author of the bestselling “What to Expect” series of pregnancy and parenting books and mom to adult children Emma and Wyatt, has guided

more than 40 million families worldwide through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and parenting infants. In fact, USA Today estimates that “What To Expect” is read by 93 percent of all ex-pectant mothers who elect to read a pregnancy book, and the series has sold more than 34 million copies in the United States alone. But where are families to turn when their child hits the dreaded toddler years? Now, parents can continue to enjoy the series with its latest installment, “What To Expect: The Second Year,” which is chock full of expert advice on toddler topics like talking, diet, tantrums and making friends, to name a few. We recently chatted with Murkoff, who shared helpful advice about how parents can stress less and enjoy their families more during their child’s “challenging but magical” toddler years.

How did you and co-writer Sharon Mazel prepare to write “What To Expect: The Second Year?”

It always starts with questions, which have always come from parents. These days, it’s easier than ever to solicit ques-tions just by posting on the site [whattoexpect.com]. This time, though, I had some questions, too, specifically about how to format the book. After polling the moms on the site, I realized that the most intuitive way to handle the second year wasn’t month-by-month, but topic-by-topic. Parents of toddlers want to be able to access information fast and to flip quickly to what they need to know, and that’s what this format affords. As far as research, that’s exhaustive, and it has to be in order to produce books that are trusted by parents and health care providers. Writing, that’s the fun part, especially when it comes to writing about toddlers. One-year-olds just put a smile on my face!

What kinds of transitions are children are going through during their second year?

The second year is full of firsts: first steps, first words and first tantrums, making it among the most dramati-

the author of the Popular Pregnancy and

Parenting Series ‘What to Expect’ Shares

insights and advice From her new Book

about the toddler Years

Terrific Two’s

the

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cally transformative years of a child’s life. Just about all of the developments and behaviors you glimpse in the second year are signs that your little one is carving out an identity, seeking autonomy and becoming an individual. This year’s theme is “I am toddler, hear me roar.” It’s not surprising that toddlerhood is called “the first adolescence.”

What are three things parents can do to make “the terrible twos” less stressful?

First of all, the “terrible twos” is a terrible misnomer—not only because they kick in when a toddler turns one and continue well past his third birthday, but because toddlers, as challenging as their behavior can be, are terrific, not terrible. As far as what can help parents enjoy the second year more, the first is perspective. Toddler behavior happens, and it has to happen, as inevitably as those first steps. It’s a normal, nec-essary phase of development, an essential part of growing up. Toddlers don’t do the things they do in order to drive their parents crazy—they do it because it’s in their job description. The second is consistency. The more things change for a tod-dler, the more comforting it is for them to know that some things always stay the same. Be consistent in your expecta-tions and predictable in your routines, and you’ll get more compliance and less resistance from your little one. And the third is patience, which is a virtue every parent of a toddler needs in spades. Not to mention a sense of humor and joy. The second year is magical and fleeting—try to savor it.

What’s the biggest misconception parents have about their baby’s second year?

The most common misconception is “my toddler doesn’t eat enough.” The truth is that healthy toddlers who are allowed to eat to appetite without pushing or prodding inevitably eat exactly what they need to grow and thrive. Eating patterns may be erratic, like three Cheerios for breakfast one day and three bowlfuls the next, but if parents looked less at the leftovers on each plate and more at the big picture, they’d see that food intake almost always evens out over time. Something else parents misjudge is serving size. A toddler-sized portion is tiny—there’s a chart in the book that I think will surprise a lot of parents—which explains why heaping servings always seem to be left over.

Conversely, what’s one issue or behavior that you think merits more concern?

Few toddlers kick the bottle habit as early as they should—which is actually at their first birthday, as recom-mended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists. Beyond the poten-tial for tooth decay if the bottle is filled with milk or juice, there are several other reasons to quit the bottle habit at the start of the second year: one, it’s easy for toddlers to take in too many calories from a bottle, which can lead to a damp-

ened appetite for solids or excess weight gain. Two, sucking down bottles of juice can lead to chronic tummy troubles. And three, continued bottle use can lead to an increased risk of ear infections. The same issues and more can apply with sippy cup abuse, which is why sippy cups should be alter-nated with straw cups and regular cups.

Do you incorporate your own parenting experi-ences into the writing of the book?

I have never written the books from my own experi-ences; because every parent and every toddler is different, there are few absolutes and no universal parenting experi-ence. Still, having two second years under my belt allows me to write for parents of toddlers with empathy and under-standing. The most important thing that I learned during my kids’ second years is that time passes very quickly. Even those afternoons that seem to drag on forever are over in a relative flash. Whatever behavior that’s driving you crazy this week, just try to take a step back and remember that all-purpose parental proverb: This, too, shall pass.

Let’s talk about the What To Expect Foundation; where did the inspiration for the foundation come from?

The epiphany moment came during a visit to Riker’s Island prison, where we were giving a seminar to preg-nant inmates. First, we gave them all a copy of “What to Expect,” and whatever their reading levels or experiences were, it didn’t matter. They dove in, flipping through with excitement, pointing out “I have that!” or “That looks like me!” And so we started the What to Expect Foundation and created “Baby Basics,” a beautiful, culturally appropri-ate, low-literacy pregnancy guide—which is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, with support materials in 14 other languages—and a prenatal health literacy program to go along with it. We’ve given “Baby Basics” to over half a million at-risk moms so far, with incredible, research-docu-mented results. It works in informing, supporting and em-powering low-income moms so they too can expect healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries and healthy, happy babies. We hope to take the program to every mom who needs it, not just in this country, but all over the world. r

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Alice Bradley has quite the resume. She holds an MFA in creative

writing, her fi ction has appeared in countless anthologies and she’s written for publications like Redbook, The Onion and Good Housekeeping. Oh, and she also pens the award-winning blog Finslippy.com, which she started seven years ago. These days, Bradley, who is mom to an 8-year-old son named Henry, is celebrating the launch of her book “Let’s Panic About Babies,” which she wrote with fellow blogger Eden M. Kennedy of Fussy.org. The book is a snarky and honest antidote to the sea of parenting books that, in the authors’ opinions, overwhelm pregnant women with too much information, and instead presents the refreshing philosophy that it’s normal to make “a load of mistakes.” We recently chatted with Bradley about the book, where the name “Finslippy” comes from, and of course, the things in life that are totally worth panicking about. (And for a sneak peak of “Let’s Panic,” see page 54).

How did you get your start in writing?

I come from a family of storytellers. Humor was always easy for me, but that was why I shied away from it—[think-ing that] writing had to be hard, that you had to work your heart out, torture yourself and cry a lot. I worked as an

editor, and then I got my master’s. Then after I had my son I started looking for a new direction in my life. And then one day my sister said, “You should start a blog!” Sometimes all it takes is that one person to say, “You can actually do this.”

Where does the name Finslippy come from?

“Finslippy” comes from a joke between my husband and me about a dream I had about renaming dolphins. [In my dream] the language associa-tion decided “dolphins” was a terrible name, so I came up with “fi nslippy,” and they said it was perfect. So I made that my blog name, thinking, “Who’s going to read that besides my husband and my mom?”

What do you fi nd most challeng-ing about motherhood?

I think there’s an illusion that you have before you’re a parent that when you become a parent you’ll automati-cally know what you’re doing. For me, the hardest part was encountering situ-ations and having absolutely no idea what to do. It’s realizing you’re going to make mistakes, and you have to be okay with that. And learning to apolo-gize to your child—I feel good about doing that, because I’m modeling what I want my child to do.

Let’s talk about “Let’s Panic About Babies.” Did the idea for

the book come from your own parenting panic?

Yes, it did. There are so many books about parenting and pregnancy. When I was pregnant, I read all the books and felt badly, because the pregnancy they were describing wasn’t my preg-nancy. It seems to be universal that women feel alienated and troubled by all the information they’re being bom-barded with; there’s a fl ood of infor-mation, and each book has a different angle. So Eden and I decided to come together and poke fun at everything. But we wanted to be clear we weren’t mocking moms; we want moms to be able to laugh at the whole situation.

In the book, you describe stereo-types of new mothers; which one did you relate to most?

I was defi nitely a combination of the “hysterical mom” and the “reluc-tant mom.” I would go from being too cool for everything to being convinced that my child was dying because he wasn’t eating his peas.

What’s next for you? We’re hoping that the book does

well so we can write more in this series. We have ideas about “Let’s Panic About Children,” “Let’s Panic About Teenagers.” There’s no end to things you can panic about! r

For more information, visit lets-panic.com.

PANIC AT THE

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With Her Signature Mix Of Parental Poignancy And Sharp Wit, Brooklyn Mom

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If Your Baby Isn’t Smart . . .Not all babies are potential geniuses. Some babies just do not have the raw intelligence to humiliate nanny after hysterically crying nanny. It’s not Baby’s fault that he’ll never win a Pulitzer Prize (it’s probably your fault), but that doesn’t mean Baby can’t fi nd other ways to earn attention, money, and/or love.

If your baby doesn’t have smarts, maybe your baby has . . .

Cutes!Some babies are just gosh-darned cute, there’s no two ways about it, and guess what? Many grow up to be even cuter. You can start grooming your cuteness-privileged baby to lord his or her good looks over regular-looking babies right away, undermining their confi dence at every turn.

{

SAMPLE DIALOGUE

Friend with Smart Baby: “My little Applebee already knows her alpha-bet! At only six months!”

You: “Too bad about her eyes, though.”

FWSB: “What . . . what do you mean, what’s wrong with her eyes?”

You: “They’re just so small and close together. See how my baby’s eyes are just two big drops of golden sunlight, and her lashes fl ap up and down like butterfl y wings?”

FWSB: “Well, yes, but—”

You (winking knowingly at your baby): “We should go: my Organella has a lucrative modeling job this afternoon and needs her beauty nap. Bye!”

Many babies are blessed with stronger than average little muscles right from the get-go.

Before you know it they’re lifting up the refrigerator to make it easier for you to change out the rat traps, or hoisting up your car for an oil change. Your lucky little muscle-bound baby has a great future ahead of him—your baby is a him, isn’t it? Because if you have a girl muscle-baby, well, hmm . . .

Eventually, all muscley babies come to a fork in their road: muscle-ba-bies also favored with coordination and a smidgen of cutes may fi nd success as professional athletes with lucrative endorsement contracts. (While male muscle-babies have the choice of dozens of world-class sports to choose from, athletic female muscle-babies looking to see their face on a billboard are stuck with tennis or, in certain communities, competitive pole-dancing). Unattractive muscle-babies will only survive the brutal jungle of adolescence and adulthood by terrorizing the smaller and weaker among them.

MUSCLES!

If your child is neither beautiful nor powerful, see if he can develop . . .

Babies gifted with an advanced sense of humor become even funnier if they can also suffer in some way from a less than supportive family. Plus, the less you try not to screw up, the more likely it is your kid will be the next Don Rickles! So get ready to raise her with the following privations so she learns to use humor as a coping mechanism: • Be moody and unpredictable and yell a lot (bonus points for full-blown alcoholism) • Threaten to send her to the work house unless she does a funny jig • Make her compete with her siblings to see who can make you laugh the hardest (the winner gets whitefi sh for dinner) • Force-watch Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Mama’s Family • Be working-class Jewish, Catholic, Hindu, or if possible, all three

A SENSE OF HUMOR!

What If My Baby Isn’t Smart, Cute, Strong, or Funny?Maybe she’ll be really good at: • Inspiring people with her courage to persevere • Putting stamps on things • Pointing out rainbows • Hugs • Writing fake parenting books

AS SEEN IN

"LET'S PANICABOUT BABIES"

By Alice Bradley andEden M. Kennedy

Semicute girl babies can make up for any slight lack of dazzle by marrying well and becoming alarmingly thin. Semicute boy babies are actually the lucky ones, as boy babies that age too cutely are often assumed to be gay. (If your amazingly cute boy baby actually is gay, however: JACKPOT.) Cute boy babies who don’t marry wealthy older women can also try their luck at developing some . . .


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Can you push the stroller with one hand?

Many things can affect this, in-cluding wheels and the weight of the stroller, but the main factor to pay attention to is whether the stroller has two handles or one handlebar, as a handlebar makes one-handed steering easier. Let’s face it: it’s New York. You’re going to walk. A lot. You might need to hold an umbrella, talk on the phone or carry a cup of coffee. Try doing any of those things while holding the stroller with one hand and elbow-steering with the other. It’s not going to happen.

Can you fold it with one hand?Yes, I know some people manage

never to have to fold their strollers. But if you take a bus or a cab you’ll have to collapse your buggy, and even if you’re taking the subway, it’s com-mon courtesy to fold it. Think about the folding motion. Are you bending down to do it? This can put strain on your back if you’re holding your baby or bags. Are you folding it by pull-

Stroller SavvyWhat To Think About When

Buying Baby’s First Set Of WheelsBy JAmie GrAySOn

ing it upward? Many people find this easier, myself included.

A few other factors to consider:How much room does the un-

dercarriage bag offer? Can it convert into a double via an additional seat or wheeled board? Does it have a removable handlebar? What about a cupholder? Also, does it have air-filled wheels? (These make for a smoother ride and easier curb bumping, but require more maintenance.)

Finally, relax.Enjoy the process of trying out dif-

ferent strollers and ultimately choos-ing one that works for you and your family. Congrats and happy strolling!

Jamie Grayson, also known as The Baby Guy,

is an NYC-based baby planner. For more

info, visit thebabyguynyc.com, email him

at [email protected], find him on

Facebook (facebook.com/thebabyguynyc) or

follow him on Twitter (@TheBabyGuyNYC).

NEW PARENTS GUIDEAs an expectant parent, you have

lots of questions: Where to deliver? Natural birth or epidural? Nanny or daycare? But as a baby planner, the one question that new parents ask me over and over is this:

Which stroller should I buy?Here are a few things to think

about as you do your own research and try out different models:

When are you expecting?If you’re having a child in the win-

ter, chances are you’re not going to be enjoying leisurely walks through the park in a wintry mix. This means you may not need a stroller with a bassinet feature; instead, you could start with a car seat frame that you can just snap a seat into. Which leads me to my next point:

What is your living situation?Do you have a walk-up or an

elevator? If you have an elevator, can you fit a stroller into it? If you have a walk-up, is there a place downstairs to safely store or lock a stroller? This may lead you to rethink the weight of the stroller you’re purchasing, as well as how it collapses.

Do you want a reversible seat?This is a great feature that many

people find necessary, especially in the early months. There are many studies available on the developmental benefits of parent-facing seats, and you’ll prob-ably want to chat with your little one as you’re walking. A reversible seat allows you to keep an eye on them so you can see if they’re spitting up, are becoming restless, etc. It also keeps the wind from hitting them in the face.

Is the stroller car seat-compati-ble, and with what car seats?

Yes, you really do need this feature. This makes travel easier because you’re not waking a sleeping baby to strap them into a car seat—they’re already in it! It also makes eating out much simpler: seat pops out, stroller frame collapses, seat goes in the booth next to you, waiters don’t curse your existence.


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Inglesina AvioAges: 3 months and up

Features: Hood, storage basket, cup holder and shock absorbing wheels

Accessory options: Winter muff, rain cover, mosquito net, summer covers,

carrycot, leg cover, stroller bag

Weight: 13 lbs

Price: $499; buybuybaby.com

Britax B-READYAges: Newborn and up

Features: Comes with cup holders, rain cover, adaptors

Accessory options: Bassinet, car seat, second toddler seat with cover

Weight: 26 lbs | Price: $499; babiesrus.com

Promotion: From April–June 2011, purchase a B-READY and get a bassinet, carseat or second seat for free

JOYofSHOPPING-0411.indd 58 3/18/11 3:48 PM


Quinny SenzzAges: Infant and up

Features: Lightweight, reclining seat, one-hand compact fold

Accessory options: Parasol, cup holder, foot muff, weather shield, Quinny Dreami bassinet

Weight: Under 16 lbs

Price: $399; babiesrus.com

Bugaboo DonkeyAges: Newborn and up

Features: Multi-terrain and car seat compatible, single stroller converts into a duo for a twin or

second child

Weight: 32 lbs

Accessory options: Tailored fabric set, extension kit, sun canopy, bassinet base

Price: $1199+; giggle.com

Phil & Teds VerveAges: Newborn and up

Features: Contoured ventilated seat system for temperature regulation,

four-wheel drive uptown inline

Accessory options: Double kit seat, infant car seat

Weight: 29 lbs

Price: $699.99; philandteds.com

Stokke XploryAges: Newborn and up

Features: Comes in two new colors—Vibrant Green and Limited Edition Pink, offers multiple seating positions

Accessory options: Blanket, parasol

Weight: 22 lbs | Price: $1049+; albeebaby.com

Baby Jogger City SelectAges: Newborn and up

Features: 16 unique seating combinations, in line sroller, new amethyst color

Accessory options: Bassinet, car seat, second seat

Weight: 28 lbs | Price: $499; giggle.com



Orbit G2 Stroller Travel System Ages: Newborn and up

Features: Made with eco-friendly fabrics, includes infant car seat, car seat base

and stroller base

Accessory options: Sidekick accessory

Weight: 26 lbs | Price: $900; giggle.com

iCandy Peach (Single) and Peach Blossom (Double)Ages: 6 months and up

Features: Fabric is easily removed and lining is machine-washable, puncture-free foam tires

Accessory options: Flat-lying removable bassinet, sun parasol, luxury fleece, foot muffs, matching diaper bag

Weight: 19.51 lbs | Price: $899+; planetkidsny.com

Chicco KeyFit CaddyAges: Infant and up

Features: A frame carrier for “snap and go” (car seat sold separately), easy one-handed fold, parent tray

includes cup holders, adjustable handlebar, front and rear suspension

Weight: Metal frame weighs 11lbs.

Price: $99; chiccoUSA.com

(coming summer 2011)

Maclaren Yellow Submarine BuggyAges: 3 months and up

Features: Yellow seat with a water-resistant denim hood, bubble print rain cover, reversible seat cover, reinforced chassis, five-point safety harness

Accessory options: Coordinated foot muff

Weight: 12.1 lbs

Price: $280; buybuybaby.com


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NEW PARENTS GUIDE

Preparing for the birth of a baby is an exciting time, but many new parents are surprised by the stress

of their seemingly endless to-do lists. From learning how to assemble nursery furniture to deciding on a stroller, some-times even the best prepared parents find the need to call on an expert.

New York City mom Jennifer Link comes to the rescue of many over-whelmed parents as the owner of New York City Sweet Pea Baby Planners, the first all-inclusive baby planning firm that boasts a nationwide network of seasoned baby planners, experts, and manufacturers of baby prod-ucts. Link, who previously worked as a business development executive in music and media, assists parents with everything from drawing up a birth plan to correctly installing a car seat. She gives parents the low-down on breast pumps, bottles and baby-carriers, and can talk through various techniques for sleep training. The only thing she doesn’t do is give medical advice, but she can direct parents to the appropriate specialist. Her role is best described as part personal shop-per, part therapist and part older sis-ter—one with great advice and plenty of experience to share.

It all began in 2009, when Link and her husband brought their daugh-ter, Lucie, home from the hospital; de-spite all their preparations, they found themselves scrambling and stressed. “Lucie was far smaller than expected, so everything we’d bought was too big,” she explains. “We had to rush to

PlanningMakes Perfect

By kristen dryBread

ZoLi Baby OHM Diaper Changing Mat

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Summer Infant BabyTouch Audio and Video Monitor

"Both the camera and the monitor are portable, which is great if you need to watch your little one in other places besides their crib.” (summerinfant.com)

phil & teds Nest Travel Bed

“This product is actually a place for the little one to sleep. But, you can also pack things in it for your journey. You can take it on vacation or just to the park, because it features a UV mesh cover." (philandteds.com)

the store to get diapers instead of spending the day at home. I remember wishing there was someone we could call to do the shopping for us.”

Recognizing the need for help during this stressful time, Link began to help expectant friends prepare for their own babies, and her spot-on recommenda-tions soon spread by word-of-mouth. “I realized how important it can be for new parents to have someone there to guide them, and I realized that I wanted to do that full-time,” she says.

Now a year into starting Sweet Pea Baby Planners New York City, Link says that many parents find her expertise especially useful when it comes to research-ing and testing baby gear.

“Baby stuff befuddles. With thousands of products out there, no parent can learn all there is to know.” And frankly, she argues, no parent should. “You only need to know about the products you have and the products you need. Encyclope-dic knowledge of baby gear won’t make you a better parent.”

While some might balk at the thought of paying a professional to compile a baby registry or locate the perfect pediatrician, Links wants new parents to know that her services can actually save them money. “I can help a family avoid buying a ton of useless gear or wasting a lot of time trying to find a resource or the right professional,” she says.

And what does she consider the best thing about being a baby planner? “Watch-ing the relief wash over parents’ faces when they realize they don’t have to run to the store for diaper cream or set up the new Bugaboo. I can do it all for them.”

For more information, visit sweetpeababyplanners.com/jlink.

JeN

'S G

eMS

JeNNIfer LINk SHAreS Her fAVOrITe TrAVeL PrODuCTS fOr New PAreNTS ON THe GO

Between Helping Parents select their ideal Birth

Plan to Outfitting a nursery, this resourceful

nyC Mom turned Her knack for assisting Other

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Ch

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Ram

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NewParents_LetsPanic-0411.indd 64 3/21/11 11:58 AM

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Wee Gallery Animal Print Cards “These art cards are endlessly

entertaining to babies, who love staring at the contrasting black and white designs. They’re also small

enough to stow away in your diaper

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go. My son still loves them almost a year later.” (weegallery.com)

—Leah Black, editor of Born And Bred,

New York Family’s new parent blog (newyorkfamily.com)

Pump Ease HandsFree Pumping Bra

“If you are planning to use a breast pump, a hands-free pump-ing bra is an absolute must-have. I love Pump Ease Hands Free Pump-ing Bra—it frees a mom’s hands up while pumping so she can read a book, write a thank you, eat a bowl of ice cream or whatever else. It also enables her to change her breast pump settings without propping pump parts under chin and limb.” (pumpease.com)

—Amanda Cole, president of Yummy Mummy

Rockin’ Baby Pouch“The Rockin' Baby Pouch

makes babywearing stylish, comfortable and easy, giving moms and dads free hands and the baby a soothing place to snooze.” (rockinbabysling.com)

—Kristen Chase, CEO and Pub-lisher of Coolmomspicks.com

A Real Cool World FlexiBath Baby Bath Tub

“Although my favorite place for infant baths is the kitchen sink, every new parent should have a FlexiBath. This product is great if you travel, live in small quarters or just want to save water when using the big bath-tub.” (arealcoolworld.com)

—Alicia Ybarbo, producer, Today’s Moms

Pee Wees DisposableChanging Pads“You’ve probably selected a prettier changing pad cover—maybe even to coordinate with your nursery—and this will protect it from the inevitable messes. These pads are super cheap and also work well to protect bassinet or crib sheets, too.” (buybuybaby.com)—Joanna Dreifus, blogger behind Mymomshops.com

My Blue BumbershootHands Free Umbrella

“Figuring out how to maneuver a stroller on the busy NYC side-walks is a task within itself; throw an umbrella into the mix and you need a Ph.D! My Blue Bumbershoot is a hands free umbrella that attaches to your stroller handle bar, and is adjustable for your height and the wind pattern. Bring on the rain!” (mybluebumbershoot.com)

—Risa Goldberg, founder, Big City Moms

Leading Parenting Experts, Buyers And

Bloggers Share Their ‘Must Have’

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MyFavorite

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NEW PARENTS GUIDE



Smart Solutions Tool Kit for Working Mothers

“I adore this all-in-one life organizer for women who are going back to work after their children are born. The kit includes a daily baby log, menu planner, im-munization record and CPR magnet, and there’s also a CD with templates to help you navigate the most difficult topics with your employer, such as Alterna-tive Work Schedule Agreement, Pumping Space Proposal and Work Re-Entry Guide. A kit that helps us advocate for the working mom? Genius!” (smartso-lutiontoolkit.com)

—Rebecca Martin, producer of New York Family’s New Parents Expo

Arm's Reach MiniCo-Sleeper Bassinet

“This bassinet is perfect for breast-feeding moms and parents who want their little ones close by, but not in the bed. It’s a wonderful item because it’s light weight and can be moved all around an apartment with ease.” (armsreach.com)

—MaryAnn Zoellner, producer, Today’s Moms

Tommee Tippee Closerto Nature Starter Set

“Expectant parents can rest assured that they’re prepared for

their baby's arrival with the Tom-mee Tippee Closer to Nature Starter Set, which includes two different size bottles, formula dispensers and a bottle and nipple cleaner to meet the feeding needs of a newborn.” (toysrus.com)

—Paul Desiderioscioli, vice president, divisional merchandising manager, consumables and infant care, Babies"R"Us

4Moms Mamaroo InfantSeat/Bouncer

“Five unique mo-tions make this

swing and bouncer all-in-one, giving new moms’ arms a much needed rest.” (buybuyba-by.com)

—Meka Millstone-Shroff,

spokesperson for buybuy BABY

Beaba Babycook “Making your own baby food

becomes a lot less daunting with Be-aba’s Babycook compact countertop appliance. It steams and mashes food for you, it’s easy to operate (even for the sleep deprived), eco-friendly and even a little fun. No promise your baby will eat pureed peas, but at least you know you are giving it your very best shot.” (beabausa.com)

—Nicole Feliciano, parenting style expert at Mom Trends (momtrends.com)

Dwell Counting Birds Wooden Puzzle

“This classic, colorful puzzle is a great educational activity for kids, plus it showcases Dwell’s signature style.” (dwell.com)

Skip Hop Treetop Friends Crib Bedding Collection

“Skip Hop is known for its in-novative designs and high-quality products. I love their latest bedding pattern, which is adorable for both boys and girls. Who can resist those owls?” (skiphop.com)

Isoki “New Yorker” Hobo Revers-ible Diaper Bag

“Featuring a metallic bronze fi nish on one side and a colorful, daytime pattern on the other, this diaper bag epitomizes New York style. It’s even

chic enough to wear on its own after your baby is out of diapers.” (isokiusa.com)

New York Family’s Style Editor Shares Her Favorite Picks

JOY’SFAVORITE

FINDS



Staying healthy during pregnancy is a priority for every mom-to-be. For advice, we turned to a few NYC experts who specialize in prenatal fit-ness and health—Sheryl Wilson, CPT, Esq. and the founder of Fitnotic;

Julianna Sechhes, director of prenatal yoga at Karma Kids Yoga; and Anna Mer-rill, co-owner of Birthday Presence, a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator and DONA-certified labor support doula.

DO work up a sweat. Exercise dur-ing pregnancy has numerous benefits for moms-to-be, including a more com-fortable pregnancy with less aches and pains, a shorter and easier labor and a quicker return to pre-pregnancy shape. Exercise can also decrease the risk of de-veloping complications like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Merrill recommends that pregnant women try to engage in some form of physical activity for 30 minutes most days of the week (walking counts!).

DON’T overdo it. Women who weren’t exercising regularly before their pregnancy should keep their routines simple. However, just because a wom-an wasn’t an athlete before becoming pregnant doesn’t mean she can’t get moving. “Women who previously were not very active can slowly increase the duration of their daily walks, or try swimming or a yoga class,” says Merill. “Pregnancy can serve as a great motivator for improving health!”

Experts recommend that all pregnant women stay away from high-intensity exercise, contact sports or any activity with a high potential for falling, as a woman’s center of gravity changes dur-ing pregnancy. “A good rule of thumb is that expectant moms should be able to carry on a conversation throughout their workout,” says Wilson. Merrill also advises that after the first trimes-ter, any activity where the mom-to-be is lying on her back should be avoided.

DO find your Zen. Calming exer-cises like yoga help women not only strengthen their bodies and improve flexibility, but also to de-stress and con-nect with their babies. “It’s important to connect mom and baby early on,” Sechhes says. “The stronger the bond, the better the pregnancy will be.”

DO drink up. Staying hydrated is important for everyone, but it’s espe-cially imperative during pregnancy, as water helps to carry nutrients through

the blood to the baby. “Aside from alleviating side effects like nausea, constipation and swelling, water may help prevent urinary tract infections and the onset of premature labor,” says Wilson, who recommends that moms-to-be try to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water each day and carry a bottle of water with them at all times.

DON’T obsess over the scale. While it’s a good thing to be mindful of your weight gain, constantly step-ping on the scale can be a source of un-necessary stress. “My advice is to listen only to your health care provider,” says Wilson. “If [he or she] isn’t concerned about your weight, you shouldn’t be either. Stay as active as possible, eat sensibly, take your vitamins and em-brace your beautiful prenatal body.”

DO get together. Pairing up with another mom-to-be or joining a prenatal fitness class is a great way to share your experience and create a support system. “Pregnancy can be overwhelming and isolating at times,” says Sechhes. “We encourage expectant moms to connect with each other and to surround themselves with people they trust, from the obstetrician to the fitness instructor.” r

Bump It Up

Hoping To Stay Fit During Your Pregnancy? Leading

Experts Share Their Exercise Do’s And Don’ts For A

Healthy Pregnancy And Delivery

NEW PARENTS GUIDE


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Visit our website to learn about the benefits of yoga for children, our Class Descriptions, Special Events, other locations around NYC and Brooklyn, Children’s Yoga Teacher Training, and Yoga Birthday Party information. KARMA KIDS YOGA 104 West 14th Street, NYC (646)638-1444 [email protected] karmakidsyoga.com

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So you’ve read every pregnancy and newborn book, you’ve baby-proofed your entire apartment and you’ve washed all the onesies you received at your baby shower in eco-friendly laundry detergent. But wait! There are some common mis-takes new parents of multiples (and singletons, too) often make that you can avoid with just a little bit of forethought:

Running Out Of Supplies. No one wants to make a midnight drug store run for formula, diapers or nipple cream! Making sure that you have at least one week’s supply of staples like these will make your life easier. Twins will go through more than 120 diapers a week in the beginning, so be prepared! Keep spare tubes of diaper cream, bottles of baby wash and lotion—and even Tylenol for you.

Confusing The Babies. (Parents of singletons, don’t skip this!) Keep a log of who ate, how much, and when; who slept, how long, and when; and who had a dirty diaper and when. Sleep deprivation plays some tricky games on you, and keeping a log enables you to keep track of how each child is progressing over the course of each day. Also, if your kids are taking any medications or vitamins, this is the best way to make sure they get their proper doses.

Mixing Up Your Priorities. Making dinner for your boss who is coming over to visit the babies is not a priority. Keeping your bathroom as clean as an operating room is not a priority. Catching up on old episodes of “How I Met Your Mother”…okay, that may have made my priority list. But you get the

point. Keep chores and errands in perspective and don’t worry about doing anything for anyone (except the babies, of course) for a while. Not much is expected from parents of newborns, so take advantage of everyone’s low expectations—this is your chance to use your Get Out Of Jail Free card!

Hesitating On Help. When your fifth cousin calls to con-gratulate you on the birth of your babies and says, “Please let me know if you need anything,” don’t chime back, “I will, thanks so much for offering!” Instead, say, “You want to help, how wonderful! How’s Tuesday at 3?” Take advantage of help from family and friends who offer. And when they come over, they don’t have to hold the babies the whole time—let them empty the dishwasher or fold the laundry. Family and friends will flock to help in the begin-ning, but after a few months your home may feel like an Old West ghost town. So put ‘em to work while the shine is still on the apple!

Neglecting Your Marriage. Don’t forget that these ba-bies didn’t just make themselves! Check in with your partner every day, and don’t forget to kiss each other goodnight (even if the sun is up because the babies never slept). You chose to have babies with this person for a reason; try to remember it as often as you can.

A mom of twins herself, Natalie Diaz is the founder of Twiniversity, a free online community for parents of multiples. For more info, visit twiniversity.com.

By Natalie Diaz

Common Mistakes

New Parents Of

Multiples (Okay, all New

Parents) Often Make

BabyBlunders

NEW PARENTS GUIDE



Maternity Clothing StoreSann taylor loFt, various locations in Manhattan, 1-888-LOFT-444, anntay-lorloft.coma Pea in the Pod, 151 West 34th Street, 212-244-6126, apeainthepod.comDestination Maternity, 28 East 57th Street, 212-588-0220, destinationma-ternity.comJane’s exchange, 191 East 3rd Street, 212-677-0380, janesexchangenyc.comliz lange Maternity Boutique, 958 Madison Avenue, 212-879-2191Madison rose, Multiple locations in Brooklyn, madisonrosematernity.comMotherhood Maternity, 641 6th Av-enue, 212-741-3488, motherhood.comrosie Pope Maternity, 1265 Madison Avenue, 212-608-2036, rosiepopema-ternity.com Veronique Maternity, 1321 Madison Avenue, 212-831-7800, veronique.com

BaBy Clothing, SuPPlieS & Furniture

aBC Carpet and home, 888 Broadway, 212-473-3000, abchome.comalbee Baby, 715 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-662-8902, albeebaby.com Babies r us, 24-30 Union Square East, 212-798-9905, babiesrus.comBaby Depot, 707 6th Avenue, 212-229-1300, babydepot.comBellini Baby and teen Furniture, 1305 2nd Avenue, 212-517-9233, bellini.comBonne nuit, 1193 Lexington Avenue, 212-472-7300Bu and the Duck, 106 Franklin Street, 212-431-9226, buandtheduck.comBundle, 128 Thompson Street, 212-982-9465, bundlenyc.comBuy Buy Baby, 270 7th Avenue, 917-344-1555, buybuybaby.comCalypso, 407 Broome Street, 212-941-9700, calypso-celle.comCapucine, 20 Harrison Street, 212-219-4030Catimini, 1125 Madison Avenue, 212-987-0688, catimini.comDucduc, 523 Broadway #206, 212-226-1868, ducducnyc.comestella, 493 6th Avenue, 212-255-3553, estella-nyc.comgiggle, various locations in Manhattan, 1-800-495-8577, giggle.comgranny Made, 381 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-496-1222, grannymade.comibiza Kids, 61 4th Avenue, 212-375-9984, ibizakidz.comJacadi, 1260 Third Avenue, 212-717-9292, jacadiusa.comkidssupply.comla layette et Plus, 170 East 61st Street, 212-431-9226, lalayette.comlester’s, 1534 Second Avenue, 212-734-9292, lestersnyc.comlucky Kid Store, 127 Prince Street, 212-466-0849, luckybrand.com/kidsMagic Windows, 1186 Madison Avenue, 212-289-0028, magicwindowskids.comMish Mish, 1435 Lexington Avenue, 212-996-6474

obaibi, 1296 Madison Avenue, 212-369-8125, okaidi.comPetit Batea, 1094 Madison Avenue, 212-988-8884, petit-bateau.usPink olive, 439 East 9th Street, 212-780-0036, pinkoliveboutique.comPlanet Kids, 247 East 86th Street, 212-426-2040, planetkidsny.comralph lauren, 872 Madison Avenue, 212-434-8082, ralphlauren.comSchneider’s, 41 West 25th Street, 212-228-3540, schneidersbaby.comSkip hop, skiphop.comSoho Baby, 251 Elizabeth Street, 212-625-8538, sohobaby.comSr Kids, 1310 Madison Avenue, 212-929-6521

ChilDBirth eDuCation, BreaSt-FeeDing & inFant CPr ClaSSeS:

Birthday Presence, Manhattan: 580 Broadway, Suite 304; Brooklyn: 291 8th Street, 917-751-6579, birthdaypres-ence.netJCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Av-enue, 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.orglittle hearts CPr, 688 6th Avenue, Suite 202, 212-691-5989, littleheartscpr.comMomPrep, rosie Pope Maternity, 212-423-5815, rosiepopematernity.com/momprepDiana Simkin, Upper East Side loca-tions, 212-348-020892nd Street y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92y.org

BreaStFeeDing SuPPortBoing Boing, 204 6th Avenue, Brook-lyn, 718-398-0251, boingboingmater-nity.comla leche league of Manhattan, vari-ous locations, lllusa.orgupper Breast Side 135 West 70th Street, 212 873-2653, upperbreastside.comyummy Mummy, 1201 Lexington Avenue, 212-87-YUMMY, yummymum-mystore.com

Parenting ClaSSeS & grouPS92nd Street y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92y.orgBaby Bites, Manhattan: 646-258-3907; Brooklyn: 917-596-2902, babybitesnyc.comBig City Moms, 917-488-8542, bigcity-moms.comDivalysscious Moms, 917-601-0068, divamoms.comexecutive Moms, 917-715-1115, execu-tivemoms.comJCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Av-enue, 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.orgManhattan twins Club, 212-774-7488, manhattantwinsclub.orgParents league of new york, 115 East 82nd Street #1C, 212-737-7385, parents-league.orgParents Without Partners, P.O. Box 1066, Staten Island, 718-816-5370, par-entswithoutpartners.orgPark Slope Parents, parkslopeparents.com

Seedlings group, 212-966-7273, seed-lingsgroup.com

Soho Parenting, 568 Bzroadway, Suite 402, 212-334-3744, sohoparenting.com

Pre- anD PoStnatal FitneSS

east Side tae Kwon Do, 325 East 65th Street, 212-755-5982, eastsidetaekwon-do.com

Fitnotic, locations vary, fitnotic.com

Karma Kids yoga, 104 West 14th Street, 646-638-1444, karmakidsyoga.com

Maternal Fitness, 108 East 16th Street, 4th Floor, 212-353-1947, maternalfit-ness.com

Prenatal Massage Center, 123 West 79th Street, Suite LL2, 212-330-6846, prenatalmassagecenter.com

Prenatal yoga Center, 251 West 72nd Street, Suite 2F, 212-362-2985, prena-talyogacenter.com

reebok Sports Club/ny, 160 Columbus Avenue, 212-362-6800; 330 East 61st Street, 212-355-5100; 45 Rockefeller Plaza, 212-218-8600; thesportscluba.com

Spa Bebe, 180 East 16th Street, Fourth Floor, 212-353-1547, maternalfitness.com

Strollercize inc., 800-Y-STROLL, stroll-ercize.com

tribeca Med Spa, 114 Hudson Street, 212-925-9500, tribecamedspa.com

nanny, DayCare & BaBySitter

absolute Best Care nanny Services, 274 Madison Avenue, Suite 503, 212-481-5705, absolutebestcare.com

Bright Minds Day Care and nursery School, 49 White Street, 212-920-1014, brightmindnyc.com

interexchange/au Pair uSa, 161 Sixth Avenue, 212-924-0446, aupairusa.org

new york nanny Center, inc., 250 West 57th Street, Suite 2330, 212-265-3354, nynanny.com

Philippino Placement Services, 5 West 46th Street, Suite 501, 212-398-3799

Pinch Sitter agency, 799 Broadway, Suite 204, 212-260-6005, nypinchsit-ters.com

river School, 75 West End Avenue, 212-707-8300, theriverschool.com

Sensible Sitters, 175 East 96th Street Suite 27M, 646-485-5121, sensiblesit-ters.com

Sitter City, 888-211-9749, sittercity.com

Star america, 780 Eighth Avenue, 212-262-4896, starpreschool.com

tutor time, 776 Sixth Avenue, 212-683-5020, tutortime.com

For more new parent resources, visit newyorkfamily.com.

neW Parent reSourCeS

ResourcePage.indd 72 3/21/11 9:42 AM

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

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Fun, Friends,& Fitness toNY Kids!

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School will be out before you know it, which means now’s the time to start thinking about summer classes. Luckily, whether they’re looking to create a work of art, learn a new language, practice their swing or say “ohm,” there’s a class to suit every summer-loving city kid:

KIDS AT WORK Chelsea’s Kids at Work brings

its music classes to the park with Sun Sessions! Sun Sessions take place under shady trees in Hudson River Park and Washington Square Park from June—August.

Taught by two teachers (including a guitarist), Sun

Sessions are all drop-in classes. (kidsatworknyc.com)

DASHA WELLNESSGet your game on with Generation D, Dasha’s individualized fi tness program for kids. Classes improve kids’ athletic skills while instilling a lasting dedication to healthy eating, fi tness and mental and physical health. Programs are customized to the strengths, weaknesses and interests of each child. (dashawellness.com)

CHILDREN’S MUSEUMOF MANHATTANThis summer, kids ages 3-4 can explore the natural world around them in a series of classes that focus on a different theme each month. Members of the Eco Kids Club will engage in interactive stories, science experiments and art projects. Kids ages 4-5 can join the Science Squad and participate in more in-depth, hands-on experiments using live specimens and

prototypes. (cmom.org)

ART FARM IN THE CITYGet ready to mix, measure and create as Mini Chef brings their “Culinary Playground” to The Art Farm! Kids will learn about good nutrition and creating yummy local and global cuisine through hands-on cooking activities. (theartfarms.org)

THE EARLY EARAt The Early Ear, highly-skilled music teachers and pianists work together to introduce the magical world of music to children. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, kids engage in sing-alongs, movement and musical games and form music ensembles with friends. (theearlyear.com)

BALLET ACADEMY EASTThe BAE Summer Ballet Program offers classes for both the beginner and experienced dancer. The Primary Class (ages 6-7) and the Enrichment Class (ages 8-10) introduce basic ballet steps (no prior experience or auditions necessary). Other classes for students in Levels 1-4 are offered several times a week. (balletacademyeast.com)

KARMA KIDS YOGA Karma Kids Yoga’s StoryTime class for infants-6-year-olds combines puppets and yoga poses for a magical story time experience. As you read, you’ll come across animals and elements of nature that you know from yoga—you’ll pause, do the yoga pose, then continue with the story! (karmakidsyoga.com)

SPORTIME RANDALL’S ISLANDKids ages 7-10 can sign up for Sportime’s Excel Tennis Camp on Randall’s Island. Designed for USTA tournament and aspiring high school

players, kids will learn advanced strokes, participate in rallying drills and match play with coaching, speed and agility training. Junior Tennis & Sports Camp for ages 6-14 is also available, providing professional tennis instruction with a variety of team sports including soccer, softball, fl ag football and lacrosse. (sportimeny.com)

JOFFREY BALLET SCHOOLThe Joffrey’s rigorous Ballet Intensive, offered for ages 12 and up, exposes young dancers to performances by companies like the American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet. The one- to eight-week course culminates in a student performance at a local theater. For ages 10-14, a Dance Camp prepares students working towards pointe with both barre and center exercises. At Summer Dance Camp for ages 3-9, kids are introduced to dance using arts, crafts, music and food. (joffreyballetschool.com)

74TH ST. MAGICMAGIC’s Busy Bee Time is a unique “on my own” class that gives children ages 2-3.5 years the opportunity to explore a variety of activities including art, music, movement, cooking, science, games, stories and dramatic play. A fi rst-time separation class, Busy Bee is a nurturing, small-group environment that allows children to gain confi dence in their independence in preparation for nursery school. (74magic.com)

From An Eco Kids Club To A Bookworms Story Hour,A Preview Of This Summer’s Coolest Classes For Kids

S ummer Classes That Make A Splash

ART FARM IN THE CITY

SummerClassPreview-0411.indd 75 3/22/11 12:37 PM

76 New York Family | April 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com76 New York Family | April 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

KLUB4KIDZLet the kids rock out this summer with “songs for seeds,” the 12-week music program that encourages babies and children up to age 5 to dance, play and sing along with a live three-piece band. Kids will learn about instruments like guitars, keyboards and drums, and practice counting, animal sounds, nursery rhymes and more. (klub4kidz.com)

APPLE SEEDS Little book lovers are invited to join apple seeds this summer for their bookworms program! Children ages 2.5-4 years will share observations and participate in activities and projects that bring each story to life. They’ll explore faraway places, make new friends, learn and most importantly share quality time with parents and caregivers. (appleseedsnyc.com)

GYMBOREE PLAY & MUSICKids ages 2.5-5 years enrolled in Summer Bubble Camp, a two-hour drop-off program, enjoy playtime in the gym, music, art, science, story time and a snack. All families who enroll will also receive free Open PlayGym passes, and Manhattan families who enroll will also receive a free weekly Play & Learn class. (gymboreeclasses.com)

JCC IN MANHATTANKids ages 6-10 with spare time between school and camp can join the JCC in Manhattan for the all-new 10 Days 10 Ways: JCC NYC Adventurers. Children will spend their days exploring the city by foot, by train, by tram, by bus and by boat. The two-week session will include an expedition over the Brooklyn Bridge to waterfront fun in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a scavenger hunt through the Green Market in Union Square to buy supplies for a “top chef” class and much more! (jccmanhattan.org)

ASPHALT GREENAG’s Summer Swim Camps are a perfect way to cool off and beat the summer heat. Separated into the Manta Ray Group (ages 7-10) and the Barracuda Group (ages 11-15), kids will learn four competitive strokes, gradually increase their speed and prepare for competition. The camp includes two pool sessions

and a fi eld trip, a video analysis, lunch and a camp t-shirt. (asphaltgreen.com)

APPLAUSE NEW YORK CITYCamp Applause is hosting week-long theatre camps this summer! Each week, children will cycle through classes such as acting, singing, set design, audition technique, Broadway dance, hip-hop, acting for TV, costume design and so much more. Different weekly themes and a visit from a Broadway star are highlights of each session. (applauseny.com)

GYMTIME RHYTHM & GLUESBesides a variety of gymnastics, music, art and cooking classes, kids can sign up for the new “Lil’ Ruggers” program, the nation’s fi rst-ever rugby-inspired enrichment program for kids ages 3-11. Class includes circle time, warm-ups, stretches, drills and a short game that incorporates skills like running, catching, passing and kicking. (gymtime.net)

SCHOOL AT STEPSThe Young Dancers Summer Program is designed to introduce kids ages 2-6 to creative movement and rhythm through the use of their imagination and body coordination. Older kids concentrate on ballet techniques, combining theater, jazz and strengthening exercises like Pilates. (stepsnyc.com)

THREE LITTLE BIRDSWork never sounded like so much fun! TLB’s

spring/summer curriculum, “Joey Gets a Job,” will have students

exploring professions through music. Throughout the

session, children will sing, play and learn about jobs like mailman, ballet dancer, taxi driver, doctor, and weatherman while meeting over 20 classical and folk

instruments.(tlbmusic.com)

92ND ST. YSpecially designed for energetic youngsters ages 4-6 who like all kinds of physical activities, 92Y’s new, twice-weekly Olympic Kids classes offer a variety of instruction in KidSports, junior gymnastics and swimming. It’s an ideal way for children to experience different sports in a small-group setting. Each session also includes a daily snack and story break. (92Y.org)

CHELSEA PIERS

Held at the Field House at Chelsea Piers, CP’s Micro Sports class is designed to introduce preschoolers ages 3-5 to a variety of sports. The class incorporates the fun of movement, teamwork, sportsmanship and muscle coordination. Sports include soccer, rock climbing, tee-ball, basketball and fi eld games.

(chelseapiers.com)

JODI’S GYMJodi’s Gym is celebrating

29 years of fun, friends and fi tness this summer! Try any of their classes: Teeny Tumblers (6-11 months), Mighty Muscle Movers (12-35 months), Rockin’ Rollers (12-35 months), Tumbling

Tots (3-5 years) or FUN-tastic Gymnastics

(grades K-2). Families enjoy free playtimes as

part of their enrollment! (jodisgym.com)

KIDVILLEThis summer, kids ages 18-24 months and 2 years can join Kidville for Color Splash, a “creation vacation” during which little ones will make beautiful summer souvenirs using paint, collage and sculpture. Water tables and sand trays make for indoor “beach” play (without the sunscreen or traffi c!). (kidville.com)

CITIBABESThis summer, Citibabes is combining two of its favorite classes, CitiArt and CitiSongs, into one special class for mixed ages: CitiMix! While older kids (2-3.5 years) enjoy being creative, making a mess, and having fun in a class designed for little artists, the younger ones (18-24 months) will join a Citibabes’ teacher for a musical sing-a-long of traditional children’s songs, rock, folk and more. Then, after half an hour, the groups will swap! (citibabes.com)

APPLAUSE NEW YORK CITY



camps this summer! Each week, children will cycle through classes such as acting, singing, set design, audition technique, Broadway dance, hip-hop, acting for TV, costume design and so much more. Different weekly themes and a visit from a Broadway star are highlights of each session. (applauseny.com)

Gymtime Rhythm & GluesBesides a variety of gymnastics, music, art and cooking classes, kids can sign up for the new “Lil’ Ruggers” program, the nation’s first-ever rugby-inspired enrichment program for kids ages 3-11. Class includes circle time, warm-ups, stretches, drills and a short game that incorporates skills like running, catching, passing and kicking. (gymtime.net)

school at stepsThe Young Dancers Summer Program is designed to introduce kids ages 2-6 to creative movement and rhythm through the use of their imagination and body coordination. Older kids concentrate on ballet techniques, combining theater, jazz and strengthening exercises like Pilates. (stepsnyc.com)

92nd stReet ySpecially designed for energetic youngsters ages 4-6 who like all kinds of physical activities, 92Y’s new, twice-weekly Olympic Kids classes offer a variety of instruction in KidSports, junior gymnastics and swimming. It’s an ideal way for children to experience different sports in a small-group setting. Each session also includes a daily snack and story break. (92Y.org)

thRee little BiRdsWork never sounded like so much fun! TLB’s spring/summer curriculum, “Joey Gets a Job,” will have students exploring professions through music. Throughout the session, children will sing, play and learn about jobs like mailman, ballet dancer, taxi driver, doctor, and

weatherman while meeting over 20 classical and folk instruments. (tlbmusic.com)

chelsea pieRs

Held at the Field House at Chelsea Piers, CP’s Micro Sports class is designed to introduce preschoolers ages 3-5 to a variety of sports. The class incorporates the fun of movement, teamwork, sportsmanship and muscle coordination. Sports include soccer, rock climbing, tee-ball, basketball and field games. (chelseapiers.com)

Jodi’s GymJodi’s Gym is celebrating 29 years of fun, friends and fitness this summer! Try any of their classes: Teeny Tumblers (6-11 months), Mighty Muscle Movers (12-35 months), Rockin’ Rollers (12-35 months), Tumbling Tots (3-5 years) or FUN-tastic Gymnastics (grades K-2). Families enjoy free playtimes as part of their enrollment! (jodisgym.com)

KidvilleThis summer, kids ages 18-24 months and 2 years can join Kidville for Color Splash, a “creation vacation” during which little ones will make beautiful summer souvenirs using paint, collage and sculpture. Water tables and sand trays make for indoor “beach” play (without the sunscreen or traffic!). (kidville.com)

maKe meaninGSchool’s out but creativity is in at Make Meaning’s Creativity Camp Kickoff! Kids ages 8-11 can gear up for camp with an assortment of handmade accessories—or start off a summer in the city by

making custom jewelry and new friends! Creative experiences will include friendship bracelets, personalized stationery, a keepsake book to fill with summer memories and more. (makemeaning.com)

citiBaBesThis summer, Citibabes is combining two of its favorite classes, CitiArt and CitiSongs, into one special class for mixed ages: CitiMix! While older kids (2-3.5 years) enjoy being creative, making a mess, and having fun in a class designed for little artists, the younger ones (18-24 months) will join a Citibabes’ teacher for a musical sing-a-long of traditional children’s songs, rock, folk and more. Then, after half an hour, the groups will swap! (citibabes.com)

childRen’s museum of the aRtsKids can participate in one- and two-week day camp sessions with CMA’s award-winning Summer Art Colony. Led by professional teaching artists, either at the museum in SoHo or on Governor’s Island. Classes include both fine art and media art, including painting, abstract art, sculpture, hand-drawn animation, stop-motion animation and food films. (cmany.org)

dilleR-Quaile school of musicThe Summer Music Institute at Diller-Quaile School of Music immerses students ages 8-18 in a week of musical enrichment. The program provides individual attention to students as they engage in varied ensemble experiences. The Summer Music Institute’s comprehensive curriculum nurtures students’ love of music and fosters excitement for their instruments. (diller-quaile.org)

Kids in spoRtsBaseball and basketball and football, oh my!

This summer, Kids In Sports is offering a variety of half- and full-day indoor and outdoor camps in several locations—including Temple Israel, Randall’s Island and All Souls Church—for children ages 2.5-10 years. (kisnyc.com)

supeR socceR staRsSuper Soccer Stars’ Kick It! Day Camp immerses

children ages 6-12 in a fun outdoor camp atmosphere. Campers will participate in activities like “soccer tennis,” “soccer bowling,” and individual and partner activities that will teach soccer skills, build

self-confidence and promote sportsmanship. Campers will also learn about legendary soccer players and have the opportunity to play in a World Cup Tournament. (supersoccerstars.com)

eastside Westside music toGetheRESWS Music Together’s Babies Only classes for infants under eight months old are a one-semester introduction to the Music Together program. Activities and materials are specially designed for parents who want to learn about musical development in infants. (eswsmusictogether.com)

discoveRy pRoGRamsDiscovery Programs’ “Almost On My Own” program for toddlers is a wonderful way to introduce almost-2 and 2-year-olds to an informal nursery experience in a warm, safe and playful environment. Each session includes a mix of classroom time and active play. (discoveryprograms.com)

KicK & playA new program from the creators of Super Soccer Stars, Kick & Play is a parent-child pre-soccer and movement program for toddlers between 12-24 months. Experienced instructors provide individual attention, positive reinforcement and engaging original music to help toddlers learn to balance, run, kick and play—all while having a blast! (kickandplay.com)

columBus pReschool & GymA summer camp offers a variety of sessions for kids ages 2-5. Kids will focus on music and movement using song, dance and musical instruments; create original artwork; explore science; and go on special outings. Campers will also take advantage of the outdoor play area and jungle gym. (columbusgymnyc.com)

BeRlitzKids will have fun and learn a new language with the Berlitz Summer Camp program, which engages children in a fun, educational curriculum designed just for them. Teen programs are also available. (berlitz.us)

Kids at aRtArt enthusiasts ages four and up can join Kids at Art for week-long, half-day workshops all summer long! In addition to drawing, painting and collage, classes will include special projects such as mask-making, puppet-making, clay-building and papier mache. (kidsatartnyc.com)

SummerClassPreview-0411.indd 76 3/21/11 11:53 AM

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CHILDREN’S MUSEUMOF THE ARTSKids can participate in one- and two-week day camp sessions with CMA’s award-winning Summer Art Colony. Led by professional teaching artists, the camp will focus on fun arts programs either at the museum in SoHo or on Governor’s Island. Classes include both fi ne art and media art, including painting, abstract art, sculpture, hand-drawn animation, stop-motion animation and food fi lms. (cmany.org)

MAKE MEANINGSchool’s out but

creativity is in at Make Meaning’s Creativity Camp Kickoff! Kids ages 8-11 can gear up for camp with an assortment

of handmade accessories—or start

off a summer in the city by making custom

jewelry and new friends! Creative experiences will include friendship bracelets, personalized stationery, a keepsake book to fi ll with summer memories and more. (makemeaning.com)

KIDS IN SPORTSBaseball and basketball and football, oh my! This summer, Kids In Sports is offering a variety of half- and full-day indoor and outdoor camps in several locations—including Temple Israel, Randall’s Island and All Souls Church—for children ages 2.5-10 years. (kisnyc.com)

SUPER SOCCER STARSSuper Soccer Stars’ Kick It! Day Camp immerses children ages 6-12 in a fun outdoor camp atmosphere. Campers will participate in activities

like “soccer tennis,” “soccer bowling,” and individual and partner activities that will teach soccer skills, build self-confi dence and promote sportsmanship. Each day will feature a talent showcase where campers and coaches will have the opportunity to show off their skills! Campers will also learn about legendary soccer players and have the opportunity to play in a World Cup Tournament. (supersoccerstars.com)

EASTSIDE WESTSIDE MUSIC TOGETHERESWS Music Together’s Babies Only classes for infants under eight months old are a one-semester introduction to the Music Together program. Activities and materials are specially designed for parents who want to learn about musical development in infants. Meet other parents of newborns and learn fun music activities you can recreate at home with your baby. (eswsmusictogether.com)

DISCOVERYPROGRAMSDiscovery Programs’ “Almost On My Own” program for toddlers is a wonderful way to

introduce almost-2 and 2-year-olds to an informal nursery experience

in a warm, safe and playful environment. Each

session includes a mix of classroom time and active play. (discoveryprograms.com)

KICK & PLAYA new program from the creators of Super Soccer Stars,

Kick & Play is a parent-child pre-soccer

and movement program for toddlers between 12-

24 months. Experienced instructors (along with puppet friends Mimi & Pepe) provide individual attention, positive reinforcement and engaging original music to help toddlers learn to balance, run, kick and play—all while having a blast! (kickandplay.com)

COLUMBUS PRESCHOOL & GYMA summer camp offers a variety of sessions for kids ages 2-5. Kids will focus on music and movement using song, dance and musical instruments; create original artwork; explore the science behind air, water, sand and plants; and go on special outings. Campers will also take advantage of the outdoor play area and jungle gym, and receive gymnastic instruction inside the fully-equipped facility. (columbusgymnyc.com)

DILLER-QUAILE SCHOOLOF MUSICThe Summer Music Institute at Diller-Quaile School of Music immerses students ages 8-18 in a week of musical enrichment fi lled with fun and motivating challenges. The program provides individual attention to students as they engage in varied ensemble experiences. The Summer Music Institute’s comprehensive curriculum nurtures students’ love of music and fosters excitement for their instruments. (diller-quaile.org)

THE BERLITZ KIDS®2011 SUMMER CAMP Kids will have fun and learn a new language with the Berlitz Summer Camp program, which engages children in a fun, educational curriculum designed just for them. Get ready to see real progress and kids genuinely excited about the language! Teen programs are also available. (berlitz.us)

KIDS AT ARTArt enthusiasts ages four and up can join Kids at Art for week-long, half-day workshops all summer long! In addition to drawing, painting and collage, classes will include special projects such as mask-making, puppet-making, clay-building and papier mache. (kidsatartnyc.com)

DILLER-QUAILE SCHOOL OF MUSIC


Free Demonstration Classes!

AILEYEXTENSION.COM/SUMMER OR 212-405-9500

405 WEST 55TH STREET AT 9TH AVENUE

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REGISTER NOWPhotos by Kyle Froman

C A M P countdown

Green Outdoors

TheGreen Outdoors

The How SummerCamps FosterEnvironmentalAwareness

How SummerCamps FosterEnvironmentalAwareness


CampCountdown_0411.indd 80 3/17/11 6:01 PM


Campers enjoying nature at Bank Street Summer Camp

Experiencing the outdoors enhances children’s ability learn, lead and enjoy nature, as well as gain a lifelong interest in caring for the planet. But parents who want to be sure their kids know a toad

from a frog and a catfi sh from a crawfi sh don’t need to go it alone. Camp programs are among the best ways for children to get to know Mother Nature fi rst-hand.

A TOAD OR A FROG?Take James, for example. James and the natural world

had only a passing acquaintance, so his parents sent him to a camp in the woods. “We have a little potato patch down by the river, and the kids can catch a trout in the river and dig up potatoes and bring them back to camp, learning what it’s like to live off the land,” explains Sandy Schenk, owner and director of Green River Preserve camp in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina. “When James’s parents came to pick him up at week’s end, he dragged his duffl e bag across the parking lot, gave his mom and dad a big hug, and fi shed out his prize from camp—a huge potato—and gave it to his father. He was so proud. He had made a connection between the earth and food, and you could just see the light bulbs turn on.”

Almost all camps incorporate hikes and nature activities, and some go the extra mile to immerse kids in nature and the environment. Green River Preserve is one such camp. It specializes in helping children better understand the earth through daily activities with professional naturalists on a 3,400-acre nature preserve.

“We fi nd that getting kids into the natural world is transformational,” says Schenk. “Nature’s a magnifi cent teacher because everyone is treated the same. When you see kids helping each other over a slippery rock wall, it’s amazing. We see each child come out of the program with a greater understanding of nature and a better sense of self.”

Eagles’ Nest Camp in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, has been teaching kids to take care of the natural world for decades. “In our Explorer’s Club class, kids are out in the woods, streams and bushes, really getting a feel for the amazing biodiversity of the Northern Appalachians,” ex-plains Noni Waite-Kucera, executive director of Eagle’s Nest Foundation. “To have kids be able to explore and be a part of that is a real gift for them.”

Eagle’s Nest also sponsors camp craft classes, helping children learn to read a map, build a fi re and “leave no trace.” “We teach every camper how to respect and avoid making an impact on the environment,” she says. Even an earth art class uses items found in the forest for woodland sculptures, which campers then leave behind to biodegrade and contribute to the health of the forest ecosystem.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EATEnvironmental programs don’t always take place

exclusively in the outdoors. Enter the kitchen! The Whole Kitchen program at Eagle’s Nest Camp uses holistic ingredi-ents, fresh foods, whole grains and local produce. “We grind our fl our from wheat berries, and the kids make bread,” Waite-Kucera says. “It’s a way to show how nature provides for us, and why we need to return the favor.”

Sometimes, a camp’s location can provide built-in environmental lessons. At Windsor Mountain (formerly Interlocken), camp life centers around a small farm and camp garden nestled in the foothills of New Hampshire on the edge of a 4,000-acre nature preserve. “We offer kids a chance to get their feet wet in the morning dew, to feel the grass under their feet, to lie down in the fi eld and look up at the stars,” says Sarah Herman, director of the camp. “Our activities help them understand how Mother Nature is deli-cate and why we care about helping to protect her.” Campers harvest vegetables from the garden for the salad bar and help take care of the farm animals.

ART AND NATURECampers at Windsor Mountain can also go directly

into the marsh to learn about its animal habitats, into the woods to create natural art, or on a bog-wading ecologi-cal adventure. For older youth, three-day, off-campus trips take campers backpacking, mountain climbing, rafting and more, all with an eye toward building awareness about their natural surroundings.

Campers leave with an enhanced appreciation of the outdoors, and some even take environmental skills into their own communities. “One of our campers who enjoyed our garden wrote to tell us that he’s volunteering his time to a community garden project,” Herman says.

Camping Specialist Gary Forster of YMCA USA says camps are an ideal setting for creating environmental aware-ness in our children. “Children seeing animals in a natural setting for more than just a day and understanding how their choices have an impact on all systems of life is just the begin-ning,” he says. “From awareness grows an appreciation, and from that standpoint, we see children who are ready to act.”

For more information about fi nding the right camp and how to prepare for camp, visit the ACA’s website for families, campparents.org, or call their toll-free number, 1-800-428-CAMP.

Reprinted by permission of the American Camp Associa-tion © 2006 article originally printed in CAMP Magazine, American Camping Association, Inc.


SUMMER DAY CAMPJune 27th to July 29th, 2011

www.UNIS.ORGFor children 4 to 14 years old

Swimming, Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Chess, Computer, Arts & Crafts, Hip Hop &

Tap Dances, Robotics, Math, English & ESL…

Office of Special Programs 1-212-584-3083Email: [email protected]

24-50 FDR Drive (at 25th Street), New York, NY 10010

UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL


Most people hear “sum-mer camp” and think rope bridges, capture the flag,

bonfires and s’mores. But for thou-sands of kids these days, “summer camp” conjures images more like those you’ll find in Disney’s popular “Camp Rock”: learning lines, practicing scales, rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing—and ultimately, basking in the warm glow of the spotlight.

“We want kids who love theater and are passionate about it to feel like they fit in and that this is a place where they can realize their potential and their dreams,” says Konnie Kittrell, production director at Stagedoor Man-or, a performing arts training camp in the Catskills known for famous alums like Natalie Portman and Robert Downey, Jr. Founded in 1975 by Carl Samuelson and his wife Elsie, Stage-door Manor offers three-week sessions filled with classes in acting, voice, television and dance for campers ages 10 to18 of all levels and experience.

Make no mistake—a summer at Stagedoor is a summer of hard work.

However, Kittrell believes that chil-dren who are truly passionate about performing are ready and more than willing to work hard.

“For the true performer, the actual training—the process and the learn-ing—is more exciting than the actual performance,” she says.

Kids interested in performing arts camp don’t necessarily have to look outside the city. Applause New York City, the popular year-round music and drama program based on the Upper East Side, offers week-long day camps in summer.

“We offer eight different weeks, and kids can take one week or all eight,” says Audrey Kaplan, founder of Applause NYC. “A lot of our kids go to sleepaway camp, but we felt there was a need for kids in the city who don’t go away for a two-month period of time but want one or two weeks of something specialized that they can focus on.”

At Camp Applause, kids participate in all different types of performing arts classes including acting, music, singing

and dancing. Best of all, each week provides something new and different, with themes to match. “We might have an American Idol week, followed by a Western week,” Kaplan says.

In fact, at Camp Applause, one of the main objectives is to have fun, and any child with any level of interest or experience in the performing arts is welcome. “I don’t think you have to want it as a career. A lot of kids come in with friends and just think it will be fun,” Kaplan says. “That’s the best part of having it one week at a time—you don’t have to fill your whole summer with it.”

This year, however, Applause NYC will offer a sleepaway camp option for kids who do feel passionate about the performing arts and want to make them a substantial part of their sum-mer. They’ll be running their perform-ing arts programs for theater-loving campers at Camp Med-O-Lark in Washington, Maine, this summer.

“There are so many kids who want that feeling of being away, that independence and freedom, and that’s

c a m p countdown

Lights, camp,action!Performing Arts Camps Let Kids Who Love Theater, Music And Dance Hone Their Craft And Have The Time Of Their Lives

Performing Arts Camps Let Kids Who Love Theater, Music And Dance Hone Their Craft And Have The Time Of Their Lives

Lights, camp,action!

Photos feature scenes from Stagedoor Manor in the Catskills; Camp Applause in NYC; and Encore/Coda in Sweden, ME.

By Christeen VilBrun


Summer at St. Bart’s also offers flexible scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunch and After Camp programs. Contact Eileen Reddy at 212-378-0203, [email protected] or Janette Coleman at [email protected].

www.stbarts.org.

Not every kid wants the same kind of camp, and we want happy campers! That’s why St. Bart’s is offeringthree options that include swim every day:

St. Bart’s Day Camp • June 8th – August 21st

Perfect for 3 1⁄2 to 8 year olds: swimming every day, sports, art or science, dance, plus a wholelot more on our rooftop playground!Island Sports Camp • June 22nd – August 21st

For 7 – 13 year olds who like something a little more sporty. Start the day with science, art, yoga or drama, then jet off for a day of softball, soccer, and tennis. The day concludes back at St. Bart’s with swimming instruction in our indoor pool.Adventure Camp • June 22nd – August 21st

This camp is great for 8 – 13 year olds who aren’t crazy about sports but are into art, science and a little adventure. This camp offers two (2) educational/recreation trips per week in and outside of Manhattan. Also includes some sports, yoga, drama and a weekly art/science showcase.

Summer at St. Bart’s also offers flexible scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunch and After Camp program. To register, schedule a family tour at your convenience, or receive more information, contact Eileen Reddy at (212) 378-0203, [email protected] or visit our website: www.stbarts.org.

St. Bartholomew’s ChurchPark Avenue at 51st Street • www.stbarts.org • 212.378.0203

Not every kid wants the same kind of camp, and we want happy campers! That’s why Summer at St. Bart’s offers four options that include swim every day:

Age 3-4.5 years 9am to 12:30pm• Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement • Rooftop play

Age 7-13 years • TWO educational/recreational trips/week• Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement • Yoga

• Drama • Karate • Science

Tiny Tot’s at St. Bart’s June 6th-August 19th

Age 4.5-7 years 9am to 3pm• Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement • Rooftop play

• Fun with Science • Karate • Drama • Extended day options

St Bart’s Day Camp June 6th- August 19th

Adventure Camp June 20th-August 19th

Island Sports Camp June 27th – August 19thAge 7-13 years • Special trips once a week/private bus•Field Sports at Roosevelt Island • Tennis lessons • Soccer

• Softball • Kickball • Ultimate Frisbee • Relay Races • Touch Football • and more…

camps5% discount

through April 15th

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junior campers age 2 9–12 noon

discovery campers ages 3 and 4 9am–1pm

gdat & dance campages 5-10 12:30–4:30pm

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Call 212.749.8717


something we can’t necessarily offer in the city,” Kaplan says. “If you want to do theater for most of your day, but still want to be able to enjoy camp life, then this is a great fit.”

Young musicians looking to hone their skills may find Camp Encore/Coda in Sweden, Maine, to be a great choice. The 62-year-old music camp combines elements of a com-munity music school and a summer camp, creating a musi-cally intense but fun environment.

“You have the full range of musical activities—band, or-chestra, chorus, jazz band, rock band, musical theatre, private lessons—in combination with traditional camp activities like sports, swimming, building, hiking, campfires, cookouts and mosquitoes,” says camp director Jamie Saltman. “Our camp gets its flavor from the combination of these things.”

Campers at Encore/Coda can schedule their three- to six-and-a-half-week sessions according to their musical skills and preferences. While there is a range of interest and skill among campers, all kids who wish to attend the camp must have taken private lessons or received class instruction in music for at least one year before they can enroll in the summer program. They must also be participating in an ensemble in order to qualify as a good candidate. “Encore is not a place for someone who just likes to listen to music; they have to be playing it,” Saltman says.

According to Saltman, the study of music is a metaphor for how one approaches life.

“The issues we address when working with a child in a musical setting are absolutely applicable to life—the idea that you work at something a little bit every day and you get better at it,” he says. “The more you work at it, the more fun it is, and the better you get at it, the more you can share it with other people.”

All summer camps have the potential to positively influence the kids who attend them by allowing them to be independent, form tight social communities and build confidence in an environment away from home. But Kittrell maintains that, for the right kids, performing arts camps offer something extra special.

“Like in ‘High School Musical’ or ‘Glee,’ those kids who are interested in performance are a lot of times on the disad-vantage because they’re misunderstood,” she says. “But when you’re at a camp where everyone believes in the same things you do, it validates your passion and helps you understand that you’re not different, you’re just part of a different group.”

Taking The STageA Round-up of peRfoRming ARts summeR CAmpsDay Camps

a Class act Ny, aclassactny.com

applause New york City, applauseny.com

atlantic acting school, atlanticactingschool.org

Broadway artists alliance, broadwayartistsalliance.org

Brooklyn arts Exchange, bax.org

Brooklyn music school, brooklynmusicschool.org

Camp Broadway, campbroadway.com

DramaZone, dramazonenyc.com

Diller-Quaile school of music, diller-quaile.org

Galli Theater, gallitheaterny.com

manhattan school of music, msmnyc.edu

NyC Guitar school, nycguitarschool.com

New york Film academy, nyfa.edu

New york Jazz academy, nyjazzacademy.com

sOCapa, socapa.org

stageCoach Theatre arts, stagecoachschools.com

TaDa! youth Theater, tadatheater.com

Take Two Film academy, taketwofilmacademy.com

TVI actors studio, tvistudios.com

Usdan Center for the Creative and performing arts, usdan.com

slEEpaway Camps

academy of music Festival, Nyack, Ny, academyofmusicfestival.com

all Children’s Theatre, parsippany, NJ, allchildrenstheatre.org

appel Farm, Elmer, NJ, appelfarmartscamp.org

Beam Camp, strafford, NH, beamcamp.com

Belvoir Terrace, lenox, ma, belvoirterrace.com

Buck’s Rock performing and Creative arts Camp, The Berkshires, New milford, CT, bucksrockcamp.com

Brant lake Dance Camp, Brant lake, Ny, blcdance.com

Csehy summer school of music, Houghton, Ny, csehy.com

Encore/Coda, sweden, mE, encore-coda.com

French woods, Hancock, Ny, frenchwoods.com

Independent lake Camp, pocono mountain, pN, independentlake.com

long lake Camp for The arts, adirondack park, Ny, longlake-camp.com

luzerne music Center, adirondacks, Ny, luzernemusic.org

med-O-lark, washington, mE, medolark.com

New Jersey school for Dramatic arts, Bloomfield, NJ, njactors.org

New Jersey youth symphony, New providence, NJ, njys.org

New york summer music Festival, Oneonta, Ny nysmf.org

stagedoor manor, loch sheldrake, Ny, stagedoormanor.com


We take care of your children

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(off York Avenue) New York

212.737.2989 www.74magic.com

Summer Days Camp 2011

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Summer Days Camp for children 2.5 - 6 years old begins June 6th. Week-long theme based adventures filled with fun activities and plenty of outdoor play.Only a 2 week minimum required...and they do not need to be consecutive. Half day and full day options available.

Register online or call 212.737.2989 today!

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NYFamilyApril-Half-V-Camp2011.indd 1 3/8/2011 6:34:35 PM


Car

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Throughout AprilBLOSSOMING BEAUTY[All Ages]

This month, families can enjoy the blossoming fl owers of spring at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is known for its observance of Hanami—the Japanese tradition of celebrating cherry blossom season. The BBG, which boasts the largest collection of fl owering cherry trees outside of Japan, invites families to weekend tours of the gardens throughout April. On April 30th and May 1st, the season of Hanami will culminate with the annual Sakura Matsuri Festival, a two-day celebration of Japanese culture and the season of spring. At the festival, which hosts tens of thousands of visitors each year, families can experience Japanese culture through music, dance, martial arts, workshops and demonstrations and children’s programming. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.900 Washington Avenue, 718-623-7200; bbg.org.

April 2 & 3UP, UP AND AWAY![Ages 3 to 5]

The Little Orchestra Society’s Lolli-Pops kids concerts invite children to dis-cover new musical genres in a relaxed and fun-fi lled setting. On April 2nd and 3rd, families can check out “Up, Up And Away with the Woodwinds,” a musical adventure that allows children to experience the musical culture of China, Holland, Africa and Brazil and introduce them to composers like Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Performances are designed for children ages 3 to 5 and will take place on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College, 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, 212-971-9500; littleorchestra.org.

April 9IT’S GREAT TO SKATE[All Ages]

On April 9th, the Deafness Research Foundation invites families to take their last spin of the season at the Skate for Sound benefi t at the City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City. The benefi t will feature skating performances from the ice dance company Ice Theater of New York and the two-time ice dancing national silver medalist Eve Chalom, who lost most of her hearing as a child and lives with substantial hearing loss. Best of all, all proceeds of the event benefi t the Deafness Research Foundation, which helps those dealing with hearing loss attain a healthy lifestyle. The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; tickets for a family of four are $250.City Ice Pavilion, 47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City.Deafness Research Foundation, 212-328-9480; drf.org.

April 10NARNIA IN BROOKLYN[Ages 5 +]

Your children’s favorite characters from the beloved tale “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” are coming to Brooklyn! On April 10th, the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts will host Theatreworks USA’s criti-cally acclaimed musical rendition of C.S. Lewis’ classic tale. The produc-tion, which is part of the Target FamilyFun series, tells the story of four siblings who travel to the mystical land of Narnia and fi nd themselves on a perilous and heroic journey to defeat the malevolent White Witch. The show begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Walt Whitman Theatre, 2900 Campus Road, 718-951-4500; brooklyncenter.com.

April 10WALK FOR A CAUSE[All Ages]

Families can come together, get some exercise and contribute to a very worthwhile cause by walking in the 17th Annual Pediatric Cancer Founda-tion Walkathon in Riverside Park. Upon arriving, participants can enjoy

GREAT IDEASFOR APRIL

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breakfast and enter raffl e prizes before they stretch, listen to a message from the event’s host Lee Goldberg (meteorologist for Eyewit-ness News Channel 7) and embark on the walk through the park. After the walk, participants can congregate in the Boat Basin Rotunda and enjoy live music, face painting, raffl e drawings and other prizes. The walk will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration fees are $35 for adults, $15 for children under 16; walk-ins pay an additional $5 fee.Riverside Park, West 79th Street Boat Basin Rotunda; pfcwalk.org.

April 16JAMS WITH JOANIE[All Ages]

On April 16th, kids can channel their inner rock star when award-winning children’s musician Joanie Leeds (who will be celebrating the release of her new album “What A Zoo!”) takes the stage for two daytime concerts at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Joanie and her band, The Nightlights, will perform popular tunes like “I’m A Rockstar” and “Happy As A Clam,” and kids can get in on the action by playing with pom poms, beach balls, blow-up animals and other surprises. The concerts will take place at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and are free with museum admis-sion. 145 Brooklyn Avenue, 718-735-4402; brooklynkids.org.

April 16CORNY LINES [Ages 4-10]

On April 16th, families can head to Poets House—a national poetry library and literacy center in Lower Manhattan that is home to thou-sands of books, digital media sources and liter-ary programs—for the fun-fi lled event “Poetry & Popcorn with James Stevenson.” At the reading, Stevenson, a renowned children’s book author, illustrator and frequent contributor to The New Yorker, will delight children with readings from books like “Popcorn,” “Sweet Corn” and “Just Around the Corner” as well as impromptu drawing demonstrations. And yes, popcorn will be served! The event will begin at 11 a.m. and is free. 10 River Terrace, 212-431-7920; poetshouse.org.

April 23BUNNY HOP[All Ages]

The city’s only working historical farm, the Queens County Farm Museum, invites families to hop over to the farm’s annual Barnyard Easter Egg Hunt, where kids can do the “bunny hop,” participate in an egg toss, visit with the farm an-imals, take a hay ride and much more. Parents should defi nitely pack their cameras, as “Whis-kers,” the event’s furry mascot, will be greeting children and posing for pictures. The event takes place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m; admission is $5 per person. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, 718-347-3276; queensfarm.org.

April 30GET FESTIVE[All Ages]

Cinephile kids can get in on all the action of the Tribeca Film Festival with the free Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair on April 30th, an outdoor celebration chock full of activities for kids of all ages. Families can take in performances from stilt walkers, storytellers, puppeteers and sand

sculptors, and kids can also get their faces painted, catch screenings of short fi lms, and take in live theatrical performances. Sports fans will love the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day component of the fair, which will host interactive games, demonstrations and giveaways, as well as appearances from New York athletes, mascots and sports personalities. The fest will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Greenwich Street (between Chambers Street and Hubert Street), 212-941-2400; tribecafi lm.com.

April 30PARTY AARDVARKS [Ages 2-10]

On April 30th, David Weinstone and the Music for Aardvarks Band will take the stage at the Highland Ballroom to celebrate the release of their 16th album release “All I Want.” Families can expect to jam out to Music for Aardvark favorites like “Move Your Feet” and “Race Ya To The Corner,” in addition to songs from the new album. What’s more, David Weinstone, who is a celebrated musician who creates music specifi -cally for children growing up in urban environ-ments (writing songs about taxis, subways and bagels) will give away a copy of “All I Want” to every family in the audience. The concert begins at 12 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 the day of the show; a family four-pack is $40. Highland Ballroom, 431 W. 16th Street; 212-414-5994; highlineballroom.com.

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clockwise from top: Literally AliveChildren’s Theater, BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Cobble Hill Cinemas

theaters92YTribecaThe community center’s BYOK (Bring Your Own Kid) Sunday music series invites fam-ilies to enjoy some of the coolest kid-friendly music around. On April 10th, families can jam to the soulful sounds of the NYC-based group Shine and the Moonbeams; on April 17th, they can enjoy the vocal stylings of folk-rock and Boston-based newcomer Maria Sangiolo. 200 hudson street, 212-601-1000, 92ytribeca.com.

bMcc Tribeca PerforMing arTs cenTerThis borough of Manhattan Community College-affiliated theater strives to promote cultural and educational activities for the greater metropolitan area. On April 16th, families will love the musical adaptation of the bestselling book, “Room on the Broom,” which will tell the story of a witch and her cat and the characters they meet throughout an exciting and magical journey. 199 Chambers street, 212-220-1460, tribecapac.org.

carnegie HallThe McGraw-Hill Companies’ CarnegieKids concert series will host performances happening all over the city. On April 2nd, families can jam to a concert by the Itty Biddies—a band known for its interactive and energetic performances that blend storytelling sensibilities with fun lyrics—when they take the stage at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture in the Bronx. Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th street, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org.

cobble Hill cineMas Every other Monday, Cobble Hill Cinemas hosts the children’s film series, “Big Movies For Little Kids.” On April 11th, families can celebrate the start of spring with the special screening of the 1993 classic children’s film, “The Secret Garden.” 265 Court street, Brooklyn, 718-596-9113, cobblehilltheatre.com.

liTerallY alive cHildren’s THeaTerLiterally Alive is an NYC-based children’s theater company that produces original musicals based on classic children’s literature. This month, families can check out the theater’s ensemble musical production of “The Little Mermaid,” which runs through the end of May. the Player’s theater, 115 MacDougal street, 212-866-5170, literallyalive.com.

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LincoLn centerLincoln Center’s “Meet the Artist Sat-urdays” series lets kids get up close and personal with some of their fa-vorite artists or explore new musical genres. On April 2nd, Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic invite families to “Yankee Classic,” where children will be able to explore the music of American composers—both famous names and up-and-comers—through performances and presentations. The David Rubenstein Atrium, Broadway between 62nd and 63rd streets, 212-875-5456, Lincolncenter.org.

Manhattan chiLdren’s theatreThrough April 17th, families can head to the theater’s imaginative produc-tion of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” a musical performance specially designed for pre-school age children and older that feature two actors, a suitcase filled with puppets, three bowls of porridge and much more. 52 White Street, 212-226-4085; manhattanchildrenstheatre.org.

new Victory theaterFrom April 8th to 24th, families can enjoy Cirque Mechanic’s latest production, “Boom Town,” at the New Victory Theater, which will take children on an interactive, musical and gravity-defying journey to the Wild Wild West and back. 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org.

new york theatre BaLLetThe New York Theatre Ballet is the most widely seen chamber ballet com-pany in the United States, and boasts frequent programming made specifi-cally for children. This month, families can enjoy “Exquisite Little Ballets,” interactive programs led by Antony Tudor and Agnes de Mille, which will take place on April 9th and 10th. 55 East 59th Street, 212-679-0401; nytb.org.

PuPPetworks In true Puppetworks fashion, Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of “Alice in Wonder-land” is told with the help of intricately crafted marionettes and accompanied with an original score. “Alice in Wonderland” will run through April 17th. 338 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn;718-965-3391, puppetworks.org.

skirBaLL center for the PerforMing artsAs part of its Big Red Chair Family Series, this NYU-based cultural center invites families to “Barrio Grrl! A New Musical,” a coming-of-age op musi-cal written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Quiara Alegría Hudes (of “In the Heights” fame) on April 16th. 566 LaGuardia Place, 212-352-3101, skirballcenter.nyu.edu

VitaL theatre coMPanyThrough April 26th, the Vital Theatre Company invites families to check out its new musical “Awesome Allie: First Kid Astronaut,” which tells the tale of Allie and her talking dog Captain Chaos’ journey to save the Earth.McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway; vitaltheatre.org

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LincoLn centerLincoln Center’s “Meet the Artist Sat-urdays” series lets kids get up close and personal with some of their fa-vorite artists or explore new musical genres. On April 2nd, Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic invite families to “Yankee Classic,” where children will be able to explore the music of American composers—both famous names and up-and-comers—through performances and presentations. The David Rubenstein Atrium, Broadway between 62nd and 63rd streets, 212-875-5456, Lincolncenter.org.

Manhattan chiLdren’s theatreThrough April 17th, families can head to the theater’s imaginative produc-tion of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” a musical performance specially designed for pre-school age children and older that feature two actors, a suitcase filled with puppets, three bowls of porridge and much more. 52 White Street, 212-226-4085; manhattanchildrenstheatre.org.

new Victory theaterFrom April 8th to 24th, families can enjoy Cirque Mechanic’s latest production, “Boom Town,” at the New Victory Theater, which will take children on an interactive, musical and gravity-defying journey to the Wild Wild West and back. 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org.

new york theatre BaLLetThe New York Theatre Ballet is the most widely seen chamber ballet com-pany in the United States, and boasts frequent programming made specifi-cally for children. This month, families can enjoy “Exquisite Little Ballets,” interactive programs led by Antony Tudor and Agnes de Mille, which will take place on April 9th and 10th. 55 East 59th Street, 212-679-0401; nytb.org.

PuPPetworks In true Puppetworks fashion, Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of “Alice in Wonder-land” is told with the help of intricately crafted marionettes and accompanied with an original score. “Alice in Wonderland” will run through April 17th. 338 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn;718-965-3391, puppetworks.org.

skirBaLL center for the PerforMing artsAs part of its Big Red Chair Family Series, this NYU-based cultural center invites families to “Barrio Grrl! A New Musical,” a coming-of-age op musi-cal written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Quiara Alegría Hudes (of “In the Heights” fame) on April 16th. 566 LaGuardia Place, 212-352-3101, skirballcenter.nyu.edu

VitaL theatre coMPanyThrough April 26th, the Vital Theatre Company invites families to check out its new musical “Awesome Allie: First Kid Astronaut,” which tells the tale of Allie and her talking dog Captain Chaos’ journey to save the Earth.McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway; vitaltheatre.org

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Mike Burstynin

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Mike Burstynin

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MUSEUMSAmericAn museum of nAturAl HistoryThe AMNH’s exhaustive collections span human culture, the natural world and the universe. On April 16th, the museum will debut the exhibition, “The World’s Largest Dinosaurs,” which will focus on sauropods, a group that includes the largest animals to have ever walked the Earth. The exhibit will feature a life-sized Mamenchisaurus, a sauropod dinosaur that measures 60 feet in length. Central Park West and 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org.

Brooklyn cHildren’s museumThe first Saturday of each month, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum hosts the World Passport Workshop Series, where kids can learn about an exciting new concept that lends itself to great thematic study. On Saturday, April 2nd, families can enjoy the workshop “Night Journeys: Moon Myths,” where they’ll learn about the sometimes strange behavior of the moon. 145 Brooklyn Avenue (at St. Marks Avenue), Brooklyn, 718-735-4402, brooklynkids.org.

cHildren’s museum of tHe ArtsThe Children’s Museum of the Arts strives to extend the benefits of the arts to children and their communities. On Saturday, April 16th, families can enjoy the special presentation “Art Through Dance,” which will be comprised of several live dance performances courtesy of the JT Lotus Dance Company. 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986; cmany.org.

cHildren’s museum of mAnHAttAnThis museum offers art-based educational exhibits and programs in a variety of subjects, as well as extensive offsite outreach. On April 10th, artistically-inclined kids will love the workshop “April Showers Water Color,” where they can use water color paints to depict spring showers. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234; cmom.org.

el museo del BArrio One of the city’s leading Latino cultural institutions, the museum offers wide-ranging exhi-bitions that are complemented by film, literary, visual and performing arts series, cultural celebrations, and educational programs. Every third Saturday of the month, the museum invites families to its free Super Sabado celebration, at which families can enjoy free concerts, art workshops, film screenings and more. 1230 Fifth Avenue, 212-831-7272, elmuseo.org.

GuGGenHeim museumThe second Sunday of every month, the Guggenheim museum offers family tours of its exhibits and galleries, which incorporate conversation and creative hands-on activities for kids ages 5 to 10. On April 10th, kids can share their own experiences and memories with the special workshop “Wish You Were Here.” 1071 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3500; guggenheim.org.

intrepid seA, Air & spAce museum Centered on the World War II aircraft carrier Intrepid, the museum features a range of interactive exhibits. This month, families can visit the museum for its new exhibit “Inspira-tion and Industry: American Women on the Home Front,” which explores how women contributed to war efforts in both World War I and World War II. Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street, 877-957-SHIP; intrepidmuseum.org.

JewisH museumThe Jewish Museum features a permanent collection of more than 28,000 objects—paintings, sculpture, photographs, archaeological artifacts, coins, ceremonial objects and more—relating to Jewish heritage and history. On Sunday, April 17th, the museum will host the theater group The Paper Bag Players for two daytime concerts of their latest production, “The Paper Bag Play-ers Whoop Dee Doo.” Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, 212-423-3337; thejewishmuseum.org.

tHe metropolitAn museum of ArtThe Met’s friendly, interactive programs help children grow an appreciation for the treasures inside this world-renowned museum. On April 9th and 10th, kids can partake in the interac-tive program “How Did They Do That? Arms And Armor,” where they can learn how pieces of armor and weapons were created throughout history. Fifth Avenue, 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.

tHe morGAn liBrAry And museumThe Morgan Library and Museum is one of the world’s greatest collections of literary and musi-cal works from all time periods. On April 9th, families will enjoy the special workshop “Tonight, Tonight: Romeo and Juliet Meet on the West Side,” at which opera singer and educator Jennifer Greene will guide children in an exploration of both the classic Shakespearean tale and “West Side Story,” its modern day adaptation set in 1950s New York City. 225 Madison Avenue, 212-685-0008, themorgan.org.

CloCkwise From top: American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Guggenheim Museum, New York Hall of Science

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MuseuM of Modern ArtThe foremost modern art museum in the world, MoMA aims to make its collections accessible to scholars and young children alike. On April 16th, families can enjoy a free screening of “Extraordinary Animals,” a one-hour compilation of three animal-themed short films. West 53rd Street, 212-708-9400, moma.org.

MuseuM of the City of new yorkExplores the history, present and future of the five boroughs. On April 16th, the museum invites families to the Sprint Family Performance “Zikrayat: Music and Dance of Egypt and the Arab World,” a lively concert that will celebrate the music, dance and cultural traditions of Egypt and the greater Arab world. 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, 212-534-1672, mcny.org.

new york hAll of sCienCeThe Hall features the largest collection of hands-on science exhibits in New York City, and holds a variety of family programs every weekend. From April 16th to the 24th, families can enjoy “BubbleMania: Science, Art & Comedy with Casey Carle,” a hilarious science spectacular that will introduce kids to fog bubbles, helium bubbles and bubbles that turn into flames. 47-01 111th Street, Flushing, Queens, 718-699-0005, nyscience.org.

new york PoliCe MuseuM Dedicated to preserving the history of the New York City Police Depart-ment, the New York Police Museum boasts tons of hands-on educational exhibits for kids. On Tuesdays throughout the month of April, families can take advantage of the new Grandparent/ Grandchild program, in which guests can come to the museum for activity play in the Junior Officer Discovery Zone. 100 Old Slip between Walter Street and South Street, 212-480-3100, nycpm.org.

new york trAnsit MuseuM Dedicated to the history of urban transportation, this museum caters to children. On April 9th, families can join Suzanne Reisman, author of “Off the Beaten (Subway) Track: New York City’s Best Unusual Attractions,” for a walking tour of three unique places in the Bronx. Corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, 718-694-1600, mta.info/museum.

riPley’s Believe it or not!Kids will be amazed at the eccentricities inside this famous “odditorium,” which features 25 themed galleries displaying everything from a six-legged cow to books made from spider webs. 234 West 42nd Street, 212-398-3133, ripleysnewyork.com.

ruBin MuseuM of ArtHome to an extensive collection of art from the Himalayas and surrounding regions, the Rubin offers programs and events for families throughout the year. Throughout April, families can take part in the museum’s festive pro-grams, such as the “Yak Pakers” early childhood art program on Thursdays, Drum Beats for Little Feet on Fridays and family art making workshops on Saturdays. 150 West 17th Street, 212-620-5000, rmanyc.org.

whitney MuseuM of AMeriCAn ArtThe world-renowned Whitney houses a spectacular collection of 20th century American art. On Fridays in April, new moms and dads can explore the museum’s various exhibits with their babies in tow as part of the popu-lar Stroller Tours program, which are led by Whitney Teaching Fellows. 945 Madison Avenue, 212-570-3600; whitney.org.

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o n s e c o n d �ought

I looked at my daughters today, and I wondered where the time went. That time I’d wished away. Can’t wait till she can walk; can’t wait

till they can play together; can’t wait till she sleeps through the night. Can’t wait till they go to school. They’re in school, now, and the house is empty. But for me. Here. Afternoon shadows making ghosts of those little girls in little pajamas with rubber-soled feet.

I remember big events, births and birthday parties, growth charts and hospital visits, trips full of photographs. But the times that I meant to remember are gone. The way her face looked when she rode a two-wheeler for the first time. The soft stillness of their warm skin as they slept, one surrounded by thirty-four stuffed animals, the other breathing softly, thumb between six tiny teeth. The expression on my older daughter’s face when she popped a jalapeno pepper into her mouth, thinking it was a piece of chocolate. The seriousness with which my younger child played Peter Pan and fought an invisible Captain Hook with a plastic sword.

I watched my daughters leave for school this morning and felt the tug of wishing, wishing they were little again. The older one, so grown-up now, with curled hair and flared jeans. And my younger child, scooping up her backpack and lunch. There was brief exchange, a kiss on the cheek from one and a wave from another, and they were gone.

There was a time when I heard “Mommy?” at least one hundred times a day. How I’d wished for silence. Now I am the one asking questions, begging, almost, for scraps of information about their day: How was school? What made you laugh? What made you cry? Who is that boy? What is the name of the girl that pushed you on the playground?

There was a time when I knew every minute of every hour of every day what was happening in their lives, and it made me tired. How I long to be tired like that again.

My children have become people, new and different people, separate and apart from me. I knew this would

happen but I didn’t realize what it would feel like. I am so proud. I am so…what? Melancholy. Curious. I look at these children and don’t know any longer just what is going on inside of them as I did when they nursed at my breast or cried in frustration or needed a diaper changed. Now there’s the daughter who competes in karate and spars against boys when her mom can scarcely throw a punch. There’s the daughter who plays violin and can figure out any computer game, while I can’t carry a tune or find my way around a

word processing program. They are in some ways strangers to me now. How strange.

I have had an amazing life. I have grown up with loving parents, studied what I wanted to in college, married a remarkable man. I have run a multimillion dollar business and created an entirely new market segment that I’m proud of, one that exposes little kids to great works of art. I have survived breast cancer with a strength I didn’t know I had. I have made great friends and met fascinating people. And yet the most amazing thing that I have done is to have had children. I know this is something that most women do sometime in their lives, and while it’s something that’s not unique or unusual in any way, I still view it as my most fulfilling life’s work.

So why did I wish it away? Because I was tired? Because I wanted to go out to dinner and not carry a baby seat or cut someone else’s food or hurry through my meal? Because I wanted to sleep later or longer or better?

I have time now. I can sleep all day. But I’m no longer deliciously, deliriously, satisfyingly tired.

This essay was first published in the essay collection “The Imperfect Mom: Candid Confessions of Mothers Living in the Real World,” edited by Therese J. Borchard, Broadway Books, 2006. Julie Aigner-Clark is a mom, author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of The Baby Einstein Company and The Safe Side.

Be Careful WhatYou Wish For

B Y J u l i e A i g N e r - C l A r k

This Mom Of Two Couldn’t Wait For Her Two Small Children To Grow Up—Until They Did

On Second Thought_0411.indd 98 3/18/11 12:09 PM

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