new york family january 1, 2011

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January 2011Established 1986

The Candid Co-Host of ‘The View’ Tells All . . . About Being An NYC Mom of Three!

ELISABETH HASSELBECK

WINTER

FUN GUIDE

SCHOOL BREAK GETAWAYS | CLASSES KIDS LOVE | RESOLUTION SOLUTIONS

The Mandell Schoolis proud to announce

the opening of

The Mandell School in Seoul, Korea

January 2011

795 Columbus Avenue, New York, New York 10025

1609 2nd ave (bet 83rd & 84th St.)

212-772-1110Also visit our location at

1235 1st Ave (bet. 66th & 67th St)

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Our professional bra fitters are available to assist your expanding needs.

Pump In Style® Advanced The Metro Bag™

135 West 70th street . suite 1L . NYC 10023212 . 873 . 2653 www.upperbreastside.com

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newborn -6 years

Receive $50 off when you register for your first Spring/Summer 2011 class or Kidville University in Winter ’12 by January 31st!*

union square:67 East 11th St.(btwn Broadway & University)NY, NY 10003phone: 646.330.5325

midtown west:515 West 51st St.(btwn 10th & 11th)NY, NY 10019phone: 646.775.2797

tribeca:200 Church St.(corner of Duane)NY, NY 10013 phone: 212.362.3923

park slope:808 Union St.(corner of 7th)Brooklyn, NY 11215 phone: 718.569.2150

upper east side:163 East 84th St.(btwn 3rd & Lexington)NY, NY 10028 phone: 212.772.8435

Little Maestros @ 69th St.344 East 69th St.(btwn 1st & 2nd)NY, NY 10021phone: 212.772.8435

upper west side:466 Columbus Ave.(btwn 82nd & 83rd)NY, NY 10024 phone: 212.362.7792

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NowOpen!

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kidville-nyf-full-jan11.pdf 1 12/14/10 10:44 AM

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a beneficiary of UJA-Federation646.505.5708 | 334 AMSTERDAM AVE AT 76TH ST

• Swimming, Sports,

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Tue, Jan 18, 6:30—8:30 pm, $95/$115

Attention.That’s what kids with ADHD want.

And that’s exactly what they’ll get at NYU Summer Program forKids, the only seven-week therapeutic summer program in NewYork, specifically tailored to meet the needs of children betweenthe ages of 7 and 11 with ADHD.

• Behavioral techniques used to promote positive behavior• Development of social and academic competence• Nurturing and fun atmosphere• Swimming and group sports daily• Highly qualified staff of psychologists, teachers,

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• Excellent staff/child ratio of 1 to 1-2

NYU Summer Program for Kids prepares children to start theschool year as better adjusted and more socially skilled students.Parents also receive specialized training to make the most of theirchild’s summer experience.

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8 New York Family | January 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

January 2011

THE COVER:Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Gold Paillette Brigitte Dress by Milly (millyny.com/shop). Jewelry by Kelly Gerber at me.n.u (1042 Lexington Avenue, kellygerber.com). Hair by Rosa Amoedo. Makeup by Rebecca Borman. Photographed by Thaddeus Harden (thaddeusharden.com). Shot on location at The Empire Hotel.

INSID

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FEATURES42 THE VIEW

FROM HEREEmmy-winning talk show co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck chats about raising three small children in the city, her role on “The View” and keeping it all together (most of the time)

46 WINTERFUN GUIDE

From tackling the slopes to taking tea to enjoying nature, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the city this winter

50 RESOLUTION SOLUTIONS

Four New York City moms take on their New Years’ resolutions, from menu planning to home organization

80 THE CULTURE CLUB

25 magical museum exhibits, workshops, parties and performances to share with your family this winter; plus, an interview with actress Teri Polo of “Little Fockers”

53 TIME FOR CLASS A guide to the city’s most inspired offerings for winter—from mommy & me to tween

COLUMNS12 EDITOR’S NOTE

Getting to know you…

22 HEALTH & WELLNESS

Expert tips to keep your family moving and motivated through the winter months

24 STARTING OUTWondering how best to space out your kids by age? Here are a few factors to consider

28 GROWING UPDespite what they might think, chores are good for kids! How to inspire children to help out around the house

30 A GOOD IDEAMeet the three journalists behind the show “Moms and the City”

36 A SPECIAL PLACEScribble Press, the city’s only make-your-own book activity center, is helping to ignite a love of writing in even the smallest scribes

34 JOY OF SHOPPING Perfect-for-winter beauty and skincare buys

40 HOUSE CALLS A look inside Skip Hop founders Ellen and Michael Diamant’s chic downtown haven

90 ON SECOND THOUGHT

An adoptive mother-to-be refl ects on her journey to parenthood

DEPARTMENTS

14 WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

News from New York Family, including contests and giveaways, great events for families this winter and an introduction to our contributors to newyorkfamily.com

16 BUZZWORTHYAn enchanting and affordable e-boutique for kids; an artful way to immortalize your child’s prized possessions; adorable eco-friendly dinnerware and more great ideas for January

18 IT’S MY PARTYBirthday fun at the American Museum of Natural History, Bowlmor Lanes and Taste Buds

42

CORRECTIONS: In the classes guide in the December issue, the name and website for Karma Kids Yoga (karmakidsyoga.com) was listed incorrectly.

70 OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

From eco-vacations to cities worth seeing, great destinations for school break travel

74 CAMP COUNTDOWN

Seven questions to ask yourself before sending your child to camp

80 TEN IDEASOur monthly round-up of family fun in the city

80


January 2011

The Cover:Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Gold Paillette Brigitte Dress by Milly (millyny.com/shop). Jewelry by Kelly Gerber at me.n.u (1042 Lexington Avenue, kellygerber.com). Hair by Rosa Amoedo. Makeup by Rebecca Borman. Photographed by Thaddeus Harden (thaddeusharden.com). Shot on location at The Empire Hotel.

insid

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FeATUres42 The View

From hereEmmy-winning talk show co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck chats about raising three small children in the city, her role on “The View” and keeping it all together (most of the time)

46 wiNTer FuN Guide

From tackling the slopes to taking tea to enjoying nature, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the city this winter

50 resoluTioN soluTioNs

Four New York City moms take on their New Years’ resolutions, from menu planning to home organization

80 The CulTure Club

25 magical museum exhibits, workshops, parties and performances to share with your family this winter; plus, an interview with actress Teri Polo of “Little Fockers”

53 Time For Class A guide to the city’s most inspired offerings for winter—from mommy & me to tween

CoLUMns12 ediTor’s NoTe

Getting to know you…

22 healTh & wellNess

Expert tips to keep your family moving and motivated through the winter months

24 sTarTiNG ouTWondering how best to space out your kids by age? Here are a few factors to consider

28 GrowiNG upDespite what they might think, chores are good for kids! How to inspire children to help out around the house

30 a Good ideaMeet the three journalists behind the show “Moms and the City”

36 a speCial plaCeScribble Press, the city’s only make-your-own book activity center, is helping to ignite a love of writing in even the smallest scribes

34 JoY oF shoppiNG Perfect-for-winter beauty and skincare buys

40 house Calls A look inside Skip Hop founders Ellen and Michael Diamant’s chic downtown haven

90 oN seCoNd ThouGhT

An adoptive mother-to-be reflects on her journey to parenthood

dePArTMenTs

14 welCome To The FamilY

News from New York Family, including contests and giveaways, great events for families this winter and an introduction to our contributors to newyorkfamily.com

16 buzzworThYAn enchanting and affordable e-boutique for kids; an artful way to immortalize your child’s prized possessions; adorable eco-friendly dinnerware and more great ideas for January

18 iT’s mY parTYBirthday fun at the American Museum of Natural History, Bowlmor Lanes and Taste Buds

42

CorreCTions: In the classes guide in the December issue, the name and website for Karma Kids Yoga (karmakidsyoga.com) was listed incorrectly.

70 oh, The plaCes You’ll Go!

From eco-vacations to cities worth seeing, great destinations for school break travel

74 Camp CouNTdowN

Seven questions to ask yourself before sending your child to camp

80 TeN ideasOur monthly round-up of family fun in the city

80

Inspiring Learning, Exceeding Expectations.

At World Class Learning Academy, New York, children take an active role in their learning, supported and mentored by exceptionally well-qualified teachers trained in the UK. As a result, they perform well beyond expectations for their age – most of our students are learning to read and discovering foreign languages by the age of three.

Being the only school in New York to offer the International Primary Curriculum, our school is unique in many other ways as well. We instill a love of learning and encourage independent enquiry, WCLA personalizes learning for each child to help them attain their goals, and we are a truly international school that promotes a culture of international awareness and celebration, just to name a few.

Contact us today for more information. You’ll not only see the difference in our school, but more importantly, your child.

44 East 2nd Street • New York, New York 10003 • 212.600.2010 www.wclacademy.org • [email protected]

WCLA POD Ad for NY Family Mag.indd 1 12/21/10 2:50 PM


GROUP PUBLISHER Alex Schweitzer

212-284-9735, [email protected]

PUBLISHER John Hurley

212-268-3086, [email protected]

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mary Ann Oklesson

[email protected]

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Gina Waldman

[email protected]

ASSISTANT to the PUBLISHER Marissa Broxmeyer

[email protected]

CIRCULATION Joe Bendik [email protected] COORDINATOR Jennie Valenti

[email protected]

BUSINESS MANAGER Shawn Scott

[email protected]

ACCOUNTS MANAGER Kathy Pollyea

[email protected]

MANHATTAN MEDIA

PRESIDENT/CEO Tom Allon

[email protected]

CFO/COO Joanne Harras

[email protected]

FOUNDING PUBLISHER Barbara Witt

MARKETING DIRECTOR Tom Kelly

[email protected]

EVENTS MANAGER Stephanie Musso

[email protected]

New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, 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 Messinger

[email protected]

ART DIRECTOR Mitchell Hoffman

[email protected]

DEPUTY EDITOR Katie Main

[email protected]

STYLE DIRECTOR Joy Sherwood

[email protected]

DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Jessica Balaschak

[email protected]

PRODUCTION MANAGER Mark Stinson

[email protected]

DEPUTY PRODUCTION MANAGER Heather Mulcahey

[email protected]

PHOTO EDITOR Andrew Schwartz

[email protected]

SENIOR EDITOR Darcy Newell

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSDaniel S. Burnstein, Suzanne Cohen,

Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden,

Jennifer Lee, Josh Lehrer, Sarah Merians

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSJanet Allon, Leah Black, Heather Chaet, Cristina Dimen,

Amanda Ferris, Katie Garton, Tiffanie Green, Jean Halloran,

Rachael Horowitz, Michelle Levine, Molly O’Meara Sheehan,

Jessica Shyba, Amy Spiro, Erika Thormahlen,

Jill Valente, Lauren Wetzel

© 2010 Manhattan Media, LLC | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

One-hour classes Infants, Toddlers and

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Enriching young minds through the beauty of foreign language!

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Parents learn most of their craft from hands-on experi-ence, but it can helpful to compare notes with others.

It can illuminate, reaffi rm, comfort, connect—so many good things. In that spirit, I’m delighted that this month’s cover interview with Elisa-beth Hasselbeck reads as a case of two mom friends chatting with each other after an exhausting day. I’m going to venture to say it’s one of our best cover interviews ever. Why? Because you can tell that Elisabeth—despite being one of the daily co-hosts of “The View” and having other big career commit-ments as well—is fully immersed as a mom. She walks the walk and talks with a discerning specifi city that I’m sure you’ll relate to, whether the topic is running on four hours of sleep or getting a healthy dinner on the table. In her public journey, from being

one of the youngest contes-tants on “Survivor” to being “The View” host known for her politically conservative views, Elisabeth has been in the public eye for much of her adult life. Still, parent to parent, I think a lot of people will read the interview and feel like they’re just getting to know her—and glad of it. I thank her for going on this adventure with us.

I’m writing this note on a Decem-ber day that feels like a January day be-cause of the gray and cold, but at least the weather makes me feel like we did a good job in our planning for a moth-erlode of winter-themed stories. Not only is there our Winter Fun Guide (with helpful lists of skating rinks, hot chocolate oases, nature fun and more), but we also have everything from a “Cold Remedies” spread of beauty

edit� ’s N O T E

Getting To Know You… products to a story about keep-ing your family fi t and active in winter. And I’m especially fond of our article on New Year’s resolu-tions, featuring

four local parents who each agreed to take on persistent challenges like home organizing and connecting with your partner. If that one doesn’t inspire you, maybe, in very different ways, our stories on family fi nancial planning and family travel will.

Finally, a shout out to Ellen and Mi-chael Diamant of Skip Hop, and to De-nise Albert, Melissa Gerstein and Raina Seitel Gittlin of the show “Moms and The City”—for showing how parenting can impact work in wonderful ways!

Happy January, ERIC MESSINGER [email protected]

January 2011Established 1986

The Candid Co-Host of ‘The View’ Tells All . . . About Being An NYC Mom of Three!

ELISABETH HASSELBECK

WINTER

FUN GUIDE

SCHOOL BREAK GETAWAYS | CLASSES KIDS LOVE | RESOLUTION SOLUTIONS

92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd StreetAn agency of UJA-Federation

Enroll today!Register at www.92Y.org/MayCenter or call 212.415.5500.

Gymnastics Tiny & Junior Tumblers Swimming Basketball Private Coaching Pee Wee Tennis KidSports Teen Fitness Classes Personal Training

Spring Into Action at the 92nd Street Y We’ve got classes, lessons and leagues for kids of all ages.


ONTHE W E B

Welcome to the FamilyPrizesAND

GIVEAWAYSBenefi ting BoookkssWe’re proud to be a media sponsor for what promises to be a very special event, the New York Public Library’s Family Benefi t on Sunday, January 23rd. The benefi t, which will take place in the

spectacular Astor Hall of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at the 42nd Street library branch, is themed “Patience and Fortitude’s New York Adventure,” and takes inspiration from beloved children’s books that are set in New York City. The event, which is co-hosted by New York celebrity parents like Sarah Jessica Parker and Amanda Peet, will boast tons of activities for kids, including literature-inspired crafts, readings with acclaimed authors, music, food and more. Best of all, the proceeds of the

event support the New York Public Library’s programs and materials throughout its 87 branches in the city. To purchase tickets to the event

and for more information, please call Isabel Yordan at 212-930-0548.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

thee mmmooothheerrhhhooooooodd liisssttttThis month, we’re happy to introduce readers to one of the latest additions to New York Family, blogger Heather Chaet and her hilarious new blog, “the motherhood list.” In the blog, Heather, an Upper West Side mom of a three-year-old daughter, deals with the travails, stresses and joys of motherhood the best way she knows how—by making to-do lists! From helping her daughter overcome her fear of airplane bathrooms to sharing last-minute gift ideas you can fi nd at Duane Reade, themotherhoodlist is an honest and hilarious tribute to the mayhem of motherhood. Check it all out at

newyorkfamily.com.

Win A Five-Day TripTo Smuggler’s Notch!Smuggler’s Notch Resort is an action-packed wintery oasis for families, featuring award-winning children’s programs, three big mountains and over 1,000 acres of terrain. Located in Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont, the resort also boasts fi ne dining, indoor amusements like indoor pools, arts and craft workshops and nightly entertainment like theatrical shows and musical performances. We’re giving away a fi ve-night, fi ve-day vacation for one reader family of four, which includes fi ve days of lift tickets, two-bedroom lodging in one of the resort’s condos and access to tons of family-focused activities. TO WIN, write to us at [email protected], putting “Smuggler’s Notch” in the subject line, and tell us why your family would love to win this vacation. Please include contact information. Deadline: Monday, January 24.

A Peach Perfect Stroller! To celebrate the grand debut of our Joy of Shopping blog and newsletter, we’re also giving away a stroller from the award-winning British company iCandy, which is known for its innovate, functional and stylish products that keep both your baby’s development and health in mind. What’s more, iCandy’s newest stroller, The Peach, combines the company’s baby-

centric design aesthetic with the ease and convenience

needed by busy moms on the go. Lightweight, easily foldable and

convertible (babies can face forward or backwards, and the stroller can also convert into a double if your family

grows), The Peach is a perfect marriage of style and functionality. To win, sign up for the Joy of Shopping blog and newsletter before writing to us at [email protected], telling us why you’d like to win and including your contact information. Deadline: Monday, January 24.

JULI

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www.newyorkfamily.com January 2011 | New York Family 15

1520 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 • 212.861.7732For more information and a full list of classes for your child visit: www.gymtime.net.

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FOR MORE

TIPS & IDEAS

VISIT

newyorkfamily.com

January

buzzW O R T H Y

THE CHECKLIST FOR

Q TOY M E E T S W O R L D If you’re starting to worry about what will

happen when your child’s beloved ratty teddy

bear or beat-up toy fi nally bites the dust,

consider immortalizing his prized possession

with a Custom Toy Portrait by artist Jennifer

Maher. For $60-130 (depending on the

desired size of the painting) Maher, a mom

of a three-year-old daughter who resides

in upstate New York, will turn your child’s

favorite playmate into a lasting piece of art, which can be completed in only two

weeks and can be created with the actual object or simply a photograph. These

affordable, beautiful creations make great decorations for a nursery or an inspired

gift. For more information, visit customtoyportrait.com.

Q S M I L E F O R

T H E P L A N E T For kid-friendly and earth-friendly bowls and dishes,

look no further than Smiling Planet, a charming

new line of dishware made of sustainable, recycled

and organic materials. Created by husband and

wife team Olivia Haviland and Freddy Deane, the

line combines Haviland’s 150-year-old family history of making fi ne

porcelain and Deane’s whimsical artwork and stories. The result is an

eye-catching line of baby-safe, eco-friendly products with designs like

whales and bunches of balloons and written messages about peace,

diversity and respect for the environment. Smiling Planet products

are available at Whole Foods stores and online at smilingplanet.net.

Q D A B B L E I N D A P P L E Devised by two moms searching for safe cleaning products to use on their babies’

bottles, cups and dishes, Dapple is a line of organic cleaning products that is free of

preservatives, parabens, pthalates, dyes and synthetic fragrances. Created with the

help of numerous pediatricians and green chemists, the line features such family

necessities as bottle and dish liquids, toy and surface cleaners, travel-sized cleaning

products and a handy Clean-Up Kit that includes numerous products in an easily

storable case. For more information, visit dapple-

baby.com.

Q F R O Z E N

F L AV O R S In an ideal world, when presented

with a piece of fruit and a bowl of ice

cream, kids would go for the fruit—and

now they just might, with the debut

of Simply Peeled, a new Upper East

Side sorbet outpost that offers kids

an all-natural and delicious frozen

snack. Simply Peeled calls its tasty

concoction “Fruizo,” which is a blend

of fi ltered water, real fruit and a touch

of organic cane sugar that kids can top

with healthful treats like organic cereals

and natural peanut butter. Plus, Fruizo

is 100% natural and free of dairy, fat,

sodium, cholesterol, glutens

and all eight major allergens.

Simply Peeled is located at

1371 Third Avenue.

For more information, visit

simplypeeled.com.

Q A N E N C H A N T I N G E - B O U T I Q U E It’s often diffi cult to fi nd high-quality, stylish children’s clothing without a big price tag,

which is why we love the newly launched e-boutique Deerling.com. The site, which

was created when the East Village boutique Sons + Daughters closed in 2009, boasts

a great collection of clothes, toys and furniture. Started by three former co-workers at

Sons + Daughters, Deerling.com’s offerings include European brands like Ewers and

Claesen and an all-organic line from Go Go Baby. Best of all, every item of clothing on

the site is under $50, and new shoppers can use the coupon code “DEERME10” for a

10% discount from their fi rst order. Learn more at Deerling.com. Cat

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Authentic Facilities • Expert Instruction • Best Programs

FILE BY: Scott Schwartz

PHONE: 212.336.6883

PUBLICATION: NY Family

SALES REP: Ceil Ainsworth

PHONE: 212.284.9724

RUN DATE: January 2011

AD SIZE: Full Page

FINAL ARTWORK SIZE

BLEED: 8.625” (w) x 11.375” (h)

TRIM: 8.125” (w) x 10.875” (h)

LIVE: 7.0” (w) x 10” (h)

INK: 4-color processSPEC

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The Best Sports Classes,Hands Down.

With 10 different sports and over 300 classes a week, the Field House

offers Manhattan’s best sports programs for children of all ages.

SPRINGSEMESTER

STARTS JANUARY

24TH

Little Athletes (12 months – 5 years)Soccer | Dance | Micro-Sports | Tee-Ball

Flip-N-Kick | Flip-N-Twirl

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Soccer | Gymnastics | Baseball | BasketballDance | Flag Football | Rock Climbing

Martial Arts | Youth Fitness

NEWAT THE

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Chelsea Shears Hair Salon for Kids

CP Building Blocks (18 months – 5 years)

Enrichment program for children with developmental needs.

The Field House at

23rd St. & Hudson River Park212.336.6520

www.chelseapiers.com/fh

ONLINE REGISTRATIONNOW AVAILABLE.

Celebrate Your Birthdayat Chelsea Piers

Sports | Ice Skating | Golf | Bowling | Toddler Play

www.chelseapiers.com/birthday


I T ’ S M Y

Harper Lapin hosts her 4th birthday party at Bowlmor Carnival. 1. The carnival atmosphere wins big smiles from the birthday girl and Dad.2. Harper strikes a pose with her caricature. 3. Crumbs cupcakes complete the celebration. 4. Harper’s little brother gets a kiss from mom.

Photos by Heidi Green (heidigreen.com)

Becky Reinhold hosts a culi-nary celebration for her 8th birthday at Taste Buds. 1. The birthday girl is a baker for the day. 2. Becky’s sister Ellie leans in as the birthday girl makes a wish. 3. Becky’s guests make their own delicious cre-ations. 4. Dad looks on as Becky ices her cupcake.

Photos by Daniel S. Burnstein (danielsburnstein.com)

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Zack Cohen hosts his 6th birthday party at the American Museum of Natural History. 1. The birth-day boy takes in the action at the safari. 2. Zack plays around with a new friend—a stuffed elephant! 3. The newly-crowned 6-year-old gets ready to make a wish. 4. Zack and his guests grin for the camera.

Photos by Heidi Green (heidigreen.com)

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Ask any parent of a high school student what keeps them up at night, and chances are getting in to

the “right” college will be at the top. Financing a college education may not be far behind. The average total cost to attend a private college or university in 2010 is more than $35,600 per year. Nor does it inspire confidence to know that the number of applications is at an all-time high, and the rate of accep-tances to top schools is dropping.

What’s a parent to do? The first place to turn is to your child’s high school guidance counselor, but often that person is too overtaxed to give individual students the attention they need. There’s the do-it-yourself method, which involves countless hours of poring through an endless inventory of online resources and “how to” books, a healthy dose of nagging (from you) and foot-dragging (from your child). But books and blogs don’t know the one criti-cal element that matters most—your child.

Enter The College Advisory Net-work, a joint venture between Man-hattan Media, the publishers of New York Family, and Smart City Kids, New York’s premier admissions counseling service for students entering nursery school through high school.

“We know there are thousands of families struggling with college ap-plications and the admission process,” said Roxana Reid, president of Smart City Kids and The College Advisory Network. “Our aim was to put together a network of the very best advisors,

counselors and college admission ex-perts to help in every specific area.”

Addressing The Needs And Goals Of Each Student. As Reid explains, it’s the College Advisory Network’s meth-od of differentiating the true needs of a student that makes it more effective than other college guidance services. “For each and every student who comes through our door, we assign the very best advisor to work one-on-one, and provide a program that is specifically tailored to the accomplish-ments and unique qualities of each student,” she said. “We also provide counseling for special needs students, athletes, musicians and actors, and offer consultations on applications for engineering and architecture majors.

“All in all, we are the first and only resource that combines the best in college application counseling with the most prestigious counselors in the field,” Reid concludes.

The College Advisory Network utilizes the experienced counsel of a network of college advisors, including faculty from top private schools and public high schools as well as special-ists from universities, college and prep schools throughout the East Coast.

Attention at every grade level, for every type of student. The College Ad-visory Network can help prepare your student for the college application

process as early as freshman year, and continue with individualized programs through senior year. Each program is specially designed to address criti-cal issues in each year of high school, including course selection, summer activities, jobs during the school year and in the summer, extracurricular activities, leadership, community service, developing relationships with teachers, managing standardized tests, and improving writing skills.

For juniors and seniors, attention is devoted to preparing for college visits, setting up and excelling in on-campus interviews, developing a portfolio for presentation to admission officers as well as department heads, and financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, etc.).

Reflecting on her own son’s college ap-plication experience, Ms. Reid wistfully re-marks that she wishes she had known at the outset everything she knows now. “It’s a remarkable, wonder-

ful journey, filled with anxiety, hope and unimaginable ups and downs,” she says. “Our goal is to make the journey less stressful, and the outcome a total success. Every student we counsel will receive the experience and expertise of the best advisors in the field. And we’ll be with them, every step of the way, right up to that happy day when they receive their acceptance letters.”

For info on The College Advisory Network or

to sign up for an upcoming college applica-

tion and admission seminar, visit thecolleg-

eadvisorynetwork.com, or call at 212-996-

ICAN (4226).

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“If I Knew Then What I Know Now…”Negotiating The College Application And Admission Process Can Be A Complex And Anxiety-Ridden Experience. The College Advisory Network, A New NYC-Based Counseling Service, Helps Ease The Way.

“We assign the very best advisor to provide a program that is tailored to the accomplishments and unique qualities of each student.”


ith freezing tempera-tures, blustery winds and plenty of snow and sleet, it’s no won-

der New Yorkers tend to hibernate during winter.

Still, it’s important to keep active during the cold months to avoid weight gain and unhealthy levels of inactivity. To get kids motivated, fitness experts recommend adopting practical and creative strategies, rang-

ing from parent-and-child fitness classes to simply exploring a new neighborhood.

Do It TogetherWinter fitness is especially im-

portant for children, says Lisa San-guiliano, senior director of healthy lifestyles at the YMCA of Greater New York, who says kids need “20 to 30 minutes of sustained exercise, five

times a week.” However, these rou-tines can be broken down into shorter sessions throughout the day, and parents can even get kids moving in the morning by having them march in place while they brush their teeth and get ready for school. Shannon Pollack, co-founder and director of operations at Dasha Wellness, suggests beginning the day with a family stretch.

Sanguiliano also recommends that parents create an open discussion about fitness with their children, and ask for their ideas for outings at the dinner table. “Use a calendar to chart out opportunities within everyone’s schedules,” she suggests.

After dinner, families can do modified sit-ups, yoga poses, hula hoops or jumping jacks during commercial breaks, or have a living

room dance party! For younger chil-dren, Sanguiliano suggests creating obstacle courses in the apartment by using movable furniture, toys and other gear.

Enjoy The Great OutdoorsDon’t let the dropping tempera-

tures keep you from exploring the city! Bundle your family in layers (Jarrod Jordan, director at Chelsea Piers Bluestreak, recommends tighter-fitting, winter-proof clothing like ski or bike gear) and combine a brisk walk with some window shopping.

Another easy activity is simply venturing beyond your neighbor-hood. “Walk 10 blocks east or west of where you live,” suggests Pollack. She also recommends planning a day trip to visit a park in a borough you don’t know well.

Cathe Thompson, group fitness manager at Equinox, also encourages activity-based play dates, such as ice skating in Bryant Park, a day trip to Woodbury Commons or bike riding in Central Park.

Indoor Sports Sign up for parent-and-child

classes or sport-specific training at your local gym or activity center. Or, families can head to the gym together, and parents can alternate playing with the kids at the basketball court or swimming pool while the other par-ent takes a yoga or Zumba class, says Thompson.

Finally, Pollack encourages families to keep their approach to fitness posi-tive and fun. “Parents should adopt and maintain a healthy outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude,” she says. G

health &w e l l n e s s

B Y C r i s t i N a D i m e N

An Indoor Sport For EveryoneThe Climbing Wall in CenTral Park: The North Meadow Recreation Center (mid-Park at 97th Street) features indoor climbing walls for adults and children over the age of eight. The walls are supervised during working hours. For more info, call 212-348-4867, ext 14.

Chelsea Piers: Featuring a health club, day spa, climbing wall, bowling alley, skating rink, batting cages, basketball courts, indoor lacrosse, soc-cer fields and more, this complex of four Hudson River Piers is the place to be when it’s too cold to play outside. (chelseapi-ers.com.)

suTTon easT Tennis: Located under the 59th Street Bridge, Sutton East’s red clay tennis courts are open every day from September through April. Court time can be reserved on an hourly basis—just be sure to book one week in advance. (suttoneasttennis.com.)

boWling: For a classic family outing, head to one of the city’s great bowling alleys. We love 300 New York at Chel-sea Piers (chelseapiers.com/300NY.htm), the glow-in-the-dark lanes at Bowlmor (bowlmor.com) and the ka-raoke theme night at Harlem Lanes (harlemlanes.com).

aviaTor sPorTs and reCreaTion: This Brooklyn center offers a wide selection of youth clinics, skating sessions and a fitness center. Popular sports include gymnastics, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, figure skating, and volleyball. (aviatorsports.com.)

—Theodora Guliadis

Warm Up To Winter Fitness

Health Experts Share Easy Tips To Get Your Family Moving And Motivated This Season


ith freezing tempera-tures, blustery winds and plenty of snow and sleet, it’s no won-

der New Yorkers tend to hibernate during winter.

Still, it’s important to keep active during the cold months to avoid weight gain and unhealthy levels of inactivity. To get kids motivated, fi tness experts recommend adopting practical and creative strategies, rang-

ing from parent-and-child fi tness classes to simply exploring a new neighborhood.

Do It TogetherWinter fi tness is especially im-

portant for children, says Lisa San-guiliano, senior director of healthy lifestyles at the YMCA of Greater New York, who says kids need “20 to 30 minutes of sustained exercise, fi ve

times a week.” However, these rou-tines can be broken down into shorter sessions throughout the day, and parents can even get kids moving in the morning by having them march in place while they brush their teeth and get ready for school. Shannon Pollack, co-founder and director of operations at Dasha Wellness, suggests beginning the day with a family stretch.

Sanguiliano also recommends that parents create an open discussion about fi tness with their children, and ask for their ideas for outings at the dinner table. “Use a calendar to chart out opportunities within everyone’s schedules,” she suggests.

After dinner, families can do modifi ed sit-ups, yoga poses, hula hoops or jumping jacks during commercial breaks, or have a living

room dance party! For younger chil-dren, Sanguiliano suggests creating obstacle courses in the apartment by using movable furniture, toys and other gear.

Enjoy The Great OutdoorsDon’t let the dropping tempera-

tures keep you from exploring the city! Bundle your family in layers (Jarrod Jordan, director at Chelsea Piers Bluestreak, recommends tighter-fi tting, winter-proof clothing like ski or bike gear) and combine a brisk walk with some window shopping.

Another easy activity is simply venturing beyond your neighbor-hood. “Walk 10 blocks east or west of where you live,” suggests Pollack. She also recommends planning a day trip to visit a park in a borough you don’t know well.

Cathe Thompson, group fi tness manager at Equinox, also encourages activity-based play dates, such as ice skating in Bryant Park, a day trip to Woodbury Commons or bike riding in Central Park.

Indoor Sports Sign up for parent-and-child

classes or sport-specifi c training at your local gym or activity center. Or, families can head to the gym together, and parents can alternate playing with the kids at the basketball court or swimming pool while the other par-ent takes a yoga or Zumba class, says Thompson.

Finally, Pollack encourages families to keep their approach to fi tness posi-tive and fun. “Parents should adopt and maintain a healthy outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude,” she says. G

& h � הW E L L N E S S

B Y C R I S T I N A D I M E N

An Indoor Sport For EveryoneTHE CLIMBING WALL IN CENTRAL PARK: The North Meadow Recreation Center (mid-Park at 97th Street) features indoor climbing walls for adults and children over the age of eight. The walls are supervised during working hours. For more info, call 212-348-4867, ext 14.

CHELSEA PIERS: Featuring a health club, day spa, climbing wall, bowling alley, skating rink, batting cages, basketball courts, indoor lacrosse, soc-cer fi elds and more, this complex of four Hudson River Piers is the place to be when it’s too cold to play outside. (chelseapi-ers.com.)

SUTTON EAST TENNIS: Located under the 59th Street Bridge, Sutton East’s red clay tennis courts are open every day from September through April. Court time can be reserved on an hourly basis—just be sure to book one week in advance. (suttoneasttennis.com.)

BOWLING: For a classic family outing, head to one of the city’s great bowling alleys. We love 300 New York at Chel-sea Piers (chelseapiers.com/300NY.htm), the glow-in-the-dark lanes at Bowlmor (bowlmor.com) and the ka-raoke theme night at Harlem Lanes (harlemlanes.com).

AVIATOR SPORTS AND RECREATION: This Brooklyn center offers a wide selection of youth clinics, skating sessions and a fi tness center. Popular sports include gymnastics, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, fi gure skating, and volleyball. (aviatorsports.com.)

—Theodora Guliadis

Warm Up To Winter Fitness

Health Experts Share Easy Tips To Get Your Family Moving And Motivated This Season

NYC’s custom-designed Kids Wellness & Fitness Program for children ages 5 & up

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Photos © Adam Zeliger


SPACING OUTM

any parents carefully consider the number of months or years between each of their children. Oth-

ers choose to play it by ear. Still others fi nd their plans upended by surprise pregnancies or multiples. Regardless, moms and dads tend to have lots of questions when it comes to spacing out kids: Will having them close in age cause excessive bickering? Will having them farther apart mean they won’t become close friends? Can we handle having multiple small children at once? If I wait several more years, will my age cause complications? Can we afford another child right now? Do we have enough space?

The answers will vary from fam-ily to family. “Forming a family and deciding how to space children out is a very personal matter,” says Dr. Susan Klugman, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Montefi ore Medical Center. But when considering timing and children, medical professionals recommend fi rst taking into account the health of both mother and baby. Klugman points out, for example, that “there is a higher incidence of preterm labor” among moms who conceive within a few months after giving birth, and recommends women wait a full

year before becoming pregnant again, “just to allow your body to heal.” Once a mother becomes pregnant again, Klugman advises she stop breastfeed-ing. “When you’re nursing, you can get uterine contractions, so there is an increased risk of miscarriage,” says Klugman, who also heads the Division of Reproductive Genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

A 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, entitled “Birth Spacing and Risk of Ad-verse Perinatal Outcomes,” concluded that the ideal time for conceiving a subsequent child is between 18 and 59 months after birth. Excessively short or long inter-pregnancy intervals, the study found, came with increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

Cathy Jo Cress, parenting and fam-ily lecturer and co-author of “Mom Loves You Best,” a new book on sibling relationships, maintains that parents’ emotional readiness is also a crucial factor. “Spacing depends upon what the parent can bring to each individual child,” Cress says. “A mother and father need to think about the amount of emotional support they can give the subsequent child.” What’s more, “sib-ling rivalry happens pretty much with all very close siblings,” Cress points out, and even parents of children three to

four years apart will agree that sibling rivalry is simply an unavoidable part of most families’ lives. To mitigate it, Cress recommends parents “encourage positive activities that siblings can do together,” and shower equal amounts of love and attention on each child.

Judy Capano, a mom living in Manhattan, was happy to have her two oldest children close together. Her fi rst, a daughter, is now 10 and a half, while her son is nine: a 17-month difference. “I have observed a lot of my friends and sisters having children that were two and a half years apart, and that’s a very diffi cult split,” Capano says. “What happens is you have a two-year-old, and you’re chasing them around when you’re pregnant, and then you have an infant.” Capano’s daughter was just eight months old when she became pregnant again, and “she was only just starting to get moving.”

Now that they’re older, Capano says the two children get along for the most part, but sometimes the short age difference causes a little friction. “It’s a little too close for my daughter sometimes,” Capano says. “She’s doing something and he wants to do it just at the same time.”

But both her older children adore her youngest son, now fi ve. “It’s a nice spread; there is enough space that he’s

starting O U T

B Y A M Y S P I R O

Wondering How Close In Age To Have Your Kids? While There’s No “Magic” Spread, Here

Are Some Important Factors To Consider


not in their stuff,” she says. When her youngest son was born, her older son was three and a half. “He was out of the stroller, he was completely toilet-trained, he was more inde-pendent, so I really just had one baby then,” Capatano says.

Parents have children fi ve or more years apart for any number of reasons, both planned and unplanned. Some couples want to avoid the stress of having multiple small children in the house. Some suffer miscarriages that pro-long the age difference between children. Some divorce and remarry over a number of years. Some simply choose to enjoy extended periods of time with the child or children they currently have.

Like having children close in age, choosing to space out children fi ve or more years apart has its own predictable ef-fects on the family dynamic, Cress says. Sometimes siblings with several years between them will each be treated as “single children,” enjoying plenty of attention from parents at all stages of their development. Parents may want to encourage siblings who are spaced farther apart to build a strong relationship by participating in activities together, as “many times they will fall into this category of ‘listless sib-lings,’ where they don’t have a lot of contact.” While siblings with a signifi cant age gap can become estranged as adults, Cress notes that her own two grown daughters, who have an 11-year age gap, “are thick as thieves.”

For Randi Jacoby, an Upper East Side mom and pe-diatric speech pathologist, having her two sons six years apart has been a dream. “They have a very close relation-ship,” says Jacoby of her children, now ages 16 and 10. “My younger son idolizes my older son, and my older son adores his younger brother.” What’s more, their distance in years means that “there’s no competition and there’s no rivalry.” Though her oldest was only six years old when his brother was born, their relationship evolved over time into one of care and affection, and now “he’s almost a surrogate father at times.”

Whatever your children’s age differences, Cress encour-ages parents to plan regular activities for the whole family. Hold family meetings, and expect all family members to pitch in when it comes to household chores. “It’s about making a team,” Cress says, regardless of how young or old each member may be.

Ultimately, having children is always a leap of faith, and your children’s unique personalities and needs will infl u-ence your family dynamic just as much, if not more, than how far apart in age they are. And whether your children are one or 10 years apart, Cress says, “You just learn how to spread out the love—and limited energy—you have.” G

Whatever your children’s agedifferences, plan regular activities for the whole family. Holdfamily meetings, and expect all family members to pitch in whenit comes to household chores.


U P

within their family.”Being responsible for accomplishing tasks at

home will also help your kids do better in school later on. “Research shows that kids who don’t try as hard as they could in school are more likely to have been raised in families where they didn’t have to do things at home for their families,” says Stowe. “They believed someone would always step in and do it for them.”

Another reason chores help kids do better in school is because they “teach kids that sometimes they have to do something even if they don’t want to and that translates into getting home-work done and completing assignments on time,” says Vicki Carr, director of children’s programs at the University of Cincinnati’s Arlitt Child and Family Research and Education Center.

Keep in mind that your child’s chores should involve taking care of his or her room and belongings as well as general household chores, like dusting or setting the table. The latter “set

Kids Can Do A Lot Around The House—And They Should

B Y I r e N e D a r I a

Imagine this: Your five- or six-year-old makes his bed and puts away his pajamas every morning. In the evening he sets the table and feeds the dog. At the end of a play date, he cleans up the mess that has spread across his room. And

during the weekend, he may even vacuum the living room.Does having your child help you around the house sound like

an impossible dream? It isn’t. Really. Parenting experts unanimously agree that five- and six-year-old kids could—and should—be assigned regular chores.

“When kids are younger they can only do partial chores and a parent almost always has to help them,” says parent educator Susan Turben, Ph.D. “Five- and six-year-olds can do significant chores, like vacuuming a room, and they can do the whole thing.”

“When children turn five they are more focused and have a longer attention span than they had when they were younger,” says Virginia Stowe, founder and director of the Parenting Resource Center in New York City. “They are more adept with their hands and have arrived at a good balance between what they would like to do and what they are capable of doing so that completing chores will be less frustrating for them.”

The benefits of having your kids do chores have been well docu-mented. Contributing to the running of the household “helps children feel competent and that helps them develop a strong sense of self esteem,” says Stowe. “It makes them have a sense of being important

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the whole atmosphere for what the expectations are of being part of a family. That helps create a ‘we’ vs. an ‘I’ environment,” says Carr.

Here’s how to get your child started:

1. Make a list of all the chores your child can do (see box). Then let him pick three or four that appeal to him most. “We all like to have some choice in what we do,” says Stowe. “If you let your kids choose the things they like best you will have more cooperation.”

2. Do not link regular chores to his allowance if he gets one. “Regular jobs around the house should never be paid for,” says Turben. “They should be con-sidered part of living in a home.”

“The best way to motivate your child is to tell him that by doing chores he is saving you time, so that you’ll have more time to do something fun with him, such as play a game or read,” says Stowe. “Time spent together ought to be the reward.”

3. Rather than telling your child he

did a good or bad job, describe exactly what your child accomplished, says Stowe.

She recommends saying something like, “You put everything in the right spot and the napkins are folded well.”

Of course, getting your kids to take on regular responsibilities may not be all smooth sailing. Here are the most common hurdles parents face and how to handle them. You know you’ve hit a rough spot when your kids say:

4. “Mommy, you have to help me.” If your child refuses to clean up her room or set the table unless you’re right there doing it with her, she may just want to spend more time with you, says Stowe. Or she may be afraid she won’t do it right.

So make sure you’ve taught your child the skills she needs to do her chores—that she can easily open and close the boxes her toys get stored in, for instance, or that she knows exactly where to put the dishes when she car-ries them into the kitchen.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with doing some chores together since that can be a nice way to spend one-on-one time together and get things done. The Kimberly family devotes every Saturday morning to chores. And while their two older kids do their chores on their own, five-year-old Hannah prefers to clean the bathroom mirrors while her mother does the sinks. “Frankly it’s a lot more fun for her if we do it together,” says her mom, Elizabeth. “She needs that motivation and partnership. But every day she makes her bed and sets the table by herself, too.”

“You may have to wean your child away from doing her chores with you,” Stowe recommends. “Say, ‘For now you

need to have me here. In a couple of weeks we’ll try it with me in the other room and you’ll call me if you get stuck. And don’t worry, we’ll have time together for other things.’ That way they’re reassured they’re not losing out on time spent with you.”

5. “I’m too busy” or “I don’t feel like it.” That’s what five-year-old Mallory Merryman says every time her mother, Betsy Jordan, asks her to help with the laundry or clean up her room.

In this situation it’s best to empa-thize with your child and say, “I know you don’t feel like it but the job has to be done anyway,” says Carr. “If you don’t acknowledge their feelings they’ll tend to get into a power struggle with you and yell things like, ‘I’m not going to do it,’ or ‘Nobody understands me,’ or ‘I hate this.’”

If they still won’t do it, “give them consequences related to the chore,” says Stowe. “If they don’t put their clothes in the hamper they won’t get washed. If they don’t put their toys away they won’t be allowed to play

with them the next day.”6. “I forgot.” “Up until the age of

8 or 9 kids have to be reminded con-stantly of most things,” says Turben. She recommends posting a chart with pictures of what they have to do on the refrigerator or on their bedroom door.

Even with a chart, it’s still perfectly normal for kids to forget every so often. It’s not a reason to give up and do it yourself, even though it may be faster and easier if you did.

In the long run it’s better for your children—and you—if you just remind them whenever they need reminding and then get out of there and let them do their own thing, says Turben. “Help them only if they really, really need it.” G

T h i s s t o r y o r i g i n a l l y r a n i n t h e Ju n e 2 0 0 6 i s s u e o f Ne w Yo r k Fa m i l y.

What Your Child Can Do Around the House(Beginning At Five or Six)

EvEryday chorEs• Set the table• Feed the dog or cat• Place dirty clothes in

the hamper• Make their beds• Put away their shoes and clean

clothes• Scrape food off the plates and into

the garbage• Put the dishes in the dishwasher• Empty the bathroom garbage into

a larger garbage can• Put their books and toys away• Separate the recyclables

oncE a wEEk chorEs• Sweep up or vacuum in one

or two rooms • Water some plants• Help sort and fold the laundry• Help clean their room• Stack all the magazines and

newspapers for recycling

“Research shows that kids who don’t try as hard as they could in school are more likely to have been raised in families where they didn’t have to do things at home for their families.”

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“There was nothing out there that really spoke honestly to moms,” explains Gittlin, who was pregnant at the time with her now three-year-old son.

“We all worked together and had the same idea but had different experiences after we had kids,” Albert says. “I couldn’t wait to go back to work, but I found it very hard to keep doing what I was doing and being a mom the way that I wanted to be a mom. We basically all thought something was missing.”

Nor were the new responsibilities and extra hours of raising kids fi tting neatly into the round-the-clock demands of television news anymore. “My head wasn’t in Baghdad and breaking news anymore, it was in motherhood,” says Gerstein.

It was then, in October of 2009, that the three began contributing fi rst-person pieces for Metro,taking turns writing about topics about which they felt strongly as working parents and women. Their reliably provocative commentary caught the attention of NBC New York’s David Ushery, a reporter and host of “The Debrief,” a fast-paced news show covering buzz-worthy issues. Soon, Ushery was booking them on the program; by their fourth appearance, their sass and savvy had earned them praise and laughs in the control room, and they were asked to shoot a pilot, which was completed in April of 2010. The show debuted only four months later in July.

These days, “Moms and the City and a Dad

When fi rst meeting the women of the weekly television program “Moms and the City,” it’s hard not to be swept up by their beauty and brains, a telegenic com-bination of shiny hair and sharp wits. The dynamic

trio consists of three longtime, award-winning journalists—Denise Albert, a mom of two who has interviewed everyone from Michael Jordan to Paula Jones and most recently served as the president of David Blaine’s production company; Melissa Gerstein, a mom of three who has interviewed notable individuals like Mariah Carey and Steven Spielberg and closely followed President George Bush during the 2000 Presidential election; and Raina Seitel Gittlin, a mom of one and an Emmy-award winning journalist who has garnered accolades for both her coverage of September 11th and an expose on underage drinking. Together, the women make up the witty and ever-provocative voices behind the multi-platform brand “Moms and the City,” which reaches NYC parents through television, print and web.

It all began when Albert and Gittlin, who worked together at “Good Morning America,” met Gerstein, a producer contributing to CBNC, CNN and MSNBC. The three women, who were each in the midst of motherhood’s various stages from pregnancy to kindergarten admis-sions, found they had much in common, including a belief that a candid discussion about raising kids in New York City was missing in the media.

B Y E R I K A T H O R M A H L E N

The Three Sassy Women Of ‘Moms And The City’ Use Their Adventures In Motherhood As The Raw Material For a Hit Show,

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Mom! Denise Albert, Raina Seitel Gittlin and Melissa Gerstein on the set of their show.

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Named David” (Ushery now chimes in with his own paternal perspective) airs weekly segments on WNBC and a half hour show on Nonstop channels in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington D.C. and is scheduled to expand with the network’s intro-duction to the California and Miami markets this month. In the mean-time, their blog’s move from Metro to the New York Daily News, along with their current billing as celebrity content providers to BabyCenter.com, have launched them into that rari-fi ed stratosphere of a multi-platform brand.

But despite their sudden success, you won’t fi nd a team of publicists networking for their exposure behind the scenes. Albert—an award-winning producer who has worked for broad-caster Deborah Norville and the daughter of legendary sportscaster, Marv Albert—reveals the DIY nature of their enterprise, saying, “It’s really just the three of us doing everything.” The call to entrepreneurship has brought to light the women’s individ-ual talents: “Melissa books everything, Raina is our expert writer and I’m more of a manager,” Albert says.

What’s more, the moms don’t always agree on how things should be done. But it’s that kind of light-hearted dissent—and confi dence in their respective opinions—that has proven to be the moms’ secret ingredient that keeps viewers and readers tuning in. “We all have very different perspectives, which is why this works,” Albert says.

“It speaks to the universal experi-ence of motherhood,” Gittlin agrees. “We all have a common goal, but we might have different opinions and ways of doing things.”

During no other segment are their opinions debated more intensely than their top-of-the-show version of “hot topics,” during which the moms tackle parenting matters from breast-feeding to bullying. The switch from reporting the news to commenting on it, however, has taken some getting used to. “I love asking questions and I love the curiosity of our business as journalists,” says Gittlin. “So to turn the spotlight on myself and reveal my innermost personal feelings about, for example, the societal pressures of maybe having only one child and how does that make me feel, has been rather challenging.”

What’s more, the moms are quick to point out they don’t claim to be experts on any one subject. For that, they call on a weekly guest psycholo-gist or educator during “The Bottom Line,” a kind of professional wrap-up of the discussion.

Other favorite show segments include “Mamarazzi,” when the moms go one-on-one with celebrities about motherhood. From Julianne Moore and Denise Richards to Tori Spelling and Iman, the intention of these inter-views, Albert says, is to meet the mom, not just the starlet. “We might say, ‘Do you really love being pregnant? Do you feel guilty when you go to work?’

We’re going a little bit deeper and ask-ing them about the same things we’re writing and talking about,” Albert says.

Another of the show’s segments, “Moms in Charge,” profi les notable mothers in business. Beneath the catchy names like “Mompreneurs” and “Role Momels,” each portrait, Albert says, speaks to the show’s belief that “every mom has a story.”

Since their debut, in fact, their no-holds-barred honesty has cranked up the criticism on blogs and message boards. (Case in point: Albert’s New York Daily News editorial on so-called “Mommy Rage”—a piece, she ex-plains, that was simply about “com-mon courtesy.”) But the moms see controversy as an opportunity to spark a conversation.

“I imagine some people probably don’t like all of us because we do have strong opinions, and that’s okay, be-cause I think the most important thing is that people are talking about it, and if they can relate to even a snippet of what one of us said, I think we’re do-ing our job,” says Albert.

And for this energetic threesome, the conversation comes easily, mak-ing it apparent why this talkative trio has—and deserves—its own show.

“We are business partners, we are best friends, we are sisters,” Albert says. “We could talk forever.” P

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t m o m s a n d t h e c i t y. n e t .

FROM LEFT: Raina Seitel Gittlin and her son; Denise Albert with husband Jordan and sons Jaron and Jaylan;

Melissa Gerstein with husband Anthony and children Elias, Sydney Rose and Lily.

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Some of us get our best ideas in our sleep, in the shower or on the subway. The idea to open Scribble Press, a colorful, do-it-yourself-bookmaking shop with locations on the Upper

East and Upper West Sides as well as in Los Angeles, came to life in an unexpected place—on a fl ight across the country.

It all began when Darcy Pollack and Anna Barber, two literature-loving moms, happened to sit next to each other on a fl ight in 2006. “The con-versation began when I commented on the book that [Darcy] was read-ing, and we discovered that we had a lot in common,” says Barber, a mom of two sons and two stepdaughters and a trained lawyer who had worked in internet marketing, consulting and corporate law. “We both lived in L.A, we were both mothers, we both loved books, and we went to the same college. By the end of the fl ight, we exchanged our whole life stories,” Barber says. Pollack, also a mother of two, holds an MBA and had worked in investment banking and the entertain-ment industry.

The conversation eventually led Pollack to share her vision of a store where kids could publish their own books, a place that would inspire cre-ativity and foster a love of writing.

“I come from a book-loving, pub-lishing family—my father is an editor, my mother is a literary agent and my sister is a writer,” Barber says. “So when I heard Darcy’s idea, it was like getting struck by lightning, it was one of those moments.” Just hours after

meeting, Pollack and Barber decided to become business partners.

“I was seven months pregnant at the time, so when we got off the plane my husband sort of looked at me skep-tically and asked, ‘Do you really think you are going to start a company with someone you just met on a plane?’” Barber says with a laugh. “Which, of course, only made me more deter-mined to actually see it happen!”

After their initial meeting, Barber

At left: Anna Barber, co-founder of Scribble Press. Above: Two young patrons collaborate on an art project at Scribble Press.

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and Pollack worked diligently to make their vision come to life, researching different technologies, fi nding equip-ment suppliers and reaching out to other parents for support. In 2008, their hard work paid off when Scribble Press opened its fi rst storefront in Los Angeles, a brightly-colored creative oasis as alluring to kids as a candy shop—and much better for them, too.

Barber, a native New Yorker, knew that Scribble Press would be a tremen-dous asset to New York City families as well. “I always wanted to [bring Scribble Press] to New York,” she says. “Families here care a lot about educa-tion and the arts, and everyone in New York is looking for something to do with their children.”

Fueled by Barber and Pollack’s passion and the enthusiasm and sup-port from New York City parents and friends, Scribble Press subsequently opened its Upper East Side location in April of 2010, followed by its Upper West Side outpost this past November.

But regardless of what side of the city your child is scribbling in, the process of getting started is easy and inviting. When kids enter the shop, they begin by choosing the format in which they want to present their work, selecting from hard and soft-cover book templates, notebooks, calendars, greeting cards, bookmarks, placemats and more. The projects range in price from $17 for a lined notebook with the child’s design on the cover to $40 for a calendar fi lled with a year’s worth of drawings. Plus, while older children pen their stories, kids ages 2 and up can have fun with a simple drawing project.

After they choose their projects, guests can grab a wooden caddy and head over to the vast marker wall to grab as many colors as they like before setting up shop at a large drafting table. If kids need more inspiration along the way, there are stencils, idea cards and fi ll-in-the-blank “cueprints” on each table, with prompts like “I Love My Mom” and “All About Me.”

“We want to provide as many tools and opportunities as possible to get kids to roll up their sleeves and be creative,” Barber said. What’s more,

children are encouraged to take their time on their creations. “We want kids to feel like they can take as long as they want to work on their projects, and [for parents] not to be concerned that they have spend a lot of money each time they visit.”

After children fi nish their mas-terpiece, the books are whisked off to the production studio, where they are scanned, printed and bound into a professional-looking fi nished prod-uct—all in about 30 minutes.

“It was important to us that children be able to leave the same day with their book,” Barber says. “We think a big part of the magic is being able to see your work transformed instantly into something permanent—there’s nothing like feeling like your work has become indelible,” she says. “The idea of thinking of yourself as a writer is so tied up with seeing your work in print.”

In addition to drop-in sessions, Scribble Press also offers a variety of classes for children of all ages, from simple art classes for toddlers to more advanced courses—like vocabulary building and creative writing—for tweens and teens. What’s more, Scrib-ble Press’ unique birthday parties have also been a huge hit with city families.

“I think people like the idea that there’s a creative and literary birthday party option,” Barber says, “and that all the children get to go home with the book that they created.”

Barber hopes that parents see the unique opportunities that Scribble Press has to offer in nurturing chil-dren’s creativity and helping them fi nd their voice. “We see our objective as inspiring kids and giving them the tools they need to be creative, and the fi nished product is really personal,” says Barber. “When a kid comes in here and writes a story called ‘Deepa The Magical Ninja’—who rescues a lost cu-cumber from the sunken forest—you just couldn’t make that up!” G

S c r i b b l e P r e s s i s l o c a t e d a t 1 6 2 4 F i r s t Av e n u e ( b e t w e e n 8 4 t h a n d 8 5 t h s t r e e t s ) a n d 2 1 5 W. 8 4 t h S t r e e t ( a t B r o a d -w a y ) . F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t s c r i b b l e p r e s s . c o m .

There are many small things parents can do at home to open up the world of storytelling for their kids. Here are a few ideas from Scribble Press co-founder Anna Barber.

MAKE UP STORIES FOR THEM. There’s nothing more exciting for a child than the words “Once upon a time…” spoken by mom or dad. You don’t have to be great at making up stories—you can borrow liberally from classics, movies and books you’ve read recently.

USE BOOKS YOU’VE READ TOGETHER AS A STARTING POINT. You can also borrow the structure of a favorite picture book and add your own personal details. This shows kids that it’s okay to copy (all writers start out by copying), and gives them an easy way to structure their own stories.

KEEP A ONE-LINE JOURNAL WITH YOUR CHILD. She can write (or dictate to you) one sentence a day about something that happened. This is easy to do and has the added benefi t of creating a great keepsake. I like to use an old-fashioned composition book with wide lines for this. This can be a part of your bedtime routine.

MAKE “BOOKS” OUT OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER. Take three pieces of copier paper and a colored piece of construction paper for the cover, fold in half, and staple. It’s very tempting to create a book when presented with the empty pages. You can paste a photo of your child on the back and write a little author bio every time they create a book.

MAKE A LIBRARY OF THEIR WORK. If you put all the books your child makes in school and at home on the same shelf, they’ll have a real sense of accomplishment, and also be able to see their progress.

For more ways to inspire your kids to love writing, visit the Scribble Press blog (scribblepress.wordpress.com). Happy scribbling!

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With Their Popular Line Of Baby Products, Ellen And

Michael Diamant Have Brought Modern Style And Function To

Countless Families. Is It Any Wonder That Their Downtown

Home Manages At Once To Be Chic, Comfortable and

Impeccably Designed?

Michael and Ellen Diamant, the founders of NYC-based baby product company Skip Hop, might just be the personifi cation of synergy. In creating a fam-ily, a business and a home together, the couple works seamlessly, their respective talents weaving together to create a sum larger than the parts.

Native New Yorkers, Michael and Ellen met through friends and have now been married for over 15 years. In a classic case of creativity meets enterprise, the marriage has brought forth not only a son and a business, but an intriguing sense of design that infuses the products they create, the home they live in, and even the way their business is run. It’s a design philosophy based on aesthetic and simplicity, but powered by acute functionality.

Perhaps this is most evident in the products Skip Hop has become so renowned for. Today’s new parents may not realize this, but not too long ago the baby gear market was dominated by banal licensed car-toon characters, anemic pastels, gingham, ducks and bunnies. If you were lucky you could maybe, just maybe, fi nd a plain black diaper bag.

These were the choices that Ellen faced when outfi tting her home and life for the arrival of the couple’s now 10-year-old son, Spencer. Her search left her with baby products that were aesthetically unap-pealing and lacking in functionality. “In New York City, your stroller is like your car, you’re pushing it around and around,” she says. “I wanted a nice diaper bag that I could hang on a stroller and then take

Skip Hop’s Mom & Pop

By Melissa Breyer

inside with me if I wanted to.” She even consid-ered having a custom bag made. But here’s where creativity-meets-business enters the picture: while other parents settled for inferior designs or struggled with their own adaptations, Ellen and Michael sketched out designs, found a manu-facturer and brought the beautiful, functional Duo Diaper Bag to market. Fast-forward seven years and the Skip Hop line includes everything from toddler backpacks and toys to essential gear and bedding. The products are sold worldwide, and show up on the arms of Madonna, Jennifer Garner and other high-profi le parents.

It’s really no surprise that this was the course of events. Prior to founding Skip Hop, Ellen had worked as an art director and had her own graphic design studio; Michael had started two Internet businesses. The timing seemed perfect, even if neither of them knew the fi rst thing about making products. “We came into the business knowing nothing about manufacturing,” Michael says. “Sometimes knowing nothing lets you believe you can do anything.” Today, terms like supply chain and injection molding roll off his

Michael and Ellen Diamant with their son, Spencer (and dog, Charlie), at home.


current space, sight-unseen. The building boasted a developer with a sterling reputation and renowned architecture fi rm FXFOWLE, and the space offered Ellen and Michael a blank canvas in which to realize their new vision.

Working with mid-century loving twin-sister designers Joan and Jayne Michaels of 2Michaels Interior Design, Ellen sought out a balance of simple contemporary design, but with vintage pieces. Vintage furniture curator Larry Weinberg was also consulted, and the result of the combined efforts is a space that is at once elegant and peaceful, but oozes comfort. And (no surprise here), it’s exqui-sitely functional.

Upon entering the space, the fi rst thing a parent might won-der is: where is all of the stuff? Well, much of it is squirreled away in the storage space (which they have yet to visit after two years) but what is left is tucked away through clever design. All media has been digitized to alleviate the endless shelves of books, CDs and DVDs. Beautiful custom heater covers were designed to hide the heaters, as well as cords, plugs and wires. Everything has a place, and it’s mostly hidden. “We wanted to make things go away,” Ellen says.

The living room plays host to an elegant side console—a stunning, marble-topped, 1950’s horizontal fi l-ing cabinet by Knoll. The couch, from Dune, is a stealth number which con-verts to become an ersatz chaise or day-bed, like the sexiest La-Z-Boy in town. It’s as if everything has a secret identity: slick beauty on one hand, purposeful

practicality on the other.The den, for lack of a better word,

is a dreamy chocolate brown that you just want to melt into. It’s where the television lives, and where son Spencer likes to hang out with his friends. It is as comfortable a room as one can imagine, without sacrifi cing an iota of elegance.

So how does the Diamants’ design aesthetic translate into a kid’s room? The answer is Argentine furniture designer Roberto Gil. After consult-ing with Spencer, Gil built a wall unit perfectly suited to his needs. Properly scaled and supremely functional, it makes an exuberant collection of plastic toys look like a museum instal-lation, and is intended to grow with Spencer through the years.

As Ellen explains, Skip Hop “really thinks about how parents and kids live; we don’t just spit out products,” and the same can be said for the Diamants’ home. They’re like a mom and pop shop gone graceful-ly big time, continuing to run their now international-scale business with particular attention to detail, thoughtfulness and focus. What’s more, their work and home lives fl ow into one another, and their love for both design and family life is everywhere, from each new Skip Hop product to the sofa in their living room. “We are all-in-one,” Michael says. “You don’t fi nd a lot of that anymore.” G

tongue like nursery rhymes.After the success of the Duo

Diaper Bag, Skip Hop’s focus became evaluating tried-and-true baby gear essentials and reinvent-ing them by eliminating the ex-traneous, increasing functionality and making everything lovely to look at. As these themes began to shape their company, the couple decided it was time to bring this design philosophy home, right into their living environment.

“Our company is geared to the urban parent, to make things beau-tiful, to work with the urban envi-ronment, to save space, to mini-mize and simplify,” Ellen explains. “It was time to bring that home.” So in 2008, they made a rather startling move. They bought a brand-new apartment, packed every last bit of furnishings in their old apartment into stor-age, and started over from scratch.

Seeking out a “more minimalist, Zen environ-ment than their eclectic” Upper West Side prewar apartment, they decided on a 1600-square foot apartment downtown. After looking at brown-stones and fi xer-upper lofts, they purchased their

LEFT: Argentine furniture designer Roberto Gil created a custom wall unit for Spencer’s room.BELOW: The den combines elegance and simplicity with practicality and comfort.

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BY HEATHER CHAET

Emmy-Winning Talk Show Co-Host Elisabeth Hasselbeck Dishes On Speaking Her Mind On

National TV, Parenting Three Small Children In The City And Keeping It All Together (Most Of The Time)

ELISABETH HASSELBECK AND I CONDUCTED OUR INTERVIEW IN BED. Seriously. Picture it: two working moms, who can barely fi nd nine minutes to shower, trying to schedule a time to talk uninterrupted. What did we come up with? 8:30 on a Monday night. So, Elisabeth sat on her bed and I sat on mine, both of us collapsed after a day of trekking the kids to school, attending work meetings, struggling to get a decent dinner on the table, and, fi nally, at last, getting the kids to sleep. Ensconced in our respective

bedrooms, we talked about everything from Hasselbeck’s new gluten-free health bars to sleeping in a sports bra (to increase the odds of a morning workout, of course).

Photography by Thaddeus HardenShot on location at the Empire Hotel

THE

VIEWFROM HERE


By HeatHer CHaet

Emmy-Winning Talk Show Co-Host Elisabeth Hasselbeck Dishes On Speaking Her Mind On

National TV, Parenting Three Small Children In The City And Keeping It All Together (Most Of The Time)

Elisabeth hasselbeck and i conducted our interview in bed.Seriously. Picture it: two working moms, who can barely find nine minutes to shower, trying to schedule a time to talk uninterrupted. What did we come up with? 8:30 on a Monday night. So, Elisabeth sat on her bed and I sat on mine, both of us collapsed after a day of trekking the kids to school, attending work meetings, struggling to get a decent dinner on the table, and, finally, at last, getting the kids to sleep. Ensconced in our respective

bedrooms, we talked about everything from Hasselbeck’s new gluten-free health bars to sleeping in a sports bra (to increase the odds of a morning workout, of course).

Photography by thaddeus HardenShot on location at the Empire Hotel

ThE

ViEwFrom hErE


It felt like a typical way to catch up with one of your mommy friends. Wait, you say you wouldn’t describe Elisabeth Hasselbeck as a typi-cal mommy friend? Your typical mommy friend isn’t a former contestant on “Survivor,” a clothing designer for QVC, a best-selling author, a family and lifestyle contributor on “Good Morning America” or, oh yeah, an Emmy-winning co-host on that little show called “The View”?

Okay, maybe she’s not at all typical, but after about thirty-seven seconds of talking with her, you realize she is honest, funny, smart and totally self-aware, and you want her to be your not-at-all-typical mommy friend. During our pillow talk, Elisabeth Hasselbeck shattered popular misconceptions about herself, shamelessly admit-ted some not-so-great mommy moments, and shared her own “view” on raising a family in New York City.

From “The View” to your clothing line to “Good Morning America” and everything in between, you are the defi nition of a working mom—you live in the city, you’re raising three kids 5 and under (Grace, 5; Taylor, 3; and Isaiah, 17 months). How do you juggle it all? Juggle is a good word. Thankfully, I have the best team-mate and that’s my husband [Tim Hasselbeck, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback]. We have bizarre schedules that allow at least one of us to be with the kids most of the time, and we have great sitters. Our challenge is fi nding time for ourselves as a couple. We say, “Yes, we’ll do that Friday!” and come Friday, we are exhausted. I think the key is not sleeping, to be perfectly honest [laughs]. I’ve sort of learned to manage about four days of minimal sleep, and then I am pretty cranky and tired and give in by the fi fth or sixth day. I don’t think that’s completely healthy and I don’t advise it.

Tell me about being on “Good Morning America.” It is a great way to communicate with parents in a non-controversial or political way. I love tackling the topics and love just being able to give the information and not necessarily my opinion. I also manage three small businesses; it’s not easy. I think I do a decent job, but come Saturday and Sunday, I barely function.

Do you have a typical day? Funny enough, the days are typical. It goes like this: my 17-month-old Isaiah tends to start waking up about 3 a.m. At 6 a.m., I have two cute faces at my bed—Taylor isn’t quite ready to get up, but willing to do whatever Grace does. I turn the TV on and let them watch a show while I come


It felt like a typical way to catch up with one of your mommy friends. Wait, you say you wouldn’t describe Elisabeth Hasselbeck as a typi-cal mommy friend? Your typical mommy friend isn’t a former contestant on “Survivor,” a clothing designer for QVC, a best-selling author, a family and lifestyle contributor on “Good Morning America” or, oh yeah, an Emmy-winning co-host on that little show called “The View”?

Okay, maybe she’s not at all typical, but after about thirty-seven seconds of talking with her, you realize she is honest, funny, smart and totally self-aware, and you want her to be your not-at-all-typical mommy friend. During our pillow talk, Elisabeth Hasselbeck shattered popular misconceptions about herself, shamelessly admit-ted some not-so-great mommy moments, and shared her own “view” on raising a family in New York City.

From “The View” to your clothing line to “Good Morning America” and everything in between, you are the definition of a working mom—you live in the city, you’re raising three kids 5 and under (Grace, 5; Taylor, 3; and Isaiah, 17 months). How do you juggle it all? Juggle is a good word. Thankfully, I have the best team-mate and that’s my husband [Tim Hasselbeck, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback]. We have bizarre schedules that allow at least one of us to be with the kids most of the time, and we have great sitters. Our challenge is finding time for ourselves as a couple. We say, “Yes, we’ll do that Friday!” and come Friday, we are exhausted. I think the key is not sleeping, to be perfectly honest [laughs]. I’ve sort of learned to manage about four days of minimal sleep, and then I am pretty cranky and tired and give in by the fifth or sixth day. I don’t think that’s completely healthy and I don’t advise it.

Tell me about being on “Good Morning America.” It is a great way to communicate with parents in a non-controversial or political way. I love tackling the topics and love just being able to give the information and not necessarily my opinion. I also manage three small businesses; it’s not easy. I think I do a decent job, but come Saturday and Sunday, I barely function.

Do you have a typical day? Funny enough, the days are typical. It goes like this: my 17-month-old Isaiah tends to start waking up about 3 a.m. At 6 a.m., I have two cute faces at my bed—Taylor isn’t quite ready to get up, but willing to do whatever Grace does. I turn the TV on and let them watch a show while I come

The

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to. We have breakfast and read a little something in the morning. I take both Grace and Taylor to school and then I screech into work about 9:01. I’m there until about noon and then I run home, play with the boys, get them down for a nap. Any sort of afternoon meeting is done while the boys are sleeping. I get Grace from school, we do any afterschool activities, and then, all of a sudden, 4 p.m. sneaks up on me and I’m trying to get some sort of dinner microwaved or made. It is a challenge in our house—Isaiah doesn’t like anything, I have celiac disease, Grace and Taylor are typical kids, and my husband’s hungry.

So what do you do? Steak. Meat-balls. A lot of protein and I throw some pasta in there for the kids, but a lot of it is gluten-free. We like to play and hang out before or after dinner and most of the time, we’ll get every-body bathed by about 7:30, and they’re in bed by 8.

I say, on some days, bathing is overrated. Tonight, I just had ev-eryone stand in the shower in order of height, and I have one of those shower heads that come down on the coil. I literally squirted soap on all three and hosed them down. Six eyeballs were on me, looking at me like, “Mom, does this count?”

While you and Tim are certainly in the public eye, New Yorkers are used to seeing celebrities around. Have you found living in the city gives you enough anonymity to go out and about

without being bothered? We are pretty low-key. Shake Shack is about as excit-ing as it gets for this household. Espe-cially with three kids in the city, you can barely get three across on the sidewalk. My personal challenge is fi nding places where I can fi t my stroller through the door. I don’t think we are the type of people who defi ne who we are by what we do professionally and that helps us a lot. We have a great community here of young parents and parents of school-aged kids who are all in the same boat, and it really doesn’t matter if you are on Wall Street, you’re driving a truck, or you are a stay-at-home mom. Your kids are your focus. I think [New York-

ers] understand that there is more to a person than just what they do and are pretty savvy to the fact that there’s a lot going on with everyone.

You have said in other interviews that you don’t defi ne yourself as a con-servative, but you live in a fairly liberal city and are known for your conserva-tive views. How does that translate in your everyday life and being a mom? I’ve had a few moments where someone thought they had me fi gured out, and once they see me with the kids, they have a moment where they say, “Oh, I guess she’s just like any other mom—she’s just as bad at that as I am!” It’s gotten a lot better in the past few years. Most of my friends are liberals. My best friends, my closest family, they don’t have to have my politics. Fortunately and unfortunately, it is my job to dis-close what I think. I always say it is just my opinion—you don’t have to have it.

I think it’s great when we can show our daughters that we stand up for our beliefs but also teach them how valuable other people’s thoughts are. I was driving with Grace and she looked out of the window and saw a female construction worker. She screamed, “Mommy! That’s a girl construction worker!” She was so excited. I saw this face on her that clicked, “I could do that!” I think conservative women get a really bad rap for not being about equality, feminism, women’s rights. I sat on a Title IX committee in college to make sure women were equally rep-resented on the fi eld and in funding. It has always been a mission of mine

to let my daughter really explore and fi nd out for herself that you can pretty much do anything you want to—as long as it is legal [laughs].

Obviously “The View” wouldn’t be “The View” if everyone had the same view. How is the dynamic off-camera? Off-camera, it is so fun and friendly, it provides quite a contrast to when we are at the table. It’s really come to a point where we are such good friends and know each other so well that we can “go there.” We have these wild debates that are so full of passion and life and we push one another’s buttons, because we know each other that well. I work with a handful of the funniest women ever—so sharp, so brave. I am laughing all morning. And I sit next to Barbara Walters, who is the most incredible person at the job, and I’d argue that to the grave. It is such a gift as a mom to be

From Surviving The Australian Outback To Reporting On Parenting Issues,

A LOOK AT ELISABETH

HASSELBECK’S TV CAREER

Survivor: The Australian OutbackElisabeth Filarski takes a leave from her career as a shoe designer for Puma to compete in the second season of the popular reality show, fi nishing in an impressive fourth place.

2001 2002The Look for Less Post-Suvivor, Elisa-beth teams up with the Style Network to help women achieve a high-fashion look on a budget.

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able to have those talks. I really love going in there. There’ve been times when I haven’t, but right now is a time where I do. I just feel more fulfi lled as a person because I get to have those conversations.

What are three things that readers would fi nd surprising about you? First, bananas are my favorite thing to buy in NYC. Five for a dollar, and once, I even found them six for a dollar! To be able to hand over a dollar and get fi ve of something back, I love that.

Second, I probably have the Metropolitan Museum memorized.

I could work there and direct people to every artist. We go there all of the time with the kids. We dot-dot-dot like George Seurat and paint hay like Claude Monet.

Third, I am super-messy and not organized. If not for Tim, I probably would be on an episode of “Hoarders.” Everybody thinks I am super buttoned-up and, of course, I seem that way because I have someone doing my hair and makeup every single day and have clothes that are there. But I am a walking disaster. I want to be Type A, everyone thinks I am Type A, and I feel pressure to be Type A, but I’m really not. I missed the fi rst day of school with Grace in her second year of preschool. I got an email from one of the teachers saying, “Hi. Just checking to make sure Grace is coming to school this year.” Seriously, who forgets the fi rst day of school?

What’s on tap for 2011? I have gluten-free products I’ve been working on for two years coming out called NOGII. They are high-protein, all-natural, gluten-free bars that should be available on Amazon.com in January. This has been a real pet project; they are so good and I can’t wait. I am working on one for kids that’s gluten-free, nut-free, all-natural and suitable for all kids on the autism spectrum, kids with learning disabilities and ADHD. With the NOGII bars, I designed the formula. I designed the packaging. I love the behind-the-scenes stuff.

I will have fi tness apparel coming

out in Fall 2011. I’m busy with a lot of side projects that are really the guts of what I like to do. “The View” is exceptional because it allows us to be who we are and for all of these other things to happen. Truth be told, none of those opportunities would be there without it. And for the fi rst time in six years, I’m not making a baby! I’ll be working on growing kids instead of growing them in me right now.

Are you done? I think we’re done. Done would be a good word for us [laughs]. We are complete, I’ll say that. We look at Isaiah and I say, “Oh, my little grand fi nale, there you are!” We are physically in the trenches right now. When you have lots of kids in the house, chances are one of them is getting up, someone has a cough, or someone lost their binky.

The bigger they get, the worries may become greater. Right now,

nighttime is our biggest fear, because

[we don’t know] when they might get up. But I’ll take it, because when those nights come when we are waiting for them to come home, I am going to be a mess.

What’s the hardest question you’ve had to answer from your kids so far? My daughter said to me, “Mommy, if God is so big, how is he in my heart?” Of course, these questions come at 8:05 at night, when I am nearly asleep myself. That bedtime talk is so precious, but this was one time that I thought, “I don’t

know if I am capable of answering that in a way that it needs to be answered right now.”

What did you tell her? I said God has the ability to be both big and small and that no place is too small and no place is too big. Seemed to satisfy her—she rolled over and went to sleep.

Do you think you’ll always live in New York City? I think it is a magnetic city. There is something that allows those with the ability to work really hard the chance to be a good parent and feel like you are connected. I love the fact that I am no more than 10 minutes away from my kids at all times; call me a helicopter parent, but I like that. I never thought I would ever live in NYC, but there is something that keeps us here. We’ve been here a long time, it’s an incredible home, and the kids love it. For now, this works for us. G

2003-present

2009-present

2010-presentThe View Beating out Carnie Wilson and Rachel Campos of the Real World San Francisco, Elisabeth wins a seat as a co-host of the daytime talk show, where she makes a name for herself as the outspoken conservative voice on the panel. In 2009, she and her co-hosts win the Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Talk Show Host.

QVC While keeping her post at The View, Elisabeth returns to her design roots with a collection of fashionable yet affordable separates for Dialogue.

Good Morning America Proving her adeptness at multi-tasking, Elisabeth becomes a correspondent for Good Morning America, contributing stories on family and parenting issues.

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Hitting The IceGreat City Skating Rinks

The Polar Rink at the American Mu-seum of Natural History overlooks the Rose Center for Earth and Space and features a 17-foot-tall polar bear decorated with twinkling lights around which kids can pirouette. 79th Street at Columbus Avenue, 212-769-5100, amnh.org.

With ice hockey, a skating school, public skating, and one of the most picturesque settings in the city, Wollman Rink in Central Park has long been a favorite of New York City families. Enter at 59th Street and 6th Avenue, 212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com.

Lasker Rink, a twin rink facility tucked away in the north end of Central Park, offers a youth hockey league, ice skating school, and public ice skating. Enter at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue, 917-492-3856, wollmanskatingrink.com/main_lasker.htm.

There’s free admission to skating at The Pond at Bryant Park, and indi-vidual and group lessons are avail-able too. Between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, 866-221-5157, bryantpark.org.

Everyone should hit The Rink at Rockefeller Center at least once! Skating lessons and public skating are offered. 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, 212-332-7654, patinagroup.com/east/iceRink/.

Everyone from beginners to advanced skaters can glide about the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, which has youth hockey, fi gure skating, general skating and more. Pier 61, 23rd Street and the Hudson River, 212-336-6100, chelseapiers.com.

City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City, a relatively new addition to the skating scene, is an NHL-style dome with an ice skating school, ice hockey training, and free public skating. 47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, 718-706-6667, cityicepa-vilion.com.

—Leah Black

City BakeryThere’s nothing quite like a homemade marshmallow fl oating in a giant mug of hot chocolate. City Bakery’s rich, thick hot cocoa is sure to satisfy any chocaholic. Pair it with the bakery’s famed pretzel croissant for the best sweet and savory combination around. $7. The City Bakery, 3 West 18th Street, thecitybakery.com.

Dylan’s Candy Bar & Café Located on the store’s third level, Dylan’s café offers six varieties of over-the-top hot chocolate, including “Birthday Party” (which comes with whipped cream, sprinkles and a slice of cake), and “Perfectly Peanut Butter” (complete with pea-nut butter cups, chips, sauce and whipped cream). $7. Dylan’s Candy Bar and Café, 1011 Third Avenue, 646-735-0078, dylanscandybar.com.

Jacques TorresThere’s a reason Jacques Torres is known as “Mr. Chocolate.” Kids can try the classic thick and creamy hot chocolate (and add fl avorings like peanut butter, orange or caramel), while adults can try the “wicked” version, made with allspice, cinnamon, chipotle and ancho chilis. $3.25-$6.50. Various locations, mrchocolate.com.

La Maison du ChocolatStep inside this store and be

transported to the streets of Paris (if only until you drain your cup). Choose from two varieties: the Guayaquil, a silky smooth dark chocolate drink, and the Caracas, a special blend of full-boded co-coa beans. $8. Various locations, lamaisonduchocolat.com.

MarieBelle’s Cacao Barand Tea SalonThis specialty chocolatier pulls no punches when it comes to hot chocolate: fi ve different varieties, each with the option of “Euro-pean style” (made with water) or “American style” (made with milk). The mocha is made with fi nely ground coffee powder and 60% cacao, while the spicy version is fl avored with chipotle, ancho chiles, nutmeg and cinna-mon. Hot chocolate ranges from $6-$9. MarieBelle’s, 484 Broome Street, mariebelle.com.

Max BrennerMax Brenner’s signature hot chocolate is served in a spe-cially-designed “hug mug” (the better to warm your hands with, of course!). Choose from dark, milk and white chocolate variet-ies, with the option of mixing in

your own fl avors: raspberry, coconut, cinnamon, mint, hazelnut or banana. $5.25. Max Brenner, 841 Broadway, maxbrenner.com.

The Chocolate RoomA cup of hot cocoa enjoyed at a table in this cozy café is a perfect way to spend a chilly afternoon or evening. Children will adore the classic hot cocoa, and adults can try specialties like Café Lou (half coffee, half bittersweet hot chocolate), or Café Torino (bit-tersweet hot chocolate with a shot of espresso). $4.50. Loca-tions in Park Slope and Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, thechocolat-eroombrooklyn.com.

Nunu ChocolatesEnjoy a shaved hot chocolate and feel good about the world at Nunu; the cocoa beans used at this specialty store come from a sustainable, family-run farm in eastern Colombia. Take a seat at one of the wooden farmhouse tables—if you’re lucky, you might see chocolatier Justine Pringle creating her delectable treats in the kitchen! $4-5. Nunu Chocolates, 529 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, nunuchocolates.com.

—Amy Spiro

From Tackling The Slopes To Taking Tea, There’s Plenty Of Fun To Be Had

In The City (And Beyond) In Winter

It’s Cold Out There.

Enjoy It!WINTER Fun Guide 2011

Hot Cocoa HavensWhere To Get A Steaming Cup Of Something Sweet And Chocolate-y

www.newyorkfamily.com January 2011 | New York Family 47kfamil m

Ski TimeNearby Ski Resorts Your Family Will Love

Thunder Ridge, NY: It’s just 75 minutes from New York City and features 30 trails of varying dif-fi culty levels. Three-hour lessons for children ages 5-12 are offered on weekends and holidays. If you don’t have a car, ride the Metro-North Railroad—on Saturdays and Sundays through March, enjoy free shuttle service between the Patterson train station and the slopes. Patterson, New York, 845-878-4100, thunderridgeski.com.

Hunter Mountain, NY: With 240 skiable acres, eleven lifts, 55 trails and nine snow-tubing chutes, this resort is an exciting and not-too-far-away option. Pro-grams are available for children 4-17 in skiing and snowboarding, and daycare is available for chil-dren 6 months through 6 years. Hunter, NY, 800-486-8376 ext. 2200, huntermtn.com.

Kissing Bridge, NY: Head to West-ern New York for a chance to ski this 700-acre, 36-slope, nine-lift ski spot. Parents can enroll chil-dren in a two-hour instructional program (a hot cocoa break is included!). The resort also boasts a downhill tubing park, several restaurants and plenty of nearby bed and breakfasts. Glenwood, NY, 716-592-4963, kbski.com.

Holiday Valley, NY: Just one hour away from Buffalo and Lake Erie, this resort is a ski-loving family’s dream. The Burton Learn to Ride Center offers lessons for children and adults. The resort offers tub-ing, mountain biking, a spa and a chance to learn the history of the areas Seneca Native Americans.

Ellicottville, NY, 716-699-2345, holidayvalley.com.

Belleayre Mountain, NY: Located in the Catskills just 2.5 hours outside of New York, this resort offers eight lifts and 55 trails, glades and parks. A full-day instructional program is offered for children 4-12. Workshops and clinics are also available for chil-dren and adults to hone their skiing, snowboarding and even cross-coun-try skills. Visitors can also enjoy the lodging, dining and attractions of the nearby Catskills. Highmount, NY, 845-254-5600, belleayre.com.

Whiteface, NY: Rated the #1 ski resort in the Northeast by the readers of SKI Magazine, this resort encompasses the slopes used at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Adventure-loving families can try the Gold Medal Games Family Edition—partici-pants can ski, bobsled, curl and speed skate among other Olympic activities. Lake Placid, NY, 518 946 2223, whiteface.com.

Woodloch Resort, PA: Sitting on 1,000 acres in the heart of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Woodloch is a four-season retreat. A few of the many winter activities guests enjoy are snow tubing, ice skating, and snowmobiling. Purchase a Woodloch VIP pass for quicker access to the 18 trails

over at neighboring Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain. Hawley, Pennsylvania, 1-800-WOODLOCH, woodloch.com.

Ski Butternut, MA: Beginners on these Berkshire slopes can breathe easy. Three trails are des-ignated Slow Zones, where speedy skiing is prohibited. Novices ages 4-12 can receive full- and half-day instruction on weekends and holi-days. For longer-term vacations, mid-week ski-and-stay packages are a steal. Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 413-528-2000, skibutternut.com.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, MA: This popular Berkshires resort boasts top-rated instructional programs, like SkiWee for chil-dren 4-6 and Explorers for kids ages 7-12 (there’s even a program for three-year-olds!). Little ones 6 months and older can enjoy indoor play in the Cub’s Den play-room while parents take to the slopes. Hancock, Massachusetts,

413-738-5500, jiminypeak.com.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort, VT: Cruise any one of this award-winning ski spot’s three mountains, then trek over to the FunZone, a kid-friendly recreation center complete with an indoor playground and a mini-golf course. Condominiums come equipped with kitchens, internet access and in-unit or nearby laundry facilities. Free lift tickets for kids 5 and under. Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont, 1-800-419-4615, smuggs.com.

Stowe Mountain Resort, VT: This all-inclusive ski lodge is a place to be pampered. Dine in at one of its distinctive restaurants. Indulge in star treatment at The Spa. Stay in one of 139 custom-

designed rooms at the Stowe Mountain Lodge, or opt for more private accomodations at the cozy Inn at the Mountain. Also avail-able are a variety of townhome rentals perfect for families. On the mountains, kids three and older can strengthen their skills in full-day ski instruction programs. Stowe, Vermont, 1-800-253-4754, stowe.com.

Okemo, VT: Head to Vermont to experience one of the best ski re-sorts in the Northeast. Featuring slopeside lodging (free for kids), free skiing and riding for children under six, a daycare center for children and private lessons for those as young as two, this resort is truly family-friendly. Okemo even offers Young Adult slopes for teens and a special Kids Night Out that indulges children in pizza parties, movies and fun activities while parents enjoy the slopes solo. Ludlow, VT, 802-228-4041, okemo.com.—Tiffanie Green and Annie Young

All NaturalEnjoying Nature In The City—Despite The Cold

Central Park PerkThe city’s backyard actually boasts a special feature in winter—with no leaves on the trees, visitors get a one-of-a-kind of view all the way through the park! When you’re done park-gazing, take refuge from the cold at the Swedish Cot-tage Marionette Theatre, which hosts daily marionette shows that bring traditional fairy tales to life. Or stop by the Chess and Check-ers House for an old-fashioned

game of checkers or a craft work-shop. (centralparknyc.org)

Garden VarietyThe city’s public gardens may be quieter when it’s cold, but there’s still plenty to explore at these natural oases in winter. Visit the bucolic Wave Hill to take part in a family Art Project, like “Collage The Colors of Winter” happening January 8-9 (wavehill.org). Kids can become honorary engineers when Thomas the Tank Engine visits the New York Botanical Garden from January 1-9 (nybg.org). The Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a February Break Discovery

Week; families can drop by the conservatories at any time during workshop hours to be transported to the world’s deserts and rainfor-ests, and kids can pot up a plant to bring home (bbg.org).

Spectacular StargazingWhile the nights may be frigid, astronomically-inclined families will fi nd plenty to look up and wonder at in winter—it’s con-sidered the best time of year for stargazing! At Central Park’s Belvedere Castle, visitors can study the stars with the help of a vast collection of telescopes (located mid-park at 79th Street;

for more info call 212-772-0210). Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens offers an astronomy program hosted by renowned scientist Mark Freilich; families can choose from three two-hour Saturday sessions: January 15, February 12 and March 19 (al-leypond.com). Can’t stand the cold but still want to see some stars? Head to the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Plan-etarium to catch the mesmerizing space show “Journey to the Stars” (amnh.org).

—Katie Garton and Theodora

Guliadis

Smuggler’s Notch Resort


The Great IndoorsWhere To Stay Warm And Have Fun With Kids

American Museum of Natural History Discovery Room: The Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History is specially designed for kids ages 5-12 as an interactive gateway to the wonders of the museum. Hunt for animals in a two-story African tree, assemble a life-size dinosaur skeleton and track earthquakes around the world. Kids will have so much fun they’ll forget how much they’re learning. Central Park West at 79th Street, amnh.org.

FAO Schwarz: The magical FAO Schwarz will leave even the most technology-laden child clamoring for some old-fashioned play time. The newborn doll nursery, mup-pet workshop, FAO “Schweetz” shop and the Madame Alexander doll factory will provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. 767 Fifth Avenue, fao.com.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!: The Ripley’s “odditorium” will simulta-neously enchant, gross out and amaze your children. Tour the shrunken heads exhibit, examine a six-legged cow, see a lock of El-vis Presley’s hair and run through the laser maze. Kids and parents alike will fi nd plenty of oddities

to gawk at! 234 West 42nd Street, ripleysnewyork.com.

World of Disney Store: After a year-long absence, the Disney Store is back in Times Square, featuring your chil-dren’s favorite characters and gifts. A full-sized princess castle, customizable cars and music videos will keep kids of all ages enthralled for hours. 1540 Broadway, disneystore.com.

Scandinavia House: Go on a whimsical adventure in the Swedish countryside! Every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., families can head to Scan-dinavia House to explore the Heimlich Family Children’s Center, with its books, toys, sto-rytelling and regular workshops. Kids will love the interactive storybook installation “A Child’s Adventure in the Swedish Coun-tryside,” with colorful murals and interactive activities. 58 Park Avenue, scandinaviahouse.org.

Chelsea Piers Little Athletes Exploration Center: With ball pits, tunnels and slides, the toddler play center enables kids ages 6 months to 4 years to get their move on as they crawl, roll, jump and explore. 23rd Street at the Hudson River, chelseapiers.com

Mulberry Street Library: Located at the site of a former chocolate fac-tory, this branch of the New York Public Library is a perfect stop on your stroller treks around the

city. With an extensive children’s section and regular events for toddlers and children, this literary space will have your little ones asking to go back to the library every day. 10 Jersey Street, nypl.org/locations/mulberry-street.

Soho Scholastic Store: Little read-ers will be in book heaven at the Scholastic store in Soho. Hop inside a life-sized version of the Magic School Bus, play in Clif-ford’s dog house, work on craft projects and hear stories. Pick up your favorite books on the way out and let literary fun continue at home. 557 Broadway, scholastic.com/sohostore.

The Winter Garden at the World Financial Center: The World Finan-cial Center’s Winter Garden—an

enormous glass atrium overlooking New York Harbor that’s fi lled with shops and restaurants—is a great place to while away a winter afternoon, with shops like Boomerang Toys, the children’s boutique Aminah et les amis and much more. Hungry? Grab a bite to eat at Au Bon Pain or Columbus Bakery. The Winter Garden also hosts the popular year-round Arts & Events program of free festivals, exhibits and performances! 220 Vesey Street, 212-417-7000; worldfi nancialcenter.com.

Brooklyn Boulders: Lo-cated in Brooklyn’s Gowanus

neighborhood, this indoor climbing gym—the largest in the city—offers kids the opportunity to challenge themselves on a rock climbing wall—and even scale a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge! 575 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, brooklynboul-ders.com.

NYC Paintball and LazerTag: Just a short trip from Manhattan on the 7 train, this Long Island City attraction is NYC’s only indoor paintball facility, offering 27,000 sq. feet of climate-controlled playing fi elds. Families even have the option of skipping the mess and going digital with a game of paintball lazertag. 47-11 Dam Street, Queens, 718-361-8337, newyorkcitypaintball.com.

—Amy Spiro and Amanda Ferris

WINTER Fun Guide 2011

A Spot Of TeaThe Best Children’s Teas In The City

Waldorf=Astoria: On Saturday afternoons, kids can dress in their best and head down to the Waldorf=Astoria to sample warm scones, fi nger sandwiches and pastries and sip caffeine-free peach, chocolate-mint or apricot tea. Children learn about tea traditions and etiquette, and a pianist and singer provides live accompaniment! 301 Park Avenue, 212-355-3000, waldorf-newyork.com.

The Carlyle Hotel: Calling all

Madeline fans! The Carlyle Hotel hosts a Madeline-themed af-ternoon tea at Bemelmans Bar, complete with a three-tiered tray of treats and Madeline-themed tunes! Every Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12:30p.m., 35 East 76th Street, 212-744-1600, thecarlyle.com.

The Plaza Hotel: The Plaza’s Palm Court provides the perfect backdrop for afternoon tea with the hotel’s most famous fi c-tional resident: Eloise! Kids can enjoy sandwiches, scones and pastries and either pink lem-onade or peppermint iced tea. Afterwards, check out the new Eloise Boutique, where you can shop to your heart’s content. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 5th Avenue at Central Park South, 888-850-

0909, theplaza.com.

Russian Tea Room: Children will love sampling teas like raspberry zinger, lotus green and chamomile; choosing from a carousel of sandwiches like grilled trio of cheeses, miniature BLT’s and classic tuna fi sh; and fi nishing off the experience with mouth-watering desserts like warm scones, red velvet cupcakes and chocolate mousse. Open Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, 150 West 57th Street, 212-581-7100, russiantearoomnyc.com.

American Girl Café: As if the shopping experience at this girl-pleasing emporium isn’t exciting enough, girls can

head up to the third fl oor for afternoon tea with their dolls. Choose from a selection of treats both sweet and savory, and have fun pouring tea into tiny cups for your doll com-panions! 4 p.m. daily, 609 Fifth Avenue at 50th Street, 877-247-5223, americangirl.com.

Alice’s Tea Cup: This whimsical wonderland of a café is totally devoted to tea. Pop in for a sim-ple and delicious afternoon tea with scones, or make it a lunch date with the “Mad Hatter,” which includes a pot of tea, two scones, sandwiches and dessert. Available all day, locations on the Upper West and Upper East Sides, alicesteacup.com.

—Amanda Ferris

Scandinavia House


Thursday and get to Long Island for dinner with my mother-in law, things are going pretty well. But I like the idea of setting a realistic goal, and this year I’d like to get my home more organized, so I called in an expert—Maeve Richmond, a professional organizer and the founder of Get Your House in Order.

I was relieved to fi nd Maeve warm and approachable. After touring my apartment, she outlined her fi ve orga-nizational concepts. “I’m not a rules person—I want these concepts to en-able you to make your own decisions,” she said.

This was a different approach then I had seen before; it wasn’t the militant “Keep, Donate, Give Away” mantra. Instead, she focused on giving items

a specifi c place to live and giving me time to think about what they mean to me. Instead of overwhelming full- or half-day meetings, Maeve prefers to work in two-hour sessions, so we focused on a small space that par-ticularly unnerved me—my bedroom desk.

Our organization session was very focused. When I was about to get up and put crayons in the bin in the kids’ room, Maeve stopped me, saying that leaving the room would be a distrac-tion. After grouping similar items (change, pens, crafts, my husbands’

To Make Time For Date Night With My Hubby

By Heather Chaet

My husband Jason and I don’t follow the Post-Kid Marriage Golden Rule; we don’t have date nights. So for my New Year’s resolution, I vowed to kick our tired selves into romance gear and plan three out-of-the-box date nights.

DATE #1: When we fi rst started dating we bonded over our love of modern art, so we trekked to the MoMA’s Abstract Expressionist New York exhibit. I rediscovered my love of Franz Kline, he reconfi rmed his love of Mark Rothko, and we saw a perfor-mance piece where a hole was made in a grand piano and a pianist plays upside down and backwards while standing in the hole. It was a fantastic morning, and we’ve decided to take our daughter Tessa next weekend—she’s a Jackson Pollock fan.

DATE #2: Our mission on this date was not to plan. We went out to dinner and—cue the dramatic pause—we didn’t make reservations or bring crayons. On a whim, we stopped by a favorite of ours, Ocean Grill, and after only a fi ve-minute wait, we nabbed a cozy table in its fi rst-come, fi rst-serve bar area, where we’ve never

We Asked Four New York City

Moms ToTackle Their New Years’

Resolutions…That Was The

Easy Part

Heather Chaet and her husband, Jason

Jean Halloran-Monaco (left) andprofessional organizer Maeve Richmond

eaten before (and where we never could with Tessa in tow). One word: yummilicious.

DATE #3: The music was pump-ing as we entered Make Meaning, an Upper West Side craft studio, at about 9 p.m. (it’s open ‘til 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and you can BYOB until the shop gets its liquor license). We talked about making each other a mug. Then we saw the cats. Tessa loves cats. So together we painted Sassy The Cat. Jason is not a crafty guy, so I took the artistic lead, but our Associate Creativity Expert was uber-encouraging to Jason, bring-ing him special detail brushes and admiring his work. Once we started polka-dotting Sassy, Jason said, “You know, this is really fun.”

To Get My House Organized Once And For All

By Jean Halloran-Monaco

New Year’s resolutions often seem too lofty and ambitious to me. Let’s face it, if I can remember to quiz

my fi rst grader on her spelling every

Thhuur dsdsday andddd ggeet too Long III lslaand for rdinner with my mother-in law, thingsare going pretty well. But I like theidea of setting a realistic goal, andthis year I’d like to get my home moreorganized so I called in an expert—

ToTT MMMake TiTiTime For DDDate Night With My Hubby

By Heather Chaet

My husband Jason and I don’tfollow the Post-Kid Marriage Golden

WWWee AAAskkkkeed FFFouurr New York City

Moms ToTackle Their

PHOTO BY ANDREW SCHWARTZ


stuff) we came across $140 worth of unexpired gift certifi cates. We also found a 2007 calendar in a dusty Filofax and hard disks I used a decade ago. The funniest discovery was a book about organization buried under a pile.

Organizing my desk may not seem like a monumental change, but I gained a clean, functional and aestheti-cally pleasing place to work, in addi-tion to Maeve’s great tips that will help me tackle the rest of my house.

To Help My ToddlerGive Up Her Paci…

By Jill Valente In November my family and I

celebrated our daughter Addison’s sec-ond birthday. It was a great party, but looming over the celebration was the reality that I had to get rid of Addy’s pacifi er when she turned two on the recommendation of our pediatrician. A few weeks earlier I began mention-ing that “paci” was going to have to go “bye bye” soon. We planned to throw it down the garbage shoot, and we discussed it daily. Then, during one of our conversations, Addy said, “Garbage shoot, now!” So we grabbed the paci-fi er and down the shoot it went.The day went on as usual until nap-time, when she asked for her paci, and things took a turn for the worse. She started sobbing, muttering, “We can’t buy any more pacis!” as tears ran down her face. After an hour of hyperven-tilating, I popped an extra pacifi er in her mouth and she was out like a light. When she woke up, she said, “Paci come back!”—to which I agreed.

With my original plan foiled, I met with Soho Parenting’s Jean Kunhardt, M.A., who said something that sur-prised me. At two years old, Jean said,

the chef, culinary instructor and vi-sionary behind Rosaberry (rosaberry.com), who came to my kitchen and set me on a path to simplifying my family’s dinners. After describing a typical evening meal in my home, we discussed food preferences and dietary restrictions. A few days before our meeting, Jenna suggested three recipes and gave me a shopping list.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had most ingredients on hand, which is one of the best tips Jenna has—keep a well-stocked pantry and freezer. Having a recipe repertoire and knowing what items you use frequent-ly allows you to shop effi ciently and be prepared.

Another useful idea: fi nd at least

one half-hour during the week to focus on upcoming meals. Plan for weeks or days at a time—the goal is to broaden everyone’s culinary horizons while incorporating foods everyone will eat into each dinner.

One strategy I was particularly interested in implementing was the make-ahead meal. Jenna’s Crowd-Pleasing Chili was the perfect solution. She assured me that the chili froze well and wouldn’t be too intimidating for me to prepare. Jenna’s fl avorful recipe immediately put my doubts to rest, and her encouragement inspired me to make another batch the day after her visit. A perfect wintertime meal, the chili is fi nally something all four of us can agree on for dinner. v

Jill Valente and herdaughter, Addison

Michelle Levine (right) and chef Jenna Helwig

PHOTO BY NANCY JA

MES

Michelle Levine (right)))) PHOTO BY NANCY JA

MES

PHOTO BY ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Addy wasn’t ready to have the pacifi er taken away; she maintained that there is so much going on in the life of a two-year-old that changing a part of her routine can be very detrimental.

Addy’s pacifi er is a treasured item; I would never throw out her teddy bear or blanket, and I realized that a paci should be treated the same way. Here are a few of Jean’s other helpful tips that I’m sure will help me when the time is right.

Do try and take away the pacifi er before their fi rst birthday, otherwise wait until your child is 3 or 4. Don’t throw it away; putting it in the trash or garbage shoot can be traumatizing. Dogive it away; explain that the new baby across the street needs her paci-fi er. Don’t destroy it—poke holes in it or make it taste bad. Do eulogize the pacifi er; make a keepsake book or a necklace out of the pacifi er handles.

To Make A Dinner My Whole Family Will Enjoy

By Michelle Levine

What’s for dinner? It’s the dreaded question, but it’s not even my husband and children who ask it. Why should they, when I prepare separate meals for each of them on many nights? Wanting to stop the short-order-cook syndrome, I resolved to plan weekday meals ahead of time and insist that whatever I make is what’s for dinner.So I sought the advice of Jenna Helwig,

For more on these moms’ resolutions and solutions, visit newyorkfamily.com

Under the red canopy at 510 East 74th Street

(off York Avenue) NYC212.737.2989 www.74magic.com

Winter - Spring MAGIC Classes begin January 31st

Come Join the Fun! Call us today at 212.737.2989 or visit us at www.74magic.com Join us on

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Register prior to January 15th and enter to win a FREE

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GET FITGet your game on with Generation D, an individualized fi tness program for kids at Dasha Wellness that trains children to make healthy choices and teaches the fundamentals of fi tness. Classes will also improve kids’ athletic skills, like hand-eye coordination, agility and balance, while instilling a lasting dedication to healthy eating, fi tness and mental and physical health. Programs are customized according to the child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests and goals; kids can choose from everything from Pilates and yoga to golf, soccer and baseball. (dashawellness.com)

STRETCH IT OUTYogi Beans’ Mommy & Me class for moms and toddlers ages 2-4 incorporates games and poses that actively engage both parent and child. Animated breathing exercises, partner poses, and other interactive activities help to develop toddlers’ physical coordination and verbal communication skills. No previous yoga experience required. (yogibeans.com)

FLAUNT IT WITH FLAMENCOAt Hola! A Playgroup In Spanish, kids can learn basic fl amenco rhythms through clapping “palmas,” “braceo” (arm movement), “marcaje” (body coordination) and “taconeo” (footwork) for beginners. Students also learn to appreciate the diverse musical styles found in traditional fl amenco and classic Spanish music. (holaplaygroup.com)

CULTURED KIDSArtKids cultural tours for kids enable students to visit a different city museum, art gallery or auction house weekly and participate in hands-on learning projects related to the exhibition. Kids can also roam the galleries of the Met with special ArtKids iPod tours that can be downloaded from the ArtKids website. (artmuseny.com)

PLAY AND LEARN AT POPPYSEEDPoppyseed Pre-Nursery’s classes for toddlers and two’s meet two to three times a week, providing enrichment through music, art and play. Participation by a parent or caregiver, and frequency of contact add to each child’s sense of security and self-confi dence.

PICK UP A SECOND LAN-GUAGE—AT PRESCHOOLParents who want to give their preschooler a bilingual education will want to consider the preschool programs offered by The Language Workshop for Children. Available in French, Spanish, Chinese and

Italian, the preschools immerse children 2 to 4 years old in a new language and build early childhood skills. Teachers develop pre-reading, pre-math, and socialization abilities through LWFC materials, LWFC methods, stories, music, play, puzzles and more. (languageworkshopforchildren.com)

ACT LIKE AN ANIMALAt the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s “Acting and Animals” class, children 3-4 years old can roar like a lion, waddle like a penguin and jump like a kangaroo while learning about animals and their habitats. Students will make masks, puppets and backdrops all while investigating animals and their behavior. (cmom.org)

PREP FOR PRESCHOOLNYC Elite Gymnastics offers preschoolers the opportunity to learn gymnastics, arts and crafts, dance and games designed to advance their motor development and coordination, all with highly qualifi ed early development teachers. Need to run an errand or want to enjoy a relaxing morning? A drop-off option is available! (nycelite.com)

HAVE AN ANIMAL ENCOUNTERGo on an animal adventure with the Art Farm in the City—kids will jump with the frogs, hop with the bunnies and learn about a new animal. Beginning with music and dancing and incorporating crafts, structured play and story time, this class culminates with a highly-anticipated visit from the “Animal of the Week.” (theartfarms.org)

The Craft Studio

A Guide To The City’s Most Inspired Offerings —From Mommy & Me To Tween

Looking for the perfect class for your child this semester? From prim and proper ballerinas to adventure-craving rock climb-ers, the city offers something for

everyone (at every age, too!). Here’s a list of what we consider to be the coolest kids’ classes around, whether traditional or out-of-the-box (Mini Namastar Yoga, anyone?).

Kidville

Columbus Preschool and Gym

Time For Class

Make Meaning


MAKE MUSIC LIKE MOZARTAt The Early Ear, highly-skilled and educated 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, musical games and stories and imitate their teacher in making music ensembles with friends. (theearlyear.com)

TAKE A PRIVATE PIANO LESSONDon’t have time to schlep across the city for a music class? Piano Teacher USA brings the joy and tradition of piano right into students’ homes through a program that combines historical and popular methods and styles specifi cally tailored to each student. (pianoteacherusa.com)

GET CRAFTYFebruary is “I Heart Crafts Month” at The Craft Studio, and families are welcome to drop by for a host of lovey-dovey scheduled workshops—think chocolate lollipop-making, handmade valentines and more! Check their website for workshop dates and times. (craftstudionyc.com)

TWIRL LIKE A TOTThe Pre-Ballet Class at Ballet Academy East introduces little ones to the fundamentals of ballet in a joyful, positive and creative environment. Students develop a foundation for future traditional ballet training as well as a love for movement and music. (baenyc.com)

SAY “OHM”Karma Kids Yoga, New York’s only yoga studio dedicated just to children, offers Baby Yoga, Toddler Yoga, Kids Yoga, Teen Yoga, BendiGirl Yoga, CircusYoga, Family Yoga, StoryTime Yoga and Prenatal Yoga classes, as well as special events like Pajama Yoga, Butterfl y Yoga and Yoga Mat Painting. Yoga birthday parties, too! Come Play Yoga! (karmakidsyoga.com)

Karma Kids Yoga

TOD

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Jodi’s Gym

RACKET AROUND ON RANDALL’S ISLANDThe QuickStart Tennis program for 2 to 5-year-olds at SPORTIME Randall’s Island/Manhattan is an exciting format for learning tennis, where kids get to play right away! Utilizing specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions, and modifi ed scoring, QuickStart provides an optimum learning environment for young children. Adult private and group tennis lessons are offered at the same time, and a complimentary nursery is open for siblings. (sportimeny.com/manhattan)

GO DANCINGParents and children can learn together at The Joffrey Ballet School’s Dance With Me, a program for children as young as two with a parent or caregiver as a dance buddy. Classes help build fi ne and gross motor skills, develop basic understanding of music and rhythm and create an environment for children to explore movement through creativity and imagination. This January and February, Joffrey is allowing parents to register for a month at a time for the spring semester. (joffreyballetschool.com)

LEARN TO READTaught by an Epiphany Community Nursery School teacher, 74th St. MAGIC’s small group Emergent Reading class for children ages 4-5 encourages literacy skills in preparation for kindergarten. A variety of interesting activities will develop skills like letter recognition, story comprehension and sequencing using both phonics and whole language techniques. (74magic.com)

BUILD IT AND BREAK IT (AND FIX IT)Grab your hard hats—it’s time to get to work! At apple seeds’ “build it! break it! fi x it!” construction class for kids ages 2.5-3.5, little ones can learn the basics of building and fi xing through projects like laying bricks, planting gardens, tiling fl oors, painting walls and more! (appleseedsnyc.com)

CREATE AKILLER BAD GUY During Scribble Press’ creative writing class “Comic Conundrums: Uncovering the Nefarious Villain,” available for students in grades 2-3 as well as grades 4-6, young writers will turn the typical comic tale upside down, focusing their story development around the history of their villain. Students will learn what it takes to create a memorable bad guy (or girl), and take home their own comic book at the end of the semester. (scribblepress.com)

MAKE SOMEFAMILY MUSICAt Gymboree Play & Music’s “Family Music” class—one of their innovative “Family Classes” designed to bring together parents, grandparents and siblings of different ages—the whole family can get musical with the help of instruments, song, dance, games and more, while building a solid foundation of musical skills. Great for children ages 6 months-5 years along with the whole family! (gymboreeclasses.com)

MAKE ART OUT OF NATUREAt the JCC in Manhattan’s “EcoArt For Kids” class, kids ages 4-10 will play, create and experiment with nature through projects that use organic and recycled materials. Projects will include making kites, wind socks, desert

gardens, rain sticks, bird feeders, bark baskets, mobiles, twig furniture, sculptures and feather jewelry. (jccmanhattan.org)

LEARN TO SWINGAt Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop classes, parents and kids learn the ABC’s of jazz! Discover the instruments of a swinging jazz band, including piano, bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone and trombone. Each week students will be joined by a special guest musician. (jalc.org/webop)

ACT YOUR AGEThe Atlantic Acting School’s after-school “Performance and Playwriting” class for kids in grades 4-6 introduces kids to the world of acting and playwriting through fundamental exercises, bringing together the elements of storytelling and performance with a fi nal performance written, directed by and starring the young group. (atlanticactingschool.org)

SWIM FOR ITAsphalt Green’s “Intro to Swimming” class is a gentle introduction to swimming for any child who is anxious or brand new to the water. Instructors introduce submersions, bubbles, streamlines and proper arm movement while helping to build confi dence. (asphaltgreen.org)

SING AND PLAYGet the best of both worlds with Applause New York City’s Music & Sports Combo class for children ages 2-4! Start off with a Broadway Babies music class followed by snack and storytime. After the break, your child will move onto their sports class provided by On Deck NY. (applauseny.com)

HIT THE GYMWith the completion of their state-of-the-art, expanded gym, Gymtime Rhythm & Glues now offers continuous gymnastics training and advanced, recreational and competitive team programs. Highly trained USA certifi ed coaches, Olympic equipment and an emphasis on teamwork, self discipline, dedication and Three Little Birds

Chelsea Piers

184 East 76th St.New York, NY 10021

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

New York, NY 10021Call Us Today!

applauseny.com(212) 717-0703

NEW YORK CITY

Babies & Preschoolers Kids Tweens & Teens

Enroll Now for Winter/Spring • Classes Begin Jan. 22!

Home of Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies, Broadway Babies & Superstars


Asphalt Green

Taste Buds

92nd Street Y

On Deck

leadership make for a superior gymnastics training experience. (gymtime.net)

BUMP, SET, SPIKEBig City Volleyball’s Youth Volleyball Classes are designed to help boys and girls between the ages of 10-16 learn the fundamentals of volleyball, with two hours of drills in setting, passing, overhand serving and hitting, all in a fun and friendly environment. (bigcityvolleyball.com)

TAP IT OUTThe School at Steps’ “Pre-Dance/Pre-Tap” class for kids ages 4-6 introduces body coordination and rhythmic awareness, opening a path to each student’s creativity and imagination. Pre-Dance/Pre-Tap classes are part of the Young Dancer Program that includes Little Steps (ages 2-4) and Isadora Duncan (ages 4-6). (stepsnyc.com)

MAKE SOMETHING METALAt the 92nd Street Y’s “Metalwork and Jewelry” class for kids age 8-10, students will design and create jewelry and small objects in brass, nickel and copper. They’ll learn basic metalsmithing techniques including sawing, piercing, forming, fi nishing, chain-making and cold-connection. (92y.org)

GET LOST INTHE LIBRARYThis semester, music lovers at Three Little Birds will join lovable character Lola on a literary journey throughout the library, exploring book after book through music! Some of the books they’ll read: “This Jazz Man,” “There’s No Place Like Space,” “Dinosaurumpus,” “My First 100 Machines” and “The Wizard of Oz.” The musical repertoire will include classical hits by great composers, children’s songs everyone knows and loves, and contemporary popular music! (tlbmusic.com)

DO YOUR OWN STUNT WORKChelsea Piers’ new Stunts & Skills class for kids ages 9-13 is a high-

intensity class combining tumbling, trampoline, stunting and tricking. Ideal for children in search of a fun and exciting physical challenge, the class is taught by stuntmen and gymnastics experts. Snowboarders, cyclists and in-line skaters welcome! (chelseapiers.com)

MAKE MATH FUNThrough tutoring and enrichment programs, Mathnasium (which recently opened a location on the Upper West Side) helps students in grades Pre-K through 12 build a solid math foundation while developing confi dence and a love for math. Students receive both homework guidance and a customized program that fi lls in skill gaps and builds fl uency with numbers. (mathnasium.com)

MOVE AND GROOVE WITH MOEYEvery day’s a party with Moey’s Music Party at Jodi’s Gym! Led by pink-wearing kiddie crooner Moey, each class introduces children to instruments, dress up, songs, dances, puppets, phonics, and fun related to a weekly party theme. Classes are for mixed ages, from infants to preschoolers, and perfect for siblings. (jodisgym.com)

PLAN A PLAYDATEJoin ABC Do-Re-Me for Musical Playdate, a class for parents and children led by a guitar-playing music teacher. The class weaves together an eclectic variety of traditional, folk, world and popular music with storytelling, dance, games and exposure to real musical instruments to create a unique fun musical experience. (abcdoreme.com)

BE A WATER BABYSwimJim classes are a fun way to learn swimming and water safety before summer. Children will learn basic and advanced swimming skills in a friendly, loving environment where they feel safe and at-ease, and parents will feel more comfortable when their children are in or near water. (swimjim.com)

BE A KIDSo many ways to play! Kidville’s “Run, Wiggle, Paint and Giggle”

class engages toddlers through stories, ball play, block exploration, art and sensory play, and the fi nale: wiggling with one of Kidville’s own rockin’ musicians! A predictable, structured routine lets little ones gain confi dence about transitions and knowing what happens next, all while having fun and making friends. (kidville.com)

STAR IN AN AFTER-SCHOOL MUSICALThe “Preschool/Afterschool Musical” class at New York Kids Club introduces the basics of stage performance with costumes, props, musical theater sing-a-longs and choreography. Available for ages 3-5, 5-7 and 8-12. (nykidsclub.com)

MAKE IT AND MEAN IT The Upper West Side’s new craft studio Make Meaning offers a varied menu of projects (soap, glass, ceramics, jewelry, candles and paper) in a fun, colorful setting. They offer both walk-in and class options—check their website for their current schedule. (makemeaning.com)

STRETCH WITH THE STARSDuring Citibabes’ imaginative “Mini Namastar Yoga” class, children receive instruction in age-appropriate yoga poses in a dimmed room as the cosmos gently drift upon the ceiling (thanks to a dreamy laser star machine!). (citibabes.com)

SAY “TADA!”TADA! Youth Theater’s classes involve singing, choreography and theater games and always end with a performance. The T.O.T.S. (Theater On Their Scale) class introduces little ones and their caregivers to the joys of theater. (tadatheater.com)

TAKE TINY STEPSTwo-year-olds will love Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Tiny Steps creative movement program, in which instructors lead children

Applause New York City

• Follows NY State Educational Standards• Special Ed program for students with

average to above average cognitive ability• Small, structured classrooms with a

multi-sensory and multi-disciplinary approach to learning

• Students have challenges in the areas of language, auditory processing, attention, sensory integration, learning disabilities and executive functioning.

For applications and to schedule a tour, please contact Linda Gardner at 212-867-9594 or [email protected]

a division of STEPS on Broadway2121 Broadway @ 74th St., New York, NY 10023

212 874-3678 • www.stepsnyc.com

Training the dancers of tomorrow

Phot

o: R

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’Con

nor

At any age…Express yourselfAt any age…Express yourself

REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER/SPRING

CLASSES & PARTIES!

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

Non-Competitive Gymnastics for kids 3-12 yrs, Teeny Tumblers (6-11 mos), Mighty Muscle Movers (gym 12-35 mos), Rockin' Rollers (gym+music 12-35 mos), Tumbling Tots (gym 3-5 yrs), Fun-Tastic Gymnastics (K-5th gr), Totally Tumbling (1-4th gr), Tiny Dancers (3-5 yrs), Hip Hop Hooray! (1-4th gr), Playgroups, Open Play Time, Jammin' at Jodi's, Krazy Kool Creations,

Jodi's To Go, Summer Camps, Holiday Camps, Motion Evolution. . . our new comprehensive fitness program, Great New Perks For Members and the

Best Birthday Parties Ever!

Providing29 yrs. ofFun, Friends,& Fitness toNY Kids!

REGISTER NOW FOR

Zumba

Winter-SpringSemester

beginsJanuary 31st

FABULOUS GYMNASTICS

BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

212-721-0090 • 606 Columbus Avenue (89th & 90th Sts.) • www.columbusgymnyc.com

Established in 1988, Columbus Gym is the largest and longest running gym program on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Our state-of-the-art 3000 square foot gymnasium features every piece of equipment imaginable for superb classes and birthday parties.

Our birthday parties consist of gymnastics (bars, beam, rings, pommel horse and trampoline) along with games, music, cake and much more!

We invite your child to join us for a FREE TRIAL CLASS while you enjoy our family-friendly waiting area with full view of your child’s excitement.

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Enrich your child’s day with Music, Art, Gym and Play!

OPEN HOUSESunday, March 13

424 West End Ave. @ 81st | 212.877.7614

Poppyseed Pre-Nursery

Music, Art & Dance atSCHOOL OF THE ARTS

92Y SCHOOL OF THE ARTS does more than help children express their creativity. Our classes give them an opportunity to expand their minds, strengthen their bodies and build self-confidence. Our faculty of professional artists provide fun and challenging experiences that develop skills your children can take from the studio into their classrooms.

NEW STUDENTS ENROLL BY JAN 31 AND SAVE 20%!* Mention code N1 at the Box Office or call 212.415.5500. Visit WWW.92Y.ORG/SOA for class information.Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street

*SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. NOT REDEEMABLE ONLINE; DOES NOT APPLY TO PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS. An agency of UJA-Federation


Joffrey Ballet School

and their caregivers through playful dance exercises that help children develop body awareness, control and creativity. (alvinailey.org)

DO THE WEAVEWeaving studio Loop of the Loom’s Fiber Arts Kids Class introduces children ages 7-14 to the art of Saori, a type of weaving that emphasizes free expression and results in one-of-a-kind pieces. The class encourages the development of children’s manipulative skills through felting, spinning and sewing. (loopoftheloom.com)

ANIMATION CRE-ATIONSAt the class “Animation with Joe Vena” at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, kids ages 6-12 can explore the moving image through a variety of 2D and 3D animation techniques. Students experiment with claymation, found-object animation, pixilation, cut-outs, and more. (cmany.org)

STRIKE UP THE BANDClasses offered by infant and toddler music program Little Maestros feature four live musicians who play guitar, piano and drums at every session! Besides a varied repertoire of fun songs, classes engage little ones with musical storytimes, imaginative play, language development activities, puppet shows and more. Classes are offered at Kidville locations throughout the city. (littlemaestros.com)

GET RHYTHMSokol New York’s “Rhythmic Gymnastics” class for kids ages 6-7 combines sport and art to promote grace of movement, muscular fl exibility and strength as well as good posture. Participants learn tumbling, dance moves, leaps, turns and traveling steps as well as manipulation of the hand apparatus (hoops, balls and ribbons) and choreographed dances to music. (sokolnewyork.org)

SAY IT IN SPANISHSpanish language school Instituto Cervantes offers The Children’s Theater Workshop,

which develops social skills and confi dence in a fun, creative environment, encouraging each child’s imagination and improving Spanish skills. (newyork.cervantes.es)

TELL STORIES THROUGH SONGThe Diller-Quaile School of Music’s “Giving Voice To Stories” class for two-year-olds explores visually engaging storybooks through song, movement and play. Percussion instruments, stuffed animals, puppets, and props enhance the story experience, using music to help build vocabulary and teach communication skills. (diller-quaile.org)

CLIMB THE BROOKLYN BRIDGEBrooklyn Boulders offers kids the opportunity to challenge themselves on the rock climbing wall—and even scale a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge! Kids ages 5-10 will love Brooklyn Boulders’

BKB Kids League, an after-school instructional course for beginners involving stretching, climbing games, roped climbing and slacklining. (brooklynboulders.com)

PLAY SEVERAL SPORTSKids In Sports’ multi-sport classes are designed for all age levels. Classes teach the fundamentals of baseball, basketball, fl oor hockey, football, soccer and volleyball, and also include a fi tness and cooperative games session. Sport-specifi c skills are taught in small and

big groups, with games eventually being played at the appropriate age levels. (kisnyc.com)

GO BILINGUALThe fi rst school of its kind in the greater New York area, Bilingual Buds offers a Mandarin immersion preschool and kindergarten, as well as Mommy & Me for ages 1-4 and after school for ages 5-10. Their summer camp program takes place in Manhattan and Beijing, China. (bilingualbudsnyc.com)

apple seeds

74th St. MAGIC

Dasha Wellness

EN GARDE!Requiring speed, agility, fl exibility and focus, fencing is a great option for a child looking for a competitive sport that’s just a little bit different. Sheridan Fencing Academy offers classes for kids ages 4 and up designed to engage both mind and body. Not sure if fencing is for your child? Let him or her try a free trial class (sheridanfencing.com)!

JOIN THE CIRCUSWhat kid doesn’t dream of fl ying through the air with the greatest of ease? At Trapeze School NY, kids six and older who are interested in circus arts can take classes in trapeze, trampoline, aerial conditioning and more (trapezeschool.com).

BULL’S EYEChildren fascinated by the heroic outlaw Robin Hood or the bow-and-arrow-wielding elf Legolas from “Lord of the Rings” will jump at the chance to try their hand at archery. The Queens Archery Range and ProShop specializes in introducing the “art of the bow and arrow” to young and old alike (archery-nyc.com).

BAILAMOS!Anyone who’s seen the documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom” knows salsa isn’t just for adults—kids love it,

too! NY Salsa Baby offers a salsa program for kids 7-17 years old; students learn routines incorporating Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, salsa, mambo, cha cha and more (nysalsababy.com). Brooklyn studio La Casa de Salsa offers a variety of children’s salsa classes throughout the week (lacasadesalsa.com).

CHECKMATEChess teaches kids strategy, patience, discipline and much more. Chess NYC offers in-home lessons, after-school programs, camps and tournaments for children four and older. (chessnyc.com) Plus, Kidville and Mathnasium have teamed up to offer a class for four- and fi ve-year-olds that teaches chess concepts through art, music, dance—even a giant chess board (kidville.com)!

SKATER DUDES(AND DUDETTES)Most don’t think of skateboarding when they hear “afterschool enrichment,” but why not? Skateboarding encourages physical activity, develops social skills, and teaches balance, endurance and even courage! Skateboarding School offers beginner, intermediate and advanced courses at locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens (skateboardingschool.

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Super Soccer Stars

GET SUPER AT SOCCERSuper Soccer Stars’ Advanced Skill Development Clinics for kids ages 6-9 include a three-hour intensive and friendly game play. Students develop skills, self-confi dence and teamwork in a fun, non-competitive environment. Positive reinforcement and low child-to-coach ratios ensure that students improve soccer skills through warm-ups, drills and games. (supersoccerstars.com)

SAY “BELLISSIMO!”At Italian language school Collina Italiana, toddlers can learn basic Italian words and phrases through songs, games, dance, fi lm and arts and crafts. Classes are also available for elementary and middle-school kids. (collinaitaliana.com)

MAKE MUSIC LIKE A BIG KIDAt Eastside Westside Music Together’s “Big Kids Family Music” class, children ages 5-6 and their accompanying adults participate in game songs, folk dances, jam sessions, dramatic play and more. Children develop interests and skills in singing, dancing, improvising, playing instruments and taking dramatic roles, while parents will learn how to support their children as they grow musically. (eswsmusictogether.com)

HIT THE ICEAt Wollman Rink’s “Snow Plow Sam” class for fi rst time skaters ages 5-6, kids learn basic balance, proper falling and getting up, beginning forward skating and two foot glides. Students work on forward marching with speed, simple turns, beginning backward skating and stops. (wollmanskatingrink.com)

BE A HEROSpring like Spiderman and bound like Batman at Discovery Programs’ Action Hero Dance class, designed for pre-school boys with a sense of rhythm who love to move! Students incorporate dynamic movements into high energy and fun routines. (discoveryprograms.com)

BUNDLE UPAt My Gym’s “Little Bundles” class, babies begin their fi rst visual, audial and spatial exploration

while parents are guided through a program designed to carefully introduce music and movement through baby exercises, songs, dances, infant-safe rides, unique swings, and other Parent & Me adventures. Each week, parents participate in a dialogue about their children’s development and leave with informative handouts. (my-gym.com)

KICK & PLAYA fun-fi lled movement program for toddlers emphasizing the development of gross motor skills and coordination, Kick & Play’s classes for toddlers ages 12-24 months actively involve parents and caregivers. Designed by the creators of Super Soccer Stars, Kick & Play generates a stimulating, playful environment in which children receive individual attention. (kickandplay.com)

RIDE THE CAROUSELOffering morning and afternoon classes in Italian, French, Spanish and Mandarin, Carousel of Languages bases its teaching methods on early childhood learning standards. Each class is taught by a native foreign language instructor. Check out their Extended Immersion Program, a 3-hour drop-off class focusing on cultural and music exploration. (italianfortoddlers.com)

MAKE SOMETHING TASTY Kids have been learning to measure, sift, mix, knead, zest and more with Taste Buds (formerly Cupcake Kids!) for years, and now the popular cooking program has a kitchen to call its own at 109 West 27th Street. Regular classes like Mommy & Me and After School are offered, along with cooking classes for virtually every holiday. (tastebudscook.com)

SLAM DUNKPopular basketball program dribbl offers expert training that’s focused on teamwork, fundamentals and sportsmanship. The original dribbl program aims to develop and refi ne fundamental basketball skills such as shooting, passing, footwork and ball-handling. Children ages 3 through pre-K can participate in the dribbl jr. program, now available at Kidville. (dribbl.com)

BE A KID AT ARTKids At Art offers classes that engage children in projects that focus on the basics of the visual arts and encourage inventiveness and imagination. Students are encouraged to explore different art mediums and develop their own area of artistic interest. (kidsatart.nyc.com)

ROC YOUR SOCS OFFFounded by former pro soccer player James Christie, SocRoc’s soccer classes encourage kids to be physically active, gain confi dence and learn social skills while having fun. Students learn soccer skills and develop strength, fl exibility, endurance and posture. (jcsocroc.com)

FLIP FOR ITColumbus Preschool & Gym offers gymnastics training for children ages six months through 12 years in 3,000 sq. foot gymnasium (the largest on the Upper West Side). Dedicated coaches and a full range of state-of-the-art equipment (including a trampoline) ensure a superb gymnastics training experience for each child. (columbusgymnyc.com)

BERLITZLanguage-learning program Berlitz offers programs and camps for kids that immerse children in a new language through age-appropriate curriculum and activities and individual attention from native-speaking teachers. Parents can save $50 when they register by March 15 for the Berlitz Kids Summer Camp! Classes and camps take place at Berlitz’ Rockefeller Center location. (berlitz.us)

CRAFT ALITTLE SOMETHINGPopular city craft space Little Shop of Crafts—which offers walk-in projects in everything from pottery to beading to mosaics—hosts after school art programs for children ages 2-15 at both its East Side and West Side locations. Programs are run by Kids At Art and Arts In Action. (littleshopny.com)

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MULTI-SERVICE92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92Y.org. apple seeds, 10 West 25th Street, 212-792-7590, appleseedsnyc.com. Art Farm in the City, 419 East 91st Street, 212-410-3117, theartfarms.org. Asphalt Green, 555 East 90th Street, 212-369-8890, asphaltgreen.org.Blue School, 432 Lafayette, Mezzanine, 646-602-7066, theblue-school.org. Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street & the Hud-son River, 212-336-6666, chelseapiers.com.Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org. Citibabes, 52 Mercer Street, 3rd Floor, 212-334-5440, citibabes.com. Discovery Programs, 251 West 100th Street, 212-749-8717, discoveryprograms.com. Gymboree Play & Music, Various loca-tions in Manhattan, 877-496-5327, gymboreeclasses.com.Gymtime Rhythm & Glues, 1520 York Avenue, 212-861-7732, gymtime.net.The JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org.Kidville, Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, 212-772-8435, kidville.com.Let’s Dress Up, 345 East 85th Street, 212-879-0956, uppereast.com/lets-dress-upNew York Kids Club, Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, 212-721-4400, nykidsclub.com.Poppyseed Pre-Nursery, 424 West End Avenue at 81st Street, 212-877-7614.74th St. MAGIC, 510 East 74th Street, 212-737-2989, 74magic.com.

ARTArtKids, 646-678-4497, artmuseny.com.Children’s Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org.The Craft Studio, 1657 Third Avenue, 212-831-6626, craftstudionyc.com.Kids At Art, 431 East 73rd Street, 212-410,9780, kidsatartnyc.comLittle Shop Of Crafts, 711 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-531-2723; 431 East 73rd Street, 212-717-6636, littleshopny.comLoop of the Loom, 227 East 87th Street, 212-722-2686, loopoftheloom.com.Make Meaning, 329 Columbus Avenue, 212-362-0350, makemeaning.com. Metropolitan Moms, 212-206-7272, metropolitanmoms.com.Scribble Press, 1624 First Avenue, 212-288-2928; 217 West 84th Street, 212-362-2555, scribblepress.com.

COOKINGTaste Buds, 109 West 27th Street, 212-242-2248, tastebudscook.com

DANCEAlvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 405 West 55th Street, 212-405-9000, alvinailey.org. Ballet Academy East, 1651 Third Av-enue, 3rd Floor, 212-410-9140, baenyc.com.Joffrey Ballet School, 434 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, 212-254-8520, joffreyballetschool.com. The School at Steps, 2121 Broadway, 4th Floor, 212-874-3678, stepsnyc.com/school.

GYMNASTICSColumbus Preschool & Gym, 606 Columbus Avenue, 212-721-0090, columbusgymnyc.com Jodi’s Gym, 244 East 84th Street, 212-772-7633, jodisgym.com.My Gym, 250 East 60th Street, 212-421-9496; and 22 West 66th Street, 212-724-3400; my-gym.com.NYC Elite Gymnastics, 421 East 91st Street, 212-289-8737; 100 Avenue of the Americas, 212-334-3628, nycelite.com.Sokol New York, 420 East 71st Street, 212-861-8206, sokolnewyork.org.

LANGUAGEBerlitz, Rockefeller Center, 40 West 51st Street, 888-561-7165, berlitz.us.Bilingual Buds, 175 Riverside Boulevard, 212-787-8088, bilingualbudsnyc.com. Carousel of Languages, 385 West End Avenue, 212-508-8524, italianfortoddlers.com.Collina Italiana, 135 East 96th Street, 212-427-7770, collinaitaliana.com.¡HOLA! A Playgroup in Spanish, Various locations in Manhattan, 917-648-5006, holaplaygroup.com. Instituto Cervantes, 211 East 49th Street, 212-308-7720 ext. 3., newyorkcervantes.es.Language Workshop for Children, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-396-0830, languageworkshopforchildren.com.

MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE

ABC Do-Re-ME!, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 646-434-1419, abcdoreme.com.Applause New York City, Home of Rock-n-Roll Babies, Broadway Babies and Superstars, 184 East 76th Street, 212-717-0703, applauseny.com.Atlantic Acting School, 76 Ninth Avenue, 212-691-5919, atlanticactingschool.org.The Diller-Quaile School of Music, 24 East 95th Street, 212-369-1484, diller-quaile.org.The Early Ear, 48 West 68th Street, 110 West 96th Street, 353 East 78th Street, 212-877-7125, earlyear.com.Eastside Westside Music Together, 102 West 75th Street, 212-496-1242, esws-musictogether.com.Jazz at Lincoln Center, 33 West 60th Street, 212-258-9800, jalc.org.

Little Maestros, Offered at Kidville locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, 212-772-8435, littlemaestros.com. (Ages 3 months to 5 years)Piano Teacher USA, In-home lessons offered throughout the Tri-State Area, 888-222-3098, pianoteacherusa.com. (All ages)TADA!, 15 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, 212-252-1619, tadatheater.com.Three Little Birds Music, 266 East 78th Street, 212-744-0404, tlbmusic.com.

SPORTS & ADVENTUREBig City Volleyball, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-288-4240, bigcityvol-leyball.com.Brooklyn Boulders, 575 Degraw St, Brooklyn, 347-834-9066, brooklyn-boulders.com.Generation D at Dasha Wellness, 115 East 57th Street, 212-755-5500, dashawellness.com.dribbl and dribbl jr, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-717-7651, dribbl.com.Kids In Sports, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-744-4900, kisnyc.com. On Deck, Classes held at St. Jean’s Community Center (76th and 3rd) and The Great Lawn in Central Park, 646-808-4926, ondeckny.com.Sheridan Fencing Academy, 2035 2nd Avenue, 212-831-0764, sheridanfenc-ing.com. SPORTIME at Randall’s Island, One Randall’s Island, 212-427-6150, sporti-meny.com/randallsisland.Wollman Skating Rink, Central Park at 59th Street and Sixth Avenue, 212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com.

SOCCERKick & Play, More than 150 locations throughout the Tri-State area, 212-877-5425, supersoccerstars.comSoccer By Coach Fher, 917-650-3008, coachfher.com.SocRoc, Various locations, 917-703-0409, jcsocroc.com.Super Soccer Stars, More than 150 locations throughout the Tri-State area, 212-877-7171, supersoccerstars.com.

SWIMMINGSwim Jim, Pool locations throughout the city, 212-749-7335, swimjim.com.

TUTORINGEBL Coaching, 17 East 89th Street, 646-342-9380, eblcoaching.com Mathnasium, 1597 York Avenue, 212-828-6284, mathnasium.com/manhat-tan.

YOGAKarma Kids Yoga, 104 West 14th Street, 646-638-1444, karmakidsyoga.com.Yogi Beans, Various locations in Man-hattan and Brooklyn, 212-787-YOGA, yogibeans.com.

THE VENUES

The Ailey School is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance and is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Ph

oto:

EDU

ARDO

PAT

INO,

NYC

Summer Intensive 2011June 27 – July 29 (ages 12-15)A 5-week training program in New York City for intermediate and advanced dancers with a minimum of three years ballet training.

AUDITION: SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2011 11:00am

For more details on the Summer Intensive, e-mail: [email protected]

For summer classes open to the public (ages 12 & up) visit: AileyExtension.com

La Scuola d’Italia is a private unique Italian/English bilingual and bicultural school reflecting the best features of the Italian and American education.

Knowledge of the Italian/English language is not a pre-requisite for admission to Pre-K through 9th

grade.

La Scuola d’Italia is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York and by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Italy.

LA ScuoLA D’ItALIAGuGLIELMo MARcoNI

12 East 96th Street, New York, NY 10128

Pre K-12th Grade

The School is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools.

www.lascuoladitalia.orgtel. 212-369-3290

email: [email protected]


The joy a new baby brings to your life cannot be measured in dollars, but the claims he or she will make on your bank account can. The

average U.S. family now spends $222,360 to rear a child from birth to age 18, according to an annual government survey. Even without adding college tuition, New Yorkers are likely to spend much more, given that we live in the most expensive U.S. city.

As the most pressing demands children fi rst make are on our time, it’s easy for busy, sleep-deprived new parents to put off fi nancial planning. However, parents will probably sleep easier if they fi nd a few hours to do these four tasks: set a budget, make a will, get adequate insurance and open sav-ings accounts.

SET A BUDGETComing up with a budget is the fi rst fi nancial

financeFAMILY

step any new parent should take, says Susan Hirshman, a fi nancial advisor and author of “Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Financial Empowerment and Success.”

On the surface, budget setting is an exercise in basic math; you will need to track every cent you earn and spend for at least a month. Resources like the free online service provided by Mint.com or the Quicken computer program can help you get started.

At its heart, budget setting is about identifying your family’s goals for now and the future. For instance, in the next year, you might want to stop working to care for your baby, and in the next 18 years, you might want to send your children to college. Your budget

From Budgets To Wills To College Savings, A Primer On Financial Planning For Families

What’s The Plan?B Y M O L L Y O ’ M E A R A S H E E H A N


will help you identify expenses that you should forgo now in order to af-ford things you know you’ll want later.

Stacey Bradford, a personal fi nance journalist, describes in “The Wall Street Journal Financial Guidebook for New Parents” how hard it was to follow her own advice on keeping baby gear outlays to a minimum to save for other goals. She recalls the embarrass-ment that nearly silenced her when another mother asked why she didn’t have a fancier stroller, and writes: “Looking back, I wished I had said that I banked the extra $700 in my kid’s college savings fund.”

MAKE A WILLYou don’t need to fi nish your

budget before focusing on another essential item: a will. “It’s on the top of everybody’s to-do list,” says Robert An-gel, a fi nancial planner at Strategies for Wealth, “but it stays on top for years.” In fact, a recent survey by FindLaw.com found that 55% percent of U.S. adults don’t have a will.

Why stop procrastinating now? “The most important thing by far is that some random judge in family court shouldn’t decide who takes care of your kids,” Angel says.

Also, consider creating trusts. Trusts allow you to delay the age at which your children receive the money you leave them, and to specify how the money is to be used.

GET INSURED FOR DEATH AND DISABILITYAnother key part of any parent’s

fi nancial plan is insurance. If you were to die today, do you have enough sav-ings or an insurance policy in place for your surviving family members to live off the interest for the next 20 years? If not, fi gure out how much life insur-ance your family needs to replace your lost income.

Look at the contributions of both parents when deciding whom to insure, says Helaine Olen, a journalist who is writing “The Wishing Well,” a book on the world of personal fi nance to be published in 2012. “Don’t think that just because you’re a stay-at-home mom, you don’t need life insurance,” says Olen. “Whether it’s childcare,

housekeeping or bookkeeping, think about the services your spouse might have to hire someone to do in your absence.”

Statistically, disability is more likely than death to reduce your income dur-ing your working years. The type of disability insurance you might receive through your job would likely be in-suffi cient if a serious illness—the most common cause of disability—were to stop you from working, so investi-gate supplemental plans. “We have no greater asset than our ability to get out of bed in the morning and go to work,” Angel says. “You want to replace that income.”

As people are now living for many decades beyond retirement, Angel also urges clients to buy long term care insurance for themselves by their 50th birthday, and to ask their own parents what their plan is if they were to, say, develop Alzheimer’s and require nurs-ing help not covered by medical insur-ance. You don’t want to have to choose between caring for your mother and sending your daughter to college.

Hirshman says that although people don’t want to discuss death or disability, “What you’re doing is plan-ning so that in times of stress your family is in the best possible posi-tion. How is that depressing? That’s empowering.”

SAVE FOR RETIREMENT AND COLLEGEFinally, save something monthly,

even if it’s a small amount, towards goals like retirement and college. Says Olen: “The more you can make it au-tomatic and habit-forming, the better off you’re going to be.”

Financial advisers tell parents focused on college not to forget retire-ment. The reason: You can get loans for college, but not for retirement. Indeed, you may want to save in a way that optimizes your chances of a com-fortable retirement and your child’s chances for fi nancial aid. The govern-ment and schools don’t consider many types of retirement accounts as money that could go to tuition.

As for college savings, one popu-lar investment vehicle is the 529 plan, named for the tax code section that

allows you not to be taxed on savings in this type of account. You will be penalized, however, if you withdraw the money for a purpose other than college.

There are many different 529 plans sponsored by different states (you don’t have to live or attend school in a given state to get that plan). They all have different fees and investment options, so shop around, and also con-sider other types of vehicles, like the Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows you to save not just for college, but also preschool through high school.

Many such investment accounts become more conservative as your child gets older. Still, make sure a share of your savings is not tied to the stock market, and increase that percent-age in the years leading up to when you will need the money, whether for tuition or retirement.

Once you’ve tackled these four items—budget, will, insurance and savings—evaluate your fi nances at least once a year. All too often, Angel says, people miss the big picture. “Someone can have a nice invest-ment portfolio but also be carrying credit card debt,” he says. “Most people would probably agree that the interest they are paying on their credit card is more than what they are getting in the market, but they haven’t thought about it.” G

“What you’re doing is planning so that in times of stress your family is in the best possible

position. How is that depressing?

That’s empowering.”


THE ECO-VACATIONMontana

The wilds of Montana are the per-fect place to get up close and personal with nature. As part of a program run by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, families can go on day- or week-long backpacking trips and help maintain the trails and restore campsites (thebmwf.org). Or, take an old-fashioned rail tour and enjoy roll-ing through breathtaking landscapes in the Rockies and Great Plains—try the Charlie Russell Chew Choo, a three-hour narrated scenic train ride (montanacharlierussellchewchoo.com).

Costa RicaWith its pristine beaches and

tropical rainforests, Costa Rica has long been a favorite destination of nature lovers. There are plenty of ways for families to enjoy the scenery, from rainforest canopy tours to whitewater rafting to horseback riding through a national park. Be sure to visit Tor-tuguero National Park, known for the sea turtle nesting that takes place there every year. As for where to stay, the The Si Como No Resort Spa and Wildlife Refuge offers a family pool with a waterslide and a private wildlife refuge with a butterfl y botanical gar-den and crocodile lagoon. Kids under six are free (sicomono.com)!

South AfricaGo on a South African wildlife sa-

fari and meet lions and wildebeests. At the world-renowned Kruger National Park, families can see rhinos, leopards, buffalos, African wild dogs, and learn about bush craft, animal tracking and

game capture (krugerpark.co.za). For lodging, check out the Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp, which offers a children’s program that lets kids to go on their own game drives and ranger-led walks (honeyguidecamp.com).

THE GREAT AMERICAN EXPERIENCE VACATIONThe Grand Canyon, AZ

The famous Grand Canyon Park hosts free ranger-led programs throughout the year, plus camp-fi re programs and nature talks for children. Plan a family hike, stop by the Yavapai Observation Station and visit the Tusayan Museum to see how the Pueblo Native American tribe lived some 800 years ago. The nearby Grand Hotel has an indoor pool, a restaurant and saloon and nightly entertainment (grandcanyongrandho-tel.com).

Walt Disney World, Orlando, FLWhat kid doesn’t dream of going

to Walt Disney World and meeting all their favorite characters? Visit Cinderella’s castle, get spooked by the ghosts of the Haunted Mansion and

roar with the wildlife in the Animal Kingdom. Harry Potter fans will insist on a trip to nearby Universal Studios, which recently opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Choose from one of Disney’s resorts, or opt for one of the many lodging options offered throughout the Orlando area; visit orlandoinfo.com to learn more.

—Amanda Ferris

THE ‘CITY TOSEE’ VACATIONPhiladelphia, PA

Not only does Philadelphia have museums and restaurants and great city walks, but it has a bunch of “must” visits for families, includ-ing the Franklin Institute Science Museum, where you can take a stroll through the famous Giant Heart or take the Sports Challenge (a virtual reality that uses visitors’ own bod-ies to teach physics concepts); and the Please Touch Museum, which is chock full of exhibits perfect for kids ages 1-6, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. And then there’s all that history to be had at places like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. For more info, visit gophila.com.

Atlanta, GAAtlanta truly offers something for

every member of the family. Coca-Cola is one of Atlanta’s claims to fame, and the World of Coca-Cola traces the beverage’s history and lets visitors sample Coca-Cola beverages from around the world. News hounds will fl ip for the Inside CNN Studio Tour. Little ones will love the storytime at The Wren’s Nest, which preserves the legacy of author Joel Chandler Harris

O H , T H E P L A C E S you’ll go!

SCHOOL’S OUT,Travel’s In From Eco-Vacations To Cities

Worth Seeing, Great Destinations For School Break Travel

Montana

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and African-American folklore. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the Geor-gia Aquarium—it’s the largest in the world and features a glass tunnel with whale sharks swimming overhead! For more info, visit atlanta.net.

Chicago, ILIn addition to a stunning skyline

and shopping that rivals New York City, Chicago features some the world’s premiere museums. Marvel at Sue the T. Rex at The Field Museum, catch the spirit of human enterprise at the Muse-um of Science and Industry, experience the Touch Gallery at The Art Institute of Chicago and gawk at constellations from inside the Adler Planetarium. Spectacular views of the city (and neighboring states!) from 1,000 feet are an elevator ride away at the John Han-cock Observatory; starting January 1, visitors to the Observatory can skate on the world’s highest ice rink! For more info, visit explorechicago.org.

—Rachael Horowitz

THE EDUCATIONVACATIONColonial Williamsburg, VA

Headed back in time to Colonial Williamsburg? In addition to all the famous reenactments, the nation’s largest living history museum lets kids don period costumes, appren-tice themselves to a local blacksmith, printer or tailor and even get dirty making bricks the old-fashioned way. For a place to stay, try the Williams-burg Lodge, an artfully restored hotel that oozes Southern hospitality. For more info, visit history.org.

Rome, ItalyWith an incomparable array of

beautiful and historic monuments and attractions—from the Pantheon

and the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Navona—Rome is a perfect destination for families with kids who are a bit older (and not averse to walking). Explore the Vati-can, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica; throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain; take a walk through the Villa Borghese and Pincio Gardens; and eat gelato! Located near the Via Veneto, the Westin Excelsior is one of the few hotels in Rome with a pool (it’s indoors).

—Rachael Horowitz

THE ‘REALLY FARAWAY AND WORTHIT’ VACATIONLondon, England

Take a trip across the pond to the most visited city in the world: London. Take in the beautiful architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben; ride the London Eye; and visit the Sea Life London Aquarium. The city is teeming with cultural and popular landmarks, like the Royal Observatory, Buck-ingham Palace and London Bridge. Kid-friendly museums include the Science Museum, the V&A Museum of Childhood and the National Army Museum, with its “KidZone.” Don’t forget to stop by Hamley’s, the most famous toy shop in the world. For family-friendly lodgings, check out the St. James Hotel and Club (stjames-clubandhotel.co.uk) or Premier Inn County Hall (premierinn.com).

Beijing, ChinaWith its wide-open green spaces,

ancient attractions and modern conveniences, Beijing is a location the whole family can enjoy. Take trips to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall; make stops at the Beijing Aquarium, the Fundazzle indoor playground and the Beijing World Park, complete with miniature recreations of world land-marks. The Five-Color Earth Craft Center will provide hours of hands-on fun, and Milu Park will entrance the animal lovers in your family with its endangered species sanctuary. As for where to stay, check out the RJ Brown Hotel (rjbrownhotelbeijing.cn)

or the Lee Garden Service Apartments (lgapartment.com).

Auckland, New ZealandOnce you recover from the 20-

hour plane ride, you’ll rejoice to fi nd yourself in this sunny, cosmopolitan New Zealand city. Auckland has more yachts per capita than any city in the world, so be sure to take a trip out of the harbor to survey the beautiful coast. The Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World are full of exotic creatures, and the Stardome Observatory will stimulate your senses in 360˚. The Sky Tower sends you 1000 feet in the air to survey the views for miles around. Families will be com-fortable in the Dutchman’s Retreat in Mairangi Bay or the Bribanc Apart-ments.

—Amy Spiro

By Kimberly Wilson Wetty• I f you’re pining for sun and surf, one of my top choices is Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda (littledixbay.

com). Timeless tranquility, and perfect for kids of all ages. Their Rosebuds program for children includes everything from kids’ menus to special events.

• I f you’re thinking about visiting another great American city like Wash-ington D.C. or San Francisco, I love the new family-friendly services that Park Hyatt Hotels are offering in conjunction with online baby product retailer Babies Travel Lite (babiestravellite.com). Sim-ply put, your life just got a lot easier!

• Lo oking to go abroad? The Berkeley in London, complete with indoor pool, offers a prime location for family fun (theberkeley.co.uk). I also recommend the The InterContinental De La Ville in Rome, which is right at the top of the Spanish Steps (intercontinental.com).

• F or ski families, I think Utah’s newly-opened Montage Deer Valley will quickly become a new “in” ski resort (montagedeervalley.com).

So dust off your suitcases and head out!

Kimberly Wilson Wetty is a New York mom and co-president of Valerie Wil-son Travel (valeriewilsontravel.com).

Colonial Williamsburg

An Agent’s Notes


C A M P countdown

B Y R E N E E F L A X

So many factors go into choos-ing a summer camp that it’s often diffi cult even to know where to begin. Here, the seven

most crucial camp questions parents should ask.

How do I prepare my child for overnight camp?

If you can, take your child to the camp ahead of time so that he or she can meet the people there and become familiar with the surroundings. Once you take away that feeling of it being a foreign experience, it makes the child feel a whole lot better. Let your child ask you questions, and be honest in your answers. If your child asks you, “What do I do if I’m homesick?”

your child is something that he or she is not; it’s not going to help.

Should my child go to a co-ed camp or a single-sex camp?

Each offers things that the other one does not. With a co-ed camp, if you have a boy and a girl in your family, you can send them to the same camp. And kids become good friends with people of the opposite sex at co-ed camps; it’s not like school, where there’s a far more rigid environment. Co-ed camps are also pretty “rah-rah” kinds of places—there’s a lot of spirit in a co-ed camp.

What people tend to love about single-sex camps is that children can be themselves without feeling like they have to impress somebody of the

CAMP COUNSELSEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE SENDING YOUR CHILD TO CAMP

Camp Chinqueka, Mt. Tom Pond, Connecticut

telling them, “Of course you won’t be homesick!” is the wrong answer. Chances are they will be homesick, so work through it with them: “You can talk to your counselor; you can talk to someone in your bunk; you can write us a letter.”

If it’s the fi rst time your child is going away, start practicing separa-tion. Get him or her to sleep at other people’s houses, whether it’s a grand-parent, friend, or whatever. Look at your child really honestly; think about who he or she is and what he or she needs. If you want your child to be in the right bunk, with the right coun-selors and the right kids, you’ve got to paint an honest, accurate picture to the camp director. Don’t pretend that

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opposite sex. They’re more concerned about playing sports than they are about the cute girl who happens to be on the tennis court right next to them. Girls may be 13, 14 years old, and they’re running around with hair in ponytails, no makeup—they’re not concerned about what boys are going to think. And a lot of camps are brother-sister camps, so if you have a boy and a girl, they can go to their separate camps and still get to spend time together.

Camp Awosting, Bantam Lake, Connecticut

What’s the difference between a structured camp and a non-struc-tured camp? Which type of camp is a better fi t for my child?

A structured camp has a bunk with generally two counselors, and those two counselors are with the same kids all day long; they’re tak-ing them from activity to activity. Everybody gets to know each other very well, which is extremely impor-tant—particularly for a fi rst-time camper or young child. I think the

bonding experience and the friend-ships that are formed and that real sense of camp community happen in a structured camp.

The non-structured, or “elective,” camp, where the child chooses his or her daily activities, is terrifi c for the older child and for the child who is very independent and knows what he or she wants to do. But the caveat is, if it’s a child’s fi rst time away, or if the child is somewhat clingy or needs nur-turing, that can be a very overwhelm-ing experience.

Should my child go to camp with a friend?

If you can convince your child to go by himself or herself, it is the great-est gift you will give your child. When you go with a friend, you’re bringing all the baggage from home when you get off that bus. At home, I may be the shy, quiet child, but when I get off the camp bus, I am whatever I pres-ent myself to be. So many children go to camp and reinvent themselves, and they come home with so much more

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For more detailed information please visit our website.

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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 three 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

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

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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

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Activities include cooking, free play, music and movement, arts and crafts, water/sensory/sprinkler play, outdoor activities, and weekly Shabbat. All campers will enjoy: Wacky Wednesdays, and a Family Picnic. Our older campers will en-joy: Field Trips, Pizza Day, a Sports Program and Specialists.


confi dence. The other part of the problem is that camp is a place to make new friends, and if you’ve got this friend from home, you feel pretty obligated to stick with that friend, so every time you’re asked to pick a buddy, you feel guilty if you don’t pick them, and conversely, if they don’t pick you, you’re so hurt. It’s putting a lot of responsibility on kids as well; if I go to camp with you, and for some reason you’re not happy, I feel responsible for you.

If the child does go to camp with a friend from home, try to convince the two kids to not be in the same bunk—at least then you’re forcing them to make new friends.

Should I tour the camp before sending my child there?

Absolutely, if you can. A lot of day camps have open houses in the spring, which gives you an opportunity to meet them, meet some of their staff, meet some of the other kids that are going there. With overnight camps, what many parents do is tour one

summer with the intention of sending their child the next summer.

What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis?

In order for a camp to be a success-ful fi t, you need to be on the same page with the camp on what you believe is a good experience. That question should always be asked of a camp director before you sign your child up. What a camp director is most proud of, what he or she is trying to accomplish—that shouldn’t be a pat answer. That should be something that he or she feels strong-ly about and is very committed to.

How can I be sure the camp is safe?

A camp being accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)

is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to safety. We are the only organization that is nationally recognized as being able to accredit camps. When a camp is accredited, that means that every three years, someone personally goes there to make sure

that the camp is living up to almost 300 standards. But I still suggest to parents that they do their own homework. Make sure that you ask the camp director, How do you hire and train your staff? How are you prepared to handle an emergency situation? Who are the people that are down at the waterfront? A parent can check into a state’s camp guide-lines, and they can also call the Better Business Bureau to see whether or not the camp has any outstanding violations. v

Renee Flax is Program Services Di-rector for the American Camp Associ-ation-New York. For more information or to speak with Renee, call 1-800-777-2267 or visit aca-ny.org.

At home, I may be the shy, quiet child, but when I get off the camp bus, I am whatever I present myself to be.


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By parentsconnect.com and newyorkfamily.com

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January 6WE THREE KINGS [All Ages] Come celebrate the Christian holiday Dia de Los Reyes, or Three Kings Day, with El Museo del Barrio’s 34th annual Three Kings Day Parade. Featuring a colorful procession through the streets of East Harlem that includes live camels, sheep and donkeys, colorful costumes, decora-tive fl oats, live music, dancing, puppet perfor-mances and more, the parade is a fun-fi lled tradition not to be missed. The festivities begin at 10:30 a.m.; families are strongly encouraged to dress warmly. 1230 Fifth Avenue, 212-831-7272; elmuseo.org.

January 6-30GARDEN PARTY[Ages 3-8]Looking for a fun and creative way to get your kids moving and grooving? Families can check out “The Ohmies: Morning Wish Garden,” an interactive, one-of-a-kind musical theater experience that lets kids hop like a grasshopper, fl y like a butterfl y, slither like a snake and sing along to lively and original music. The perfor-mance takes children on a magical journey as they make their way to visit “Mr. Sun” and make their wish garden come to life! Performances take place Thursday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and are 55 minutes long; tickets are $36. Recommended for children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers. Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 East 15th Street, 212-239-6200; theohmies.com.

January 8AMAZING INFLATABLE FUN[All Ages]Families can expect 10-foot cylinders, gigantic mobile infl atable props, a can-can dancing ballerina with an expanding dress and much more when the Fred Garbo Infl atable Theater Company, a celebrated, wacky theater troupe that has performed all over the world, takes the stage at Symphony Space. Heralded by the New York Times to be “helium light and hilarious,” this interactive, fast-paced and highly imagina-tive performance will leave kids amazed and inspired! Tickets range from $13-27. The Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400; symphonyspace.org.

January 15A DAY OF DESIGN[Ages 7-14]Have an aspiring scientist at home? The New York Hall of Science invites families to its Design Squad Nation Family Day, based off of

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To submit an event listing, please email [email protected].

For more great listings,see parentsconnect.com,the online city guide for parents.

Sign up for New York Family’s popular weekly e-newsletter

with tips on activities, shopping, and parenting at

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the hit PBS kid’s show, “Design Squad Nation.” Children and their families can create their own tabletop designs, play trivia games, check out upcoming episodes of “Design Squad Nation” and pose for photos with the show’s hosts. After the workshop, take the opportunity to ex-plore the museum’s numerous hands-on exhib-its and activities, like “Internet Arm Wrestling,” where kids can arm wrestle with museum-goers across the country, and “Ropes And Pulleys,” a 20-foot kinetic sculpture that lets users operate moving wheels and pull ropes to see how one small change can have a major effect. Family day activities take place between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. and are free with general museum admission. 47-01 111th Street, 718-699-0301; nysci.org.

January 16AN ARTY PARTY [Ages 4+] On January 16th, families can join the Brooklyn Museum’s 25th anniversary celebration of two of its family programs, Arty Facts and the Gallery/ Studio Program. This fun-fi lled, full-day event celebrates the history of both of these infl uential programs, and includes a family-focused tour of the museum’s permanent collection, a memory-book art-making activity, a community sculpture project, free cupcakes and the opening reception for the Gallery/ Studio Program’s Student Exhibi-tion. The celebration takes place between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 718-638-5000; brooklynmuseum.org.

January 21TIME FOR TEA[Ages 1-6]Give your children a tea party they will always remember with a trip to the beautiful and his-toric Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden (one of the seven oldest buildings in Manhat-tan, it was constructed in 1799 as a carriage house and converted into a hotel in 1826) for its monthly story time and tea programs. Children will have a chance to see the museum’s tea party display, have a pretend tea party (complete with real cups and saucers from the museum’s collection!) and take a tour of the museum’s period rooms. Festivities are free with admis-sion and begin at 10:30 a.m. 421 East 61st Street, 212-838-6878 x32; mvhm.org.

January 22BRIDGE THE GAP[Ages 5-13]Families can learn about famous bridges and how they are made at a fun-fi lled, two hour workshop at the Center for Architecture Founda-tion entitled “Family Day at the Center: Building Bridges.” Children and their accompanying adults can even design and build their own model bridge to take home. Pre-registration is re-quired. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. $20 per family of four; additional guests are $5 each. 536 LaGuardia Place, 212-358-6133; cfafoundation.org.

January 22 and 29WORLD TRAVELERS[Ages 3-6]No chance of an exotic getaway this winter? No problem, just sign your children up for one of the January sessions with the World Travelers, an organization that lets kids embark on imaginary journeys around the globe through hands-on and inspiring activities. With the help of props, elaborate costumes, music and games, kids can explore the African Safari and search for baby monkeys on January 22nd, or channel the Costa Rican coast and visit a baby animal sanctuary on the 29th. Adventures will take place at the All Souls Unitarian Church; pre-registration is encour-aged. Single sessions are $25. 1157 Lexington Avenue, 917-538-5049; theworldtravelers.com.

January 21- February 20BUNNY BUSINESS[All Ages]On January 21st, the award-winning TADA! Youth Theater will debut “Rabbit Sense,” its fi rst full-length performance of the season. The production tells the story of Kris, a bullied little boy in desperate need of some new friends, who is rescued by Brer Rabbit and his friends Brer Bear, Brer Fox, Brer Turtle and more. TADA! produces original musicals performed by kids ages 8-18 designed for family audiences. “Rabbit Sense” performances take place on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children. 15 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, 212-252-1619; tadatheatre.com.

January 29IT’S EASY BEING GREEN[Ages 6+]The Skyscraper Museum invites families to the workshop “From Grime To Green,” where children will be able to explore the possibilities for making New York City a greener place! Kids will be able to explore contemporary and future factories in the museum’s exhibit, “Vertical Urban Factory,” before working together to come up with ways to make them healthy and sustain-able. They’ll even have the opportunity to build green models of their favorite cities; after the workshop, you just might have an urban planner on your hands! Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. 39 Battery Place, 212-968-1961; skyscraper.org.

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MAGICAL MUSEUM EXHIBITS,

WORKSHOPS, PARTIES AND

PERFORMANCES TO SHARE WITH

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THE CULTURE

CLUB “Brain: The Inside Story” Exhibition at the American Museum of Natural HistoryFamilies can learn about the inner workings of the human brain at a fascinating new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. Kids can see a three-pound preserved brain, walk through a tunnel of fi ring neurons and challenge themselves to brain-teaser games. The exhibit, which is divided into seven categories like “Your Emotional Brain,” “Your Thinking Brain” and “Your Changing Brain,” also introduces the latest fi ndings in neuroscience and showcases new technologies that re-searchers use to study the brain and treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. 1 West 79th Street, 212-769-5100; amnh.org.

Meet the Artist Saturdays: “Hip Hop Shakespeare” at Lincoln CenterOn Saturday, January 8th, families can introduce their children to the magical world of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet and more with the January installment of Lincoln Center’s popular kids program Meet The Artist Saturdays: “Hip Hop Shakespeare.” The workshop will feature a perfor-mance from The Point of Entry Theater Company, who will re-mix Shakespeare’s classic works with a modern hip hop beat and catchy raps that will have families clutching their sides with laughter—and learning a thing or two! The show is free, appropriate for kids ages 5 and up and begins at 11 a.m. 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-875-5456; lincolncenter.org/atrium.

“Pinkalicious” The Musical at the Vineyard’s Dimson Theatre Pink lovers of all ages will be pleased to know that Vital Children’s Theater’s runaway hit musical

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Tonight belongs to...

Broadway’s most haunting love story.

Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200MAJESTIC THEATRE, 247 West 44THTH Street www.ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com


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production “Pinkalicious” (inspired by the book by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann) has found a new home at the Vineyard Dimson Theatre on East 15th Street. The hilarious one-hour show tells the tale of a little girl who loves to eat pink cupcakes so much she develops pinkititis—an affl iction that turns her pink from head to toe! The show runs on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. 108 East 15th Street; 212-579-0528; pinkaliciousthemusical.com.

Grandparent/Grandchild Program at the New York Police Museum Dedicated to preserving the history of the New York Police Department, the New York Police Museum boasts tons of hands-on educational exhibits for kids. Beginning on January 11th, the museum will debut its new Grandparent/Grandchild Program, in which guests can come to the museum on Tuesday afternoons for activity play in the Junior Offi cer Discovery Zone, an interactive exhibit that allows kids to operate a police car, learn codes that actual policemen use, and make crime scene observations. Admission is $5 for grandparents and grandchildren under 5; registration is not required. 100 Old Slip, 212-480-3100; nycpolicemuseum.org.

“Raising Citizens: Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival” at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan Families can celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day all weekend at CMOM with the museum’s fun-fi lled and inspiring “Make a Difference Medal” workshop. Children will learn about Dr. King and his legacy, discuss the role they can play in making a difference in the world, and make a medal that shows their promise to make a positive change in their communities. For children ages 5 and up; workshops take place at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. from January 15-17. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223; cmom.org.

“Alice In Wonderland” at Puppetworks From January 15th to April 17th, the Brooklyn marionette masters at Puppetworks will present Lewis Carroll’s famous adventure “Alice In Wonderland” with the help of intricately crafted puppets and a gorgeous set. The puppet production will feature much of the novel’s colorful imagery—such as the Mad Hatter’s tea party and the disappearing Cheshire cat—and is recommended for children ages 3 and up. Tickets are $7 for children, $8 for adults. 338 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391; puppetworks.org.

“Who Is Louis Armstrong?” at Jazz At Lincoln CenterOn January 29th, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s popular Jazz for Young People program will bring the music and charm of Louis Armstrong to music lovers of all ages. Led by trumpeter Sean Jones, this workshop and concert will teach guests why Satchmo is known as “the fi rst genius of jazz” and showcase his irrepressible charm, wit and talent. Rose Theater, 33 West 60th Street; 212-258-9800; jalc.org.

“Sculpting the Himalayas” Family Workshop at the Rubin MuseumFamilies can build and move mountains every Saturday throughout the month of February at the Rubin Museum’s workshop “Sculpting the Himalayas.” Children ages 6 and up and a parent will take inspiration from the museum’s galleries to build snow-capped Himalayas, rivers, shrines and symbols from clay, fabric and mixed media. Workshops take place at 2 p.m. 150 West 17th Street; 212-620-5000; rmanyc.org.

“Picturing People” Family Workshop at the Whitney Museum Say cheese! On select Saturdays in February, families can take part in the Whitney Museum’s “Picturing People” workshop, in which museum guests will explore pictures of individuals in various media and learn the fundamentals behind portraits, posing and profi les. Workshop admission is $10 per family and includes museum admission; pre-registration is required. 945 Madison Avenue, 212-570-3600; whitney.org.

Milkshake Concert at Symphony SpaceOn February 5th, Grammy nominated and mom-run kiddie rock group Milkshake, who plays tunes inspired by everyone from Rodgers and Ham-merstein to The White Stripes, will hit the stage at Symphony Space’s Just Kidding Series. Fronted by singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl—whose music for adults has been featured in movies and primetime television—will charm adults and kids alike with their endearing lyrics and authentic rock n’ roll spirit. Tickets range from $13-$27; the show begins at 11 a.m. Peter J. Sharp Theatre, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street; symphonyspace.org.

The Haitian Children’s Day Celebration atthe Children’s Museum of the ArtsIntroduce your children to the art and culture of Haiti by attending the Children’s Museum of the Arts and the Carib-

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: New York Police Museum;

Rubin Museum, photo by Joanne Chan; Vital Theater,

photo by Sun Productions; New York Theater Ballet, photo by

Richard Termine.

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“The most entertaining hour of acrobatics, juggling, magic and comedy” —The Herald Tribune


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sbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s Haitian Children’s Day Event on February 5th. Families will be able to enjoy interactive workshops inspired by Haitian and folk art, live musical and dance performances and more. Festivities take place between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. 182 Lafayette Street, 212-941-9198; cmany.org.

“Cinderella” at the New York Theatre BalletIntroduce your child to the magic of dance with the New York Theatre Ballet’s “Once Upon A Bal-let” spring performances, all of which are geared toward children ages 3-12. On February 12th and 13th, the NYTB will present Donald Mahler’s beautifully imagined production of Cinderella, complete with a dancing clock, wacky stepsisters and a charming prince. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for children and $40 for adults. 55 East 59th Street, 212-679-0401; nytb.org.

New York Sword Dance Festival At the Museum of the City of New YorkOn February 19th, families can partake in an ancient winter celebration at the 25th annual New York Sword Dance Festival at the Museum of the City of New York. The dancers will use fast-paced rapper swords and stand in a ring, linked by their swords, as they weave complex fi gures to the delight and awe of kids and adults alike. The performance will combine elements of modern skill and movement with a tradition steeped in English and European customs. The performance is free with museum admission and begins at 1 p.m. 1220 5th Avenue at 103rd Street, 212-534-1672; mcny.org.

Kids Week 2010 at the Intrepid Sea,Air & Space Museum Escape the late winter blues with a week of hands-on fun at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Mu-seum’s Kids Week. From February 19th-27th, the Intrepid invites families to enjoy a host of special, kid-focused programming, including interactive exhibits in the Exploreum Hall, different hands-on activities every day of the week (like the Intrepid’s spectacular fl ight simulators), special guest perfor-mances and more. Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street, 877-957-SHIP; intrepidmuseum.org.

“Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock” at the DR2 TheatreBeginning February 26, families can experience the newest musical journey from Gustafer Yel-lowgold—the curious yellow sun creature that has captured the hearts of adults and kids alike—when he takes the stage at the DR2 Theatre. Gustafer’s “Infi nity Sock” is a multi-media show that is part pop rock concert, part animated movie that tells the story of Gustafer’s search for the longest sock in the universe. The show runs through April 2nd on Saturdays and Sundays at 11

a.m. and 1 p.m. 103 East 15th Street; gustaferyellowgold.com.

Carnegie Hall’s “Family Sing”On Sunday, February 27th, make musical memories at Carnegie Hall’s Family Sing with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, where kids will be

able to experience fi rst-hand what it’s like to be part of the choir. Before the event, families can check out Carnegie Hall’s website for sheet music and audio clips to help them learn the songs. The performance itself, which will

be led by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, will include pre-concert activities and warm-ups led by members of the ensemble. Performance begins at

1 p.m.; tickets range from $9-$15. Zankel Hall, 881 Seventh Avenue, 212-903-9600; carnegiehall.org.

“Mischief” at the New Victory Theater

From March 18th to 27th, families can join the New Victory Theater for the U.S. premiere of “Mischief,” an award-win-

ning family production from Great Britain that will mesmer-ize adults and children alike. Hailed as “a whimsical and

hugely inventive encounter with movement, music and mood” by The Scotland Herald, the produc-tion is a colorful musical playland featuring foam noodles grooving to an eclectic array of live tunes. The performance is appropriate for kids

ages 4 to 8; tickets range between $18-$38. 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010; newvictory.org.

“BYOK (Bring Your Own Kid)” Series at 92 Y Tribeca

Every Sunday, the 92 Y Tribeca introduces families to some of the coolest kids music around with the weekly concert series BYOK (Bring Your Own Kid). On February 27th, rocker Randy Kaplan will take the stage for a morning of musical storytelling (complete with covers of favorites from Hank Williams and Bob Dylan); on March 27th, Erin

Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band will play their beloved and award-winning kid rock that’s infl uenced by everything from country to punk. Concerts begin

at 11 a.m.; tickets are $15, children under 2 are free. 200 Hudson Street, 212-601-1000; 92y.org.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Puppetworks, photo by TA Smith; Tribeca Performing Arts Center; American Museum of Natural History, photo by D. Finnin; Brooklyn Children’s Museum.


The Dirty Sock Funtime Band at the Jewish MuseumOn March 20, families can celebrate Purim at the Jewish Museum with the annual rockin’ performance from the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, a New York City-based multinational kids band that is a frequent guest on both Noggin and Nick, Jr. At the concert, kids can enjoy carnival-like klezmer rock and dance in costume to the fun jam “ClownaHagila.” Concerts begin at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are appropriate for children ages 3 and up. 1109 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3200; thejewishmuseum.org.

Poppy Seed Purim at the Kaufman CenterThe Kaufman Center’s Poppy Seed Players have taught lessons and traditions of Jewish culture to children for 21 seasons! On March 20th, families can enjoy a musical re-enactment of Purim with the fun-filled production “A Poppy Seed Purim,” a light-hearted re-telling of the Biblical story of how Queen Esther saved the Jews of Shushan complete with vibrant characters, humor and a catchy melodic score. Merkin Concert Hall, 129 West 67th Street, 212-501-3303; kaufman-center.org.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar And Other Eric Carle Favorites” at the Skirball CenterAs part of its Big Red Chair family series, the Skirball Center at NYU presents a theatrical re-imagining of three of Eric Carle’s beloved children’s stories, including the tale about the famously hungry caterpillar who eats his way through an assortment of treats before his metamorphosis into a butterfly. The performance will take place on April 2nd at 10 a.m. and is appropriate for children ages 2 and up. 566 LaGuardia Place, skirballcenter.nyu.edu.

“Room on the Broom” at BMCC TribecaBMCC Tribeca offers a wide variety of family-friendly theatrical programming. On April 16th, the Performing Arts Center showcases a musical adaptation of the bestselling book “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The performance will tell the story of a witch and her cat and the characters they meet throughout their journey—and whether or not the duo will have enough room on their broom to save everyone from a hungry dragon. 199 Chambers Street, 212-220-1459; tribecapac.org.

“World Passport Workshop: Tip Your Hat Off to Seuss!” at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum Oh, the places you’ll go! Celebrate the magic of Dr. Seuss at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s special celebration of the beloved author’s birthday on March 5th and 6th. In this workshop, children can explore the ways Dr. Seuss used words to stretch his readers’ imaginations, hear their favorite Seuss stories, make a Seuss-inspired hat and even compose their own Seus-sical poems. 145 Brooklyn Avenue, 718-735-4400; brooklynkids.org.

“Up, Up And Away With The Woodwinds” At The Little Orchestra SocietyThe Little Orchestra Society’s popular Lolipops kids concerts invite families to discover new musical genres in a relaxed and fun-filled setting. On April 2nd and 3rd, families can check out “Up, Up And Away with the Woodwinds,” a musical adventure that lets children experience the musical culture of China, Holland, Africa and Brazil and introduce them to composers like Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Performances are intended for children ages 3 to 5 and 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.

Barnyard Easter Egg Hunt at the Queens County Farm Museum The city’s only working historical farm, the Queens County Farm Museum hosts frequent events and workshops for kids of all ages throughout the year. On April 23rd, families can hop over to the annual Barnyard Easter Egg Hunt, where kids can do the “bunny hop,” participate in an egg toss, visit with the farm animals, take a hay ride and much more. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, 718-347-3276; queensfarm.org.

—Amanda Ferris, Katie Garton, Tiffanie Green,Rachael Horowitz and Amy Spiro

clockwise from top: New Victory Theater, photo by Patrick Baldwin; Queens County Farm Museum; Kids Week at the In-trepid; Skirball Center, photo by Carol Pratt.


years ago that I was going to screen test for this part. Then meeting them and working with them, they’re some of the most talented, wonderful people. I marvel at Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoff-man on set because with just one word they can make you laugh out loud. But at the same time, they’re just people, and it’s lovely to be in this group.

Did your experience as a mother help you with this role? Oh my good-ness, for sure. I was parenting while I was interacting with the two children in this movie, Colin [Baiocchi] and Daisy [Tahan], who play our kids. It was easy for me to translate some-thing that the director needed that the kids weren’t quite getting. And [as a mother] there were moments when something was in the script and I would say, “Oh, I don’t think she would do that, she wouldn’t leave her child standing alone.”

How do you balance being an actress with being a mother of two young children? You can be a working mom and have quality, special time with your children and make them feel loved and safe; it’s just a great deal of work. There must be some moments of incredible unselfi shness, because they deserve and need as much love and attention and focus as you can possibly give without deplet-ing yourself. But you have to take care of yourself, because if you’re not okay and healthy, your children can’t be.

What else is on the horizon for you? I just fi nished shooting a movie in Anchorage, Alaska called “Beyond” with Jon Voight and Dermot Mul-roney. I have a recurring role on “Law & Order: Los Angeles” playing Skeet Ulrich’s wife, so there will be more of that in the new year. Then it’s pilot season again, which is a lot of work. I would love to land a regular television job. For a mom, that’s just the bees’ knees! You have a regular schedule, and you can schedule your kids’ stuff around it. That would be my goal. G

“Little Fockers” is in theaters now. For more information, visit littlefockers.net.

B Y R A C H A E L H O R O W I T Z

On Screen, She’s Stuck In The Middle Of A Constant Comedic Battle Between Robert De

Niro And Ben Stiller. Off Screen, Teri Polo Is Finding A Way To Balance A Burgeoning Acting

Career With Being A Mom Of Two

Mrs. Focker Meet

Audiences fi rst met Pam Byrnes 10 years ago! How was she changed over the last decade? She’s gotten older. She now has twin fi ve-year-olds, and her marriage gets put on the back burner because you focus so much on your children, and Greg and Pam learn that. I don’t think Pam has changed much—the guys are still spinning around in circles. Barbara [Streisand] and I have decided that the next movie is going to be called “Mother Fockers,” and the women will fi nally put their feet down and say, “We’ve had it. We’re taking over. You guys are a bunch of lunatics.”

What do you love most about play-ing Pam? Getting to work with these people! I was in shock when I heard 11

Audiences fi rst met actress Teri Polo in 2000’s “Meet The Parents,” the runaway comedy about her boyfriend Greg’s

(Ben Stiller) tumultuous fi rst meeting with her father (Robert De Niro), in which Polo portrayed Pamela Byrnes, the calm foil to the over-the-top antics of the characters around her. In 2004, the gang returned for “Meet the Fock-ers,” and now they’re back for the third installment of the story, “Little Fockers,” which tells the tale of what happens when kids are added to the mix. We recently caught up with Polo about the joys of working with an acclaimed en-semble cast and “the loves of her life”—her eight-year-old son Griffi n and her three-year-old daughter Bayley.

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o n s e c o n d �ought

The oven is ready, but my batter looks lumpy. I poke through it with my spatula, blending the mixture until the blobs disappear. When at last I gaze into a pool of smooth chocolate, I pour the batter into a dozen muffin cups and put the pan into the oven.

As the smell of chocolate swells through the air, I take comfort in knowing that I have done something concrete. Cupcakes are real—you can hold them in your hand—and today I need something like that.

My little boy turns one year old today, and I’m baking cupcakes to cel-ebrate. But as much as I’d like to turn this into a typical birthday, I can’t. Two things stand in my way. First, my son is not here to celebrate. And second, I am not yet his mother.

Two years ago my husbandand I decided to look into adoption.We gathered information on agencies for weeks before signing on with one. For six months after that, we collected papers for our dossier and learned about attachment disorders, child development, medical issues. A social worker wrote a summary of our parental qualifications. We filled out piles and piles of forms. Then we waited.

Eleven months later, we made our first trip to Moscow.

There, we finally met the baby boy who would become our son. As we played with him in the stark, uncarpeted anteroom at Orphanage No. 12, we fell hopelessly in love, marveling at his

easygoing, playful spirit. We promptly signed off on yet another pile of forms, this one making our request to adopt him official. We decided to name him A.J., short for Andrei James. At last, after meeting our child, it no longer mattered how much time had passed. All memory of the hours, days and months lost to waiting simply faded away.

But now we’re wait-ing again. We had to leave our son in Moscow until the courts decide we can bring him home, and so far the courts have not acted. Until they do, we can only leaf through the stack of pictures we took in Moscow and watch our favorite video, the one where A.J. teeters across the anteroom behind his push-walker, his expression so earnest and full of concentration that we can’t help laughing in delight every time we see it.

“ready for a cupcake?” I ask as we clear the dinner dishes.

“You bet,” my husband says.I place our favorite photo of

A.J. in the center of the table. Then I grab a small plate from the cupboard and place a single cupcake on it. I poke a candle

into the top of the cupcake and reach for

a match. My husband flips the switch as I light the candle, and there we stand

in the semi-dark: two parents, one cupcake, and

a snapshot of our baby

son. My husband starts in on “Happy Birthday.” I join him and we finish the song together. The candle flickers, its happy glow reflected in the glass of the picture frame.

“Make a wish,” I say, in a voice as bright as I can muster. In the silence

that follows, we stand arm-in-arm before the glowing candle. I think back to that day in Moscow, when our little boy toddled across the room behind his push-walker as we cheered him on. When he finally toddled into the space directly before me, I scooped him up in my arms. He grinned as I lifted him over my head and told him what a good boy he was.

Together my husband and I blow out the candle, and I turn on the lights so we can eat our cupcakes. G

An d r e a Vi j l i v e s i n Ma s s a c h u s e t t s w i t h h e r h u s b a n d a n d 2 3 - m o n t h - o l d s o n , A . J . , w h o a r r i v e d h o m e i n Ap r i l 2 0 1 0 . He r w r i t i n g h a s a p p e a r e d i n “Ad o p t i v e Fa m i l i e s” m a g a z i n e a n d t h e o n l i n e m a g a z i n e l i t e r a r y m a m a .c o m , w h e r e t h i s e s s ay w a s f i r s t p u b l i s h e d . S h e b l o g s a b o u t h e r f a m i l y ’s a d o p t i o n e x p e r i e n c e a t l i t t l e v i j . b l o g s p o t . c o m .

By Andrea Vij

An Adoptive Mother-To-Be Reflects On Her Journey To Parenthood

waiting for a.J.

At last, after meeting our child, it no longer

mattered how much time had passed. All memory

of the hours, days and months lost to waiting

simply faded away.

Date: December 16, 2010

Project: Aldyn

Publication: NY FAMILY MAG

Issue: JANUARY 2011

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