Father’s Day!June 2014 BROOKLYN HappyFREE Family Where Every Child Matters
Devoted dads step up! Summer camp 101 Working together after divorce
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MER UM 2 014 S Imagine the reaction when you mix reading ADING with fun at Brooklyn Public Library! RE Carmen Fariña, Chancellor Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2014 program is supported by National Grid Foundation, Astoria Federal Savings, Macy’s, Inc. and Consolidated Edison Company of New York (Con Edison). Character Illustration by Dan Santat 6137.AD (05.13.14) BROOKLYN
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coluMnS FeaTureS 10 divorce & Separation 6 dear dad, your kids need you! 28 Sweet nothing BY LEE CHABIN, ESQ. Being the best father you can be New book explores how a sugar-loving family BY GAYLA GRACE shunned all fructose for a year 14 lions and tigers and teens BY ALLISON PLITT BY MYRNA BETH HASKELL 8 devoted dads The NYC Dads Group helps fathers take care of 30 no more tug of war! 36 Just Write Mom their children — and themselves After divorce, how to work together although BY DANIELLE SULLIVAN BY TAMMY SCILEPPI you live apart BY GAYLA GRACE 38 Family health 12 Summer camp 101 BY DR. PRAMOD NARULA, MD Children from every age group can reap the 32 know the score 42 dear dr. karyn b e n e fi t s Uncloaking specialized high-school testing secrecy BY GAYLA GRACE BY FRANCES KWELLER BY DR. KARYN GORDON 16 11 things every child should 34 the best recipe 44 healthy living Patience and love need to be in the mix BY DANIELLE SULLIVAN do this summer Getting the most out of the season! BY PATRICK HEMPFING 45 new & noteworthy BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES 40 Style magic BY LISA J. CURTIS 18 unlikely summer Kids clothes designer inspired by family 48 Mommy 101 Studying can’t stop in June when there’s a big BY TAMMY SCILEPPI R BY ANGELICA SEREDA test on the horizon 46 A happy place E 49 Growing up online BY FRANCES KWELLER Marco Island Marriott ensures smile-fi lled stay M BY STACEY ZABLE BY CAROLYN JABS 20 Parenting a challenging child M 2 014 Sanity-saving advice and solutions for U 50 Ask an Attorney concerned parents S Imagine the reaction when you mix reading BY ALISON ARDEN BESUNDER, ESQ. calendar BY MICHELE RANARD with fun at Brooklyn Public Library! 52 June events 58 the Book Worm 24 new dad nerves G BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Helping fi rst-time fathers adjust to their I postpartum life SPecial SecTionS N 62 Good Sense eating BY DENISE YEARIAN D BY CHRISTINE M. PALUMBO, RD A 22 Special needs directory 26 Allergy busters! E Carmen Fariña, Chancellor 60 Party Planners Helpful tips for making your home allergen-free R 61 the Marketplace Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2014 program is supported by National Grid Foundation, Astoria Federal Savings, Macy’s, Inc. and Consolidated Edison Company of New York (Con Edison). Character Illustration by Dan Santat 6137.AD (05.13.14) June 2014 • BROOKLYN FamiLY 3 Letter from the publisher Considering fathers oday’s urban fa- They are sitting in seems to me. No longer is anyone’s Every Father’s Day I naturally think thers are setting pediatric offices and role so clearly defined. Urban par- of my own Dad, and who doesn’t? T a new tone and signing kids up for pro- ents are changing the landscape and Times have changed a great deal are more active in the grams and waiting until it can’t help but be good for both since I was a kid and fathers spend daily parenting experi- the swim class or the men and women. It most certainly a lot more quality time in every way ence than ever before. music lesson is over. will be more interesting and more with their families and children than One sees it all the This issue talks a lot inclusive for the children as the new they use to. The whole society is time especially in the about Dads and has a role models emerge and they have sure to benefit from this as we move streets of our communi- lot written by Dads. So more input from both the masculine forward. ties. Fathers are pushing many fathers want to and feminine, the yin and the yang. To the very generous, thoughtful, carriages and strollers, communicate about Balance and harmony and shared dedicated and knowledgeable Dads are in the playgrounds, dropping kids their kids and about the issues they responsibilities, love and devotion who write for this magazine, we’re off and picking them up; one sees as parents are confronting. It’s no sound like a positive recipe to me. grateful to you for shared struggles today’s fathers in a whole new light. longer, “Ask your mother” in most I’m personally impressed with and wisdom. They are primary caregivers and families. How lucky these children many of today’s progressive families Happy Father’s Day to all of you. more and more of them are opting to are in the new family structure, to and I admire their mutuality and Thanks for reading. take on greater responsibilities with have multiple parental love, interest, shared nature. It’s not easy to be the day-to-day decision-making. guidance and input. both worker and parent and finding They are shopping in the markets How fortunate for our society that the right rhythm to benefit the whole and making meal plans. They are we have all kinds of Dads too. We family is not an easy task. It takes wearing slings and Snugglies and have single Dads and double Dads enormous commitment and lots of buying and changing diapers. They and with newly created extended patience. It also takes having a game Susan Weiss-Voskidis, are packing lunch boxes and doing families, many kids have two Dads. plan and finding a way to positively Publisher/Excutive Editor laundry. All of this is good for everyone it implement it. [email protected]
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June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 5 for dads to be part of something their children enjoy while teaching sportsmanship, teamwork and re- spect for others in the process. Children benefit from a dad who provides consistent love and dis- Dear Dad, cipline. Discipline teaches children self- control and right from wrong, while helping them feel secure and cared Your kids need you! for. Boys, in particular, need more guidance from fathers due to their nature toward “out of bounds” be- BY GAYLA GRACE Rick an interactive computer. Rick havior. Dr. James Dobson, author Being the controlled the cursor by touching of “Bringing up Boys,” says, “Boys ick Hoyt was born a quad- a switch with the side of his head, are more likely to get off course best father riplegic with cerebral palsy. finally able to communicate with when they are not guided and su- R His parents, Dick and Judy those around him. pervised carefully. When left to Hoyt, were told he would be a veg- Rick immediately relayed his their own devices, they tend to you can be etable for life and should be insti- love for sports and at 15 years old, drift toward the center divider or tutionalized. But his dad refused asked his dad to participate in a into the ditch, toward misbehavior to believe it. five-mile benefit run for a class- or danger.” Dick noticed Rick’s eyes followed mate paralyzed in an accident. Al- Children gain healthy standards him everywhere he went and de- though not a distance runner, Dick from a dad with spiritual prin- termined to find a way to com- agreed to join in the run and push ciples. Studies show that children municate with him. He solicited Rick in his wheelchair. That day who actively engage in a commu- help from Tufts University, where changed their lives. After the run nity of faith increase their odds a skilled group of engineers built Rick said, “Dad, when I’m running toward a happier, healthier, and it feels like I’m not handicapped” longer life, while significantly re- (www.teamhoyt.com). ducing the likelihood of life prob- Inspired to offer Rick more op- lems and risky behavior. portunities for that feeling, Dick Children need a dad who re- began training every day with a flects a stable male role model. bag of cement in Rick’s wheelchair We’ve all heard the saying, “I’d while Rick was at school. The two rather see a sermon than hear one began participating in marathons, any day.” Children mirror their par- triathlons, and other grueling ath- ent’s behavior and learn relation- letic events. ship skills and healthy social skills, They have now completed including how to treat others, by more than 1,000 races to- watching them. They benefit from gether, including 247 tri- a father who regularly shows them athlons and 70 mara- physical affection and treats his thons. Rick knows he marriage partner with love and has an incredible dad respect. whom he refers to as Our generation sees too many “The Father of the children reared without fathers. Century.” A high divorce rate, unbalanced Most dads don’t career priorities, and prevailing have the same op- addiction rates contribute to an portunity Dick absent father for many, emotion- Hoyt had with his ally and physically. However, study son. But every dad after study reflects the impact of has the chance to a child’s well-being from the influ- show love and ac- ence of his father. ceptance to his It’s not always possible to be an children, giving of active dad on a daily basis, but it his time to provide is possible to stay involved in your nurturing and guid- child’s life in other ways. A dad’s ance. role is a high calling that not ev- Children gain secu- eryone gets to experience. But for rity from a dad willing those who do, it’s a role to be hon- to make time for them. I ored and cherished, carried out love watching dads with with intentional purpose. their sons at the baseball Gayla Grace is a freelance writer, fields playing catch, practicing wife, and mom of five children. She is batting, or offering encouraging thankful for the role her husband plays words. Athletics offer a great way as their childrens’ father.
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June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 7 (Above) Kids and their dads get into the spirit at the group’s annual Halloween celebration. (Right) NYC Dads Group co-founder Lance with his wife Jessica and son Jake at Victorian Gardens in Central Park. (Opposite) The NYC Dads Group’s families visit a CitiField Mets Game for the “Big League Dads” program. NYC Dads Group
out to decompress.” group recently visited LEGOLAND wards of caring for our children. to become positive and consistent And so NYC Dads Group was Discovery Center in Westchester. They also discuss: forces in the lives of their children. born. Dads’ Nights Out (movies, sport- s $EVELOPING A BOND WITH YOUR The awards will be one of many ing events, bars): Recently, 50 new baby. opportunities to show that, despite About the group dads went to a sports bar to watch s "EING SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR BABYS the crisis of father absence facing The group meets several times the NCAA Basketball Tournament. mom. communities across the country, each week, membership is free, and Special events: These include s .AVIGATING WORK AS A NEW PAR- these New York dads show up every Devoted dads it’s all about having fun and doing family picnics, trips to ball games, ent. day and are present and active in BY TAMMY SCILEPPI on the challenging role of stay-at- Dads Group and now City Dads exciting, stimulating things to- and sponsored fairs and events. s $EVELOPING A PARENTING PART- the lives of their child and com- The NYC Dads home dad, after his son, Jake (now Group has given me a new identity gether with the kiddies, who enjoy Visit the website for details nership. munities. hey say the hardest job in the 5) came on the scene. beyond my role as Max and Sam’s spending time with their dads and Educational workshops: The s #REATING A BABY SAFE ENVIRON- The Fatherhood Initiative was es- Group helps world is being a parent. So, “It was extremely important for dad,” said Schneider, who lives in learning new things. group hosts a variety of parenting ment. tablished in 2010 to focus on impor- T this Father’s Day and every our family to have my wife Jessica Battery Park City with his wife and “It’s a diverse and active com- workshops, including child passen- s -ANAGING RELATIVES tant issues, such as: fathers take day, dads who step up to the plate or me providing quality child care two boys (ages 8 and 5). “I’m proud munity of dads who are looking for ger safety, potty training, healthy s - A KE ALL CITY AGENCIES AS hFATHER and go above and beyond the call of for our son the first few years. Con- to be finishing two years as the PTA the same kind of parental camara- and happy sleep habits, introduc- How important is a friendly” as possible. care of their duty deserve a big thumbs up — and sequently, we made the decision president at my kids’ school.” derie and network that the moth- tion to nursery school, positive dis- father in a child’s life? s 5NCOVER AND REMOVE ANY BARRI- a great big hug from the kiddos (and that was the most practical for our So, what’s it like being a stay-at- ers they encountered had built and cipline, travel with babies, and the “Very important!” says Somer- ers that fathers may face in interact- ladies) who love them. family: that I would take a child care home dad? relied upon,” says Somerfeld. “Dads featured weekly class for expectant feld. “Research shows that when a ing with the city. children — and Cool New York City dads Lance leave of absence from the Depart- “I absolutely love spending qual- Group members include stay-at- fathers: New Dad Boot Camp. father is involved in his child’s life s ! S S I S T IN THE CREATION OF MEMO- Somerfeld and Matt Schneider are ment of Education, and she would ity time with my son,” says Somer- home and working, married and New Dad Boot Camp is offered al- they’re more likely to graduate from rable moments between fathers and themselves co-founders of a very special sup- continue working full-time,” Somer- feld, who lives on Manhattan’s single, gay and straight, young and most every weekend at the group’s college; that fathers are more physi- their children. port playgroup — NYC Dads Group feld recalls. Upper East Side. “I’m fortunate to old, freelancers, teachers, and even partner locations: 92nd St. Y (92Y), cal with their children (in a good s 3 U P P O R T FATHERS AS THEY IMPROVE — for papas who bond over their But after his wife (a corporate ac- have the opportunity to relish in all a few professional clowns.” Tribeca Parenting, and CityBirths. way, and kids need it); that we might their capacity to be good dads. children and have a collective de- tuary) returned to work, the newbie of those small, wondrous moments Activities include: “Being engaged from pregnancy push them to take more risks; that s s s sire to change the face of modern fa- dad discovered how isolating stay- that occur each day. Being an at- Group playdates: Parent and me through the diaper years sets the although we might do less house- If you’d like to get involved with therhood through the group’s multi- ing at home could be. home dad really helps me appreci- classes at Gym at Gymboree or foundation for a man to be an in- work, and we are the ‘fun’ parent, NYC Dads Group’s events, here are channel platform: blogs, meetups, “I wanted to avoid the common ate seeing things through my child’s New York Kids Club; soccer with volved father and active parent- we are more strict disciplinarians. some upcoming dates: workshops, and a podcast. pitfalls of isolation, and find my eyes. I get to be a kid again. Super Soccer Stars; and music with ing partner for life. New Dad Boot “Bottom line?” he adds, “Parent- s ! N N U A L &ATHERS $AY FAMILY PIC- The idea was conceived one bor- people — a social group of fathers “My challenges are probably sim- Music Together. There’s also yoga, Camps offer expectant and new ing is challenging work, but it’s so nic on Sunday, June 7. ing winter afternoon in 2008, when looking to connect, share ideas, ilar to those of other stay-at-home fencing, and sign language classes dads a frank discussion along with much easier when you’re able to s # E N T R A L 0ARK 3TROLLER 7ALK WITH the two adventurous at-home dads vent frustrations, and go on adven- parents: I’m so involved in caring with the little ones. They also hold practical advice and hands-on tackle and navigate all of the re- Britax Affinity on Sunday, June 7. decided to take their cozy little play- tures together with our children,” for my child that I often neglect an annual Halloween party and Fa- training in essential parenting du- sponsibilities together, as a team, s 3UMMER hPLAYGROUND TOURv VIS- group to the next level. After team- he explains. carving out personal time for myself ther’s Day picnic. This year’s picnic ties, such as holding, changing, and with your significant other.” its to different playgrounds in the ing up — babies and toddlers in He’d hang ou occasionally with to pursue hobbies, be spontaneous is on June 7. comforting your baby,” Somerfeld This June, in an effort to spread five boroughs each week). tow — the group was created, and good friend and fellow pop Matt with my wife, or make plans with Outings to museums, parks and says. the message that fathers matter, the For specific details, visit: www.ny- now it’s nearly 1,000 dads strong Schneider, who had been an at- friends. And, I have those frustrat- playgrounds: Including the Ameri- These three-hour workshops, fa- city’s program Fatherhood Initiative cdadsgroup.com; the Meetup page and growing. home dad for three years. ing moments where my child won’t can Museum of Natural History, cilitated by a nationally certified will present the fourth annual Dads www.meetup.com/New-York-City-Dads- Somerfeld, 40, was a public “Looking back, I realize how iso- stop crying or he pushes my but- Central Park Zoo, Jane’s Carousel trainer, connect experienced dads Matter Awards. These awards will Meetup-Group; on Facebook at www. school teacher at an elementary lated I felt from the world outside tons to the brink of insanity. I need at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and taking (and their babies) with newbies to recognize 10 fathers from across the facebook.com/NYCDadsGroup; or on school in the Bronx when he took my family. Helping to build NYC to walk away and give myself a time- the tram to Roosevelt Island. The talk about the opportunities and re- city who have overcome challenges Twitter, twitter.com/#!/NYCDadsGroup.
8 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 (Above) Kids and their dads get into the spirit at the group’s annual Halloween celebration. (Right) NYC Dads Group co-founder Lance with his wife Jessica and son Jake at Victorian Gardens in Central Park. (Opposite) The NYC Dads Group’s families visit a CitiField Mets Game for the “Big League Dads” program. NYC Dads Group
out to decompress.” group recently visited LEGOLAND wards of caring for our children. to become positive and consistent And so NYC Dads Group was Discovery Center in Westchester. They also discuss: forces in the lives of their children. born. Dads’ Nights Out (movies, sport- s $EVELOPING A BOND WITH YOUR The awards will be one of many ing events, bars): Recently, 50 new baby. opportunities to show that, despite About the group dads went to a sports bar to watch s "EING SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR BABYS the crisis of father absence facing The group meets several times the NCAA Basketball Tournament. mom. communities across the country, each week, membership is free, and Special events: These include s .AVIGATING WORK AS A NEW PAR- these New York dads show up every Devoted dads it’s all about having fun and doing family picnics, trips to ball games, ent. day and are present and active in BY TAMMY SCILEPPI on the challenging role of stay-at- Dads Group and now City Dads exciting, stimulating things to- and sponsored fairs and events. s $EVELOPING A PARENTING PART- the lives of their child and com- The NYC Dads home dad, after his son, Jake (now Group has given me a new identity gether with the kiddies, who enjoy Visit the website for details nership. munities. hey say the hardest job in the 5) came on the scene. beyond my role as Max and Sam’s spending time with their dads and Educational workshops: The s #REATING A BABY SAFE ENVIRON- The Fatherhood Initiative was es- Group helps world is being a parent. So, “It was extremely important for dad,” said Schneider, who lives in learning new things. group hosts a variety of parenting ment. tablished in 2010 to focus on impor- T this Father’s Day and every our family to have my wife Jessica Battery Park City with his wife and “It’s a diverse and active com- workshops, including child passen- s -ANAGING RELATIVES tant issues, such as: fathers take day, dads who step up to the plate or me providing quality child care two boys (ages 8 and 5). “I’m proud munity of dads who are looking for ger safety, potty training, healthy s - A KE ALL CITY AGENCIES AS hFATHER and go above and beyond the call of for our son the first few years. Con- to be finishing two years as the PTA the same kind of parental camara- and happy sleep habits, introduc- How important is a friendly” as possible. care of their duty deserve a big thumbs up — and sequently, we made the decision president at my kids’ school.” derie and network that the moth- tion to nursery school, positive dis- father in a child’s life? s 5NCOVER AND REMOVE ANY BARRI- a great big hug from the kiddos (and that was the most practical for our So, what’s it like being a stay-at- ers they encountered had built and cipline, travel with babies, and the “Very important!” says Somer- ers that fathers may face in interact- ladies) who love them. family: that I would take a child care home dad? relied upon,” says Somerfeld. “Dads featured weekly class for expectant feld. “Research shows that when a ing with the city. children — and Cool New York City dads Lance leave of absence from the Depart- “I absolutely love spending qual- Group members include stay-at- fathers: New Dad Boot Camp. father is involved in his child’s life s ! S S I S T IN THE CREATION OF MEMO- Somerfeld and Matt Schneider are ment of Education, and she would ity time with my son,” says Somer- home and working, married and New Dad Boot Camp is offered al- they’re more likely to graduate from rable moments between fathers and themselves co-founders of a very special sup- continue working full-time,” Somer- feld, who lives on Manhattan’s single, gay and straight, young and most every weekend at the group’s college; that fathers are more physi- their children. port playgroup — NYC Dads Group feld recalls. Upper East Side. “I’m fortunate to old, freelancers, teachers, and even partner locations: 92nd St. Y (92Y), cal with their children (in a good s 3 U P P O R T FATHERS AS THEY IMPROVE — for papas who bond over their But after his wife (a corporate ac- have the opportunity to relish in all a few professional clowns.” Tribeca Parenting, and CityBirths. way, and kids need it); that we might their capacity to be good dads. children and have a collective de- tuary) returned to work, the newbie of those small, wondrous moments Activities include: “Being engaged from pregnancy push them to take more risks; that s s s sire to change the face of modern fa- dad discovered how isolating stay- that occur each day. Being an at- Group playdates: Parent and me through the diaper years sets the although we might do less house- If you’d like to get involved with therhood through the group’s multi- ing at home could be. home dad really helps me appreci- classes at Gym at Gymboree or foundation for a man to be an in- work, and we are the ‘fun’ parent, NYC Dads Group’s events, here are channel platform: blogs, meetups, “I wanted to avoid the common ate seeing things through my child’s New York Kids Club; soccer with volved father and active parent- we are more strict disciplinarians. some upcoming dates: workshops, and a podcast. pitfalls of isolation, and find my eyes. I get to be a kid again. Super Soccer Stars; and music with ing partner for life. New Dad Boot “Bottom line?” he adds, “Parent- s ! N N U A L &ATHERS $AY FAMILY PIC- The idea was conceived one bor- people — a social group of fathers “My challenges are probably sim- Music Together. There’s also yoga, Camps offer expectant and new ing is challenging work, but it’s so nic on Sunday, June 7. ing winter afternoon in 2008, when looking to connect, share ideas, ilar to those of other stay-at-home fencing, and sign language classes dads a frank discussion along with much easier when you’re able to s # E N T R A L 0ARK 3TROLLER 7ALK WITH the two adventurous at-home dads vent frustrations, and go on adven- parents: I’m so involved in caring with the little ones. They also hold practical advice and hands-on tackle and navigate all of the re- Britax Affinity on Sunday, June 7. decided to take their cozy little play- tures together with our children,” for my child that I often neglect an annual Halloween party and Fa- training in essential parenting du- sponsibilities together, as a team, s 3UMMER hPLAYGROUND TOURv VIS- group to the next level. After team- he explains. carving out personal time for myself ther’s Day picnic. This year’s picnic ties, such as holding, changing, and with your significant other.” its to different playgrounds in the ing up — babies and toddlers in He’d hang ou occasionally with to pursue hobbies, be spontaneous is on June 7. comforting your baby,” Somerfeld This June, in an effort to spread five boroughs each week). tow — the group was created, and good friend and fellow pop Matt with my wife, or make plans with Outings to museums, parks and says. the message that fathers matter, the For specific details, visit: www.ny- now it’s nearly 1,000 dads strong Schneider, who had been an at- friends. And, I have those frustrat- playgrounds: Including the Ameri- These three-hour workshops, fa- city’s program Fatherhood Initiative cdadsgroup.com; the Meetup page and growing. home dad for three years. ing moments where my child won’t can Museum of Natural History, cilitated by a nationally certified will present the fourth annual Dads www.meetup.com/New-York-City-Dads- Somerfeld, 40, was a public “Looking back, I realize how iso- stop crying or he pushes my but- Central Park Zoo, Jane’s Carousel trainer, connect experienced dads Matter Awards. These awards will Meetup-Group; on Facebook at www. school teacher at an elementary lated I felt from the world outside tons to the brink of insanity. I need at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and taking (and their babies) with newbies to recognize 10 fathers from across the facebook.com/NYCDadsGroup; or on school in the Bronx when he took my family. Helping to build NYC to walk away and give myself a time- the tram to Roosevelt Island. The talk about the opportunities and re- city who have overcome challenges Twitter, twitter.com/#!/NYCDadsGroup.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 9 RELATIONSHIPS A dad from day one f you are a sports fan or not, you may have recently heard criticism I about Daniel Murphy, a baseball player for the New York Mets. The digs weren’t about his fielding or streaky hitting. Rather, they dealt with Murphy’s taking a few days off from his job to be with his wife and DIVORCE & child after the birth of their son. I admire Murphy for his choice. SEPARATION Moreover, I look forward to a future LEE CHABIN, ESQ. where more fathers are involved in their children’s lives, literally from day one. This was my own expe- rience, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Being a father has been the best experience of my life. It is more im- portant than any job I have every held, or ever will. And by being in- volved right from the start, I was able to develop a bond with my daughter that I might not have otherwise. Let me explain: I was a stay-at- home father. The situation provided me — someone not then experienced with children — with the responsibility of caring for a newborn largely on my own. It was an incredible op- portunity. From the time we brought our girl home from the hospital and all through those early years, I changed most of the diapers and brought her to almost every appointment with children, and it isn’t necessary. stress and strain, many fathers feel the pediatrician. When she didn’t Don’t get me wrong. Participat- that they don’t know how to care for sleep (every night for the first few ing early on doesn’t require being a their children without mom being months) or didn’t feel well, I stayed stay-at-home parent and changing there to help. up and cared for her. We lived in most of the diapers. And a man who During my own divorce, I never playgrounds and pointed to the becomes more active in his child’s had these doubts, which was good passing buses. life when his son or daughter is old because divorce is hard enough I was with her on the lazy spring enough to start playing catch can be without them. day when she stood crouching over a fantastic father. But I would think More importantly, my daughter a dandelion for 15 minutes straight, that many dads lack confidence in and I are close. And, I have every fascinated by what she saw. I was important areas of parenting, and reason to believe that we always there for her first word. I was there that mom is the go-to person. For will be. I wouldn’t trade that for when she stood up in her crib, fright- instance, how many fathers are com- anything. Maybe Daniel Murphy ening herself before quickly learning fortable talking to their children — wouldn’t either. how much fun standing can be. The especially their daughters — about New York City and Long Island-based list of our shared experiences is hap- where babies come from and the divorce mediator and collaborative di- pily endless. questions that follow? vorce lawyer Lee Chabin helps clients If I hadn’t had the blessing of this When couples stay together, this end their relationships respectfully and full immersion into fatherhood, I think being ill at ease with our kids may not without going to court. Contact him that I might have looked to my daugh- matter a lot. In many happier families, at [email protected], (718) ter’s mother for a lot of the answers. mom does some things, dad does 229–6149, or go to http://lc-mediate. How do I change a diaper? What do others, and parents and children com/. Follow him on Facebook at www. I do when she’s crying? Is it time to alike are cared for, safe and loved. facebook.com/lchabin. call the doctor? Many men may have But what about when adult rela- Disclaimer: All material in this column is for informational this insecurity about caring for their tionships end? On top of every other purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 10 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 RELATIONSHIPS
QUARTERS DON’T MAKE YOUR WASHING A dad from day one MACHINE WORK. ELECTRICITY DOES. f you are a sports fan or not, you may have recently heard criticism ,W·VHDV\WRIRUJHWKRZLPSRUWDQW I about Daniel Murphy, a baseball HOHFWULFLW\LVWRRXUGDLO\OLYHV%XW player for the New York Mets. The UHVWDVVXUHG&RQ(GLVRQQHYHU digs weren’t about his fielding or GRHV2IFRXUVHDOOWKDWUHOLDELOLW\ GRHVQ·WFRPHFKHDS6RZHRIIHU streaky hitting. Rather, they dealt PRUHWKDQPRQH\VDYLQJ with Murphy’s taking a few days off WLSVRQRXUZHEVLWH/LNHZDVKLQJ from his job to be with his wife and \RXUFORWKHVZLWKFROGZDWHUDQG DIVORCE & child after the birth of their son. QRWRYHUGU\LQJWKHP:HHYHQ I admire Murphy for his choice. KDYHHQHUJ\FDOFXODWRUVVR\RX FDQHVWLPDWHKRZPXFKWKRVH SEPARATION Moreover, I look forward to a future FKDQJHVFDQVDYH\RX$IWHUDOO LEE CHABIN, ESQ. where more fathers are involved in GRLQJWKHODXQGU\VKRXOGQ·WFOHDQ their children’s lives, literally from RXW\RXUZDOOHW)RUPRUHWLSV day one. This was my own expe- YLVLWFRQ(GFRPDQGIROORZXVRQ rience, and I couldn’t be happier )DFHERRNRU7ZLWWHU about it. Being a father has been the best experience of my life. It is more im- portant than any job I have every held, or ever will. And by being in- volved right from the start, I was able to develop a bond with my daughter that I might not have otherwise. Let me explain: I was a stay-at- home father. The situation provided me — someone not then experienced with children — with the responsibility of caring for a newborn largely on my own. It was an incredible op- portunity. From the time we brought our girl home from the hospital and all through those early years, I changed most of the diapers and brought her to almost every appointment with children, and it isn’t necessary. stress and strain, many fathers feel the pediatrician. When she didn’t Don’t get me wrong. Participat- that they don’t know how to care for sleep (every night for the first few ing early on doesn’t require being a their children without mom being months) or didn’t feel well, I stayed stay-at-home parent and changing there to help. up and cared for her. We lived in most of the diapers. And a man who During my own divorce, I never playgrounds and pointed to the becomes more active in his child’s had these doubts, which was good passing buses. life when his son or daughter is old because divorce is hard enough I was with her on the lazy spring enough to start playing catch can be without them. day when she stood crouching over a fantastic father. But I would think More importantly, my daughter a dandelion for 15 minutes straight, that many dads lack confidence in and I are close. And, I have every fascinated by what she saw. I was important areas of parenting, and reason to believe that we always Urgent Care & Primary Care there for her first word. I was there that mom is the go-to person. For will be. I wouldn’t trade that for when she stood up in her crib, fright- instance, how many fathers are com- anything. Maybe Daniel Murphy in Brooklyn Heights ening herself before quickly learning fortable talking to their children — wouldn’t either. how much fun standing can be. The especially their daughters — about New York City and Long Island-based list of our shared experiences is hap- where babies come from and the divorce mediator and collaborative di- 300 Cadman Plaza West, 17th and 18th Floors Mount Sinai board certified physicians pily endless. questions that follow? vorce lawyer Lee Chabin helps clients Brooklyn, NY Whether you have an urgent medical need or are looking for a high-quality If I hadn’t had the blessing of this When couples stay together, this end their relationships respectfully and primary care physician, Mount Sinai board certified physicians are available full immersion into fatherhood, I think being ill at ease with our kids may not without going to court. Contact him Primary Care Urgent Care Hours in Brooklyn Heights to deliver personalized and coordinated health care that I might have looked to my daugh- matter a lot. In many happier families, at [email protected], (718) Call to make an Monday–Friday, 9 am to 9 pm ter’s mother for a lot of the answers. mom does some things, dad does 229–6149, or go to http://lc-mediate. appointment Saturday–Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm services, focusing on the wellness of each individual patient. How do I change a diaper? What do others, and parents and children com/. Follow him on Facebook at www. No appointments needed for Urgent Care Good health starts here. I do when she’s crying? Is it time to alike are cared for, safe and loved. facebook.com/lchabin. 929-210-6000 www.mountsinai.org/bh Most insurance plans accepted. call the doctor? Many men may have But what about when adult rela- Disclaimer: All material in this column is for informational this insecurity about caring for their tionships end? On top of every other purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 11 your child’s interests and find a great for this age and help kids camp that fits to give your pre- advance athletic skills and en- school child a chance to make hance musical talent. Academic new friends and explore new ex- camps offer youth advanced- periences. learning opportunities in sub- jects they might want to explore Age 6–11 for long-term focus. And church Elementary-age children thrive camps offer character-building at camp, whether it’s day camp or and self-awareness experiences stay-away camp. It’s the perfect not learned in school. solution to sibling squabbles and Camps provide a safe place long summer days. But it pays for teens and tweens to hang out to do your research and find the while parents work during summer right fit for your child. break. Not yet able to drive or find Camps for this age range from a summer job, kids this age too sports camps to music camps often allow technology to rule or to academic camps to church walk into unsupervised trouble un- camps. Don’t let the variety in- less parents intentionally seek out timidate you as you research; creative options. start with the interests of your Junior high and high schools child and ask friends and neigh- provide information for local bors to give opinions on camps camps worth investigating as the their kids have attended. school year draws to a close. It’s At this age, our kids have had also easy to scour the internet for the most fun at away camps that camps that match your child’s in- gave them the opportunity to try terests. Some camps provide cer- activities not available at home tification such as lifeguard training such as zip lining, archery, rock or first-aid certification that can wall climbing, in addition to swim- enable your youth to successfully ming, arts and crafts, and camp- find a job upon completion. fire sing-alongs with friends. Kids Encourage your child to re- gain independence as they make search camps with you to find one decisions and meet new friends that fits. outside of the comforts of home. When kids attend camp, they They gain self-confidence in trying develop resilience and flexibility new activities. And they learn to that benefits them later in life. An appreciate the beauty of nature as article in Psychology Today, “Cre- they unplug from technology. They ating Advantage in College,” by may experience periods of home- Steve Baskin parallels the experi- sickness, but they learn to forge ences of summer camp and the through their feelings with caring adjustment of college. He cites that camp counselors and new friends. kids work through similar adjust- Specialty camps close to home ments at camp and college such as, also help kids explore new hob- “Being away from home and your bies or create opportunities for traditional support system (family, parents and kids to enjoy camp friends, familiar places), and deal- together. A mother-daughter sew- ing with large amounts of uncer- ing camp or father-son golfing tainty (what will classes require, Summer camp camp allows great bonding time how will I fit in socially, can I deal while developing a skill enjoyed with this new roommate).” Baskin BY GAYLA GRACE simple arts and crafts. If you’re by both. proposes that kids who find suc- Children sending your child to camp for the If your child has never expe- cess working through these chal- ummer camp offers all kinds first time, make sure the schedule rienced camp, start with a day lenges at camp adjust easier when from every of fun and character-building matches her personality and rou- camp or send a friend along for presented with the transition to S experiences for kids of any tine to prevent a stressful experi- an away camp. It’s important that college. age. ence. Does there need to be nap their first camp experience be a Summer camp offers unique age group Whether you’re looking for a few time? Should your child be potty good one. If you find it wasn’t a experiences and character-build- hours of entertainment or weeks of trained to attend? Would your child 101to determine if the counselors are perfect fit, try a different one next ing opportunities for every child. can reap the intentional skill-building for your adjust more easily by starting with trained to help with issues com- year. But don’t give up on the Whether your child is 2 or 15, child, you can find it at camp. a one- to two-day camp instead mon to preschoolers, including sep- beauty and benefits of camp for camp is the perfect place to find of full day? Are there appropriate aration anxiety, potty training, and elementary-age children. adventure and make lifelong mem- benefits Age 0–5 breaks for snacks and changes in temper tantrums. ories in the process. Don’t delay — Day camps offer the perfect op- activity? The best place to find camps Age 12–15 find a camp your child will enjoy portunity for young kids to expe- It’s important to find out what for young children is through day Tweens and teens have bet- today! rience time away from mom and the counselor-to-camper ratio is cares, churches, nursery schools, ter focus than younger children Gayla Grace, freelance writer and explore new activities. Camp for for children this age. You want and local elementary schools. Spe- and benefit from camps that more mom to five, has sent her kids to camp preschool children focuses on free to ensure your child will be ad- cialty camps also abound through closely match their interests and every summer and continues to find play, sharing with others, group equately cared for with a friendly, gymnastic centers, music schools, personalities. new camps for her one child still at games (inside and outside), and well-staffed team. You also want and sporting centers. Consider Sports and music camps are home to enjoy.
12 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 your child’s interests and find a great for this age and help kids camp that fits to give your pre- advance athletic skills and en- school child a chance to make hance musical talent. Academic Leif Ericson Day School new friends and explore new ex- camps offer youth advanced- periences. learning opportunities in sub- SPIRITUAL *Nursery - Grade 8* ACADEMIC jects they might want to explore FORMATION EXCELLENCE Age 6–11 for long-term focus. And church Elementary-age children thrive camps offer character-building s Small Class Size at camp, whether it’s day camp or and self-awareness experiences stay-away camp. It’s the perfect not learned in school. solution to sibling squabbles and Camps provide a safe place s Professional, Caring Staff long summer days. But it pays for teens and tweens to hang out to do your research and find the while parents work during summer right fit for your child. break. Not yet able to drive or find s State Approved Curriculum Camps for this age range from a summer job, kids this age too sports camps to music camps often allow technology to rule or to academic camps to church walk into unsupervised trouble un- s Music Performance camps. Don’t let the variety in- less parents intentionally seek out timidate you as you research; creative options. s Computer Technology start with the interests of your Junior high and high schools child and ask friends and neigh- provide information for local bors to give opinions on camps camps worth investigating as the their kids have attended. school year draws to a close. It’s REGISTER NOW At this age, our kids have had also easy to scour the internet for the most fun at away camps that camps that match your child’s in- for our gave them the opportunity to try terests. Some camps provide cer- activities not available at home tification such as lifeguard training Summer Creative Arts such as zip lining, archery, rock or first-aid certification that can wall climbing, in addition to swim- enable your youth to successfully & Music Program ming, arts and crafts, and camp- find a job upon completion. fire sing-alongs with friends. Kids Encourage your child to re- June 23 - August 1, 2014 gain independence as they make search camps with you to find one decisions and meet new friends that fits. 1037 - 72nd Street s 718-748-9023 s http://ledsny.org outside of the comforts of home. When kids attend camp, they They gain self-confidence in trying develop resilience and flexibility new activities. And they learn to that benefits them later in life. An appreciate the beauty of nature as article in Psychology Today, “Cre- they unplug from technology. They ating Advantage in College,” by may experience periods of home- Steve Baskin parallels the experi- sickness, but they learn to forge ences of summer camp and the through their feelings with caring adjustment of college. He cites that camp counselors and new friends. kids work through similar adjust- Specialty camps close to home ments at camp and college such as, also help kids explore new hob- “Being away from home and your WINDMILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Accredited Preschool, Elementary, bies or create opportunities for traditional support system (family, JHS & Academic Summer Camp parents and kids to enjoy camp friends, familiar places), and deal- A P E A C E F U L P L A C E T O L E A R N S I N C E 1 9 4 1 OPEN HOUSEUSE together. A mother-daughter sew- ing with large amounts of uncer- Proudly Celebrating 72 Years of Quality Education OPEN HO Tuesday, May 6th ing camp or father-son golfing tainty (what will classes require, Windmill’s environment encourages children to Monday, June 2nd camp allows great bonding time how will I fit in socially, can I deal Monday, June 2nd Summer camp • learn naturally at their own pace 9:00–10:30 am while developing a skill enjoyed with this new roommate).” Baskin • nd and develop their own interests, and 9:00 - 10:30 am BY GAYLA GRACE simple arts and crafts. If you’re by both. proposes that kids who find suc- • get the individual attention needed to thrive Children sending your child to camp for the If your child has never expe- cess working through these chal- ummer camp offers all kinds first time, make sure the schedule rienced camp, start with a day lenges at camp adjust easier when CURRICULUM ADVANTAGES from every of fun and character-building matches her personality and rou- camp or send a friend along for presented with the transition to Montessori Method, French, Computer Skills, S experiences for kids of any tine to prevent a stressful experi- an away camp. It’s important that college. Physical Education, Yoga, Music, Art age. ence. Does there need to be nap their first camp experience be a Summer camp offers unique PLUS MORE age group Whether you’re looking for a few time? Should your child be potty good one. If you find it wasn’t a experiences and character-build- Academic Montessori Summer Camp for Small Class Size, Dedicated Staff, 3-12 year olds hours of entertainment or weeks of trained to attend? Would your child 101to determine if the counselors are perfect fit, try a different one next ing opportunities for every child. Outdoor Recreation, A/C Classrooms, with can reap the intentional skill-building for your adjust more easily by starting with trained to help with issues com- year. But don’t give up on the Whether your child is 2 or 15, Creative Writing for 6-9 and 9-12 year olds beauty and benefits of camp for camp is the perfect place to find Curriculum-based Trips, 6 week Program child, you can find it at camp. a one- to two-day camp instead mon to preschoolers, including sep- After School Program (3:40-5:45pm) elementary-age children. adventure and make lifelong mem- Group Games Weekly Themes of full day? Are there appropriate aration anxiety, potty training, and Age-appropriate Trips Arts & Crafts benefits Age 0–5 breaks for snacks and changes in temper tantrums. ories in the process. Don’t delay — Happy Learners and Happy Campers Carnival Enclosed Wading Pool and more.... Day camps offer the perfect op- activity? The best place to find camps Age 12–15 find a camp your child will enjoy Begins June 30 through Aug 8 2014 portunity for young kids to expe- It’s important to find out what for young children is through day Tweens and teens have bet- today! rience time away from mom and the counselor-to-camper ratio is cares, churches, nursery schools, ter focus than younger children Gayla Grace, freelance writer and 718-375-7973 718-375-4277 explore new activities. Camp for for children this age. You want and local elementary schools. Spe- and benefit from camps that more mom to five, has sent her kids to camp e -m a i l : [email protected] website: www.windmontsch.org closely match their interests and every summer and continues to find Windmill is non-sectarian. Licensed by The New York City Department of Health preschool children focuses on free to ensure your child will be ad- cialty camps also abound through Affiliated with The American Montessori Society play, sharing with others, group equately cared for with a friendly, gymnastic centers, music schools, personalities. new camps for her one child still at games (inside and outside), and well-staffed team. You also want and sporting centers. Consider Sports and music camps are home to enjoy. 1 3 1 7 A v e n u e T @ E a s t 1 4 t h S t r e e t B r o o k l y n, N Y 1 1 2 2 9
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 13 PARENTING Ideas for graduation ith my daughter’s gradu- Service: Consider hiring one or think about what has worked effec- ation day looming, I can’t two servers so you can enjoy the cel- tively for them in the past when deal- W help but reminisce about ebration. Money saver: young teens ing with stressful situations.” my son’s big day almost two years in your neighborhood might be will- If you plan well, accept help when ago. ing to work for a “tip.” it’s offered, and focus on your teen, We planned a big party that would Photos: Photo booths provide in- graduation day will garner a lifetime take place at our home a few hours stant fun and party favors for your of precious memories. Just don’t for- after the ceremony’s conclusion. We guests. Other options: place instant get the Kleenex! LIONS AND set up the back yard the day before, cameras on tables for guests to and we decided to cater the event to capture special moments. Ask your Tips and tales TIGERS AND save time and to avoid unnecessary younger kids to snap random pho- “We had a taco food truck come stress. tos. Afterward, create a poster-size for my daughter’s graduation party. TEENS After the ceremony, our family and collage for her dorm room wall. Everyone loved it, and it was an easy MYRNA BETH HASKELL close friends packed into a half-dozen Activities: Sunshine calls for vol- cleanup!” cars to head home. While chatting leyball, KanJam (a Frisbee game), Joan Bullock, Hopkinton, MA with my daughter’s godmother, she water balloon tosses, or tug of war, “We plan a graduation brunch.” casually asked who took my daugh- but plan for rain just in case. Guess Debbie Yaeger, Saugerties, NY ter. Panic quickly set in because I the teacher: teachers’ names are “Set up a ‘photo booth.’ You can had no idea. Fifteen minutes later, taped to graduates’ backs — guests rent a set up but it would be pretty we found an exasperated 16-year-old offer clues until the graduates guess EASY TO $)9 !LL YOU NEED IS A PLAIN waiting impatiently at the entrance correctly. Jar of M&Ms: ask gradu- back drop, a camera on a tripod, con- to an almost empty parking lot. Even ates to guess the number of M&Ms in sistent lighting under a tent, and lots though I thought we had everything their school color or colors. Winner of props-dress ups.” under control, the inevitable chaos of takes home the jar. Victoria Kane, Hyde Park, NY the occasion had caught up with us. Don’t break the bank: “We had a backyard picnic in Au- Whether you intend to plan a big s $UAL HOSTING 3HARE COSTS WITH gust when the June flurry of parties bash or celebrate in another way, another family. was well past. I made a massive take in every detail of this special s 0RINT YOUR OWN INVITATIONS quantity of pesto — easy to serve at day, which symbolizes the infinite s 3KIP THE RENTALS "ORROW EXTRA room temperature. We kept it simple: possibilities the future holds for tables and chairs. salads and made-ahead desserts.” your graduate. s "AKE CUPCAKES IN LIEU OF ORDER Wendy Meade, Hyde Park, NY ing a cake. “We went on a trip with a few of Party time tips s 3KIP THE $* 0LAY PARTY SELECTIONS his friends.” Parties can send the calmest of from an iPod hooked up to wireless Eileen Heller Sarter, Kennett parents into a tailspin, so prepara- speakers. Square, P.A. tion is key. Timing: Plan the party Lose the stress Check out these websites for more several hours after the cer- You want your teen to remem- creative ideas: emony. You will have time ber that you were all smiles on her s WWWPUNCHBOWLCOMPARTY to regroup or change your cloth- graduation day, so avoid potential IDEASGRADUATION PARTIES ing. Other options: Party on a dif- stress triggers. s WWWHALLMARKCOMGRADUATION ferent weekend or host a “gradu- “Graduation day marks a major IDEASGRADUATION PARTY IDEAS ation eve” or “open house” get- life passage,” says Jean Fitzpatrick, a s WWWDELISHCOMENTERTAINING together. marriage and individual therapist in IDEASPARTIESGRADUATION Food: Unless you have Manhattan. several relatives will- “It’s natural for parents to feel Share your ideas ing to donate the pang of knowing that their child Upcoming topic: Tips to encour- casseroles, a ca- is growing up and becoming more age your teen to get involved in tered event will independent. Focus on staying in politics. ease the stress. the moment and enjoying the day’s Please send your full name, address, Finger des- events together,” she suggests. and brief comments to myrnahaskell@ serts served $R *EFFREY 'UTERMAN A &LORIDA gmail.com or visit www.myrnahaskell. buffet style based licensed mental health coun- com (in lieu of cut- selor and author of the best-selling Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature ting a large book “Mastering the Art of Solution- writer, columnist and author of, “Lions cake) is a sim- Focused Counseling,” points out, “If And Tigers And Teens: Expert Advice ple alternative. parents are excessively stressed, it and Support for the Conscientious Par- New trend: party- can help to encourage them to tap ent Just Like You” (Unlimited Publishing size pizzas — simple and into their own natural effective cop- LLC, 2012). For details, visit www.myrna- inexpensive. ing skills. I encourage parents to haskell.com.
14 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 PARENTING Ideas for graduation ith my daughter’s gradu- Service: Consider hiring one or think about what has worked effec- ation day looming, I can’t two servers so you can enjoy the cel- tively for them in the past when deal- W help but reminisce about ebration. Money saver: young teens ing with stressful situations.” my son’s big day almost two years in your neighborhood might be will- If you plan well, accept help when ago. ing to work for a “tip.” it’s offered, and focus on your teen, WE ARE EXPERIENCED MATH We planned a big party that would Photos: Photo booths provide in- graduation day will garner a lifetime SPECIALISTS take place at our home a few hours stant fun and party favors for your of precious memories. Just don’t for- WEWE ARE ARE EXPERIENCED EXPERIENCED MATH MATH LIONS AND after the ceremony’s conclusion. We guests. Other options: place instant get the Kleenex! set up the back yard the day before, cameras on tables for guests to WESPECIALISTSSPECIALISTS TEACH ALL LEVELS OF TIGERS AND and we decided to cater the event to capture special moments. Ask your Tips and tales /Ê /9 save time and to avoid unnecessary younger kids to snap random pho- “We had a taco food truck come WE TEACH ALL LEVELS OF TEENS stress. tos. Afterward, create a poster-size for my daughter’s graduation party. WE TEACH ALL LEVELS OF After the ceremony, our family and collage for her dorm room wall. Everyone loved it, and it was an easy PROVEN /Ê /9 RESULTS MYRNA BETH HASKELL close friends packed into a half-dozen Activities: Sunshine calls for vol- cleanup!” /Ê /9 cars to head home. While chatting leyball, KanJam (a Frisbee game), Joan Bullock, Hopkinton, MA Mathnasium of Bay Ridge with my daughter’s godmother, she water balloon tosses, or tug of war, “We plan a graduation brunch.” 7409 3rdÊÛi°ÊUÊ ÀÞ]ÊPROVENPROVEN RESULTS 9Ê££ÓäÊUÊRESULTS(347) 443-9728 casually asked who took my daugh- but plan for rain just in case. Guess Debbie Yaeger, Saugerties, NY ter. Panic quickly set in because I the teacher: teachers’ names are “Set up a ‘photo booth.’ You can www.mathnasium.com/bayridge had no idea. Fifteen minutes later, taped to graduates’ backs — guests rent a set up but it would be pretty MATHNASIUMMATHNASIUM of of Bensonhurst Bensonhurst Mathnasium of Bensonhurst $75 OFF we found an exasperated 16-year-old offer clues until the graduates guess EASY TO $)9 !LL YOU NEED IS A PLAIN ÈnäÈÊÓäÌ ÊÛiÕiÊUÊ ÀÞ]ÊÈnäÈÊÓäÌ ÊÛiÕiÊUÊ ÀÞ]Ê 9Ê££Óä{ 9Ê££Óä{ Assessment/ waiting impatiently at the entrance correctly. Jar of M&Ms: ask gradu- back drop, a camera on a tripod, con- 6806 20thÊÛi°ÊUÊ ÀÞ]Ê 9Ê££Óä{ to an almost empty parking lot. Even ates to guess the number of M&Ms in sistent lighting under a tent, and lots Registration though I thought we had everything their school color or colors. Winner of props-dress ups.” Î{Ç®ÊÇ /££ÊUÊÎ{Ç®ÊÇÈÓn{££Î{Ç®ÊÇ /££ÊUÊÎ{Ç®ÊÇÈÓn{££Î{Ç®ÊÇ /££ÊUÊÎ{Ç®ÊÇÈÓn{££ with this ad under control, the inevitable chaos of takes home the jar. Victoria Kane, Hyde Park, NY www.mathnasium.com/bensonhurstwww.mathnasium.com/bensonhurstwww.mathnasium.com/bensonhurst the occasion had caught up with us. Don’t break the bank: “We had a backyard picnic in Au- Whether you intend to plan a big s $UAL HOSTING 3HARE COSTS WITH gust when the June flurry of parties bash or celebrate in another way, another family. was well past. I made a massive take in every detail of this special s 0RINT YOUR OWN INVITATIONS quantity of pesto — easy to serve at day, which symbolizes the infinite s 3KIP THE RENTALS "ORROW EXTRA room temperature. We kept it simple: World Class Learning Academy possibilities the future holds for tables and chairs. salads and made-ahead desserts.” your graduate. s "AKE CUPCAKES IN LIEU OF ORDER Wendy Meade, Hyde Park, NY ing a cake. “We went on a trip with a few of From the age of two, your child will begin learning a new language. Party time tips s 3KIP THE $* 0LAY PARTY SELECTIONS his friends.” At three, your child will discover reading and, at four, play a musical instrument. Parties can send the calmest of from an iPod hooked up to wireless Eileen Heller Sarter, Kennett parents into a tailspin, so prepara- speakers. Square, P.A. Imagine where the future will take them. tion is key. Students from our network of international schools are accepted to the world’s leading Timing: Plan the party Lose the stress Check out these websites for more several hours after the cer- You want your teen to remem- creative ideas: universities, including Harvard, Cambridge, Princeton, MIT and Oxford. emony. You will have time ber that you were all smiles on her s WWWPUNCHBOWLCOMPARTY to regroup or change your cloth- graduation day, so avoid potential IDEASGRADUATION PARTIES ing. Other options: Party on a dif- stress triggers. s WWWHALLMARKCOMGRADUATION ferent weekend or host a “gradu- “Graduation day marks a major IDEASGRADUATION PARTY IDEAS ation eve” or “open house” get- life passage,” says Jean Fitzpatrick, a s WWWDELISHCOMENTERTAINING together. marriage and individual therapist in IDEASPARTIESGRADUATION World Class Learning Food: Unless you have Manhattan. Academy, New York several relatives will- “It’s natural for parents to feel Share your ideas ing to donate the pang of knowing that their child Upcoming topic: Tips to encour- casseroles, a ca- is growing up and becoming more age your teen to get involved in tered event will independent. Focus on staying in politics. ease the stress. the moment and enjoying the day’s Please send your full name, address, Finger des- events together,” she suggests. and brief comments to myrnahaskell@ serts served $R *EFFREY 'UTERMAN A &LORIDA gmail.com or visit www.myrnahaskell. buffet style based licensed mental health coun- com (in lieu of cut- selor and author of the best-selling Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature ting a large book “Mastering the Art of Solution- writer, columnist and author of, “Lions cake) is a sim- Focused Counseling,” points out, “If And Tigers And Teens: Expert Advice nd ple alternative. parents are excessively stressed, it and Support for the Conscientious Par- 7ORLD #LASS ,EARNING !CADEMY .EW 9ORK s %AST 3TREET s .EW 9ORK .9 New trend: party- can help to encourage them to tap ent Just Like You” (Unlimited Publishing size pizzas — simple and into their own natural effective cop- LLC, 2012). For details, visit www.myrna- Admissions Enquiries: [email protected] General Questions: [email protected] 212–600–2010 inexpensive. ing skills. I encourage parents to haskell.com.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 15 middle of the night trips!” House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Clas- Stare at the stars sic Stories” by Barbara M. Walker. On a clear night, direct your Got a “Star Wars” fan? Check out family’s gaze toward the heav- the “Star Wars Cookbook: Wookie ens. Try identifying a few of the Cookies and Other Galactic Reci- 88 different constellations, many pes” by Robin Davis. of which are named after mytho- logical men, women, and animals. Tour a working farm Is your child interested in learn- Show your child how foods ing more about the characters make it to grocery store shelves dotting the celestial night sky? by touring a local farm or dairy. Read “D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Many places offer tours by ap- Myths” by Ingri and Edgar Parin pointment and schedule themed 11 D’Aulaire. events. Pick berries Chase fireflies THINGS Bring sum- Fireflies like grassy, humid mer home in a areas near ponds and lakes, as bucket of ber- well as tree areas and fields, away ries. Check out from urban lights. every child pickyourown. To attract fireflies to your gar- org to find a farm den or yard try turning off your near you. Celebrate home’s exterior lights. If you cap- the fruits of your labor by baking ture any fireflies, put them in a should do muffins or enjoying berries over ventilated jar with a wet paper homemade ice cream! towel to keep the jar humid and allow the fireflies to breathe. Due Go local to light pollution and insecti- this summer Area farmer’s markets offer an cides, firefly populations have de- assortment of colorful, seasonal creased. Be sure and let them go produce. There’s no better time after you’re done admiring their to taste locally grown foods and flashing lights. experiment with new wholesome To learn more about fireflies, recipes in the kitchen with your visit www.firefly.org. child. Birdwatch Build and fly a kite Learning about birds local to “The experience never fails to the area fill adults and kids with wonder helps chil- every time they fly a kite,” says dren ap- Sean Beaver, a kite enthu- preciate and siast and father of two. build interest Kite flying is an in- in their natu- expensive and relax- ral surround- ing activity. Check ings. out the American Purchase or make Kite Association a bird feeder to attract website, aka.kite. birds to your backyard. org, which Use a local bird guide and listen provides for different bird song to try and educa- identify the birds visiting your BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES Here are 11 things to do this Sleep outdoors tional re- yard. Getting the summer: Chris Starnes, a mom of three, sources, including the history of he lure of slowing down over says her family loves to camp. kites and the science and math Plan hometown most out of the summer sounds idyllic Tend a garden They look forward to hiking, behind kite flying. field trips T in the whir of hectic school Together with biking, swimming, and a break New experiences help kids schedules, but what do you do if your child culti- from electronics. Want to take Cook up a story learn, grow, and feel a connection the season! your child is already singing the vate containers of your family? Starnes suggests Recipes help kids practice to their community. Check out the summertime boredom blues? herbs, tomatoes, or downloading a camping check- math and reading skills, but also multitude of museums on topics Try filling his dance card with peppers. Take a digital list from the internet and re- try giving cooking a literary twist that might interest your child and this head-spinning assortment of photo each day to track serving a site at a state park. that will delight even preschool- explore historical landmarks. creative, educational, and exhila- the progress of the plant’s “State parks are cleaner and ers. rating activities. growth. Have your child well-patrolled and there are usu- Read a book like “If You Give Freelance journalist Christa Not only will you fight off bore- put the photos in order in a ally activities for the kids at some a Pig a Pancake” by Laura Joffe Melnyk Hines and her family are dom, but you’ll also create plenty journal and write down any point during the day or weekend,” Numeroff and make pancakes to- doing lots of exploring this summer! of new memories while relaxing, observations. Together, prepare a she says. “Go where there is a play- gether. An older child who likes Christa is the author of Confidently playing, and learning together as meal using your child’s homegrown ground. And, don’t camp too far “The Little House on the Prairie” Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Sat- a family! produce. from restrooms — think evening or series might enjoy “The Little isfying Social Life.
16 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 middle of the night trips!” House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Clas- Stare at the stars sic Stories” by Barbara M. Walker. Creative Interiors On a clear night, direct your Got a “Star Wars” fan? Check out family’s gaze toward the heav- the “Star Wars Cookbook: Wookie Decorative consulting & design ens. Try identifying a few of the Cookies and Other Galactic Reci- 88 different constellations, many pes” by Robin Davis. Custom window treatments & bedding of which are named after mytho- Fine Furniture & home accents logical men, women, and animals. Tour a working farm Is your child interested in learn- Show your child how foods Lighting & custom florals ing more about the characters make it to grocery store shelves dotting the celestial night sky? by touring a local farm or dairy. Read “D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Many places offer tours by ap- Adriane Vitale Myths” by Ingri and Edgar Parin pointment and schedule themed creativeinteriorsbyadriane.weebly.com 11 D’Aulaire. events. (917) 929-9547 Pick berries Chase fireflies THINGS Bring sum- Fireflies like grassy, humid mer home in a areas near ponds and lakes, as bucket of ber- well as tree areas and fields, away Bethel SDA ries. Check out from urban lights. every child pickyourown. To attract fireflies to your gar- Elementary School org to find a farm den or yard try turning off your SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE near you. Celebrate home’s exterior lights. If you cap- }iÃÊΣ{ÊUÊ-ÝÊ7iiÃÊvÊÕ]Ê ÃVÛiÀÞÊEÊ i>À} the fruits of your labor by baking ture any fireflies, put them in a ÕiÊÎäÊÊÕ}ÕÃÌÊn]ÊÓä£{ should do muffins or enjoying berries over ventilated jar with a wet paper homemade ice cream! towel to keep the jar humid and Art, Cooking Class, Field Trips, Crafts, Reading, Math, Gardening, & more allow the fireflies to breathe. Due Monday - Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm Go local to light pollution and insecti- Fridays - 7:30am-4:00pm this summer Area farmer’s markets offer an cides, firefly populations have de- assortment of colorful, seasonal creased. Be sure and let them go For more information, contact the school at produce. There’s no better time after you’re done admiring their (718) 783–3630 select option 1 twice to taste locally grown foods and flashing lights. E-mail: [email protected] experiment with new wholesome To learn more about fireflies, recipes in the kitchen with your visit www.firefly.org. child. Birdwatch Build and fly a kite Learning about birds local to “The experience never fails to the area fill adults and kids with wonder helps chil- every time they fly a kite,” says dren ap- Sean Beaver, a kite enthu- preciate and siast and father of two. build interest Kite flying is an in- in their natu- expensive and relax- ral surround- ing activity. Check ings. out the American Purchase or make Your Child s Our Program s Their Success Kite Association a bird feeder to attract Summer website, aka.kite. birds to your backyard. Day Care Ages 6 Months - 6 Years Program org, which Use a local bird guide and listen s 3 HEALTHY HOMEMADE MEALS !GES s AM PM s 3 Healthy Homemade Meals Daily provides for different bird song to try and 02%0!2%$ $!),9 /. 3)4% educa- identify the birds visiting your Hot Soups, Fresh Fruits And Vegetables, s Variety Of Fun Filled Activities And Trips BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES Here are 11 things to do this Sleep outdoors tional re- yard. Homemade Pasta Dishes, Waffl es With Yogurt, And Much More! Getting the summer: Chris Starnes, a mom of three, sources, including the history of Afterschool he lure of slowing down over says her family loves to camp. kites and the science and math Plan hometown s 4(%-% "!3%$ #522)#5,5- Program 7)4( -5,4) ,%6%, !002/!#( 'RADES + most out of the summer sounds idyllic Tend a garden They look forward to hiking, behind kite flying. field trips s Homework Assistance in the whir of hectic school Together with biking, swimming, and a break New experiences help kids s +).$%2'!24%. #,!33 4%!#().' Supervised By Teachers T !4 &)234 '2!$% ,%6%, s Homemade Dinner Upon Arrival From School schedules, but what do you do if your child culti- from electronics. Want to take Cook up a story learn, grow, and feel a connection s Variety Of Activities And Trips the season! your child is already singing the vate containers of your family? Starnes suggests Recipes help kids practice to their community. Check out the s /52 /7. 9/'! 02/'2!- !24 -53)# s Transportation From School !.$ $!.#% #,!33%3 $!),9 summertime boredom blues? herbs, tomatoes, or downloading a camping check- math and reading skills, but also multitude of museums on topics To Our After School Program Try filling his dance card with peppers. Take a digital list from the internet and re- try giving cooking a literary twist that might interest your child and Hours/Days Of Operation this head-spinning assortment of photo each day to track serving a site at a state park. that will delight even preschool- explore historical landmarks. creative, educational, and exhila- the progress of the plant’s “State parks are cleaner and ers. We Are Open Monday - Friday 7:30am-6pm rating activities. growth. Have your child well-patrolled and there are usu- Read a book like “If You Give Freelance journalist Christa Children’s Day Care & Developmental Center Not only will you fight off bore- put the photos in order in a ally activities for the kids at some a Pig a Pancake” by Laura Joffe Melnyk Hines and her family are Fully Licensed By Department Of Health & Mental Hygiene dom, but you’ll also create plenty journal and write down any point during the day or weekend,” Numeroff and make pancakes to- doing lots of exploring this summer! 7% !2% ./7 /0%. s 2%')34%2 ./7 of new memories while relaxing, observations. Together, prepare a she says. “Go where there is a play- gether. An older child who likes Christa is the author of Confidently playing, and learning together as meal using your child’s homegrown ground. And, don’t camp too far “The Little House on the Prairie” Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Sat- 718-345-3555 s &AX s [email protected] a family! produce. from restrooms — think evening or series might enjoy “The Little isfying Social Life. 11 New Lots Avenue s Brooklyn, NY 11212 s www.stepstosuccesspreschool.com
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 17 Unlikely summer Studying can’t BY FRANCES KWELLER inter has turned to spring stop in June and with the warm W weather comes thoughts of summer. For many New York City when there’s parents, this is the time to start thinking about planning summer a big test on activities for the kids. Your children have worked hard for the past 10 the horizon months, and visions of hot summer days, ice cream cones, and water sports dance in their heads. It’s tempting to let them sit back, relax, and watch the days fly by. After all, isn’t this the time in their lives to let them lounge at the beach with their friends and get a tan? The answer: your kids have the rest of their lives to do those things. But they only have this one moment to prepare for the New York City Specialized High School Admis- sions Test program. This is the time to make preparations for the future — preparations that will have sig- nificant and profound effects on their lives. In an increasingly competitive world, getting into a specialized high school can make a pivotal dif- ference in your child’s future. As former New York City Comptroller John C. Liu wrote for The Huff- ington Post, “The Specialized High Schools are the equivalent of New York City’s Ivy League. Admittance to these schools is a ticket to suc- cess. They bring an almost certain guarantee of high school gradua- top New York City high schools. your child truly grasp the material tion, in a city where the graduation Classes often take place four days a to an extent that no prep book can rate is 65 percent, and an almost week, with both morning and after- match. certain guarantee of college accep- noons sessions offered. In addition, And if you’re still not sure that tance. More than a quarter of the students can elect to attend week- you want your child to sacrifice graduates of Stuyvesant and Bronx end sessions instead. Some even his endless pool-lounging, just Science go on to university in the offer trips for both high school and think about it. There is, in fact, still real Ivy Leagues, at Harvard, and college tours on Fridays. plenty of time to lounge by the pool Yale, and Brown, or other top-tier You may be thinking that your or at the beach this summer. And colleges.” child can simply study for the test that relaxation will feel so much Getting a high score on the test on their own, in their spare time, better after a hard day of working is the only way to gain possible en- and ace it nonetheless. This is not and learning, knowing that you are trance into a New York City special- a mistake you or your child can af- taking key steps towards a suc- ized high school and enrolling your ford to make. Even the most disci- cessful future for your child. Over child in a competitive test prep plined students need a structured indulging won’t make you happy course gives your child the stron- setting in order to properly prepare — but your child’s admission to gest advantage. for this challenging exam. Espe- Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, or the There are many local test prep cially during the summer, procrasti- college of his dreams most cer- companies that offer comprehen- nation is far too easy of a trap to fall tainly will. sive summer camp tutoring pro- into, and these classes are neces- Frances Kweller is an education and grams that have had tremendous sary to keep your child focused. In testing standards expert, and founder of success in helping students get into addition, top-notch tutors will help Kweller Prep.
18 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Unlikely summer Studying can’t BY FRANCES KWELLER inter has turned to spring stop in June and with the warm W weather comes thoughts of summer. For many New York City when there’s parents, this is the time to start thinking about planning summer a big test on activities for the kids. Your children have worked hard for the past 10 the horizon months, and visions of hot summer days, ice cream cones, and water sports dance in their heads. It’s tempting to let them sit back, relax, and watch the days fly by. After all, isn’t this the time in their lives to let them lounge at the beach with their friends and get a tan? The answer: your kids have the rest of their lives to do those things. But they only have this one moment to prepare for the New York City Specialized High School Admis- sions Test program. This is the time to make preparations for the future — preparations that will have sig- nificant and profound effects on their lives. In an increasingly competitive world, getting into a specialized high school can make a pivotal dif- ference in your child’s future. As former New York City Comptroller John C. Liu wrote for The Huff- ington Post, “The Specialized High Schools are the equivalent of New York City’s Ivy League. Admittance to these schools is a ticket to suc- cess. They bring an almost certain guarantee of high school gradua- top New York City high schools. your child truly grasp the material tion, in a city where the graduation Classes often take place four days a to an extent that no prep book can rate is 65 percent, and an almost week, with both morning and after- match. certain guarantee of college accep- noons sessions offered. In addition, And if you’re still not sure that tance. More than a quarter of the students can elect to attend week- you want your child to sacrifice graduates of Stuyvesant and Bronx end sessions instead. Some even his endless pool-lounging, just Science go on to university in the offer trips for both high school and think about it. There is, in fact, still real Ivy Leagues, at Harvard, and college tours on Fridays. plenty of time to lounge by the pool Yale, and Brown, or other top-tier You may be thinking that your or at the beach this summer. And colleges.” child can simply study for the test that relaxation will feel so much Getting a high score on the test on their own, in their spare time, better after a hard day of working is the only way to gain possible en- and ace it nonetheless. This is not and learning, knowing that you are trance into a New York City special- a mistake you or your child can af- taking key steps towards a suc- ized high school and enrolling your ford to make. Even the most disci- cessful future for your child. Over child in a competitive test prep plined students need a structured indulging won’t make you happy course gives your child the stron- setting in order to properly prepare — but your child’s admission to gest advantage. for this challenging exam. Espe- Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, or the There are many local test prep cially during the summer, procrasti- college of his dreams most cer- companies that offer comprehen- nation is far too easy of a trap to fall tainly will. sive summer camp tutoring pro- into, and these classes are neces- Frances Kweller is an education and grams that have had tremendous sary to keep your child focused. In testing standards expert, and founder of success in helping students get into addition, top-notch tutors will help Kweller Prep.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 19 may appear to be attention-seek- effort, bravery, and practice. But ing, manipulative, limit-testing, and since this method eliminates any poorly motivated, but this may not power struggle, the outcome is Parenting a be the case! Children often har- win-win. To learn more about it, bor unsolved cognitive problems, visit www.livesinthebalance.org/ which they lack the skills to solve what-collaborative-problem-solv- on their own. ing-and-why-it-important. Experts who work extensively Harris also endorses a collab- with defiant children and families orative approach with kids who insist that challenging kids do not push your buttons, and her excel- enjoy tormenting or offending peo- lent tips for coping include: challenging ple. Harris states, “Children want s 7HEN EMOTIONS ARE HEATED to be successful. No child is happy stop dangerous actions only. Do BY MICHELE RANARD being manipulative or out of con- not react. Sanity-saving trol.” s .EVER TRY TO TEACH A LESSON OR f you are parenting a behavior- child These kids frequently have trou- solve a problem in the heat of the advice and ally challenged child — one who ble reading social cues and use moment. I is highly inflexible, defiant, and aggression and defiance for self- s 7A L K AWAY IF YOU THINK YOU WILL in trouble much of the time — then that go with the territory. for non-compliance at home, school, preservation. yell, blame, or shame. solutions for you may be all too familiar with the Challenging kids make life sig- or both. They have difficulty fol- s # O U N T TO confusion, anger, guilt, and shame nificantly more difficult for their lowing instructions, switching gears, The importance s )NHALE AND EXHALE DEEPLY AT concerned families, teachers, and others with getting along with others, and re- of empathy least three times. whom they interact. They are often sponding appropriately to a vari- Being responsive and showing s & I N D A WORD OR PHRASE TO REPEAT poor problem solvers with rigid in- ety of social situations. They have empathy is critical to managing to yourself that will hold you back parents terpersonal styles. They may have outbursts and may swear, hit, spit, challenging behavior. Dr. Greene from reacting even for a second. meltdowns and explosive episodes throw things, or assault others. asserts that when parents show s 2EMIND YOURSELF THAT YOUR a few times a week or dozens of Parents of challenging kids often empathy and teach skills for adap- child is having a problem not being times daily. feel stuck and desperate when the tive behavior, behavior improves. a problem. But there is help — and hope. use of rewards and punishment is in- On Greene’s Lives in the Balance s ) F YOUR EMOTIONS ARE HIGH AC- effective, especially given that such site, he teaches the definition of knowledge that you are having a Snapshot of the strategy is often prescribed and is at good treatment which is “being re- problem as well. Own it. challenging child times effective with less-challenging sponsive to the hand you’ve been s $ O N T MAKE YOUR CHILD RESPON- Because of the variety of children. Challenging kids may em- dealt” and is not “treating every sible for your feelings or reactions. symptoms and severity, chal- barrass their parents with noncom- kid exactly the same.” s $ O N T TAKE IT PERSONALLY $O BE lenging kids may receive a di- pliance so much that they become Philip and Nancy Hall, who a sounding board. agnosis of Oppositional Defi- convinced their child enjoys being wrote “Parenting a Defiant Child” s ! P P E A L TO YOUR CHILDS SENSE OF ance Disorder, Asperger’s Syn- hostile and mean! (AMACOM, 2007) believe parents fairness and logic. drome, Conduct Disorder, need to display empathy and “the s 2EMEMBER THIS TOO WILL PASS Obsessive-Compulsive Dis- What causes the know-how to help their children Because challenging and defiant order, or others. outbursts? develop and sustain meaningful children come in all shapes and Challenging kids Too often, parents mistakenly relationships.” sizes, there is not a one-size-fits- may get in trouble blame themselves for their child’s And in “Confident Parents, Re- all treatment or prescription. An misbehavior. Blame may also come markable Kids” (Adams Media, important first step, even if you are from well-meaning friends or school 2008), Harris explains that par- struggling to define the problem, personnel who believe their parent- ents’ expectations of their child is to seek help, stay positive, and ing is not strict or consistent enough. must be based on who he is, not cling to hope. But parenting techniques are only on who they wish he would be. She Michele Ranard has a husband, two one factor impacting children’s writes, “To affect their behavior, children, and a master’s in counseling. behavior. their internal state must first be Visit her at hellolovelychild.blogspot. Author of “Lost at School” understood, then accepted, then com. (Scribner, 2008) and “The addressed.” Explosive Child” (Harper, Resources: 2010), Harvard Medical School Help for families Greene, Russ W. “The Explosive Child: instructor and pediatric psycholo- Because of varying philosophies A New Approach for Understanding and gist Dr. Russ Greene writes, “Chal- Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically and approaches to helping challeng- Inflexible Children.” Harper, 2010. lenging behavior occurs when the ing kids, parents should educate Greene, Russ W. “Lost at School: Why Our demands of the environment ex- themselves to choose experts and Kids With Behavioral Challenges are Falling ceed a kid’s capacity to respond solutions which offer a good fit. Through the Cracks and How We Can Help adaptively. In other words, it takes A fairly new approach is Greene’s Them.” Scribner, 2008. two to tango.” Collaborative Problem Solving, Hall, Philip S., and Nancy J. Hall. “Parenting In “When Your Kids Push Your which involves three parts: learn- a Defiant Child: A Sanity-Saving Guide Buttons” (Grand Central Publishing, ing about your child’s perspective, to Finally Stopping the Bad Behavior.” AMACOM, 2007. 2004), parent educator Bonnie Har- clarifying your own concerns, and ris explains, “Children feel under brainstorming solutions. The role Harris, Bonnie. “Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids: 8 Principles for Raising attack from negative judgments and of parents is to figure out what is Kids You’ll Love to Live With.” Adams criticisms and are often left with no getting in their child’s way of not Media, 2008. choice but to engage in counterat- doing well. Harris, Bonnie. “When Your Kids Push Your tack.” Greene stresses that solutions Buttons: And What You Can Do About It.” On the surface, challenging kids to behavior problems take great Grand Central Publishing, 2004.
20 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 may appear to be attention-seek- effort, bravery, and practice. But ing, manipulative, limit-testing, and since this method eliminates any poorly motivated, but this may not power struggle, the outcome is Gan Summer Camp Parenting a be the case! Children often har- win-win. To learn more about it, bor unsolved cognitive problems, visit www.livesinthebalance.org/ 718-338-7575 which they lack the skills to solve what-collaborative-problem-solv- on their own. ing-and-why-it-important. Experts who work extensively Harris also endorses a collab- Ages 2- 6 with defiant children and families orative approach with kids who insist that challenging kids do not push your buttons, and her excel- s ,ICENSED 4EACHERSs ,ICENSED 4EACHERS enjoy tormenting or offending peo- lent tips for coping include: (EBREW %NGLISH (EBREW %NGLISH challenging ple. Harris states, “Children want s 7HEN EMOTIONS ARE HEATED s )NDIVIDUAL !TTENTIONs )NDIVIDUAL !TTENTION to be successful. No child is happy stop dangerous actions only. Do s +OSHER -EALSs +OSHER -EALS Sanity-saving BY MICHELE RANARD being manipulative or out of con- not react. s /VER 9EARS /F %XPERIENCEs /VER 9EARS /F %XPERIENCE trol.” s .EVER TRY TO TEACH A LESSON OR s 1UALITY 3AFETY %DUCATIONAL f you are parenting a behavior- These kids frequently have trou- solve a problem in the heat of the s 1UALITY 3AFETY %DUCATIONAL child s %XTENDED (OURS s %XTENDED (OURS advice and ally challenged child — one who ble reading social cues and use moment. I is highly inflexible, defiant, and aggression and defiance for self- s 7A L K AWAY IF YOU THINK YOU WILL 4RANSPORTATION !VAILABLE 4RANSPORTATION !VAILABLE in trouble much of the time — then that go with the territory. for non-compliance at home, school, preservation. yell, blame, or shame. s /UTDOOR 0LAYGROUND s /UTDOOR 0LAYGROUND solutions for you may be all too familiar with the Challenging kids make life sig- or both. They have difficulty fol- s # O U N T TO s )NDOOR 'YMNASIUMs )NDOOR 'YMNASIUM confusion, anger, guilt, and shame nificantly more difficult for their lowing instructions, switching gears, The importance s )NHALE AND EXHALE DEEPLY AT s 6OUCHERS !CCEPTEDs 6OUCHERS !CCEPTED concerned families, teachers, and others with getting along with others, and re- of empathy least three times. s &UN -USIC !RTS #RAFTs &UN -USIC !RTS #RAFT whom they interact. They are often sponding appropriately to a vari- Being responsive and showing s & I N D A WORD OR PHRASE TO REPEAT s 7ATER 0LAYs 7ATER 0LAY poor problem solvers with rigid in- ety of social situations. They have empathy is critical to managing to yourself that will hold you back parents terpersonal styles. They may have outbursts and may swear, hit, spit, challenging behavior. Dr. Greene from reacting even for a second. meltdowns and explosive episodes throw things, or assault others. asserts that when parents show s 2EMIND YOURSELF THAT YOUR Still a few places available for Summer Camp 2014 a few times a week or dozens of Parents of challenging kids often empathy and teach skills for adap- child is having a problem not being FREE UPK FOR CHILDREN BORN IN 2010 times daily. feel stuck and desperate when the tive behavior, behavior improves. a problem. FULL DAY REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SEPTEMBER But there is help — and hope. use of rewards and punishment is in- On Greene’s Lives in the Balance s ) F YOUR EMOTIONS ARE HIGH AC- effective, especially given that such site, he teaches the definition of knowledge that you are having a 2014 - 2015 Snapshot of the strategy is often prescribed and is at good treatment which is “being re- problem as well. Own it. At Hillel House Brooklyn College challenging child times effective with less-challenging sponsive to the hand you’ve been s $ O N T MAKE YOUR CHILD RESPON- 2901 Campus Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11210 Because of the variety of children. Challenging kids may em- dealt” and is not “treating every sible for your feelings or reactions. symptoms and severity, chal- barrass their parents with noncom- kid exactly the same.” s $ O N T TAKE IT PERSONALLY $O BE s WWWGANJEWISHCOM lenging kids may receive a di- pliance so much that they become Philip and Nancy Hall, who a sounding board. agnosis of Oppositional Defi- convinced their child enjoys being wrote “Parenting a Defiant Child” s ! P P E A L TO YOUR CHILDS SENSE OF ance Disorder, Asperger’s Syn- hostile and mean! (AMACOM, 2007) believe parents fairness and logic. drome, Conduct Disorder, need to display empathy and “the s 2EMEMBER THIS TOO WILL PASS Obsessive-Compulsive Dis- What causes the know-how to help their children Because challenging and defiant order, or others. outbursts? develop and sustain meaningful children come in all shapes and LittleSun Challenging kids Too often, parents mistakenly relationships.” sizes, there is not a one-size-fits- may get in trouble blame themselves for their child’s And in “Confident Parents, Re- all treatment or prescription. An misbehavior. Blame may also come markable Kids” (Adams Media, important first step, even if you are from well-meaning friends or school 2008), Harris explains that par- struggling to define the problem, PEOPLE personnel who believe their parent- ents’ expectations of their child is to seek help, stay positive, and ing is not strict or consistent enough. must be based on who he is, not cling to hope. Summer Camp But parenting techniques are only on who they wish he would be. She Michele Ranard has a husband, two Camp Dates and Hours: one factor impacting children’s writes, “To affect their behavior, children, and a master’s in counseling. June 30-Aug 15 | 8am-6:30pm behavior. their internal state must first be Visit her at hellolovelychild.blogspot. Author of “Lost at School” understood, then accepted, then com. (Scribner, 2008) and “The addressed.” Explosive Child” (Harper, Resources: 2010), Harvard Medical School Help for families Greene, Russ W. “The Explosive Child: Your Child Will Experience instructor and pediatric psycholo- Because of varying philosophies A New Approach for Understanding and gist Dr. Russ Greene writes, “Chal- Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Sprinkler Parks and approaches to helping challeng- Inflexible Children.” Harper, 2010. lenging behavior occurs when the ing kids, parents should educate * Greene, Russ W. “Lost at School: Why Our Cooking demands of the environment ex- themselves to choose experts and Kids With Behavioral Challenges are Falling * ceed a kid’s capacity to respond solutions which offer a good fit. Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Crafts & Art adaptively. In other words, it takes A fairly new approach is Greene’s Them.” Scribner, 2008. * Music & Movement two to tango.” Collaborative Problem Solving, Hall, Philip S., and Nancy J. Hall. “Parenting * Meet our Professional In “When Your Kids Push Your which involves three parts: learn- a Defiant Child: A Sanity-Saving Guide Camp Carnival Days Caring and Buttons” (Grand Central Publishing, ing about your child’s perspective, to Finally Stopping the Bad Behavior.” * AMACOM, 2007. 2004), parent educator Bonnie Har- clarifying your own concerns, and TRIPS,TRIPS,TRIPS to: For Camp Open House Dates Harris, Bonnie. “Confident Parents, Zoos, Playground, Bowling ris explains, “Children feel under brainstorming solutions. The role Please call: (718)789-7330 or Remarkable Kids: 8 Principles for Raising Parks, Puppet Shows, attack from negative judgments and of parents is to figure out what is Kids You’ll Love to Live With.” Adams Amusement Parks E-mail: [email protected] criticisms and are often left with no getting in their child’s way of not Media, 2008. Little Sun People Inc. choice but to engage in counterat- doing well. Harris, Bonnie. “When Your Kids Push Your 1360 Fulton St. tack.” Greene stresses that solutions Buttons: And What You Can Do About It.” (718)789-7330 On the surface, challenging kids to behavior problems take great Grand Central Publishing, 2004. www.littlesunpeople.com
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 21 Special Needs Directory
The Downtown Brooklyn Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Located at Long Island University, corner of Flatbush and DeKalb avenues, Metcalf Building, Second Floor 718-488-3480 or www.brooklyn.liu.edu Digital Provides state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment services seeing patients of all ages who present a wide range of communication disorders. Specifically, children are referred to the clinic who have problems such as delayed development of speech and language, stuttering problems and language-learning disabilities. Adult clients include individuals who suffer from communication problems related to stroke, head trauma and voice disorders as well as those that stutter. Audiological services include both hearing screenings in the community and complete hearing and auditory processing assessments in our audiological suite. EBS Therapy of New York 718-238-0377 or www.ebstherapy.com EBS is the global leader in birth to 21 year-old programs and the largest provider of CAMP services to the pediatric population. EBS has an unparalleled commitment to provid- ing the highest quality services, training, membership and support. Through our family of services we are positively impacting the lives of children. EBS therapy of New York is a multi-disciplinary team of highly-trained specialists with a passion for working to help children and adults move, communicate, and learn to their greatest potential. Our clinic is located in Brooklyn, New York, but our services reach far beyond – into schools, homes and the communities throughout the five boroughs. We work with families to determine the best and most effective places and times to meet the unique needs of each child. Our mission is to make a difference within the community by GUIDE helping our clients achieve success in communication, learning and movement. Hanson Place Orthodontics One Hanson Place Suite 707 718-622-2695 or www.hansonplaceortho.com Adults, children and adolescents welcome! Featuring SureSmile, which cuts orth- odontic treatment time by almost 40 percent versus traditional braces. This brand- new state-of-the-art treatment uses robotic technology, 3-D imaging, and custom- 2014 made archwires for each patient, for the most predictable results in record-breaking time, meaning less office visits, and enhanced patient comfort. Dr. Eisenberger is one of only four orthodontists in the entire New York metro area certified to provide SureSmile. We also have Invisalign and other treatment options, all at affordable prices. Most insurance accepted. Located next to LIRR, subways and buses. Rivendell School 277 3RD Avenue; Bet Carroll & President Street Park Slope – Brooklyn 718-499-5667, ext. 14 or www.rivendellnyc.org A Montessori pre-primary inclusion school was founded in 1977 as The Children’s House of Park Slope and incorporated into Rivendell School in 1998. Rivendell pro- vides a respectful, inclusive community that helps children feel powerful and confi- dent as learners and as social and emotional beings. Toddler, half day and extended day programs are available (two through six years). Rivendell School offers beautiful Montessori classrooms, an excellent student/teacher ratio, and a warm, cooperative atmosphere where children learn to work and play. Shelly Wolf Scott is the Admissions coordinator.
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22 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Special Advertising Section � DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND HEARING CLINIC Rivendell School provides a warm, creative environment where children Providing Professional develop independence, respect for each Evaluations and other, and a lifelong love of learning. Therapy Services to Children and Adults Highlights: � State-of-the-art facility offering a full-range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to monolingual and bilingual individuals with communication disorders. � Specialties include: delayed speech For more information or to and language development, schedule an appointment please call autistic spectrum disorders, Bridget Dwyer, MSCCC-SLP, language/learning disabilities, at 718-488-3480 auditory processing disorders and more. � Distinguished clinical faculty who are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the New York State Department of A Montessori inclusion school serving children Education, and are licensed by the two to six years old for more than thirty years. NY State Office of the Professions. Main Building - 2nd Floor � Free hearing screening for anyone Corner of DeKalb & Flatbush Aves 277 3rd Avenue over the age of 7. (bet. Carroll & President Streets) � All of our professional staff are University faculty who are licensed by the State of New York and hold ASHA certification. 718-499-5667 We offer the latest advances in orthodontics and we do it at reasonable prices. COMPLIMENTARY EXAM with mention of this ad
One Hanson Place, Suite 707 Brooklyn, NY 11243 718-622-2695 HansonPlaceOrtho.com
Q N R B D C 2 3 4 5 Around The Block, In The Clocktower Building. Easily Accessible From Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens And Long Island.
Special Advertising Section June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 23 New dad nerves Helping first-time fathers adjust to their postpartum life
BY DENISE YEARIAN “There are a myriad of emotions Wuttke found. that come with being a new father,” “When my son David Jr. was hen a child is born, much says Armin Brott, author of mul- born, I had overwhelming feelings emphasis is placed on tiple books and a DVD on father- of anxiety and excitement all at W helping the new mother hood. “Most often it’s a feeling of once,” he says. “I had been babysit- and baby adjust. But they aren’t the pride and excitement, at the same ting since I was 16, so my anxiety only ones undergoing change. time there can be apprehensions wasn’t about child care, it was the Most first-time fathers experi- — ‘Will I be a good father?’ ‘Can we reality of the responsibility that this ence stress due to sleep deprivation, afford this?’ ‘How is this going to was my son — and that sent a shock change in routines, and their own ap- change our lives?’ ” to my system.” prehensions about parenting. This was what dad David Just knowing there’s another per-
24 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 son to care for can be a big stressor for first-time fathers. Couple that before-baby lifestyle, but deter- with the fact that many men don’t Resources for new dads mine what is most critical for each initially know how to bond with Dads have an important role with the couple can take a walk. parent to relieve stress — sleep, their newborns. babies, too. And being a new father s % X TE N D E D FAMILY CAN BE A HUGE exercise, time out of the house — “If a mother is nursing, it natu- can be tough. Here are some tips: help or significant stressor. En- and schedule that into the week. rally brings her in contact with the s 2EALIZE THE FATHERS ROLE IS AS courage well-meaning but intrud- s . E W FATHERS SHOULD BE AWARE baby,” says Brott. “Dads don’t have important to the baby as the moth- ing relatives to refrain from giving of their emotions. If they feel anx- that same natural bonding method, er’s. unwanted input with regard to ious or depressed for an ex- so they often get stuck doing the s 2EMEMBER EXPERIENCE IS THE child care. tended period of time, dirty work, but it shouldn’t be that best teacher. If the new dad came s / N E OF THE FATHERS they should talk with way.” from a home where there were biggest roles is to sup- their physician. Susan Maroto, a licensed social younger siblings or he has friends port the mother. This s 2EALIZE IT GETS worker and parent educator in pre- with babies, he may fall into the includes keeping an Top better. The more time natal care and postpartum adjust- parenting role quicker. eye out for postpartum fathers spend with ment, agrees. s %NCOURAGE THE NEW FATHER TO depression, which may Tips their baby, the easier “There are things moms can do get involved in all aspects of child have a delayed onset. IT WILL GET 2IGHT NOW to help dads feel competent in that care — bathing, feeding, reading, s #OUPLES SHOULD KEEP things aren’t normal, role,” she says. “Encourage them and putting the baby to sleep. If he a constant line of commu- but life will take on a new to take part in all areas of child needs a little coaching, give him nication open with one another normalcy in time. care — feeding, bathing, reading, the basics then let him develop his and discuss how the adjustment and putting the baby down. Just be own style. is going. Talk about things that are Looking for more? careful you aren’t overly critical. s 4 H E WIFE SHOULD BE CAREFUL NOT and are not working, and make Here are some resources for Standing behind your husband and to criticize her husband’s efforts, suggestions for change. new fathers. correcting his every move will only as this will only frustrate him. s - A KE SURE THE NEW FATHER HAS Books and DVDs: frustrate him. Show him what needs Encourage him and make him feel an outlet where he can share his s h " E 0REPARED ! 0RACTICAL to be done then let him develop his competent in his new role. stress. Look for a father support Handbook for New Dads” by Gary own style.” s 2EALIZE THAT SOME BABIES SUCH group or friend who is or has gone Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden Fortunately for Wuttke, basic as those with colic, are more of a through this stage in life. If he s h 4 H E %XPECTANT &ATHER &ACTS training occurred as a teen sitter challenge to soothe. If the baby doesn’t share his concerns, that Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be” by and paid big dividends when his is crying, look for obvious signs stress may build. Armin Brott son was born. Soon after his wife of discomfort — diaper change, s #OUPLES SHOULD WORK AT NUR- s h 4 H E &ATHERS !LMANAC &ROM Christine delivered, she enrolled in hunger, fatigue, gas. Try to spend turing the marriage relationship, 0REGNANCY TO 0RE SCHOOL "ABY college and David was thrust into 10 minutes at any one strategy. If as this will benefit the parents and Care to Behavior, the Complete solo evening child care. it doesn’t work, try another one. child. If extended family is local, AND )NDISPENSABLE "OOK OF 0RACTI- “I never had to think about how 2EMEMBER NEWBORNS CAN ALSO SUF- schedule occasional date nights. cal Advice and Ideas for Every to take care David. I just fell back on fer from over stimulation due to If this isn’t an option, look for cre- Man Discovering the Fun and Chal- my babysitting days,” says Wuttke. lights, motion, sounds and people ative ways to give the marriage lenge of Fatherhood” by S. Adams “If he was crying, I would say, ‘Okay, — things that may seem normal attention — back or foot rubs, a Sullivan let’s guess what he needs?’ Then I’d are a drastic change from a quiet note in the spouse’s lunch box, or s h . E W &ATHER "OOK 7HAT %VERY check his diaper. If that was okay, womb. a quick e-mail sent to the office. New Father Needs to Know to be a I’d try to feed him. If he wasn’t hun- s 4 H E NEW FATHER SHOULD TAKE Couples’ communication should 'OOD $ADv BY 7ADE & (ORN 0H$ gry, I thought maybe he had gas or on the role of communicator include more than just baby talk. AND *EFFREY 2OSENBERG -37 needed to sleep. One of those usu- with outside family and friends, s - A KE TIME FOR INTIMACY #OU- s h 4O O LB OX FOR .EW $ADS "E- ally did the trick.” and set limits and boundaries, ples should be sensitive to each cause Babies Don’t Come with In- For Anthony Franco, the adjust- if needed. Encourage others to others needs and work together to structions” by Armin Brott (DVD) ment wasn’t that easy. When his help in practical ways, such as find a compromise. Websites: wife Lisa gave birth to the twins, dropping off meals, running er- s 4R Y TO FIND TIME FOR ONES SELF )T s WWWNEWDADSCOM Franco seemed to be fine. But four rands or watching the baby so may be impossible to maintain the s WWWMRDADCOM months into it, things changed. “I started experiencing panic at- tacks and didn’t know why,” he re- men to have someone with whom after a while and we just fit sleep in needed, limit visitors,” says Maroto. members. “I would be in the su- they can share their stress. whenever we could.” “Encourage others to help in practi- New dad nerves permarket when all of the sudden I “Some men have close friends The Wuttkes solved this problem cal ways such as dropping off meals, would get this overwhelming sense they can confide in. But a lot don’t, by enlisting the help of relatives. running errands, or watching the of dread and lightheadedness.” so they keep all those concerns in “There were times Chris and I baby for 20 minutes so the couple Helping first-time fathers adjust to their postpartum life This went on for several months and the stress level builds,” he says. said, ‘We need a break,’ and my mom can take a quick walk.” until Franco finally went to the doc- “They shouldn’t be afraid to talk would take David so we could rest. What’s most important is to real- BY DENISE YEARIAN “There are a myriad of emotions Wuttke found. tor. with other men and find out what We even called my grandparents so ize this is a period of adjustment and that come with being a new father,” “When my son David Jr. was “He asked me where it was hap- they have gone through. Chances we could have an occasional night life does get easier. hen a child is born, much says Armin Brott, author of mul- born, I had overwhelming feelings pening, and I told him it was when are they’ll find others felt the same out.” “It’s like anything new, it takes emphasis is placed on tiple books and a DVD on father- of anxiety and excitement all at I was buying diapers, formula, and way too.” Extended family and friends can a little time,” says Franco. “It took W helping the new mother hood. “Most often it’s a feeling of once,” he says. “I had been babysit- other things for the twins,” he con- One concern most new fathers be a huge help or add significant about 18 months before I became and baby adjust. But they aren’t the pride and excitement, at the same ting since I was 16, so my anxiety tinues. “That’s when he pinpointed share is fatigue. Franco and Wuttke stress, depending upon the dynamic completely comfortable with the only ones undergoing change. time there can be apprehensions wasn’t about child care, it was the the problem. He said this happens both had a hard time with this. of the relationship, say experts. This twins. Now we’re pretty much in- Most first-time fathers experi- — ‘Will I be a good father?’ ‘Can we reality of the responsibility that this to a lot of new fathers. He pre- “The one thing I really didn’t ex- is where husbands can help their separable.” ence stress due to sleep deprivation, afford this?’ ‘How is this going to was my son — and that sent a shock scribed a little anti-anxiety medica- pect was that time on a 24-hour wives by setting boundaries. Denise Yearian is the former editor change in routines, and their own ap- change our lives?’ ” to my system.” tion and then I was fine.” clock had no meaning anymore,” “Dad should take the role of com- of two parenting magazines and the prehensions about parenting. This was what dad David Just knowing there’s another per- Brott believes it’s important for says Franco. “It became irrelevant municator outside the family and, if mother of three children.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 25 Allergy busters! llergy season is back, and SINKS AND BATH DRAINS /THER LIKELY your child’s bedroom and definitely Helpful tips another miserable year for places in the home to find mold don’t ever let them on the bed. Pets A the “wheezes and sneezes” is in dishwashers and refrigerator should be bathed often to reduce is being predicted. Kids of all ages pans. dander. for making — from babies to teens — are vul- s 5 S E SLIP COVERS ON SOFAS AND s - A KE SURE YOUR CHILDREN TAKE nerable to things like dust, hay chairs that can be washed regu- their shoes off before coming in- your home fever, pollen, and mold. You may larly to eliminate dirt and dust. side. This prevents the outside not be able to control the outdoors, This is especially important if world from coming in. but you can control your indoor your children spend a lot of time Please consider these simple allergen-free living spaces, turning them into READING OR WATCHING 46 IN THE LIV- ways to make your home cleaner allergy-free zones. ing room. and safer, which will help re- Robin Wilson is a healthy space s + E E P PETS OUT OF duce children’s allergies. designer and head of Robin Wilson Home. She is an ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and has a hypoallergenic bedding line at Bed Bath and Be- yond. She says most parents don’t re- alize that their home is probably making their kids sick, but there are simple solutions to help. Her tips: s - A KE SURE YOUR CHILDREN USE synthetic pillows instead of feath- ered ones, and anti-allergen or hy- poallergenic pillow cases and cov- ers. Wash the pillow case once a week, the pillow protector at least once a month, and wash the pil- low at least twice a year. Replace your children’s pillows every three years. s $ O N T USE A VINYL SHOWER CUR- tain in your child’s bathroom, be- cause it holds mold more easily, which could lead to off-gassing (the release of a chemical, es- pecially a harmful one, in the form of a gas). Instead, choose a nylon curtain. s 5 S E NON 6/# VOLATILE OR- ganic compounds) paints in your child’s bedroom, which won’t off-gas, leave an ob- noxious paint odor, or stir up asthma or allergies. It looks just as good on the wall as regular paint. s !V O I D WALL TO WALL carpeting in your child’s bedroom. Tile and hard- wood floors are a much better choice, but must be cleaned on a regular basis to eliminate dirt and dust. Shake out and vacuum area rugs on A REGULAR BASIS AS WELL 5SE A vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. s 7A TC H FOR MOLD IN YOUR CHILDS
26 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Allergy busters! We’re learning step-by-step at…….. llergy season is back, and SINKS AND BATH DRAINS /THER LIKELY your child’s bedroom and definitely Helpful tips another miserable year for places in the home to find mold don’t ever let them on the bed. Pets School Programs A the “wheezes and sneezes” is in dishwashers and refrigerator should be bathed often to reduce where children and grown-ups learn and play together for making is being predicted. Kids of all ages pans. dander. r 2-Year Old Toddler Tykes Class — from babies to teens — are vul- s 5 S E SLIP COVERS ON SOFAS AND s - A KE SURE YOUR CHILDREN TAKE For 8 months - 3 1/2 years nerable to things like dust, hay chairs that can be washed regu- their shoes off before coming in- r 3-Year Old Little Learners Class fever, pollen, and mold. You may larly to eliminate dirt and dust. side. This prevents the outside your home 4-Year Old Preschool Pals Class not be able to control the outdoors, This is especially important if world from coming in. REGISTER FOR SUMMER AND FALL! r but you can control your indoor your children spend a lot of time Please consider these simple Park Slope Location Brooklyn Heights Location allergen-free living spaces, turning them into READING OR WATCHING 46 IN THE LIV- ways to make your home cleaner allergy-free zones. ing room. and safer, which will help re- 8th Ave. & 14th St. 250 Cadman Plaza West After School Robin Wilson is a healthy space s + E E P PETS OUT OF duce children’s allergies. Programs Please call or email designer and head of Robin Wilson Join Us For Fun Kindergarten through 5th grade for more Home. She is an ambassador for the s !RTS #RAFTS “Just For Me” s -USIC s 3TORIES information at: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of s #REATIVE -OVEMENT 2½ - 3½ America and has a hypoallergenic s 0LAYTIME 718-630-1000 s .ARROW !GE 3PANS Separation Program Full And Half Day bedding line at Bed Bath and Be- s -AXIMUM #HILDREN [email protected] yond. 0ER #LASS Partial Separation Classes Programs Available s (OUR #LASSES She says most parents don’t re- s 0ROFESSIONAL 3TAFF Also Available School Session: September – June alize that their home is probably making their kids sick, but there are Infant Classes (Parent & Child) and ABC Enrichment simple solutions to help. Classes Also Available 245 86th Street Brooklyn, NY | 718-630-1000 | steppingstones86.com Her tips: For Information Call 1-800-404-2204 or 516-433-0003 [email protected] s - A KE SURE YOUR CHILDREN USE Or Log Onto Our Website: www.justweetwo.com credit cards not accepted synthetic pillows instead of feath- Other Locations: Bayside, Plainview, Manhasset, Greenwich, & North Stamford, CT ered ones, and anti-allergen or hy- poallergenic pillow cases and cov- ers. Wash the pillow case once a week, the pillow protector at least once a month, and wash the pil- low at least twice a year. Replace your children’s pillows every three years. Where s $ O N T USE A VINYL SHOWER CUR- tain in your child’s bathroom, be- cause it holds mold more easily, Happy, Healthy which could lead to off-gassing (the release of a chemical, es- pecially a harmful one, in the Smiles Are form of a gas). Instead, choose a nylon curtain. s 5 S E NON 6/# VOLATILE OR- ganic compounds) paints in Second Nature your child’s bedroom, which won’t off-gas, leave an ob- 7E OFFER SEDATION AND LAUGHING GAS noxious paint odor, or stir up asthma or allergies. It looks just as good on the wall as regular paint. s !V O I D WALL TO WALL A Brand New, State-of-the-Art Pediatric Dental Office carpeting in your child’s bedroom. Tile and hard- Participating With Most Insurances wood floors are a much better choice, but must be Latex-free office cleaned on a regular basis to eliminate dirt and dust. Shake We understand the importance of creating a strong foundation for oral out and vacuum area rugs on health early on, which is why we focus on making dental care fun for kids! A REGULAR BASIS AS WELL 5SE A When children enjoy their time here, they’re that much more likely to vacuum with a high-efficiency enjoy beautiful, healthy smiles for life!! By appointment only!!!! Call Today! particulate air filter. s 7A TC H FOR MOLD IN YOUR CHILDS s TH !VENUE s WWWPARKSLOPEKIDSDENTALCOM718-488-0200 PkSlpKidsDental
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 27 Sweet nothing New book explores how a sugar-loving family shunned all fructose for a year
BY ALLISON PLITT s ! M E R I C A N S ARE CURRENTLY CON- suming 63 pounds of high-fructose riter, cook, and mother Eve corn syrup per year.” Schaub managed to get her Another person Schaub refers to W family to agree to eat no in her book is David Gillespie, who sugar for an entire year. More spe- didn’t eat sugar for a year and lost 90 cifically, during all of 2011, she, her pounds. He chronicles his year with- husband, and her 6- and 11-year-old out sugar in a book called “Sweet Poi- daughters attempted to avoid eating son: Why Sugar is Making Us Fat.” sugar. She wrote about her experi- In the beginning of her own book, ences in a blog which she then de- Schaub creates a list of facts in which veloped into her first book, “Year of she presents evidence that fructose No Sugar,” published by Sourcebooks should be treated as a health haz- last month. There were a few excep- ard just like cigarettes. Besides citing tions to the rule — the family could Lustig and Gillespie as her sources, eat one sugary dessert together every she uses statistics from the Centers in five Americans suf- month, and her daughters could eat for Disease Control and Journal of fers from it today. whatever was given to them at their the American Medical Association to 8. Additionally, circulating school, as long as they told their make the following statements: fatty acids have been proven to mother about it. 1. “All sugar (i.e. table sugar, fruit speed the growth of cancer cells.” When Schaub says no sugar, she juice, maple syrup) contains fruc- From what I could infer from doesn’t just mean the usual list of cul- tose. Schaub’s book, no one in her fam- prits — cake, candy, and ice cream. 2. Fructose does not satisfy hunger, ily has a weight problem, but she She means anything containing so you eat more food than your body was so concerned about the food her fructose. Schaub says she was first needs. family was eating, and she was so warned about the dangers of fructose 3. Fructose may not be used by inspired by Gillespie’s book, that she from watching a YouTube video by Dr. any of the cells in our body, except convinced her family to not eat sugar Robert Lustig, professor of Pediatric the liver. for 12 months starting on Jan. 1, 2011. Endocrinology at University of Cali- 4. In processing fructose, the liver Underestimating the amount of fornia-San Francisco, called, “Sugar: produces bad things: uric acid and sugar in processed foods, Schaub ini- The Bitter Truth.” In his video, Lustig fatty acids. tially spends a lot of her time in su- says, “fructose is a poison … and fruc- 4O O MUCH URIC ACID CAUSES GOUT permarkets reading the ingredients tose is in sugar — all kinds of sugar.” and hypertension. on product boxes. She is in shock According to Schaub, “Lustig 6. Too many fatty acids cause non- when she finds fructose in products calmly drops facts like precision alcoholic fatty liver disease (cirrho- she never imagined would contain it bombs” such as, sis), cardiovascular disease, insulin — bread, salad dressing, mayonnaise, s h! S A SOCIETY WE ALL WEIGH resistance and type II diabetes, and soup, even chicken broth. When she pounds more than our counterparts obesity. goes to sub shops to get sandwiches, DID YEARS AGO 7. The clustering of two or more of Schaub finds there are glazes and ad- s %V E N AS OUR TOTAL FAT CONSUMPTION the four conditions above is called ditives (i.e. sugar) on the meats. has gone down, our obesity has con- Metabolic Syndrome. Virtually un- Restaurants are just as hard for her tinued to accelerate. heard of only a few decades ago, one family. On one of the first excursions
28 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 When Eve Schaub looks over the breakfast menu at her daughters’ school, she realizes that 97 percent of the items that the school cafeteria serves the children for breakfast have fructose in them.
Sweet cooking for her family. I finally got my wish at the end of the book when Schaub describes how she makes spaghetti and meat- balls, which involve her baking bread to use in the meatballs. She also makes her own sauce by adding cans of diced and crushed nothing tomatoes together with a whole bunch of other fresh New book explores how a sugar-loving ingredients. Nevertheless, I still hold Schaub in high regard. She family shunned all fructose for a year sews her girls’ Halloween cos- tumes, grows a garden in her BY ALLISON PLITT s ! M E R I C A N S ARE CURRENTLY CON- backyard (so she can use the suming 63 pounds of high-fructose plants in her recipes), cooks ev- riter, cook, and mother Eve corn syrup per year.” erything from scratch, cans her Schaub managed to get her Another person Schaub refers to own jams, and then eloquently W family to agree to eat no in her book is David Gillespie, who writes about it all. sugar for an entire year. More spe- didn’t eat sugar for a year and lost 90 So what does 12 months cifically, during all of 2011, she, her pounds. He chronicles his year with- of eating no sugar lead to? In husband, and her 6- and 11-year-old out sugar in a book called “Sweet Poi- sum, Schaub becomes a better daughters attempted to avoid eating son: Why Sugar is Making Us Fat.” cook, the family feels health- sugar. She wrote about her experi- In the beginning of her own book, ier, and her children are less ences in a blog which she then de- Schaub creates a list of facts in which com and starts adding it to all sorts sick and less absent from school. veloped into her first book, “Year of she presents evidence that fructose of foods to make them taste sweet. Even Gillespie remarks in his book, No Sugar,” published by Sourcebooks should be treated as a health haz- However, by July, the entire family “Sweet Poison,” how sick American last month. There were a few excep- ard just like cigarettes. Besides citing finds they can no longer finish eating kids get right after Halloween. On a tions to the rule — the family could Lustig and Gillespie as her sources, their monthly sugar-laden dessert personal note, Schaub notices she eat one sugary dessert together every she uses statistics from the Centers in five Americans suf- choices because of their excessive can go to the bathroom regularly month, and her daughters could eat for Disease Control and Journal of fers from it today. Photo by Stephen Schaub sweetness. at least once a day. Forget the fiber whatever was given to them at their the American Medical Association to 8. Additionally, circulating When Schaub and her family travel bars — just eliminate fructose from school, as long as they told their make the following statements: fatty acids have been proven to out during the year of no sugar, the This inevitably leads to Schaub to Italy for two weeks in August, they your diet. mother about it. 1. “All sugar (i.e. table sugar, fruit speed the growth of cancer cells.” family had to leave several restau- cooking every meal from scratch. realize the fructose dilemma is really After their year of deprivation, the When Schaub says no sugar, she juice, maple syrup) contains fruc- From what I could infer from rants because of the lack of available She tries to find sweeteners without an American epidemic. For example Schaub family settles back into a rou- doesn’t just mean the usual list of cul- tose. Schaub’s book, no one in her fam- food not containing sugar. Frustrat- fructose to cook with to sweeten the family doesn’t have to ask the tine of moderation in 2012. Schaub prits — cake, candy, and ice cream. 2. Fructose does not satisfy hunger, ily has a weight problem, but she ing the staffs at these restaurants some of her meals and is surpris- waitstaff in the restaurants if sugar is finds she doesn’t need to eat foods She means anything containing so you eat more food than your body was so concerned about the food her with their no-sugar requests, the ingly discouraged by the lack of op- in any of the foods, because they can coated in sugar anymore. fructose. Schaub says she was first needs. family was eating, and she was so Schaubs were finally able to eat in a tions. She researches coconut water, taste the authentic freshness of the “Sodas, ice cream sundaes, carni- warned about the dangers of fructose 3. Fructose may not be used by inspired by Gillespie’s book, that she local German restaurant, which can carob chips, and agave as possibili- ingredients. When the family eats val cotton candy all now strike me as from watching a YouTube video by Dr. any of the cells in our body, except convinced her family to not eat sugar accommodate their no-sugar policy ties, but she later learns they all con- their August dessert in Italy, they slightly gross,” Schaub writes. “How- Robert Lustig, professor of Pediatric the liver. for 12 months starting on Jan. 1, 2011. with a plate of wiener schnitzel and tain fructose. can actually taste the ingredients as ever, I can order the mango sticky Endocrinology at University of Cali- 4. In processing fructose, the liver Underestimating the amount of noodles. Finally, Schaub comes home Schaub recounts, “The apple stru- rice at the Thai place and simply fornia-San Francisco, called, “Sugar: produces bad things: uric acid and sugar in processed foods, Schaub ini- It seems that no matter where exhausted one evening without a del tastes likes apples; the birthday enjoy it.” The Bitter Truth.” In his video, Lustig fatty acids. tially spends a lot of her time in su- Schaub and her family go, fructose planned meal and serves her family chocolate pie tastes of pastry and Schaub also admits that she used says, “fructose is a poison … and fruc- 4O O MUCH URIC ACID CAUSES GOUT permarkets reading the ingredients is pervasively present. For exam- a bag of frozen Bertolli chicken with cream. No explosion of sweet; no to bake desserts for people to show tose is in sugar — all kinds of sugar.” and hypertension. on product boxes. She is in shock ple, when Schaub looks over the cream sauce and bow-tie-shaped King Kong-sized portions.” her affection for them, “a concrete According to Schaub, “Lustig 6. Too many fatty acids cause non- when she finds fructose in products breakfast menu at her daughters’ pasta. After the meal, she reads Honestly, I was disappointed by manifestation of love.” Now she calmly drops facts like precision alcoholic fatty liver disease (cirrho- she never imagined would contain it school, she realizes that 97 percent the ingredient label and discovers the number of pages Schaub devoted knows she has other options. bombs” such as, sis), cardiovascular disease, insulin — bread, salad dressing, mayonnaise, of the items that the school cafete- a word she didn’t know: dextrose. to describing how she could make For more information about Eve s h! S A SOCIETY WE ALL WEIGH resistance and type II diabetes, and soup, even chicken broth. When she ria serves the children for breakfast After consulting with Dr. Lustig, she desserts with dextrose, the reasons Schaub and her new book, visit her web- pounds more than our counterparts obesity. goes to sub shops to get sandwiches, have fructose in them. Let’s not for- finds that dextrose is the Holy Grail behind why her family chose their site http://eveschaub.com/. DID YEARS AGO 7. The clustering of two or more of Schaub finds there are glazes and ad- get about the drug industry. How she had been searching for — a non- monthly desserts, and how much she Allison Plitt is a freelance writer who s %V E N AS OUR TOTAL FAT CONSUMPTION the four conditions above is called ditives (i.e. sugar) on the meats. many kids do you know who take fructose sweetener. craved foods with sugar in them. lives in Queens with her husband and has gone down, our obesity has con- Metabolic Syndrome. Virtually un- Restaurants are just as hard for her gummy vitamins daily? Another shot Before you know it, she buys a I was hoping to read more about young daughter. She is a frequent con- tinued to accelerate. heard of only a few decades ago, one family. On one of the first excursions of pure fructose. huge jar of dextrose from Amazon. the unsweetened foods she was tributor to New York Parenting.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 29 No more tug of war!
BY GAYLA GRACE high schools, you’ll notice the pres- the well-being of your children and After divorce, sure and demands they face. Mine- stepchildren to maintain an amica- he back-and-forth routine fields at home only create more ble relationship. That doesn’t mean how to work that accompanies many chil- stress. you have to be best friends with T dren who have a mom and As parents and stepparents, your ex-husband, or your stepson’s dad living in different homes often what can we do to enable healthy mom, but you do have to commit to together brings exhaustion. For kids, it can interactions and positive self-es- being cordial with them. create confusion, anxiety, and tur- teem? One of the best ways to pro- I will be the first to admit this although you moil. mote success is to commit to do hasn’t come naturally. I maintained Our children need a stable home your part in maintaining a friendly a contentious relationship with my environment, free of tension and relationship with your ex. ex-husband for too long after our live apart chaos, to develop a healthy self- I know — you’d rather eat a divorce. Although I tried hard not image and succeed in school. If cockroach than talk about how to to speak badly of him to our girls, you spend any time at your child’s live in harmony with your ex or I’m sure they could sense my disap- school, particularly middle and your spouse’s ex — but it’s vital to proval of his lifestyle and critical
30 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Happy home(s) Dentistry for Adults Here are seven tips to help spouse away from the ears of and Children enable healthy interactions and your children. positive self-esteem in s %NCOURAGE YOUR CHIL- Tracey H. Joseph, D.D.S., PLLC your own kids and your dren to be responsible stepkids: with their belongings. 'ENTLE &RIENDLY AND .UTURING #ARE FOR 9OUR &AMILY s $ O N T MEDDLE s ! S A STEPPARENT in the affairs of the Top offer grace and un- other home. derstanding to your s 3CHOOL &ORMS s 7HITE &ILLINGS s -AINTAIN A COOP- Tips stepchildren. s %XTRACTIONS s 3EALANTS erative and flexible at- s #ONSIDER THE NEEDS titude with your ex when of your children and step- s &LEXIBLE 0ARTIALS s .IGHTGUARDS discussing the kids’ sched- children as they transition. s $ENTURES s )MPLANTS ules. s # O M M I T TO A NEW TOMORROW s + E E P CONFLICT WITH YOUR EX when you fail. s 4EETH 7HITENING :OOM
spirit toward him when we ne- biological parents take the lead. s 3PECIAL !TTENTION 4O .ERVOUS !ND !PPREHENSIVE 0EOPLE gotiated visitation. It’s important As a mom and stepmom to s (OUR 2OOT #ANAL 4REATMENT to remember that our children five children, I understand the are half of their other parent and challenges that accompany kids New Ultramodern Facility Conveniently Located At when we speak badly of that par- moving between homes. My hus- &LATBUSH !VENUE s 3UITE ! ent, they turn the negative re- band and I spent years negotiat- marks inward, leading to a nega- ing schedules and seeking to pro- Flat (Philip Howard Apartments) Digital tive self-image. vide a safe environment in which Screen TV Xrays & As your children move be- our kids could thrive. 718-377-1319 Intraoral & Patient Camera tween homes, help them learn My stepchildren and two of Headset WWWBROOKLYNFAMILYDDSCOM W responsibility by reminding them my biological children have now to stop and think about what they completed school and exited the WE SPEAK SPANISH need to pack when they leave one nest, leaving my husband and I -OST -AJOR )NSURANCES !CCEPTED home and move to the other. As with only an “ours” child left at a stepfamily coach, I often hear home. Some days I consider what stepparents complain about their I would do differently if all our stepkids making multiple trips to kids were at home again. their house on the off week be- I think I would offer a softer cause they left supplies, a proj- side toward my stepchildren Don’t miss these events ect, a uniform, etc. Don’t enable when they’ve had a bad day at irresponsibility by allowing them school. I’d be more understanding to return multiple times for items on transition days when they’ve at Union Temple they forgot. just come back from their mom’s As a stepparent, recognize the house and need time alone. I’d ex- For the kids... June 6, 13, and 20 adjustment your stepchildren tend grace more freely when my 4:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. 5*4"2*34"/%3*/(&2!03)*&25$)4&27*-- go through when they travel be- own kids didn’t do their chores No more )"6&905212&3$)00-&23*/(*/("/%%"/$ Fridays at tween homes. Allow extra time on to my satisfaction. And I would */('$0523&7&--7&-$0.& )"##"47*4) transition days for kids to settle insist on fewer extracurricular $)"--")"/%(2"1&+5*$&400 in, focus, and adjust to the routine activities to allow more time at 4:00 of your home. Give them space if home for relationships to grow For the adults... June 18 you sense they’re struggling emo- and bond. 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tionally. Our child-rearing season passes Movie Night Aimee & Jaguar: )&"7"2%7*//*/(-. Don’t maintain an overly am- quickly, and we’re left with fond #"3&%0/4)&&842"02%*/"29425&340290' tug of war! In honor of LGBT Pride NYC 47070."/7)0'"--*/-06&%52*/( 02-% bitious schedule on weeks your memories. Seek to enjoy the has- "2:0/&"/&8&.1-"29&2."/7*'& stepchildren are in your home. sles! Step back, take a deep breath, BY GAYLA GRACE high schools, you’ll notice the pres- the well-being of your children and "/%.04)&24)&04)&2"&7*3).&.#&20' Allow time to help with home- and snap a few pictures of your 4)&5/%&2(205/% After divorce, sure and demands they face. Mine- stepchildren to maintain an amica- work, run kids to ball practice, growing child. Then consider what he back-and-forth routine fields at home only create more ble relationship. That doesn’t mean or sit down for a home-cooked you can do to sow peace with those how to work that accompanies many chil- stress. you have to be best friends with meal. Stepfamily relationships are around you. Will you commit to Join our e-mail list and learn about all our programs: T dren who have a mom and As parents and stepparents, your ex-husband, or your stepson’s strengthened as family members take the high road as often as pos- together dad living in different homes often what can we do to enable healthy mom, but you do have to commit to spend time together in a relaxed sible? Will you do your part to co- "-- brings exhaustion. For kids, it can interactions and positive self-es- being cordial with them. environment. parent in harmony? ."*-5/*0/4&.1-&5/*0/4&.1-&02( create confusion, anxiety, and tur- teem? One of the best ways to pro- I will be the first to admit this Also, consider what it feels like Yes, it’s harder when kids move although you moil. mote success is to commit to do hasn’t come naturally. I maintained to a biological parent to have between homes, but it’s not im- Our children need a stable home your part in maintaining a friendly a contentious relationship with my someone else take part in rais- possible to find peace. UNION TEMPLE environment, free of tension and relationship with your ex. ex-husband for too long after our ing their child. And be sensitive Gayla Grace is an author and step- live apart &'02.&7*3)0/(2&("4*0/ chaos, to develop a healthy self- I know — you’d rather eat a divorce. Although I tried hard not to how your stepchildren feel to- family coach with a his, hers, and ours image and succeed in school. If cockroach than talk about how to to speak badly of him to our girls, "34&2/ "2,7"9 ward you and whether they want family. She loves helping non-tradi- 200,-9/! you spend any time at your child’s live in harmony with your ex or I’m sure they could sense my disap- you at every function, or whether tional families learn to thrive in their 7775/*0/4&.1-&02( school, particularly middle and your spouse’s ex — but it’s vital to proval of his lifestyle and critical you should bow out and let the relationships.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 31 Know the score Uncloaking BY FRANCES KWELLER or many New York City par- specialized ents, finding the right high F school for your child to at- tend can be a daunting and exhaust- high-school ing process. There are several spe- cialized high schools in New York laureate scheduled its entrance exam s !NDERSON -ANHATTAN 4HIS IS City — Stuyvesant, Bronx High for Jan. 27. On Jan. 2 — less than four a new testing opportunity given in testing School of Science, Brooklyn Techni- weeks earlier — the school posted the spring. The school sends an e- cal School, Queens High School for the time and location of the exam on mail invitation to parents of fifth- secrecy the Sciences at York College, Brook- its website (surprise!). Sticking fliers grade students who score in the lyn Latin School, LaGuardia High on the windows of parked cars would sixth percentile on the English and School of Music & Art and Perform- have been more effective in spread- math exams. ing Arts, Baccalaureate School for ing the word. Global Education, and High School All of the specialized high schools Grade 7 for Math, Science and Engineering are free, all are excellent, but even s )NDEPENDENT 3CHOOL %NTRANCE at City College — whose success can parents of current and former stu- Examination and Scholastic Achieve- be measured by where its students dents say that gaining admission is ment Test for private schools and go to college: Yale, Columbia, Brown, like joining a secret society. Unfortu- scholarships. This test is in Decem- Michigan, Barnard, and Sarah Law- nately, several of these elite schools ber. rence, to name just a few. do a poor job advertising to their Not surprisingly, gaining admis- target clientele: families who can’t af- Grade 8 sion to Baccalaureate School for ford a private education. The younger s 3PECIALIZED (IGH 3CHOOL !DMIS- Global Education and several other siblings of current students, or the sion Test. Test is in late October for specialized high schools is serious children of former students, have no all seven city specialized math and competition. For Baccalaureate, for trouble getting the date of the next science high schools. example, prospective students must big entrance exam. What few parents s 4E S T FOR !DMISSION INTO #ATHOLIC pass a multiple choice, tightly timed, know is that the secret society of New High Schools exam. Test is in Novem- advanced math and English-based York Public Schools opens its doors ber. Free tuition is available if a stu- entrance exam as step one of the as early as fifth grade. To remove the dent scores in the top percentile. admissions process, which is held in secrecy, I compiled a list of the city’s Early awareness is a key compo- January of sixth grade. Students must best public schools along with their nent for parents to learn about the ad- also present the school with their test dates. Here they are: missions process and testing oppor- current teacher’s letter of recommen- tunities that are available for the New dation, and provide both their en- Grade 5 York City specialized high schools. tire fifth grade report card and first (all tests given in the fall) But success doesn’t just start with quarter of sixth grade report card, s 4 H E .EST 0LUS - "ROOKLYN awareness, alone. Parents need to including state test scores. The top s !NDERSON -ANHATTAN be involved in encouraging their chil- percent of students are then selected s - A R K 4WAIN "ROOKLYN dren to take on extracurricular activi- for a group interview, generally held ties and expose their children to as in March of that year, hosted by cur- Grade 6 many cultural events as possible, all rent Baccalaureate admissions offi- s ( U N TE R #OLLEGE (IGH 3CHOOL of which helps them to become as cers, teachers and students. (Manhattan). Tests are in January well-rounded as possible. This, cou- In 2014, although more than 1,000 and are invitation-only. You can only pled with a strong educational foun- students applied for admission, and register if you score in the 90th per- dation, can help parents successfully not even 100 were selected. Parents centile on the math and English state motivate their children to achieving need to pay particular attention exam in the fifth grade. The cost to the future of their dreams. to when exactly their children can register is $32. Frances Kweller is not affiliated with apply to this school — and carefully s "ACCALAUREATE (IGH 3CHOOL any New York City specialized high watch for deadlines. The percentage (Queens). Tests are in January. Admis- schools mentioned in this article. She of students selected might be smaller sions officers look at a student’s grade is an education and testing standards if more parents were aware of the ad- five and six report cards, state scores, expert and CEO and founder of Kweller missions process. This year, Bacca- and a letter of recommendation. Prep. 32 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 33 The best recipe BY PATRICK HEMPFING four-star rating.” She began to call away, I couldn’t help but peek up Patience and out the ingredients from her desk, periodically from my paper. It seems y daughter, Jessie, and I located just off the kitchen. Boy, like only yesterday I was standing love need to have made pancakes to- I thought, she really didn’t want over her 3-year-old shoulders to M gether since she was 3 oatmeal and yogurt, her standard make sure she didn’t burn herself on years old. Now at age 9, she still weekday breakfast. the hot skillet or fall off of the stool be in the mix enjoys mixing the ingredients, pour- When Jessie said, “baking pow- she needed to reach it. Six years ing the batter into the skillet, and der,” I thought I’d be making oat- zoomed by quicker than Jessie and I flipping them. She loves making meal, as I was confident we lacked found baking powder. pancakes almost as much as eating As I reminisced, Jessie provided them. However, because she smoth- me with periodic updates. “They’re ers her pancakes with creative com- CHERISHING thicker; they’ll be more filling.” “I binations of powdered sugar, vari- burnt myself. I’m okay. It’s only a ous kinds of syrup, whipped cream, THE MOMENTS third-degree burn.” I noticed that and cinnamon-sugar butter, eating Jessie gave Sadie, our dog, a few them rates pretty highly. this ingredient. But I checked the sample tastes. Jessie had a grand One recent Sunday, Jessie said, pantry just to make sure. Jessie time making pancakes two at a time. “Let’s make pancakes for break- got up from her desk and helped “I like dragging it out,” she said. fast.” I responded, “I could eat pan- with the search. “I’m sure we have Now that I’ve had time to reflect cakes,” and went to retrieve the mix some, Dad.” on this experience, I have learned from the pantry. “I don’t think so, Jessie.” I thought a number of things. Don’t rush to “Uh oh, Jessie, the box is almost my pantry was disorganized before make microwaved oatmeal. Extra empty.” Jessie, undeterred, went to Jessie’s hunt, but now I know what sugar makes pancakes sweeter. Have her friend, Google. Seconds later, disorganized looks like. enough soap on hand for cleaning up Jessie announced that she found I concluded we were out of luck, after “not looking.” A five-star break- an excellent pancake recipe. She but Jessie refused to give up. She fast is a great way to begin a Sun- tried to sell it to me by saying, “It checked the pantry another time. day, especially for a dog. In addition, has all five-star ratings and one She even searched the refrigerator. the experience was a good reminder As I prepared to make oatmeal, I that Dad isn’t always right. decided to check the cabinet where I’ve also concluded that besides I keep a few spices and spotted the eggs, flour, salt, sugar, milk, and bak- baking powder. It turns out that Jes- ing powder, one other ingredient is sie was right, and I was wrong. She needed. Extra sugar? No. Vanilla? was so excited when I pulled out the Different story. It’s patience. Patience white can and held it in the air. (I to teach. Patience to learn. Patience hope it was because we could try to sit back and not run to the res- her pancake recipe and not because cue. Spilled milk is easy to clean, al- she was right and I was wrong.) though egg slime dripping down the We gathered all of the ingredients kitchen cabinet takes some effort. and prepared to make five-star pan- Patience to listen. And patience to cakes from scratch. Jessie even felt not say “no” right away. I’ll also need comfortable tweaking the recipe. In- patience to rearrange my messy pan- stead of one tablespoon of sugar per try. the recipe, well, let’s just say the bat- Before long, Jessie will be ready to ter contained adequate sugar. As try another recipe. I don’t know if I’ll she mixed all the ingredients, I have all of the ingredients and in the pulled out the electric skillet. right quantity. But regardless of my Jessie, with spatula in hand, pantry’s status or my patience level, then uttered the words we I’ll never run out of the most impor- hear so frequently, “Don’t tant ingredient — love. look, please!” Jessie likes Remember to cherish the mo- to surprise her mom and ments. I wish all moms a happy me with whatever she is Mother’s Day. May it be filled with doing (creating art, making an extra tablespoon of sugar as you a salad, etc.) and only wants fill your recipes and your homes us to see the finished product. with love. So I left her in charge and headed Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year pro- to the kitchen table to read the Sun- fessional career in banking, accounting, day newspaper. and auditing before he became a father As Jessie poured the mixed batter in 2004 at age 44. He is now a full-time into the skillet and joyfully flipped husband, stay-at-home dad, and writer. 34 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 The Preparatory Center The best recipe for the Performing Arts 234 Roosevelt Hall, 2900 Bedford Avenue BY PATRICK HEMPFING four-star rating.” She began to call away, I couldn’t help but peek up Patience and out the ingredients from her desk, periodically from my paper. It seems Brooklyn, New York 11210 y daughter, Jessie, and I located just off the kitchen. Boy, like only yesterday I was standing Over 35 years of offering music, theater, and love need to have made pancakes to- I thought, she really didn’t want over her 3-year-old shoulders to dance classes for children age 3 and up. M gether since she was 3 oatmeal and yogurt, her standard make sure she didn’t burn herself on years old. Now at age 9, she still weekday breakfast. the hot skillet or fall off of the stool Register Now For Summer 2014! be in the mix enjoys mixing the ingredients, pour- When Jessie said, “baking pow- she needed to reach it. Six years July 7 - August 16 ing the batter into the skillet, and der,” I thought I’d be making oat- zoomed by quicker than Jessie and I U Creative Arts Program for ages 3-5 flipping them. She loves making meal, as I was confident we lacked found baking powder. U Music classes for young children pancakes almost as much as eating As I reminisced, Jessie provided them. However, because she smoth- me with periodic updates. “They’re U Dance Classes for ages 3 & up ers her pancakes with creative com- CHERISHING thicker; they’ll be more filling.” “I U Theater Classes for children and binations of powdered sugar, vari- burnt myself. I’m okay. It’s only a teenagers ous kinds of syrup, whipped cream, THE MOMENTS third-degree burn.” I noticed that U Musical Theater Workshop and cinnamon-sugar butter, eating Jessie gave Sadie, our dog, a few U Group Piano, Voice, Flute and them rates pretty highly. this ingredient. But I checked the sample tastes. Jessie had a grand Guitar Classes One recent Sunday, Jessie said, pantry just to make sure. Jessie time making pancakes two at a time. U Beginner to advanced instrument & “Let’s make pancakes for break- got up from her desk and helped “I like dragging it out,” she said. voice lessons for children, teenagers, fast.” I responded, “I could eat pan- with the search. “I’m sure we have Now that I’ve had time to reflect and adults cakes,” and went to retrieve the mix some, Dad.” on this experience, I have learned * Suzuki Programs 2014-2015 for Violin, from the pantry. “I don’t think so, Jessie.” I thought a number of things. Don’t rush to Cello, and Flute: Information sessions “Uh oh, Jessie, the box is almost my pantry was disorganized before make microwaved oatmeal. Extra and interviews * empty.” Jessie, undeterred, went to Jessie’s hunt, but now I know what sugar makes pancakes sweeter. Have her friend, Google. Seconds later, disorganized looks like. enough soap on hand for cleaning up Please call 718-951-4111 for further information for summer 2014 and the 2014-2015 school year Jessie announced that she found I concluded we were out of luck, after “not looking.” A five-star break- Visit our website: www.bcprepcenter.org an excellent pancake recipe. She but Jessie refused to give up. She fast is a great way to begin a Sun- tried to sell it to me by saying, “It checked the pantry another time. day, especially for a dog. In addition, has all five-star ratings and one She even searched the refrigerator. the experience was a good reminder As I prepared to make oatmeal, I that Dad isn’t always right. 2 ! decided to check the cabinet where I’ve also concluded that besides I keep a few spices and spotted the eggs, flour, salt, sugar, milk, and bak- baking powder. It turns out that Jes- ing powder, one other ingredient is sie was right, and I was wrong. She needed. Extra sugar? No. Vanilla? ! "#$% # ! was so excited when I pulled out the Different story. It’s patience. Patience && '()*'+)*,)(-.(/ white can and held it in the air. (I to teach. Patience to learn. Patience HA'GEEMNASIA at CBE hope it was because we could try to sit back and not run to the res- 1113 && 34 ! 0&1 ! 2 & -./ her pancake recipe and not because cue. Spilled milk is easy to clean, al- Hebrew Summer Camp she was right and I was wrong.) though egg slime dripping down the We gathered all of the ingredients kitchen cabinet takes some effort. and prepared to make five-star pan- Patience to listen. And patience to cakes from scratch. Jessie even felt not say “no” right away. I’ll also need comfortable tweaking the recipe. In- patience to rearrange my messy pan- stead of one tablespoon of sugar per try. the recipe, well, let’s just say the bat- Before long, Jessie will be ready to ter contained adequate sugar. As try another recipe. I don’t know if I’ll she mixed all the ingredients, I have all of the ingredients and in the pulled out the electric skillet. right quantity. But regardless of my '$ ) $) " Jessie, with spatula in hand, pantry’s status or my patience level, % ) + then uttered the words we I’ll never run out of the most impor- hear so frequently, “Don’t tant ingredient — love. +#' %&)!$ look, please!” Jessie likes Remember to cherish the mo- "%% ! &!'& $)) % to surprise her mom and ments. I wish all moms a happy & &+ me with whatever she is Mother’s Day. May it be filled with doing (creating art, making an extra tablespoon of sugar as you %$ ' &'$ "$%) a salad, etc.) and only wants fill your recipes and your homes !+' #'%$ %&+ " us to see the finished product. with love. ' +"$!$ % &%) & ( & %$ &&!%$ &$!' So I left her in charge and headed Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year pro- & (!'&!!$%"!$&%$&%$&% (+%!&$ "% to the kitchen table to read the Sun- fessional career in banking, accounting, &'$+ %& % '% $& %"!$&% day newspaper. and auditing before he became a father )!!($ &% &'$ %) * & &$ "% As Jessie poured the mixed batter in 2004 at age 44. He is now a full-time $ "% $!' #' %& into the skillet and joyfully flipped husband, stay-at-home dad, and writer. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 35 PARENTING Readier than ever Summer vacation is finally within reach
t’s been one heck of a school from pre-school to college) was not nudging the children along all year year, hasn’t it? Between Com- as fierce. (starting back in the fall when they I mon Core strife; snow day upon Of course, the summer will not began test prep) while also keep- snow day; and mounds of home- be without academic work. The ing up with their curriculum as work, tests, and projects, we can kids come home in early June with best they could. I think the teach- JUST WRITE finally see a finish line. From my large packets of math and English ers and students did a fabulous view, it looks bright, shiny, and work, along with reading assign- job but I am so relieved that this MOM just within our reach. In fact, I can ments. But the day-to-day grind of will all be over for at least a few DANIELLE SULLIVAN almost smell the paint from that constant academic demands will months. They have earned a long brand-new finish line, and I’m so lighten immensely at the end of and fun-filled vacation. eager to reach it, I can practically this month. As moms and dad, I think we touch it. I sound worse than the The unrelenting winter did not have, too. Just think, we have 10 kids, right? I admit it. I look forward help. Most of this school year felt weeks of never saying “do you have to summer vacation just as much like winter, even when it was tech- homework,” “do your homework,” as the children do. nically spring. I look forward to the “do you have a test,” “did you study,” I don’t quite remember look- long days spent by the pool and and the absolute best one of all, ing forward to it as much when coast, late dinners on the grill, and “did you remember your lunch?” (I I was raising my first daughter, lax bedtimes. Yes, there will be the think I hate making school lunches who is now 21. I have always en- “I’m bored” moments, but for some more than anything else during joyed a leisurely summer, but the reason after this past year, I am not the school year and I can’t exactly insane curriculum and test prep dreading it. pinpoint why.) But it doesn’t matter of the state exams for my As much as the kids and I are now because no more pencils, no youngest combined with eager to start the summer of 2014, more books, no more darn lunches the strenuous college prep I can imagine that teachers are to cook. Bring it on summer. We’re curriculum, Regents, and even more ready to close up their more than ready! SATs for my teen has left classrooms. The Common Core Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, us all in need of a very long curriculum was, perhaps, more has worked as a writer and editor in mental vacation. Even 10 difficult on them as they tried to the parenting world for more than 10 to 15 years ago, the pres- teach their subjects to the best years. Sullivan also writes about pets sure to get into a good of their ability while also prep- and parenting for Disney’s Babble. school (take your pick of ping kids for the tests. My son’s com. Find Sullivan on her blogs, Just any grade ranging teachers did an outstanding job of Write Mom and Some Puppy To Love.
36 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 PARENTING Readier than ever Summer vacation is finally within reach t’s been one heck of a school from pre-school to college) was not nudging the children along all year year, hasn’t it? Between Com- as fierce. (starting back in the fall when they I mon Core strife; snow day upon Of course, the summer will not began test prep) while also keep- snow day; and mounds of home- be without academic work. The ing up with their curriculum as work, tests, and projects, we can kids come home in early June with best they could. I think the teach- JUST WRITE finally see a finish line. From my large packets of math and English ers and students did a fabulous view, it looks bright, shiny, and work, along with reading assign- job but I am so relieved that this MOM just within our reach. In fact, I can ments. But the day-to-day grind of will all be over for at least a few DANIELLE SULLIVAN almost smell the paint from that constant academic demands will months. They have earned a long brand-new finish line, and I’m so lighten immensely at the end of and fun-filled vacation. eager to reach it, I can practically this month. As moms and dad, I think we touch it. I sound worse than the The unrelenting winter did not have, too. Just think, we have 10 kids, right? I admit it. I look forward help. Most of this school year felt weeks of never saying “do you have to summer vacation just as much like winter, even when it was tech- homework,” “do your homework,” as the children do. nically spring. I look forward to the “do you have a test,” “did you study,” I don’t quite remember look- long days spent by the pool and and the absolute best one of all, ing forward to it as much when coast, late dinners on the grill, and “did you remember your lunch?” (I I was raising my first daughter, lax bedtimes. Yes, there will be the think I hate making school lunches who is now 21. I have always en- “I’m bored” moments, but for some more than anything else during joyed a leisurely summer, but the reason after this past year, I am not the school year and I can’t exactly insane curriculum and test prep dreading it. pinpoint why.) But it doesn’t matter of the state exams for my As much as the kids and I are now because no more pencils, no youngest combined with eager to start the summer of 2014, more books, no more darn lunches the strenuous college prep I can imagine that teachers are to cook. Bring it on summer. We’re curriculum, Regents, and even more ready to close up their more than ready! SATs for my teen has left classrooms. The Common Core Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, us all in need of a very long curriculum was, perhaps, more has worked as a writer and editor in mental vacation. Even 10 difficult on them as they tried to the parenting world for more than 10 to 15 years ago, the pres- teach their subjects to the best years. Sullivan also writes about pets sure to get into a good of their ability while also prep- and parenting for Disney’s Babble. school (take your pick of ping kids for the tests. My son’s com. Find Sullivan on her blogs, Just any grade ranging teachers did an outstanding job of Write Mom and Some Puppy To Love.
JUNE 14 & 21 2014
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 37 HEALTH
FAMILY HEALTH DR. PRAMOD NARULA, MD Chairman of Pediatrics New York Methodist Hospital
What is a neonatal intensive care unit? Events during my pregnancy have weighs less than 2,000 grams (4.4 centered care has become crucial made it more likely that I will give pounds) at birth, is at risk of infec- to any neonatal intensive care unit, birth prematurely, according to my tion, has respiratory issues, a con- because the stress that parents obstetrician. She has told me that genital heart defect, or other condi- experience during the time that should this happen, the baby may tions that require constant monitor- their newborn is in a neonatal in- need to stay in the neonatal intensive ing and medical treatment. They are tensive care unit can be consider- care unit for at least a few days. All staffed by neonatologists, who are able. In many neonatal intensive I know about the N.I.C.U. is that it is specialists in caring for high-risk care units, parents are welcome a place where the “baby incubators” newborns, and nurses with training to visit 24 hours per day, seven are, so I can’t help but be scared for in neonatology. days per week, and can count on what lies ahead. Can you tell me a Medical devices in an unit are the presence of a physician or bit more about what a N.I.C.U. is and designed specifically for newborn nurse who can answer any ques- what goes on there? infants. Incubators allow neonatolo- tions they have. Parents are also gists to replicate the conditions in encouraged to listen and ask ques- y best wishes to you and the womb, and have soundproof- tions about their baby during daily your family during what ing that reduces noise to the levels bedside rounds, during which the M must be an uncertain a baby experiences in a mother’s attending physicians examine the time; you are not alone in your situ- uterus. Specially designed pillow- babies, often with a team that in- ation. Approximately 12 percent of like devices are used to hold babies cludes resident physicians, medi- births in the United States are pre- in the in-utero position. Ventilators, cal students, nurse practitioners, mature deliveries, occurring before which assist newborns who have and nurses. the 36th week of pregnancy, so I’m underdeveloped lungs with breath- Whether or not your baby will happy to help shed some light on ing, also warm and humidify the air ultimately need to stay in a neona- the purpose of a neonatal intensive before it enters the baby’s body. For tal intensive care unit, take heart: care unit, and what generally merits a baby with especially weak lungs, advances in medicine and neona- treatment in one. neonatal intensive care units have tology are increasing the chances To start, not all babies born devices that can maintain the cir- that high-risk births will have good early will necessarily need to stay culation of oxygen throughout the outcomes, and help to ensure that in a neonatal intensive care unit. A baby’s body until his or her lungs both newborns and parents have preterm newborn usually receives grow stronger. the best chance of leaving the hos- treatment in the unit if he or she Over the past decade, family- pital strong and healthy. 38 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 HEALTH Like Us on od Mont wo es d so i r M i to WIN tickets or FAMILY HEALTH DR. PRAMOD NARULA, MD Chairman of Pediatrics prizes New York Methodist Hospital Visit us at our Pre-School & Kindergarten NYParenting page Summer Program Transportation Available and register to win "EDFORD !VENUE s at Glenwood Road What is a neonatal www.midwoodmontesssori.com Attention All Writers! intensive care unit? We’re looking for personal essays Events during my pregnancy have weighs less than 2,000 grams (4.4 centered care has become crucial about you, your family and life made it more likely that I will give pounds) at birth, is at risk of infec- to any neonatal intensive care unit, birth prematurely, according to my tion, has respiratory issues, a con- because the stress that parents obstetrician. She has told me that genital heart defect, or other condi- experience during the time that in your community. should this happen, the baby may tions that require constant monitor- their newborn is in a neonatal in- need to stay in the neonatal intensive ing and medical treatment. They are tensive care unit can be consider- Partner with us and share your care unit for at least a few days. All staffed by neonatologists, who are able. In many neonatal intensive I know about the N.I.C.U. is that it is specialists in caring for high-risk care units, parents are welcome a place where the “baby incubators” newborns, and nurses with training to visit 24 hours per day, seven stories and your memories. are, so I can’t help but be scared for in neonatology. days per week, and can count on what lies ahead. Can you tell me a Medical devices in an unit are the presence of a physician or Email [email protected] to bit more about what a N.I.C.U. is and designed specifically for newborn nurse who can answer any ques- what goes on there? infants. Incubators allow neonatolo- tions they have. Parents are also have your piece included in our gists to replicate the conditions in encouraged to listen and ask ques- y best wishes to you and the womb, and have soundproof- tions about their baby during daily magazine and on our website. your family during what ing that reduces noise to the levels bedside rounds, during which the M must be an uncertain a baby experiences in a mother’s attending physicians examine the time; you are not alone in your situ- uterus. Specially designed pillow- babies, often with a team that in- ation. Approximately 12 percent of like devices are used to hold babies cludes resident physicians, medi- births in the United States are pre- in the in-utero position. Ventilators, cal students, nurse practitioners, mature deliveries, occurring before which assist newborns who have and nurses. the 36th week of pregnancy, so I’m underdeveloped lungs with breath- Whether or not your baby will happy to help shed some light on ing, also warm and humidify the air ultimately need to stay in a neona- the purpose of a neonatal intensive before it enters the baby’s body. For tal intensive care unit, take heart: care unit, and what generally merits a baby with especially weak lungs, advances in medicine and neona- treatment in one. neonatal intensive care units have tology are increasing the chances To start, not all babies born devices that can maintain the cir- that high-risk births will have good early will necessarily need to stay culation of oxygen throughout the outcomes, and help to ensure that in a neonatal intensive care unit. A baby’s body until his or her lungs both newborns and parents have preterm newborn usually receives grow stronger. the best chance of leaving the hos- treatment in the unit if he or she Over the past decade, family- pital strong and healthy. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 39 Style magic BY TAMMY SCILEPPI on the runway. Manhattan I loved the kilt skirt for boys this hen popular children’s- season. I find that a man who can kids clothes wear designer Bonnie wear a skirt well has a great confi- W Young waves her sparkly dence and masculinity. In fact, soccer fashion wand, she seems to bring out star Tim Cahill’s son, Kyah, rocked designer the budding fashionista in girls and a that skirt with confidence! cool, princely attitude in boys. The inspiration was futuristic ro- The style magic happens in her mance. It was about a mix of classical inspired by SoHo studio, attached to the ultra- mohair plaids, faux fur, and metallic. modern, all-white, canvas-like loft The colors were mostly pale grays space she shares with her husband, and lavender, with a touch of silver family Luca Babini, and two children: Celia, and black, against the starkness of 13 and Brando, 11. white shoes. Young’s fun, très-chic creations My background is women’s. I was for kids, tweens, and teens have the creative director for Donna Karan graced the pages of top international for 16 years, so I believe that defi- publications. Her brand conveys a nitely influenced my aesthetics in my fresh, timeless quality — evident children’s line. Designer Bonnie Young and (opposite) in her classic, well-tailored skirts, TS: It seems your love of all that dresses, blazers, and outerwear. She her cool, trendy designs. is ethnic and multicultural fuels your is best known for looks that are philosophy? infused with surprising, exotic un- catch a few moments of downtime at BY: Because I have traveled exten- dertones — signature touches of no- home — relaxing or working in your sively, my clothes that I design have madic glamour, inspired by her trav- light-filled studio. It sounds like a influences from all over the world. I els to many faraway places. wonderfully inspiring place, and our have an incredible collection of tribal We caught up with the elegant readers are probably thinking, what jewelry and vintage and tribal cos- designer in March, shortly after her better spot for an artist to create? tumes. exciting fashion show in Chelsea’s Bonnie Young: It’s extremely chal- While I was at Donna Karan, I trav- gallery district, part of the Vogue lenging when it comes to focus. When eled extensively, looking for inspira- Bambini-petitePARADE/2014 Kids you work where you live, it is very tion. Fashion Week NYC. Adorable young difficult to make divisions, and your I met Donna in 1992, through her models — including her own chil- life becomes a big balancing act. We daughter’s ex-boyfriend. I was living dren — owned the runway, sporting always seem to be busy between in Italy at the time and was in New the brand’s must-have trends for the my daughter’s acting coach on 104th York for a week, visiting my grand- fall 2014 season. Street and the Downtown United Soc- mother, who was ill. Young was one of the five featured cer Club training at Pier 40. (Her son, Donna hired me on the spot. I did designers. Highlights from her new Brando, practices there). not want to move back to New York, line for tweens and teens included I want to please my kids, yet I have and Donna was thrilled because all comfy, sophisticated coats and jack- to work, so there is always this tug of the fabric mills and factories were in ets with plaid and geometric pat- war within myself. Italy, anyway. She opened an office terns (for girls’ and boys’ markets); TS: What are your plans for Moth- for me in Milan, and I began my bi- a cool, black, retro “Brando” motor- er’s Day? weekly, trans-Atlantic life. cycle jacket; a striking silvery dress, BY: We go to Long Island, where my In ’97 I started to get antsy, and worn with a dark shearling jacket; parents have a house by the beach, I was offered a position at Prada, and a champagne-colored gold dress, and we hang around the pool and which I ended up not taking. I had paired with a white, faux fur poncho play tennis all day with my family. explained to Donna that I was not — combos that any little fashion bug TS: What were the strongest ele- very inspired and needed to make a would love. ments at the fashion show, and what change, or travel around the world to In this interview, Young talks was the inspiration for your new fall get inspired. The latter happened and about her family, career, and trend- collection? Donna sent me to India, Nepal, Tibet setting creations. BY: I would say, for me, [the Fall and China for two months. Tammy Scileppi: Your au courant 2014] season was about outerwear. I returned with more inspiration to designs have taken New York City’s The double-breasted coat, for me, do many, many collections — more kids’ fashion scene by storm. So, was the key silhouette. Coats are than she could have ever imagined! when you’re not working on your col- back. Perhaps because of the arctic And so, for years I was between lection, or running about town with winter we have been forced to en- Milan, Florence, New York, and some the kids, you probably can’t wait to dure, designers showed a lot of coats exotic location, which became the in-
40 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Style magic BY TAMMY SCILEPPI on the runway. Manhattan I loved the kilt skirt for boys this hen popular children’s- season. I find that a man who can kids clothes wear designer Bonnie wear a skirt well has a great confi- W Young waves her sparkly dence and masculinity. In fact, soccer fashion wand, she seems to bring out star Tim Cahill’s son, Kyah, rocked designer the budding fashionista in girls and a that skirt with confidence! cool, princely attitude in boys. The inspiration was futuristic ro- The style magic happens in her mance. It was about a mix of classical inspired by SoHo studio, attached to the ultra- mohair plaids, faux fur, and metallic. modern, all-white, canvas-like loft The colors were mostly pale grays space she shares with her husband, and lavender, with a touch of silver family Luca Babini, and two children: Celia, and black, against the starkness of 13 and Brando, 11. white shoes. Young’s fun, très-chic creations My background is women’s. I was for kids, tweens, and teens have the creative director for Donna Karan graced the pages of top international for 16 years, so I believe that defi- publications. Her brand conveys a nitely influenced my aesthetics in my fresh, timeless quality — evident children’s line. Designer Bonnie Young and (opposite) in her classic, well-tailored skirts, TS: It seems your love of all that dresses, blazers, and outerwear. She her cool, trendy designs. is ethnic and multicultural fuels your is best known for looks that are philosophy? infused with surprising, exotic un- catch a few moments of downtime at BY: Because I have traveled exten- dertones — signature touches of no- home — relaxing or working in your sively, my clothes that I design have madic glamour, inspired by her trav- light-filled studio. It sounds like a influences from all over the world. I els to many faraway places. wonderfully inspiring place, and our have an incredible collection of tribal We caught up with the elegant readers are probably thinking, what jewelry and vintage and tribal cos- designer in March, shortly after her better spot for an artist to create? tumes. exciting fashion show in Chelsea’s Bonnie Young: It’s extremely chal- While I was at Donna Karan, I trav- gallery district, part of the Vogue lenging when it comes to focus. When eled extensively, looking for inspira- Lee Clower Photography Bambini-petitePARADE/2014 Kids you work where you live, it is very tion. spiration for the next collection. being designed for her. I wouldn’t Amy Sacco’s, nightclub, Lot 61. My when we can, we love to bike ride on Fashion Week NYC. Adorable young difficult to make divisions, and your I met Donna in 1992, through her Some of those places included ever say she is a fashionista … she husband was a fashion photographer the river; eat between Bar Pitti, Taka models — including her own chil- life becomes a big balancing act. We daughter’s ex-boyfriend. I was living Papua, New Guinea; Mali; Japan; just has great fashion style within (and now he has moved into photog- Taka, and Lupe’s, and hang out with dren — owned the runway, sporting always seem to be busy between in Italy at the time and was in New Benin City, Nigeria; Vietnam; Turkey; her. She basically grew up in design raphy relating to social initiatives, friends. the brand’s must-have trends for the my daughter’s acting coach on 104th York for a week, visiting my grand- the Middle East; and the North Pole. rooms. marketing, and online strategies. He TS: Please tell our readers about fall 2014 season. Street and the Downtown United Soc- mother, who was ill. In those years, during my travels, I My fall 2014 collection was filled is also the founder of www.citizen- your inspiring work as founder of Young was one of the five featured cer Club training at Pier 40. (Her son, Donna hired me on the spot. I did also published a book, “Colors of The with amazing, new double-breasted brooklyn.com — an online magazine Fashion Fights for Children’s Rights. designers. Highlights from her new Brando, practices there). not want to move back to New York, Vanishing Tribes.” I took photographs coats; that came from her wishes. catering to the new youth). He had BY: I have worked with a range line for tweens and teens included I want to please my kids, yet I have and Donna was thrilled because all of tribes around the world, docu- Brando, on the other hand, has photographed Jade Jagger for her of children’s charities, from Solving comfy, sophisticated coats and jack- to work, so there is always this tug of the fabric mills and factories were in menting indigenous people who have his own fashion point of view, strictly jewelry line, and the party was at Lot Kids Cancer, for which I am one of ets with plaid and geometric pat- war within myself. Italy, anyway. She opened an office inspired me — and hence the Donna revolving around soccer. He has the 61. I would say it was definitely for me, the hosts of the annual benefit for terns (for girls’ and boys’ markets); TS: What are your plans for Moth- for me in Milan, and I began my bi- Karan collections — over the years. It largest collection of soccer jerseys love at first sight. the past five years, my daughter is a cool, black, retro “Brando” motor- er’s Day? weekly, trans-Atlantic life. was an exciting and memorable time from around the world. We were both traveling a lot at that the junior ambassador, to being on cycle jacket; a striking silvery dress, BY: We go to Long Island, where my In ’97 I started to get antsy, and of my career. I design soccer pants for him con- time, so it took months for us to even the board of Innocence in Danger worn with a dark shearling jacket; parents have a house by the beach, I was offered a position at Prada, TS: What are Celia and Brando stantly because that is all he will wear have a first dinner together. (protecting children against traffick- and a champagne-colored gold dress, and we hang around the pool and which I ended up not taking. I had into? on the bottom. In a way, he is a soccer TS: Who is your favorite designer? ing and sexual abuse), to hosting paired with a white, faux fur poncho play tennis all day with my family. explained to Donna that I was not BY: My kids, of course, wear my fashionista! BY: I would say the designer I events, raising money, and produc- — combos that any little fashion bug TS: What were the strongest ele- very inspired and needed to make a clothes. Celia loves to mix my pieces TS: Does Celia want to follow in always loved the most is Jean Paul ing charity T-shirts for End Child would love. ments at the fashion show, and what change, or travel around the world to in her own way. She is inspired by Au- your footsteps? Gaultier. Karl Lagerfeld is someone I Prostitution and Trafficking, Reach In this interview, Young talks was the inspiration for your new fall get inspired. The latter happened and drey Hepburn, and while I am a bit of BY: She loves fashion; however, respect tremendously. This industry Out To Asia, Nest Foundation, Free about her family, career, and trend- collection? Donna sent me to India, Nepal, Tibet a chic hippy, she is just chic! she has an incredible voice and is is such a young industry, yet Karl is Arts, and Fair Fund, amongst others. setting creations. BY: I would say, for me, [the Fall and China for two months. My daughter is very lucky to have an extremely talented actress. She is quite old, and manages to put on the s s s Tammy Scileppi: Your au courant 2014] season was about outerwear. I returned with more inspiration to an entire studio as her closet — an very clear that she wants to sing and most influential collection and show, Bonnie Young’s fall 2014 line of designs have taken New York City’s The double-breasted coat, for me, do many, many collections — more extremely large closet with new col- act, and have children fairly early in ever. The direction he took for Chanel children’s wear can be found at Bar- kids’ fashion scene by storm. So, was the key silhouette. Coats are than she could have ever imagined! lections to choose from every six life. She is amazing with little kids! is so clever and cutting-edge. neys, New York; boutique stores in- when you’re not working on your col- back. Perhaps because of the arctic And so, for years I was between months. TS: How did you and your husband TS: What’s family time like? cluding Mon Petit in Brooklyn; and lection, or running about town with winter we have been forced to en- Milan, Florence, New York, and some Celia has a big influence on the meet? BY: We rarely get to just hang out. her store in Aspen, Colo. For more, the kids, you probably can’t wait to dure, designers showed a lot of coats exotic location, which became the in- collection, so clothes are constantly BY: We met at my very close friend, We leave the city quite often, but visit bonnieyoung.com. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 41 PARENTING Languages of love Dear Dr. Karyn, any word of encouragement or affir- s 4 H E Y KNOW THE ANSWER BUT THEY My 14-year-old daughter hasn’t mation. It sounds like this one may don’t know the words for how to told me she loves me since she was a be your number one love language. communicate it. little girl. We seem to have a good re- The fourth love language is acts s 4 H E Y FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT lationship. She shares all kinds of in- of service. People who value this the topic. formation about what is going on in language (sounds like your daugh- From my experience, No. 1 and her life and occasionally she makes ter) like to show their love through 2 seem the most popular. If it’s No. me these really beautiful cards, but their actions. They may not say, “I 1, I’d recommend you look at your DEAR I’m concerned that maybe we’re not love you,” but they will show it to you communication with your son and as close as I think we are. I really by making cards, doing the laundry, do a personal evaluation. What do DR. KARYN need affirmation and it makes me cleaning their room, etc. you think you’re doing that may dis- DR. KARYN GORDON feel sad that I don’t hear it from her. The final language is giving courage your son from talking with Am I overreacting? gifts. you? Are you too critical? Don’t show Dear parent, It is important that parents know yourself enough self-respect? This A great question! The topic of love and identify with these five love lan- will take some reflection time. is one that comes up all the time at guages. Find out what love language If it’s reason No. 2, I have a couple our leadership and counseling cen- you value. Next, figure out what love of strategies for you. First, look at ter. My sense from your e-mail is language your teen values. A trick your past successes, when he really that you and your daughter have a to figuring this out: often, but not opened up to you. Where were you? wonderful bond; after all, it speaks always, people give what they actu- What time of day was it? Generally, volumes when teens are forthcom- ally want back. So if you’re daughter guys talk much more openly when ing with information to their par- is giving acts of service or making they are “talking sideways,” i.e. play- ents. However, I sense you and your cards, she might actually appreciate ing a sport or in the car. By reducing daughter might have different love acts of service higher than affirma- eye contact this often helps them languages. Let me explain. tion. If you can’t figure out what her reduce their anxiety and encourages According to Gary Chapman, au- language is, have the courage to ask them to talk. So look for these golden thor of “The Five Love Languages” her. The best way to pour into any re- opportunities. Second, try asking (one of my favorite 10 books), there lationship is to do our best to speak specific questions instead of open- are five key ways people express the other person’s language, not just ended questions. If you ask him how their love. All five ways are impor- the language that comes most natu- his day was, he’ll likely respond with tant and valued differently by each rally to us. a one-word answer. Instead, be spe- other. After reading all five, ask your- cific. Ask him: self to rate the languages from most Tight-lipped teens s h 7 H A T WAS THE BEST PART OF to least important. Dear Dr. Karyn, your day and the worst part of your The first love language is time. I don’t know how to get my son day?” In other words, we show love to one to open up. If I ask him questions he s h 7 H A T QUALITIES DO YOU MOST AP- another by spending quality time will answer, but it is always with one preciate and like about your girl- with them. word. He will tell me when he has friend?” Second is physical touch or a girlfriend and when he breaks up s h 7 H A T IS YOUR GREATEST PET physical affection. Giving hugs and with her, but never tells me more un- peeve?” kisses. less I ask. His friends seem to tell me s h 7 H O DO YOU FEEL MOST CON- The third love language is affir- more. Can you please advise? nected to?” mation. People who value this love Dear parent, s h 7 H A T CAN ) WORK ON TO IMPROVE language like to hear “I love you” and There is no question that girls and our relationship?” (Teens like this guys communicate differently! There one) are always exceptions to each rule, Realize, as well, that building re- but I’ve certainly found a significant lationships is a process. Try to walk difference in gender communication. before you try to run. If you come on Often, when I ask teen guys ques- too strong and intense, it will only tions, they give one word answers push your son further away. or the standard, “I don’t know.” I’ve Dr. Karyn Gordon is one of North learned from them seven potential America’s leading relationship and par- reasons why male teens give one- enting experts. She is a regular contribu- word answers: tor to “Good Morning America,” founder s 4 H E Y DONT REALLY WANT TO TALK of dk Leadership, best-selling author of about it with you. “Dr. Karyn’s Guide To The Teen Years” s 4 H E Y REALLY DONT KNOW THE AN- (Harper Collins), and motivational swer and therefore will give one speaker to a quarter of a million people. word answers or say, “I don’t know,” Visit her at www.dkleadership.org and because they are embarrassed. on Twitter: @DrKarynGordon. 42 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 PARENTING Languages of love Dear Dr. Karyn, any word of encouragement or affir- s 4 H E Y KNOW THE ANSWER BUT THEY My 14-year-old daughter hasn’t mation. It sounds like this one may don’t know the words for how to told me she loves me since she was a be your number one love language. communicate it. little girl. We seem to have a good re- The fourth love language is acts s 4 H E Y FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT lationship. She shares all kinds of in- of service. People who value this the topic. formation about what is going on in language (sounds like your daugh- From my experience, No. 1 and her life and occasionally she makes ter) like to show their love through 2 seem the most popular. If it’s No. me these really beautiful cards, but their actions. They may not say, “I 1, I’d recommend you look at your DEAR I’m concerned that maybe we’re not love you,” but they will show it to you communication with your son and as close as I think we are. I really by making cards, doing the laundry, do a personal evaluation. What do DR. KARYN need affirmation and it makes me cleaning their room, etc. you think you’re doing that may dis- DR. KARYN GORDON feel sad that I don’t hear it from her. The final language is giving courage your son from talking with Am I overreacting? gifts. you? Are you too critical? Don’t show Dear parent, It is important that parents know yourself enough self-respect? This A great question! The topic of love and identify with these five love lan- will take some reflection time. is one that comes up all the time at guages. Find out what love language If it’s reason No. 2, I have a couple our leadership and counseling cen- you value. Next, figure out what love of strategies for you. First, look at ter. My sense from your e-mail is language your teen values. A trick your past successes, when he really that you and your daughter have a to figuring this out: often, but not opened up to you. Where were you? wonderful bond; after all, it speaks always, people give what they actu- What time of day was it? Generally, volumes when teens are forthcom- ally want back. So if you’re daughter guys talk much more openly when ing with information to their par- is giving acts of service or making they are “talking sideways,” i.e. play- ents. However, I sense you and your cards, she might actually appreciate ing a sport or in the car. By reducing daughter might have different love acts of service higher than affirma- eye contact this often helps them languages. Let me explain. tion. If you can’t figure out what her reduce their anxiety and encourages According to Gary Chapman, au- language is, have the courage to ask them to talk. So look for these golden thor of “The Five Love Languages” her. The best way to pour into any re- opportunities. Second, try asking (one of my favorite 10 books), there lationship is to do our best to speak specific questions instead of open- are five key ways people express the other person’s language, not just ended questions. If you ask him how “ THIS SHOW WILL GO their love. All five ways are impor- the language that comes most natu- his day was, he’ll likely respond with DOWN LIKE BUTTA’.” tant and valued differently by each rally to us. a one-word answer. Instead, be spe- Entertainment Weekly other. After reading all five, ask your- cific. Ask him: self to rate the languages from most Tight-lipped teens s h 7 H A T WAS THE BEST PART OF to least important. Dear Dr. Karyn, your day and the worst part of your The first love language is time. I don’t know how to get my son day?” In other words, we show love to one to open up. If I ask him questions he s h 7 H A T QUALITIES DO YOU MOST AP- another by spending quality time will answer, but it is always with one preciate and like about your girl- “A delight for both with them. word. He will tell me when he has friend?” Second is physical touch or a girlfriend and when he breaks up s h 7 H A T IS YOUR GREATEST PET kids and adults physical affection. Giving hugs and with her, but never tells me more un- peeve?” kisses. less I ask. His friends seem to tell me s h 7 H O DO YOU FEEL MOST CON- AMAZING!” The third love language is affir- more. Can you please advise? nected to?” mation. People who value this love Dear parent, s h 7 H A T CAN ) WORK ON TO IMPROVE Stage and Cinema language like to hear “I love you” and There is no question that girls and our relationship?” (Teens like this guys communicate differently! There one) are always exceptions to each rule, Realize, as well, that building re- “JAW DROPPING!” The Hit Comedy but I’ve certainly found a significant lationships is a process. Try to walk difference in gender communication. before you try to run. If you come on Time Out NY Kids Often, when I ask teen guys ques- too strong and intense, it will only Leave the kids at home! DESIGN: FRAVER PHOTO:JOAN MARCUS tions, they give one word answers push your son further away. THE BEST COMEDY OF THE YEAR or the standard, “I don’t know.” I’ve Dr. Karyn Gordon is one of North “Move over Blue Man Group & Stomp, is your new date night destination. learned from them seven potential America’s leading relationship and par- reasons why male teens give one- enting experts. She is a regular contribu- iLUMINATE is in the house!” SmartTix.com Barrow Street Theatre word answers: tor to “Good Morning America,” founder Times Square Chronicles (212) 868-4444 27 Barrow Street at 7th Ave. s 4 H E Y DONT REALLY WANT TO TALK of dk Leadership, best-selling author of about it with you. “Dr. Karyn’s Guide To The Teen Years” NOW LIVE in the heart of BROADWAY! s 4 H E Y REALLY DONT KNOW THE AN- (Harper Collins), and motivational swer and therefore will give one speaker to a quarter of a million people. Telecharge.com 212-239-6200 iLuminate.com word answers or say, “I don’t know,” Visit her at www.dkleadership.org and New World Stages, 340 W 50th St. because they are embarrassed. on Twitter: @DrKarynGordon. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 43 HEALTH New & Noteworthy Hashimoto’s disease BY LISA J. CURTIS Fighting it with supplements and lifestyle changes It’s a picnic on wheels!
ast month, we discussed the medical advisor for Bill and Hillary Hashimoto’s patients: If you need to lure your fam- and adjustable shoulder strap.) reasons why Hashimoto’s pa- Clinton of explains. Multivitamins: Taking a good ily outside for some qual- The set also includes a com- L tients may need more than “Your body is fighting something multivitamin daily is vital, but ask ity time, plan a picnic at a bination corkscrew, cheese just Synthroid to get them feeling — an infection, a toxin, an allergen, your doctor if she can recommend beach or a park! The new knife, and napkins, and it’s better. This month, we focus on spe- a food, or the stress response — and one, because the vitamins found in cooler by Picnic at Ascot available in many colors cific supplements and vitamins that somehow it redirects its hostile at- pharmacies are often not enough. includes all of the dining and patterns, including HEALTHY may kick start your body to get you tack on your joints, your brain, your Vitamin B12: Since Hashimoto’s flatware, melamine plates, trellis green (pictured). back on the road to feeling well once thyroid, your gut, your skin, or some- disease causes low stomach acid and acrylic glasses for a fam- Now all you have to do LIVING again. (It is possible!) times your whole body,” he says. (which in turn causes leaky gut syn- ily of four to dine al fresco. is plan the menu! DANIELLE SULLIVAN What many people don’t realize Dr. Hyman targets the key issue drome), many patients have trouble This picnic basket has a Picnic Cooler with is that Hashimoto’s disease is an au- that often goes missing in the treat- absorbing the vitamin into their sys- (removable) wheeled cart Wheels for 4 by Picnic at toimmune disease, not merely just a ment of Hashimoto’s disease and tems efficiently. It may lead to anemia with retractable handle. Ascot, $124.95, www. slow functioning thyroid as it is com- other autoimmune disorders: identi- despite best efforts to eat properly. (Or, you can use the hand grip amazon.com. monly mistaken. The disease does fying and addressing the root causes Sometimes supplements in the form definitely cause a thyroid to become of chronic illness. of pills or injections are needed. Vi-
sluggish (hypothyroidism) and it is As mentioned last month, while tamin B12 deficiency causes many of Photo by Jeff Steinmetz essential to get your thyroid working many traditional endocrinologists the same symptoms that Hashimoto’s Father knows best at optimal function, but often debili- will treat the disease with a one-pill- disease does: brain fog, poor mem- Putting the ‘pop’ in rock tating symptoms will persist unless fits-all dose of synthetic Synthroid, ory, tingling, nerve pain, and more. In the “Guess How Much I Love choosing games the autoimmune part of the disorder many doctors, particularly integra- Vitamin D: Like vitamin B12, vita- “D is for Django” — the first album and “Potato Leek Soup,” a ballad that You: Friendship Adventures” DVD, that include friends is addressed and treated. tive physicians, are willing to go the min D may also have trouble being by Django Jones, a trio comprised of extols the virtues of a dish that rarely Sam McBratney’s children’s book of all abilities. The Dr. Mark Hyman, chairman of extra mile — treating the symptoms absorbed in those with autoimmune ex-Girlyman musicians: Doris Mu- makes it onto children’s menus, and character Little Nutbrown Hare stars endearing series the Functional Medicine Institute, and not just the lab results, and be- diseases, and it is a fundamental ramatsu, JJ Jones, and Nate Borof- (spoiler alert!) ends with a burp. in seven sweet, animated escapades. can be enjoyed by an international ginning a detoxification treatment vitamin, as it regulates insulin secre- sky — is full of humor, heart, and “Breakfast” is a bango-rich ode to With good counsel from dad Big little ones from preschool through leader in the field of plan that includes natural thyroid tion and balances blood sugar. Since fun facts about everything from the most important meal of the day Nutbrown Hare — with whom he first grade — and their doting dads. functional medi- replacement, supplements, vitamins, reactive hypoglycemia can also be the Aztecs to vertebrae. The band — and to the dad that makes it hap- shares a love that’s “bigger than the “Guess How Much I Love You: Friend- cine, and and healthful eating as part of a full a problem for Hashimoto patients, — and their chihuahua, Django — pen, just in time for Father’s Day! sky” — Little Nutbrown learns about ship Adventures” DVD, $12.98, www. lifestyle course. having enough vitamin D is vital. It exchange playful banter between Without a doubt, Django Jones caring for others, forgiveness, and amazon.com. s 0LEASE NOTE IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU also helps the pituitary gland pro- songs, creating camaraderie with certainly knows what topics inter- DISCUSS THESE WITH YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO duce sufficient thyroid hormone. their listeners, kids ages 4–9. est children — and what lyrics TAKING ANY ON YOUR OWN %VERY SINGLE Selenium: Selenium deficiency The album also puts the D in deli- tickle their parents’ funny bones. (ASHIMOTOS PATIENT HAS DIFFER- may impair the body’s conversion cious with several songs about food: “D is for Django” CD by Django Everyone’s a winner ENT NEEDS AND BLOOD TESTS of T4 to T3 and cause hypothyroid “P-O-P,” a pop-rock ode to popcorn, Jones, djangojonesband.com, $15. MUST BE PERFORMED symptoms. Some researchers believe Kids play for pretend cash and which you will enjoy playing with your TO DETERMINE WHICH that selenium deficiency may actu- rewards while parents gain a better contestant, er, kid. Lakeshore has AREAS YOU MAY BE ally trigger Hashimoto’s disease. understanding of what skills their games for each year from kindergar- DEFICIENT IN BEFORE Probiotics: It has been said that kids need to hone for September with ten through fifth grade, so I put on STARTING ANY NEW 80 percent of immune system lives in Under the boardwalk Lakeshore’s new series of play-at- my best Alex Trebek impression and SUPPLEMENTS OR the gut, and fixing your digestive is- Joanne Linden’s suspenseful pic- From Ben’s perspective, the home “Are You Ready? Game Shows.” played the second grade with my son. VITAMINS sues is key in controlling the disease. ture book, set on the boardwalk, is boardwalk can be an ocean of view- With a team of teachers, Lakeshore The key to sustaining his involvement Here are Probiotics help improve stomach a breath of salty, beach air! “Ben & blocking legs. Linden’s enterprising has created a collection of fun games was rewarding him with some typical function by decreasing the growth Zip: Two Short Friends” follows Ben’s hero scales higher and higher van- aligned to the Common Core time to play video supplements of harmful bacteria and fostering a nail-biting adventure as he tries to tage points in search of his rogue, Standards that target essen- games. and vitamins healthy and fully functioning diges- find his pal, Zip, who was separated vertically challenged companion. tial math and language skills, After playing, par- that help many tive system. from him at the seashore. The boardwalk amusements ents enter the game If your doctor has not tested you and other illustrations are drawn results on Lake- for these vitamins, request that she in full-color pen-and-ink, with a shore’s website in do so. It is key to be proactive in fight- double scoop of humor on top, by exchange for free ing any chronic disease, and even Tom Goldsmith. Recommended for printable activi- more so with Hashimoto’s, which kids ages 4-8 — and any parent ties that target the remains an overlooked disease. who wants to preview summer’s skills their child $ANIELLE 3ULLIVAN A MOM OF THREE pleasures — “Ben & Zip” is a real needs to review. HAS WORKED AS A WRITER AND EDITOR IN THE page-turner with playful verse and “Are You PARENTING WORLD FOR MORE THAN YEARS a heart-warming conclusion that’s Ready? Game 3ULLIVAN ALSO WRITES ABOUT PETS AND PAR- as sweet as salt water taffy. Show” by Lake- ENTING FOR $ISNEYS "ABBLECOM &IND 3UL- “Ben & Zip: Two Short Friends” shore, $29.99, www. LIVAN ON HER BLOGS *UST 7RITE -OM AND by Joanne Linden, $16.95, www.flash- lakeshorelearning. 3OME 0UPPY 4O ,OVE lightpress.com. com.
44 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 HEALTH New & Noteworthy Hashimoto’s disease BY LISA J. CURTIS Fighting it with supplements and lifestyle changes It’s a picnic on wheels! ast month, we discussed the medical advisor for Bill and Hillary Hashimoto’s patients: If you need to lure your fam- and adjustable shoulder strap.) reasons why Hashimoto’s pa- Clinton of explains. Multivitamins: Taking a good ily outside for some qual- The set also includes a com- L tients may need more than “Your body is fighting something multivitamin daily is vital, but ask ity time, plan a picnic at a bination corkscrew, cheese just Synthroid to get them feeling — an infection, a toxin, an allergen, your doctor if she can recommend beach or a park! The new knife, and napkins, and it’s better. This month, we focus on spe- a food, or the stress response — and one, because the vitamins found in cooler by Picnic at Ascot available in many colors cific supplements and vitamins that somehow it redirects its hostile at- pharmacies are often not enough. includes all of the dining and patterns, including HEALTHY may kick start your body to get you tack on your joints, your brain, your Vitamin B12: Since Hashimoto’s flatware, melamine plates, trellis green (pictured). back on the road to feeling well once thyroid, your gut, your skin, or some- disease causes low stomach acid and acrylic glasses for a fam- Now all you have to do LIVING again. (It is possible!) times your whole body,” he says. (which in turn causes leaky gut syn- ily of four to dine al fresco. is plan the menu! DANIELLE SULLIVAN What many people don’t realize Dr. Hyman targets the key issue drome), many patients have trouble This picnic basket has a Picnic Cooler with is that Hashimoto’s disease is an au- that often goes missing in the treat- absorbing the vitamin into their sys- (removable) wheeled cart Wheels for 4 by Picnic at toimmune disease, not merely just a ment of Hashimoto’s disease and tems efficiently. It may lead to anemia with retractable handle. Ascot, $124.95, www. slow functioning thyroid as it is com- other autoimmune disorders: identi- despite best efforts to eat properly. (Or, you can use the hand grip amazon.com. monly mistaken. The disease does fying and addressing the root causes Sometimes supplements in the form definitely cause a thyroid to become of chronic illness. of pills or injections are needed. Vi- sluggish (hypothyroidism) and it is As mentioned last month, while tamin B12 deficiency causes many of Photo by Jeff Steinmetz essential to get your thyroid working many traditional endocrinologists the same symptoms that Hashimoto’s Father knows best at optimal function, but often debili- will treat the disease with a one-pill- disease does: brain fog, poor mem- Putting the ‘pop’ in rock tating symptoms will persist unless fits-all dose of synthetic Synthroid, ory, tingling, nerve pain, and more. In the “Guess How Much I Love choosing games the autoimmune part of the disorder many doctors, particularly integra- Vitamin D: Like vitamin B12, vita- “D is for Django” — the first album and “Potato Leek Soup,” a ballad that You: Friendship Adventures” DVD, that include friends is addressed and treated. tive physicians, are willing to go the min D may also have trouble being by Django Jones, a trio comprised of extols the virtues of a dish that rarely Sam McBratney’s children’s book of all abilities. The Dr. Mark Hyman, chairman of extra mile — treating the symptoms absorbed in those with autoimmune ex-Girlyman musicians: Doris Mu- makes it onto children’s menus, and character Little Nutbrown Hare stars endearing series the Functional Medicine Institute, and not just the lab results, and be- diseases, and it is a fundamental ramatsu, JJ Jones, and Nate Borof- (spoiler alert!) ends with a burp. in seven sweet, animated escapades. can be enjoyed by an international ginning a detoxification treatment vitamin, as it regulates insulin secre- sky — is full of humor, heart, and “Breakfast” is a bango-rich ode to With good counsel from dad Big little ones from preschool through leader in the field of plan that includes natural thyroid tion and balances blood sugar. Since fun facts about everything from the most important meal of the day Nutbrown Hare — with whom he first grade — and their doting dads. functional medi- replacement, supplements, vitamins, reactive hypoglycemia can also be the Aztecs to vertebrae. The band — and to the dad that makes it hap- shares a love that’s “bigger than the “Guess How Much I Love You: Friend- cine, and and healthful eating as part of a full a problem for Hashimoto patients, — and their chihuahua, Django — pen, just in time for Father’s Day! sky” — Little Nutbrown learns about ship Adventures” DVD, $12.98, www. lifestyle course. having enough vitamin D is vital. It exchange playful banter between Without a doubt, Django Jones caring for others, forgiveness, and amazon.com. s 0LEASE NOTE IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU also helps the pituitary gland pro- songs, creating camaraderie with certainly knows what topics inter- DISCUSS THESE WITH YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO duce sufficient thyroid hormone. their listeners, kids ages 4–9. est children — and what lyrics TAKING ANY ON YOUR OWN %VERY SINGLE Selenium: Selenium deficiency The album also puts the D in deli- tickle their parents’ funny bones. (ASHIMOTOS PATIENT HAS DIFFER- may impair the body’s conversion cious with several songs about food: “D is for Django” CD by Django Everyone’s a winner ENT NEEDS AND BLOOD TESTS of T4 to T3 and cause hypothyroid “P-O-P,” a pop-rock ode to popcorn, Jones, djangojonesband.com, $15. MUST BE PERFORMED symptoms. Some researchers believe Kids play for pretend cash and which you will enjoy playing with your TO DETERMINE WHICH that selenium deficiency may actu- rewards while parents gain a better contestant, er, kid. Lakeshore has AREAS YOU MAY BE ally trigger Hashimoto’s disease. understanding of what skills their games for each year from kindergar- DEFICIENT IN BEFORE Probiotics: It has been said that kids need to hone for September with ten through fifth grade, so I put on STARTING ANY NEW 80 percent of immune system lives in Under the boardwalk Lakeshore’s new series of play-at- my best Alex Trebek impression and SUPPLEMENTS OR the gut, and fixing your digestive is- Joanne Linden’s suspenseful pic- From Ben’s perspective, the home “Are You Ready? Game Shows.” played the second grade with my son. VITAMINS sues is key in controlling the disease. ture book, set on the boardwalk, is boardwalk can be an ocean of view- With a team of teachers, Lakeshore The key to sustaining his involvement Here are Probiotics help improve stomach a breath of salty, beach air! “Ben & blocking legs. Linden’s enterprising has created a collection of fun games was rewarding him with some typical function by decreasing the growth Zip: Two Short Friends” follows Ben’s hero scales higher and higher van- aligned to the Common Core time to play video supplements of harmful bacteria and fostering a nail-biting adventure as he tries to tage points in search of his rogue, Standards that target essen- games. and vitamins healthy and fully functioning diges- find his pal, Zip, who was separated vertically challenged companion. tial math and language skills, After playing, par- that help many tive system. from him at the seashore. The boardwalk amusements ents enter the game If your doctor has not tested you and other illustrations are drawn results on Lake- for these vitamins, request that she in full-color pen-and-ink, with a shore’s website in do so. It is key to be proactive in fight- double scoop of humor on top, by exchange for free ing any chronic disease, and even Tom Goldsmith. Recommended for printable activi- more so with Hashimoto’s, which kids ages 4-8 — and any parent ties that target the remains an overlooked disease. who wants to preview summer’s skills their child $ANIELLE 3ULLIVAN A MOM OF THREE pleasures — “Ben & Zip” is a real needs to review. HAS WORKED AS A WRITER AND EDITOR IN THE page-turner with playful verse and “Are You PARENTING WORLD FOR MORE THAN YEARS a heart-warming conclusion that’s Ready? Game 3ULLIVAN ALSO WRITES ABOUT PETS AND PAR- as sweet as salt water taffy. Show” by Lake- ENTING FOR $ISNEYS "ABBLECOM &IND 3UL- “Ben & Zip: Two Short Friends” shore, $29.99, www. LIVAN ON HER BLOGS *UST 7RITE -OM AND by Joanne Linden, $16.95, www.flash- lakeshorelearning. 3OME 0UPPY 4O ,OVE lightpress.com. com.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 45 TRAVEL Photo by Gary Kufner
environment and nature with such activities as crafts, an animal of the day, shell hunting, and viewing shell casings through a microscope. In addition to the camp, the resort offers daily scheduled activities for A happy place the whole family to enjoy together such as crafts, dive-in movies, fam- BY STACEY ZABLE island” feel. Step inside the prop- ily bingo, noodle races, and more Marco Island erty and you immediately feel like depending on the time of year. There tart with a wide, white beach you have escaped the stresses of are Ping-Pong tables and a game ar- Marriott that stretches for miles front- the outside world for a better place, cade, too. S ing a calm surf along Florida’s one filled with genuinely happy and Watersports equipment can be Southwest coast. Add a swimming super family-friendly people. rented at the beach, but for some- ensures smile- pool with slide, waterfall and inter- The Marco Island Marriott doesn’t thing truly special, families should active water features, plus a cool just welcome kids, it goes above and experience the 2.5 hour Sailing and filled stay for camp and game arcade for kids. Top beyond for them. While lounging at Shelling excursion. You set sail from it off with a world-class spa and golf the family Tiki Pool one day, I saw Marco Island Marriott’s beach on a families courses for mom and dad and you’ve resort staff handing out child-sized six-passenger catamaran piloted by found a place ideal for families — the pool floats to moms and dads play- a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort ing with their kids in the water. Our who takes you along the Gulf of Mex- Golf Club and Spa. request for an ice cream sundae not ico to one of the small uninhabited Recently named the No. 1 island found on the menu at 400 Pazzi’s, Ten Thousand Islands to hunt for in the U.S. and No. 4 in the world the resort’s pizza place, was granted seashells. Our trip resulted in a large (just after Bora Bora) in TripAdvi- with the question, “Do you want baggie filled with treasures that we sor’s 2014 Travelers’ Choice awards, Oreos, M&Ms, and sprinkles with now have on display in a tall glass jar. Marco Island, via the Southwest that?” My 11 year-old (and my) an- The captain also points out different Florida International Airport, also swer was “Yes, yes, and yes!” birds, and any dolphins, manatees, happens to be a three-hour nonstop The Tiki Tribe Discovery Camp is or sea turtles that she sees and tells flight from New York City. available from 10 am to 3 pm for kids the story of Marco Island’s creation A recent $275-million renovation ages 5 to 12 for a cost of $70 per child, into a resort community. (For sailors and redesign of the Balinese-styled including lunch. The focus here is ages 5 and older.) resort creates an “island within an on incorporating lessons about the The large spa is the perfect place
46 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 With a pristine white beach and clear waters, the Marco Island Marriott is the perfect relaxing getaway for families. (Opposite) Take advantage of the family- friendly sailing excursion. for parents to escape while kids on the sands in front of Quinn’s on are in camp. Spa guests can work the Beach, a family-friendly spot for out in the private fitness center lunch or dinner. (there is another one in the resort Menus with traditional, kid- open to all), take fitness classes, friendly food are available at all the or just relax in the sauna, steam restaurants, from Korals lobby bar, room, whirlpool, and cold plunge for sushi and appetizers, to the up- pool indoors or indulge in the quiet scale and truly fabulous cuisine at of the spa pool deck, which has a Kurrents. There is also 400 Pazzi’s, new, holistic mineral pool. casual dining at Tropiks (with a There are many choices for great buffet breakfast among its of- body and facial treatments, as well ferings), Café San Marco for coffees, as salon services. The new Sleep pastries, salads, sandwiches and spa treatment is perfect for sleep- desserts, and the Tiki Bar by the deprived parents and includes a pool for grill and light fare. Off-prop- 50-minute massage followed by erty, the resort’s two golf courses, a 20-minute restorative nap with The Rookery and Hammock Bay, soothing sound waves helping to also offer dining choices and an- lull your mind into a deeper sense other place for parents to do their of relaxation. Following my spa own thing if they enjoy the greens. treatment, my traveling compan- The happy place feel of the resort ions actually noted that I looked is so prevalent that other guests not calmer and more rested. even traveling with children go out of their way for kids. While walking Spacious rooms on the beach with my daughter, Practical Solutions that Strengthen Set in two towers, the majority of one woman gave her a sand dollar Relationships at Home the 726 spacious guest rooms fea- she had found and another woman ture full walls of floor-to-ceiling win- gave her a star fish. The greatest dows with glass doors leading to windfall for my daughter took place www.phponline.org spacious balconies. Request a room on day one, when two men gave her www.phponline.org with direct ocean views, and you two fists full of tokens — at least will be treated to the “green flash” $20 worth — as they were leaving, “Short Stories” about Parenting sunset each night. Another option and we were entering, the game for families are the one- or two-bed- arcade. Throughout the trip, she “Common Sense” Tips room Lanai Suites, with separate aptly summed up the Marco Island view a short video living and dining areas and micro- Marriott in five words: “Everyone is Topical and Ongoing Workshops waves and refrigerators. These two- so nice here!” story accommodations are located Discover more on the property at Individual Appointments next to the low-key Quinn’s pool marcoislandmarriott.com. find a list of upcoming parent workshops and are steps from the beach. Stacey Zable is an award-winning www.facebook.com/parentsbrooklyn The magnificent sunset and lo- veteran travel writer and family travel cation of the resort is celebrated expert who has written about destina- read the monthlyhttps://twitter.com/ParentsHelpingP parenting tip and respond a few nights a week with a Fire tions, resorts, and cruise lines around Dancer, who gets wide-eyed gasps the world. Her favorite trips are those toParents a brief Helping survey Parents, 669or Presidentsend a St., quick Brooklyn, comment NY 11215 from kids and adults alike when that she shares with her husband and he performs an authentic Polyne- two daughters. Send travel questions 718-638-9444 sian dance while juggling fire and and comments to info@familytravel- "ROOKLYNPHP GMAILCOM s WWWPHPONLINEORG blowing a ceremonial conch shell trails.com. Parents Helping Parents, 669 President Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-638-9444 [email protected] 2014 www.phponline.org• BROOKLYN Fami ly 47
PARENTING The value of a nanny
ince returning to work from something I’d be doing in the some- my dad recommended a nanny who maternity leave we’ve gotten what distant future. I wasn’t ready was a friend of a friend, and had S a nanny and I have to say, it’s to physically leave my babies, nor just stopped working for another been the best decision ever. emotionally. After some phone family, I decided to meet with her. I I was in such denial about how calls, I soon realized that many wasn’t too keen on having the girls soon I would have to return to work day cares in the area don’t accept stay with a nanny at home, but I de- that I didn’t even bother to look into infants. The ones that do, I just cided to meet with her anyway. childcare up until about two weeks didn’t have a good feeling about. I met with her in her home, MOMMY 101 before I had to return (okay, it was I was told that the one day care I which was immaculate — always ANGELICA SEREDA the week before), at the suggestion did like had a lot of violations (staff a good sign — and she was very of my husband. At a subconscious hitting the children and neglecting warm and kind. I learned that she level, I knew that once I started the children, so no, thanks). When had years of experience caring for making childcare plans, re- children, was first aid-certified, turning to work would be and had references available. Not very real, instead of only was she great on paper, but I also had that good feeling that I had the first time I had to choose a day care. When I was looking for day care for Olivia, I literally chose the first one I walked into (sorry, Mom. I know I told you that I did an extensive search and background check, but the truth is I didn’t). It was one of those moments where my mother’s intuition kicked in. Turns out, it truly does exist. It’s been about a month now with our new nanny, and my home and its members couldn’t be hap- pier. She’s been such a great help to us. She’s there first thing in the morning and helps with the kids while my husband and I are getting ready for work. She plays with Olivia and makes learning fun for her. Each night when I get home, Olivia’s eager to tell me about her day. Yes, the nanny is expensive, but we noticed such a huge change in just the first week of her being there that we feel the cost is worth it. Coming home to a tidy house with bathed and fed children is probably the best gift for a work- ing mom. My husband is ecstatic with her, too. He no longer has to leave at dawn to beat traffic before getting to a noisy day care (I truly appreciated you taking that on, baby), and I’m less stressed when I come home. Truthfully, we don’t know how we got along before her and I’m so glad that I decided to give her a chance, even if it just encouraged my procrastinating ways. Timing is everything, right?
48 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 PARENTING TECHNOLOGYTechnology The value of a nanny Taming passwords ince returning to work from something I’d be doing in the some- my dad recommended a nanny who utomatic locks on the fam- Woodside, your password would be maternity leave we’ve gotten what distant future. I wasn’t ready was a friend of a friend, and had ily car. Check. Safety deposit 3S4k5iWpopoyd. S a nanny and I have to say, it’s to physically leave my babies, nor just stopped working for another A box for valuable papers. Websites. Although many web- been the best decision ever. emotionally. After some phone family, I decided to meet with her. I Check. Padlocks for bicycles. Check. sites offer to generate passwords I was in such denial about how calls, I soon realized that many wasn’t too keen on having the girls Secure passwords for online as- on your behalf, don’t use one unless soon I would have to return to work day cares in the area don’t accept stay with a nanny at home, but I de- sets. Uh-oh. you trust the company behind it. that I didn’t even bother to look into infants. The ones that do, I just cided to meet with her anyway. Now that families conduct so For example, the well-known Norton childcare up until about two weeks didn’t have a good feeling about. I met with her in her home, much of their social and financial Security company offers a free pass- MOMMY 101 before I had to return (okay, it was I was told that the one day care I which was immaculate — always GROWING UP business online, strong passwords word generator at identitysafe.nor- ANGELICA SEREDA the week before), at the suggestion did like had a lot of violations (staff a good sign — and she was very are every bit as important as sturdy ton.com/password-generator. of my husband. At a subconscious hitting the children and neglecting warm and kind. I learned that she ONLINE locks on the doors of your house. Experts disagree about whether level, I knew that once I started the children, so no, thanks). When had years of experience caring for CAROLYN JABS Unfortunately, parents who are very passwords should be recorded. making childcare plans, re- children, was first aid-certified, conscientious about other forms of Most say that a password that’s hard turning to work would be and had references available. Not family security often do the virtual to crack will also be hard to re- very real, instead of only was she great on paper, but equivalent of leaving the key under member, so you’ll probably want to I also had that good feeling that I the doormat. keep a copy somewhere safe. Con- had the first time I had to choose The recent security scare called sider a locked drawer or between the a day care. When I was looking for Heartbleed should have been a good password. That includes birth pages of a favorite book. A Post-It on day care for Olivia, I literally chose wake-up call. If you haven’t already dates, addresses, employers, phone the computer monitor is not a good the first one I walked into (sorry, changed passwords for your online number, names of family and friends. place for a password. Mom. I know I told you that I did an accounts, now is the time. And while Next, review your social media pro- Eventually everyone forgets a extensive search and background you’re at it, teach your kids to create files. Don’t use anything that’s ever password, so be sure your pass- check, but the truth is I didn’t). It smart passwords, too (a curriculum been listed as a favorite. word recovery systems are up-to- was one of those moments where for doing just that is available from Avoid recognizable words. Many date. Many websites send a prompt my mother’s intuition kicked in. Common Sense Media common- programs have been designed to or reset option to an e-mail address. Turns out, it truly does exist. sensemedia.org/educators/lesson/ crack passwords, and most start If you change your e-mail, update the It’s been about a month now strong-passwords-3-5). with a dictionary of words in Eng- sites that require passwords. Provid- with our new nanny, and my home The simplest way to manage pass- lish and other languages. Using any ing a cellphone number also pro- and its members couldn’t be hap- words is to store them all in a vault- recognizable word including proper vides a layer of security, especially pier. She’s been such a great help like piece of software that will gener- nouns makes you more vulnerable. if you have a cellphone that can be to us. She’s there first thing in ate, encrypt, and remember highly Adding an unexpected capital letter, locked if it’s lost. the morning and helps with the secure passwords on your behalf. a random number, or an exclama- Once you’ve found what seems kids while my husband and I Free and reliable programs are avail- tion point makes the password a bit like a great password, there’s a temp- are getting ready for work. able from LastPass, KeePass and stronger — but not much. tation to use it often and keep it She plays with Olivia and Norton Identity Safe. Just be sure Don’t be cute — or lazy. Strong forever. Don’t. Experts recommend makes learning fun for her. that the program you choose will passwords are long — use at least using different passwords, especially Each night when I get home, allow easy access on all the devices eight and preferably 12 characters for sites that involve financial infor- Olivia’s eager to tell me about you use. — and varied: use a combination of mation. And put a “Change pass- her day. Unfortunately, setting up pass- letters, numbers, punctuation marks words” reminder on the calendar Yes, the nanny is expensive, but word software requires time that and symbols. so you do it at least as often as you we noticed such a huge change busy parents may not have. Also, Of course, a long and varied pass- change the oil in the car. in just the first week of her being the password that gets you into the word is harder to remember. Here Many security experts argue that there that we feel the cost is worth software becomes the equivalent of are several ways to generate pass- passwords are obsolete. Perhaps, by it. the one ring that binds them all, so if words that are both random and the time your kids are adults, they Coming home to a tidy house you forget it you are doomed. Those memorable: may be able to protect their online with bathed and fed children is who decide to forgo software need Initialing. Choose a title, phrase assets with a fingerprint or a DNA probably the best gift for a work- to get serious about creating tough or quotation that means something scan. In the meantime, however, mas- ing mom. My husband is ecstatic passwords. The first rule is to avoid to you. Use the initial letter of each tering the art of strong passwords is with her, too. He no longer has to weaknesses that create openings for word as your password. Toss in just one more way parents can have leave at dawn to beat traffic before trolls, bullies, hackers, and identity caps, numbers and symbols to make the peace of mind that comes from getting to a noisy day care (I truly thieves. Here are three things you it harder to hack. knowing you’ve protected what is appreciated you taking that on, don’t want to do: Letter scramble. Start with a long- precious to your family. baby), and I’m less stressed when No personal information. Profes- ish word or short phrase that you Carolyn Jabs raised three computer- I come home. sional hackers know that it’s eas- will remember. Scramble the letters savvy kids, including one with special Truthfully, we don’t know how ier to remember details from your and substitute numbers and sym- needs. She has been writing Growing we got along before her and I’m own life, so if you become a target bols for some of them. Up Online for 10 years and is working so glad that I decided to give her a the first passwords they’ll try are Mix it up. Choose two words on a book about constructive responses chance, even if it just encouraged names of people and places that are that mean something to you and to conflict. Visit www.growing-up-online. my procrastinating ways. Timing is meaningful to you. Google yourself. alternate their letters. If your dog’s com to read other columns. everything, right? Anything that comes up won’t be a name is Skippy and you live at 345 Copyright, 2013, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.
June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 49 ADVICE The deal on trusts What is a “trust” and why would I uted to the heirs. A trust can also help spouse. It can be drafted for the need one? minimize disputes among your heirs, donor to pay the annual income tax particularly if you intend to disinherit for the trust without that payment living trust (also called an one of your children. It can also help being considered an additional gift. inter-vivos trust) is funded control your assets seamlessly if you The benefit is that the trust principal A with assets during your life- are incapacitated or when you die. appreciates and grows faster outside time and can be a useful tool to mini- And, in the case of second marriages, the donor’s estate. mize an estate for New York State a trust can insure that you can leave Life Insurance Trust: This is cre- ASK AN estate tax purposes. Living trusts assets for the benefit of your second ated to avoid estate tax on insurance can be revocable or irrevocable. In (or third) spouse during the spouse’s proceeds at the insured’s death. The ATTORNEY truth, even irrevocable trusts are not lifetime, while protecting those assets common misconception is that life ALISON ARDEN BESUNDER, completely irrevocable, but are more and ensuring that they will be left to insurance is “tax free.” Whole life ESQ. inflexible, as they can be amended, your children (and not the spouse’s insurance policies are income tax modified, or revoked with the con- children) when he or she dies. free, but whole and term policies sent of all of the adult beneficiaries. Trusts can be tailored to meet a are not estate tax-free. They are tax- The current federal estate tax ex- client’s specific objectives. Not all able if the insured and decedent has emption is $5.34 million and will an- trusts are the same and there is no an “incident of ownership” in the nually adjust for inflation. The New one-size-fits-all trust. Here is a brief policy. If a trust owns the policy, the York State estate tax exemption was explanation of some types of trusts insured no longer has an incident of recently amended and is now $2.065 that are commonly used: ownership in the policy. Annual pay- million, and will also be annually ad- 2503 (c) Trust: This is a minor’s ments to the trust will qualify for the justed. However, whereas New York trust for the benefit of minor chil- annual exclusion and can be used to once did not have a gift tax, now New dren. The trust by its terms must ter- pay insurance premiums. York State will “add back” gifts made minate when the beneficiary reaches Supplemental Needs Trust: These within three years of death into a de- the age of 18 or 21. This trust is pref- are trusts created for disabled ben- cedent’s gross estate. erable to making gifts to an Uniform eficiaries. Assets transferred to this Aside from taxes, there are other Transfer to Minors Account or an trust is not counted as an asset of incentives to create a trust. Maintain- Uniform Gift to Minors Account ac- the beneficiary and therefore, does ing assets in a trust rather than in count as it can protect assets from not render the beneficiary ineligible your individual name helps to avoid creditors. Furthermore, the invest- for Supplemental Security Income probate, a court process that is re- ment opportunities are unlimited. or Medicaid. When the beneficiary quired in order to transfer assets from Inter-vivos Bypass-Credit Shelter dies, the trust proceeds are payable the name of someone who has died Trust: This is the same type of trust to the donor’s named beneficiaries. into the estate, where it can be distrib- that is included in a last will and Retirement Trusts: These trust testament for a spouse and descen- are drafted to receive required mini- dants, only it is created during the mum distributions and additional donor’s lifetime. If funded now, the principal from retirement funds. transferred amount and all the ap- There are very specific IRS rules for preciation will escape gift and estate naming a trust as a beneficiary of tax. Another added bonus — the qualified funds. If drafted correctly, spouse can be both a beneficiary the trust can preserve the ability to and a co-trustee. stretch out the IRA payments over Health Education Expense Trust: the beneficiary’s life expectancy and A “Heet” is used to pay beneficiaries’ name alternate beneficiaries upon health and education costs. Both the primary beneficiary’s death. contributions to the trust and dis- Alison Arden Besunder is the found- tributions from the trust will be tax- ing attorney of the law firm of Arden free. This is a good option for people Besunder P.C., where she assists new inclined to gift money who have al- and not-so-new parents with their estate ready exhausted their generation- planning needs. Her firm assists clients skipping tax exemption. in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Nas- Intentionally Defective Grantor sau, and Suffolk Counties. You can find Trust: This trust is created for the Alison Besunder on Twitter @estatetrust- benefit of descendants and others, plan and on her website at www.besun- but may also include the donor’s derlaw.com.
Disclaimer: This column is provided by the Law Offices of Alison Arden Besunder P.C. and New York Parenting Media as a public service to inform readers of legal issues. It is not intended to advise. Since legal issues vary with an individual’s situation and needs, one should consult with an attorney. It is impossible to cover all aspects of the law in an article. Please be advised that the laws are constantly changing. The content in this article reflects the current law. Nothing contained in this article is intended as advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the firm. Individual consultation with an attorney is required to determine the specific facts and circumstances of any particular situ- ation. A written retainer agreement between you and the firm is required before any attorney-client relationship may be created. Circular 230 Disclosure Notice: To ensure compliance with Treasury Department rules governing tax practice, we inform you that any advice contained herein (including in any attachment) (1) was not written and is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty that may be imposed on the taxpayer, and (2) may not be used in connection with promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any transaction or matter addressed herein. 50 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 ADVICE NEW YORK SPECIAL CHILD
Summer/Early Fall 2011 LONG ISLAND SPECIAL CHILD The deal on trusts NEW YORK FREE SPECIAL CHILD Trusted since 2008 What is a “trust” and why would I uted to the heirs. A trust can also help spouse. It can be drafted for the www.NYParenting.com need one? minimize disputes among your heirs, donor to pay the annual income tax 5 myths particularly if you intend to disinherit for the trust without that payment Fall/Winter 2011–2012 NEW YORK FREE living trust (also called an one of your children. It can also help being considered an additional gift. Routines about inter-vivos trust) is funded control your assets seamlessly if you The benefit is that the trust principal bring fitness with assets during your life- are incapacitated or when you die. appreciates and grows faster outside SPECIAL CHILD A benefitswww.NYParenting.com & autism time and can be a useful tool to mini- And, in the case of second marriages, the donor’s estate. ASK AN mize an estate for New York State a trust can insure that you can leave Life Insurance Trust: This is cre- Celebrating estate tax purposes. Living trusts assets for the benefit of your second ated to avoid estate tax on insurance Five Informing & Enriching ATTORNEY can be revocable or irrevocable. In (or third) spouse during the spouse’s proceeds at the insured’s death. The truth, even irrevocable trusts are not lifetime, while protecting those assets common misconception is that life Y e a r s “Special Needs” ALISON ARDEN BESUNDER, completely irrevocable, but are more and ensuring that they will be left to insurance is “tax free.” Whole life in print ESQ. inflexible, as they can be amended, your children (and not the spouse’s insurance policies are income tax modified, or revoked with the con- children) when he or she dies. free, but whole and term policies Families throughout sent of all of the adult beneficiaries. Trusts can be tailored to meet a are not estate tax-free. They are tax- Positive The current federal estate tax ex- client’s specific objectives. Not all able if the insured and decedent has behavior emption is $5.34 million and will an- trusts are the same and there is no an “incident of ownership” in the support NYC & Long Island nually adjust for inflation. The New one-size-fits-all trust. Here is a brief policy. If a trust owns the policy, the Cultivating Optimistic York State estate tax exemption was explanation of some types of trusts insured no longer has an incident of winning recently amended and is now $2.065 that are commonly used: ownership in the policy. Annual pay- attitudesparenting million, and will also be annually ad- 2503 (c) Trust: This is a minor’s ments to the trust will qualify for the The power justed. However, whereas New York trust for the benefit of minor chil- annual exclusion and can be used to of music once did not have a gift tax, now New dren. The trust by its terms must ter- pay insurance premiums. York State will “add back” gifts made minate when the beneficiary reaches Supplemental Needs Trust: These within three years of death into a de- the age of 18 or 21. This trust is pref- are trusts created for disabled ben- For more information about distribution or cedent’s gross estate. erable to making gifts to an Uniform eficiaries. Assets transferred to this Summer/Early Fall 2011 LONG ISLAND FREE Aside from taxes, there are other Transfer to Minors Account or an trust is not counted as an asset of how to get your free copy, please Fall/Winter 2010/2011 incentives to create a trust. Maintain- Uniform Gift to Minors Account ac- the beneficiary and therefore, does LONG SPECIALISLAND CHILDFREE ing assets in a trust rather than in count as it can protect assets from not render the beneficiary ineligible www.webfamilyny.com e-mail us at [email protected]. your individual name helps to avoid creditors. Furthermore, the invest- for Supplemental Security Income SPECIAL CHILD5 myths probate, a court process that is re- ment opportunities are unlimited. or Medicaid. When the beneficiary w w w .NYParenting Routines.com about quired in order to transfer assets from Inter-vivos Bypass-Credit Shelter dies, the trust proceeds are payable bring fitness Visit us online at the name of someone who has died Trust: This is the same type of trust to the donor’s named beneficiaries. benefits & autism into the estate, where it can be distrib- that is included in a last will and Retirement Trusts: These trust testament for a spouse and descen- are drafted to receive required mini- WWW.90ARENTINGCOM dants, only it is created during the mum distributions and additional donor’s lifetime. If funded now, the principal from retirement funds. Tips to ,IKE US ON OUR &ACEBOOK PAGE .90ARENTING organize transferred amount and all the ap- There are very specific IRS rules for OR FOLLOW US ON 4WITTER preciation will escape gift and estate naming a trust as a beneficiary of 8 your child tax. Another added bonus — the qualified funds. If drafted correctly, spouse can be both a beneficiary the trust can preserve the ability to Take charge and a co-trustee. stretch out the IRA payments over Creating an IEP Health Education Expense Trust: the beneficiary’s life expectancy and A “Heet” is used to pay beneficiaries’ name alternate beneficiaries upon Cultivating health and education costs. Both winning the primary beneficiary’s death. attitudes contributions to the trust and dis- Alison Arden Besunder is the found- To advertise your business and or services tributions from the trust will be tax- ing attorney of the law firm of Arden School blues free. This is a good option for people Besunder P.C., where she assists new Overcoming anxiety CONTACT US AT OR inclined to gift money who have al- and not-so-new parents with their estate ready exhausted their generation- planning needs. Her firm assists clients E MAIL US AT FAMILY CNGLOCALCOM skipping tax exemption. in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Nas- Intentionally Defective Grantor sau, and Suffolk Counties. You can find Trust: This trust is created for the Alison Besunder on Twitter @estatetrust- benefit of descendants and others, plan and on her website at www.besun- but may also include the donor’s derlaw.com. Disclaimer: This column is provided by the Law Offices of Alison Arden Besunder P.C. and New York Parenting Media as a public service to inform readers of legal issues. It is not intended to advise. Since legal issues vary with an individual’s Family Publications New York/CNG situation and needs, one should consult with an attorney. It is impossible to cover all aspects of the law in an article. Please be advised that the laws are constantly changing. The content in this article reflects the current law. Nothing contained in this article is intended as advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the firm. Individual consultation with an attorney is required to determine the specific facts and circumstances of any particular situ- -ETRO4ECH #ENTER .ORTH TH &L s "ROOKLYN .9 ation. A written retainer agreement between you and the firm is required before any attorney-client relationship may be created. Circular 230 Disclosure Notice: To ensure compliance with Treasury Department rules governing tax practice, we inform you that any advice contained herein (including in any attachment) (1) was not written and is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty that may be imposed on the taxpayer, and s FAMILY CNGLOCALCOM (2) may not be used in connection with promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any transaction or matter addressed herein. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 51 CalendarJune
Puppets big and small
Don’t get too close to the life- sized, walking T-Rex at the Pup- petry Arts Festival of Brooklyn on June 28. The dynamo dino will thrill festival-goers at the fun, family event that helps raise funds to support free cultural programs in area schools and youth shelters. Puppet shows, a special per- formance by Yellow Sneakers, James Kent, Arlee Chadwick, and Charlie Kanev, along with a very special appearance by Tuffy Tiger putting on his new interac- tive staged show, “Tuffy’s Great Adventure,” entertain visitors. Adding more thrills and chills, the Dino troubadour from Field Station, Dinosaurs of New Jer- sey’s Meadowlands will be mak- ing a special trip over the river to introduce a breathing, 15-foot juvenile T-Rex in an interactive, entertaining and surprising pa- leozoic adventure for all. Puppetry Arts Festival of Brooklyn, June 28, 11 am to 3 pm. Although admission to the festi- val is free, there is a $2 hands-on puppet craft fee, carnival games and snacks. The Bouncie House is $4 and T-shirt designing is $4. Tickets for activities are $1 each and raffle tickets will also be on sale. Puppetry Arts Festival [Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue, (718) 768–
3703]. Tuffy Tiger, Puppetry Arts New York
52 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Calendar Author Paul DuBois Jacobs, Jennifer Swender and Dan Yaccarino read from Submit a listing “Count 123 on the Subway.” RSVP This calendar is dedicated to Requested. bringing our readers the most Garden tour: Brooklyn Botanic Gar- comprehensive list of events in den, 1000 Washington Ave., at East- your area. But to do so, we need ern Parkway; (718) 623–7220; www. your help! bbg.org; 2–3 pm and 3:30–4:30 pm; Send your listing request to $12 ($15 non-members). brooklyn[email protected] Family-friendly peek inside the gar- — and we’ll take care of the rest. dens. Learn about garden plots and Please e-mail requests more make a tasty treat. Pre-registration re- than three weeks prior to the quired and available online; cancelled event to ensure we have enough in case of inclement weather. time to get it in. And best of all, it’s FREE! Further Afield Macy’s Sunday Story Time: New- York Historical Society DiMenna Chil- Sat, May 31 dren’s History Museum, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, Manhattan; In Brooklyn (212) 873–3400; nyhistory.org; 11:30 Project Art: Park Slope PS 321, 180 am; Free with museum admission. Seventh Ave. between First and Sec- From the 17th-century to the 21st, ond streets; (718) 499–2412; Noon–3 through fiction and through fact, hear pm; Free. tales of New York City and the people Portrait-making using mixed-media, who made it great. found, recyclable, and socially con- Reading into History: New-York scious materials followed by an exhibi- Historical Society DiMenna Children’s tion to celebrate young artists. History Museum, 170 Central Park Meet the authors: New York West at 77th Street, Manhattan; (212) Transit Museum, Boerum Place at 873–3400; nyhistory.org; 3 pm; Free Schermerhorn Street; (718) 694–1600; with museum admission. www.mta.info/mta/museum; 1:30 pm; Book club families and author Kris- Free with museum admission. tin Levine will discuss “The Lions of Poets Paul Dubois Jacobs and Jenni- Little Rock” and the history of segre- fer Swender share their prose with chil- gation in American schools. Best for dren 3 years and older. ages 9–12. Redhawk Native American Arts Council Open House: Cynthia King Dance Studio, 21 Snyder Ave. between Bed- Wed, June 4 ford and Flatbush avenues; (718) 437– In Brooklyn 0101; [email protected]; Pow-Wow turns 20 “The Very Hungry Caterpillar cynthiakingdance.com; 2–5 pm; Free. For a taste of American Indian and the Men’s Northern Tradi- Storytime”: Barnes and Noble, 106 Tour facility, meet teachers and take culture, look no further than Avi- tional, also called the War Dance. Court St.; (718) 246–4996; www. open dance classes, dance demos, and ator Sports Complex on June 6, 7, More than 40 vendors and barnesandnoble.com; 11 am; Free. raffles. and 8, when Gateway to Nations booths will showcase the tradi- Celebrate the 45th anniversary of Family walk: Brooklyn Botanic Gar- comes to Brooklyn for the 20th tional wares of the tribes, as well this great story along with all the other den, 1000 Washington Ave., at East- annual Pow-Wow celebration. as offer demonstrations of artistic Eric Carle’s children’s books. ern Parkway; (718) 623–7220; www. The Redhawk Native American techniques that have been passed Book club: powerHouse on 8th, bbg.org; 3–4 pm; Free with admission 1111 Eighth Ave. between 11th and to the gardens. Arts Council has been inform- down through the generations. ing and introducing visitors to Authentic cuisine, including 12th streets; (718) 666–3049; www. Celebrate 100 years of the children’s powerhousearena.com; 5:30 pm; Free. garden with an interactive walk and the rich and varied culture and buffalo burgers, venison stew, Middle schoolers join in a discus- hands-on activities. history of the Native American and corn soup, is on the menu, as sion with blogger Jordan Nielsen of peoples for 20 years. By host- well as a live bird of prey exhibit, TheRustyKey.com. This month’s selec- Sun, June 1 ing these events, that enchant pony rides, and a tipi raising. tion is “Boys of Blur” by ND Wilson. the audience with dance, song, Gateway to Nations on June 6 RSVP requested. In Brooklyn and art, the council has shared from 10 am to 7 pm and on June Seining: Salt Marsh, Burnett Street the cultures of the tribes of the 7 and 8 from 11 am to 7 pm. Ad- Thurs, June 5 and Avenue U; www.nycgovparks.org; Lower Hudson Valley as well as mission on June 6 is $7 for all; 11 am; Free. indigenous communities from all admission on June 7 and 8 is $14 In Brooklyn Children learn about the ethics over the Americas. for adults, $8 for seniors and chil- Race around the yard: Lefferts of fishing, ecology and fishing pro- Historic Homestead, 452 Flatbush Ave. grams. Mandatory safety review prior Highlights of the festival in- dren, and free for children under clude the Hoop Dance, the Wom- 5. Parking is free. between Empire Boulevard and East- to event. ern Parkway; (718) 789–2822; www. en’s Jungle Dress, the Iroquois Aviator Sports Complex [Floyd Story time: powerHouse on 8th, prospectpark.org; 1–4 pm; $3. Smoke Dance, the Woman’s Fancy Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave. in 1111 Eighth Ave. between 11th and Get out and get moving, potato 12th streets; (718) 666–3049; www. Shawl — also called the Butterfly Flatbush, (718) 758–7500; www.gate- sacks, spoon races, stilts, and other powerhousearena.com; 11:30 am; Dance — the Men’s Fancy War, way2014.eventbrite.com]. old-fashioned racing games. Free. Continued on page 54 June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 53 Calendar Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar
Continued from page 53 cacies, forró, quadrilha, games, raffles, Antique Car Collection: Brooklyn etc. Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St. at Puppet shorts: BAM Kids, 30 Clinton Street; (718) 222–4111; www. Lafayette Ave. at Ashland Place; (718) brooklynhistory.org; 6:30 pm; $15 636–4129; www.bam.org; 2 pm; $9 ($10 members). ($8 club members; $7 children under Explore Lenny Shiller’s collection of 12). antique autos, including a 1929 Durant Partnered with the Jim Henson rumble seat coupe, a 1953 Packard Foundation, the program features a se- convertible, and a 1947 international lection of shorts for kids. soda truck. Reserve tickets in advance. Book launch: PowerHouse Arena, Further Afield 37 Main St. at Water Street; (718) Cross-Stitch Circle: New-York 666–3049; www.powerhousearena. Historical Society DiMenna Children’s com; 3–5 pm; Free. History Museum, 170 Central Park “Wreck This Journal Everywhere” by West at 77th Street, Manhattan; (212) Keri Smith makes it debut and asks all 873–3400; nyhistory.org; 3:30 pm; to scribble, doodle, write, color, stomp Free with museum admission. and best of all to destroy a gigantic Beginning cross stitchers ages 6 and book. Crayons, markers, chalk, stickers, up will learn the basic stitch and create and other fun wrecking tool will be a bookmark with their new skill. provided. RSVP requested. Further Afield Fri, June 6 Macy’s Sunday Story Time: In Brooklyn 11:30 am. New-York Historical Society DiMenna Children’s History Museum. Project Art: Noon–3 pm. Park Slope See Sunday, June 1. PS 321. See Saturday, May 31. Brass production Lost Arts Series Presents Quilt- Sat, June 7 The brass band that can fit mighty Mississippi — that built ing: New-York Historical Society in your pocket is swinging into our nation and the people who DiMenna Children’s History Museum, In Brooklyn 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, town for a free concert on June worked on them in this family- Sing back: Brooklyn Historical So- Manhattan; (212) 873–3400; nyhis- 28 at the Waterfront Museum and friendly River Songs of America tory.org; 2 pm; $15, $12 (members). ciety, 128 Pierrepont St. at Clinton Showbarge. concert. Street; (718) 222–4111; www.brook- Visitors will explore the quilts in the lynhistory.org; 11 am; Free. Jeff Newell’s award-winning Jeff Newell’s New-Trad Quartet exhibition “Homefront and Battlefield: Sing along features family-friendly New-Trad Quartet shares sto- on June 28 from 2 to 4 pm; Free. Quilts & Context in the Civil War” then songs, stories, skits, movies and more. ries and music from historic Waterfront Museum, Lehigh Val- create their own quilt pattern. Lloyd Miller sings songs about summer American waterways — includ- ley Barge No. 79 [290 Conover St. at Genealogy Workshop: Queens fun and enjoying the great outdoors. ing the Hudson, the Ohio, the Pier 44 in Red Hook, (718) 624–4719; Historical Society, 143-35 37th Ave.; Blooming Babies: Brooklyn Chil- Shenandoah, the Erie Canal, the www.waterfrontmuseum.org] (718) 939–0647 X 17; kmooney@ dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. queenshistoricalscoiety.org; 2:30–4:30 at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735– pm; $5-8. Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelley and the 4400; www.brooklynkids.org; 11:30 St. at Kent Avenue; www.ps132pta. Amelia Robinson plays her electric Daughters of the American Revolution am–12:30 pm; Free with museum uke with surprise musical guests — org; Noon–5 pm; $1-5 for rides and admission. give a genealogy discussion and work- join in for interactive songs that fea- craft food ($5 kites or bring your shop. The Queens chapter of Daugh- Children 18 months to 2 years dis- ture urban funk, honky-tonk, and ca- own). cover Caribbean-American heritage by ters of the American Revolution is one lypso beats. Have fun with live music, games of the first in the organization’s history studying Trinidad and Tobago — view and crafts, and kite flying. Presented the beautiful headdresses from the Camping: Salt Marsh Nature Center, that was started by a black woman: 3302 Avenue U; (718) 421–2021; 6 by PS 132. Great for children 3 to 13 Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly. museum’s collection and then make years old. one to take home. pm; Free. Have a fun night camping out under House tour: Lefferts Historic Home- Tues, June 10 Sproutfest: Brooklyn Botanic Gar- the stars. Tents are provided. stead, 452 Flatbush Ave. between Em- den, 1000 Washington Ave. at Eastern pire Boulevard and Eastern Parkway; In Brooklyn Parkway; (718) 623–7220; www.bbg. (718) 789–2822; www.prospectpark. Tree Care Tuesday: Study loca- org; Noon–4 pm; $10 ($5 seniors and Sun, June 8 org; Noon–1 pm; $10. tion, Manhattan Avenue at Metropoli- students; free members and children In Brooklyn Explore the old bones (timbers) of tan Avenue; (917) 727–9761; info@ under 12). Story time: powerHouse on 8th, the old Dutch house, climb the stair- humanimpactsinstitute.org; 10 am– Children enjoy 100 years of the case for a view of the attic’s smoke- noon; Free. garden with music, storytelling, face- 1111 Eighth Ave. between 11th and 12th streets; (718) 666–3049; www. house, and descend into the cellar for Children learn how we humans im- painting, workshops, and games for all a look at the foundation. For adults pact the health of our trees. Children ages. Entertainment by the Ebony Hill- powerhousearena.com; 11:30 am; Free. and teens. Only 10 persons per tour, under 18 must be accompanied by a billies and Shine and the Moonbeams. reservations required. Author Tad Hills hosts a reading guardian. Bring a water bottle, sun- Project Art: Noon–3 pm. Park Slope block, a hat and other personal items. of “Duck & Goose go to the Beach.” Festa Junina Do Brooklyn (Bra- PS 321. See Saturday, May 31. Tree study supplies will be supplied. RSVP requested. zilian June Festival): Saint Saviour Parish Hall, 611 Eighth Ave. between Storytime en Espanol: Barnes Mils Trills: Brooklyn Children’s Mu- Blooming Babies: 11:30 am–12:30 Sixth and Seventh streets; festajunina- and Noble, 106 Court St.; (718) 246– seum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks pm. Brooklyn Children’s Museum. See dobrooklyn.blogspot.com; 12:30–4:30 4996; www.barnesandnoble.com; 11 Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. Saturday, June 7. brooklynkids.org; 4 pm; Free with mu- pm; $10–$25. am; Free. seum admission. Kite festival: CitiStorage, 5 N. 11th Authentic Brazilian fun: typical deli- Event includes reading, word prac- 54 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Calendar tice and activities. Ridge Avenue and Shore Road; (718) 421–2021; www.nycgovparks.org; 2 Thurs, June 12 pm; Free. Catch-and-release method is a fun Further Afield way to get outdoors and learn about Cross-Stitch Circle: 3:30 pm. New- our waterways. Mandatory safety re- York Historical Society DiMenna Chil- view led by park rangers; suitable for dren’s History Museum. See Thursday, children 8 years and older. All materials June 5. provided. Father’s Day: 2:30 pm. Brooklyn Sat, June 14 Children’s Museum. See Saturday, June 14. In Brooklyn Birthday Bash: New York Tran- Further Afield sit Museum, Boerum Place and Macy’s Sunday Story Time: Schermerhorn Street; (718) 694–4952; 11:30 am. New-York Historical Society 51281.blackbaudhosting.com/51281/ DiMenna Children’s History Museum. subway-birthday-bash; 9–11 am; $55 See Sunday, June 1. ($30 children; Free for children under 2). Thurs, June 19 The New York City subway system is celebrating 110 years of service. Ride In Brooklyn historic trains, meet costumed inter- Celebrate Haiti: Brooklyn Chil- preters, do craft projects and enjoy live dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at entertainment. St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Bird watching: Prospect Park www.brooklynkids.org; 11:30 am Audubon Center, Enter park at Lin- and 2:30 pm; Free with museum
coln Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) Photo by TA Smith admission. 287–3400; www.prospectpark.org/ What would you eat if you lived in audubon; 10 am; Free. a place surrounded by water? What Families with children 8 years and Wolves, frogs, ducks would you wear? Children discover the older enjoy observing and identify- wonder of Haiti by viewing art forms ing the some 200 species of our fine- The summer season begins at Duckling” is the timeless yarn of like Drapo flags. Little ones — 5 years feathered friends that pass through Puppetworks with a special one- the little swan. and younger — make a craft inspired the park. Binoculars and bird guides hour performance featuring three The program is approximately by the Haitian art. provided. tales — “Peter and the Wolf,” “The one hour and suitable for chil- Further Afield Mighty Dads: Barnes and Noble, Frog Prince,” and “The Ugly Duck- dren 3 years and older. Cross-Stitch Circle: 3:30 pm. New- 106 Court St.; (718) 246–4996; www. ling” — now through Aug. 17. The puppet show is presented York Historical Society DiMenna Chil- barnesandnoble.com; 11 am; Free. Narrated for marionettes by on Saturdays and Sundays, now dren’s History Museum. See Thursday, Join in celebrating hardworking dads Nicolas Copppola, “Peter and the through Aug. 17. Performances are June 5. with stories and activities. Wolf” is the story of a boy who 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm; Tickets are Block Party: Brooklyn Children’s captures a wolf with the help of $8 for children, $9 for adults and Sat, June 21 Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. his animal friends, while “The $7 for groups of 20 or more. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Frog Prince” tells the tale of a Puppetworks [338 Sixth Ave. at In Brooklyn www.brooklynkids.org; 11:30 am; princess who kisses a frog and Fourth Street in Park Slope, (718) Jamaica!: Brooklyn Children’s Mu- Free with museum admission. finds her prince, and “The Ugly 965–3391; www.puppetworks.org]. seum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Children enjoy erecting new build- Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. ings with an assortment of blocks. brooklynkids.org; 11:30 am; Free with museum admission. Urban glass: Park Slope PS 321, 180 com; 2 pm; Free. ticipating families will be chosen by Seventh Ave. between First and Sec- Caribbean-American Heritage Children enjoy a special story time lottery. ond streets; (718) 499–2412; Noon–3 Month continues with an explora- with dad. pm; Free. tion of the island nation of Jamaica. Watch an artist make glass beads Father’s Day: Brooklyn Children’s Sun, June 15 Discover the rich culture by sampling Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Jamaican buns, desserts, and snacks. over an open fire. Live demo includes In Brooklyn narration of making glass beads and Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Children 2 and a half to 5 years old hand-made jewelry. Presented by PS www.brooklynkids.org; 2:30 pm; Free Story time: powerHouse on 8th, chew on sweet sugar cane, then wash 321 on Seventh Avenue. with museum admission. 1111 Eighth Ave. between 11th and it down with Jamaican Punch. Celebrate the daddy in your life, lis- 12th streets; (718) 666–3049; www. Craft workshop: Brooklyn Botanic Mark Morris Dance Company: ten to jazz music, and make a great powerhousearena.com; 11:30 am; Garden, 1000 Washington Ave. at Park Slope PS 321, 180 Seventh Ave. gift to dear-old dad. For children under Free. Eastern Parkway; (718) 623–7220; between First and Second streets; 5 years old. www.bbg.org; 1–4 pm; $31 ($28 Staff member Amy reads to children. (718) 499–2412; Noon – 3 pm; Free. members includes $8 materials fee). Further Afield RSVP requested. Back-to-back open level class that is appropriate for all ages. Presented by Make your own journal using na- Family Camping: Central Park, Block Party: 11:30 am. Brooklyn PS 321 on Seventh Avenue. ture’s materials; then explore the gar- Near 79th Street Transverse, Man- Children’s Museum. See Saturday, dens and collect specimens for your hattan; www.nycgovparks.org/ June 14. Barolosolo Cirkus Company: book. Pre-registration required. events/2014/06/14/family-camping; 6 Pier 1, Middagh Street and Furman Urban glass: Noon–3 pm. Park pm; Free. Street; (347) 268–0023; www.brook- Father’s Day storytime: Barnes Slope PS 321. See Saturday, June 14. and Noble, 267 Seventh Ave.; (718) Camp out with your family in Cen- lynbridgepark.org; 3–7 pm; Free. 832–9066; www.barnesandnoble. tral Park! Tents are provided, par- Saltwater fishing: Shore Park, Bay Continued on page 56 June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 55 Calendar Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar
Continued from page 55 Further Afield Tetsu, an 11-year-old baseball fanatic pm, Now – Sun, June 29; $15–$25 living in an internment camp with his (children and seniors $12–$15). It’s a mixed-up, mashed-up fusion Cross-Stitch Circle: 3:30 pm. New- family. Best for ages 9-12. of physical theater, aquatic poetry, and York Historical Society DiMenna Chil- Family drama for teens and up, writ- music. In association with Summer- dren’s History Museum. See Thursday, ten by Angelica Chéri. Stage. Kids presented by Disney. June 5. Tues, July 1 Little Kids, Big Stars: MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street; Krik Krak, storytelling: Brooklyn In Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. Fri, June 27 (718) 37-BKLYN; info@brooklyncy- at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Tree Care Tuesday: Study location, clones.com; www.brooklyncyclones. www.brooklynkids.org; 4 pm; Free In Brooklyn Driggs Avenue and Monitor Street; com; Now through Sunday, June 7. with museum admisison. (917) 727–9761; info@humanim- Free. Superhero day: Brooklyn Chil- pactsinstitute.org; 10 am–noon; Free. Celebrate Haitian art and culture dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at Baseball is back and the Cyclones Children learn how we humans im- with songs and stories that tell the oral St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; want the little ones to experience the pact the health of our trees. Children history of the island. www.brooklynkids.org; 10 am –2:30 game. Coaches of little league and under 18 must be accompanied by a pm; Free with museum admission. softball leagues throughout the bor- guardian. Bring a water bottle, sun- oughs can nominate one player their Celebrate the Man of Steel and Sun, June 22 block, a hat and other personal items. team to be named Little Kids, Big other comic book legends by making Tree study supplies will be supplied. Stars of the week. For boys and girls In Brooklyn a fun cape, honing detective skills, and between the ages of 5 and 14 years for the ladies, make the lasso of truth “Little Red’s Hood”: Pier 6, Co- old. The child should have a passion lumbia Street and Furman Street; with Wonder Woman. Children who Long-running for baseball/softball, serve as a leader www.nycgovparks.org; 11 am; Free. come dressed as their favorite char- In Brooklyn to the team and be helpful to the acter get half off admission. Children An updated, modern version with a Art Kid: Brooklyn Children’s Mu- coaches. The winners will receive an twist. Little Red Riding Hood will never also sing “Happy Birthday” and create invitation to a baseball clinic with the a craft to take home. For all ages. seum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks be the same. Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. Cyclones a chance to throw out a first pitch and a commemorative T-shirt. Jamaica!: 11:30 am. Brooklyn Chil- brooklynkids.org; Fridays, 11:30 am, dren’s Museum. See Saturday, June Sat, June 28 Now – Fri, May 30; Free with museum Kids’ Discovery Stations: Brook- 21. In Brooklyn admission. lyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washing- Children 5 years and older explore a ton Ave., at Eastern Parkway; (718) Puppetry Arts Festival: Festival Barolosolo Cirkus Company: new style each week. 623–7220; www.bbg.org; Tuesdays site, Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue; 3–7 pm. Pier 1. See Saturday, June 21. and Saturdays, 10:30 am–12:30 pm, Blooming naturalist: Prospect (718) 768–3703; 11 am–3 pm; Free. Now – Fri, June 6; free with admission Further Afield Park Audubon Center, Enter park A life-sized walking T-rex and ador- to the grounds. at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue; Macy’s Sunday Story Time: able tiny tigers, what more can you ask Each week children explore differ- (718) 287–3400; www.prospectpark. 11:30 am. New-York Historical Society for? Children get to meet Tuffy Tiger, ent topics. DiMenna Children’s History Museum. from “That’s What Tuffy Tigers Do,” org/audubon; Thursdays and Fridays, See Sunday, June 1. along with tap dancing cats, sing-a- Noon–4 pm, Now – Fri, Aug. 29; Free. Touch tank: Brooklyn Children’s longs and fun for all ages. Children use fun games and ac- Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. tivities to learn what makes birds so Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Flax harvest: Lefferts Historic Tues, June 24 special. www.brooklynkids.org; Wednesdays, Homestead, 452 Flatbush Ave. be- In Brooklyn Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 am– tween Empire Boulevard and Eastern Blooming naturalists: Prospect 12:30 pm and 2:30–3:30 pm, Now Tree Care Tuesday: Study loca- Parkway; (718) 789–2822; www. Park Audubon Center, Enter park at – Sun, Aug. 31; Free with museum tion, Manhattan Avenue at Metropoli- prospectpark.org; 1–4 pm; $3. Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) admission. 287–3400; www.prospectpark.org/ tan Avenue; (917) 727–9761; info@ Try your hand at linen production, Children of all ages touch a starfish, humanimpactsinstitute.org; 10 am– flax crop processing, and take a photo- audubon; Thursdays and Fridays, 1–2 a horseshoe crab, or a sea snail. noon; Free. op on the farm wagon. pm, Now – Fri, July 25; Free. Sensory room: Brooklyn Chil- Children learn how we humans im- Play games and activities and learn “River Songs of America”: The dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at pact the health of our trees. Children all about birds. Waterfront Museum, Lehigh Valley St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; under 18 must be accompanied by a Barge No. 79, 290 Conover St. at Pier Nature on the Go: Prospect Park www.brooklynkids.org; Tuesdays, guardian. Bring a water bottle, sun- 44; (718) 624–4719; www.waterfront- Audubon Center, Enter park at Lin- Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, block, a hat and other personal items. museum.org; 2–4 pm; Free. coln Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 11:30 am–12:30 pm and 2:30–3:30 Tree study supplies will be supplied. The Jeff Newell’s New-Trad Quartet 287–3400; www.prospectpark.org/ pm, Now – Sun, Aug. 31; Free with “Five Little Monkeys Jumping presents this concert featuring our na- audubon; Thursdays, 2–3 pm, Fridays, museum admission. on the Bed”: Barnes and Noble, tion’s songs and history. 2–3 pm, Now – Fri, Aug. 29; Free. For children with autism spectrum 106 Court St.; (718) 246–4996; www. Explore the flora and fauna in the disorder and their families. Space lim- barnesandnoble.com; 11 am; Free. Sun, June 29 park and discover nature all around. ited, first come first served. Special event with those zany sim- Animal encounter: Prospect Park Further Afield The Art of Math: Brooklyn Chil- ians, includes reading and activities. Audubon Center, Enter park at Lin- dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at Macy’s Sunday Story Time: coln Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Thurs, June 26 11:30 am. New-York Historical Society 287–3400; www.prospectpark.org/ www.brooklynkids.org; Saturdays and DiMenna Children’s History Museum. audubon; Thursdays and Fridays, 3–4 Sundays, 12:30 pm, Now – Sun, Aug. In Brooklyn See Sunday, June 1. pm, Now – Fri, Aug. 29; Free. 31; Free with museum admission. Fishing clinic: Prospect Park Audu- Reading into History: New-York How did Snappy get its name? Find Children learn all about shapes, tri- bon Center, Enter park at Lincoln Road Historical Society DiMenna Children’s out in this fun event. angles, squares. and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287–3400; History Museum, 170 Central Park “The Seeds of Abraham: Part Summer Series puppet theater: www.prospectpark.org/audubon; 6–8 West at 77th Street, Manhattan; (212) Two of the Prophet’s Cycle”: Billie Puppetworks, 338 Sixth Ave. at Fourth pm; $5 (per person, cash only). 873–3400; nyhistory.org; 3 pm; Free Holiday Theatre, 1368 Fulton St. be- Street; (718) 965–3391; www.pup- Learn how to tie a fishing knot, how with museum admission. tween Marcy and Brooklyn avenues; petworks.org; Saturdays and Sundays, to rig a rod and reel, and how to cast “A Diamond in the Desert” by Kath- (718) 636–0918; www.thebillieholi- 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm, Now – Sun, a line. Suitable for children 8 years and ryn Fitzmaurice explores the incredible day.org; Thursdays and Fridays, 8 pm, Aug. 17; $8 ($9 adults; $7 groups of older. Reservations required. history through the life of the fictional Saturdays, 3 pm, 8 pm, Sundays, 4 20 or more). 56 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Calendar Prokofiev’s orchestral adventure in- cluding “Peter & the Wolf,” “The Frog Prince,” “The Comedians,” and “The Ugly Duckling.” Recommended for children 3 years and older. Total run- ning time is approximately one hour. Art therapy: The Carmine Carro Community, 3000 Fillmore Ave. at Marine Parkway; (718) 869–0100; Sat- urdays, 1–2:30 pm, Now – Sat, June 28; Free. All ages are welcome to express their feelings through art. Every other Saturday. Urban gardening: Brooklyn Chil- dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www.brooklynkids.org; Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 pm, Now – Sun, June 1; Free with museum admission. Children 4 years and older learn about seeds, planting, and how to make a garden more efficient. Wonderful Warblers: Prospect Park Audubon Center, Enter park at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287–3400; www.prospectpark.org/ audubon; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm, Now – Sun, July 27; Free. Nature on the go is for young ones to explore the park and learn about
birds. Photo by Lois Greenfield History workshops: Lefferts His- toric Homestead, 452 Flatbush Ave. between Empire Boulevard and East- Young dancers take flight ern Parkway; (718) 789–2822; www. prospectpark.org; Saturdays and Sun- Ballet Tech Foundation pres- choreographer and dancer who Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 2 and days, 2–4 pm, Now – Sun, July 27; $3. ents Kids Dance for five perfor- started at the age of 11 himself. 7 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets Fleece fun is offered weekly — chil- mances at The Joyce Theater from “KYDZNY,” “A Stair Dance,” and are $10–$39. dren learn how to use wool and make June 12 to 15. “Apple Pie” are all designed to The Joyce Theater [175 Eighth Ave. a felt ball to take home. Forty talented dancers, ranging showcase the innate talent of the between W. 18th and W. 19th streets Pier Kids: Pier 6, Joralemon St. and in age from 9 to 14, will dance three Ballet Tech students. in Chelsea, (212) 242–0800, www. Columbia Street; (347) 268–0023; works of Elliot Feld, an amazing June 12–15, Thursday at 8 pm, joyce.org]. www.brooklynbridgepark.org; Sun- days, 11 am, Sun, June 1 – Sun, Aug. 3; Free. day, June 15, 12 pm; $10. museum admission. and West Drive, Manhattan; (212) Sing, act, dance, and draw. Each Golfers of all ages can learn about 988–9093; Tuesdays – Fridays, 10:30 week activities will be accompanied by Competition improvisational show key science concepts such as propul- am and noon, Saturdays and Sundays, an outdoor pop-up reading room pre- for children of all ages. sion, gravity, escape velocity, launch 1 pm, Now – Sun, June 29; $10, $7 sented by the Uni Project. Further Afield window, gravitational assist, and (children under 12). Pop-Up Audubon: Prospect Park Science Playground: New York more! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no — it’s Audubon Center, Enter park at Lincoln Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., at Dinosaur Safari: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Bessie the cow! Based on the Pup- Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287– Avenue of Science, Queens; (718) Southern Blvd. at Boston Road, The petMobile show of the same name, 3400; www.prospectpark.org/audu- 699–0005 X 353; www.nyscience. Bronx; (718) 220–5103; www.bronx- this popular production is making its bon; Saturdays and Sundays, Noon–5 org; Weekdays, 9:30 am–5 pm, Satur- zoo.com; Weekdays, 10 am–5 pm, debut at the Swedish Cottage Mari- pm, Now – Sun, Aug. 24; Free. days and Sundays, 10 am–6 pm,; $4, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am–5:30 onette Theatre. Children enjoy fun programing, Na- plus museum admission. pm,; $20.95 ($16.95 children; Free for Little New Yorkers: New-York ture on the Go, Nature’s Helpers, and Children are encouraged to ex- children under 3; $18.95 seniors). Family Bird Watching. Historical Society DiMenna Children’s plore science through slides, seesaws, Mysteries Revealed features History Museum, 170 Central Park Ballroom dance classes: FIAO climbing webs, a water play area, more than 30 dinosaur species and West at 77th Street, Manhattan; (212) Beacon Community Center at IS 96, sand boxes, and more — weather how scientists reconstruct the fos- 873–3400; nyhistory.org; Tuesdays 99 Avenue P between W. 11th and permitting. sil pieces. The ride runs through the and Fridays, 3:30 pm, Tues, June W. 12th streets; (718) 232–2266; Rocket Park Mini Golf: New York zoo and has fully animatronic dino- 3 – Fri, June 27; Free with museum Wednesdays, 6–9 pm, Now – Fri, June Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., at saurs as they move and snarl. The admission. 20; Free. Avenue of Science, Queens; (718) 40-foot T-Rex is joined by deinony- This program introduces New York For beginners of all ages. 699–0005 X 353; www.nyscience. chus, prodohadros, stegosaurus and and American history to the littlest edmontonia. TheatreSports: The Gallery Play- org; Weekdays, 9:30 am–5 pm, Satur- New Yorkers with weekly age-appro- ers, 199 14th St. between Second and days and Sundays, 10 am–6 pm,; $6 “Bessie’s Big Shot”: Swedish Cot- priate themes and engaging hands- Third avenues; (718) 595–0547; Sun- (adults,) $5 (children and seniors,) plus tage Marionette Theater, 79th Street on activities. Best for ages 3-5. June 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 57 BOOKS The story of the little lost cat
t happened in a minute. Parents didn’t want their children You’re out with your child and to pet him or play with him because I he lets go of your hand to look at Bob looked dirty. Nobody wanted to something. It took just a minute, but be friends with him. when you looked back, he was gone. Bob was sad. But with winter com- Being lost was scary for you both, ing, he knew he had to do his best to but when your son asked a grown-up stay warm. Soon, it was spring and for help, it all turned out fine. Now Bob was still a street cat. One day, imagine what would happen if he though, he heard music, and since couldn’t talk, then read the new book he’d always loved music, he followed THE BOOK “My Name is Bob” by James Bowen his ears and saw a man with a guitar. ers, which can be a mixed bag. The and Garry Jenkins, illustrated by Ger- The man looked just as sad as Bob theme in this younger version might, WORM ald Kelley. felt. Bob knew the man needed a at first, make the story a bit scary TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Bob is a cat who lived on the friend, so he followed the man home for sensitive children — getting lost, streets, but it wasn’t always that way. and waited. But before he could learn after all, is terrifying. Be aware of Once upon a time, he was a very anything more, Bob was hurt. He was this, but don’t let it stop you from loved, very pampered cat who lived too hurt to move much, and so he sat pushing forward with a read-aloud: with an old lady in a cozy house. He against a building, hoping that the the sympathetic, heart-tugging illus- had toys and music and he thought man might be kind and helpful. Did trations by Gerald Kelley and the he was the luckiest little cat in the the “luckiest little cat in the world” wonderful happy ending will ulti- world. finally run out of luck? mately win over even the most fear- But then, the lady got sick and Of course, you know the answer. ful kids. when Bob tried to follow the ambu- And once you’ve found this book, Meant for 3-to-6-year-old readers, lance, he got terribly lost. Nothing you’ll know that good fortune ex- I think slightly older children may looked familiar and he was scared. tends to the kid who has “My Name enjoy this book once or twice. If He was also hungry, but when he is Bob.” they’re cat lovers, especially, “My tried to eat from a garbage can, some Authors James Bowen and Garry Name is Bob” is a book they’ll get bigger cats chased him away. When Jenkins take the adult version of lost in. he tried to find a place to sleep, their bestseller about a “street cat” “My Name is Bob,” by James Bowen a man hollered “SCRAM!” A who adopts a human, and make it and Garry Jenkins [32 pages, 2014, pizza-maker yelled at Bob. accessible to the smallest cat lov- $16.99]. Tame your little monster’s tantrums
aking a scene. might make you snarl, so imagine when toddlers have this book in Making a mess. if you were a monster! Yep, even their hands because Smith speaks to M Playing outside. they have to go to school, of course, the hearts of the littlest readers. Ac- Brushing those wobbly lit- because how else would they learn companied by an almost-hidden coo- tle baby teeth. Your tod- monster things? Somebody has to tie in each scene, Glubb and Skeebu dler puts up a fight over teach a monster his ABCs, drawing, (the creatures’ names, if you look everything. math, science, and manners. closely) are mischievous and cud- Tired of those tan- All this — getting up, getting dly, pretending to be fierce, though trums? Maybe knowing ready, playing nice — makes you they’re really not. That means that that little monsters also grumble, but you’re quiet compared these monsters won’t cause night- have to do these things to a monster. mares for sensitive children. will change her tune. Yep, your pre- Everybody knows monsters grum- Best of all, if you’re the adult read- schooler will find out who else does ble, but monsters also know how to ing this book aloud, Smith didn’t for- those things when you read “Even have fun. For instance, did you know get you: nearly each page has details Monsters...” by A.J. Smith together. that after school is a monster’s favor- that will make you smile, too, and Let’s say you don’t like to get up ite time of day? lots of grown-ups-will-notice jokes. in the morning. You’re grumpy and Monsters also understand that And that, of course, makes “Even you roar about it. You know that they must clean their plates and eat Monsters...” a book you and your monsters make ferocious roars, too, what’s in front of them. And when 2-to-5-year-old will wanna read. but did you realize that even mon- their mothers tell them it’s time for “Even Monsters...” by A.J. Smith [32 sters have to get out of bed? They bed — guess what else? When the pages, 2014, $16.99]. also have to put on clean clothes lights are out and it’s time for sleep- Terri Schlichenmeyer has been read- every day, they have to eat nutritious ing, monsters have a great big secret. ing since she was 3 years old, and meals, and they have to clean up and Yes, there’s something that even she never goes anywhere without a comb their, um, fur. monsters don’t wanna… book. She lives on a hill with two dogs Leaving the house in the morning Tantrum time should be tamed and 12,000 books. 58 BROOKLYN Family • June 2014 Father’s Day!June 2014 Camps inside BROOKLYN HappyMayFREE 2012 FamilyQUEENS FREE WhereFamily Every Child Matters Where Every Child Matters Devoted If you like dadsKids Rock! step up! the magazine Music, dance, Summertheater & more campMiracle 101 you’ll love moms Wo r k i n g togetherBig the site. afterbad divorcebullies
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June 2014 • BROOKLYN FamiLY 61 HEALTHY EATING Get your mojo back our child is thriving and hit- Nutrient–rich ting all his developmental plus a treat Y milestones. But what about “Mad Men” viewers were shocked you? Are the demands of mother- by the scene of a pregnant Betty hood taking their toll? Draper smoking and enjoying The way many of us cope with a glass of wine. Yet, two genera- stress is by loading up on caloric, tions ago, women’s lifestyles were nutrient-poor foods (hello, big ice healthier in other ways than they GOOD SENSE cream bowl!), drinking too much are now. A Mayo Clinic Proceedings alcohol, or consuming too much study found today’s mothers are EATING caffeine. But that often exacerbate less physically active than mothers CHRISTINE M. PALUMBO, RD stress, make us feel worse and sab- in the 1960s. Today’s moms need otaging our health and spirit. to eat 175 to 225 fewer calories to “In order to make any successful prevent weight gain than the “Mad changes in how you cope, moms Men” era moms. need to first identify how stress af- You know the drill. Focus on a fects them and their food, fitness, dietary pattern that includes fruits and lifestyle habits,” says Elisa and vegetables, protein-rich foods, Zied, MS, RDN, author of “Younger low-fat dairy, whole grains, and Next Week.” healthy fats. For example, does stress make What about treats? Zied says to you go to the nearest drive-through give yourself permission to include for fast food? Do you reach for a small amounts of chocolate, cook- sleeve of cookies or have one too ies, wine, or even some French many cocktails? Do you skip your climb some stairs if physical activ- fries daily. workout or spend more time watch- ity is lacking. “Not every calorie moms con- ing television or surfing the inter- Zied is a fan of snacking on sume has to be nutritious. As long net? Do you sleep less (or worse) nuts. as most of the foods and beverages because you have too much to get “I especially love nuts for moms are power-packed, a few items that done or your mind races? because they’re portable and pair don’t fall into basic food groups can Once you realize how stress af- well with so many other nutritious fit in just fine.” fects your personal habits, work foods such as whole-grain cereals, Christine Palumbo is a Naperville- towards tweaking one or two of yogurt, and dried or fresh fruit.” registered dietitian nutritionist who is a these behaviors at a time to get Eating a small amount of nuts may new Fellow of the American Academy back on track, Zied says. For ex- protect against weight gain. “They of Nutrition and Dietetics. Follow her ample, set an alarm every hour to can fill you up and help your body on Twitter @PalumboRD, Facebook at remind you to take 10 minutes to burn more calories during diges- Christine Palumbo Nutrition, or Chris@ stand, stretch, take a short walk or tion,” she says. ChristinePalumbo.com.
Peanut butter fruit Napoleon PREP TIME: 15 minutes bine the yogurt, honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Quarter the apple and COOK TIME: 0 minutes pear and remove the core. Slice each SERVES: 4 quarter into 4 thin slices. To build the napoleon, lay 4 pear slices onto each INGREDIENTS: of 4 plates. The pear slices should ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt be facing in the same direction and 1 tablespoon honey touching each other to create the bot- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon tom layer of the napoleon. Top with 1 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg tablespoon of peanut butter and, using the back of a spoon, spread evenly to 1 Granny Smith apple coat. Sprinkle over 1 tablespoon of the 1 pear raisins. Layer 4 apple slices over the peanut butter and raisins. Spoon over ¼ cup creamy peanut butter Serve immediately. g protein, 0 mg cholesterol, 91 mg ¼ cup seedless raisins, plus 4 1 tablespoon of the yogurt mixture and, using the back of a spoon, spread NUTRITION FACTS: (per Napoleon): sodium teaspoons for garnish evenly to coat. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of 218 calories, 34 grams carbohydrate, Source: Toby Amido DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, com- the raisins over the yogurt to garnish. 4 g fiber, 8 g fat (2 g saturated), 7 for the National Peanut Board
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