All my life, I’ve been a planner. I have a calendar in my kitchen, filled with scribbled entries made in pen, pencil and marker. The kitchen calendar is calibrated with the school calendar and the one on my phone. I refer to all of them, constantly. Ever since moving into the city over 20 years […]
Parenting Tips
The Learning Curve: Language Immersion for Babies
Sophia and I have recently started taking mommy and baby Italian classes together. “But, she’s only nine months!” And, “She doesn’t even speak ENGLISH yet!” are a couple of the reoccurring comments I find myself fielding. While many of our family and friends are excited for us and eager to hear what we learn each […]
Make Your Way to “Show Way”
On the day that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream reached a new level of realization – with the first Black President of the United States being inaugurated for the second time – I had my own serendipitous experience by taking my kids to a wonderful new play, which gives a broad strokes history of African […]
Freedom with the New BOB MOTION
BOB, a leader among jogging stroller manufacturers, has brought its first four-wheel, lightweight stroller to the market. I was in SOHO recently to see the new BOB MOTION stroller in action. And it is impressive. A perfect stroller for city families, at 23 pounds the MOTION can be used from your first days home from […]
My Daughter’s Smilestone: Locks of Love
This past weekend, my daughter reached a big goal. For a year, she’s been growing her hair in order to donate it to Locks of Love. Shortly after the cut, she was sporting her new adorable bob, and had a giant smile plastered on her face. She told me that she had reached a big […]
Children with Chronic Health Issues
An Introduction to Chronic Illness and Its Challenges In my 35 years of working with children with a chronic illness – known today as ‘Children with Special Health Care Needs’ (CSHCN) – and their families, there are still many gaps in services in the US for these children. There are financial entitlement issues, psycho-social concerns, […]
Food, Glorious Food!
There are many corners that our children turn that are more exciting for us than for the kids themselves. That first airplane ride that doesn’t involve a crying fit, a change of clothes or dirty looks from fellow passengers. The first movie she sits through in its entirety (in a theater) without any shushing or […]
Family Time
This year we had ten members of our family stay with us for ten days during the holidays. They came from as close as Maryland to as far as Nice and Zurich. Luckily, our gracious friends lent us their apartment down the hall so we had the luxury of extra space, tons of food and […]
Sage Advice During a Time of Heartache
Last Friday at 9:30 am, I had a phone date with my best friend from college. We were long overdue for a catch-up and we talked for an hour, with most of our conversation centering on our children. There are five of them between us, ranging in age from two – seven years old. We […]
Local Yokel: Jane’s Exchange
Welcome to our Local Yokel blog! Each month, we will be highlighting a local New York business that we know you will find inspirational. You’ll learn tidbits such as how they support the local community and economy, their advice and reflections on being business owners, tips on work-life balance, and even what some of their […]