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 […]
Category: Big Kid
We know you probably hear this all the time, but don’t kids grow up so fast!? One minute you’re worrying that your baby will never sleep through the night and may very well go to school without being potty trained and the next minute, they’re all grown up (which brings its own set of challenges!). Don’t worry because on our national blog you’ll find information fostering positive friendships, healthy eating habits, language and developmental delays, protecting your children from predators, reinforcing learning, here you’ll also find information on the kindergarten admissions process, the ERB’s, after school activities, things to do on the weekends and more!


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 […]

The Story of Our Christmas Tree
Last week we put up our Christmas tree. At the end of each crazy day during this hectic season, it’s so nice to sit back and just take in its beauty. I have such fond memories of the Christmas trees of my childhood. I remember going with my sister and parents to pick one out; […]

The Learning Curve: Kindergarten Readiness
Heading to kindergarten is a major milestone and important transition for a little learner. It is an exciting time of exploration and discovery. With kindergarten comes greater responsibilities, and a more complex, faster-paced curriculum than pre-school offered (See here for an example of a typical day in a kindergarten classroom.) It’s a big step, and […]

The Gift of a Great Book: The Penderwicks
This past summer, a close friend of mine gave me a book recommendation. The two of us have exchanged titles with one another for years now, always books for our own reading pleasure. This time, the suggestion was for my daughters. We had just spent an entire day together with our kids and she thought […]

Wonderful Winter Deals in New York!
The holidays in New York are truly like nothing else! The twinkly lights adorning the Rockefeller Center tree; the smell of street vendors roasting nuts; the magical shop window displays and the first snow of the season in Central Park. New York bursts with so much holiday spirit that it often feels like a movie […]

My Pre-Holiday Resolutions
A few days after Thanksgiving, I walked into a store and was instantly overwhelmed with all things Holiday! Christmas Carols were blaring, ornaments and decorations in all shapes and sizes, as far as the eye could see. Instead of merrily humming along to ‘Jingle Bells’, I felt my panic level rise. Frantically, I began ticking […]

Love Letters from the Benches of Central Park
If you’ve ever strolled in Central Park, you have seen that there are thousands of benches throughout the park. Each with a unique view, providing a place to take a break, feed a baby, rest tired feet, have a chat, read a book or just take a moment to take in the true splendor of […]