| Wednesday, December 19, to Tuesday, December 25, 2007 |
|
A Note from New York Family's Editor:
Nora Ephron, the popular filmmaker ("Sleepless In Seattle" and "You've Got Mail") and essayist, has said (or written) a lot of quotable things, and one observation that has stayed with me is about the challenges of having a powerhouse career and being a mom. The gist of it was this: her kids, who were teens at the time, weren't buying the "quality of time" approach to parent-child bonding; what they really wanted was time, period, the more of it, the better. I'm part of a family in which both parents work--and I feel we're doing right by our children. We have a lot of good times together, even if it isn't always as often as they would like. But today we were late to my daughter's "publishing party" at school, and that was unfair. And lately I've been thinking gleefully about how much work I can catch up on next week, and that's probably another mistake in the making. We should try to give our kids as much time as we can. The most important thing a child needs from us is to feel loved. Happy Holidays.
---Eric Messinger
(emessinger@manhattanmedia.com) |
 Parenting Tip
Grateful Kids: Children just aren't wired to think about being grateful. You've probably noticed that they're likely to spend more time being disappointed about what they don't have, or what they didn't do. But appreciating what you have is one of life's great coping skills and if you want to plant the seeds of that way of thinking in your kids, here is a tip from Deborah Norville, author of the new book, "Thank You Power": Go around the dinner table and have each member of the family share something positive that happened to them that day (it could be anything from getting a good grade to spending time with a friend). We know this sounds simple, but you will love the conversations it will prompt--and the values it will instill. |
 Joy's Shopping Tips*
Primpin' for Men: Moms like to travel in style, and for dads who do too, Kiehl's has just come out with a grooming kit packed with travel-sized amenities for your holiday vacation. The Dobb Kit contains a body scrub soap, facial fuel, lip balm, shaving cream, shampoo, and conditioner all packed in a sharp black nylon and leather zippered bag. It's $78 and is available at www.kiehls.com.
Share Bear: Bloomingdale's is offering a brown teddy bear for the holidays for a good cause. In celebration of children's art, every purchase of the $16 bear, made exclusively by Gund, will help raise money for children's museums across the country, including the Children's Museum of Manhattan right here in town. For more info: www.bloomingdales.com.
Special Touches: The presentation of a gift can be just as important as the gift itself, and small touches can show a recipient how much thought went into the present. The new book, "Creative and Thoughtful Gift Giving," is full of easy and interesting ideas to make every present stand out. $20, available at www.barnesandnoble.com
|
 Activity Tips*
Little Broadway: Young Broadway performers from shows including "The Lion King," "Gypsy," and "Beauty and the Beast" perform holiday tunes in The Broadway Kids' Christmas Show at the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM). Kids ages 5 and up can also enjoy readings of "The Little Drummer Boy" throughout the weekend and make their own paper drum. Details: Broadway Kids' Christmas Show: December 22, 2 and 3 pm. Free with museum admission. Tickets are distributed beginning at 12:30 pm at the Visitor Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Readings of "The Little Drummer Boy": December 22 at 11 am and 2, 3, and 4 pm; and December 23 at 11 am and 12, 2, 3, and 4 pm. The Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234, www.cmom.org.
Follow The Light: For parents looking for some holiday eye candy while strolling around the city with the kids, there are a few holiday light shows that are worth catching:
*Saks Fifth Avenue's Snowflake Light Show features 10 stories of 50 unique snowflakes. The snowflakes are illuminated and timed to "Carol of the Bells." Check out the holiday windows, inspired by the children's book "Snowpeople." Details: 611 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-4000, www.saksfifthavenue.com.
*Grand Central Terminal offers its second annual holiday light show, Kaleidoscope, featuring a magical fantasy train ride of vibrant patterns. Images of snow forests, Central Park ice skaters, horse-cart reindeer, a carousel and the North Pole are synchronized to music. Details: Playing at the top and bottom of the hour from 11 am to 9 pm in the Main Concourse. Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street, 212-340-2345, www.grandcentralterminal.com
*Time Warner Center presents "Under the Stars Extravaganza," a multimedia display of 14-foot stars with unique color mixing that dangle from the ceiling, in time to holiday music. Details: Offered every evening at 5 pm, through January 4. 59th Street and Columbus Circle, 212-823-6300, www.shopsatcolumbuscircle.com.
*Activity Tips are from New York Family and GoCityKids.com. |
This Week's Bonus Tips
Renowned Nursery School Expands To K-8: Here's some good news for parents hoping to send their child to a top-flight independent school. One of the city's most well-regarded nursery schools, the Mandell School, is expanding to include grades K through 8. And it's happening soon! Interested families can apply now for spots in the kindergarten and first grade, which will commence for the school year 2008-2009, at the school's new location for K-8, 750 Columbus Avenue, at West 96th Street. For more information, go to www.mandellschool.org, contact admissions@mandellschool.org or call 212-222-1606.
Members Only: There are so many great cultural institutions in the city for families, but they also require a lot of behind the scenes work in order to stay so popular and relevant to kids and parents. That's why we love the idea of opting for a family membership at a place that's meaningful to you: not only do you get lots of great benefits, but you're helping to ensure the continued success of something that's important to your family and, hopefully, to the city as a whole. Two of our favorite places offering family memberships: the Children's Museum of Manhattan (212-721-1234; www.cmom.org) and the Central Park Conservancy (212-310-6639; www.centralparknyc.org). A family membership would also make a wonderful gift.
|
|
|
