| Wednesday, December 26, 2007 to Tuesday, January 1, 2008 |
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A Note from New York Family's Editor:
When Jerry Seinfeld started doing stand-up regularly again after his sitcom years, he returned with a wonderful bit about parenthood. As I remember it, his point was that, Yeah, kids are wonderful and adorable and heavenly and all that, but--let's face it--they're basically here for one reason: to replace us! In this season of personal reflection and resolution, I feel like the most important goal I could set for myself would be to eat better and exercise more and generally take better care of myself. Even as a guy who's been lucky in love and parenting and has every motivation to be around for a good long while, I still find personal upkeep to be hard to commit to. Hopefully I'll have more willpower in 2008. Good luck with your own resolutions--and keeping your "replacements" at bay for many years.
---Eric Messinger
(emessinger@manhattanmedia.com) |
 Parenting Tip
Mind Your Manners: We're all imperfect parents, yet that fact doesn't stop any of us from thinking we know better. One person who actually does know better--or at least she's been able to make a nice living because of her sensible perspectives and playful wit--is the writer, Judith Martin, who you might know as "Miss Manners." Though she advises on every manner and social situation, for many years Miss Manners had a popular parenting column in Child Magazine, before the magazine closed down earlier this year. But Miss Manners persists online, as a columnist at MSN.com (www.lifestyle.msn.com/Relationships), and we highly recommend her, if only just to see what she has to say and whether you agree or not--but, of course, you can seek out her advice too. Past columns (which are easily called up) covered provocative topics like "Why do people stare at my special needs daughter?" and "Do I really have to formally address my mother-in-law?" and the classic, "Do I invite everyone from my kid's class?" Good stuff. |
 Joy's Shopping Tips*
Truck of Sweets: The next time you and your kids are in the vicinity of Union Square, look for the DessertTruck, a mobile food cart based at 8th Street and University Place. One of the owners is a former pastry sous chef from Le Cirque, and the truck dishes out sugary concoctions you'd expect to find in a high-end restaurant rather than on the street, including molten chocolate cake and caramelized bananas with waffles. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 6pm until the desserts are sold out. For more info: www.desserttruck.com.
A Blankie for Kids and Parents: Just because we're grown-ups doesn't mean we don't like cuddling with a soft, plush blanket just like our kids do. To that effect, Max Daniel has come out with a double-sided, luxurious blanket available in both a baby and adult version and featuring a brown cheetah print with a ruffle trim in brown satin. The children's size is $64; the adult size is $200. Both are available at www.kidville.com.
If You Think Your Family is Nuts: Finding an artist who specializes in original children's work is not an easy task, but I have found an innovative one: Sam Simon. He creates beautiful paintings and murals, including a new, signature piece exhibiting a family portrayed as peanuts. It's truly a unique display of creativity. For more info: www.samsimonprojects.com.
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 Activity Tips*
Kwanzaa for Kids: On Saturday, December 29, the American Museum of Natural History is hosting a Kwanzaa Celebration featuring a candle-lighting ceremony, visual and performing arts and an African marketplace filled with Afro-centric carvings, jewelry and food. Details: Free with museum admission. From noon to 5 pm at the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org.
Run Away to The Circus: The whole family can head to the New Victory Theater to see Chinese acrobats, aerialists and athletes in The New Shanghai Circus, the theater's highlighted performance for the holidays. Full of enchanting scenery and dazzling choreography, the show features some of the best acrobatics, bicyclists, and contortionists in the world. Details: December 26-30, 7 pm. The New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3020, www.newvictory.org.
Scary Stuff: For a change of pace from snowmen and reindeer, kids can check out zombies, demons, vampires, ghosts and witches with "Things that Go Bump" at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. The exhibit, which closes on January 14, lets kids explore these and other iconic monsters like Frankenstein and Dracula in artwork, including comics, cartoons and animation. Details: 594 Broadway, Suite 401, 212-254-3511, www.moccany.org.
*Activity Tips are from New York Family and GoCityKids.com. |
Bonus Tips
Bringing in the New Year: Parents looking for a New Year's Eve activity for their kids might want to inquire whether any of their favorite children's enrichment centers are offering anything special for the big night. Just a couple examples of some kid-friendly events around town: * Kidfresh is hosting a New Year's Eve party with music, activities and food. Details: 2 pm to 4pm. $20 per family in advance; $25 per family at the door. 1628 2nd Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets, 212-861-1141, www.kidfresh.com.
*At the Children's Museum of Manhattan, children ages 5 and up can take part in "Toot-a-Loo to 2007," a workshop in which they make and decorate a festive New Year's horn to help make some noise for 2008! Details:11am, noon, 2pm, and 3pm. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234; www.cmom.org.
Flu Shots: If you haven't had your flu shot yet, it's not too late. As described in kidshealth.org, flu season lasts from November until April, with most cases occurring between late December and early March, and while it's ideal to be vaccinated early and give the body more time to build up immunity, a shot can be helpful as late as January. ( Of course, this goes without saying for children between 6 months and 5 years old.) A non-shot option, the nasal mist vaccine, is still available, too, but because it contains weakened live flu viruses, it is not for people with weakened immune systems or certain health conditions. The nasal mist vaccine is only for healthy, non-pregnant people between the ages of 2 and 49 years.
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