| Wednesday, January 16, to Tuesday, January 22, 2008 |
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A Note from New York Family's Editor:
Yes, it's Cold Season. Since the weekend, my children have been playing a wicked game of "pass the virus," which on most nights leads to another favorite game of mine, "musical beds," in which they migrate to our bed to be near my wife, and I end up sleeping (i.e., trying to sleep) on one of their beds. Here's the interesting thing to me: no matter how much I do in the way of being a modern dad; no matter how many diapers I change, meals I cook (or order in) or doctor's visits I go to, there really is only one person my children want to be held by when the game is on the line and they are feeling really sick or are very upset. "I want mommy!" my 7-year-old daughter screams if I happen to show up first on the scene. "I want magic mommy kisses." What do you think? Is this a matter of evolutionary coding, or is my wife putting out a better brand of comfort? I think both.
---Eric Messinger
(emessinger@manhattanmedia.com) |
 Parenting Tip
The Answer Man: As a parent, you probably spend a fair portion of your day fielding questions from your kids--Wendell Jamieson did. The city editor of The New York Times found himself the target of constant inquiries from his now 7-year-old son, Dean, that he couldn't possibly answer: Why do policeman like donuts? Why is the car always wet in car commercials? What would hurt more: getting run over by a car or getting stung by a jellyfish? Hoping to get Dean some answers, and curious himself, Jamieson went on a quest to answer these questions and others he collected from kids around the country, talking to experts as varied as paleontologists, ship captains, and even Yoko Ono. The result is a charming memoir, "Father Knows Less." Jamieson's message for other moms and dads? Even if you can't answer all your kids' questions, write them down: They'll be so much fun to read 20 years from now. |
 Joy's Shopping Tips*
The Culture Wars: Frozen yogurt outlets are the tapas bars of 2008: ubiquitous, tasty, and ready to engage in some serious turf battles. Joining Yolato, /eks/, öko, Grom and, of course, Pinkberry, is Korean chain Red Mango, which recently landed in the Village and will soon open outposts in Chelsea, the Flatiron District, and Times Square. Red Mango contains live and active cultures and is made with no chemicals, artificial flavors, or yogurt-based powders. Healthy topping options include pomegranate, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and blueberries. 182 Bleeker Street, 212-777-2303, www.redmangousa.com.
Photographic Memory: Birthday parties can capture some memorable moments. Why not have them photographed and made into your own book to display and have for years to come? Photographer Heidi Green will create a glossy book of either color or black-and-white photos reflecting that special day. The price is $650 to photograph your party, and prices start at $350 to create a personalized book. For more information: www.heidigreen.com.
Seussically Clean: With the upcoming movie version of the Dr. Seuss classic "Horton Hears a Who?" Loréal has launched a set of four Horton-themed shampoos for kids. Each shampoo is named after a character in the movie but, more importantly, they work great and smell even better. The shampoos have a built-in conditioner with a no tears formula, and the bottle is designed for little hands. Available for $2.99 at www.duanereade.com.
*Joy Sherwood is the Style Director of New York Family. She can be reached at jsherwood@manhattanmedia.com. |
 Activity Tips*
Meet The Beatles: Children (and many parents) may not have been around during the heyday of the Beatles, but families can come and discover the Fab Four's music this Saturday at Symphony Space. As part of the "Just Kidding" series, New York City pop-rockers Bubble celebrates the 40th anniversary of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by playing the album in its entirety, complete with sitars, tablas, horns, and strings. All ages are welcome. Details: January 19, 11 am. Tickets: adults $23/$18 ($25/$20 day of show); children $13. 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400, www.symphonyspace.org.
Teen Beat: Rachel Trachtenburg is one of the coolest teens out there. At 13, she rocks out with her family's band (The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players) and has been profiled in Spin and Teen Vogue. Come check out her "Morning Show" (actually held mid-afternoon), an interactive concert featuring handmade puppets, audience singalongs, arts and crafts, cooking segments, and appearances by special guests. Audience members receive goody bags of art supplies so they can participate. Details: 3 pm; $6-$12. The Green Room, 45 Bleecker Street, www.slideshowplayers.com.
Creating a Self-Portrait: "The Diary of Anne Frank" is used in classrooms around the country to teach lessons of tolerance, but the book is also a powerful self-portrait. With that in mind, the Anne Frank Center is inviting local sixth, seventh, and eighth graders from New York City schools to take part in a special art contest to help keep this part of Anne Frank's legacy alive. Students who wish to compete are asked to submit a visual self-portrait accompanied by a written, narrative element. Details: Self-portraits should be one page, no larger than 11 by 14 inches, and paint, marker, crayon, pencil, or ink can be used. On the back of the art, students should write their name, school, teacher's name, grade, address, phone, and e-mail. All art must be postmarked by April 1, 2008, and winners will be announced May 1, 2008. For more information: call 212-431-7993 or visit www.annefrank.com.
*Activity Tips are from New York Family and GoCityKids.com. |
This Week's Bonus Tips
Martin Luther King Day: Come celebrate African American heritage and Dr. King's legacy with the Children's Museum of Manhattan on January 21. The "I Have a Dream" quilting activity lets kids ages 5 and up work together to create a large-scale quilt sharing their vision of a just world. And the Harlem Gospel Choir will perform inspirational gospel music to bring people of all ages and cultures together. Details: "I Have a Dream" quilt: 11 am and 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm. Harlem Gospel Choir: 3 and 4 pm. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234, www.cmom.org.
Camp Countdown: Now that winter has settled in, it's time to turn our thoughts to something more pleasant--summer! Namely, the hikes, games, and play for kids (and the peace and quiet for parents) that come with summer camp. To get some info on the best camps and programs in the city and beyond, come to one of New York Family's ever-popular camp fairs in February. Details: All camp fairs are held from noon to 3 pm. Saturday, February 2, St. Jean Baptiste High School, 173 East 75th Street. Sunday, February 3, Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd Street. Saturday, February 9, Chinatown YMCA, 273 Bowery. Sunday, February 10, Berkeley Carroll School, 762 President Street, Brooklyn. Sunday, February 24: Riverdale YM-YWHA, 5625 Arlington Avenue. To register, go to www.blackboardcamps.com/register.php.
Family Party With a Cause: On Sunday, January 27, Citibabes will host a community day to raise money to help build a library for a downtown NYC public school. 100% of the ticket sales will be donated to this cause. The afternoon includes activities and entertainment for the whole family, including green art projects, volcano eruptions, cooking, a magic show by kids' entertainer Magic Al, a concert, playtime on Citibabes' 1,500-square-foot playground, and more. A light breakfast buffet is included. Details: 10 am-2 pm. $20 per family for non-members; donations welcome from Citibabes members. 477 Broadway between Broome and Grand Streets. To RSVP, send an e-mail to rsvp@citibabes.com or call 212-334-5441, ext. 117. Visit www.citibabes.com for more info.
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