I took my son to a day of intensive basketball training a while back. Before workouts they play a game called "break the chain" to warm up, encourage teamwork and wake the kids up. I watched as a simple game became difficult because the kids were not working together. The coach eventually stopped everyone and explained to them that they could not win without acting as a team. It took them a while, but they finally got it. As I watched them, I realized that teamwork is a hard concept to grasp at any age. We are taught to take care of and worry about ourselves first. But this same thinking … [Read more...]
‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’ Delights Loyal Fans
Welcome back to our new feature focusing on “only in NYC” experiences. This fun-filled column will continue to uncover some of the most unique and epic family destinations in and around New York City. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed, mythical adventure, but it's also a coming of age, relatable story about growing up, making our own choices, and finding our place in society. Based on the best selling novels by Rick Riordan and popular film series, this musical recently leaped onto the Broadway stage for a limited 16-week run. In The Lightning Thief, … [Read more...]
Six Flags Fright Fest Haunts Parents, Kids with Halloween Fun
Welcome back to our new feature focusing on "only in NYC" experiences. This fun-filled column will uncover some of the most unique and epic family destinations in and around New York City. Strap on your safety belts, grip those handlebars and come along for the ride! Six Flags Great Adventure is our family's favorite theme park. We're season pass holders and we go several times a year for our fix of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, thrilling attractions and family entertainment. Usually less than a 90-minute drive from New York City, Six Flags Great Adventure is an easy day … [Read more...]
The Vessel Offers a Must-Experience Climb, View for NYC Families
Today we're debuting a new feature focusing on "only in NYC" experiences. This fun-filled column will uncover some of the most unique and epic family destinations in New York City. Strap on your safety belts, grip those handlebars and come along for the ride! Welcome to The Vessel, the most fascinating architectural landmark to hit New York City in several years. Families can not only gawk at this stunning work on the West Side near Chelsea, but they can also climb it to experience a unique vantage point of the city. On your ascent, you'll be treated to sweet views of the Hudson River, … [Read more...]
September 11th Remembered for Love Finding its Way
September 11th was the day I finally realized the person I was dating at the time was going to be the woman that I marry. It's as vivid now as it was 18 years ago. My girlfriend, Jessica, had a doctor appointment on the morning of 9/11 near my apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Rather than stay at her place downtown and commute directly from her job on the 99th floor of the South Tower at the World Trade Center, she spent the night at my apartment so she could arrive at her doctor's appointment on time. On the morning of September 11th, I felt like a boxer getting a round of … [Read more...]
Slow Down! Expanded School Zone Speed Camera Program on in NYC
Slow down, New York City drivers! The new public school year starts Thursday and the city's speed camera program is at full, expanded capability to try to improve street safety. The school zone speed camera program in NYC, on the brink of extinction a year ago, has been increased almost 10-fold since 2018. It now includes more than 2,000 cameras in 750 locations, up from 140 last summer, within a quarter mile of a school building entrance or exit. According to The New York Times, this gives New York City the largest urban network of automated speed cameras in the United States. The … [Read more...]
Sharing Bed with Your Child Great If You Don’t Need the Sleep
So we did it. We finally got ourselves a king-size mattress. Unfortunately, we also got ourselves a kid. My son was always a good sleeper. We cried it out, he got the point, and from a few months in, he was sleeping through the night pretty consistently. There have been speed bumps, but nothing out of the ordinary. So when we converted his crib to a bed we foolishly told him he could get out of it when he woke up, rather than sit there and scream our names for 30 minutes. Not the best idea. Over the last few weeks, he’s been waking up repeatedly, and having a hard time getting back to … [Read more...]
Science Experiment Successfully Bonds Parent, Child
When I was 8 or 9 years old, I wanted to be a scientist. Someone gave me a microscope for my birthday around that time, which was probably one reason why. I would use the tweezers to pull out a hair from my head or tear off tiny pieces of leaves, put them on the slides and examine them. I’d fiddle with the covers for the slides as I tried to figure out how the professionals were able to flatten out a piece of twig between two small pieces of glass or plastic, often breaking the slide covers in the process. I’d play around with the focus and the zoom lenses and pretend I was doing … [Read more...]
Youthful Enthusiasm Something All Parents Should Hope to Retain
Dye your hair, rid yourself of wrinkles, enhance your energy etc. Everywhere you turn, you see some sort of advertisement whose stated goal is to make you look or feel younger. We live in a culture where there is a drive to be young. While I wish I had a full head of hair, when I wonder what it would be like to be younger again, it has nothing to do with the physical. This morning, my oldest son, BR, came downstairs. He looked at my wife and I who were sitting and talking on the couch discussing our daily plans like football coaches game planning for the upcoming foe. He had a smirk on … [Read more...]
Fortnite Obsession a Tricky Bond Between Child, Parent
My son really wanted an Xbox One last year. So, being the first Christmas after my wife and I separated, I got him one. And it was great. I eventually got one myself for when he visited, and for me to play as well. As with all things and little kids, though, he wanted more. What he wanted was to play Fortnite because all his friends from school were playing it. I subscribed to Xbox Live and we use a family set up to give him access to play, without access to buy anything. Which, for the uninitiated, there is plenty of stuff to buy. And not even stuff that helps you in the game. Might as … [Read more...]