In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.
The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children.
The Fresh … Read More »
A while back, my daughter was six. Then, she turned seven. A while back, my daughter repeatedly asked me to replay her favorite episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants™. Not much later, she asked to watch an HBO special called “Locks of Love: the Kindest Cut” over and over again. The documentary chronicles an organization that collects hair donations to make wigs for children who have lost their hair. My daughter’s first viewing was followed by many, many questions.
“Where did their hair go?” she asked.
“The children are not well,” I replied. “Sometimes sickness makes hair fall out. Sometimes medicine makes hair fall … Read More »
In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. ~ Ann Landers
Bringing up a child in global village can be a daunting task. It’s hard to hide the stark realities of poverty, natural disasters and disease in an increasingly connected world.
What do you say when your child asks about Haiti? How do you respond to the tough questions? How do you encourage them to “be the change,” as Gandhi said? Enter Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founding brothers of Free … Read More »
Sports. Tutus. Rock –n- Roll. Julie Andrews. Puns. Romance. Conquering a fear of failure. Fantasy. It’s all there.
If you are looking for a film that will tap into your emotional core, scratch your cerebral itch or leave you reflecting upon moral conundrums as you leave the theater, this movie is not for you. If you are looking for a movie that you may safely giggle through with every member of your family, “You Can’t Handle the Tooth” is just the ticket.
The movie presents a simple tale told, the formula for which has been in play over and over again. An … Read More »
It’s official: I’m in love. Did I mention that it’s with a children’s television show and the characters on said television show? Did I mention that I’m 28 years, 11 months and 29 days old? (I’m trying to tiptoe around the fact that I’ll be 29 later this week. Futile.) Oh yes, there’s a new quartet of men in my life and I’m shouting it from the rooftops (or, from Twitter, at the very least).
For all you parents out there stuck watching Barney on a worn-out VHS tape, I have news for you: There DOES exist a show that both … Read More »
I was an avid amateur photographer before I had my son in October 2008, but I’m a little embarrassed to admit just how many times I’ve clicked that shutter since his birth. Kids are beings that just BEG to be photographed – they’re adorable, messy, and delightfully candid. Are the photos you’re taking of the kids in your life worth a thousand words? Here are a couple of tips and tricks for taking amazing pictures of kids:
Quantity CAN equal quality. My son is one of those kids who smiles for pictures- AFTER the flash has gone off. Missing … Read More »
Birthdays are special in my family. As a child, my mom always greeted my birthday with a smile and a song. Even now, my first phone call bright and early on my birthday is from my Dad. I think he secretly always wants to be the first to wish me Happy Birthday. This is proceeded by my mom singing through the receiver at the top of her lungs. Always a great way to start the day.
I now torture my own children with these morning greetings on their birthdays. I’m not sure if they exactly appreciate it right now, but it’s … Read More »
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but next week is the last week you have before the kids are out of school. YIKES! I realize you have 100+ things left to do on your to-do list but maybe we could rearrange some items to take advantage of children being at school.
Try to get as much done next week that is secretive such as; wrapping their Christmas presents, making sure Santa has gotten everything on their list, stocking stuffers and even if you have a return or two to make because you decided on something else for your … Read More »
Husband and wife team Tony and Angela DiTerlizzi have made a splash in the children’s book world with their Adventure of Meno series. Meno, a sweet space-elf, is accompanied on his journeys by his best friends Yamagoo and Wishi. Outlets such as Publisher’s Weekly have lauded the series; illustrated in a fun retro style, it is a great collectible for adults in addition to being fun for children (ages 1-5) to look at. The series, which has two installments so far–Big Fun! and Wet Friend!–will eventually become a six-book collection.
Chic Galleria and the authors are happy to give away one signed copy each of Big Fun! and Wet … Read More »
Dating with Children
by Mary Jo Eustace, edited by Joanne Kimes,
Author of Divorce Sucks: What to do when irreconcilable differences, lawyer fees, and your ex’s Hollywood wife make you miserable
Internet dating, hookups, blind dates, and the odd booty call — how does this cornucopia of dating delights mesh with your role as a mom and caregiver to your kids? It all comes down to this: You can have the time of your life right now. After all, you are a consenting adult and chances are you have been through hell, but your kids don’t need to know anything about … Read More »
Given that the holiday season is upon us, everyone is in a mode of giving and steeped in thoughtful reflection of the first ten months of 2009.
Almost every day I am reminded in some way of the very many things that I do have in my life to be thankful for. Oddly enough, it is usually around the time that I find myself wondering miserably why on earth I have been denied something that someone else has, such as a large family to share the holidays with, children running around the house or a daughter of my own to share … Read More »
One out of four school children in the U.S. has vision problems, and 86% do not get their vision checked before age 12.
Many Fresh Air children do not have access to affordable vision care. Glasses break, are too expensive to replace, or are never prescribed in the first place. And often as a result, children’s performance in academics, sports and activities suffers. For the fifth summer in a row, OneSight offered to bring their traveling optical clinic to all five Fresh Air Fund camp. Together with OneSight’s Vision Vans – and a team of local doctors and volunteers, OneSight provides … Read More »
No, I am not kidding…have you looked around your house? The toys are taking over your entire home and Christmas is right around the corner. How will all the new toys fit into their bedroom or playroom? They start out in a bedroom or playroom and before you know it, they’ve spread to every room in the house. It’s almost as though they multiply or come to life at night like Toy Story and invite friends to come for a sleepover!
If you take the time to organize the toys now, this will help give you some gifts ideas for Christmas … Read More »
Charlotte Saavedra, owner of Starlooks Boutique, started an online store with the dream of becoming an entrepreneur and leaving a family legacy. “I have always loved fashion, yet could never afford to buy the things I wanted for my children. I figured if I had my own store, perhaps I could buy them the things I wanted at a larger discount. Yet, as the economy grew starker, I also realized how many of the things we purchase are import items. I came to the realization that probably only 5% of what we purchase is in fact made in the USA. … Read More »
Ten Steps to a Happy, Healthy Remarriage
By Wednesday Martin, Ph.D.,
Author of Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel, and Act the Way We Do
Don’t call them deadbeats. Research shows that today’s fathers are spending more time with their kids than ever — an average of nearly three and a half hours a day more than Dads did just a few decades ago. Kids and fathers alike are reaping the benefits of dad’s greater commitment; more time spent together, experts say, sows the seeds of closeness. But the flipside of this trend is that it makes divorce more … Read More »
