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[-]Family relocating from New York. 5 year old daughter was accepted to Willows, Echo Horizon and Sierra Canyon. Our choice of school will also depend on where we end up living. Would love any and all thoughts, opinions, etc.
8 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI love Calabasas. Definitely get the most for your money. My husband works in the valley. The commute wont be fun for him but, I hear the commute is bad wherever you live unless you live in that specific area or just surrounding. Regarding the West Side, if I had $5 million for a house, I would love Bel Air or parts of Westwood, Hancock Park. But, for $2 million, not much inventory on the West side. I really would like a neighborhood feel.
[ Reply | More ]Well, if your husband is working in the valley go to Sierra Canyon. The valley is great for families. Calabasas is wonderful. Also, there are really nice parts of Encino, Tarzana, and Woodland Hills south of the blvd. Sierra Canyon is a great school. All the families we know who go there are very cool and relaxed.
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I would go to Willows and live in Hancock Park or HP adjacent imho. You can get something for 2 million. The commute to the valley would be a reverse commute which makes it easier. Sorry, but I think Chatworth is way too far out. If I had to do valley I would opt for Sherman Oaks, Studio City or Encino. Depends on what part of the valley your DH work is. If you are used to a suburban experience or urban living will make a difference in where you want to be in LA.
[ Reply | More ]WIllows is the best of that bunch for elementary. We were there for nine years and loved every minute. Sierra Canyon is waaaaay out in the east valley. To get there from Calabasas is quite a hike. Depends on your work situation, but if you're working near to Los Angeles, the commute from that far out in the valley will get old very quickly. I agree with Hancock Park..fantastic family neighborhood, great central location.
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[-]Need a recommendation for a jogging stroller please, to be used primarily for running. Bob revolution or bob ironman or other? thanks
6 replies [ Reply | Watch | Morecheckout the mountain buggy stroller at www.thedapperbaby.com
[ Reply | More ]I have the Bob Revolution. It's really smooth and it rolls over the "terrain" in Central Park. I don't run, DH does. Unfortunately, my DD didn't like going running in it so he never uns with DD. But we use it on weekends sometimes -- it's a pain in stores or for public transportation but good for walking, very smooth.
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[-]Are there any LA moms on here who know anything about good private schools? I need some basic info. I don't have any friends with kids and I am having trouble finding any good schools, and LAUSD is horrific. TIA for ANY information you can possibly come up with!!!
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What area did you live in? Where did your kids go? What are some good preschools? Are there any in the Santa Monica area or will I have to commute to BH or the valley?
[ Reply | More ]^^oh, and what are the top private high schools? what are the feeder schools? How much better would you say it is than if we moved to BH and sent kids to public?
[ Reply | More ]We lived on the westside and kids went to school at one of the progressive private schools on the westside. Some preschools in SM are Circle of Children, the Growing Place, Evergreen, Early Years. Also might want to check out Little Dolphins in the Palisades. Are you looking at progressive or traditional schools? Progressive schools include Crossroads, New Roads, Wildwood, Willows, and PS 1. For traditional it's Brentwood, Harvard Westlake, Marlbourgh.
[ Reply | More ]Definitely traditional. I am slightly interested in montessori but it seems hard to find a true montessori. Are Brentwood etc. strictly High School? Are there K-8's or do they switch Elementary to Middle to High school like public? What schools feed into the more traditional private high schools?
[ Reply | More ]Marlbourgh is all girls 7-12, Harvard Westlake is co-ed from 7-12, Brentwood is co-ed from K-12.
[ Reply | More ]OMG.. in love with Brentwood. Do you know anything about their applications process?
[ Reply | More ]NP: What ages are your kids and do you live in LA now or are you moving here? I'm a little confused by your post. Brentwood is very difficult to get into and has a traditional application process with parent interview/child evaluation. They require longer essays than some schools. They get about 250-300 apps for Kindergarten, which has 44 slots, at least half of which go to siblings/alumni/faculty kids.
[ Reply | More ]The above list of Santa Monica preschools is good, and I'd add Blueberry Atelier and First Pres to the list. All these preschools are also very difficult to get into (to varying degrees). There's a book called Coping with Preschool Panic that can help you with the preschool thing - gives overviews of schools. Another book called Beyond the Brochure can help with applying to private schools K and up - but that's more about getting in and less about the differences in the schools.
[ Reply | More ]Actually, if you are into traditional schools you might prefer Sunshine in Brentwood to some of the other preschools mentioned above. Growing Place/Evergreen/Blueberry/First Pres are all more progressive and influenced by Reggio, which is an approach to early childhood education from Reggio Emilia Italy that is very popular here in LA.
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[-]LA moms, relocating to LA and wanted impressions, opinions, or what you have heard of Sierra Canyon School?
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[-]Need some support tonight. I hurt the guy I love, deeply and permanently, because of a stupid mistake I made. I'm not able to forgive myself or move on from the remorse and guilt. He was "the one" for me. He's moved on and is dating again...still polite to me, but very distant. Watching him move on knowing I ruined our relationship, and holding this guilt inside, has been so painful for me that now I've developed an eating disorder. I don't sleep, I wake up depressed each morning, and I cry myself to sleep each night. I binge all day. My question for you all isn't so much as "how to get him back" but rather, how can I let go of the guilt that has ruined me inside? I'm not up for dating, and I'm barely up for socializing. I'm already in ther...
10 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreYou say that you hurt him permanently but that he's moved on. Which is it? Also, have you made a fulsome apology? Finally, watch House of Games.
[ Reply | More ]OP: maybe I mean I've hurt him deeply, and ruined our relationship permanently. The damage I caused can't be repaired within the relationship. He seems able to move on despite his pain...yet because I'm the one who caused it, I can't. Yes, I've made the most sincere apologies I can. He's accepted them but just doesn't want anything with me
[ Reply | More ]I would not call this 'guilt.' Guilt is when you feel bad for hurting someone else. But he's OK, and the injured party here is you, because you lost your relationship with him. You F----- up. Sorry. But you are paying the price (by not having him). And that is a sufficient price to pay, given that he's moving on. No need for you to feel guilt. Rather, feel like a fool, and try to learn your lesson and move on. No need to play the martyr.
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just hang in there for time to pass. and as soon as you can, go on dates even though you won't feel up to it.
[ Reply | More ]OR: when i used to feel sad, i would read thomas hardy. i know his stuff is ultra tragic, but somehow, i'd look at all the horrible stuff going on in hardy's fictional world and i'd think, "mine's not so bad as that," and i'd be a little cheered. also, if you don't exercise, taking on a major challenge, like a marathon training, might help you redirect your mental energy. best wishes to you.
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Should you feel this much guilt, or is it out of proportion to what you did? I think the answer to this question is important.
[ Reply | More ]First, why do you still see him? and know whats going on in his life? I was just hurt terribly in a relationship, just a month ago. I havent made any contact with him, despite the 3 text messages he sent me. While i still love him, miss him and hurt deeply inside my core, I have moved on as well. I know the relationship is over, i know i need to look towards the future and i know i need to help myself heal from the pain he caused me. Im sure you still have feelings for him etc., but it's time to be a big girl, accept that the relationship is done and move on. I know it's hard and life sucks right now, but hurting yourself by crying and binging and feeling sorry for all involved isnt going to help.
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[-]Any Eastside moms on? What's the word on: Los Feliz Charter for the Arts; Gabriella Charter (Echo Park); non-Ivanhoe schools in Silverlake; Mt. Washington elementary; neighborhood publics in Eagle Rock; Ribet; LILA?
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[-]I'm a NYC transplant in LA and I'm terribly depressed. We don't *have* to be here except that DH insists it's a better life for our future kids. Have been here a decent enough time and still hate it. Any encouragement would be appreciated. Can't stop crying.
20 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreHow long and what do you think is your biggest problem? Friends? House size? Lots of concrete and steel? Perceived loss of control to DH? You need to identify what specifically is such an upsetting aspect of living here in order to figure out what to do.
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Most of the people I know in LA are from NY. Lots of people are bicoastal or move back and forth semi-regularly from NY to LA. It took me two hard years to adjust to LA but now I love it. LA definately takes more effort due to the lack of street life, but lots of natural and cultural things in the city to take advantage of. Perhaps your neighborhood is not a good fit for you? That has made a huge difference to me.
[ Reply | More ]OP: yeah I know...we both work in the kind of industries where we could go back and forth, but it's just that DH is from here, sick of moving and wants to put roots down. I feel like I can either have him or NY. I live in Silverlake and culturally it's the best fit but I feel no sense of community. I have friends (ex NY-ers) but it's so hard to pin people down (as it is in NY)...yes, so much effort. Have been here almost a year.
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Yes Silverlake is a cool area. I find LA very hard to WAH unless you already have an established community of friends. Many of my friends when I first got here were also my friends on the east coast. Can feel really lonely to WAH. Perhaps your kids school or another outlet? My husband is a cyclist. I used to run with a group in Griffith Park. I got very involved in education and met lots of like-minded friends that way also a reform temple. It did take two years. Don't despair. So much to love about LA and I still try to get back to NY regularly. Always appreciate business trips when the NYC hotel is covered and I don't have to "pay" to live in NY.
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BTDT. I moved from NYC to LA for two years. It's a lovely city but it just isn't for me and it was ROUGH trying to get used to it. I think the car thing takes away the spontaneity of the city. You have to plan so far ahead - who's driving, where are you parking, who's the DD. DH and I ended up moving back to NYC and I do love it here but your DH is right in that LA will allow you a better lifestyle if you want a family. Towards the end of my two year stint there I finally saw that it may be possible to love it, but we had already decided to move back. And I'm back in my city again, working too hard to live in squalor! Think about that when you get down. You WILL get used to it and learn to love it. LA has a lot to offer.
[ Reply | More ]LA is huge and varied. Where are you living? What NYC neighborhoods do you like? We'll translate them into LA.
[ Reply | More ]OP: Brownstone Brooklyn. Even if some of the people overlap, nothing here looks or feels like it.
[ Reply | More ]I hear you. I love both cities although have come to really appreciate LA with kids. Two of my best friends moved to LA and hated it, then after several years they moved back to New York and then quickly moved back to LA. Was a pita and expensive way to finally appreciate the things LA offers. This is your first year. I don't think I opened up to loving it for two solid years. I have now called it home for 20 years. I hope you feel better soon. February is the best time to appreciate LA when you are a NYer.
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[-]Hi LA moms - can you tell me whether the lofts at the old Pabst Brewery are expensive? What is their general neighborhood? Are they nice? Any info appreciated. Thanks!
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[-]Los Angeles or San Jose? (please also say where you're from.. thanks
9 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreLos Angeles, no question!! It's like comparing apples to oranges. (from MN originally)
[ Reply | More ]San Jose. Lifelong California (Fresno, so smack in the middle) but went to college in the Bay Area. Love the Bay Area.
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They have a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses. Large urban area made up of different "villages"--can feel very suburban, fairly downtownish, or be walkable and hip. Quality of public schools varies according to district and neighborhood. I have lived in both, though I'm from the east, and liked both. I would personally pick LA, though would not be devastated if I had to move to SJ.
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[-]Any NYC transplants living in LA ? Do you find the life is better for Dcs? Also id LA less expensive than NY for monthy expenses?
14 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreMy friend misses NY A LOT but she does feel her children have a better quality of life. LA is still expensive. Their housing costs are probably a tiny bit cheaper, but they have the same problem with rising property taxes, gas prices, oil prices, and school issues.
[ Reply | More ]Homes in LA are much cheaper and larger. It's also more expensive to maintain a home (taxes, heating costs). LA has a far lower cost of living than NYC in my experiences.
[ Reply | More ]are you kidding? Our utilities were MUCH lower in LA. Heating costs are minimal -- it never gets that cold. True, if you upgrade to a huge house you will discover new costs (or if you have a yard and hire a gardener, etc.), but many LA houses aren't all that big. You'll have to pay more for A/C in the warm months, but you save a lot on heat in the winter (and most people would, presumably, also have the A/C costs in NYC, too.) Overall I agree with you, though (LA is much cheaper), just on the heating costs issue!
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whats up with this rash of la posts. surely there are nicer places in the united states to raise your kids than la if you want a change of scenery? i've lived in la and i don't think it's a good place for raising children at all. i've also lived in nyc. compared to nyc (metro area), the kids in la (metro area) are less educated and less well mannered people (kids and adults) just seem more 'proper' and more well off in the new york region.
[ Reply | More ]Funny... I have exactly the opposite impression re: manners. LA definitely feels more third-world and has more visible poverty, but I think people are much more polite. That was certainly the case when you compare riding the subway in NYC versus LA. I NEVER had to stand while pregnant in LA, for example. There are well-educated people in both areas, and while I think LA probably has a greater percentage of people lacking much formal education, that's also closely aligned with your socioeconomic status and peer group. There is, however, less concern about tt schools and obsession with HYP in LA.
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MUCH cheaper. I love NYC, but LA comes in as a close second favorite. We had our first child there, and think it can be a great place to raise kids. That said, like most cities, money makes a difference. Schools can vary widely, and it costs more to live somewhere with good public schools. (although not as much as in NYC!) As far as costs, though, LA is much, much cheaper.
[ Reply | More ]If making the move, pick your neighborhood carefully; the New Yorkers in LA that are the most miserable (in my experience) are those who simply chose the wrong location. Where you live makes a HUGE difference to whether you'll love it or hate it. For example, if you like to be able to walk places and enjoy urban living, don't get suckered into buying a great house in a neighborhood where you have to drive everywhere. I am always shocked at how many people seem to do this! LA is huge and has a ton of different options, so pick the one that works for you. I moved to LA reluctantly, fell in love, and would happily move back (with kids) if the opportunity were there. LA and NYC are my two favorite American cities. Love NYC, too, but life is eas...
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Thanks, we want to move somewhere cheaper than NY but only have a few options to relocate with the office. We actually own ahouse in LA but have not lived there for years and never with children (wes hollywood hills) we just find the quality of life and the expense of everything in NY crazy and we would like to enjoy life a little more. Plus the beach etc sounds so great with kids!
[ Reply | More ]LA isn't cheap, but it certainly feels affordable when compared to NYC! I really appreciated being able to be outside all the time, too. And when our son was young I loved not having to deal with coats and boots and winter weather. Both cities have their perks, but LA is a pretty wonderful place. (We rented in Hollywood before we had a kid, then ended up in South Pasadena after we had a baby. Loved both areas, although central Hollywood isn't so family-friendly)
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[-]Moving to Los Angeles and I don't know how to drive. Any recommendations for a driving school or an instructor would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Doesn't answer your question, but FWIW I lived in LA and never got my license. Granted, it would have been useful at times (luckily my husband does drive, so we could still go on fun weekend trips, etc.), but I was pleasantly surprised with public transportation options. Got to work, daycare, doctor, shopping, and most everything else by foot, bus, or rail.
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Foot...bus...train... if necessary, taxi. I'm not suggesting the OP go this route, but she might appreciate knowing that (depending on where she lives) she might have a lot of options. Even if she does get a license and a car who would want to drive everywhere, anyway? And that there is no snow and ice makes it even easier to get around!
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I'm a late learner to driving. I go to the Professional Driving school. Ask for Patrick. This man has patience and nerves of steel. I swear he's on ambien, weed, and valium. No one could be this calm and cool. I'm learning how to drive too because I'll be spending a lot of time in LA.
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[-]My son goes to pvt school on the UWS for special needs (dev. delays/speech). I have a job offer which will take me to L.A. for 4 mos. Hubby (SAHD) and I decided to take DS out of school and we will all relocate to L.A. Will a private school take him for only 4 mos.? if not, do you know how I can find a tutor to homeschool him for the 4 mos.? (and also a tutor who deals w children with Spec Needs). Any advice? Tips?
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[-]LA: Any good public schools on the east side besides Ivanhoe? Any good privates that are progressive-minded? Everything "good" seems to be west or Pasadena. Every ES in areas we might buy looks abysmal.
2 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI highly recommend schools in the south part of the Valley - namely Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Encino. Carpenter is great, and so is Lanai Road (Encino). For junior/high school however, I highly recommend either going private or going to a public/magnet *outside* of L.A. I went to Birmingham High (magnet) for 9th grade and it was TERRIBLE. Worst educational year ever. However, the for the rest of my high school education I switched to Santa Susana High (Simi Valley - public magnet) and had an amazing experience; in general, Simi and Conejo Valley schools are top-notch.
[ Reply | More ]Thank you for this... but we really want to stay around Silverlake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington, Highland Park. Are we screwed if we can't afford private? Culturally we feel much more at home on this side of town, and there are obviously lots of young families here. Homes in Silverlake are often over 1 mil, yet only Ivanhoe district is supposed to be any good.
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[-]We are contemplating a move to Los Angeles from nyc. My children currently attend a private school in nyc, but we would prefer to send them to public school if we make the move. Are there any particular public elementary schools that stand out as exceptional in LA? Am I being delusional about gettting an exceptional education for my kids in a public school? My knowledge base in this area is at about zero, so any advice is appreciated.
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PV I agree with. They have their own school district. But is Pali High good? It's LAUSD. And as for Irvine, their schools may be good but who would want to live there? It's OC and not LA by the way.
[ Reply | More ]Pali High has been a charter school for a few years now, so steadily improving. Due to financial constraints may not bus in anymore students, so this is a positive or negative, depending on your outlook on "diversity".
[ Reply | More ]Pali High is no longer part of LAUSD, we are an independent charter school. Do not enroll at Pali if you have a problem with diversity (47% white, 26% Hispanic, 17% African-American, 9% Asian). It is the core and the strength of the school, and the charter dictates that Pali must maintain diversity or lose the charter and go back to being just another LAUSD high school. Approximately half of the graduates go directly to four year colleges and come to Pali from over 100 zip codes. Pali offers 21 AP courses, with overall pass rate of 79% (100% in Calc BC, 93% in Eng Lang, 85% in World). In the top 10% of our senior class, 87% will have taken 3 or more AP's. Top 20% of class, 71% have taken 3 or more AP's. Top of class is very competiti...
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Carpenter in Studio City is very good. I have friends who send kids there and I just visited and sat in on 1st grade. I really liked it. The middle school is 4 or 5,000 kids though. Many go from Carpenter to private middle school. Warner in Holmby Hills is also great. I think the middle school and high school would be Beverly Hills. Great schools but huge.
[ Reply | More ]LA is v complicated. LAUSD covers a huge sprawling area, but there are some cities embedded within the LAUSD area that have their own school systems (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, etc.) In general, I'd say those are better schools, but there are some LAUSD highly regarded elementary schools. On top of that, there are charter and magnet schools that you can apply to, but it's too late for fall 2010 for that.
[ Reply | More ]more: Specific names in Santa Monica are Franklin and Roosevelt schools, in LAUSD, Warner in Westwood is excellent but the problem is that LAUSD middle and high schools are freq really bad unless you go magnet/charter (Warner does NOT go to Bev Hills for middle, it is LAUSD and goes to Emerson; BH has their own school system) I don't know about the Palisades, my friends there complained. I hear good things about S Pasadena/Pasadena and Palos Verdes.
[ Reply | More ]I went through Santa Monica schools: Franklin elementary, then Lincoln (middle) then Santa Monica High. Great schools, great neighborhood, nicer weather than other parts of LA (cooler due to sea breezes). Lots of very successful graduates in my class and the classes + or -1 year from mine. Lots of Ivy colleges, a candidate for a major office in NY, an advisor to Obama (on transition team), many many others I knew and know still. One Saint Ann's parent w 2 dcs at ST A also went to Santa Monica schools and said his children's peer group at Saint Ann's reminded him of his friends at Samo.
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I highly recommend schools in the south part of the Valley - namely Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Encino. Carpenter is great, and so is Lanai Road (Encino). For junior/high school however, I highly recommend either going private or going to a public/magnet *outside* of L.A. I went to Birmingham High (magnet) for 9th grade and it was TERRIBLE. Worst educational year ever. However, the for the rest of my high school education I switched to Santa Susana High (Simi Valley - public magnet) and had an amazing experience; in general, Simi and Conejo Valley schools are top-notch.
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[-]LA Moms - are there any boards like this that are focused on LA? A friend of mine is moving there and I told her about UB was helpful (most of the time) for me in NYC. Any recs?
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[-]Anyone know anyone who had complications from a VBAC? Or tried a VBAC, but ended up w/ a 2nd c section? What was the experience? TIA
2 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI have two friends who had their first child in their early 20s via c-section and their second via VBAC in their late 20s (and third for one in her early 30s) with no complications. I did not know either of them when theyh had their furst babies but both of theor recoveries after the VBACs were comparable to my easy vaginal delivery.
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[-]Will be in LA next week with a one year old. Is Catalina Island worth visiting? Looks beautiful but seems like a hike.
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