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[-]Anyone know of a totally nut-free sleepaway camp? please refrain from the your child has to live in the real world commentary... It is hard enough thinking about my son being away for the summer without the extra anxiety of worrying about it.
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[-]Ds is 5 1/2 months old and 3yo dd. All of a sudden i have very little interest in doing anything all day long. I just find myself wanting to sit there all day (and sometimes doing it) and just tuning out. I don't really even watch tv, it's just a numbing activity. I am cranky and uninterested. I don't exactly fit the symptoms of PPD, but had it after #1. Also nursing ds still 3 times a night and often up w him multiple times a night. DH thinks it's just sleep deprivation. Thoughts?
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op: I think that is part of the problem. I have one, kinda. I freelance, work for a company (doing the same thing I do freelancing) and I write for a website. I work, but I do not feel like I have enough time for it. On that note, I do not trust anyone to leave my kids with them.
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op: thinking about it. where do I go about finding a person I can trust. Fearful of Craigslist and have asked around for recommendations.
[ Reply | More ]If you have the means, look into a post-partum doula. they usually are for much much earlier, like right after birth, but some might be willing to help out with older kids and they tend to have a ton of experience and to be less picky about what is and is not their responsibility. Otherwise, a student through personal recs. Sounds like you can be there to supervise in the beginning, until you get comfortable.
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No. It's not a sudden onset of PPD almost 3 years after you've given birth. In fact the idea that you would consider this a possible diagnosis, coupled with your continued breastfeeding of your youngest child does give us a birds eye view into what might be the solution to your issues. Get a life beyond being a source of maternal nurturing for other human beings. Get out. Meet people. Have someone else watch your children for a set period of time. Wean the near preschooler still hanging from your tits--you don't live in a developing nation, he can eat nutritious food and drink clear drinking water with no real fear of deadly pathogens. Begin taking care of yourself. If you don't, you will not be able to provide care for your children in the...
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She's nursing the 5 1/2 month old ds, not the 3 yo dd "near preschooler", which you might have noticed if you hadn't been so eager to condemn (not clear why you are hostile to her continued bf'ing of the youngest child, either, except that you are hostile to it generally). The suggestions to get out, get some help for set periods, and take care of herself are good, but the obnoxious
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[-]Any recommendations for a learning to read specialist in NYC who could teach my 4 year old how to read? He is showing a lot of interest in reading, but I have no idea how to help him and would like to have an expert at least get him started and show me how to continue.
11 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreDon't try to teach your 4YO to read. It's actually bad for his development. He may pick it up on his own, but it's not something you actively teach a 4YO -- if you have any kind of brain in your own head and do some research on the subject, that is. If you view your child as a trick pony and need to show off to your friends, you can teach any kid to read.
[ Reply | More ]If you must do something beyond reading to your child while holding the page in his or her view, Leap Frog Letter Factory/Word Factory/Story Factory series on DVD.
[ Reply | More ]I agree. My 3 yo loves these. She's very curious about letters and the sounds they make. She also has a Melissa & Doug puzzle set that she can "spell out" the picture shown with the letters provided. She's not really reading but it is fun for her and she picks up/is able to recognize certain words as a result. You shouldn't be pushing this kind of thing with a "reading specialist" - better to just let them follow their own curiousity.
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[-]i of course love my DD but she has some annoying habbits like repeating herself and talking loud. should i try to gently address so that other kids don't get annoyed with her. seems that some do already.
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I think 9yo is old enough to have these kinds of conversations. They can be very helpful for kids who don't necessarily pick up on social cues easily but are bright and capable of understanding how their behavior affects others. Let her be herself, but give her pointers on how to navigate social situations. I have an 8yo who needs help with this.
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[-]Can you tell me about W90s area, W100s and Morninside Heights? All in D3? Which area is nicest, and is it better to be closer to Riverside and West End, or further "east" in those areas? Nice grocery stores? Good shopping (kids clothes) and restaurants? If you know about any of these, please fill me in what you like about it. I know they are close together, but we all know that every 5 blocks or so is like its own little neighborhood.
36 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreIn the low 100s, west of Broadway is much nicer to me. I lived around 107th and went to grad school at Columbia. The subway was right there, and now I think there are more grocery stores. West 90s is definitely nice WEst of Broadway, street by street probably east above 96th.
[ Reply | More ]Ita, lots of dds friends live in 100's around broadway. Not many clothes stores but lots of low key restauants
[ Reply | More ]The truth is, you get what you pay for, and you pay less there and get less. I know some lovely families living there, but the resources for families are much fewer compared to lower down the West Side (Lincoln Center/70's/80's areas). I would probly move to NJ than live there.
[ Reply | More ]really? wow. ok, that is something to think about. I guess I thought with W100s it is still close enough and part of D3 schools that it is still Manhattan living, just more space for your money. moving to NJ would be a huge change, whereas moving a little more north does not seem that huge of a step. Anyone agree with the assessment of the responder above that NJ move would be better than low w100s?
[ Reply | More ]I used to live in the 8os and now live in the 100s. I don’t agree with what you are saying. Restaurants and food shopping is cheaper for the same quality in the 100s. I suppose if you like Food Emporium and chain stores like Banana, and Raymour Flanigan then you are better off in the seventies and eighties.
[ Reply | More ]most normal people would rather have more spacious apts, live right near trees and parks, and be on a quiet street than in the middle of a crowded shopping area. but if walking access to bed bath & beyond is that important to you, then yes, live on 66th and bway.
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BS It's much cheaper. You can get a lovely apt for at least 200K less, in 2 bdrooms. I posted below because we've been looking online for a friend and have been amazed at the difference.
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I can't say that. Here's a listing of a place that I would buy, if I wasn't already settled. A comparison further south is nice but 1) doesn't have doorman 2) can't make 3rd bedroom out of the dining alcove - I'm not a broker, just someone who keeps an eye on real estate so I can't give you more than anecdotal and that I like it up here.
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np: itd. i actually liken that area (the UUWS) to what the UWS was like before it was taken over by chains in the 90s. i don't think the fact that you might have to go 20 blocks down Broadway to go clothing shopping is that big an inconvenience. there are certainly restaurants and cafes and grocery stores etc up there.
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I Love that neighborhood and lived there for years. Very child friendly, close to parks, plenty of restaurant choices. If you are near 96th street you also have the express train which is a huge bonus.
[ Reply | More ]I love Riverside Drive from 120th-96th.. a lot of child friendly options with the exception on shopping for clothes
[ Reply | More ]I live in the low 100s west of Amsterdam. Restaurants are great. Transportation is easy. People are friendly in only the best ways. Riverside Park is wonderful for kids. West Side Market, Whole Foods, Health Nuts and two farmers markets a week make for great food shopping. There are a number of nice 2 bedrooms (even some 2 baths) in the area for under $850 right now - we've got friends who might be near us in a few. The Bloomingdale elementary school isn't great but if your kid is already at a different school or if you're not in that zone or going private it's not a problem. Any other questions?
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OP here. yes, more questions! Where and when are the farmers markets? Is there a marked difference between 96-99 and Broadway (near express train) vs. lows 100s? We are accustomed to lower UWS brownstone neighborhood.
[ Reply | More ]Farmers Markets - 97th betwen col & Amsterdam is Friday mornings until about 2 - right by Columbia it's Thursdays until 5 or 6 and Sundays. I don't think there's a huge difference between those areas west of broadway, but maybe east of broadway in the 100s might be a building/block specific situation. Look into the school zones if that's a question. Lots of lovely brownstones for rent around here and they can be cheap.
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I love the low 100s. We have lived on 107 and Broadway for 10 years and love it here. Central & Rverside parks are both easily accessible, with tot lot playgrounds at 103rd and 108th and Riverside. Good grocery shopping at Garden of Eden & Westside Market (also just 10 blocks south to Whole Foods and Gourmet Garage). World's best bagels are at Absolute on my block. Good wine shop, many family-friendly restaurants, a kid shoe store, great bookstores (bank St & bookculture) etc. Of course, there are more Duane Reades than a neighborhood needs, but that is the case all over. West End is gorgeous for its entire length, as is Riverside. For the most part, the blocks between Broadway & Riverside are full of lovely buildings (though the 90's do ha...
[ Reply | More ]had to move south from mid W100's for school lower D3 but miss living uptown. Prefer the community feel uptown but do NOT miss the 1 train above 96th. That is the one thing that keeps me from moving back up there. Too spoiled by the express train.
[ Reply | More ]Anyone able to give an indication of what I might need to pay in rent for a 2-bed, 1 bath apt in this north of 96th area under discussion here? Would consider a walkup with no doorman if it felt like a safe enough area. (Am single mother with teenage daughter.)
[ Reply | More ]i just moved to 94th between riverside and wea. my rent is 3100 for a 2br in an elevator building. it's spacious but by no means is it a knockout. used to live on 87th btw cpw and columbus. miss that side of the uws, but i'm really, really loving the area i'm in right now. very convenient in every way. no complaints yet.
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[-]My Daughter (who is allergic to peanuts) ate at Dragonfly (1463 Third Ave. NYC) last week and we ended up in the ER. She was dining with friends who asked the manager the day before if they could accommodate a child with nut allergies and was told they could. Then, when they went the next day they told the waitress and the manager she was allergic to peanuts. They were told the kitchen was aware of her allergy and nothing she ordered had nuts in it. When I called the manager the next day to tell her what had happened she once again stated that nothing she ate had nuts in it. However, she then emailed me the list of ingredients and there were peanuts in the sauce of the chicken wings. Obviously, the restaurant chef, wait staff and manager di...
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That is unfortunate, but I am sure it happens at many restaurants. I got food poisoning at a very well regarded restaurant in the city. I hope your daughter is okay now.
[ Reply | More ]np: food poisoning is different. It's appalling that a restaurant who had a heads up on this would fail to follow up. They SHOULD have said they use peanuts and can't promise there won't be peanuts used. That is what many restaurants do. It's odd that you are dismissing bad behavior.
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Is this an asian restaurant. We were told by allergist to avoid asian cuisines (ex. Japanese) b/c of the prevalence of p/b used in sauces. In a perfect world you could insist all ingredients were listed, but it's not worth the danger. Ds (college) avoids Chinese and Thai food b/c of this. You can of course talk to the manager and owners and see if they really understand the issue as well as cross contamination issues. Also please do not say nuts or peanuts interchangably. Peanut is a legume and not a true nut. Something can be nut free and still contain peanuts.
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[-]repost - WWYD - school aged daughter, nice kid we believe she is well liked. i was on class trip and DD was talking to her friends who are extremely close. seems that she was the third wheel and then was trying to talk to them and when she got up they mocked something she said. i did not do anything, DD did not see it but i imagine this is not the first time. also, DD will say sometimes that she feels XX is not nice or that she is not ever asked to join in, but she is friends with them and has scheduled play dates with them. advice? dont want her to have self esteem issues now or later and worry that she does know this and it is getting to her. girls are all 8 and 9. TIA! also want to add i am very friendly with the mothers too...
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[-]My Daughter (who is allergic to peanuts) ate at Dragonfly (1463 Third Ave. NYC) last week and we ended up in the ER. She was dining with friends who asked the manager the day before if they could accommodate a child with nut allergies and was told they could. Then, when they went the next day they told the waitress and the manager she was allergic to peanuts. They were told the kitchen was aware of her allergy and nothing she ordered had nuts in it. When I called the manager the next day to tell her what had happened she once again stated that nothing she ate had nuts in it. However, she then emailed me the list of ingredients and there were peanuts in the sauce of the chicken wings. Obviously, the restaurant chef, wait staff and manager di...
9 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI'm sorry for your experience but with peanuts a pretty common ingredient in Asian food, it isn't a good idea for a person with such a serious peanut allergy to eat at Chinese/Asian restaurants. Even if there were no actual peanuts in the dishes she ordered (which I understand there actually were in her case), it is still cooked in a kitchen where peanut dishes are also prepared.
[ Reply | More ]you need to realize there are probably trace peanuts in everything you eat..i would never dine at an asian restaurant if i had a peanut allergy.
[ Reply | More ]ditto x 1000. would also never let my kid dine alone at an unknown restaurant. recipe for disaster. Mom - this is your fault.
[ Reply | More ]tritto. I cannot imagine feeling safe in a restaurant that served any peanut products, espeiclaly if it wasnt there. I have a df with peanut allergies-- he would never set foot in an asian restaurnat. I am glad your dd is ok and dont mean to flame you, but I think you need to be a bit more cautious
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[-]WWYD - school aged daughter, nice kid we believe she is well liked. i was on class trip and DD was talking to her friends who are extremely close. seems that she was the third wheel and then was trying to talk to them and when she got up they mocked something she said. i did not do anything, DD did not see it but i imagine this is not the first time. also, DD will say sometimes that she feels XX is not nice or that she is not ever asked to join in, but she is friends with them and has scheduled play dates with them. advice? dont want her to have self esteem issues now or later and worry that she does know this and it is getting to her. girls are all 8 and 9. TIA!!
20 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreCan she find new friends? There's no point in trying to change kids that aren't nice, but you can try and get her to at least be friends with different kids. Sometimes groups of 3, there's always an odd person who gets the rough treatment. Cut down on those playdates.
[ Reply | More ]Continue to talk to her about what makes a good friend. Set up playdates with other girls. Minimize playdates with girls who aren't nice to her (or are only nice off and on.) That's all you can do.
[ Reply | More ]my heart breaks though, dd is so nice and kind to all, would never mock someone ever.
[ Reply | More ]I know, my dd is like that too. It took a long time and there are still slip ups but overall I think they do listen to your advice. With my dd, it took some time for her to figure out that a girl who is mean and then suddenly nice isn't likely to drop the mean. It's confusing for them.
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this - unfortunately for right now DD (8 y/o) seems to be enamored especially of the girls who sometimes aren't nice to her. I worry as she gets older she's going to become a follower of the mean girl-queen bee in order to gain acceptance, but ultimately there's really nothing I can do outside of what the poster above has suggested.
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I'm not going to label my child, sorry. I can talk to her about how people treat her is somewhat reflective of her own behaviors and work with her in that regard - her not becoming a mean girl cannot be accomplished simply through telling her not to do it and surely you know better.
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interestingly this girl who mocked her is one who i have seen go out of her way to include her when she was left alone if table was full etc. so i wouldnt say she is a mean girl, not defending her, but she is perhaps annoyed by my DD, which is also not nice, but wondering if i should ask teacher if she see this and my DD is being a follower or too clingy so i can figure out a way to address?
[ Reply | More ]No. Don't involve the teacher at this point. Dd is not upset about it. You will be blowing it out of proportion. Just ask dd who else she would like to play with and set up some playdates for her with other girls.
[ Reply | More ]why not mention to teacher though? i actually have asked teacher in past about whether she is included socially bc DD had mentioned that she is not asked to join in and she always initiates and teacher told me they dont see that at all. perhaps my DD is liked but not sought after. she is feeling it though. all the other girls cling to eachother and she is there but not sought out.
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My Daughter (who is allergic to peanuts) ate at Dragonfly (1463 Third Ave. NYC) last week and we ended up in the ER. She was dining with friends who asked the manager the day before if they could accommodate a child with nut allergies and was told they could. Then, when they went the next day they told the waitress and the manager she was allergic to peanuts. They were told the kitchen was aware of her allergy and nothing she ordered had nuts in it. When I called the manager the next day to tell her what had happened she once again stated that nothing she ate had nuts in it. However, she then emailed me the list of ingredients and there were peanuts in the sauce of the chicken wings. Obviously, the restaurant chef, wait staff and manager di...
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My Daughter (who is allergic to peanuts) ate at Dragonfly (1463 Third Ave. NYC) last week and we ended up in the ER. She was dining with friends who asked the manager the day before if they could accommodate a child with nut allergies and was told they could. Then, when they went the next day they told the waitress and the manager she was allergic to peanuts. They were told the kitchen was aware of her allergy and nothing she ordered had nuts in it. When I called the manager the next day to tell her what had happened she once again stated that nothing she ate had nuts in it. However, she then emailed me the list of ingredients and there were peanuts in the sauce of the chicken wings. Obviously, the restaurant chef, wait staff and manager di...
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[-]Re-post from a few weeks ago: Now that private schools seem to have hosted the spring accepted K students events for the most part, what are the classes looking like so far? Is it what you expected (racial, geographic diversity, etc)
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[-]We would like to have my 7 yo son get a neuropsych eval, and am feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. Does anyone out there have any words of wisdom? How about any recommendations? We are in Bklyn but would go anywhere for the best care, naturally.
5 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreWe also live in Brooklyn and went to Dr. Salzburg. He's excellent, and we liked him a lot. I attended a talk this year given by Dr. Vincent Alfonso, who is an expert in assessment. It is overwhelming. My advice to you is find out which tests will be administered--the basic ones and anything else, such WISK 4 (Wescler Intelligence whatever else, I always forget), and write down all the acronyms and then Google them before you get your conference to talk about the evaluation so that you are not so unfamiliar with the acronyms you constantly have to ask for an explanation of them. Knowing exactly what they are testing and why makes you so much better able to fully understand the evaluation's findings. And that's key. You'll so be able to quick...
[ Reply | More ]my dc is going this coming Monday for her eval. We are doing it at Lennox Hill. They charge on a sliding scale. We could not afford the $3500 to $5000 costs. My dc is 12yr but I've heard good things about this place..and even Adelphi University. We put our names on the WAIT LIST for both places and Lennox Hill called first. Adelphi is on a sliding scale too but the wait for an appt is about 4mo with private and sliding scale places. GL
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I had 3 neuropsych evals for my son. Didn't prove anything and never helped until he had his first grand mal seizure. If they had only done an EEG.....and found out he had silent epilepsy....now he is totally screwed. First neuropsych when 8-first grand mal 28. 20 years I suspected something. Good luck.
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[-]Anyone looking for something different for a birthday party? Just had medieval party for DS at St. John the Divine. Awesome architectural tour, waaaay fun crafts in medieval workshop, really cute space decorated with knights and ladies for cake and munchies. The Public Education folks couldn't have been nicer, more informed, or kid-friendly. Not spamming, just putting new ideas out there.
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Not much, by NYC standards! $500 to church, tipped the tour guides, brought our own food (finger nibblies), cake, drinks, crowns. NO balloons though (can you imagine if one got loose and went sailing up into the 10th story gothic arches?). Cannot emphasize how FUN those medieval workshops are! I think you can do medieval parties at the Cloisters too, but suspect it costs more?
[ Reply | More ]$500 plus tips and your own food, cake, drinks and party favors? That's a lot. What is the going rate for 8 yo parties in NYC?
[ Reply | More ]Make Meaning charges about $2,000 for the same timing and less kids. Bowlmor charges more. Parties at Museums (AMNH, Met, science msueums in area, etc.) upwards of $60/kid, if not more, not including food. Plus, payment at StJthe D goes to help keep building the world's largest cathedral, which is pretty cool.
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We were there yesterday for a birthday party and it was wonderful. Different theme but the kids did a scavenger hunt on the grounds and of course along the way saw the peacocks. Just wonderful! Question for mom w mideaval party theme, how old were your kids and was the party for a boy/girl?
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[-]Can anyone tell me about the AYSO West Side Soccer League? Thinking about signing up dd (7yo). I don't know anything about the league....
1 reply [ Reply | Watch | MoreIf your kid is strictly recreational and considers soccer a hobby then its fine. If your kid wants to learn how to play, he should go to a program like Manhattan soccer, or DUSC or if you have money to burn Super soccer stars. AYSO is a fun social, and is not a real competitive program.
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