Our Favorite Parenting Stories Of The Week

In a city with an endless amount of extracurricular options it’s easy to fill every moment of your children’s day, but what about down-time? The knowledge and social skills children gain from enrichment activities are invaluable, but they also need time to decompress and just hang-out. (The New York Times)

Don’t let pregnancy put a damper on your Halloween celebration. Check out these creative couples’ costumes for expectant mothers and dads-to-be! (The Huffington Post)

Think chickenpox is a harmless rite of passage? One mom thinks otherwise and speaks out in favor of vaccinating little ones against this often-underestimated ailment. (Mommyish)

NYC style and business maven (oh, and daughter-of-the-Donald) Ivanka Trump and her husband welcomed a healthy baby boy this week. Congrats to the happy family. (Elizabeth Street)

Research shows that kids are not receptive to tutors on television. The screen is not the issue, but rather, the unreliability of the speaker. Children need connectedness to learn. They know when someone is speaking to them or when they’re hearing pre-recorded material. (Baby Center)

Planning a baby shower? Get inspired by Jennifer Love Hewitt’s gender-neutral shower, which was planned by celebrity party planner Mindy Weiss. At the Hotel Bel-Air this past weekend in Los Angeles, Hewitt’s guests got to create their own fragrance and enjoy baby themed cupcakes! (Parents)

Kids in Virginia are rebelling against healthier food. A school district’s transition from serving 27-ingredient “meat” burgers to serving all beef burgers was not well received by its students. (The Washington Post)

Many parents strive to teach their children empathy, but these 8-year-old boys are coming out ahead of the curve. This band of North Dakota kids headed to the salon to have their hair dyed hot pink in support of breast cancer awareness. (CBS)

Pumpkin carving is a fun fall activity, but when kids are involved, it’s typically not a safe one! These playful no-carve pumpkins are a great knife-free alternative for little ones. (Mommyish)

Worried about incurring the wrath of safety-conscious parents, the US Postal Service puts a stop to the “Just Move” campaign’s stamp designs. Why? Depictions of seemingly dangerous activities and helmet-free headstands. What do you think? (Motherload)

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Once Upon A Mattress

<p>Bring your kids.</p> <p>Bring your parents.</p> <p>Bring your favorite pajamas!</p> <p>Once Upon a Mattress is back on Broadway, and it’s “pure let’s-be-kids entertainment” (New Yorker) fit for ages 7 to 107!</p> <p>Two-time Tony® winner Sutton Foster stars as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, alongside royalty of stage and screen Michael Urie and Queen of Comedy Ana Gasteyer. Adapted for a new generation by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), this uproarious retelling of The Princess and the Pea introduces the unapologetically eccentric Winnifred to an uptight kingdom, where she charms, delights, and dances her way to the top… of a stack of mattresses.</p> <p>So give the babysitter the night off and your kids a night on the town – you'll all live happily ever laughter!</p> <p>Get tickets at <a href="https://onceuponamattressnyc.com/">https://onceuponamattressnyc.com/</a></p>

Gaga Madness

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.</span></p>

Play On! Studios

<p>Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games!</p> <p>Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun!</p> <p>Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show!</p> <p>During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we’ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p> </p>