It’s custom for the parents to say a few words (or in some cases more than few words) about their honored child at some point in the course of the bar or bat mitzvah celebration. So here and there I’ve been thinking about my daughter and what I want to say about her, and, invariably, I start getting little teary even though this is just me thinking to myself. Not all that surprisingly, I guess. I keep re-visiting the day the day of her birth and the moment I first held her. She had to be rushed to the neo-natal critical care unit because my wife had a slight temperature, and they wanted to monitor Elena for infection. The nurse was like, “Here she is. Gotta run.” She turned out to be fine–more than fine.

I spend a lot of time being a parent, which, as of all of you know, is hardly easy. And yet, I think it is my favorite responsibility in the world. What a gift! I have a lot of people to thank next Saturday, but Elena most of all.

Eric Messinger is Editor of New York Family. He can be reached at emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

The post Gearing Up For My Daughter’s Bat Mitzvah appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Fast forward some thirty years later, I’m raising two girls in a slightly modified result of the fantastical MASH games I played as a child. I do live in NYC and did attend the graduate program of my choosing, but I did not marry Michael Marcus (the Kirk Cameron lookalike in my sixth-grade class) and I definitely don’t live in a mansion OR a house. The first on the list is well worth the compromise of the last. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel like the awe-struck woman in the play Annie singing the song “NYC,” “Three bucks, two bags, one me!!!”

I often wonder: How do I raise my daughters to feel both at home here and also to realize/appreciate that they live in, arguably, the most famed, wonderful, iconic city in the world?

When I watch my girls during their skating lessons at Wollman Rink, I hear the theme from Love Story in my head as I channel a shivering Ali MacGraw (minus the cancer ptoo ptoo ptoo). The Plaza stands proudly in the background as my little six-year-old-who-would-eat-Eloise-for-breakfast screams from the ice, “We’re getting hot chocolate after, RIGHT???”

We live on the Upper East Side and the girls go to school on the Upper West Side, so their commute involves driving through Central Park twice a day. When I do drop off or pick up, I marvel at Olmsted’s undulating hills and serpentine tunnels. The girls ask from their seats on the bus, cab, or car, “What else do you have for snack?” or “Can I play on your phone?” Still, when there is time to meander or play, they gleefully treat this landmark like their very own Secret Garden, albeit a secret they share with 8 million others.

New York is the best place to move to from just about anywhere because friends and family visit often. I doubt my guest room and sofa bed would get as much use if I were back in the small Canadian college town where I met my husband. And our visitors allow us to experience the city as tourists so we don’t neglect the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, etc.—as it is all too easy to do when you live here permanently.

Some popular sights do become old hat. Bloomingdales is not a sartorial attraction, but a place to buy socks and underwear. We go to Dylan’s because it sells candy, but not because it is “Dylan’s Candy Bar” of Dylan Lauren fame. (E.g. “If you behave while we are buying socks and underwear at Bloomingdales then I will buy you candy across the street at Dylan’s afterwards.”) When we’re at the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue trying to fix the latest iPad “incident,” we curse every tourist from Wisconsin who is taking up space at our genius bar.

Flesh and blood icons also abound. We treat celebrities and their children with a proper New Yorker’s nonchalance, at the playground and at the pediatrician. There is one celeb however, who, to me, is the icon of icons. I am so love with Tina Fey that I’m seriously considering applying my second child to the same private school her daughter attends. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of stalking.

The people we meet are endlessly interesting and from all walks of life. One day, my older daughter came home from school saying, “The new boy in class is telling lies. He says his father was the president of (small African country) and owns diamond mines.” I was about to start in on an explanation about wish fulfillment and the need for attention soon after starting a new school in the middle of the year, when I remembered where we live. I took the class list and did a little Googling. “Kiddo, he’s telling the truth.”

My girls have been to more Broadway shows than they have movies, could hail taxis from their strollers, learn tennis at Sportime with John McEnroe swearing a blue streak one court over. But they also desperately miss the minute, filthy backyard from our previous apartment and play soccer on Randalls Island where, if the wind blows in the wrong direction, the methane and sulfur smell from the sewage treatment plant is like something out of Dante’s Inferno. Life in New York presents great challenges, but has great rewards.

They get their suburban fixes occasionally. I remember my little one running towards an empty park in the ‘burbs shouting, “All the swings are free!” She may be used to waiting on line at the playground, but she’s not used to waiting for much else. Later that day, she asked, “Can we go to a restaurant for snack?” “No doll, we don’t have a car today.” “What about a grocery store?” “Same problem. We can’t walk to one.” She clenched her three-year-old fists and wailed at the sky, “I just want to go somewhere to buy food!”

On Thanksgiving, we leave a nearly abandoned Upper East Side and stroll, pull, or carry our girls over to Central Park West to watch the Macy’s Parade from the sidewalk or a fortunate friend’s apartment. This past year however, the little ladies were tired and we were cooking, so we stayed at home. My older daughter curled up with me on the sofa and said, “I am so thankful we get to watch the parade on TV this year.” Ah, well…

My daughters will likely never know my starry-eyed wonder, but hopefully they’ll also be spared my imposter complex. New York City is their home, from the bedbugs to the skyscrapers. They are a part of it and they take it in their stride. Knowing life’s cruel ironies, they’ll probably break my heart and move to Florida or, worse yet, Westchester.

Lani Serota is the mother of two young girls, besotted wife, sleep aficionado (both her own and that of children), and celebrity child name enthusiast who loves a good giggle. When she is not working at one of her three jobs, taking advantage of everything New York City has to offer, or procrastinating, she loves to write. Lani lives with her husband and two daughters on the Upper East Side.

The post Life Among Icons appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

So at first I was just emotional. “I can’t believe you said that.” But since I also don’t expect a 9-year-old boy’s moral compass and sense of empathy to be all that developed, I tried to explain to him/remind him why it’s wrong and how to think about it. “How would you feel if another friend greeted you by saying, ‘Hey, Stupid’ or ‘Hey, Ugly.’ None of that is true, but you have to remember that no one likes to be made fun of.” I also reminded him that even though his friend seemed to brush it off, we don’t really know how he feels about it inside.

Was my manner too excitable? I worry that, if anything, what he’s really learning from me is how to get agitated. On the other hand, I have a lot of respect for parents who call their children out when they misbehave in a way that is hurtful to other kids, so hopefully I’m also, in some way, cultivating an understanding of what it means to be good to others.

On a prouder note, yesterday I attended the end-of-year celebration at his Hebrew School, which culminated with a video montage of the kids participating in various activities in the course of the year. I noted that when a photo of Adam and his playful grin popped up, quite a few kids shouted out his name and cheered in a way that felt he was well liked and appreciated.

On the way out, he added to his long list of Adam-isms that one day I’ll have to enshrine in a book or something.

“Hey, Adam,” I said, “are you going to do the school chorus again next year? Kids seems to really like it, and I think it helps you feel connected to the school.”

“Sorry,” he said, “The Adam Show is over.”

The post I Can’t Believe What My Son Said This Morning appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Most recently, we visited Boston, Massachusetts, as well as Lexington and Concord, to tie in with my daughter Sophie’s upcoming study of the American Revolution. It’s no secret that Boston is filled with fantastic sites that can engage children of all ages in American history. Admittedly, I may be biased as my family is from the Boston area!

With Boston in our hearts these days, I thought it was timely to share some ideas for a fun and educational trip to Beantown for the whole family.

The Freedom Trail

To appreciate the role of Boston in the history of this country, it doesn’t get any better than the Freedom Trail. I’m embarrassed to admit that my daughter initially thought I was taking her on a hike through a “trail in the woods.” Despite the lack of natural wonders, our experience didn’t disappoint. The Freedom Trail is America’s first historic walking tour, which includes 16 official sites along a two and a half mile span of Boston. The trail is identified by red brick or painted brick lines. Visitors can take a self-guided exploration of any or all of the sites or register for a tour led by an 18^th century costumed guide.

Our favorites along the Freedom Trail were:

Boston Common

America’s oldest public park is nestled in the middle of Boston, near Back Bay. British troops departed from the Common to face the colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. In addition to its historical interest, it’s also the home of Frog Pond for ice skating in the winter months and a new carousel and an outdoor café in the summer. Adjacent to the Common are the Boston Public Gardens, where you can take a 15-minute ride on the Swan Boat, which has been running since 1877! And you won’t want to miss the “Make Way for Ducklings” statue as you depart.

Old North Church

Tucked in the North End, Old North Church the oldest standing church building in Boston with the tallest steeple. Paul Revere was the neighborhood bell ringer, and this is where lanterns signaled the approach of the British in 1775.

USS Constitution

Set in the Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Her nickname is “Old Ironsides” because cannonballs were believed to have bounced off her sides as if she were made of iron. You can board the ship and visit the museum.

Bunker Hill Monument

At 221 feet tall, the Bunker Hill Monument is the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution in June 1775. There is also a museum with dioramas, murals, and artifacts from the battle itself. For the adventurous types, there are 294 steps to climb to the top of the monument for an incredible view over the city.

Faneuil Hall

This was the center of commerce back in late 1700s, and the site where “no taxation without representation” all began. Not to be confused with Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is bustling with shops and restaurants and is the most visited location in Boston. You’ll want to see them both!

If you are game to venture out to Concord and Lexington, they are both a 1/2 hour car ride from downtown Boston.

CONCORD

The Old North Bridge is a must see in Concord. The “shot heard round the world” that began the Revolutionary War was fired from this spot. Many believe this is the site of the most significant event in American history. Daily ranger programs for children are offered between Memorial Day and the end of October that provide overviews of the historic events in 1775. There’s also a great multimedia presentation at the Minute Man National Park Visitor Center.

Closer to the center of Concord is Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. A wonderful period house to tour, even if you haven’t read the book!

For a lunch stop, I highly recommend picking up sandwiches and cheeses from The Concord Cheese Shop on Walden Street. I fell in love and so did the rest of our group.

LEXINGTON

Lexington Battle Green is the site of the Battle of Lexington, right in the center of this quaint town. Across the street, is the famous Buckman Tavern, where dozens of Minute Men waited for the arrival of the British. There are guided tours of Buckman Tavern if you have time.

Edible Boston

Food is an event in and of itself on our family’s trips, so I included a few local spots that are worth a visit.

The Daily Catch

Open for 40 years in the North End, it has only 20 seats and offers Sicilian-style seafood and pasta all quaintly written on a chalkboard menu.

Union Oyster House

Designated as a national historic landmark, it’s the oldest operating restaurant/tavern in the country. Located along the Freedom Trail, it’s one block from Faneuil Hall, features a kids’ menu, and, if you’re lucky, you can sit in JFK’s favorite booth.

Regina Pizzeria

Established in 1926 and located in the North End, this local favorite is known for its delicious brick oven pizza.

Caffe Vittoria

Stop by for pastries, gelato, coffee, and ice creams, as well as great people watching on a weekend evening

Georgetown Cupcake

Treat your children to fantastic cupcakes and a walk down charming Newbury Street.

After spending almost two decades in her marketing and advertising career, Caroleen H. Mackin turned the page a few years ago to spend more time with her family and succumbed to an obsession with traveling, both near and far. She hopes to share some of the places she has discovered along the way, and some tips for planning your own family trips. She lives on the UES with her husband and daughters, ages 10 and 12.

The post Back To Boston appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Pick the right time. Studios set aside 1-3 hours to take a child’s photo, so you should set aside at least an hour. Your child also needs to be at his or her best during the shoot, so don’t attempt to try right before or after a nap, or when he might be tired or hungry.

Set up a home studio. Create your environment first by creating a studio-like setting in your house. Clear away the clutter, put away toys, and remove anything else that’s distracting from the area, such as plants and chairs. Then use a backdrop in a neutral tone; I recommend a big piece of black velvet. You can use a white wall too (but no sunlight falling on the wall). You’re trying to create a consistent tone.

What to photograph? Ask yourself what you like about your child and what makes him or her different. Is it a smile, a furrowed brow, her feet, how he hugs his sibling? Resist the temptation to say “everything” and get specific on just a few things. Write them down; these will provide inspiration for your photos.

Learn to see good light. Use of light is a key to great photographs. Start by turning off the flash on the camera. Find a decently sized window with indirect light (no sun shining on the floor). Position your child at a 90% angle to the window (no back to window, but shoulders can be squared to it). Make a note of the time when the light will be at its best.

Dress appropriately. Your child’s clothing should be solid colors (no white) without branding, patterns, or writing on it; be sure to use a different color than the backdrop. Depending on the age of your child, you might consider taking a picture of him or her without a shirt or taking off his or her shoes because children’s feet are so cute.

Use props. If there’s something that’s important to your child, such as a teddy bear or blanket, I recommend taking a few pictures with the item to capture the memory.

Enlist help if needed. If you need a second person assisting you to get the child to be more focused and participate, ask a friend or your partner for help. Work on getting your child to connect with you as you take the pictures.

Get creative and experiment. Try framing your images using different distances such as wide, medium, and tight, but don’t forget to pay attention to your background. Physically move in and stand back from your child versus using the zoom lens, as you will better connect with your son or daughter. Try getting in tight when photographing smaller body parts, such as the nose, the foot, etc. If you’re using film (not digital) try some black and white film shots, too.

Jennifer Loomis (jenniferloomis.com) has photographed more than 2,000 pregnant women and families with studios in SF, Seattle, and NY. Her first book, Portraits of Pregnancy: The Birth of a Mother (Sentient, May 2009) is an inspiring compilation of portraits of pregnant women and their heartfelt transformative journeys to becoming mothers.

The post Mother’s Day Idea: How To Take Professional-Looking Photos Of Your Kids appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Long ago and far away I said those words and had them said to me. Yes, two proms, the jackpot of adolescence. I was young, thin, and pretty. By society’s standards, my life was the opposite of the bittersweet Janis Ian song “At Seventeen.”

However, I cringe when remembering those two dances-of-all-dances, neither of which delivered upon the romantic promises made by movies, teen fashion magazines, and fantastical daydreams.

There was drama about finding the “perfect” dress (which wasn’t), and distractions such as the competition for being crowned Queen (once again, I wasn’t), an escort in a sky blue tuxedo–the popular color in the late ‘70s, with lime green as the runner-up–and the obsessing about whether we’d go to the beach the next day–a sign that your date was interested in a post-prom relationship. (I didn’t go.)

Clearly, none of this added up to a Carrie catastrophe; merely a Pretty In Pink hovering cloud of unmet expectations.

It actually took thirty-seven years for me to finally have my seminal evening, the mother of all dances, if you will.

My 18-year-old son, Luke, is a senior at an all-boys high school in the Bronx. I first heard about the mother/son dance–known as the mom prom–at freshman orientation. I was devastated to find out it was only for those in their final year of school, and I’d have to wait four years for my turn. But when it finally came time to share this evening with Luke, it didn’t disappoint.

It was an event that truly only a mother could love. Although it wasn’t a formal affair, our boys looked handsome, some in suits, others in jackets, ties, and khakis, while the mothers wore cocktail attire. To the outside world, it would have probably looked merely like four hours in a dimly lit school cafeteria with catered food and a DJ playing the expected hits from past and present. To me, it was a night to call ours and ours alone, not a family event, which would have included my husband, Neil, and our 15-year-old daughter, Meg; just my son and me with his friends, some of whom he has known since kindergarten, as well as their mothers, with whom, over the years, I’ve cultivated my own bond.

In this case, the third time was indeed the charm. I could just relax and enjoy the night with Luke, which included another ritual never bestowed upon me back in the day: being presented with my date’s class ring–albeit a miniature replica. All this, plus the satisfaction of knowing I was there with someone with whom I have a relationship with actual staying power, made it not only a night to remember, but one to cherish.

It wasn’t the gift or the way my usually non-dancing son twirled me around the floor that meant the most. It was his solicitousness that made me feel special; the way he diligently detangled the chain that the ring came on because he wanted me to be able to wear it at the dance as the other moms were doing; how he got my coffee and dessert so I wouldn’t have to wait on the buffet line; and how engaged me in a tête-à-tête to make a joke about the class slideshow or share a story or bit of gossip about something in our midst—aka letting me in.

As we headed back to Manhattan, my mom friends and I admitted to being keyed up yet exhausted at the same time, confessing that we were up way past our usual bedtimes. Many of us did a shoe-change into more comfortable footwear, as all the booty shaking had taken its toll.

By the time my head hit the pillow, I drifted off knowing I’d have sweet dreams. Although there were other places an 18-year-old boy would have rather spent a Thursday evening, when there was no school the next day, Luke went out with me and did so for no other reason than because he knew it was important to his mother.

In life, we’re not often given second chances. I’m grateful for mine and that I could share it with someone who mattered.

Lorraine Duffy Merkl is a freelance writer in NYC and author of the novel, FAT CHICK. Learn more about her writing at lorraineduffymerkl.com.

The post The Mom Prom appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

On top of everything else, my company is moving. We’re moving all the way across the street, but still there’s a lot of packing and tossing out to do, and last Friday night, I stayed late at the office to make a big dent in my moving preparations. Two co-workers were doing the same, and during a pizza break, I updated them with the refrains of joy and anxiety coursing through my mind.

To which one of my co-workers (yes, the non-Jew) responded, “You know, I wet to a bar mitzvah the other week, and the kid really stepped up and everyone in the room was rooting for him, and he loved it. Even though I wasn’t familiar with any of the rituals, I thought to myself, ‘You know, every kid should have one these. Whatever this is–every kid should have one.’”

I almost welled up. She got it. Her words would make a rabbi proud. That’s exactly right. Every kid should have one of these, and I’m thrilled that it’s my lovely daughter’s turn.

I am who I am, so I’m sure more stress will ensue, but every time I think about those words, I feel like I’m right on course and very lucky to have the child I do.

The post Every Kid Should Have One appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

I’m completely inept when it comes to computers (and entertaining short people, sometimes referred to as “children,” for that matter), so I scheduled a Genius Bar appointment and two free MacBook Pro workshops for myself that happened to fall on the second day of spring break. Total time: about six hours with a lunch break around the corner. Although I initially considered offloading Andy with his friend and sparing him the always enjoyable shopping-with-Mom experience, I remembered that I’d actually met my son and his buddies and that a half day of uninterrupted screen time would’ve topped their Make-A-Wish list.

For a nanosecond, I worried about letting two fourth-graders roam thousands of square feet on their own, but only a fully-outfitted fireman would have been able to get them away from electronic ecstasy—and then only by slinging a child over each shoulder. Plus, it was a weekday and the store was as empty as it ever gets, which meant uninterrupted sight lines of the exit doors.

While I tooled away in the white-walled store, Andy and Max wandered around testing out nearby iPads. Later, the boys went to the small children’s table downstairs to check out new games and charge the iPads they had brought from home for some Clash of Clans combat time. (Apparently a player’s account is linked to a specific device and isn’t transferable to whatever hardware happens to be at hand.) Andy said most of the apps on the store’s kiddie iPads were too elementary for him and his friend. But with devices elsewhere bearing loads of games and activities such as Temple Run, I’m sure they could’ve entertained themselves even without their own electronic security blankets. So while the boys were happily occupied at e-war; I was blissfully free to do my own iThing. (For some more wholesome fun though, kids can take photo organizing workshops with their parents—another vacation activity for the fam!)

Sure, I get that Apple stores are designed to indoctrinate future devotes–and I’m fine with that. (It’s not like my boys aren’t already lobbying to get their own iPhones.) Besides, for the first time in almost 10 years, I felt like I was single–no one whining about being bored. No one needing the bathroom. No requests for water or food. No pleas to leave.

I know–it was pretty much unbelievable. Now let me offer just one tip: If you plan to bring your own device for an afternoon in Appleland, make sure to bring along a charger. The first time I heard from Andy and Max was when Clash of Clans had sucked them down to 5% juice. Then again, perhaps you should leave the charger at home. Even when they were running on fumes, the boys still gave me the reflexive just-five-more-minutes-pleeeeeease-until-I-finish-this-one-thing plea.

And you may want to check out Apple Camp:

In addition to a kids’ play area and workshops, Apple stores offer free three-day (partial-day) summer camps in which children aged 8-12 learn to make short films with iMovie. Dates usually are posted in early June for July and August workshops. Click here to sign up for schedule and registration alerts.

Hillary Chura writes our Le$$er Parenting column where she helps New Yorkers parent for less. She lives in Manhattan with her sons and husband.

The post Family Time In The iCity appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Not only is it a compelling read about a father and son becoming a team, it’s a story filled with astute parenting insights. We get to see a glimpse of Scott’s beautiful family life with his Japanese wife and joyous children as he talks about his adventures handling temper tantrums, building his children’s confidence, and making all of this possible by giving them the precious gift of time.

Did you have expectations for the kind of father you’d be? How much time did you imagine you’d be able to spend with your kids?

My father is a professor so growing up, I actually I had spent at lot of time with him, because in the summer he would often have time off to write. One summer we even built a cabin together. So I was spoiled as a child by the amount of time I was able to spend with both of my parents. It was normal to me growing up; [I thought] of course you have a lot of access to your father, and then as an adult I just realized how rare that was. So when I became an adult and started working at Intel and living a much more typical corporate existence, and then I had children, I realized, in a pretty stark way how I couldn’t be available to my kids the way my parents were for me. And I really didn’t like it.

At age 13, you asked your father for permission to run a marathon. Did his parenting style inspire your philosophy that “kids are able to do more than adults think”?

My father played a very important role. When I asked for permission, he did hesitate, but said, “Yes.” In saying, “Yes,” he was giving me the benefit of the doubt, showing confidence in my ability to do this race. In the end, it really was too much for me, I mean I did it, but I didn’t train properly for it and it was a very hard experience, but what really mattered was that he had the confidence in my ability to set this difficult goal and achieve it…and also that he desired to share that experience with me. One of the most important things a parent can give a child, in addition to unconditional love, is that they have confidence in their child.

Why was it important for you to make the trip with your own son happen?

The book starts out with my experience of being away on a three-week business trip and coming back to my family when my son is only six months old, realizing that this is not the father I wanted it be. And this is a tension I think many people start to feel: How do you pursue your professional ambitions and also be the parent that you want to be? I struggled with that. So this trip was my attempt to be more present, to prioritize spending time with my kids when they’re still young.

What was the most surprising thing you learned from the trip?

I was surprised by how many temper tantrums Sho threw early on and the depth of his emotions. It was always when his expectations weren’t met. For example, on the first day, my wife and daughter were still with us on the trip, and we had planned to meet with them in the next town. But I couldn’t ride as quickly as I thought I would be able to. When we realized that we wouldn’t make it to meet my wife (we ended up staying in a tent on a farm) and Sho was extremely upset. I realized it was critical for me to carefully manage his expectations.

The other surprise was how quickly the temper tantrums went away! So what you have do is just bear it; don’t give up. He gave me plenty of reasons early on to give up and say “this is a mistake”—but after a few days, after having a few conversations about why he was having temper tantrums, what things we could change to prevent them, and the fact that he should think of himself as a team member, took away the temper tantrums immediately. It was remarkable. I think that early message about having confidence in your child and helping them to do something difficult, that’s a powerful experience and children will rise to the occasion.

You mention in the book many encounters with wildlife, from watching Planet Earth as family to sighting of bears and the great grey heron. Was that intentional?

Thanks for asking that question, because in talking about the parent-child reasons for these trips, an equally important part in my mind is exposing my children to wild nature. I believe that the more time that a child spends out in nature, the more they’ll want to protect it. One of our challenges as a species right now is that we’re increasingly urbanized, and increasingly disconnected from nature, I certainly feel that way living in New York City. You have to make a conscious effort to be deeply connected to the rhythms of nature, and I wanted to give my children that gift. So that was an explicit goal of this trip, not simply to raise money for the tree planting campaign for the United Nations, but being out in nature. We often slept in a tent. When you sleep in a tent, when the sun goes down, you often fall asleep right away, even if it’s 8pm, and wake up with the sun. Your body begins to shift with the rise and fall of the sun. That connection is powerful. In addition to seeing all these incredible creatures! When we were in Iceland, at one point, my daughter said, “I’m in love with horses and arctic terns.” That was her declaration. And I was thinking about it, and if you feel love for horse and arctic terns and then you start to see that they are threatened, you actually want to take action. So I hope that one of things my children internalize from these trips is a strong desire to protect the natural environment, and that’s part of our responsibilities as humans.

We read all about your personal Yoga Extravaganza. Do you and kids have a particular way of brainstorming adventurous ideas?

Basically, the yoga experience was to see what happens when you push yourself in physical endurance challenges. As for coming up with adventurous ideas, because my kids are so young, their ideas can be so ridiculous…

But their ideas can’t be that ridiculous, because you make them happen!

That’s true! I guess I shouldn’t judge them; I just tell them to throw out ideas. What sounds crazy? Some of them are not doable. For example; one of Sho’s idea was to swim from New York to Japan. But it’s really fun, sometimes we just take the atlas out, start looking at different countries and ask ourselves: Where would be a good place to go and do interesting things? It’s a great exercise. It encourages them to be imaginative and it also shows them that the world in an amazing place that you can explore. And if at a young age you look at the world as place where different cultures are accessible, and the differences are there, but there are also commonalities… All of these experiences make the world feel like an amazing place to experience, instead of just staying home and connecting with your small group of friends.

Scott and his children will follow the Lewis & Clark Trail by bike this summer, collecting data for a project with Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation. National Geographic Traveler will publish Scott’s essays from the trip. Learn more about Rising Son.

The post A Father-Son Bike Ride To The Extreme appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

This may be the best part of my job: asking you, reminding you, encouraging you to take five minutes right now to nominate a great teacher for the Blackboard Awards For Teachers, which celebrates excellence in local education. New York Family has been sponsoring the awards for more than 10 years, and I promise you these teachers who give so much to our children and our schools really appreciate the recognition. As a parent, you are essential to helping us identify deserving educators. So please visit blackboardawards.com and let us know about a wonderful teacher.

*Please keep in mind that we honor teachers from all education systems (public, private, charter, and parochial); all ages groups, from nursery through high school; and all specialties, including special education and college guidance.

The post Honor A Great Local Teacher appeared first on New York Family Magazine.