Our Favorite Parenting Stories Of The Week

Get ready to laugh: 35 hilarious vids that illustrate why having kids is so. totally. funny. (Buzzfeed)

Check out some hilarious Elf-On-The-Shelf ideas that will have your little believers giggling at Santa’s daring and mischievous little helpers this season. Situate your elf around your house to share a joke or two with your kids. (Parenting)

After all the rumors going around, Kate Middleton finally announces that she’s pregnant! Whether she has a boy or a girl, the baby will be third in line under the new gender-neutral rules of ascension. (New York Post)

Kate’s pregnancy became public because she’s been hospitalized due to hyperemesis gravidarium–a rare but serious prenatal sickness that causes sufferers to vomit and feel severely nauseous. Poor Kate! (Huffington Post)

One writer explains how she raises her daughter to be more than a pretty face, and take pride in qualities others seem to ignore, like her strength. (She Knows)

KJ Dell’Antonia attempts to buy gender-neutral toys this holiday season instead of the typical cars and Nerf guns for her son and crafts for her girl. It’s actually a task, she admits, that is hard to accomplish. (New York Times)

Of course we’re all thrilled to hear that Princess Kate and Prince William are expecting their first child. It even inspired one magazine to dig into the history of maternity fashion through the royal family. (People)

Writer Janelle Harris reflects on her daughter’s days as a newborn versus her present life as a teenager. Turns out things aren’t that much different, after all. (The Stir)

One of the most dangerous sports for kids, hockey, may be getting a rule makeover to up the safety factor of playing. (LA Times)

Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins has just completed a children’s book. Year of the Jungle–based on Collins’ memories of her father’s deployment in Vietnam in the ’60s–will be published next September. (New York Times)

Sure, mother knows best, but teachers know a lot too. Get a peek at what your toddler’s teacher knows but will never say to your face. (Time)

Tired of arguing? Here are some tips for successfully negotiating with your kids. (The Washington Post)

Parenting blogger Joel Yanofsky, explores the vast differences (and disappointments) in literature available on autism. That is, until he read Andrew Solomon’s Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, an investigation of autism, Down syndrome, dwarfism, schizophrenia, and deafness. (New York Times)

Ever wonder how much gadget time is too much for your kids? Media consultant Manoush Zomorodi unpacks advice from pediatrician Dr. Ari Brown on ways to limit the use of tech devices and encourage activating little imaginations! (Huffington Post)

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New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</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>

A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports camps, programming and instruction for kids of all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"> </p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>