Best Of The Web: September 21-September 27

Here’s our weekly roundup of parenting articles that piqued
our interest. Enjoy! —

If you haven’t come across this amazing article yet, check
out this New York Times reporter who
transported his family from Park Slope to Russia,
and the “experiment
in extreme schooling” his three kids undertook. (NY Times)

What not to say
to an adoptive parent. Perhaps the most inappropriate question: how much did she cost? (Chicago Tribune)

A TX teen lied
about having leukemia and collected $17K in donations. How about a
collective shame on you!? (NY Daily News)

Liz Gumbinner introduces her little ones to a classic—West
Side Story—but forgot about all the fighting, dying, conflict and hate! How
to explain guns and gangs to kids? (Mom-101)

Morra Aarons-Mele, CEO of
Women Online, blogs about
the truth behind movies like SJP’s recent “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” Check
out her interview
insights regarding mothers who work flexible schedules. (HuffPo)

As part of her 365 Days of Literacy for kids, grandma
blogger Sharon Couto shares fun and easy (and completely do-able!) word games
and activities for adults and kids of all ages. September is all about idioms. Check out how
she describes “bursting at the seams.” (Mom
Generations)

Here’s something new and different. A Florida
woman just gave birth to twins…from two
different uteruses. That’s all. (MSNBC)

This drawing dad makes the rest of us look like parenting wimps.
Check out what he creates for his kid’s lunch
bag art. (Village Voice)

Most kids with OCD take medication, but a new study
indicates that the addition
of talk therapy may be highly beneficial. This is important news,
considering about 1 in every 100 children has the condition. (Reuters Health)

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;

Monster Mini Golf

Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique &ldquo;WEIRD Radio&rdquo; station&rdquo; and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.