Bethenny’s “Ultimate Mom” Tips

Don’t be a helicopter parent. Kids will develop more confidence in their own problem-solving abilities if they get a chance to figure things out themselves.

Don’t negotiate with terrorists. It’s okay for a child to be frustrated, but it’s not okay for a parent to give in every time a child shows the slightest displeasure about something.

Teach good hygiene. Every child should learn to wash her hands after playing or being out in the world and to touch her own face as little as possible.

Keep a regular schedule. Kids thrive on regularity, and if the days are usually the same then it’s extra fun when something special happens.

Never obsess about food. It’s insane and it teaches kids to overeat and panic and fear sharing and get emotional about food.

Parent on a budget. Too many toys are over-stimulating, and kids won’t appreciate them. Even if you do have a lot of toys, put most of them away and rotate them out…so old toys feel like new toys.

Schedule activities. Sign them up for things that interest them or that you think they would like, and get them outside as much as possible. Kids can’t get too much fresh air and sunshine.

But don’t overschedule. Kids need time to be creative and make up their own activities without defaulting to the easy way out, which is staring at an electronic device.

Never miss a meaningful moment. I’m a person who is always in a hurry, so this has been a big change for me, but I recognize how important it is to take those moments and cherish them. I know these moments with my daughter are fleeting, so I celebrate everything we do together.

Courtesy of Touchstone, a Division of Simon & Shuster, Inc.

To read our September 2013 cover interview with Bethenny Frankel, click here.

Center for Architecture Summer Programs

The Center for Architecture promotes public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 students and teachers, families, and the general public. Summer Programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into an architectural topic of interest and test out their own design ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, guided investigations of architectural examples, and special site visits. Summer Programs are week-long classes, Monday &ndash; Friday, for students entering grades 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12 in Fall 2023. This summer, we are offering programs both in-person at the Center for Architecture and online. Need-based scholarships are available (application deadline May 1). 2023 Programs run June 26 &ndash; August 25. Topics listed below. See website for specific dates, prices, scholarship information, and registration. Grades 3-5 Parks and Playgrounds Treehouses Building Bridges Animal Architecture Architectural Wonders Lunar Living Store Design Dream House Skyscrapers Grades 6-8 Green Island Home Treehouses Digital Design: Lunar Living &ndash; Online Skyscrapers Digital Design: Bridges Public Art and Architecture Survival Architecture Digital Design: Tiny Houses Store Design Grades 9-12 Drawing Architecture &ndash; In-Person Drawing Architecture &ndash; Online Architectural Design Studio (2-week program) Digital Design: City Design &ndash; Online Digital Design: Tiny Houses &ndash; Online Pop-Up Shop Digital Design: House of the Future &nbsp;

Sports Academy at the Park Slope Day Camp

Sports Academy is the perfect camp for athletes of any experience. Drills &amp; skills are supplemented with team and individual sports. Traditional camp activities, theme days, sports on the beach, trips and the pool add spirit and variety. Each week is an action-packed experience. From soccer to volleyball, baseball, karate, fencing and more, Sports Academy&rsquo;s coaching team will help your child develop their confidence, skills, and value effort over outcome. Options to mix and match with Take the Stage and Traditional Camp. Extended hours &amp; transportation from most Brooklyn neighborhoods available. For campers entering grades 1 - 6. Register while discounts are at their highest.

Purchase College Youth and Precollege Programs

Welcome to the Summer 2024 Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts! For more than 40 years, these programs have been much more than camps. Summer students from grades 7-12 learn new skills in a rich environment full of exciting beginnings, new friends and achievements, growth and independence. &nbsp; Summer 2024 Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts. Serious Foundation. Serious Fun. Ignite your passion for performing arts, creative writing, filmmaking, songwriting and music production, journalism, voice, auditioning, photography and photo editing, or visual art in these intensive enrichment experiences, led by experienced educators and teaching artists. Students in grades 7 &ndash; 12 engage in 1-, 2- and 4-week, full day programs designed to foster growth and independence while gaining new skills and meeting new friends with similar interests! Join the instructors you know and love in daily sessions that teach new skills and provide social interaction. We have kept the same low staff-to-student ratio and quality instruction that you have come to expect. They are immersed in a variety of exciting and enriching learning opportunities, such as songwriting, acting, visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, digital arts, voice, and musical theatre. We hope that you choose Purchase College for your child&rsquo;s summer experience. It is sure to create many treasured memories for your entire family. &nbsp; Programs: - Programs meet 9:30 am &ndash; 3:30 pm, Monday&ndash;Friday, with early drop-off and extended day options also available. - There are no programs Thursday and Friday, July 4 &amp; 5. - 10% discount for early registration and Purchase College faculty/staff discount - Session I: July 1 &ndash; July 12 Session II: July 15 &ndash; 26 Session III: July 29 &ndash; August 9 &nbsp; Each program concludes with a performance, exhibit, reading, film screening, or other culminating event for families and friends to showcase the skills that they have learned. &nbsp;