Editor’s Note For October 2014: The Long Game

The New York Family team with cover mom Suzanne Johnson; photo by Lindsay May for Classic Kids Photography
The New York Family team with cover mom Suzanne Johnson; photo by Lindsay May for Classic Kids Photography

In June, two of my best friends from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn—both of whom ultimately settled in California, one in the San Francisco area, one in Los Angeles—returned with me to our childhood neighborhoods of Brighton Beach and Coney Island to have a reunion of our own. Both of them married and had children earlier than I did, and one of the things we talked about—when we weren’t reverting to complete goofballs—was our various thoughts on raising teens, a journey they’ve both made, and one that I’m just beginning with my 14-year-old daughter, Elena.

It turned out that one of my buddies, an utter neurotic about so many things, had made a decision to be a hands-off parent (or whatever you’d call the opposite of a helicopter parent)—and apparently stuck by it. So while he’d certainly offer his own opinion on issues of importance in his children’s lives, he wouldn’t force them to abide by his views. By giving them more independence, he hoped he was helping them be more independent. “As I see it, I’m playing the long game,” he said, suggesting that, in choosing a hands-off approach, he was placing a bet on the character-building power of self-reliance.

The idea of playing the long game as a parent resonated with me on impact; and I’ve since held it up as a kind of guiding ideal as I try to be a less strong-willed and more easy-going parent. More open to the possibilities. Less directive. Less prescriptive.

I suppose that a parenting magazine, done well, is mix of short-game and long-game ideas, stuff for immediate use and stuff to reflect upon. I feel like this issue offers so much of both and I want to highlight it all (but for that we have a Table of Contents). For starters though, I eagerly point you to two chats about the parenting life—one with our cover mom, Suzanne Johnson, and one with Nancy Redd, of HuffPost Live

Have a happy October,

Eric Messinger
Editor, emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

OASIS DAY CAMP DOBBS FERRY - Westchester

<p class="MsoNormal">Oasis in Dobbs Ferry is an affordable premier Westchester day camp located on the beautiful Mercy College campus overlooking the Hudson. Children, ages 3 to 16, are invited to take part in activities centered around sports, the arts, nature, daily instructional and recreational swimming, and most importantly, social emotional growth. Offering a variety of camp experiences,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oasis in Dobbs Ferry has something for everyone! The traditional summer camp program includes children grades K-6, Teen Travel & Jr. Teen Travel programs, as well as an ESIC (Early Start Imagination Camp) for the newest campers, ages 3-5. Oasis in Dobbs Ferry is a place to experience amazing summers & make lifelong friends!</p>

The Park Slope Day Camp - Traditional Camp

<p dir="ltr">Since ‘92, Park Slope Day Camp has provided an environment and staff that empowers Brooklyn kids to be social, active, and engaged! Campers will make friends and have kick-butt-fun! Sign-up for an info session and learn about what makes Park Slope Day Camp so special. From camp activities to swimming and trips, PSDC delivers a one-of-a-kind experience. Flexible schedules, extended hours, and transportation from most Brooklyn neighborhoods. Options to mix and match with Take the Stage and Sports Academy available for most ages.</p> <p dir="ltr">For campers ages 3.5 - 14. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Register while discounts are at their highest. </strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c27e63bd-7fff-3517-e734-4313bbb65766"></span></p>

Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research

<h1><strong>Summer Science Camps for Tomorrow’s Medical Professionals</strong></h1> <p>We offer a variety of workshops on molecular medicine for high-achieving high school<br />and middle school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine or related<br />fields, such as biomedical research, drug development, pharmacy, bioengineering, or nursing.  Workshops are taught by PhD-level instructors with years of research and teaching experience. Camps are offered in summer and winter and there are online and in-person options available.  </p> <p>Through engaging lectures and hands-on laboratory classes, students learn normal molecular and cellular biology, and then learn how these normal processes are disrupted or distorted during the development of disease. There is a heavy emphasis on experimental design, modern drug development, and the emergence of the era of personalized medicine. To conclude the workshop, students use what they have learned to create an original research project. More broadly, workshop attendees strengthen their academic skills, build their college portfolio, and explore potential career options while making friends from around the world and experiencing college dorm life in a safe environment.</p> <p>Our university-based workshops are held at Columbia University, Imperial College London, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego, and both residential and commuter options are available.   University-based workshops include Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Astrobiology, AI-Enhanced Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology of Aging, Neurological Bioinformatics, Molecular Immunology, Bioinformatics of Aging, and Bioinformatics of Cancer.  Biomedical Research – a workshop focused on learning modern molecular biology laboratory techniques - is taught at our lab in the Bay Area, CA.</p> <p>Our online workshops include Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry and Medical Bioinformatics.  Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine is our entry-level workshop that is only two hours/day.  Students in the Medicinal Chemistry and Medical Bioinformatics workshops learn how to use online tools to analyze biochemical data.</p>