Our Favorite Parenting News Stories Of The Week

ballet

Mary Helen Bowers is a professional ballerina and creator of Ballet Beautiful, a prenatal workout program based around ballet. In this interview, Bowers answers questions about her pregnancy and what she does to stay in shape. (fitpregnancy)

In case you hadn’t already accumulated enough new stuff to prep for your coming newborn, you can now get a 3-D print made of your ultrasound photo. Totally tacky or futuristically fun? (FastCo. Design)

Melissa Atkins Wardy, founder of Pigtail Pals, LLC, released her book Redefining Girly this month. The books gives parents tip and advice for how to fight back against gender stereotyping and the sexualization of young girls. (pigtailpalsblog)

In an op-ed that re-examines yet another facet of the debate about a woman’s right to choose, and about what the meanings of life and motherhood truly are, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni shares some provocative thoughts. (The New York Times)

New self-cleaning dishware claims to be safe around food and can make after-meal cleanup a cinch! (Mashable)

Terminally ill children are now living longer than ever–which brings up a whole new world of questions about proper care and quality of life. (The New Yorker)

A father shares his story about the joys and challenges of raising a child with Down Syndrome and sets the record straight about the expectations these children have for the future. (CNN)

When Chicago chef, Grant Achatz, tweeted about a crying baby disturbing diners in his restaurant it re-sparked the debate of whether children should be allowed in restaurants or not. Zagat did a survey on this topic and revealed the results on their website. (Zagat)

One mom shares her perspective on how she regained her true personality in the wake of losing a job her body was telling her “no” to. (Babble)

Remember “John and Kate Plus Eight”? Eldest daughters, Mady and Cara, are teens now and appearing with mom, Kate, on national talk shows. One blog asks if it’s too soon for the young reality stars to be back in the spotlight. (Crushable)

We’re loving this convo in the Sunday Styles between local actresses Cynthia Nixon and Allison Williams–their interview covers everything from child-stardom to growing up with famous parents. (The New York Times)

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Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Music Together

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Music Together® is for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregiver. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes and movement, and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for the children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.</span></p>

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

<p>Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.</p>