Our Favorite Parenting News Stories Of The Week

maternity leaveMaternity leave is a hot topic for debate, especially in New York. Check out this opinion piece for the Daily News that urges the state to rethink the current policy on paid leave. [New York Daily News]

Dropping pounds is no easy undertaking, but this overweight dad was given the ultimate motive to slim down when he learned it would save his newborn daughter’s life. Now, they’re both on the path to good health! [The Stir]

If you’re stumped for New Year’s resolutions, take a look at this list just for parenting goals. From getting your kids to eat a little healthier to swearing off comparing post-pregnancy bodies with Beyonce, this list will give you some fun ideas for the next year. [Penn Live]

An outspoken 10-year-old has launched a petition on change.org to get American Girl to release its first disabled doll. The girl, who suffers from a disease that keeps her confined to a wheelchair, wants to see a doll that she and other disabled girls can relate to! [Babble]

A beach photo a mother took of her son and his friend went viral when she noticed a strange shadow in the wave just behind them. The verdict is still out on whether it was a shark or just a dolphin—talk about the ultimate photo-bomb! [CBS Local]

In case you missed out on all the celebrity family gossip this year, HuffPo recounts the most memorable parenting moments of 2013. [The Huffington Post]

Getting your kid to be tired at their set bedtime can be major struggle for some parents. Luckily, the University of Colorado in Boulder has some helpful tips–they’ve doing research on children’s natural sleep cycles. [The Salt Lake Tribune]

In some ways, social media can be a major point of contention between families. While Facebook can help connect you to your children’s lives, it can also mean you have the power to embarrass the heck out of them. Check out these rules for cyber etiquette. [The Independent]

Resolutions need not be just for adults! By making New Year’s resolutions, children can learn about self-discipline and the value of making goals. [PBS]

Find out why movie buffs say this was a great year for family films. With animated features like “Frozen” and YA favorites like “Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” it’s no wonder the box office for family-friendly movies skyrocketed. [Journal Star]

Some say that kids today are far more sheltered than their counterparts of yesteryear—and the solution is to simply let them take some innocent risks once in awhile. What do you think? [The New York Times]

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Gaga Madness

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.</span></p>

The Tutorverse

<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">Join The Tutorverse for the highest quality in academic enrichment and test preparation! Whether your student is gearing up for the </span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">state exams, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, or SAT/ACT</span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">, their team of </span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">experienced and local professional educators</span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;"> can help. Have your student join a </span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">small-group class</span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;"> at our downtown or Upper East Side locations. Or, they can meet with a </span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">private tutor when and where it’s most convenient for your family</span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">. Does your student need help building study skills or improving grades? Whether your middle or high schooler needs help with </span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">STEM or humanities</span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">, The Tutorverse's patient and affirming tutors will teach them how to build </span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">confidence and content mastery</span><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;">. </span><a style="color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:info@thetutorverse.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Send an email</a><span style="color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff;"> or give them a call.</span></span></p>

Dance Workshop - NY

<p dir="ltr">Nestled in the heart of the UES, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with Dance Workshop!</p> <p dir="ltr">MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-78b9d4ab-7fff-0ea8-b84f-04a5fe908f8c"></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-78b9d4ab-7fff-0ea8-b84f-04a5fe908f8c"><br /></span></p>