Our Favorite Parenting Stories Of The Week

Did you talk green with your kids this Earth Day? Here’s a primer on instilling respect for the environment in your children. (SheKnows)

See how kids have raised their crayons in solidarity for Martin Richard, the 8-year-old victim of the Boston marathon bombings, and peace on earth. (Babble)

When it comes to vaccinations for kids, social networks seem to play a huge role in parents’ decisions (Healthland)

Smoke no more! Some new proposed legislation would raise the legal age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21 in NYC. Is this a good idea to discourage puffing or a restriction on our freedoms? (New York Times)

Looking for a fixer-upper? The Upper East Side has the highest number of run-down properties in the city. (NY Press)

Celebrity kids are growing up fast it seems: Check out how Ava Phillippe, Brooklyn Beckham, and Maddox Jolie-Pitt are entering tweendom. (People)

How to address a bully…when the bully is your child. (Parent Society)

Parents need to pencil “me time” into their busy calendars. Here are 5 simple (and achievable) tips to help prioritize yourself. (Huffington Post)

Raising babies diaper-free is all the rage. Would you ever try to practice elimination communication like these New York parents? (New York Times)

One mother examines the distinctions between breadwinner and child-care provider and the idiosyncrasies of her own “seesaw marriage.” (Motherlode)

And just for fun: The Stir has a new slideshow that illustrates 25 things every kid should try before the age of ten. Start checking these off your child’s bucket list! (CafeMom)

Relevant Directory Listings

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Monster Mini Golf

<p>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 “WEIRD Radio” station” 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.</p>

Advantage QuickStart Tennis

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A proven teaching method, customized by age and ability for ages 3 and up. Special kid-sized racquets and playing area, plus slower-bouncing balls, make it fun from day one!</span></p>

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

<p dir="ltr">With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children & Teens can provide.</p> <p dir="ltr">This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer’s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-16583089-7fff-d8a9-61c2-8f689f7348b2"></span></p>