Ellynne Skove doing an infant massage- divine!

Caribou Baby in Greenpoint can really stock their calendar with solid events and I thought I would give a shout out to some of their upcoming ones.

One of my all-time favorite class teachers, Ellynne Skove of GoGo Babies, will be teaching a Baby Massage Workshop this weekend. I would go just to have her do a little massage on me- but, alas, it’s only for babies!

Ellynne’s GoGo Babies class is so special that she has the most reviews of any class provider on our Marketplace and her classes sold out at Caribou last semester. I see her personally for polarity work- and my mother makes a point of seeing Ellynne when she flies in for a visit. But, since her current workshop is only for babies, I’ll have to schedule my own appointment!

The Baby Massage Workshop, taught by Ellynne, is for babies 6 weeks to pre-rolling & their parents.  This workshop is great for fathers to learn ways to be with baby and engage in meaningful activities as well as new mothers. Grandparents are welcome too!  This workshop will teach you everything from techniques to soothe and calm baby to creating useful sleep rituals using massage.  Tickets will be available in store only for $45/family. Note that these tickets are non-refundable except in case of emergency or baby illness. All refunds will be left to the discretion of Caribou Baby.
Details: Sunday, February 12th 3-5PM at Caribou Baby

**************

One thing I do know after having taking Baby Be Safe‘s infant CPR class, I knew how to administer the Heimlich on my toddler. I will never forget that day when I banged on her back to relieve her of the gooey, glazed strawberry that she was choking on.  I will always be thankful that I took that class 6 years ago.

Baby Be Safe is teaching Infant CPR and First-Aid Training at Caribou Baby this Saturday. This class is intended for Moms, Dads, nannies, or anybody else who watches your baby or cares for your family. You will learn the skills for prevention, recognition, and treatment for choking (Heimlich), respiratory, and cardiac emergencies (CPR) for infants and children. There will also be hands on practice using infant and children mannequins. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to either learn for the first time or to brush up on your infant CPR and first aid skills.  The class runs for 2.5-4 hours and costs $85-$120 per person depending on whether or not a student is seeking a 2-yr certification in CPR with AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and Pediatric First Aid. Each student will receive a packet and book with the training. Infants can attend with Mom and Dad. Space is limited.
Details: Saturday, February 11th at 12:30PM at Caribou Baby.  $85 pp for Infant Child and Adult CPR and First Aid training only (without certification) (2.5 hours; 12:30-3:00pm) + $15 for 2-yr CPR with AED certification (you must stay an extra 15 minutes to take the test – until 3:15pm) (Total Cost is $100) +  $20 for certification in Pediatric First-Aid (you must stay an extra 1-1.5 hours – until 4:00-4:30pm) (Total Cost is $120)

**************

If you are wondering what a doula does or if you already know and want to find one, you might consider checking out Caribou Baby’s Eat, Drink, DOULA with BirthFocus next weekend.

Eat, Drink, DOULA with BirthFocus will be an open house, where the BirthFocus doulas will give pregnant women, and their partners, a chance to learn more about their doula practice and to connect intimately with several doulas through one on one interviews.  They lovingly refer to these events as “speed dating for doulas” as each expecting couple will have a chance to meet with 4-5 doulas, of varying experience levels, throughout the event.  Please register for the open house below.  Click here for more information.
Details: February 19th 3:30-5pm at Caribou Baby.

All events are at:

Caribou Baby
272 Driggs AveBrookyn NY 11222
Map
(347) 460-BABY (2229)
info@cariboubaby.com

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Photographer Kristina Alexanderson

Arguing with your partner over how to parent, money woes and in-laws is pretty standard stuff. But…. it’s exhausting. Who wants to argue over who did the laundry last time or why no one can stand the MIL? Wouldn’t we all rather waltz through these parenting tangles and spend the energy on having time for ourselves?

Tomorrow night, Michael Stiglitz, a New York State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, will provide a free workshop on “Making Parenting Decisions Not War.”  Most of us aren’t at the level of all-out war, but we could probably use some suggestions on how to problem solve those sticky areas.  And, you won’t be doing it alone: the parenting forum is intended to help you improve communication and to get you on the same page- all in a mediated and nonjudgmental environment.  A night of free therapy might be a great start to hacking away at those high tension areas and help you understand each others parenting decisions better.

Details:
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, at 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Caribou Baby, 272 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
To participate please contact by e-mail: info@michaelstiglitz.com or call (646)642-4840.

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Post tags: brooklyn, couples therapist in brooklyn, family therapist, marriage therapist, michael stiglitz, parenting coach, parenting coach brooklyn, williamsburg, workshop at caribou baby

I know I’ve made about 4 of these car seat installation mistakes and I’m pretty sure that I’m not alone. In fact, I know I’m not: studies show that 82 percent or 9 out of 10 car seats are not installed and used correctly. Even more upsetting? Crashes are the leading cause of death for children from 3 to 14 years old. Suddenly, taking the extra 10 minutes to install a car seat correctly in a livery, taxi or your car seems absolutely worth it.

Baby Bodyguards, a professional baby proofing service based in Brooklyn, is an expert on our blog. This month they wrote to tell me that they are most concerned about improperly installed car seats. They do approximately 5  car seat installations a day and they notice the same errors time and time again. They listed them below so we can check ourselves against them. (I am currently guilty of #3, 5 AND 7.  I need to get on this today.)

If you want some visual help in checking your car seat installation, I found these videos very helpful. Do be careful: there are LOTS of youtube videos on “how to install a car seat” that are just plain wrong and dangerous.  If you want to be certain you installation is done right you can call Baby Bodyguards to do a car seat installation or call to arrange a free inspection at a DOT Child Car Seat Fitting Station. For Brooklyn it is at the Brooklyn Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway, phone: (718) 963-6858.

Here are the most common mistakes they see:

1-Using LATCH in a center seating position when it is not allowed by the manufacturer – most vehicles do not permit you to install a car seat in the center, using the two inner LATCH anchors from the side seating positions. Check your vehicle and child restraint manuals. If nothing is specifically mentioned to allow it, don’t do it.

2-Using LATCH and a seat belt together – you must use one system or the other, not both. Either method is safe when used correctly, so go with the method that gets you the best install.

3- Using LATCH beyond the weight limit. LATCH is only good up to 40lbs unless otherwise stated in your vehicle or in the car seat manual. If the vehicle and car seat manuals defer to one another, err on the side of caution and assume a 40 lb limit.

4-Incorrect seat belt routing on a booster – make sure to read and follow the instructions for how to route the seat belt correctly over your child. Many boosters have arm rests that need the lap belt routed under them instead of over.

5- Loose car seat install – a car seat must be installed tightly enough that there is an inch or less of movement in all directions at the belt path when pushed or pulled on.

6-Incorrect belt path used on convertible seat install – you must use the belt path designated for the type of install you are doing. Usually the rear facing belt path runs under the child’s bottom/legs and the forward facing belt path runs behind their back.

7-Chest clip out of position (usually too low) – the chest clip should be at armpit level at all times.

8-Aftermarket accessories (head positioners, body padding/positioners, strap covers, hanging toys, under car seat mats/upholstery protectors, mirrors, suction cup window shades, seat belt tighteners/ratchets, bunting bags/liners, custom car seat covers, etc.) – if it did not come with your seat or is not specifically allowed by your car seat manual, don’t use it. The less “stuff” involved in your car seat install, the better. Nothing extra should go between the car seat and vehicle seat, the baby and the car seat, or the baby and the harness. Toys, mirrors, and window shades can come loose in a crash and injure passengers. Mats can interfere with an install. Many manufacturers will void the seat’s warranty if aftermarket products are used. There are no safety standards for these items, so even those that claim to be “crash tested” or “meet all federal safety standards” (there are none!) cannot be trusted as safe.

9- Not using the top tether anchor when the lower LATCH anchors are used for a forward facing seat – the top tether MUST be used when a seat is installed forward facing with LATCH.

10- Unfortunately the most common mistake we see, not by our clients, but just general observation, are parents riding around with babies/children with no car seat at all. I cringe every time I see this and just pray that child makes it through the early years without being subjected to a crash.

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• My Favorite Safest Cosmetics
• How Toxic Is Your Paint?
• Update On Lead Paint From A Parent
• Lead Paint- How Do You Know If You Have It?
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Most of you have heard about Baby Bodyguards by now. First, they came and did an excellent “spec” on babyproofing our place, then they wrote a popular post on our blog about window guards for NYC, now they have been raved about on Park Slope Parents. They are getting lots of mainstream press as well.  The Baby Bodyguard family consists of hand picked Pediatricians, Nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians, Firemen, Contractors and Craftsmen, all of whom share the same passion for child safety.

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Just tonight I found myself saying to my 5 year old son (who got out of bed for the 4th time), ” I’m sorry I got so angry, I need to take a deep breath before I react next time.” It seems that I could benefit from a new series of classes for parents based on Buddhist teachings and practices.  The series is structured in a most unusual way: you pay $90 at the beginning of the course, and you get $10 back for each of the 9 classes that you attend. So, if you are one of those people that rarely missed a day of school, this is your golden time!

Free?! What’s the catch? The instructor, Jonathan Kaplan, is developing the curriculum for publication as a book. Occasionally, you will be asked to provide confidential feedback on the course and complete a few surveys as part of your participation, too.

So, how do you get to this path of enlightenment in parenting? You will learn about the 8-Fold Path and explore its application to family life.  Each meeting will consist of a lecture, an experiential exercise or
meditation, and review of practice at home during the previous month.

Not so fast! There are a couple of requirements to be enrolled in the class. You need to  (1) have an interest in Buddhism; and (2) have maintained contemplative practice for at least two years (e.g.,
yoga, meditation, etc.).
Details:
Parenting on the Path: A Systematic Program of Study and Practice for Buddhist Parents and Families
The last Sunday of each month
7 – 9 pm
Bija Kids
900 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY.
Near the
Clinton/Washington Station on the C Line.
1-888-343-6031

Class Schedule
January 29: Right View

February 26: Right Intention

March 25: Right Speech

April 29: Right Action

May 27: Right Livelihood

June 24: Right Effort

July 29: Right Concentration

< No Meeting in August >

September 30: Right Mindfulness

October 28: Right View (yes, for a second time)

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Post tags: brooklyn parent, brooklyn parenting class, buddhism and parenting, buddhist class in brooklyn, childbirth class, having a family in brooklyn, jonathan kaplan, parent coach, parenting class

Daylight savings is coming up this Sunday: this is when we move our clocks back one hour and “gain” an extra hour.  Even just an hour change can be a disruption in your child’s (*and yours!) sleeping. Janeen Hayward, a parent consultant at Swell Being, was kind enough to share her daylight savings sleep tips to us. Here they are:

I know, I know.  Daylight savings time again.  It always comes too soon.  Fret not, these simple tips for babies (6 months and older) and toddlers will help you stay on track with your good sleep habits.  Give your children a few days to settle in to the new time.  After they adjust to the new clock, the only thing left to dread is the sun setting at 4 p.m.  Ugh.

1. Put your child(ren) to bed on Saturday night (11/6) at the regular time.

2. Wake up with your child(ren) at the normal wake up time on Sunday morning (11/7).

3. Set your clocks back one hour.  This is where you stretch out the time.

4. Put your child(ren) down for the first nap at the regular time per the clock.**  This will mean that s/he has been awake a full hour longer during this window and may need some help to stretch out the time.  Going outside and getting lots of sunlight and fresh air is a great way to keep kids awake when you’re stretching them.

5. Follow the clock for naps and bedtime from here forward. It can take a few days for your child to fully adjust, so be patient and consistent.

**Younger children may have a harder time stretching a full hour without becoming overtired.  In this case it may be better to stretch them 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon or to stretch them slowly over several days.

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New Math Center- Mathnasium on Atlantic Ave

Here’s what I like to think: my kids will be in high school, take the SAT’s (those looovely tests), and do well enough on both the verbal and math components to have a choice selection of colleges to attend.  Until recently, I didn’t realize that I may be dead wrong.  Results from Education Next’s study show that U.S. students rank 32nd among industrialized nations in proficiency in math and 17th in reading. And, how about Tuesday’s report on NY1 that “New York State was actually the only state in the country that showed a decline in fourth grade math performance,”?  This is, as the Wall Street Journal headlined, an “Economic Time Bomb: U.S. Teens Are Among Worst At Math”

What is there to do?
Take matters into your own hands! Asses how your child is doing in math first and, if needed, start them on a course for success.

First, find out your kid’s math proficiency if you don’t know.
A  recently opened learning center, Mathnasium on Atlantic Ave, can do that for you.  They will assess your child’s math abilities for free. With that, they can determine if your child is performing at grade level and if there are gaps in their education.

Second, if there are gaps, (and don’t flip out if there are), you can change that with outside math instruction and with practicing at home.
I spoke to the owner of the new Mathnasium to find out precisely when parents should start thinking about getting a math assessment and how Mathnasium aids students that need help.  Carl Giordana is a former Wall Streeter, who, looking for a life change, quit the finance world after 14 years. He was looking for something he believed in.  After reading about the dire straits of U.S. education, he began researching learning centers. He found his perfect match in Mathnasium, a program developed by a teacher and educational consultant 35 years ago in L.A.

When to go?
Carl said that the gaps in math education are “now being identified as early as elementary school.” Obviously, the earlier that you isolate the gaps and address them, the better.

Interior of new Mathnasium

What they do:
If you stop by Mathnasium, you will notice a quiet and clean space occupied by students engaging with instructors. The students work from their colorful binders that contain customized programs following the Mathnasium Method- which uses a combination of mental, verbal, visual, tactile and written techniques to help kids learn math.  The customized program is for students in elementary through high school who preferably attend twice a week for an hour each.  It’s like a gym, (hence the name), not only for its mental workout but even in it’s billing method. Members pay a monthly fee of $299 per month for eight hours of instruction. They offer Saturday hours too which is a huge advantage for a lot of families.

What are their results?
To prove that their teaching is effective, Carl pointed me to Mathnasium’s published results, done by a third party educational consulting firm. A summary of which is (after a lot of tech reading!): “The improvement in mean scores between pre and post-tests across all grades analyzed ranges from 22.2 to 38%.” That’s a number worth betting on. Just think: that 520 score I got on my SAT math (yes, I still remember that number) could have been 732  if I had had their assistance.

In the end, it makes me wonder if I could use some math instruction even now? All those years ahead with math homework make me cringe: maybe I skip a workout at the gym and head to the math gym instead?

Details:
Mathnasium
392 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.858.MATH

Custom binders for each kid

Students working after school

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

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Family Sleep Over at Occupy Wall Street with Parents For Occupy Wall St.

Last week, the post that got the most Facebook shares on the blog was on how families could sleep over to support the effort of Occupy Wall Street. What that says to me is that you all are moved by what is going on with the movement, want to educate your kids about it and want to find ways to get involved.

Some of us who wanted to do the sleep over couldn’t- for whatever reasons- so, when an email came through today describing an additional need for parents to help out at Occupy Wall Street- I knew some of you would be interested.

Parents for Occupy Wall Street need help in keeping Liberty Plaza clean and chill in order to maintain the occupancy of it. “If we can keep our houses and kids clean and calm, we can do it at Liberty Plaza.”

This is from the email:
Parents for Occupy Wall Street will not back down from the necessary occupation of Liberty Plaza and will therefore create a volunteer Community Watch Team to step up and address Community Board 1′s requests for a lower noise level and cleaner conditions in and around Liberty Plaza.

What is Parents for Occupy Wall Street?
Parents for Occupy Wall Street is a collective community of parents in support of Occupy Wall Street.

*I asked how families and kids could help together and she asked that you go to their Facebook Page or send an email to parents@everythingindependent.com- she said there are lots of opportunities.

And, one last thing- my FAVORITE comment this week from a reader who did the sleep over:

We attended and had a great experience. Whatever your political beliefs, I think it’s a vital example of free speech and ordinary people making a statement. My son was impressed, and for the first time ever was able to volunteer directly (not raising money for something, or making something to deliver…but actually handing food out to people directly) which made a huge impression. – Moira

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This post is from 2 of our Experts on the blog that form the rational and thoughtful whole of Soho Parenting. To read more of their writing, head to ParenTalk.

Dr. Walter Mischel’s study of impulse control in the 1960′s and 1970′s using a marshmallow and the directive to wait-and-you-will-get-two has turned out to have incredible predictive ability and teaches an important lesson to parents. The ability to delay gratification at age four predicts higher SAT scores, school success, and successes in life such as relationships, employment and healthier weight.

Making children wait, helping to handle not getting what they want and delaying gratification has profound positive effects. So go ahead, just say no!!!!!!!!!!!!

********
Jean Kunhardt, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, has graduate degrees in Early Childhood and Special Education from Bank Street College. In addition to leading parenting groups, she specializes in children’s sleep as well as working with couples and adults using a mind-body approach to psychotherapy. She and her sister, Sandra K. Baslie, are the granddaughters of Dorothy Kunhardt, creator of the beloved children’s book, Pat the Bunny. She is the proud mother of high school and college-aged children.
Lisa Spiegel has a Master’s in degree in developmental psychology from Columbia University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. From her two decades of work with adults and children, she has developed an approach that draws on an eclectic range of disciplines, including psychotherapy, hypnosis, meditation, yoga, and EMDR. She also specializes in children’s sleep issues, as well as marriage counseling. She enjoys spending time with her high school and college age daughters.

For more than two decades Soho Parenting has offered realistic, insightful and practical guidance to strengthen parents and help create close and communicative families. They are Soho Parenting and blog at ParenTalk

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Post tags: delayed gratification, how to say no to kids, impulse control, jean kunhardt, lisa spiegel, manhattan, marshmallow test, not giving kids what they want, nyc, parent coach, soho parenting

Do you want to know which are the most highly reviewed pediatricians, midwives, dentists, kids’ classes? How about where to meet other parents or even what car service to use? We have the answers!

We’ll start off the night asking what your burning questions are: daycare, nanny, doulas, best hospitals? We will help you uncover and discover the best Brooklyn resources with me- Karen from A Child Grows in Brooklyn and Hannah, co-founder of Bump Brooklyn, the chicest maternity store in Brooklyn!

Come join us for a night of meeting, talking and absorbing!

Every mom and dad in attendance will take home a fabulous gift bag with over $75 worth of goodies!

Also, you can shop that night for a 15% discount at Bump! So, come early and shop or stay late!

RSVP here. Oh, and of course, it’s FREE! We just want to have fun and meet up with each other.

We can’t wait to see you!

xo Karen

Details:
Wednesday, August 10: 7-8:30 pm
at Bump Brooklyn
464 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope)

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I know I’m not the only one who gets tired of reading the same book over and over at bedtime. Yawwwn……..zzzzzz.  The Rusty Key, a new Brooklyn blog that is dedicated to all things Kid Lit, is helping me and you get over the book doldrums by sharing her favorite books for kids here on the blog.  The editor, Jordan B. Nielsen, a former employee of the Scholastic Store in Soho, has created a cool site that looks like a house, where parents can “unlock” the door to great book reviews, book events, interviews and articles.  One of the site’s features, the Golden Key Collection, is her selection of the best of the best in children’s literature and she’s sent the golden key to us!

She’s giving us her:

• Best Book List for Ages 0-5 Years

• Best Book List for Ages 8-18 Years (which I will publish on Thursday)……

Here is her “Best Book List for Ages 0-5 Years”

Baby Faces
By Margaret Miller
Prime for: Infant to 2 year olds
The research is in: babies love staring at pictures of other babies. Who knew? This collection of captioned baby faces shows a range of expressions, clearly depicted with a grin or a grimace. Child specialists believe that looking at pictures of other babies helps infants with self-recognition, focus and emotional development. Great to keep baby fascinated during long car rides.

Curious Baby: Curious George – My Little Boat
By H.A. Rey
Prime For: Infant to 2 year olds
Parents can always use a little extra help at bath time. Vinyl covered bath books are just the trick to keep young children engaged while getting clean. My Little Boat features a simple rhyme scheme to assist with early language development, and comes packaged with a miniature rubber boat so you and baby can act out the splashing. Vinyl books are also great at the beach or by the pool. My Little will welcome your baby to the world of Curious George, a character they can grow with.

How Do I Love You
By Marion Dane Bauer
Prime for: 2 to 3 year olds
Lets be honest: At this early stage, you may as well be reading War and Peace to your child for all they’re getting from the story. What matters most is the parent-child connectivity, the shared experience of holding your child, letting them look at the pictures and hear the rhythm of your voice. These are the first bricks laid in the foundation for a later love of reading. Bauer’s sweet poem and playful illustrations make a perfect aid for some family bonding time.

Tubby
By Leslie Patricelli
Prime for: 2 and 3 year olds
A book that can make you laugh out loud with just three or four words per page? Now THAT is impressive. Leslie Patricelli’s spare words and achingly adorable illustrations make this board book series as fun for adults as they are for the little ones. With simple depictions of bath time, toilet training, and a missing pacifier, just to name a few, it’s the touches of humor that really make these board books special.

Press Here
Herve Tullet
Prime for: 3 through 5 year olds
Who says paper books can’t be interactive? Toss the iPad in the bag, and let Tullet’s monochromatic circles walk you through a page-by-page light show fueled by your imagination. Great for kids just learning their colors, as you press, rub and clap for the little orbs they’ll dance about, multiply and explode in size. It’s like touch screen technology without having to worry about the battery dying!

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
By Judi Barrett
Prime for: 4 and 5 year olds
For over 25 years, Judi and Ron Barrett’s collaboration has been tantalizing kids of all ages with vision of mashed-potato snowstorms, melting butter sunsets and pancake monsoons. What’s cooler than all your favorite foods raining down from the sky? Sorry mom, can’t go to school today, there’s ice cream everywhere! The tasty fantasy packed with drool-worthy illustrations is a feast for generations to enjoy.

A Sick Day for Amos McGhee
By Philip Stead
Prime for: 3 through 5 year olds
It didn’t win this year’s Caldecott medal for nothing! Amos McGhee is the best of zookeepers. Lanky and spry, Amos knows just what to do to keep each of his animals happy. From sitting quietly with the shy penguins to dabbing the rhinoceros’s ever-runny nose, Amos’s kindness makes all the zoo animals feel loved and cared for. But one day, when Amos is home with a cold, the animals know it’s their turn to be the caretakers. This exquisitely illustrated tale teaches that true kindness will always be paid back.

The Llama Llama Series
By Anne Dewdney
Prime for: 4 and 5 year olds
There are lots of picture books that walk children through the little troubles they might encounter, but lets face it, everything’s funnier with a Llama. With a catchy rhyme scheme that young readers will eagerly participate in, Llama Llama’s grumpy little Llama faces boring trips to the supermarket, homesickness, difficulties at bedtime and too much Christmas. They may serve as a great way to talk to young kinds about the un-fun parts of life, but Dewdney’s drawings of the petulant Llama will leave grown ups and kids smiling.

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