The Marshmallow Test: why saying “no” is good
by Karen on 9/16/11 | 2 Comment(s)
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 [...]
Free Meetup- Brooklyn’s Best Resources for New and Expectant Parents
by Karen on 8/04/11 | 0 Comment(s)
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 [...]
Tips for Second-Time Parents
by Serena on 7/21/11 | 2 Comment(s)
When I found out that I was pregnant with baby number two, I was immediately excited…. but then some fears crept into my head. How was I going to do it, really? Work, active toddler, school? The thought of two seemed daunting: double strollers, a carrier and a stroller, diapers and potty trips, more cooking [...]
List of Parent Groups: Where to Meet New Parents in Brooklyn
by Serena on 7/13/11 | 1 Comment(s)
When I first became a new parent I didn’t realize how daunting it would be to not have any parent friends. I really didn’t know anyone that had babies in my neighborhood – meaning there was no one to talk about this new exhaustion, constant diaper changes or the ups and downs of breastfeeding – [...]
Giving Birth: Who Takes Care of Your Older Child?
by Serena on 7/12/11 | 0 Comment(s)
Most of us don’t live near family, so what do you do when you give birth and have an older child at home that needs to be watched? I wondered that when we were faced with that question. I knew my MIL would not come down to help out in the middle of the night, [...]
Want a better work-life balance? So do these Brooklynites
by Karen on 6/22/11 | 1 Comment(s)
Who isn’t frustrated by the lack of imbalance between our lives and work? With our super cool PDAs that allow us to text, email and call, we are constantly “available”. What we need are support systems that help balance life and work, like mandated parental leave and affordable quality daycare. A group of neighborhood parents, [...]
Why are our children their worst with us?
by Karen on 5/31/11 | 0 Comment(s)
How many times has your mother-in law said, “She wasn’t like this with me!” or your nanny comments that your son goes down for a nap like an angel with her. Or you go for a parent teacher conference and the description of the child, “first to clean up, so empathetic to other children, what [...]
New Comedy About Parenting- plus giveaway and discount
by Karen on 5/19/11 | 4 Comment(s)
Here’s a question that I bet you can answer in 3 seconds. What issues have you dealt with as a parent? Work/life balance Keeping romance alive Loss of sleep And the answer was…..? (Of course it was all of them!) In a new romantic comedy called “Cradle and All”, two Brooklyn Heights couples work through [...]
Are you a stepparent or divorced parent?
by Karen on 5/12/11 | 0 Comment(s)
If you are or are considering becoming a stepparent, are a divorced or divorcing parent, this Peace Summit might be what you are looking for. There really isn’t much “live” discussion about stepparenting, despite the fact that some key books have been written on the topic. I’m so happy that there will be a live [...]
Cool library events- from free portraiture to performances
by Karen on 4/26/11 | 0 Comment(s)
The Brooklyn Public Library’s Biggest Playdate Ever was a huge success this winter. A few people emailed me to find out when it would be repeated. Though they have yet to schedule another playdate, the Brooklyn Public Library does have a bucket load of other cool activities lined up for the spring and summer at [...]
Why kids don’t hear “no”
by Karen on 4/19/11 | 6 Comment(s)
Parenting Through Picture Books #2: Boundary Pushing with “No, David” by Alice Kaltman Have you ever tried to count how many times a day you say “No” to your child? No, not now. Time to go. No, that’s dangerous. Put that down. No, don’t touch that. Pay attention. No, you cant. Be quiet. Stop that!!!!! [...]
Pumping: when, how and why
by Karen on 4/13/11 | 0 Comment(s)
I remember when my sister first pulled out her backpack-style breastpump, strapped on her bustier and the pump cups and turned the machine on- all while she was giving me some sisterly advice. To her, it was like nothing was going on…to me, it was like: Woah! what are all those tubes and how is [...]
Tribeca Parenting adds courses with free trial
by Karen on 4/12/11 | 0 Comment(s)
With Tribeca Pediatric’s expansion into Fort Greene, Tribeca Parenting has been able to expand its workshops and classes. They are now offering baby wearing classes taught by the baby gear gurus (Jamie Grayson and Jennifer Link) who spoke at our Baby Expo. These baby gear experts are especially good as they offer information on baby [...]
It’s a thin line between love and hate: siblings
by Karen on 4/01/11 | 2 Comment(s)
Your three year old is hugging the new baby so sweetly, when all of a sudden the hug turns into a death grip. Your five year old is chasing his two year old sister laughing and – in a flash – he pushes her straight into the wall. Par for the course for siblings. You [...]
They’ve got 70 years: sibling relationships
by Karen on 3/11/11 | 1 Comment(s)
They’ve got 70 years: sibling relationships by Soho Parenting Can you imagine a better feeling than watching your children enjoy each other? From your preschooler making your baby erupt in giggles, or your two teenagers laughing and conspiring, to your grown boys joking and wrestling with relish. Nothing like it. Unfortunately, in addition to those [...]
Free acupressure workshop for parents
by Karen on 3/01/11 | 1 Comment(s)
Who hasn’t tried a little acupressure on their own? We press down on our kid’s boo boos to stop them from hurting or rub their tummy when they are having bathroom issues. We even pinch that sweet hand tendon to get rid of a particular annoying headache at times, but- wouldn’t it be great to [...]
When do you let your kids run errands by themselves?
by Karen on 2/28/11 | 3 Comment(s)
I love this guest post because as a parent of younger kids, I haven’t thought much about the issue of when to let my children be physically independent- like doing an errand on their own. I think more about how physically dependent they are! But I love knowing what issues are “down the road” for [...]
Free baby proofing seminar next week
by Karen on 2/22/11 | 2 Comment(s)
Looking for ways to baby proof your home? You can attend a FREE baby proofing seminar at the condo building 58 Metropolitan hosted by Steiner NYC and industry expert James Hirtenstein, CEO of Baby-SAFE, Inc. Details: Tuesday, March 1st, 2011: 7 pm 58 Metropolitan Avenue, Penthouse D- Williamsburg Space is limited so please RSVP to [...]
The first-ever Brooklyn Baby Expo
by Karen on 2/21/11 | 0 Comment(s)
I can’t believe I am finally able to announce this- the first-ever Brooklyn Baby Expo is being put on by A Child Grows in Brooklyn on Sunday, March 13th. It’s been in the works for months and months (!), and now it’s open for registration (though we are more than excited as some people have [...]
Sharing- should we expect our kids to do it?
by Karen on 2/17/11 | 5 Comment(s)
Parenting through Picture Books #1: Sharing with “Duck & Goose” by Alice Kaltman I have a confession to make: many books written by colleagues sit in a pile on my desk, half- or never-read. I can barely get through these well-researched, informative books, and I know the sleep-deprived, stressed out parents I work with have [...]
When you are hiring a nanny……
by Karen on 2/17/11 | 11 Comment(s)
We’ve had part-time nannies ever since our son Birch was born 4.5 years ago. The hours have varied from 11 hours a week up to 24 now (hello Brooklyn Baby Expo that is slowly killing me!) Along the way, I have learned some valuable lessons that I thought I might share. I’m sure some of [...]
Teaching kids tolerance
by Karen on 1/27/11 | 1 Comment(s)
Difference by Alice Kaltman We can teach kids what we believe is right, but we can’t always protect them from what’s wrong. That’s a sobering and scary fact especially these days. While our entire nation is reconsidering the power of intolerance in the wake of recent horrific events in Tuscon, I think how this is [...]
Moms Groups debut- working moms, toddler and new moms
by Karen on 1/19/11 | 0 Comment(s)
If you’re a mom in Brooklyn, chances are that you know about BabyBites Brooklyn and their seminars, lunches and workshops. People often think of the events as being only for new moms, but that’s not the case -they have potty training seminars, holiday parties…and now they are doing facilitated moms groups for 2nd time moms, [...]
Tribeca Parenting has a full roster of classes now in Brooklyn
by Karen on 1/04/11 | 1 Comment(s)
When Realbirth closed this May, many of the educators and recently, Realbirth’s founder, moved over to a now 6-month-old group called Tribeca Parenting. The collective move helped jumpstart Tribeca Parenting which has become a hub of parenting information. With Erica Lyon, the renowned Childbirth educator, author and founder of Realbirth, as their Consulting Director, they [...]
Diagnoses of ADHD or ASD or anxiety disorders?
by Karen on 12/01/10 | 2 Comment(s)
With rates of ADHD rising (5.5 % from 2003 to 2007) and ASD disorders now at 1 in 110 children in the US, there has been a rise of treatments to help children and parents cope. According to Brooklyn therapist, Candice Baugh, therapy is a very effective tool in helping children who suffer from anxiety [...]
