Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Downloadable Checklists: Freebies: Big City Moms

9:17 PM    

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Big City Moms Upcoming Events

8:55 PM    


Big City Moms is one of my favorite mommy groups. I have been a member a couple of years. Here are some of their upcoming events.
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Upcoming Big City Moms Events
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Special Events
Thursday, 9/27 - Rockin With AndyTuesday, 10/2 - Public/Private School Seminar
Thursday, 10/4 - Shop and Bop EventSunday, 10/28 - Halloween Party

New Mom Lunches
Tuesday, 10/2 - UES -Nannies, Babysitters, and MoreWednesday, 10/3 - UWS - Emergencies, Infant Safety, and more
Support Groups

Wednesday’s in September - UES - New Moms Support GroupMonday’s in September - UWS - New Moms Support Group10/22- Working Moms Group10/15 - Single Moms Group10/24 - 2nd Time Moms Group

Expectant Events
Tuesday, 10/9 - Expectant Dinner - Meet The Experts - Sleep, Nutrition, Infant Care
Tuesday, 10/30- Biggest Baby Shower NYC


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$5 off @ Target With purchase of 50 4x6" digital prints

8:54 PM    

Hey there - I just found this on shopkick and thought you might like it. Check it out here: http://app.shopkick.com/offer/10145020007


$5 off @ Target
With purchase of 50 4x6" digital prints
Offer expires 12 hours after tapping 'Use'


Want to find cool stuff too? Download shopkick on iPhone or Android. You'll also get get awesome rewards at stores like Target, Macy's and many more. See you soon!


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Effective Parenting Begins With Consistency

8:46 PM    

Effective Parenting Begins With Consistency

September 15th, 2012 | Posted by Dana Rosenbloom
Effective parenting can be challenging…but it can be done.  One key to success is being consistent in your discipline and limit setting.  Positive discipline and limit setting looks different for each family.  Your child’s needs may not be the same as your friend’s child.  Developmentally, the needs of a two year old will differ from that of a five year old.
What is universal is the fact that consistency in your expectations, reactions and limits helps your child feel safe. I liken consistent parenting to swaddling.  You start out giving your child a close, secure environment.  As children begin to be able to regulate themselves, parents slowly let one arm out and then another.  The concept is the same with discipline.
Grown-ups who are consistent from the beginning of a child’s life, teach that child cause and effect.  This predictability also helps children bond with their caregivers.  A baby cries and their parent brings a bottle. The child learns that the parent will meet their needs and they become attached.
For toddlers, routine schedules and consistent reactions teach them what to expect and helps them begin to internalize rules.  Repetition throughout the years helps a child to master these ideas.  If jumping in the bathtub is met with “please sit safely in the tub” or “not safe,” the child learns that jumping in the tub is not okay.  With toddlers we often hear “self-talk” during which they’ll say to themselves or a baby doll, “sit safely in the tub” and “not safe.”  The child knows just what to do because they know what is expected of them.  Being able to meet someone’s expectations feels good, no matter what your age is.
When a parent reacts inconsistently, children often feel insecure, anxious, and are more likely to test limits.  One day, screaming for a lollipop gets the child a lollipop.  Another time the grown-up is angry and doesn’t give them the lollipop. What is going to happen the next time?   The child hasn’t learned anything other than the fact that grown-ups can be confusing!  They may test limits by whining, insisting, bargaining or having a temper tantrum to get what they want.  That’s not fun for anyone!
Consistent discipline and limit setting does not mean that you should never change your schedule or your reactions.   Once parents have established consistent routines, reactions and expectations, spontaneity can lead to wonderful experiences.  These changes help children become more flexible, an important skill.   Schedules change, play dates get cancelled, and sometimes there is no juice left.  Consistency creates a level of trust between children and their caregivers through which they can manage these changes, and the emotions that come along with them.
Children whose parents have rules and expectations that are the same from one time to the next feel an incredible sense of security.  This is true for children of all ages.  Young children love to feel competent.  Knowing right and wrong, safe and not safe, okay and not okay, adds to their sense of capability and builds self esteem.  Your children learn these ideas through your consistent discipline and limit setting.  You can do it!

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How Your Child’s Temperament (And Your Own) Affects Your Parenting Style

8:41 PM    

How Your Child’s Temperament (And Your Own) Affects Your Parenting Style

By:  Dana Rosenbloom
Within the first few days of a child’s life, many parents will describe them as calm, easy going, demanding, or high strung.  Each child is born with a temperament that influences the way they react to the world around them.  That being said, it is important for parents to remember that temperament is not static.  Taking the time to understand and accept your child’s temperament will help you be a better parent.
When considering a child’s temperament, we think about nine traits.  You can easily find these online.  From there, approximately 65% of children fall into one of three categories.  The largest majority of children are considered “flexible or easy.”  These children generally feel good about the world around them.  They do not become upset when meeting new people or entering new situations, and can handle changes in their day.  Flexible or easy children tend to have predictable daily patterns.  Ten percent of children are considered “active, difficult, or feisty.”  These children are more emotional and sensitive.  They can be fussy, cry frequently, and have more irregular schedules.  The final fifteen percent of children are categorized as “slow to warm or cautious.”  These children tend to be less active, are quite shy, and may even be anxious when exposed to new experiences and people.  With repetition, many of these children learn to manage these situations.
Parents should remember that not all children fit into one of these three categories.  Often, labeling one’s child can actually be detrimental.  On the other hand, understanding how your child naturally experiences the word around them can increase the effectiveness of your parenting.  How does this work?  The first step is to spend some time observing your baby or child.  Try this during different activities and at different times of day.  Be conscious of paying attention to both positive and negative behaviors.  Doing this repeatedly will help you see a pattern in your child’s behavior and help you better understand their temperament.
How can you use these observations and positively influence these traits in your child?  Read on.  When we use information about children’s temperament to be more effective parents, we hope to achieve “goodness of fit.”  Goodness of fit refers to the harmony, match or mismatch, between a parent and child’s temperament.  A good fit is present when a parent’s values and expectations coincide with a child’s abilities and behaviors.  Once you’ve spent some time thinking about your child’s temperament, it’s important to consider your own.  Many parents find that it is easier to parent the child who has a similar temperament to their own.  Think about how and when your own behavioral tendencies are in sync with your child and when they are not.  This is not to say that if a parent and child are a good fit, there will not be challenges.  Difficult times emerge in all relationships.  What a parent must understand is that most children do not have the capacity to make adjustments to meet a parent’s temperament.  That is the parents’ job.  I’m certainly not advocating turning your life upside down to accommodate your child’s personality, rather, once you understand it, knowing when to set limits and when to allow them some freedom is far easier.
Parenting effectively is not “one size fits all,” but studies show that when parents spend time picking up on cues and recognizing their child’s temperament, they can more successfully prevent, and manage, future behavior problems.  Acknowledge your children’s individuality.  Accept their strengths and weaknesses.  Have reasonable, developmentally appropriate, expectations that consider your child.  Set limits and discipline consistently.  You can raise a well-adjusted child and have a happy family.

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Seared Scallops with Bacon-Braised Chard

8:25 PM    


Contributed by Stephanie Izard

Seared Scallops with Bacon-Braised Chard


Serves: 4
Total Time: 1 Hour

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 thick slices of bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
  • 1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
  • 1 3/4 pounds rainbow chard—stems sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick, leaves cut into 1-inch strips
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 12 large sea scallops (1 1/2 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS
  • 1. In a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, 4 minutes. Spoon off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until tender but not browned, 2 minutes. Add the tomato and cook until it begins to break down, 2 minutes. Add the chard stems and cook until crisp-tender, 4 minutes. Add the chard leaves and cook over moderately high heat, tossing, until wilted, 5 minutes; drain off any liquid. Add the soy sauce and cook until the leaves are tender, 2 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
  • 2. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. In another large skillet, heat the oil until just smoking. Add the scallops and cook over high heat for 30 seconds. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until golden on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn the scallops and add the butter. Cook, spooning the butter on the scallops, until just white throughout, about 3 minutes. Spoon the chard onto plates, top with the scallops and serve.
  • Source :
  • foodandwine.com

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Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafer Crumble | Food & Wine

12:38 AM    



Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafer Crumble

Contributed by David Guas
Serves: 6; Total Time: 45 Minutes;

David Guas, a New Orleans native, remembers this comforting dessert from his childhood. It's a spectacularly creamy banana pudding topped with a crumble made from vanilla wafer cookies.(Recipe adapted from DamGoodSweet.)

INGREDIENTS
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar
  • Salt
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons banana liqueur (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter plus 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup vanilla wafer cookies (about 15), coarsely ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 bananas, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS
  • 1. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the cornstarch, the 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Gradually whisk the milk into the egg yolks until smooth. Transfer the pudding mixture to the saucepan and add the banana liqueur. Cook over moderate heat, whisking, until the pudding is thick, about 3 minutes. Scrape the pudding into a bowl and whisk in the cold butter and vanilla. Cover with plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours.
  • 2. Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine the wafers, cinnamon, the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir in the melted butter. Spread the crumble on the prepared baking sheet; bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool.
  • 3. Spoon the chopped bananas into bowls. Top with the pudding, sprinkle with the crumble and serve right away.
    • Source:

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Halloween Safety Tips

12:34 AM  ,  


Halloween Safety Tips


Information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics


ALL DRESSED UP:
  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  • Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.
CARVING A NICHE:
  • Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting.
  • Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  • Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.
STROLLER SAFETY:
  • Make sure you put your stroller in a secure area if leaving outside of a building.  Use a stroller lock if available.
  • Strap your child in the stroller to prevent him/her from falling out.
  • Only cross the street in a cross walk.
  • Use the brakes on the stroller when not in use.
  • Lots of costumes can be big and bulky.  It's always best to slip them on your child once they are out of the stroller as the buckles won’t fit as snug as they should.  It can also be very uncomfortable for the kids to be sitting for long periods of time in a sweaty costume. 
ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:
  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  • Only go to buildings that you are familiar with.
  • If you are trick or treating in New York City, chances are you will be visiting many apartment buildings.  Walking a building feels likes an entire neighborhood to most kids.  You won't want to wait for the elevator and will most likely be walking the stairwells.  Make sure your children wear comfortable shoes.  Forgo the princess heels and put on the sneakers! (adults too)
  • For an outdoors trick or treat experience walk down Madison Avenue or any other street where stores are open late.  The sales people love to see the kids dressed up and will sometimes give our goodies!  Many of these streets are a well-lit safe place to walk.
  • Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
  • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
  • Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
  • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
  • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
  • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
  • Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
  • Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
  • A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
  • Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
  • Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
  • Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Source


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Oktoberfest in New York 2012

12:32 AM  ,  

Oktoberfest in New York 2012

It doesn't matter whether you are in New York City or call Upstate New York home. You can find a place to celebrate Oktoberfest with the 2.2 million other New Yorkers that share German ancestry. And if you aren't German, who cares? Check out these celebrations of German heritage for good food and good beer.
Use code BEAR12F for $10 off ( restrictions apply)
Oktoberfest NYC
NY, NY
September 22 – October 7, 2012
Steuben Parade
NY, NY
September 15, 2012
Zum Schneider Oktoberfest
NY, NY
September 29 – October 14, 2012
Bierhaus Oktoberfest
NY, NY
Monday – Friday, September 10-14, 2012
October 20, 2012
230 Fifth Oktoberfest
NY, NY
September 29, 2012
Oktoberfest Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY
September 13, 2012
Buffalo Oktoberfest
September 28-29, 2012
Buffalo Harbor Oktoberfest
Buffalo, NY
September 22, 2012
Hamburg Oktoberfest
Hamburg, NY
September 15, 2012
Ukranian American Civic Center Oktoberfest
Buffalo, NY
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Falls Street Oktoberfest
Niagara Falls, NY
October 13, 2012
Oktoberfest NY
Irondequoit, NY
September 14-16 and September 21-22, 2012
Great Syracuse Oktoberfest
Syracuse, New York
September 21-23, 2012
Baldwinsville Oktoberfest
Baldwinsville, NY
Friday, September 14, 2012
Most Holy Rosary Oktoberfest
Maine, NY
October 5-7, 2012
Lake George Oktoberfest
Lake George, NY
October 13, 2012
Hague Oktoberfest
Hague, NY
September 21-23, 2012
Brookside Museum Oktoberfest
Saratoga County, NY
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Oktoberfest Block Party
Albany, NY
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest
Hunter, NY
September 29-30, October 6-7, 2012
Whiteface Oktoberfest
Wilmington, NY
September 29-30, 2012
Bear Mountain Oktoberfest
Bear Mountain, NY
Weekends from September 15 – October 28, 2012
Oktoberfest at Island Park
Wellsville, NY
October 6, 2012
Oktobeerfest NY
Malta, NY
October 13, 2012
Some of these Oktoberfest parties might be smaller than in Munich. Try this list of the largest Oktoberfests in the United States for the most popular and attended celebrations of German heritage. You should also check the lists of nearby states that also celebrate Oktoberfest:Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
Whether you have found a festival to enjoy or you will be celebrating from home, Funtober has some other resources that will help you prepare for Oktoberfest. Read about the history of Oktoberfest. Learn about Oktoberfest beer. Find the words to Oktoberfest music. Plan yourOktoberfest outfit. And try cooking some of these Oktoberfest recipes.

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