Anna from Mommy Poppins and I talked about how we could make some kind of Twitter group for doing this.  We came up with (what we think) is an awesome way to do it just this week. The best part is that we are not the only ones doing it. We invited a few other people who know tips for parents: Raven from Time Out New York Kids, Joyce from NYC School Help and Rebecca from eensies. And it is working! It is like being part of the coolest Call Tree list ever!

So, now it is ready for you. Welcome to KidBuzzNY: The Inside Scoop Written By You.  Tell us newsy items that parents should know. Are you at Still Hip’s Valentine Bag Sale and the line is actually short or are you at The Brooklyn Museum and you found out there is an awesome workshop for teenagers? Help us get the best info out to parents in New York.

KidBuzzNY  is in the right-hand column on my blog. Yes, right there, above this post.

How does it work? Simple. If you don’t twitter already, go to twitter.com and sign up for an account, then find KidBuzzNY and follow us.

To share your buzz: Tweet @kidbuzzny. Any tweet that starts with @kidbuzzny will go out to all our followers.

Get the buzz: You can see the latest KidBuzz on the widgets on our sites, on twitter.com or on your phone just like any other twitter account.

Want a widget for your site? Send me an email and I’ll send you the code to place a widget on your site. Then your readers can get the latest right from your own site.

Questions?: email me.

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Brett and Rebecca

Top Model (not the Tyra kind)

by Rebecca of eensies.com

Recently, as winter has finally really settled in here in Brooklyn, I’ve been opting to stay in after my daughter’s afternoon nap rather than freeze my tush off. The other day, after an hour and a half of puzzles, dancing, reading, helping her “make dinner” in her kitchen, drawing and playdough, i was out of tricks and more importantly out of patience. Yes, my first instinct was to grab for the remote, but instead I turned on her favorite CD, You Are My Little Bird, grabbed MY book and sat down in the corner of her room and read. A good friend of mine had mentioned that she sometimes does this while her son plays and I was inspired to give it a go.

It was amazing, seriously! She completely engaged herself and I got a MUCH needed break. What makes this even better (and relevant to eensies) is the underlying message I was sending her. I am a reader! What’s more important than letting your child know that you value this activity yourself? The best way to get your kids excited about reading is for you to model reading. So give it a try!

Some other good times to try this at home are while your child is doing their homework, while she sets the table or while she is doing her nightly reading. It doesn’t have to be daily, but make it a priority to get the message across, you’re a reader.

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Flickr photo: Pixonomy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Are you looking for some unique and fun events for the next two weeks? There are plenty! They include walking under a swimming pool, docking on the Intrepid for some surprising visitors, watching a sword dance and going to a kids film festival. There are informational talks to go to: about going back to work, a pediatrician’s advice and finding out about public schools in District 13. And, yes, there are Valentine’s parties: one for disco dancers and one for special needs.

Don’t forget to check the Google calendar daily for weekly events like storytime, Bell House Rocks Parties, Drumalongs, Family Dinners, Movie Nights and Drop Off Care and Baby Drop-in! (Thanks to Ruth and Asmeret for helping me add oodles of these events for you all!)

Check out all the events…….(...)
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Choose your day and time from February 5-16. The event is at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. And, I’m sorry if you didn’t win. Loved hearing what shows your kids are into! (And Sally, I love that you have just discovered Sesame Street)

A Child Grows readers get a  25% off discount on select performances between February 7th to the 16th to Elmo. Click here for more the weblink and use Promo Code “SSLEMM” when purchasing.

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Introducing Solids To Your Newborn

by Dr. Gilgoff

This is an exciting time for you and your baby!  She is now close to 4 months old, and with a curious look and half a smile she is eyeing your food as you eat!  At the same time, her muscles of mastication are maturing– she is acquiring the ability to coordinate her swallowing.  But how and when should we start to give solids?

With a definite rise in food allergies, we thought a delay until 6 months might be a good idea.  Especially for the breastfeeding mom, the answer seemed obvious – why give anything else, when breast is indeed best.  While delaying solids remains a very good option, there have been excellent studies by the top allergists in 2008 that showed that introduction of solids between 4 and 6 months old does not increase the risk of food allergy.

So whenever you begin – whether it be 4, 5 or 6 months old – the same questions remain:  what, when, and how!  The babies first food should be the easiest to digest – and this is baby cereal mixed with her milk (breast milk ideally, or formula).  You should mix two tablespoons of cereal (usually rice is first, but oat or barley are also great) with two ounces of milk and go for it!  She’ll likely need a few different tries before she can coordinate her tongue, so don’t get frustrated if she looks like she can’t do it, or doesn’t like it!

You can give the cereal (...)
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And please keep entering- I promise one of these days you will win something!

So, today’s giveaway is 2 tickets to the Sesame Street production: “Elmo Makes Music” LIVE February 5-16 at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. You have to enter by TONIGHT at 10 pm. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, Feb. 11th. Enter by commenting on this post with the name of your favorite children’s show- from Sesame Street to Bob the Builder (and it can be from your childhood too). OH, that reminds me I have promo codes for you for  the Elmo Show in case you don’t win the tix.

A Child Grows readers get a  25% off discount on select performances between February 7th to the 16th to Elmo. Click here for more the weblink and use Promo Code “SSLEMM” when purchasing.

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First, a quick history: In 1971, the Consumers Safety Product Commission adopted a rule that children’s pajamas that were submitted to an open flame must self-extinguish in 3 seconds. A lot of manufacturers then wove flame retardant materials into the pajamas. In 1997, the CPSC changed the ruling slightly by allowing for “snug fitting” pajamas that weren’t flame resistant and permitting untreated sleepwear for infants  (0-9 months).

The lowdown: The Daily Green :”Some clothing companies produce cotton flame retardant pajamas by adding something called PROBAN (from the chemical tetrakis hydromethyl phosphonium chlorida, or THPC) to the fabric or garment in the finishing stages. The flame retardant is (...)
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Laura Fischer-Harbage

Staying Healthy in the Cold Winter Months

by Laura Fischer-Harbage

If you are hoping to find some suggestions for supplements that will end the battle with persistent winter sniffles and sneezes, you are in good company!  Requests for immunity boosting supplements are amongst the most common questions I am asked.  I am happy to tell you that there are some (read on), but truly the best way to stay well is to eat well.  More easily said than done, I know.
So let’s talk a little bit about digestion and wellness briefly before we get to some post-it worthy material.  Little known fact:  the digestive system is actually an important part of the immune system.  First of all, a healthy digestive system will kill many germs that cause illness.  Secondly, for a healthy immune system, you need good building blocks (i.e. food) since, of course, we are what we eat.   Interestingly, 95% of all of our “feel good neurotransmitter” serotonin is found in our gut.  And the better you feel, the healthier you are. So,  what to eat to enhance immunity and wellness?  The best winter menus are warm well cooked foods (my mantra).   Soups are top on my list.  Every Sunday, I make a giant pot of soup for the fridge and heat for meals and snacks until it runs out.  Soups are simple to make and a great way to clear out any items that are starting to hang around too long.  Soups with orange veggies and dark leafy greens are delicious and the best foods on the planet for your immune system.

Try a squash and kale soup for example.   Sauté some onions with (...)
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