Parent Talk

10 Things To Know Before Hiring Your Houston Nanny

Submitted by Shary G-P on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 12:32pm

Being a mom is a challenging job. And if you are like me, finding someone to take care of my child when I went back to work was even more challenging. While daycare is a popular option, many moms look at hiring a nanny to stay home with their kids. Finding a nanny in a big city like Houston is not a simple task, and there are many things to consider when looking for the right candidate who will work so closely with your family. For the second year in a row, we surveyed 240 local moms to find out what to ask and what to consider when hiring a nanny. Below are some tips and facts based on the 2016 survey results.

Where to Get Fit with Baby: Mommy & Me Fitness Classes

Submitted by Becki Melchione on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 10:00am

It’s hard to make the time to get back into shape after baby arrives, and maybe even more so once that bundle of joy begins to crawl and walk. Try one of these gyms that offer babysitting, or if you're not quite ready to leave baby, check out a Mommy & me fitness classes. Moms bring their babies, some snacks or toys, water bottles, and enjoy time with the baby while stretching, strengthening and nurturing their bodies.

So Long Summer! 21 Reasons NYC Parents Can't Wait for Fall

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/01/2016 - 2:00pm

It seems like only yesterday I was anticipating summer with the same giddy excitement as my grade-schoolers. Once we hit Memorial Day, I was in full-on countdown mode. I couldn't wait for lazy summer mornings that fade into afternoons of romping in our favorite playgrounds, spoiling dinner with an extra scoop of our favorite ice cream, and all that weekend beach, water and amusement park fun.

We made our summer fun list and checked off one activity after another. Now I'm worn out. I'm sick of being sticky with the summer heat and sunblock, inhaling the noxious subway platform fumes, dripping popsicles — all of it. Gimme the cooler weather and all that comes with it, including back-to-school and all that cozy fall fun. I'm guessing I'm not the only one. Here are 21 reasons this summer-weary NYC momma is anticipating the change of seasons. Happy fall all!

NYC to Offer Public Lactation Rooms at Some City Agencies

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 11:00am

Attention pregnant and nursing mothers: It's about to get a little easier to find a clean spot to pump privately or breastfeed in peace in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio just signed legislation, which was passed unanimously by the City Council, requiring a host of city agencies to offer lactation rooms to nursing mothers across the five boroughs by July 1, 2017.

The bill, sponsored by Brooklyn City Councilman Robert Cornegy, doesn't change New Yorkers right to breastfeed in any public space. Instead, it acknowledges that sometimes finding a comfortable spot to nurse or pump milk is a serious challenge. Anything that offers an alternative to the dreaded bathroom stall is a win-win in our book. Read on for more details about this new law impacting NYC parents.

Philly Fitness Centers and Gyms that Offer Childcare

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Wed, 08/10/2016 - 3:00pm

Working out is hard. It's ten times harder if you've got kids climbing all over you, or whining for snacks and screen time, or just plain crying. Let's be honest, we could all use a little time for ourselves anyway. For your health, and your sanity, check out one of these great gyms in the city that offer childcare. Drop your kids off for a morning of fun and play, while you sweat it out.

The Boston BESTIES 2016

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Sun, 08/07/2016 - 3:25pm

Share the love, Boston! Vote for your favorite family go-to spots and local Beantown businesses, and be entered to win one of these fantastic prizes! A 4-star family vacation to Puerto Vallarta, a mini-break at the Great Wolf Lodge New England or a 2-show subscription to the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Family Concert Series.

Pokemon Go Is the Most Awesome (and Dangerous) Mobile Game Ever

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 9:00am

To say the July launch of Pokémon Go has been a phenomenon would be to vastly understate it. Few mobile games have ever launched to so much anticipation and so many immediate downloads. And, it’s obvious why it would. Pokémon Go takes mobile gaming to a whole new dimension.

The idea of Pokémon Go is to turn your real-life environment into a Pokémon world through augmented reality technology. Players collect Pokémon as they move around, and, through their phones, Pokemon appear right in their real world. The Pokémon, and Poke Stops, are scattered all over the map, so as you travel through life you will find and catch more. When players get to higher levels, they can train and battle their Pokémon as well.

Pokémon Go has already had a huge impact on my kids. Some of it is super good, but there are also some trends that are very concerning. Here’s what parents need to know about what to love and what to fear about Pokémon Go.

Water Safety Musts for Kids at the Beach, Pool and Lake

Submitted by Sarah G on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 10:00am

It’s a basic law of summer that a dip in a cool pool, or a splash in the ocean, makes everything right in the world. With many families gearing up for ocean and pool trips, or lake vacations, we talked to swim instructors and water safety experts around the country to gather the most important tips for keeping water-loving kids safe this summer.