OK.  I know.  The thought of getting your winter self into your summer bathing suit is…well…daunting! But if you can make it through the swimsuit trauma, there are some really fantastic Mommy and Me swim classes here in Fairfield County.  And I promise; having a child who is comfortable and safe in the water is well worth any swimsuit trauma!

Living in New England, we are privileged to dwell in the birthplace of American literature. As Hartford County residents, my family and I enjoy close proximity to the home of one of the most entertaining literary voices: Mark Twain. Though lavishly designed and furnished, his Hartford mansion is a place where children were obviously comfortable, as are today’s young visitors. It might also spark (or strengthen) a lifelong love of reading. This is a museum worth visiting.

Spring is right around the corner, which means baseball season is about to start. If you have a little one dreaming of turning into the next Derek Jeter, you'll certainly want to take them out to a batting cage to try out and strengthen their hitting skills. You can spend a few hours hitting balls--or you can couple it with another activity as many batting cage facilities also go-cart racing and mini-golf.

And for more sports-themed fun, be sure to check out our Indoor Play Spaces, Sports Centers & Fun Zones Guide.

It's been an exhilarating week here in NYC. Now that winter has finally let go, my daughter and I took a long walk through our East Harlem neighborhood and spotted the first signs of spring: daffodil buds and Mister Softee trucks. And, like many of our fellow public school families, we participated in a citywide protest criticizing Governor Cuomo's controversial teacher evaluation proposal (glad we didn't have to do it in the snow).

With all that activity, the upcoming school recess can't come fast enough as far as we're concerned. Our Travel site has an enticing roundup of spring break family travel deals in case you're looking to take a full-fledged vacation to Florida, California or Mexico. Or check our regional sites for great seasonal day trips like New Jersey's seaside Jenkinson's Aquarium, the construction-themed amusement park Diggerland, which reopens this weekend, and the end of maple sugaring season in Westchester.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

Soho is famous for its high-end shopping. And even though its highest profile children's shop, the Scholastic Store, has closed, there are still some great places in the neighborhood to pick up cool kids' clothes and toys, and enjoy storytime or a high-tech children's workshop. So go beyond the outposts of national chains like Joe Fresh Kids and Diesel Kids, and check out these (mostly) independent small retailers.

New Jersey is known for its rich musical history. Birthplace of both Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, the state has deep rock n' roll roots. It's no surprise that New Jersey kids love to rock out too. We've found some great New Jersey kids bands and performers that are sure to entertain your little music lovers. From rock to pop to folk our picks know just how to keep your little ones jamming. Whether you're looking to book some entertainment for a birthday party, or just catch a great public performance, our list below has you covered. If your child is a budding musician who wants to be the star of the show, check out our post on the Best Music Classes for NJ Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers.

Is it just me, or does being a parent sometimes feel like running a marathon? It’s just go, go, go, first to your kid’s favorite movie, then to a birthday party, introducing them to art and music and really big plants, helping them learn about robotics, and history, and science.

The hope, of course, is that there’s a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, that all our efforts will be recognized, and that in 75, 100… heck, in 2000 years, they’ll still be saying “Well done. What you did with that kid was worthwhile.”

Or not. Not every kid is an Einstein. But with a little instruction, they can all learn to make pancakes. 

Keep reading for our most noteworthy picks for this weekend...