Jacqueline Stansbury

A native Angeleno, Jackie enjoys revisiting her childhood as a mom and writer for Mommy Poppins. She did a lot of cool stuff as a kid and has newfound respect for her own mom who made that happen without the internet! Today in Los Angeles, some things are gone, some have changed and some, like the grunion, remain exactly the same. In her former life, Jackie was a development executive on the Fox Studios lot where she rounded up writer/director lists and covered screenplays. Mommy Poppins is much more fun. Jackie's kids, Benjamin and Juliet, agree.

Latest posts by Jacqueline

12 LA Restaurants Where Kids Can Try Ethnic Foods They Just Might Like

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Wed, 11/30/2016 - 2:58pm

Food is one of the fraught topics of parenting. From day one it’s us against them when it comes to eating. Having spent weeks with a lactation expert for baby number one, I thought I had it down, but baby number two had other ideas. Moving on to solid food, our kids really show us who is boss. They like what they like and will eat what they will eat - even if that means pizza as vegetable and ice cream as protein. Meanwhile, mom and dad are craving something ethnic. You know, a little spice, more than one ingredient, maybe even a variety of vegetables. It may sound more daunting than another round of nuggets at Kids Eat Free night, but with a little planning your family could have a tastier, more exotic dinner out.

10 Super Splurgy Father's Day Ideas for LA Dads

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 1:00pm

Father’s Day doesn’t generally come with quite the same pressure as Mother’s Day, but that's no excuse not to show Dad a good time. And while some dads are happy with a hot grill and a cold brew, others crave a little more adventure. If the dad in your life deserves some extra-special appreciation, consider one of these splurge-worthy, dad-centric indulgences guaranteed to raise a smile and then some. Notice not one is a necktie...

Down the Bunny Trail: Where To Pet Bunnies in LA and Orange County

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 5:55am

Spring is springing and there is just something about the baby animals that come with this season: downy ducks, luscious lambies, and beautiful bouncy bunnies. Who among us does not love cuddling a rabbit, especially with Easter on the horizon? Talk about a cute photo op. If your kids love bunnies, we know a few places where they can go to meet them, hands on. A word to the Margaret Wise Browns: as anyone who has read The Runaway Bunny knows, bunnies are fast on their feet. These sly little puff balls can be here today and gone tomorrow; while all of the following places have bunnies today, it's a good idea to call first just in case it’s not hoppening tomorrow.

Ten Things My Tween and Teen Love about the California Science Center

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Wed, 02/17/2016 - 4:19am

Photo courtesy of the California Science Center

I have a son and a daughter with four years between them, which means they don’t always want to do the same thing in the same place at the same time. Siblings! That said, one destination they can always agree on is the California Science Center in Exposition Park. This immersive, interactive exhibition space engages all ages, preschool to high school, and we rarely leave without the feeling that there was more to see and to do. As a parent I love this museum, because, while science is a universal topic, the California Science Center finds many ways to connect us with our own state of California and has exhibits highlighting our ecosystems, earthquakes, and industry.

Space belongs to everyone, but much of the Aerospace Industry is housed here in California. LA's free science museum recently acquired the Space Shuttle Endeavor, currently displayed in a temporary location but ultimately planned as the centerpiece of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. As thrilling as that big ticket item is, there are many smaller permanent installations that my kids love to revisit—and believe you me they know how to find them. Rotating exhibits also capture their attention: my daughter was so eager to get to last year’s Pompeii that she ended up going without me. I won’t make that mistake again!

Here is a too short list of ten things you gotta love about the California Science Center.

One-Hour Family Vacation: National Parks Adventure in IMAX 3D

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Wed, 02/10/2016 - 9:39pm

There is nothing quite like a milestone birthday. In 2016 The National Parks service turns 100. Thanks to the prescient collaboration of President Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir, 400 plus sites have been preserved for generations to enjoy as national parks. In honor of these natural landmarks’ first century, McGillivray Freeman Films and IMAX 3D have produced a spectacular movie, America Wild: National Parks Adventure. It's an IMAX film to watch as a family and then plan your next vacation.

Weekday Picks: Stuffed Animal Sleepover, Sensory Fun, and Whole Foods Freebies, January 25-29

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 01/25/2016 - 4:09am

It was a dark and stormy night when wanderlust got the better of my son's bear Rusty. We were driving home from Northern California, but the bear decided to extend his stay. Grandma was able to recover and return Rusty the next day, and we kept my son's blues at bay by imagining the fluffy rogue’s exploits. (To this day Rusty has never satisfactorily accounted for all of his time away.) This week intrepid bears are offered a similar adventure at the Santa Monica Public Library. Tykes are invited to put on their jammies and bring their teddies down for story time—but when it's time to go, the plush pals stay behind for a sleepover. Kids pick them up the next day, along with a memento of their friends' nocturnal adventures.

Kids with special needs and their families have some fun options this week, from Pretend City’s monthly Family Autism event to Seeds2Sprouts’ Winter Wonderland at the Westside Pavilion to an AMC sensory friendly screening of Ride Along 2 for teens with autism.

But the biggest news? The most expensive grocery store in the “Whole” world is giving away free bags of samples and advice on entertaining at the soon to open Brea store.

Downtown LA's Golden Dragon Parade for Chinese New Year: Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 2:44pm

Hard to believe, but this year marks the 118th Chinese New Year Parade in DTLA. I grew up attending these parades, which used to be held on Friday nights when I was a kid; and I've passed the tradition on to my own children, now that the celebration is held on a more family friendly Saturday afternoon. My kids always love an excuse to go to Chinatown; it is definitely one of their favorite places to eat. Not only that, the Golden Dragon Parade is one family activity that even my teenager enjoys.

Weekday Picks: MLK Day Parade and Other Free Fun, January 18-22

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 01/18/2016 - 4:50am

Though perhaps not as renowned as January’s Rose Bowl Parade, the Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King, Junior Blvd. in Los Angeles has three times as many floats and annually attracts one million people. If you enjoy a parade and want to celebrate this great man’s dream of peace and freedom for all, DTLA is the place to do it. Volunteering is another way to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, and our MLK Day guide has many other celebrations around town as well as several camps for working parents who find themselves surprised by a school-free Monday so close to the recent winter break.

Gymnastics aficionados won’t want to miss LA Lights at Culver City’s Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. This is an Olympic caliber competition with gymnasts from all over the world who may be headed to the games in Rio.

Friday night is for comedy. If your kids have never seen an “old” or “classic” movie, there is no better place for this introduction than the Old Town Music Hall in Old Town El Segundo. Sing along to the live organ and guffaw at the comedy shorts. It’s a fine mess worth getting into.

Find lots more to do on Mommy Poppins’ Daily Events Calendar or January Go List.