Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

7 Smart Summer Screen Time and Tech Tips for Families

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 07/15/2019 - 2:30pm

Summertime often means screen time, amirite? School's out, the days are long, and even moms and dads are feeling a little more laid back. With the relaxed phone, tablet, and TV rules, a media overdose starts to become inevitable without some thoughtful boundaries.

So, how do you make tech work for your family over the summer instead of against it? With a little help from our sponsor, Verizon, we've put together 7 smart tech tips to help your crew make the most of screen time for kids without going over the top.

Bonus tip: Get an extra $200 off a premium device when you sign up to Fios* — not to mention crazy fast internet speeds, custom TV plans for kids and teens, and reliable cell service to keep everyone safe and connected.

One Medical's Doctors Share How to Find the Best Pediatricians in NYC

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 11:00am

You may have heard of One Medical — the super convenient membership-based primary care group that's been winning over New Yorkers for years — but did you know that select locations can treat you and your kiddos? We caught up with the group's Manhattan- and Brooklyn-based doctors to get tips on how to find a pediatrician who's right for your crew.

Not familiar with One Medical? The NYC medical practice seeks to provide exceptional patient-focused healthcare and service. With an annual membership fee, you get loads of parent-approved perks, including same- or next-day appointments, online scheduling, secure messaging with providers, and 24/7 virtual care, so you can get help whenever you need it (yup, even in the middle of the night).

Dedicated to meeting families' needs, the Tribeca and Park Slope offices feature kid-friendly waiting areas with books and toys (despite short wait times), diaper changing tables in well-stocked restrooms, space for breastfeeding and newborn care, and plenty of stroller parking. Plus, your whole gang can see the same doc, or at least doctors at the same practice, giving you a more convenient and cohesive healthcare experience.

To learn more about One Medical and meet the pediatricians, join Dr. Peggy Chapman, MD, MS, FA in Tribeca on Tuesday, June 25 from 6:00 to 7:00pm or join Dr. Penelope Hsu, MD in Park Slope on Tuesday, June 18 from 6:00 to 7:00pm. And to help prepare you, they've shared the top questions you should ask on a pediatrician interview (plus a preview of their answers.)

CozyKin Makes Finding Childcare Stress Free— Get Our Promo Code

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 05/16/2019 - 12:00pm

Finding childcare for your infant or toddler can be totally overwhelming. Deciding between enrolling your kiddo in daycare and hiring a nanny is enough to make your head spin, but there's another popular option that could save you some stress: a nanny share.

Not familiar? While a nanny share can mean a couple of different things, I'm talking about one nanny caring for two children at the same time. This smart set-up combines the socialization and curriculum you expect from a daycare environment with the personalized care and flexibility that comes with a nanny—plus, it's convenient and cost-efficient. Now, a service called CozyKin makes finding a nanny share, getting set-up, and managing the share super easy (the service even handles contracts, training, taxes, and sick and vacation time). Read on to learn more about CozyKin nanny shares and, if it's the right childcare option for your family, how you can save. Hint: they're giving Mommy Poppins readers up to $700 off their deposit!

PJ Library Delivers Free Children's Books Every Month

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 9:00am

Reading to kids and making sure they have access to plenty of good books is one of the best gifts you can give. Luckily, PJ Library helps parents deliver by providing free high-quality literature celebrating Jewish culture, values, and heritage to children ages 6 months to 11 years old.

Free books? So, what's the catch? There isn't one! Made possible through the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in partnership with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations, PJ Library mails more than 600,000 professionally curated books to families around the world every single month. No matter your family's level of Jewish observance or knowledge, PJ Library has a diverse selection of books that will enrich your home with wonderful stories and more quality reading time.

Some of the books introduce Jewish holidays like Passover, the Hebrew alphabet, and Bible stories, while others focus on traditional folk tales and themes like immigration and environmentalism. You'll find picture books like I Dissent, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, and chapter books like Zlateh the Goat, a collection of tales by Isaac Bashevis Singer and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. The selection even includes Caldecott-honored books such as Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and It Could Always Be Worse. Family favorites!

10 Birthday Cake Bakeries in NYC with Stunning Designs for Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 04/02/2019 - 11:00am

Looking for a kids’ birthday cake takes the cake, doesn't it? Call off the search, because we’ve scoured the five boroughs to find the most mind-blowing confections that pair perfectly with that awesome party spot you found.

Whether you want a twist on a classic treat, gluten-free goodies, or a sculpted replica of your child's favorite character, there's something for everyone in this delicious roundup of New York City bakeries and studios.

LA's Annenberg PetSpace Now Has a Summer Camp for Animal-Lovers

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/28/2019 - 10:00am

Where can animal-obsessed kiddos improve their cat selfie skills, help pups perfect fetch and roll over, and interact with adorable adoptable pets every day? On its mission to strengthen the bond between people and pets, LA's new Annenberg PetSpace is hosting a series of week-long summer camps (for kids ages 9 to 12) that are filled with demonstrations, crafts, educational games, and of course loads of animal encounters.

Ski Free All Spring with the 2019 Ikon Pass - And Save $100 on Kids’ Passes

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 03/05/2019 - 9:00am

If you hit the slopes at least one week a year, a ski pass can mean serious savings for your family. Ikon Pass is an annual ski pass that gives you access to over 30 skiing and snowboarding destinations across 12 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 4 continents. And even better, if you buy your pass now, you get this year’s spring skiing for free!

While you might think of skiing as a quintessential winter activity, the higher temps, longer days, and shorter chairlift waits make spring break the perfect time for a family ski trip. Whether you're a bunch of black diamond die-hards or some of your gang's still all about the bunny hill, an Ikon Pass will definitely help you make the most of spring on the slopes—and since the pass for the 19/20 season literally just went on sale, you can use it for the rest of this season, as well as all of next year.

When Pediatric Urgent Care Can Save a Visit to the ER

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Wed, 10/17/2018 - 9:00am

It's past bedtime, but a barking cough and noisy breathing are keeping your toddler wide awake. Weekend soccer practice ends abruptly with a slide tackle right to your middle schooler's ankle. Your otherwise healthy teen is suddenly covered with welts from head to toe. The pediatrician’s office is definitely closed and panic starts to set in as you weigh whether the circumstances warrant an emergency room visit.

Well, as it turns out, there may be a better option. A pediatric urgent care center—like those operated by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in Chalfont, Pa., Glen Mills, Pa., and King of Prussia, Pa.—can actually handle all of these problems and then some, including a number of illnesses and injuries you might think require an emergency department visit. And while many issues may feel ER-worthy to us worried parents, they might not meet the medical criteria that require a trip to the hospital. So, instead of booking it to the nearest emergency room or waiting for the pediatrician's office to open for your kiddo's next fever or fall, call your child’s doctor and ask if an urgent care for kids might be the best option. These facilities treat your child when you need it—on evenings and weekends—and how you need it—with special consideration for his or her needs.

Jessica Laird

Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

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