Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

Thinking About Buying a Home in New York? Here's What Your Family Needs to Know

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 04/12/2021 - 3:00pm

New York may have a reputation for being a city of renters, but the reality is that plenty of families are buying homes—and with mortgage rates low, purchasing a home can actually be more affordable than it seems. Of course, buying here can feel especially intimidating. Beyond the sticker shock and the condo versus coop versus house confusion, there things like loans and down payments to navigate. Unravelling all of it can really stand in the way of families believing that buying is on the table.

When we had questions about the home buying process, we connected with Brian Scott Cohen, a Senior Loan Officer at GR Affinity—and proud New York City dad—who's helped thousands of families become homeowners over the 17 years he's been in the mortgage industry. Brian helped us untangle our most pressing inquiries about buying a home in New York.

When Should You Worry About Youth Sports Injuries? An Expert Answers

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 4:00pm

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Children's

Youth sports are a go in Connecticut this spring, which means kids across the state are oiling up their baseball mitts and dusting off their lacrosse cleats. But while parents are ready to snag their favorite spot on the bleachers, they also know that the return of sports means the return of—yes, you guessed it—sports-related injuries.

Bumps and bruises and aches and pains are certainly par for the course in youth athletics, but knowing when to worry—or when to call the pediatrician on speed dial—isn't always so clear. So, we connected with pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine specialist Mark A. Rieger, MD and the experts at Connecticut Children's to learn more about some of the most common youth sports injuries and what to look out for on and off the field.

BASIS Independent Schools Expands Advanced Programs in Brooklyn and Manhattan

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 11:00am

Photo courtesy of BASIS Independent Schools

How does a lower school balance kids' natural tendency to question and explore everything with intentional academic learning? BASIS Independent Schools believes it's cracked the code with an Early Learning Program that gives gifted and talented students in PreK and Kindergarten an advanced curriculum that empowers independent thinking while serving up interactive hands-on courses in literacy, Mandarin, STEM, performing arts, and music—just to name a few.

Here in NYC, BASIS Independent Schools offers its comprehensive Early Learning Program at its Brooklyn and Manhattan locations. And because of rapidly growing demand for the popular secular private school, fall of 2021 will mark its first year at a brand new PreK–grade 2 campus for BASIS Independent Brooklyn in Downtown Brooklyn at City Point—while their Red Hook campus remains home to grades 3–12 students. BASIS Independent Manhattan students in PreK–grade 5 remain at the school's much-loved Upper West Side location—while their grades 6–12 campus expands to a stunning Chelsea location this fall.

The Parish School Brings a One-of-a-Kind Education to Houston Area Special Needs Students

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/11/2021 - 1:00pm

The Parish School has been educating kids ages 2-12 who have communication delays and learning differences since 1983.

Since opening its doors in 1983, The Parish School has been on a mission to educate and empower kids with communication delays and learning differences across the greater Houston area. Now situated on a 17-acre hill country summer camp-inspired campus, the nationally-recognized special needs school offers students ages 2 to 12 a nurturing nature-based learning environment, complete with an on-site pediatric therapy clinic that helps children to truly thrive.

12 NYC Bakeries Serving Stunning Birthday Cakes for Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 5:57pm

BCakeNY can customize a 6-inch round cake with your kid's favorite characters.

Looking for something to make your child's birthday feel extra special this year? If you're scaling down the festivities, it's the perfect time to go big on the cake. With that in mind, we’ve scoured the five boroughs to find the New York City bakeries crafting the most mind-blowing confections.

These birthday cakes are scene-stealers in their own right and pair with whatever party you've got planned, from alfresco celebrations in local parks and playgrounds to social-distancing ready soirees and simple at-home shin-digs.

Whether you want a twist on a classic birthday cake, 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 cake studios.

Registration Opens for Camp Deeny Riback's Adventure-Filled Jewish Day Camp

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 10:00am

From its sprawling state-of-the-art 40-acre wooded campus, Camp Deeny Riback has been encouraging kids across Morris and Essex County to embrace adventure since 1970. With a focus on Jewish values, the camp prides itself in providing kids with a safe and nurturing environment where they're encouraged to explore new activities, ask questions, take risks, learn important life lessons, and make some forever friends and memories along the way.

West Orange's JCC MetroWest Early Childhood Center Reimagines Programs with Safety First

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 2:00pm

When calls from pleading parents started pouring in last year as the COVID-19 pandemic waged on, JCC MetroWest wasted no time reimagining their children's programs to help bring some much-needed relief to burnt out West Orange area moms and dads. For the Early Childhood Center, that meant finding a way to maintain the same level of meaningful learning the New Jersey community had come to know and love while prioritizing the health and well-being of kids in a whole new way.

For 55 years, the JCC MetroWest Early Childhood Center has provided a beautiful collaborative learning environment for infants through kindergarteners, while thoughtfully weaving Jewish traditions and values into the classroom. Curiosity is encouraged, interests are engaged, parent involvement is prioritized, and all cultures, genders, races, religions, nationalities, sexual orientations, and abilities are embraced to create a vibrant community-driven space for all.

Online Winter Holiday Break Camps Kids Will Love

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sat, 12/19/2020 - 10:18am

If you're wondering what your family will do over winter school break with this year's ongoing travel restrictions and limited activity options, an online camp program may be just the right fit. And to streamline your search, we connected with some of our favorite camp and class partners who are offering fun, creative, and educational 2020 virtual Christmas break camps that are sure to keep kids busy until school's back in session.

From theater and dance classes to cooking and STEM camps, these online intensives bring the in-person experience home with hands-on projects, small groups, performances, and more. They make great last minute experience gifts too!