Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

Early Bird Deals and Discounts on New Jersey Summer Camps

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 02/10/2020 - 12:00pm

Camp Ruach offers flexible programs for preschoolers to ninth graders, plus Leadership in Training and special ed options.

Summer camp registration just opened up, but the clock's already ticking on all those early bird deals. That's why we reached out to some much-loved New Jersey area camps ASAP to see if they had any savings or exclusive discounts for our readers. Sure enough, we wound up with deals on one-of-a-kind day camps, traditional sleepaway camps, and everything in between (think STEM and theater programs!).

Click through for discount details and to read up on each camp. And don't dawdle, because these offers will literally disappear as they expire. If you don't see a deal listed below, it means that camp's offer has ended.

For more New Jersey summer programs, visit our Camp Guide or browse the Camp Directory!

What to Do When Your Child Doesn't Fit In

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 02/06/2020 - 3:45pm

From not being invited to the birthday party to getting called hurtful names, hearing that your child feels like they don't fit in can nearly break a parent's heart. But, as we grownups know, the things that make children different are also the things that make them special—and finding ways to celebrate that uniqueness is key to their confidence.

A Pediatric Gastroenterologist Explains When Your Child’s Stomach Ache Might Be More Serious

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 01/20/2020 - 12:15pm

Connecticut Children’s has seven locations offering pediatric gastroenterology services, including three in Fairfield County.

When it comes to kids, stomach aches are two things: common and complicated. Sure, sometimes that second cupcake at the birthday party or the twisty turvy drive to Grandma's house is enough to turn a kiddo's belly, but other times an undiagnosed digestive disorder is to blame—and it may be getting written off as "just a tummy ache." So, when a pediatric specialist at Connecticut Children’s offered to give us the lowdown on stomach ache causes that may actually be more serious, the worried mom in me was all ears. And if you're no stranger to the infamous cry of "my belly hurts," you'll definitely want to read on to see if it's time to schedule an appointment.

Tekkie Uni Brings Online Coding, Robotics, and Digital Art to Kids Everywhere

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 12/30/2019 - 10:00am

Ok, so here's some screen time parents can actually get behind! Thanks to the same web conferencing technology that probably powers your monthly board meetings, there's a remote weekly after school program that's busy turning young tech consumers into skilled creators and innovators by teaching them how to build apps, produce online videos, and even code robots. Yup, Tekkie Uni has been schooling kids in computer coding, robotics, and digital art since 2016 by connecting experienced teachers with small groups of students in virtual classrooms — and giving them skills that will undoubtedly serve them in today's tech-centric world.

Now, before you rejoice over the added bonus of saying buh-bye to the headache of after school pick up and drop off, read on to find out how Tekkie Uni works and what coding classes for kids they're currently offering for ages 8 to 18.

Kids Ski Free at Top Pennsylvania Resorts, Plus More Ways to Save — and Win!

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 12/12/2019 - 11:50am

With Snowpass, 4th and 5th graders get 63 days of free skiing and snowboarding this season.

Did someone say affordable winter fun for the whole family? Yup, Pennsylvania's got it with 21 kid-friendly, activity-filled ski resorts offering some deep discounts this year!

Whether a quick weekend trip filled with wobbly runs down the bunny hill sounds about your speed, or you're dreaming of a week-long vacation crossing black diamonds off the list with your pro crew, there are plenty of packages and specials that'll work with your family's skill level and budget.

From Snowpass, which lets kids ski for FREE, to an awesome ski and snowboard giveaway, read on for the best ways to save and win this season in PA.

The Kent Raises the Bar for Real Estate Envy in Manhattan

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 11:00am

“Camp Kent” is an interactive indoor/outdoor play experience for kids.

If you want to actually like where you currently live, just stop reading now. Because once you see the lavish condominiums and equally extravagant amenities being offered at The Kent, a new luxury building on Manhattan's Upper East Side, you may not be able to survive without over-the-top amenities like a 24-hour stroller valet, Lenny Kravitz-designed music studio, dog spa, and glamping-inspired play space again.

Located at the corner of East 95th Street and Third Avenue in a neighborhood packed with premium prams, swanky boutiques, cushy cafes, and some of the city’s best schools, the decadent Art Deco-inspired building not only features 83 sleek and stylish residences with the finest finishes, but a host of amenities that read like the ultimate wish list written up by kids and parents across the city. Read on to see the envy-inducing features our sponsor, The Kent, is bringing to lucky NYC families.

Kidmoto Brings Safe, Reliable Airport Car Service with Car Seats to More Areas

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 11/21/2019 - 9:00am

If you haven't obsessed over whether or not to lug your kid's car seat to the airport, are you even a parent?? Getting everyone to and from a flight safely can be a total headache—as if flying with kids isn't already overwhelming enough—but the folks at Kidmoto have made it their mission to make the trip simple. With a fleet of professional drivers and safety-inspected livery vehicles equipped with pre-installed convertible car seats, the family-friendly service provides transportation to and from a number of major airports, and cruise piers, too. Plus, now the stress-saving airport car service has expanded to serve Philadelphia, Orlando, Tampa, and Charlotte, in addition to New York City. Read on to find out how Kidmoto works and why it's one of the safest and most reliable options out there for your whole crew.

A Child-Focused Lower School Builds a Strong Foundation at Fairfield County’s PreK-12 King School

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 10/31/2019 - 4:20pm

King School is a top-rated PreK to 12th grade private school that sits on a sprawling 34-acre campus in North Stamford.

Fairfield County’s King School has a big mission: to set better standards for both the experience and outcomes of education. And the top-rated PreK to 12th grade private school is working to embody that mission holistically at its 34-acre North Stamford campus complete with designated Lower School facilities, including visual and performing arts’ rooms, a gym and library, computer and science labs, a sustainable garden, age-appropriate playgrounds, and classrooms designed to encourage opportunities for small group work, student-led learning, and discovery.

I connected with Head of Lower School and elementary expert Amy Vorenberg to learn more about King School’s preschool and elementary programs, along with their other offerings, and to find out how interested families can start the application process.

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

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