Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

8 Reasons Parent-Founded Goldfish Swim School is a Family Favorite

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 4:00pm

Goldfish Swim School is a family favorite for kids’ swimming lessons, with 11 locations in the Boston Area.

Co-founded by a mom-of-four and her husband, Goldfish Swim School is a family favorite for kids’ swimming lessons, with 11 locations in the Boston Area. With its one-of-a-kind, play-based curriculum and kid-centric facilities, Goldfish Swim School makes water safety and learning to swim fun and approachable for babies as young as 4 months to kids up to 12 years old. Read on to see why this innovative swim center is in such high demand–and find out how to get started at Goldfish Swim School with a free first lesson.

6 Reasons to Love Life at 180 East 88th Street

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Wed, 04/05/2023 - 11:30am

From an imaginative playroom to perks at 92NY, there are so many reasons families love living at 180 East 88th Street.

Nestled in oh-so-family-friendly Carnegie Hill and outfitted with eight floors of amenities for all ages, 180 East 88th Street offers a totally luxurious living experience. In addition to beautiful spaces where residents can play, relax, and entertain, the intimate condo building features stunning half- and full-floor apartments, ranging from studios to five-bedroom units, plus unique four-bedroom duplexes and a won’t-find-it-anywhere-else triplex penthouse.

The unrivaled features and kid-centric neighborhood, paired with new pricing, make 180 East 88th Street a very desirable choice for families with their sights set on a luxury condominium on the Upper East Side. If you’re in the market for one of the most refined living experiences available in NYC, here are some reasons to consider life at 180 E 88th Street.

NYC Summer Day Camps with Swimming Programs

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 12:01pm

With 70 sites throughout the five boroughs and a sleepaway camp upstate, the YMCA offers a wide variety of action-packed summer programs.

If swimming at summer camp is a must for your city kid, you're in luck. Here in NYC, not only will you find summer camps totally dedicated to swimming, but also traditional day camps where taking a dip is almost always on the agenda, plus totally unique summer camps that combine sports or STEM activities with prioritized pool time.

Whether your kiddo is ready to work on their backstroke or just eager to play a round of Marco Polo, we've gathered some of our favorite NYC summer camps with awesome swimming programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and across the city. Find more high-quality summer camps in NYC, including our picks for the top sports summer camps and great sleepaway camps in the Northeast in our New York City Summer Camp Guide. You can also search our Summer Camp Directory by borough, camp type, and age.

Technology and Kids: Screen Time Limits, Social Media Safety, Cyberbullying, and More Expert Advice

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 2:12pm

Connecticut Children's has created an online parenting toolkit that addresses challenges like choosing appropriate apps and understanding parental controls.

Kids are growing up in an increasingly digital world filled with apps, games, and social media– and that means lots of new challenges for parents wanting to keep children safe and healthy. From screen time limits to cyberbullying, plus the ever-changing landscape of social media and online games, it can feel almost impossible to keep up.

Navigating the Digital World is an online parenting toolkit with clear and simple advice that addresses challenges like choosing appropriate apps and understanding parental controls on social media platforms. Developed by pediatric psychologists, sleep specialists, gaming specialists, and other experts at Connecticut Children’s, you can feel confident that the information comes from a trusted source.

Save Up to 85% on Kid and Baby Gear with GoodBuy Gear’s Online Marketplace

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sat, 12/10/2022 - 11:00am

With online marketplace GoodBuy Gear, purchasing gently used and open box items like strollers, car seats, toys, and sports equipment is safe and easy.

Buying secondhand kid and baby gear is cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. And, now, with online marketplace GoodBuy Gear, purchasing gently used and open box items like strollers, car seats, toys, and sports equipment is safer and easier too.

Not only is the marketplace filled with products from some of parents’ most-loved brands–from UPPAbaby to Lovevery to 4moms (a few of my personal favorites). A team of experts thoroughly inspects every single item for safety, functionality, and cleanliness before it’s listed with real photos and a detailed description. That means no more messaging with unknown sellers only to wind up with a stained sleepsack or a broken baby swing. And, when you’re done with an item, GoodBuy Gear will pick it up and re-sell it for you too.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is the Ultimate Indoor LEGO Playground in Yonkers

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 12/06/2022 - 5:15pm

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers’ open-air Ridge Hill Mall is a great day out for families.

Billed as an action-packed indoor entertainment center for LEGO-lovers ages 3 to 10, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers’ open-air Ridge Hill Mall is a great day out for families. Small but mighty compared to the LEGOLAND theme park, the center packs LEGO building stations, play areas, rides, and a 4D movie theater.

I headed there with my 4- and almost-7-year-old daughters on a recent half-day to check it out. Read on for my take on what to expect at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, who it’s best for, and how to get the most out of your trip.

Online Santa Visits: Zoom with Santa Claus and Virtual Santa Photos for Kids this Christmas

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 12/06/2022 - 1:00pm

Photo courtesy of A Virtual Visit from the Clauses

Over the last few years, even Santa Claus has had to learn how to Zoom. This season, families looking for a virtual meet and greet with Father Christmas can choose between a number of 2022 Santa photos and visits that use technological magic to create a remote way for kids to connect with Old Kris Kringle.

From perfectly customized video greetings to live cameos by Mrs. Claus and the elves, there are so many ways to hang with Saint Nick and his crew from the comfort of your own home. Silver linings: no long lines, no crowds, and the ability to really personalize the visit to make your 2022 Santa Claus meet-and-greet extra special.

Read on for some of our favorite virtual Santa visits, coming to you from a few of our partners who sure know how to spread the holiday cheer when we need it most.

How to Tackle Tough Stuff With Your Kids: Depression, Stereotypes, Surgery, and More

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 11/17/2022 - 7:40pm

The new Connecticut Children's toolkit, Overcoming Challenges, is filled with expert advice on facing difficult conversations we encounter with our kids.

While we can handle many of the day to day issues that come up for our kids, there are some times where a Google search doesn’t cut it and it’s time to turn to help from experts. From discussing a family cancer diagnosis to navigating hurtful stereotyping, eating issues in kids, and more, Connecticut Children's has created a new toolkit called Overcoming Challenges filled with advice on facing some of the difficult situations and conversations we encounter with our kids from pediatric psychologists, child life specialists, registered dieticians, and other pediatric experts.

It seems like children are facing an increasing number of tough challenges lately. Check out some of the ones tackled in the Overcoming Challenges toolkit and click through to get all the advice, including when and how to reach out to a specialist–there’s even a link to easily request a virtual or in-person appointment.

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

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