So every New Yorker (or in my case, ex-New Yorker) has a list of their favorite kid friendly spots in NY. Non-New Yorkers with families are always slightly amazed and intrigued about the whole “raising kids in the crazy over crowded” city of New York lifestyle (the no yard thing always gets them!). New Yorkers with families couldn’t imagine raising a family any other way. If you stop any mom in NYC she will, depending upon where she lives and the ages of her children, be able to rattle off 10-20 things she does in the City with her children on a regular basis. I had one friend who went with her three year-old to the Museum of Natural History for 9 Saturdays in a row (the huge floating whale never gets old no matter how old your child!).I now live in New Jersey but here are some of my favorite, as well as my fellow babybites team’s favorite, free things to do with kids in NYC:

1. Central Park: I know this sounds cliché but Central Park really is one giant playground for families. With dozens of playgrounds (most with summer sprinklers on) one of my favorite things to do is go playground hopping. You pick any ol’ playground to start in and when your kids are ready to move on you just walk a few “blocks” until you hit the next one. And repeat. Throw in a walk around the duck pond, a climb on the Alice and Wonderland statue, a climb to the top of Belvedere Castle, a few “pit” stops to listen to and watch the street/park performers and you have yourself a perfect day.

2. Times Square: Kids love just walking around here and checking out all the lights, people watching and cool vibe. This place will literally activate all your senses! Go early in the morning as it tends to get very crowded in the afternoon.

3. The Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park: This is such fun thing to do and a great way to see the city skyline. On the other side is a great park and play area. If it’s too far for you littles to walk both ways, walk one way, visit Pier 1 and the park and then hop in a cab to bring you back to the other side.

4. babybites Around Town: OK – so not to toot my own horn but our moms have loved our newest addition to babybites called Around Town. Here we list, in addition to special promotions, FREE events, concerts, etc. happenings all over the City.

5. The Apple Store: This is perfect for slightly older kids. Not only do they love the cool “glass cube” exterior but the inside has tons of computes and gadgets to try and a staff available to show them around and answer all their questions.

Post an answer by Monday, August 2 at midnight and be entered to win a huge basket of the following products from the Weleda Baby Care line (retail value $99). The basket will include:

• Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash ($11, 7.2 oz) – Formulated with plant derived, sugar-based cleansing and foaming agents, this shampoo and body wash is gentle on the eyes and skin.
• Calendula Diaper Care ($12, 2.8 oz) – Created with zinc oxide, along with an exclusive composition of calming, natural ingredients. This soothing cream offers quick and effective relief from diaper rash and minor skin irritations.
• Calendula Baby Cream ($11, 2.6 oz) – Made with soothing calendula extract, this rich daily cream calms chafed skin and forms a protective layer to comfort a baby’s tender skin. Moms can benefit too from this ultra-nourishing moisturizer for the face and body.
• Calendula Lotion ($14, 6.8 oz) – Blended from sweet almond oil, organic sesame oil, and Biodynamic® calendula, this light formula moisturizes and soothes delicate skin, leaving it soft and supple. Adults with sensitive skin can also benefit from this lotion.
• Calendula Soap ($7, 3.5 oz) – Designed with calming extracts of chamomile and calendula flowers, this delicate soap gently cleanses and protects the sensitive skin of babies, children and adults.
• Calendula Oil ($15, 6.5 fl oz) – Mixed with organic chamomile, this quick absorbing oil is excellent for cleansing the diaper area, while calming and soothing sensitive skin. This intensely moisturizing formula is ideal for cold weather as it provides a layer of warmth for your baby.
• Calendula Face Cream ($12, 1.6 oz) – Created with precious plant extracts, sweet almond oil, and pure beeswax, this mild cream moisturizes and shields your baby’s sensitive facial skin. This gentle formula supports the skin’s natural functions and helps maintain a proper moisture balance.
• Calendula Cream Bath ($17, 6.8 oz) – Combined with Biodynamic® calendula flower extract and sweet almond oil, this bath-time essential nurtures your baby’s delicate skin and helps it retain moisture, leaving it happy-baby soft.

Become a fan of Weleda’s blog, their Facebook page, and their Twitter feed. Weleda is launching a new microsite specially dedicated for mothers who want to learn from one another the best ways to care for their baby. The microsite will feature expert tips as well as exclusive deals and giveaways.

For some reason once our children become toddlers they inevitably begin throwing huge, embarrassing mind boggling tantrums and it is no fun for anyone. While I wish I could say there is a magic cure, just do these things and your child will never tantrum, I can’t. But I can give you a few tips on how to avoid creating situations that trigger tantrums. Often once our children become more independent we can forget how young they are and start asking them to do things that they are not quite ready for. For example young kids need food about every 2 hours. So spending the whole morning running from store to store is asking for a very big public tantrum. Here are a few suggestions on how to avoid and diffuse toddler tantrums.

- Feed your child every 2 hours. Keep snacks with you at all times whether you have them in your car or your purse never go out without food. When your child gets hungry they most likely will not communicate this verbally instead they will become very crabby and difficult to deal with. If you anticipate there hunger and keep them fed and hydrated you can avoid meltdowns.

- Be strict about sleep. As inconvenient as it can be, especially during the summer, do not mess with your child’s sleep schedule. Make sure they are still going to bed at the same time and still napping at the same time. It is tempting to let them stay up later in order to enjoy an activity but you will pay for it for several says with a grouchy child.

- Have clear expectations. If your child knows the expectations in a situation it is easier for them. Often times a tantrum happens when they feel overwhelmed or unsure. If they understand the situation they feel more secure and less need to act out.

- Have clear repercussions. If you are going to punish your child for certain behavior make sure they are aware of the consequences and follow through. Empty threats only make things worse for both of you.

- Do not lose your cool. If you get upset because it is embarrassing to have your child act out you will just feed the situation. If your child is tantruming in a public place simply remove them from the situation quickly and calmly. Sometimes the cart has to be abandoned in order to deal with your child.

- Remember they are still young. Sometimes it is hard to remember your child is not trying to drive you crazy they have a real need that they are unable to express. Whether they are hungry, tired or just overwhelmed try to find the cause of the tantrum and deal with it accordingly. Getting upset only makes the situation worse. I find it helps to be compassionate when seeking to find the root of the issue then you can both get what you want a calm child and calm mom.

Post an answer by Monday, July 26 at midnight and be entered to win a hour consultation with Marsha Greenberg M.S., M.S. W. She is a therapist in New York City and the author of the newly released book, Raising Your Toddler by Globe Pequot Press. For more about Marsha, check out her video interview here from our Mommybites Summit in May.

That came in a work-at-home position with babybites as the blog editor and social media director. It was PERFECT for me. I tend to have my mornings and evenings free so I figure I could work around my kiddo’s schedules in order to keep the “work-life” I craved. My off-hour schedule also worked for babybites as it didn’t require me to be available the whole “working” day. But I also knew this meant I wasn’t going to have any help taking my kiddos to school, feeding, bathing, playing, and all of the other daily activities that are part of a stay-at-home mom’s life. So here are some tips I’ve penned from my two-year stint as stay-at-home/work-at-home mom:

1. Keep your kid’s on a tight schedule. Eating, napping, playdates, school, and classes are all scheduled at the same time every, single, day. I know it sounds boring but believe me if you need to know when to schedule a conference call or a when you can really concentrate on work, predictability is KEY.
2. Make one area of your home your work area. It’s off limits to EVERYONE else (even the husband, if possible). That way if your kiddos are around and you need to whip out a quick email or two, then they know when mommy’s “at work” she’s to be left alone (except if it’s an emergency- a real one). Also because you tend to pick up and go at a moment’s notice, you can be sure that letter you left on the top corner of your desk will still be there when you can get back to it.
3. Ask your significant other to pitch in with household duties from time to time. That can mean anything from they clean up the dishes when they get home to they run the washing machine in the morning before they leave. Laura (babybites’ founder) has a fantastic deal with her husband where they have the “4 on 4 off” rule for Saturdays. One of them works for four hours while the other one has kiddo time and then they switch. It works really well for them to have those scheduled times with both their kids as well as with their work.
4. Take a night off a week! Since I tend to work when my kiddos are asleep, I don’t have a lot of “me” downtime. So I try to take at least one weeknight off per week where I just go sit at Starbucks for 2 hours and read trashy magazines. Or I go out to a theater show or grab dinner with a girlfriend. I know that one night is what I need to reconnect with me.
5. If you must work while your kids are around, then get them involved in their own work. For example, have them color, create, read, or play quietly in an area close-by where you are. Set a timer for 15 minutes (obviously this would vary with the kiddo’s age) and say they have to concentrate on their activity  until the timer buzzes. My kids LOVE this. They call it their work and have learned a great deal of respect for other people’s need to have “personal” time.

So with a organization and ground rules, working from home without any “help” can be done. You will need to love what you do and be willing to add another job on top of your work as a mother. But if you have the need to create, work, volunteer, socialize, etc. don’t let being a parent make you forgo that need. As the famous Dr. Seuss said, “So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.”

1. Remember that PLAY is important to a child’s intellectual growth. Children develop a sense of competence and leadership when you reinforce and value their play activities – including clean-up.

2. Less is more. We find time and time again that children play more productively and creatively when their resources are limited.

3. Rotate the toys and materials. This will help keep the kids interested in the same toys and materials without buying more.

4. Purchase open-ended toys and materials that will grow with your children. Blocks, animals and people are some examples of a good long-term investment.

5. Label your children’s toys and materials so their play is more productive and the playroom is more organized.

Post an answer by Monday, July 19 at midnight and be entered to win a pair of Broadway show tickets from HeardonthePlayground.com. Here are the fabulous details:

• Broadway Show: Adams Family, West Side Story or Wicked
• Date: You pick the date
• Seats: 2 tickets in Rows 1-10 Orchestra (depending on date chosen)
• How do I win: post your most amusing kid story & one person will be selected for the most humorous entry

To enter post your amusing story below. The more you enter, the greater your chances of winning!

*** The ticket value is $350 per ticket!

* Raffles are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for any other item.

1. Some kids aren’t co-sleepers beyond those first couple of months. Mine weren’t. I really wasn’t. BUT my saving grace the first 3-4 months of my little lady’s lives: First Years Close and Secure Sleeper. Loved it and still give it as my baby gift of choice.
2. Swaddle. I swaddled my kiddos until they were both 5 months old. Then I moved them into sleep positioners to give them that security of a swaddle. I love the swaddle. I wanted to be swaddled just looking at how peaceful and comfortable they both were when the were swaddled (correctly, might I add, as it can be done so wrong). The swaddle allowed me to take them on many trips and visits without having a fussy, sleepy baby. Once either one of my little ones was swaddled, peace ensued. This took me a while to discover with #1, but I was on it for #2. I also tried many, many, many different swaddles. The one that was the most successful for me was The Miracle Blanket. It was the only one I could do quickly and they didn’t bust out of. I even safety pinned it in the front because my tucking skills weren’t all that (not that I recommend this for ANYONE else; it’s just what I did).
3. Noise machines are the bomb. In a tiny NYC apartment, it allowed us to have PARTIES (oh yea!). And when we were on the move, it allowed for the little ladies to feel a sense of comfort hearing the whooshing, roaring, crashing (however they interpret it) from home. We use an air purifier. Fits the bill as a white noise maker as well as cleans the air- score! But if you notice, the air purifier was a bit big to travel with (although it does make car rides… sometimes) and needs an outlet. So we downloaded an app for our iTouch that has white noise. It was free and it’s crazily called “White Noise Lite“. Pair that with a set of travel speakers for your iTouch and you’re golden!
4. Pacifiers were a gift that never quit giving. Day one is when they started using them (didn’t interfere with breastfeeding at all) and they stopped around age 2. At anytime if they needed soothing at an early age, they got them. Then they were relegated only to the bed. Little lady #1 called her’s “night, night” and little lady #2 called her’s “sleep”. Ironically enough, they both used Nuks. Tried every brand out there. That’s what they liked.
5. Routine was key. We hardly ever varied and when we did with #1, there was hell to pay. We start around 1.5 hours before desired bedtime (still is 6:30 for both my girls) and wind down with dinner, bath, stories, singing, and out. As discussed before, #1 is a pretty tough customer, so varying in anyway was out of the question. She will correct you now if you do. #2 is a bit more relaxed, but we keep it up for consistency sake.
6. Blackout shades, curtains, and black trash bags with painters tape. I use them all in my house now. Never underestimate the power of a dark room. If you are traveling and can’t guarantee a dark room, take a roll of black trash bags and painters tape with you. It is light weight and will black out any and everything.
7. Doorknob covers for the inside AND outside of the kiddo’s door. When switching to a toddler bed, my little lady #1 didn’t get out of the bed for months and months. Then she did and we just closed her door. End of story. If she wanted to keep her door open, she had to stay in bed. If she didn’t, door got closed. It worked save a few illnesses and potty training. Little lady #2 figured out how to open door knobs very young and she had the help of an older sister to open the door if she couldn’t (they don’t share a room, but do have doors right across the hall from each other). So on went the doorknob cover for the inside of the door. Door had to stay shut since she liked to wander a bit before settling down. Hey, whatever works. She’s in her room, “resting”. But little lady #1 felt like visiting during these rest times and was much obliged to open the door from the outside. So on went a doorknob cover from the outside too. Worked like a charm.

So as far as tips and tricks that worked most of the time, these are the best I’ve come up with. What about you? Do you use any of the products I use/used? Have you had success with something else? Do you have any other tips and products that worked really well for you?

Share and you can win a a fancy, new-to-the-market swaddle (called a snooze wrap plus) from sootheTIME. They definitely didn’t have this suped-up version of a swaddle when my girls were little. This thing has a head rest, a tummy soother, and adjusts as the baby grows. Pretty cool, as I got to check it out as my friend, Maria, holds it (not a real baby;) We will select a winner next Wednesday, July 14 at midnight. So be sure to share your tips if you’d like to try out this cool product!

• By the time your baby is a toddler, it is important to limit pacifier use to the crib for sleeping only. Pacifiers can be a great tool for self-soothing and should be encouraged for children who seem to really like them.
• Generally it seems that getting rid of a pacifier too early can have a negative impact on a child’s sleep. Some time between two and four years-old seems to be best.
• Pacifiers should be removed with the child’s awareness. Simply taking them away without a child’s knowledge can be extremely upsetting and unsetting for children, and it’s unnecessary. Children often do well getting rid of pacifiers if there is a ritual and choice about it.
• Be sure not to get rid of a pacifier when there is a big change (developmental or familial).

For more sleep tips and to watch a webbybite video of Janeen, go here.

Our next webinar will focus on smart sleep solutions on July 27. Make sure to sign up quickly because spaces are limited and we always are booked up in advance. 

Our July 27th webinar is sponsored by Emily Press Labels: stylish, durable, personalized labels to keep your kids’ gear coming home. With adorable to trés chic designs, their labels are super tough too standing up to dishwashers, laundry cycles, and kids.