Cultivating Friendships Through Your Children’s School

What does the word family mean to you? On my school drop-offs and pick-ups, I notice many grandparents doing that role. How lucky for those kids to have their grandparents present on a daily basis, and for the parents to have assistance!

The other day I was looking through pictures from a year ago and realized many of my friendships were with mothers from my neighborhood and moms of my kids’ friends from their school. I think of their school in many ways as a “family”.

When my kids first started school, I had no idea who to list as an emergency contact besides my spouse. With no extended family in the area, we were at a loss in that area.

Over the years, I’ve asked other moms, “Can I list you as an emergency contact?” They’ve said yes, fortunately.

After over ten years in Philly, I feel like there is a network of other moms who I can turn to if I needed help. If you don’t have family in your area, what do you do?

I’ve worked out carpools with other moms when logistically it made sense rather than spinning my wheels.

As I looked through my photos I realized I’m part of a school family and would feel perfectly content if my children stay at the school until 8^th grade.

I am grateful for getting to know these mothers through car pools, birthday parties, class trips, etc. We all want what’s best for our children.

Do you feel you are part of a school community?

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The 2017 Philly Flower Show Celebrated Holland’s Tulips and Dutch Wonders

Every March, I aim to visit the Philly Flower Show held at the city’s convention center. The PA Horticultural Society brings a new creative theme to the show yearly. The 2017 theme was Holland: Flowering the World.

The kids and I hit the show on Friday, which was St. Patrick’s Day, accompanied by my parents who were visiting for the weekend. Thanks to the PA Horticultural Society for the press pass to tour this lovely event.

The show celebrated tulips and introduced visitors to bulbs and blends of colors from Dutch and worldwide horticulturists. There were 30,000 tulips in the entrance garden alone! The entrance had three large windmills along with lights that played music throughout the show. Above this garden, more than 6,000 flowers hung from a canopy. Breathtaking!

Also on display were tulip fields and Dutch symbols including windmills, wooden shoes, quirky bicycles and canals.

One the highlights of the show was the Ecodome, a 3,500-square-foot exhibit shaped like an igloo which held the Netherlands’ green technologies. The walk-in dome was a floor to ceiling showcase of the future of Dutch horticulture. A fortunate addition for PHS, the Ecodome was a springboard to discussions about sustainability, climate change, the environment and agriculture.

The Gardener’s Studio is the gathering spot for gardeners seeking new ways to improve their craft. Every year, national gardening experts, authors, and horticultural pros offer their insight at the flower show. About 100 people participated as speakers, where audience members were able to ask specific questions.

Last week’s event was a priceless chance to witness natural beauty, floral design and vibrant colors with my parents and children. The Philly Flower Show never ceases to amaze me. If you are within driving distance to Philly, it’s worth a trip in the Spring. Next year’s theme is Wonders of Water.

Five Ways to Master the Mommy Track

Years ago, I gave a keynote address for NY Mom’s World in Westchester, New York entitled “Five Ways to Master the Mommy Track” to promote my book for working mothers. I thought the pointers were worth sharing as a blog post. Here are the points, edited to be applicable to 2017:

Don’t overstress yourself when times are tough. Many women nationwide are afraid of losing their job or struggling to find work and concerned about their family’s financial situation. Career moms should realize that millions of others are experiencing the same feelings. The events happening today – job loss or an uncertain work status — will turn around in the future.

Don’t be so preoccupied with work or your career that you miss out on quality time with your kids. Ditch the smart phone for an hour or two each weekday so you can play with your kids or read to them. Limit the amount of TV they watch, and strive for quality interactions. Make the weekends extra special—take them on family outings to local parks, museums or excursions. Ask them what is going on at school, and they will tell you. Evaluate their current daycare or preschool program to make sure it’s the best fit for them.

To avoid burnout, women can communicate their needs to others by letting their spouse or partner and family members know what they need. This could be asking that groceries be purchased and put away, dinner be started, toys picked up, laundry folded, and so forth. Instead of reacting to unmet needs, moms can be proactive by expressing their needs from the start. When their needs are met, there is less exasperation. If other family members are local, ask them if they have time to assist, perhaps via school drop-offs or pick-ups and babysitting as needed.

How can mothers can take their careers to the next level–even with active home lives? Flex time is paramount so moms can be part of their kids’ activities. Women can ask their current employer for a change in their schedule–whether that be the option of telecommuting, working flexible hours, working a compressed workweek, or going part-time. They can build a solid case for changing their schedule and see if their boss will allow some flexibility. If not, then perhaps it’s time to find a job that allows flexible work options.

Career moms need to share family and home obligations with their partner or spouse. Women have made great strides toward equality in the workplace, but not at home. Household chores largely fall on the mothers’ shoulders–but these tasks and parenting responsibilities should be divided equally. Women will never have time for themselves until they can achieve this balance at home. Women should schedule their free time in advance otherwise it might not happen. It requires planning and cooperation with their spouse or partner. Each person’s free time can be scheduled and agreed on–and both must commit to making it happen.

Philly Women’s March Attracts 50,000 Concerned Citizens

Yesterday, I attended the Women’s March in Philadelphia. It was a historic event to witness. I did not have kids with me. It was such a friendly crowd, I worked my way up to the front line behind the gate. I watched the inspiring speakers and took some notes. #womensmarchphiladelphia

Emily Morse, one of the local organizers, is a mom of three and full time worker who is going to Villanova at night for further education. A sexual assault survivor, she thought, “We cannot accept this.” Emily read about the DC women’s march, noticed many of her local friends wanted to attend and bring their children, so she decided to launch a march in Philly.

Morse launched a Facebook page for the Philly March, which turned out to be 50,000 strong. “Women’s rights are human rights. Demand equality for womanhood. This movement won’t be stopped,” she told the crowd.

Raising the wage was mentioned by many of the speakers, including Donna Bullock, a representative for the 195th District at Pa House of Representatives.

Salima Susswell, an Advisory Board member for the Council on American Islamic Relations – Philadelphia Chapter, said God’s plan is superior to that of man. Her local chapter vows to fight vs. oppression against Muslims, who comprise 250,000 in Philly alone. Susswell spoke about standing vs. hate crimes and vicious rhetoric.

Brenda Dunston, mother of slain Sandra Bland, spoke of her need to close a painful chapter in her life. Her daughter was a 28-year-old African American woman who died in a Waller County, Texas jail cell in 2015. Bland’s family won a settlement in a wrongful death civil lawsuit. Dunston will be going on a 40 city tour nationwide to promote her book and calling.

Malcolm Kenyatta, political commentator and member engagement coordinator for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, was another rousing speaker. “The battle will be hard, but now is the time to endure. The value of equality will endure,” he said.

Kenyatta said they will not be silent when you could become bankrupt if you got sick without healthcare coverage.

Terri Matthews of Jaden’s Voice advised Hillary Clinton on her autism policies. Jaden’s Voice is a non-profit that offers support for autistic children and their families. “We stand here because our children mean something,” Matthews said. She added that families are dying (committing suicide) because no one cares about their concerns.

City councilwoman Helen Gym spoke about marching for those rebuilding the city public schools, fighting for higher wages and immigrant rights and defending Muslims. Gym noted that they fight against Comcast’s opposition of the city’s pay equity bill. This bill aims to curb hiring discrimination, particularly for women and minorities, and would prevent employers from asking job applicants about past salaries.

Nellie Fitzpatrick, Director of LGBT Affairs for the city, appeared with her wife, and spoke of the city’s efforts to fight discrimination against LGBT individuals. She said violence against transgender people has to stop.

Time for New Year’s Resolutions

The New Year is here, what are your resolutions?

Here are a few of mine:

Obtain new clients. Every year, I assess the past year for my business—what worked and what didn’t. I value the work from repeat and long-term clients. It’s tough when a contract is not renewed, but that is the life of a consultant. It’s best to have a mix of clients, rather than rely on one or two for your income.
Exercise! Last month, I cut my gym membership to the local YMCA because I just was not going. My exercise right now consists of dropping and picking up the kids from school, and running them around to different activities. That has to change.
Cut unnecessary expenses. I enjoy supporting local Moms in their business endeavors. I will buy their books at book signings and listen to their talks and discussions. I’ve purchased essential oil kits and skin regiments to help these Moms boost their businesses. I stopped using essential oil; the skin regiment might be the next one I cut. If a product is not working for you, why continue it?
Build my support network. There’s an evening event I want to attend later this month, and a neighbor is watching the kids until my husband can pick them up after work. I promised her I would return this favor. If you don’t have family in the area, you may have to ask another parent or neighbor to assist. Another mom walks one of my daughters over to CCD class every week. This saves me an amount of time that is much appreciated. When someone offers to help you, accept it! I walk a daughter’s friend over to a CCD class every week and do not expect anything in return. The saying “Give and you shall receive” is so true.

Evaluate time spent—meetings, product demos, etc. When you are a consultant, time is money. What monthly activities can you eliminate to add more time to your schedule? Are you committed to too many meet-ups? Should you scale back on the volunteer work?

With a Barnes & Noble gift card, I recently bought “Fresh Start: The New You Begins Today” by Joel Osteen. Looking forward to some inspirational reading.

Here’s to our success! Happy 2017!

Image courtesy of Supertrooper at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Franklin Institute’s Jurassic World is the closest you will get to living dinosaurs

Last week, we explored The Franklin Institute’s JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION. The kids were off from school one day, so they were excited to get closer to dinosaurs than they ever have before! #partner

Based on the blockbuster movie, the Exhibition immerses visitors of all ages in scenes inspired by the film. Our tour group included eighth grade students from a local school. We watched the park come to life and traveled to Isla Nublar as a VIP guest to Jurassic World.

Walking into the park, the towering Brachiosaurus was a sight to behold. We got face-to-face with a Velociraptor, and witnessed the vicious dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex (see below), which roamed North America.

In Jurassic World, scientists were able to extract dinosaur DNA from an ancient mosquito and clone a dinosaur. How did they know they had dinosaur blood? Every person on earth has distinct genes that identify their species.

Why are dinosaurs now extinct? You will learn that dinosaurs likely went extinct 65 million years ago because of the impact of an asteroid. By hitting the earth, an asteroid would cause 60 to 70 percent of life on earth to go extinct. Most scientists believe that dust thrown up by the meteor’s impact blocked out the sun, causing plants to die and changing the global temperature for months or years.

Students can create a modern dinosaur that has evolutionary features they think a dinosaur would have needed to survive the last great extinction.

Use promo code JWMOMB* to receive $5.00 off up to 4 adult, daytime tickets to Jurassic World. To redeem the code, contact us 215-448-1200 or visit fi.edu.

*$5 off Daytime Adult Admission tickets to Jurassic World. Limit 4 tickets per person. Includes General Admission to The Franklin Institute. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Upgrades available on-site for IMAX and 3D Theater. Redeemable online, over the phone or at the Ticketing Desk. Processing fees apply when ordering tickets in advance. Excludes holidays.

Jurassic World runs through April 23, 2017. https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/jurassic-world-exhibition

Image: The Franklin Institute

Resources for Your Family in Philadelphia after a Birth Injury

As parents ourselves, we can say with confidence that there is nothing more important to us than the health of our children – a truism for all parents. Equally so, there is nothing more devastating than thinking about our children being injured. Sadly, for many parents in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States, birth injuries are a serious threat to the wellbeing of their child. Often the result of medical malpractice, a birth injury can impair a child for life, leaving them with injuries ranging from nerve damage affecting motor abilities to cognitive disabilities to scarring and disfigurement. When an injury results, parents should be able to turn to other parents, legal support, medical professionals, and various organizations for support and counsel.

In Pennsylvania, there are a number of these resources, as this map of birth injury resources in Philadelphia demonstrates. This post is brought to you by the law offices of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C.

Medical Treatment for Birth Injury Victims

The most important thing after a birth injury occurs is ensuring that your child receives the medical care that they need to improve their chances of recovery moving forward. Throughout the city of Philadelphia, a parent can find a number of medical treatment centers that specialize in working with children, including children who have suffered a birth injury. Some of these include:

● Shriners Hospital – 3551 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia
● CHOP Newborn and Emergency Care – 1201 Newtown-Langhorne Rd., Langhorne
● Pediatria Healthcare for Kids – 8101 Washington Ln., Wyncote

Behavioral and Cognitive Health Services

Children whose brains have been impacted by a birth injury may suffer from cognitive or behavioral development delays or other complications as they grow. When this is the case, seeking professional behavioral and cognitive health services can be incredibly useful. Some top recommendations include:

● Children’s Behavioral Health Services – 160 Devereux Rd., Glenmoore
● Autism Centers of Excellence – 499 Spring Gardens Street, Philadelphia
● Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pocono – 1547 Millcreek Rd., Newfoundland

Resources for Parents of Children with Special Conditions and Disabilities

If your child’s birth injury is severe, you may have questions that extend beyond seeking additional help for behavioral problems or physical therapy to restore motor abilities. If your child has any special conditions, there may be a resource for you within Philadelphia. Organizations and resources for parents of children with special conditions and disabilities that can be found in or around the city include:

● United Cerebral Palsy
● Kelley Anne Dolan Memorial Fund
● Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
● The PEAL Center
● Sunshine Foundation National Headquarters
● HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy

The above list is not complete; refer to the link above for a full map of resources.

Getting Legal Help after a Birth Injury

If your child is the victim of a birth injury, another thing to think about is your right to seek legal counsel, to potentially pursue a claim against the at-fault doctor. At the law offices of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorneys know what it takes to recover the compensation that your family deserves. To learn more, contact today for your free case consultation by visiting their website here: https://cprlaw.com/pa/philadelphia/birth-injury-attorney/.

A recap of A Child Grows’ First Annual Philadelphia Baby & Family Expo

Last weekend, we attended A Child Grows’ First Annual Philadelphia Baby & Family Expo in Center City. I was excited about this as I was a media sponsor; A Child Grows has run a successful Brooklyn Expo since 2012.

I ran a Family Pass giveaway on this blog, and my friend won the pass. She brought her daughter to the expo, and met me so our kids could play together.

Primp & Play and Music Monkey Jungle were co-sponsors of The Playroom. Primp & Play offered kid manicures and hands-on crafts. My girls were happy to make their own lip balm there. Music Monkey Jungle sang and danced for the crowd of children. Who knew they could play Taylor Swift upon request?

A Child Grows lined up a stellar list of speakers. I sat in on Wills, Trusts & Guardians 101 with Steven M. Zelinger, Esq. He asked: Did you know there are five Crucial Legal Documents every parent needs? No parent wants to think about death but you have to as a responsible person. Maybe you purchased life insurance, but with that, you thought you were done. Zelinger told the audience there’s more to protecting your family.

I also listened to Your Top Three Parenting Stressors Solved with Child & Family Coaching with Brandi Davis, ACC, a certified Parenting Coach, Parent Educator, and Author of O.K. I’m A Parent Now What? Brandi was just named Best of Philly’s Best Modern-Day Parenting Guru.

Davis told the crowd that being a parent comes with many stressors; some can be solved, and some just come with the territory. Being a parent is tough but there is no need to feel exhausted, spent and drained every day. Davis delved into how to lighten your load and squish those top three stressors:

My Discipline Isn’t Working; Now All I Do Is YELL!
I’m Getting Attitude, Fighting and Negotiations At Every Turn
I Can’t Get A Second For Myself

Jill Spivack, co-author of The Sleepeasy Solution, founder of Sleepy Planet Parenting and Star of hit Bravo show, There Goes the Motherhood, gave the keynote address.

Jill Spivack, LCSW is a licensed family therapist and pediatric sleep consultant who earned her master’s degree at the University of Southern California and completed a post-graduate fellowship as a psychotherapist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

I am past the baby and toddler sleep challenges, so I did not stay too long at this panel. I did not attend the afternoon panels, which were geared toward mothers of babies. Instead, I walked the expo floor and spoke to the media sponsors. We got a chance to get our hair curled by Concihairge and then take photos in front of a gorgeous floral design by Nicol Floral Designs.

From the expo, I gleaned two interview ideas and subjects I will cover for an education site. I am always looking for new interview ideas, and this was the perfect place to find them.

A Child Grows offered a wealth of insight and resources for parents, especially for mothers with babies or toddlers. I’ll be back next year for sure, and will bring the kids along so they can have fun too.

My review of the Robot Revolution exhibit at the Franklin Institute

Last weekend, we attended Opening Day to Robot Revolution at the Franklin Institute, a new exhibit supported by Google.org and The Boeing Company. Robots are changing how we live, work and play. They are poised to become a visible and vital part of our daily lives.

A neighbor and her son accompanied us, and we set off for a learning experience.

I was intrigued to witness some innovative robots that are meeting human needs. From self-driving cars to surgical assistance, from scientific research to search and rescue missions—robots are here to help improve our lives. Robot Revolution offers 40 cutting-edge robots curated from innovative global robotics companies and universities, more than half of which can be interacted with or operated. #partner

Social robots show emotions. Researchers have analyzed how humans express their emotions and use these cues to program robots that simulate human emotions.

We met a robot that held our gaze. ROBOTIS-OP first has to recognize that you have a face. It sees you through its onboard camera; its software analyzes visual data to determine if the pattern formed by your eyes and mouth is a face. When visual criteria are met, the robot meets and follows your gaze. (See photo below.) Pretty cool, right?

Police and military use the Recon Scout Throwbot XT to explore dangerous environments before sending in their teams. This rugged, remotely-operated micro-robot travels through cluttered indoor environments and over dirt, sand and rocks. Once deployed, the robot sends video of its surroundings back to its human operators so they can identify threats.

Here are some highlights of the exhibit:

• Play Tic Tac Toe
My kids enjoyed playing tic tac toe against Baxter, an industrial robot that can battle up to two guests at a game of tic-tac-toe as he showcases his agility and task versatility.

• Make a Face!
We could smile, frown, or be silly with EMYS, a robot from Poland that uses a facial action coding system to mimic facial expressions and human emotions with its head and eyes.

• Watch A Soccer Bot Match
A must see–soccer ‘bots go head to head without any human input in a competition. See what team of robots wins in this fun game of autonomy.

The kids had the most fun when they got the chance to build their own code to move a robot forward, backward, left or right. Robots only do what they have been programmed to do. The Planning for Action area offers kids the chance to advance to a higher level once they master their current programming. We found this to be the most engrossing area of the exhibit.

Use promo code MBROBOT* to receive $5.00 off up to 4 adult, daytime tickets to Robot Revolution. To redeem the code, contact us 215-448-1200 or visit fi.edu.

*$5 off Daytime Adult Admission tickets to Robot Revolution. Limit 4 tickets per person. Includes General Admission to The Franklin Institute. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Upgrades available on-site for IMAX and 3D Theater. Redeemable online, over the phone or at the Ticketing Desk. Processing fees apply when ordering tickets in advance. Excludes holidays. Valid through 12/31/16.

Robot Revolution runs through April 2, 2017. Plan your visit today! https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/robot-revolution

Giveaway for a Premium Family Pass to the First Annual Philadelphia Baby & Family Expo

Did you get your tickets to @achildgrows 1st annual #PhillyBabyFamilyExpo October 16, 2016?

We are happy to be a media partner for A Child Grows’ First Annual Philadelphia Baby & Family Expo in Center City. The expo will welcome new, expectant and seasoned parents and kiddos!

Exhibitors will showcase products and services covering all phases of life, whether you’re a new or experienced parent!

The First Annual Philadelphia Baby & Family Expo℠ will connect top local and national service providers with savvy expectant, new and experienced parents. This family-friendly event will showcase invaluable resources and products in an exciting and convenient location in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia.

The expo will have seminars, demos, crafts and awesome playroom happenings throughout the day. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to hear the amazing details as we get closer to the event!

We are giving away a Premium Family Pass to the expo (valued at $150). Enter your contact info below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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