By: Maria Smith Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as a free lunch (and dinner and breakfast)--as long as your under 10 years old.  Eating out could be expensive for anyone, especially when you have several kids. So don’t stay home and pout, just put in a little research to find the “Kids Eat Free” nights. To get you started, here are a

By: Maria Smith I love going to movies.  It’s like you’re in a different world for two hours.  I started taking my kids to the movies when they were only weeks old, keeping them in the Baby Bjorn and nursing them when they got fussy. Now that they are lively, energetic 4, 2, and 1 year olds, I hardly ever see movies with them.  It is

By: Maria Smith People might say that a trip to Disney World should wait until the children could remember it, but visiting the magical world of Disney with preschoolers, toddlers and even infants can be kind of fun all its own. And, Mom and Dad will certainly remember it if the kids don't. We took our kids to Disney World for the first time when my oldest was 2

By: Maria Smith This past Spring Break, my family of five jumped in the car and headed to Myrtle Beach, SC for a weekend beach getaway. Knowing it would take us about 7 hours with stops for the potty, food, gas and the prerequisite Starbucks, I tried to plan for the unexpected. And we made it! Both the kids and the grown-ups survived.  Now if I could have just

By: Carolina Pichardo Despite the rainy, Spring weather in New York City, my daughter insists on going out to play with her friends, ride on her scooter and skate around. I feel for her. After a brutally cold season, we're both ready to step out and enjoy the sun. But living in the city (especially New York) doesn't make it always that easy. New York City alone made

By: Maria Smith Planning a child’s birthday party used to mean buying paper plates and balloons, and asking Grandma to bake a cake. Now, thanks to shows like My Super Sweet Sixteen and Outrageous Kid’s Parties, the expectations (from guests, moms and the birthday kid) are unbelievable. In Atlanta, I have been to parties I’m sure have cost thousands of dollars.  (How much does it cost to truck

By: Staff Report We all know that Punxsutawney Phil, America's favorite groundhog, recently predicted an early spring. Whether you agree with him or not, it's still a good idea to brush away those cold-season cobwebs and get moving. BAM's National Theatre Live is helping families do just that with their baby-friendly matinee of the Tony Award-winning musical, FELA! This performance explores and descends into the life of Afrobeat

By: Carolina Pichardo It's a very frightening moment. Your child confesses to you that someone's been "touching" them. You begin to think the most horrible things, that Manhattan's Peak post, plus your story, and before you know it... You just don't know what to think. Fortunately for me, my daughter's story was about someone from a school program that was pulling and touching her ear. She said she just didn't

By: Carolina Pichardo So you're checking your list and realize that you forgot someone: that terrific neighbor that's helped you out a couple of times, the mailroom person that saves your packages, or the parent that's amazing with arranging playdates. But you've reached your budget limit, you can't stand another minute in a department store, and online shopping/shipping is completely out of the question. Here are some tips

By: Carolina Pichardo It isn't everyday that you can have fun, exercise and laugh with your kids. Could all those words exist in one sentence? Well, if you live in New York City (Uptown, to be exact) and are looking for something to do after the holidays are done, then sign-up for fellow YUM—Zaida Grunes'—Hoop Jams. It's affordable and fun, which are more words that don't usually go together