Earth Day Ideas for Your Family From Stepping Stones Museum

Here's the latest news from our Stepping Stones guest blogger, Jennifer Milano. She can be reached at jennifer@steppingstonesmuseum.org:

Many children are using computers as toddlers and know how to send a text message as soon as they can write. It seems like parents are always challenged to keep up! Environmental awareness is another arena where children tend to latch on faster than their parents. How many of you have heard your child come home preaching about recycling or concerns about littering? Earth Day is coming up on April 22, so if you haven't heard about it from them yet, you probably will soon.

One of the reasons why children get so excited about the environment and conservation is because it allows them to express their creativity. It's easy for them to participate and makes them feel as though they can make a difference – and they can. 

Parents and teachers can facilitate this learning and encourage their natural curiosity for the environment. Keep a collection of materials that aren't recyclable, but clean and safe for children to use. Allow them to create, play, sort and reuse the materials for something else. You may end up with a new bird feeder, or a silly new hat!

Participating in an Earth Day event is another way to learn together with your child about the environment and conservation. Stepping Stones Museum for Children is having their Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 18, from 10 am until 5 pm. Children will be able to take part in environmentally-friendly programs throughout the day, including making a rain stick out of recyclable materials, participating in a rainforest scavenger hunt, special storytimes, decorating a flower pot and a special performance by Dennis Waring with homemade musical instruments.

You can find the Stepping Stones Earth Day Celebration schedule online at www.steppingstonesmuseum.org. You can also experience our newest exhibit, Invention Convention, during your visit. Come invent and create in a place designed to spark imaginations. Exploration stations, invention capes and recyclable materials set the stage for young inventors.

Make My Child a Genius: Learning Through Play

Please welcome FCC's latest guest blogger. It's Jennifer Milano from Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk and she's here to tell us about the importance of play for kids. Do you ever feel that kids just can't be kids these days? That they're all too overscheduled and super competitive from a very young age? My daughter is only two and I'm already feeling it. When I read Jennifer's piece below, it eased my mind and I hope it will do the same for you:

Every parent wants their child to be smart; we buy the "how to" books, decorate their cribs with sensory inspiring patterns, pop in the baby genius DVDs and soothe them to sleep with Mozart. While parents take all the necessary steps to make sure their child is on the road to become a success, at a young age, it's really all about play.

Play helps children make sense of the world and people. Most often, they are not even aware they are learning while playing. Think back to a common childhood memory: outside with friends, running in circles on a warm summer day. Did you know you were practicing social skills, enhancing motor skills, investigating your senses and exploring spatial relationships? Learning through play is a natural step for growth that prepares children for success in school and life. As parents and teachers, one of the most effective things we can do is supply an environment to make play a healthy and positive experience.

At home, encourage your child to play; make up a song together, hand them a paper towel tube, let them stomp in a puddle or create a safe space to explore. Participation is also important. Show your child you are interested in play; balance taking the lead with allowing them to direct the experience. If you value the desire to learn more, so will your child.

There are also opportunities outside of the home; many early childhood classes offer healthy environments that encourage play. Stepping Stones Museum for Children develops all of their museum experiences and programs around the concept of play and lifelong learning. The museum’s Early Childhood Classes, for children ages six months through grade 1, facilitates the important interactive play experience between the parent and child, as well as the social experience of being around other children. A wide variety of hands-on activities, books and the museum's unique exhibits are used to support the development of motor, cognitive, language and social skills–all while having fun through play!

So the next time your child passes up the opportunity to go over those flash cards with you again, take relief in the fact that they are learning through play. They might not become a superhero, but even superheroes started out with blankets tied around their necks.

On April 8 and 11, sample free mini-classes during Open House at Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Meet the museum’s educators, experience a mini class and learn more about Spring Early Childhood programs. Visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org for more information.

Jennifer is Stepping Stone's Marketing Coordinator and she can be reached at jennifer@steppingstonesmuseum.org

www.steppingstonesmuseum.org

The Fresh Air Fund

Thanks to guest blogger, Tiffany Davidson of Weston, for sharing her experience with the Fresh Air Fund:

Would you like to give an inner-city child an opportunity of a lifetime? Would you like your children to appreciate how fortunate they are to live in such a beautiful area? Are you willing to accept some family dynamics thrown out of whack for two weeks this summer? If so, the Fresh Air Fund may be worth looking into. 

Summer 2009 will be Manny’s (age 10, see photo above) third year coming to my family’s Weston, CT home from the projects in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Manny LOVES coming to Connecticut and tells his mom how he’s going to move here when he’s older! He remembers EVERY single thing we do, EVERY person he meets, EVERY restaurant we go to…but then again so do I when I go on vacation, don’t you? We are so blessed to have Manny in our lives, I can’t even tell you. Manny has one of the biggest smiles and most infectious laughs I have ever seen and heard from any child. He embraces anything and everything we do enthusiastically. Don’t get me wrong, Manny and my son Jordan (age 8) had a rough first summer. But not because of Manny. Jordan found it hard to share his parents, toys, and general space with another child which is very common. Honestly, Jordan was not so nice to Manny and Manny - who happens to be twice Jordan’s size, - was gracious enough to let it go. Today, Jordan ADORES Manny and considers him to be like a brother. We picked up Manny in New York City in December and brought him home to celebrate Jordan’s 8th birthday party. It was a slumber party with 15 wild and crazy boys and Manny fit right in!

As you make your summer plans and consider the memories your children will have when they grow up, please consider the Fresh Air Fund. For more information, please visit www.freshair.org and/or call your local FAF chairperson: 

Darien * New Canaan * Norwalk * Wilton  - Yvette Eenkema Vandijk * 203.655.2226

Easton * Fairfield * Weston* Westport - Martha Mintzer * 203.226.6627

Greenwich * Stamford -Nicole Heath * 203.329.8629

Redding - Diana Simmons * 203.982.3999 

Ridgefield -Allison Gable * 203.544.9514

www.freshair.org

The Maritime Aquarium's Jack O Lantern Spectacular Opens Tonight!

(Note: Please welcome FCC's latest guest blogger, Debra Kirouac. Debra works at Save the Children in Westport. Prior to this venture into the non-profit world, she worked in television and the music industry. Deb loves to travel, and has studied/lived in Russia and Scotland. She's also a freelance writer for the Fairfield Weekly. She enjoys old movies and is a regular at the Garden Cinemas in Norwalk. Ms. Kirouac is also very, very short. She can be reached at 203.554.2595 or debra_kirouac@yahoo.com)

After six years in Rhode Island, the Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular has made its way to the Maritme Aquarium in Norwalk. Commencing today and running until Sunday, November 2nd, it is truly an artistic tour-de-force. Twenty artists spent many hours working on the images that adorn the jack-o’-lanterns – images that include icons of music, television and film, as well as symbols of social change through the years. Even topical figures such as Barack Obama and John McCain are featured. 

Last night I got a special sneak-peak at the display and Meg asked me to share it with you. The first ornately-carved jack-o’-lanterns that greeted me outside the Maritime Aquarium were fascinating. Having just seen The Dark Knight at the IMAX theater there, I was struck by the three faces of Batman’s “Joker” – Cesar Romero, who played the diabolical character in the 1960’s television show; Jack Nicholson, whose 1989 performance in the film version left an indelible mark on the psyche of movie lovers everywhere; and, of course, Heath Ledger, whose recent portrayal of the character has earned posthumous Oscar buzz. To see all three actors represented on one giant squash was very impressive and definitely my favorite. 

Although parts of the event are held inside, one should note that the majority is held outdoors – a lot of it by the water. On a cold night, it is advisable that you bundle up the kids, and perhaps think about bringing a flashlight. The steps can be hard to see, although glow sticks are also sold at the Aquarium and may be of some help. 

The price of admission is $12.00 Sunday through Thursday, and the show times are from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is slightly higher on Fridays and Saturdays -- $14.00. Show times on these evenings are from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets via the reservation desk at (203) 852-0700, extension 2206. Maritime Aquarium members save $2.00 and groups of ten or more can get member pricing. 

If you are dressed correctly, the jack-o’-lanterns featured along the Norwalk River are probably the best ones to see. Dry ice fills the area with clouds of smoke, which adds to the “scary” Halloween effect. The Metro North train roars by intermittently, and the mixture of sounds and smells, along with the site of more traditional carved pumpkins decorating the trees and lining walkways, makes for a truly memorable experience. This is definitely an event for the entire family.

For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org

By Debra Kirouac of Westport

(REMINDER - Family Camp Out This Weekend at Stamford Museum and Nature Center) Suburb Boy Gets Campy - By Guest Blogger Always Home and Uncool

(Note: THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY RUN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER...Remember Always Home and Uncool's Father's Day guest post? If not, you can read it here. Well, due to popular demand, our resident dad is here again to share some information about the upcoming family camp out at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. Kevin, thanks for your time and for appearing here again. Come back again soon!)

My sheltered childhood in Fairfield County is a running joke to my wife, especially when we're in the presence of her friends and family back in Nebraska, a state where kids harvest corn for spare cash, live for college football and are required to kill and dress their own supper at least once before puberty. 

"You've never fired a gun?!" she'd say, quite loudly and exasperated. "You've never driven a tractor?! You've never tipped a cow?!" 

"Well, you know, he IS a city boy," someone in her Midwestern audience would throw out in my defense. 

"Uh-uh," I'd reply, arms akimbo and my so-called chest thrust out in mock-heroic pose. "I am … Suburb Boy!" 

And, as Suburb Boy, I had never gone camping. That is, until the parents of my son's best friend talked us into joining them last spring on the meadow at Stamford Museum & Nature Center for its Family Camp Out. 

Fellow parents, if you want to get your kids away from the video screens and back to nature for a night without the inconvenience of, say, having to go behind a tree and wipe with a leaf you hope isn't poison ivy, then this is just for you. 

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center Family Campout -- the next is Saturday, Sept. 27 -- is pain-free camping for those who don't like to camp. All you need is a tent, sleeping bags, some flashlights and maybe a bottle of insect repellant (hey, you do have to be outside). You pull your car right up the picnic ground next to the nature center pond, pitch your tent and you're done. Seriously. 

The Stamford Museum provides a barbeque dinner, snack and kid-friendly drinks, a guided tour of the farm (plus plenty of staff members who can answer the kiddies' questions), and even a bonfire with all the trimmings for s'mores. You can even head up to the Observatory for a look through the telescope or a show at the planetarium before turning in. The next morning, the staff flips up a pancake breakfast! 

Bathrooms, I assure you, are always only a few yards away and stocked with TP. 

The only hitch our family had when we did the campout earlier this year was when, at 5 a.m., the sky started to rumble and the rains came. Would have been fine with that, but then came the lightning … and we pitched out tent next to the flagpole. Yeah, Suburb Boy strikes again … or is it, tries to be struck? 

Anyway, we simply loaded our sleeping bags, clothes and coolers into the minivan, and headed home (we live 5 minutes away) and had pancakes at home. We returned a few hours later, after the rain stopped, chowed down a remaining sausage or two, packed up the tents and that was that. 

So, join me on Sept. 27, and let your little Suburb Boy or Girl sleep in the wild for a night, hassle-free.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center Fall Family Campout

Saturday, Sept. 27, 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.

Pre-registration is required. Call 203.322.1646, ext. 6521.

Members: $95 one parent/child; $30 per additional family member.

Non-Members: $130 one parent/child; $30 per additional family member.

For more information, click here. 

Always Home and Uncool is also known as Kevin McKeever, a freelance writer/editor who has been rockin' the suburbs of Fairfield County for most of his life. His blog is www.blogonkevin.blogspot.com and his business -- Write On, Kevin! -- is at www.writeonkevin.com

Dre Towey at Chef's Table in Fairfield on Tuesdays **NOTE TIME CHANGE**

I'm finally getting to Chef's Table in Fairfield today for the Dre Towey concert. She took a little summer hiatus but now she's back to her regular Tuesday concerts there. Please note that the concert starts at 10am (not 10:30 like it previously did). To read more about the Tuesday concerts at Chef's Table, click here to check out this guest post from Nicola Nieburg. 

Rosy Tomorrows in Danbury - A Great Kid-Friendly Historic Restaurant

(Meet Jenna Burger of Danbury. We've never actually met in person, but she's been a loyal FairfieldCountyChild.com reader since waaaaay back in 2007 and I invited her to be a guest blogger here to help me broaden my reach a little up to her neck  of the woods. Jenna is the mom of one, 2-year-old boy named Christian. She works at Waterworks as a store / visual designer and as a freelance interior designer. She enjoys traveling, architecture, museums, and most of all spending time with her son and husband. Thanks so much to Jenna for this great recommendation!)

What you have to understand about Rosy Tomorrows is that it's more than just a restaurant. It's a  destination point in itself with great food, live music and a unique history. The main part of the building is an old railroad caboose and the multi-level restaurant has many fun features for all ages including a working train that runs above the bar and a classic fortune teller machine.

Rosy's is featured here because it is a truly kid-friendly restaurant, but I've also spent time there with adult friends - most recently on the patio with a friend and a month later with a larger group to celebrate my birthday (complete with poppers shot off by the waitstaff and a complementary fried ice cream just for the birthday girl!).

But most often, I visit the restaurant with my husband and son. We're always greeted at the door with a balloon and crayons, but my son's attention is rarely focused on coloring. Like most kids who visit Rosy Tomorrows, he's distracted by  the unique airplane replicas and pictures of trains and planes all over the walls. 

Appetizer, lunch and dinner selections are traditional family-friendly fare but with a unique and tasty twist. And the food is always HOT! Check out their menu by clicking here.

So next time you’re visiting Danbury, stop by Rosy Tomorrow’s for a surprising and always entertaining meal!

15 Old Mill Plain Road, Danbury

203.743.5485

www.rosytomorrows.com

It's Music to a Mom's Ears With Dre Towey at Chef's Table in Fairfield

(Note: Thanks to Nicola Nieburg, a freelance writer  from South Africa via Hoboken, NJ who now lives in New Canaan, for contributing this great piece about Dre Towey. For more information about Nicola, please visit www.NicolaNieburg.com or email her at nnieburg@gmail.com.)

If you’re looking for an outing for your kiddies that’s going to be as fun for you as it is for them, do yourself a favor and check out Dre Towey’s next gig. My daughter Hannah, 16 months, and I bopped along (when I wasn’t chasing her) to her colorful lyrics and catchy tunes a couple weeks ago when we caught her regular Tuesday morning performance at Chef’s Table in Fairfield. Please note that unfortunately for all of us, the band is on hiatus till September.

As you may well know it’s not always so easy finding “Mommy-and-mes” that aren’t a little dull/repetitive/lame… (pick your adjective) for Mom after a while. I know it’s all about THEM. But, let’s face it, Mama’s got to sit through these classes week after week too!! So they might as well be enjoyable for us! (Besides, research shows a happy mom makes a happy babe!)

Fortunately moments after rock ‘n roll mom Dre began strumming her guitar, I knew Hannah and I were both in a for a treat. The rest of the band—percussionist Kwame Henry Jones and “guest artists” (Psst: really Dre’s kids) Mae, 4, on vocals, Emmet, 7, on the African drum, and Hannah, 9, on vocals—only added to the appeal. And judging by the number of (small) fans banging drums and shaking maracas in the front row, we weren’t the only ones having a blast! Their moms feel the same way: “The music at Chef's Table is downright adorable!” enthuses Lynsey, a Fairfield local and a regular on Tuesday mornings. “Brendan, 13 months, is just at the right age to really enjoy it now. It’s such fun to let loose with the other Moms and their kids.” First-timer, Susan, felt the same: “Dre Towey was very cool, and her music was great,” she says. “My daughter Giulia, 2.5 years old, jumped right in when the kids' instruments came out. Plus, Chef's Table has excellent coffee, and a wide selection of food for even the pickiest toddler. We'll definitely be back in the Fall!”

Turns out—not surprisingly—that Dre (AKA Andrea Loomis Towey) is a woman of many talents. Apart from writing, playing and singing her own music and lyrics, she does all her own PR, artwork and marketing. She’s also a former elementary school teacher (which explains the quirky lyrics that appeal to young and old-er alike) and art educator. Dre got her start in children’s music when she was asked to illustrate the CD Dancin’ in the Kitchen for a friend. Inspired by the success of their first collaboration, she went on to write and illustrate for the second CD. In 2006, she produced her own CD Chester the Dog, Unleashed. Keep an eye on her website (www.littleloomis.com) for details of her soon-to-be-released next CD, Sugar on Top.

Come September, you can catch Dre in action at Chef’s Table, Fairfield, at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays or check out story time at the Rowayton library at 10.30 a.m. on the first Friday of every month. Hannah and I will see you there—in the front row!

www.littleloomis.com
www.chefstable.com
www.nicolanieburg.com

A View of the Fodor Farm Farmers Market in Norwalk, by Guest Blogger Kate Vitucci

(Note:Please welcome guest blogger Kate Vitucci of South Norwalk. I invited her to appear here because I spend so much time in front of the computer these days and not enough time enjoying nature and the outdoors. Visiting Kate's blog, The Parsley Thief, is a great escape for me and I thought all of you should know about it. I love her striking photography and recipes and the way she seems to truly savor simple things like gardening and cooking and her sons' backyard antics. Kate and I decided it would be great for her to visit the new Fodor Farm Farmers Market in South Norwalk and introduce it to all of you. Thanks so much to Kate for the amazing photos below and for sharing some very helpful information about the market.)

Long before I started blogging myself, I came across Meg’s blog. I was Google searching for a cool place to have a child’s birthday party in Fairfield County, and came across FairfieldCountyChild.com.

I had her bookmarked. Then when I finally got around to starting a blog myself, I linked to her on my site. Through that, she discovered me and asked for me to post on her site, as a guest blogger.

Frankly, I was quite flattered.

The main draw of blogging for me is the documentation aspect of it. Things I like (design), food I like (to cook), my kids (the bozos) are all topics I cover there. Having all of this neatly documented in cyber land gives me a safe place to store all my memories.

It’s my life, archived.

I have a design and photography background, but right now my passion is being a mom & cooking. When my husband & I moved to the suburbs from Brooklyn, and spent the subsequent 3 years demolishing and redesigning our kitchen…my food hobby was born.

One particular of summer that gives me the most joy is the bounty of fresh food available. The best place to seek this out is at your local farmer’s market. It’s a great place to bring your child as well.


In our town, of Norwalk, CT, a new community garden, Fodor Farm, on Flax Hill Rd., has been developed. They opened it this year, selling small 4’x12’ plots, to the residents of Norwalk, for $5. All 225 plots were sold within 2 hours, and another 100 people went onto a waiting list.


According to this article, from the NY Times, more plots will be available soon. They also plan to renovate the old farmhouse on the property, and plant apple orchards, and pumpkin patches.

They also have a Sunday Farmer’s Market running there from 12pm-5pm. While it is quite small when compared to some other local markets, they did have some great stuff.



While the family and I were visiting there this past Sunday we picked up some


fresh sweet peas,


some amazing red scallions,


some summer squash, zucchini,


and made this amazing salad.

You can visit The Parsley Thief for more details on the recipe…

And Now for Something Completely Different ... Father's Day Ideas From Dad Himself

(Note: Father's Day is approaching so I thought it was time for dads to have a say on FairfieldCountyChild.com. Today there will be no talk of fashion stylists, prenatal massages or breastfeeding coverups. Instead you'll hear from local guest blogger, Kevin of Always Home and Uncool. He has some great ideas for stuff do with/for Dad in Fairfield County. Thanks to Kevin for the ideas below! You can hear more from Kevin at www.blogonkevin.blogspot.com)

Hey, there, fairest FairfieldCountyChild.com patrons:

I'm Always Home and Uncool -- a Stamford native and work-at-home dad with three kids (girl, boy, Labrador retriever), a globetrotting executive wife and a blog that's loathed by my city's school officials. Punks.

You've probably seen me around. At holiday time, I'm the only father at the elementary school helping the kindergartners make gingerbread houses. Or, you might have spotted me walking the pup as you whizzed by in your Volvo V70 on route to making another spellbinding PowerPoint presentation on … uh, business stuff. Perhaps you noticed me -- four days of stubble on my cheeks -- shopping at the Grade A at 11 a.m. on a Wednesday. I was the male under age 73.

If you saw me, you probably thought, "Poor fella … unemployed and all."

No worries. Happens all the time.

Well, Meg rammed my shopping cart one day and asked me over to her blog. I'll try not to trample all the estrogen.

Father's Day is coming and, if I may speak on behalf of all my fellow sperm donors, we are tired of being shortchanged every year. A tie? Yeah, and how would you like it if you received a bra on Mother's Day? The Playtex 18-hour kind, at that. See my point?

Here are my humble suggestions for family-friendly ways to give the man in your life his due on June 15:

Take him out to the ball game -- Venture up to Bridgeport (yeah, it's part of our county -- don't be snobbish) and watch the Atlantic League's Bridgeport Bluefish play the Somerset Patriots at 2:05 p.m. In addition to the game, you get views of the Long Island Sound , the passing Metro-North trains and the Port Jeff ferry. Food and souvenirs are priced reasonably. There's also a kids' play area in the stadium. If Dad once had big league dreams, for $275 you can sign him up for Father's Day Fantasy Camp that morning. It includes breakfast, batting practice with the players, participation in a game against other Dads, four tix to the real game, a Tommy John autographed baseball and … ugh, a Bluefish necktie.

Mmm … bar-beee-cuuue -- Nothing says Dad like smoked beast. Rather than making him singe his eyebrows over the Weber, take him and the kids out to The Cookhouse on the Post Road in Darien. Pulled pork, ribs, brisket … I'm drooling already. The sauces come in Original, Hot and Scary. That last one will Nair your bikini line.

Fore for all -- You don't have to play golf to enjoy Sterling Farm Golf Course on Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Pick up a cheap portable grill at the drug store for a cookout on the course's front lawn. While you rotate the weenies, the kids can play on the well-shaded playground or maybe Dad can show them how to putt on the practice green or smash a forehand on the tennis courts (watch it here -- they sometimes make you pay to play). Or, wander up to the Player's Club restaurant for a burger, Redhook ESB from the tap and round of Golden Tee while you watch the golfer hack their way down the 10th fairway. They also have the great Curtain Call community theater but that afternoon's Always Patsy Cline may not be the hubby's pint of lager (or the kids' Sippy Cup of juice). Hold on, Suessical is coming in August.

That's it. Don't forget to thank Dad for all he does. It could pay off for you Moms in the long run, according to a new study by Ohio State University researchers.

Oh, if there's another at-home Dad out there reading this: Hang tough, my brother. You are not the only man among the mommies. It only seems that way. You (OK, and the Mrs., too) are always welcome to commiserate with me at www.blogonkevin.blogspot.com. Cheers!

A Few Words from Guest Blogger, Manager Mom

Note from Meg: My fear in posting what you're about to read is that you'll find Manager Mom much funnier and more entertaining than I and that there will a mass exodus from FairfieldCountyChild.com to her blog, www.managermom.blogspot.com and that I'll never hear from any of you ever again. I'm willing to take that risk though because now I can a) take this Friday off and relieve myself of any posting duties and b) introduce you to another cool, Fairfield County mom who deserves our attention. I've become a huge fan of her blog and I bet you'll become one of her groupies too after reading this great guest post from her. I'm also loving the most recent post on her site about the free concerts at Waveny Park in New Canaan. A great big thanks to Manager Mom for her words of wisdom below:

Greetings, FairfieldCountyChild.com readers!

My name is Manager Mom, and my blog lives just down the road from here. It’s the one with the overgrown lawn and the loud music coming from the minivan pulling out of the driveway.

Meg (the lady of this house) and I first “met” when I discovered the FairfieldCountyChild.com blog. As a guilt-riddled working mom, I enjoy reading about all of these great things that I’ll suspect that I’ll probably never muster up the energy to do with my own children.

So reading led to commenting, which took us down the slippery slope to email, and when we finally decided there was a low probability of either of us being a whacko, we decided to met up for coffee. We were having a good conversation, talking about the challenges of being a mom, and blogging, and working, that kind of stuff. And she asked me if I would be interested in writing a guest post on the site. My first response was, “Heck, yeah!”

My second thought was, “Oh, Heck. What possible value can I add to a blog about family activities in Fairfield County?” For anyone who HAS checked out my blog, you figure pretty quickly out that I don’t exactly pride myself on my mothering skills.

But I was playing with her scrumptiously adorable little daughter and bragging on my own littles (The Girl is 7, The Boy is 5). After a particularly boring story about a recent mother/daughter date we’d had at MOMA, Meg very kindly said that my daughter sounded wonderful, and asked (probably to get me to change the subject), “What is it you think you’ve done as a Mom to help her to grow up into the kid she is?”

And while I was struggling to come up with a more impressive answer than, “I dunno, genetics? Blind luck?” The inspiration for my guest post was born.

I would impart my parenting insights! For the benefit of all, I would generously share the recipe for the secret sauce that I use on my own offspring, which has made them turn out so finger-licking good!

Now, I only had to figure out what that advice would be. I decided to give myself the rest of the afternoon to invent something suitably impressive, yet still vaguely credible.

And then, as happens every day at 6pm, I got home from work around the time as Manager Dad arrived home, kids in tow. And as we launched into our post-school/post-daycare/post-work decompression routine, I realized what the bedrock of my parenting theory was…and I didn’t even have to make it up.

So without further ado: the Manager Mom rule for raising creative and independent children: a strictly administered daily diet of parental neglect.

Not A LOT of neglect, mind you, just ENOUGH so that you get a few moments of sanity and the kids have a chance to think for themselves after spending a whole day of being shepherded from one activity to another.

I dole out my daily chunk of ignoration during that first half hour we get home. The rules are simple: 1) No TV, and 2) Don’t bother mommy or daddy. Find ANYTHING that will not cause grievous bodily harm to amuse yourself.

Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe in quality time. It’s just that after several years of trying, I have come to realize that that said quality time has a slim chance of happening between 6 and 6:30pm.

Yes, our policy has resulted in some broken knickknacks and scribbled-on walls. But more often than not it has resulted in works such as “The Girl’s Book Of Secret Codes,” or a squadron of hand-folded paper airplanes, or a jointly produced play with a plot revolving around a kidnapped tooth fairy being rescued by a superhero.

So by all means, FairfieldCountyChild.com readers, please DO take advantage of all of these great products and services. (I especially urge you to support local business that are owned by other moms.)

My humble suggestion would only be that you don’t have to take advantage of them all at once. As my OWN mother (who has never met a topic that she isn’t an expert on) likes to point out, a little boredom never killed anybody.

For more from Manager Mom visit www.managermom.blogspot.com.

Lawyer Moms - Moms Helping Moms. Family-Friendly Lawyers Helping Parents.

(Note: I belong to an amazing, supportive group called the Fairfield County Mompreneurs. Funny name, right? But it's serious business. We meet once a month to talk about the challenges we face as moms AND entrepreneurs. The group is led by the amazing Lynn Blank of Stroller Strides who I've written about previously. A fellow member, Lisa Kotasek, Esq. stands out to me as one of the hardest working and most innovative women in the group. I've invited her to introduce the organization she founded, Lawyer Moms, to all of you. Even if you're not a lawyer or in the law field, read on. You'll see that Lawyer Moms is an organization we can all benefit from. Thanks Lisa!)

Lawyer Moms is a professional organization for moms and parents who are practicing lawyers, stay-at-home lawyers, parents and grandparents, law and pre-law students, various professionals interested in legal updates, and friends. Monthly networking, nights out, seminars, and guest speakers provide networking opportunities, legal updates and discussions about recent cases, work-life balance, and fun. We mentor new lawyers and students pursuing a legal career.

Members who are practicing lawyers are invited to be listed on our Family-Friendly Lawyer List where future clients find family-friendly lawyer moms and members to consider retaining for various legal issues. Attorneys complete a family-friendly questionnaire. Upon approval, the lawyer is included on The Family-Friendly Lawyer List. When a client asks to be matched with a family-friendly lawyer, we provide the list of attorneys in the client's city. The list includes the attorney's areas of practice. Many of our members and local community members across the country use this List to find lawyers.

While we do not provide legal advice, we are here to help parents and friends navigate the arduous process of finding a family-friendly attorney who understands the rigors of parenting and work/life balance.

Membership includes a one-year subscription to our monthly magazine with the same name, Lawyer Moms. The articles are written by parents and lawyers, members and friends. We extend an open invitation to all lawyers, parents, and friends to subscribe or submit articles and advertisements therein. Sharing helpful information adds value to our lives as lawyers, parents, and professionals.

Lawyer Moms Mission:
Support women, moms and parents in legal professions.
Promote employers and firms who provide family-friendly work environments.
Mentor law and pre-law students, as well as new lawyers.
Share legal updates and important cases.
Connect family-friendly lawyers with clients asking for help finding a lawyer.

By Attorney Lisa Kotasek. To reach Lisa, call 203.550.6294 or email her at lawyermoms@gmail.com or visit www.lawyermoms.net. Lisa manages a law firm in Stamford specializing in Employment Law.

EverythingGrandkids.com - Not Just for Grandparents!

(Note: I've been really busy this week wrapping up the next issue of the FairfieldCountyChild.com newsletter so I've invited some guests to fill in for me today. Thanks so much to Heidi Kurlander-Kail and Sloane Feldman of Everything Grandkids for introducing themselves and their great Web site. Read on to learn what they're up to in Fairfield County and be sure to spread the word to all the grandparents you know!)

Imagine how much easier grandparenting would be if you (or your parents) were up-to-date on what’s new, hot and of interest to your grandkids? We thought so too, that’s why we started EverythingGrandkids, a free email newsletter and website for Grandparents providing current information on toys, style, essentials and new products for grandkids.

We found ourselves suburb bound, living in Fairfield County, with infants and toddlers and a yearning to put our new interests (our babies) and our business experience to work. All of a sudden the tables were turned – our parents were looking to us to inform them of the newest trends and latest interests of the new little people in our lives. When we realized that we could make a career out of doing what we love best – shopping for our kids – we teamed up to start a web-based business that would help our parents and their friends to become savvy shoppers when spoiling their grandkids.

As new mothers with unique business skills and parallel aspirations, we decided to combine our past industry experience with our devotion to parenting and our knack for seeking the best bargain, the cutest stuff, and the most current information into a guide for our parents and others just like them. So, take advantage of our free email newsletter and be a grandparent in-the-know, or at least always shows up with the best gifts!

Some other Fairfield County moms that have started businesses worth checking out are; Swaddle, Toddle & Bump - children’s store, Sprout -resale and new childrens store, Style Press by Bonnie - stationary, La Folie Knits, Suburban Jungle Realty and of course Melissa & Doug.

By Heidi Kurlander-Kail and Sloane Feldman of www.everythinggrandkids.com

Ten Tips for Finding the Right Preschool In Fairfield County

(My dear friend Karen Smyth of Fairfield was a logical choice when I needed someone to write this piece for the FairfieldCountyChild.com newsletter. Not only did she just successfully tackle the preschool hunt for her son, but she holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University and before motherhood, she taught at the Wooster School in Danbury. Plus, she is highly organized and informed and when she talks about education, I listen carefully. Karen, thank you for all the helpful information!)

While we all laugh at stories of parents trying to get their little ones into the "perfect" preschool in hopes of one day sending them off to the Ivy League, there is something very humbling about deciding where to send your child to nursery school. We all want our children to be happy and fulfilled, confident and curious, smart and creative. And after watching them with pure wonder for the first few years of their lives, it is only natural that we would want to select a place that would further nurture their talents and love of learning.

Sounds easy enough until one embarks on the rather daunting experience of picking a preschool in Fairfield County. On one hand, we are fortunate to have so many excellent schools from which to choose. On the other hand, it can feel like making the right decision is essential to our child's future success and happiness. I personally have gone through this tumultuous process over the past few months and would like to think that I have learned a few things along the way.

First and foremost, there is no "right" school for everyone. Each child is an individual and has their own unique qualities and needs. What is truly important is to find the place that fits your child and your family. When it is right, you will know. Here are a few tips from my journey which I hope will help you along the way.

10. Start Early - When your little one is still adorably chubby and in diapers, you can't imagine sending them off to school, however the reality is that most schools start enrolling or creating their wait lists ONE year before your child would enroll. So the September BEFORE you plan to send your darling off to class is the right time to start your preschool search.

9. Research - Go online and look at websites of prospective schools in your area. Connecticut Parent Magazine lists preschools by town and is a good spot to start. Some local libraries will also have a listing of schools and a description of their philosophies, schedules, fees, etc.

8. Call Around - Call and find out how each school's enrollment process works. Some schools will have you sign up for their wait lists in September and then inform you if there is a spot on a rolling basis. Preference is often given to current students, their siblings, and in the case of some church nursery schools, enrolled members. Other schools are "first come, first serve" and will enroll you as soon as you pay a deposit. It is wise to place your child on the wait lists ASAP and then take your time to decide your top choices.

7. Visit - While listed at #7, nothing is more important than visiting while class is in session. Watch the interactions between the teachers and students, see if the building is inviting and child- friendly, look at the art work (one word?) and projects on the walls, and most importantly, decide if it is a place where your child (and you!) would fit in and feel at home.

6. Know Your Child - Each child is different. Your child may need small classes and a low teacher-child ratio to avoid feeling lost. Another child may thrive on the variety and enrichment of having a larger group of children and personalities.

5. Know Yourself- Decide early on how many days you want your child to be in school. You may love a Montessori approach, but do not feel ready to send your child to class five days a week. Some schools offer two-day programs and some are three-day. Others have options of morning and/or afternoon. You need to decide what works best for your family and your schedule.

4. Talk to Anyone and Everyone - Talk to other parents about where they sent their children and their experiences. While you are looking for what is best for you and you child, it is always helpful to hear from others who have been through it beforehand.

3. Think Outside of the Room - Children need to run and play as much as they need to listen and learn. Check out the outdoor playgrounds -make sure they look like positive places for your little one to run, explore, and enjoy.

2. Be Prepared to Wait - Some schools won't tell you whether your child has been accepted until they have gone through their current students, siblings, etc. If there is a school that you fall in love with that offers to put you on their wait list, do it! Many people put their little ones on multiple lists and there is a good chance that you will get a call and get into your top spot.

1. Be Happy with Your Choice - Once you have decided where you will send your child, do not be swayed by others and their choices. Embrace the school and community that you have chosen.

Preschool is an exciting - yet fleeting - time of childhood for all of you. Enjoy it - the days of college applications, and yes, trying to encourage that same child to go your own beloved alma mater, will come sooner than we would all like to imagine.

Written by Karen Smyth of Fairfield

Image above courtesy of Tottington Nursery