October 2013 Table of Contents

The NYMetroParents October 2013 birthday party issue features tips on hosting a foreign exchange student, a young voice actor’s love of math, easy and tasty breakfast ideas for picky eaters, and ideas for creating new birthday party traditions. Plus find a guide of where to go pumpkin picking in the NYC area this fall season.

NYMetroParents October 2013October 2013 Birthday Party Issue


Birthday TraditionsFeature
New Traditions to Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday

Meg Cox, author of The Book of New Family Traditions, shares birthday traditions to start with your children this year, including the many ways to decorate with balloons, celebrating half birthdays, and a thoughtful party favor.

BONUS: “Cupcaking”: How to Host a Cupcake-Decorating Party

BONUS: NYMetroParents’ Birthday Party Directory

beware bpaFeature
Beware BPA: The Harmful Chemical Lurking in Everyday Products

Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a harmful chemical lurking in many products we use everyday, including plastics, canned food, and even cash register receipts. Learn what it is, how it can harm your health, and how to lower your family’s exposure to BPA.

BONUS: Which Plastics Contain BPA?

Host a Foreign Exchange StudentFeature
Open Your Door to a New World: Host a Foreign Exchange Student

More and younger families are deciding to host students. Here’s why, plus the benefits of hosting a student and the deciding factors to consider.

BONUS: Fast Facts About Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student


Fun & Activities

Bronx ZooFamily Outing
Into the Wild: The Many Reasons to Visit the Bronx Zoo
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is New York City’s largest zoo, and there’s no shortage of animals to see or things to do there. Here, we break down what the zoo has to offer and how to plan an outing there with your family.

Pumpkin Picking in New YorkWhere-To Guide
Go Pumpkin Picking in New York

Pumpkin picking is a perfect fall activity for families in the New York City area. Here you’ll find our comprehensive list of pick-your-own pumpkin farms and pumpkin patches throughout the area, including NYC, Southeast New York, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut.



Role PlayingStuff We Like
Role Playing
Who needs Halloween to get dressed up? These products inspire role-playing and imaginative play all year long.


BONUS: Search our comprehensive calendar for fun and low-cost family activities in the NYC area

Advice & Connections

Hayley Faith NegrinQ-and-A
Math + Girls + TV = Empowering Entertainment
Hayley Faith Negrin, a Fairfield County middle-schooler, voices “Peg + Cat,” a new PBS preschool series with a mission to make math fun for everyone.


Boring BreakfastFeature
Break Out of a Breakfast Rut
A registered dietician spotlights the most important meal of the day and offers tips (and recipes!) for overcoming the top three reasons kids give to skip breakfast.

BONUS: 4 Quick and Balanced Breakfasts for Kids

Quotables October 2013Quotables
The Best of the Rest of the Web
A selection of thought-provoking quotes from the web and the world of parenting: Tumultuous Threes, Inspiring Teachers, and the Importance of Manners.

Accidental Stay at Home MomVoices

The Accidental Stay-at-Home Mom
When Adina Kay-Gross welcomed twin daughters, her professional life takes a backseat. Her twins’ first birthday sparks reflections of the woman she was pre-babies—and who she happens to be now.

Children with Special NeedsSpecial Needs
The Importance of Reading for Children with Down Syndrome
Apart from an improved aptitude for learning, literacy helps children with Down syndrome by building self-esteem and confidence to interact socially.

Bonus: Fast Flash Cards Help Teach Reading to Kids with Down Syndrome

Maybe Just a TreatRaising Our Kids
Maybe Just a Treat
Halloween tricks can be fun for adults, but unless parents teach appreciation and empathy, their kids might not understand the spirit of the season’s trickery. Dr. Susan Bartell provides tips to remind children how to be gracious and focus on the holiday’s treats.

Ask the Experts

Health

EDUCATION

SPECIAL NEEDS

• My school-aged son, who has learning disabilities, is being denied requested accommodations during test-taking at his public school. How can I assess if my child is being accorded the necessary accommodations based on his needs?