Mommy FTW

I’ve found Yahoo groups to be extremely helpful and informative in terms of meeting other parents, asking questions, finding used items, and getting doctor recomendations to name just a few things.  When in Brooklyn I was an active member of both the Fort Greene Babies and Fort Greene Kids Yahoo groups.  Through them I met most of my awesome mom friends, learned about great free activities in the neighborhood, and sold (and bought) lots of used baby related equipment.

Now since I’ve moved to Washington DC I’ve joined the AU Park (American University Park) Parents Group, DC Metro Mommies, and the Friends of Forest Hills Playground Yahoo Groups. These have been so helpful in terms of finding a new OB, or Pediatrician, scoping out the toddler friendly playgrounds, classes, and story times, and meeting new moms for playgroups.  So, I can’t ephasize enough how fantastic Yahoo Parenting groups are.

Find a Yahoo Parenting Group Near You!

Wondering if there is one near you that you can join?  Well, it’s easy to find out.  Click this link to find Yahoo Mom Groups by Location (U.S. State). You can then narrow down by city.  Want to look at a more broad selection?  Check this link to see the choices for Yahoo Parenting Groups.  Here you can choose to check out all kinds of things (groups for Grandparents, Dads, Babies and Toddlers, Blended families, Parents of twins etc – and in some cases narrow down by location).  Check out what kind of support you can find for your needs in your area.  I don’t think you will regret it!  Our parents didn’t have the internet to help them out when we were growing up.  Take advantage!!

I asked the Fort Greene Babies and Fort Greene Kids Yahoo Groups for some more advice on entertaining Cameron on the plane, and I wanted to share with all of you the suggestions that other moms gave me.

Pop up books – one mom claimed that she entertained her toddler for 4 hours with this pop up book!  Sounds pretty good to me.

Magna Doodle – I often forget about those “old school” toys, but I thought this was a great idea.  It’s all the fun of crayons, without the potential mess and wasted paper.

Mr. Potato Head – another “old school” toy that sounds like it would be lots of fun for a plane ride.

A Toy Airplane – The only time I took Cam on a flight before he was deathly ill and much younger.  I think this time will be much more exciting – and having a little plane there for him to play with might be the cherry on the sundae!

A puppet – Cameron has a book called “Mouse in the House” that has a little mouse puppet which he is obsessed with.  So I think a puppet for a plane ride is a fantastic idea.

Those crappy toys you get with your happy meal (etc). – One mom says she saves all these little toys and breaks them out on the plane.  If parts of them get lost – who cares!  Sounds like smart thinking to me!

Many moms echoed the suggestion of playing movies and videos, the necessity for lots of snacks, and also how important it was to have a change of clothes for the child (and yourself, if you can fit it) in case of disaster!

And, with that – I’m off for the week!  I’ll come back and report on how the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort was……… But for now, some much needed vacation.

Have a great week!!

I am so fortunate to know a lot of moms who share with me their ideas and advice.  This post is based in their experiences, as well as information gained from the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group and Parents Around the Hill (PATH).  I haven’t checked out all these places myself – so I can’t speak to every one of them personally – but my mom friends haven’t steered me wrong yet.  The reason I have decided to post about them before being able to check them all out is I am guessing that a lot of you are starting to feel a little desperate with all this snow and cold weather – I know I am!  So here are some ideas of places to take your baby in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:

The Booklyn Flea – The Flea has moved indoors for the winter months.  It’s new home is at One Hanson Place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.  The Flea is on the main floor and lower level.  According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on.  She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers.  So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!

Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM.  Check it out for more weekend fun.

Playgroup at Brooklyn Junior – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there is a free playgroup at Brooklyn Junior (150 Clinton Ave – corner of Myrtle) from 3:15-6.  Please email info@brooklynjunior.com if you would like to go.  Children of all ages are welcome.

The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 10:45 and 11:30, but I’ve also been told it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.

Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of!  Last Thursday a few of us were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her baby (he is an early walker).  She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games).  Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.

Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies.  It is a great winter option – and they are so welcoming and nice!  Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote a few days ago.

If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!

As I have mentioned, Cameron and I were in DC this week visiting the grandparents, going swimming, and having a great time!  I had decided that instead of driving we would try taking Amtrak from Penn Station.

I did some research both on Parents Around the Hill and via the Fort Greene Babies yahoo group before the trip.  The neighborhood moms left me fairly assured that it wouldn’t be too bad when I got to the station.  I was still nervous!  I took the Q from Dekalb Ave to 34th Street Herald Square for the sake of elevators, and then made my way towards Penn Station on foot above ground.

The entrance to Penn Station that has the down escalator is at 31st St and 8th Ave.  I thought the diagram of the building posted on the wall said there was an elevator here, but I didn’t see it, so I went down they short escalator with Cam.  (Yes, I know, you’re not supposed to do this).

Once we got down to the main area I started looking around for a red cap, who I had been told would be able to help me out.  I didn’t see anyone, so I walked over to the Amtrak Customer Service desk (not the ticket counters) and a friendly man told me what track my train would be leaving from and that there was an elevator over by the police desk.  Indeed there was.

I got in – the choices were a little confusing.  I went down to “TL” – Track Level, I figured.  When when the doors opened I found that I was stuck in between the tracks, and not at the right number.  Apparently I was supposed to go to “LL” where you can move to any of the tracks and then take a different elevator down.  I went back up to “LL,” found my track, then took another elevator down to “TL.”

Cameron relaxes in his PJ's

Since I had gotten to the train early there were plenty of places to sit.  I found Cameron and I a section of 4 seats (2 and 2 facing each other).  It was perfect – there was lots of room for him, and for all our stuff.  Overall, getting to the train was pretty easy!  Stay tuned for more updates on the trip to DC, and the train trip back to New York.

UPDATE!  – I just added some pictures I took today of the store, check the bottom of the post to see what the kids section looks like!

If you haven’t heard there’s exciting news for us Fort Greene / Clinton Hill residents – we’re finally getting a bookstore – and one that promises to have a decent Children’s Book section too!  The store is called Greenlight Bookstore, and is located at 686 Fulton Street (on the corner of South Portland) in Fort Greene.  Next Saturday (10/24) they are having an story time for kids of all ages at 10:00 AM.

Library Lion

Brooklynite Michelle Knudsen, author of the bestseller Library Lion, will read from her picture book, and will then sign copies of her books, which Greenlight Bookstore will have for sale. Book-related treats and prizes will be handed out to the kids.  Of course, this event is FREE!  I think it’s  a great sign that the opening festivities for Greenlight Bookstore includes a children’s event – hopefully it will be a wonderful resource for mommies, babies, and kids alike!

Update: My hubby, Cameron and I stopped in the bookstore today after lunch at 67 Burger and before a birthday party.  It was so nice!  Really light, airy, and open.  And the Children’s section was GREAT!  It had books for all ages of kids.  I am really excited to have it in the neighborhood.  I took a few pictures of the kids section to share with you all

I should have posted this a few days ago but I totally spaced!  Here is all the info for the Still Hip Block Party , via Fort Greene Babies:

We are having our second block party of the year and what great stuff we have
planned!!! Check out the schedule of FREE events at Still Hip, including a book
reading and signing by local author/illustrators Betsy and Ted Lewin. You can
help paint a mural, dance to some amazing music, hear some great stories and eat
some delicious food.

STILL HIP FREE EVENTS
10:00 | Musica Para Mi demo class
11:00 | Private Picassos demo class
11:30 | Claudia Pearson book signing
noon | Music for Aardvarks demo class
1:00 | Betsy + Ted Lewin book reading and signing
2:00 | Let’s Dance Bklyn demo class
3:00 | Rolie Polie Guacamole demo
4:00 | Lango art project

LIVE MUSIC BY:
JoJo & the Afro-Beat Collective
City Billies Reggae/Bluegrass Band
Talks with Wolves
Bazaar Royale
Cameroun’s Francis Jockey
The Spirit Ensemble

Still Hip is located at 283 Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill

When I first had Cameron I was lost in a sea of pee, poop, and exhaustion.  I hit up my trusty friend google to see if there were any local mom resources to help me deal with this new life form, and to help me get out of the house (and keep my sanity!)  I found the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group.  For those of you local to the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill Brooklyn area, I suggest you join.  It’s great for finding social activities, as well as getting questions answered.  If you don’t live in the area, try googling for something near you and hook up with some other mommies and babies!