Archive for January, 2010

Raising Children in a Recession -What Do We Cut from our Parenting Budgets?

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Pam Wolf

New York Parents Club Founder, Pam Wolf

Greetings New York Parents Club!
 
It seems every conversation these days includes some reference to the state of our economy.
 
Parents are just as likely to share cost-savings tips, as they are to schedule play dates.
 
Cutting our adult-related costs may seem painful, but we know what to do: skip the lattes, control the impulse shopping excursions, scale back the vacation budget, etc.
 
When it comes to our children, however, cost-cutting decisions are more difficult.
 
There are the obvious necessities: food, water, clothing and shelter.
 
But what about the other money we spend on our children for after-school sports classes, music lessons, tutors, summer camps, gifts, entertainment and even private school tuition?
 
When it becomes necessary to cut back on these expenditures, how do you determine what stays and what goes?
 
For example, I’ve always placed a high value on enrichment activities. (In fact, it was participating in classes with my children when they were very young that inspired me to found the New York Kids Club.) So, in my home, there are many other things we will do without (such as pricy gifts) before cutting back on extracurricular spending.
 
Your turn! Let’s talk about your child-related expenditures. 
 
What, if anything, have you cut back on in your home? How did you determine what went first?
 
LET IT OUT!
 
Pam Wolf

A Technological Playground: Children and Cell Phones…

Monday, January 18th, 2010
Pam Wolf

New York Parents Club Founder, Pam Wolf

Greetings New York Parents Club! 

Long gone are the days when cellular phones were luxuries reserved for senior-level business executives and well-to-do early adopters. 

And while the handheld communication gadgets have only been around a little over twenty-five years, they are on the verge of becoming utilities in our daily lives. 

In fact, some may argue they are as crucial to their existence as electricity, gas and water. 

Slowly but, surely, cell phones have become more accessible, more affordable and more difficult to imagine life without. 

According to CTIA, a national wireless association, 89% of the US population subscribes to a cellular phone service. The trend has quickly trickled down to the next generation, with children as young as four and five toting cell phones, such as the Firefly.

Now, I am an entrepreneur at heart and strive to stay on the cutting-edge of technology. 

However, it’s one thing to explore and embrace new technologies as an adult.It’s different to simply turn our children loose on this emerging technological playground. 

Your turn! Let’s talk about children and cell phones: 

How old is old enough? 

If your child has a cell phone, what are the boundaries in your home? 

And, if you’re not handing one over to your child, let us know why not. 

LET IT OUT! 

Pam Wolf

You Are Being Watched…

Friday, January 8th, 2010
Pam Wolf

New York Parents Club Founder, Pam Wolf

Greetings New York Parents Club!

I have some news… you are being watched.

Yes, watched…closely and intently.

By your children, that is.

Our children are always watching…looking up to us for guidance and example.

So this week, let’s examine the example we are setting in our homes where healthful eating and exercise are concerned.

Many of you have set personal New Year’s resolutions, vowing to make changes to your diets.  Maybe you are working on eating less… passing on salt or sugar…or actually using the gym membership you’ve been paying for each month for years.

What about the health of our children? We live in a world of partially hydrogenated oils, corn syrup solids and candy bars calling from the newsstand entrances of nearly every subway line.

Now remember…they are always watching.

If I’m having Poppycock and egg nog at 9:00 pm (which I don’t recall ever doing, but you get the picture), no matter what holiday or special occasion I am using to justify the indulgence, my four children will be happily partaking; hungry or not.

Likewise, suppose I am skipping dinner each evening in attempt to shed a few pounds. My children could be watching me create anxiety around food….and anxiety in children translates to fear.

So, is it truly “everything in moderation?”

Or more accurately…”everything in moderation except for the list of no-no foods tacked to the refrigerator door fresh from the pages of Skinny Bitch?”

In my home, when one family member is cutting back a little for health reasons, we all trade our ice cream for fresh fruit come dessert time.

Your turn!

What are you doing for yourself, your children and your family to encourage healthy eating and exercise in your household?

What works?

What are some tips for cultivating a healthy lifestyle without emanating food-related anxiety that could drive our children into over-indulgence or restriction?

LET IT OUT,

Pam Wolf

Greetings Fellow New York Parents!

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

New York Kids Club Founder, Pam Wolf

My name is Pam Wolf and I am the mother of four New York City born-and-raised children.  

I am also the founder of a successful New York-based business.  

People often ask me, “How do you do it?”  

“How do you manage?”  

“How do you balance running your own business with the responsibilities of running a household?”  

My question for all of you is, “How do you manage?”  

How does any parent “manage?”  

And why are we focusing on “management” when we should be focusing on celebrating the relationships with our children…and more importantly, living?  

I am guessing parents at any age and stage have some great answers…and great insight into what it takes to raise happy, healthy young children and nurturing meaningful relationships with our adult children. All while maintaining a strong sense of self and, well, our sanity.  

If so, you have come to the right place!  

And if you don’t have any insight your typing fingers are tingling over the keyboard to share…you are still in the right place.  

We learn from one another. We grow as parents, partners and individuals by staying in touch and in tune with the experiences of those around us.  

So, yes, in case you were wondering, that is why I launched the New York Parents Club community: a unique blog-and- forum-combo for parents to connect, share advice and opinions and participate in local events, activities and happenings.  

Each week, I’ll post a new question or topic of interest and relevance to our community.  And, of course, I won’t pass up a chance to offer my own two cents on the subject.  

But, the main goal is to hear from you: the New York parenting community!  

Be sure to join our Facebook page to stay up to date with parent socials and kid-friendly meet-ups. Share what’s on your mind and ask your fellow parents for advice on everything from diapers to local doctors.  

So go ahead: LET IT OUT!  

Pam Wolf