Language for Lil’ Ones
July 26, 2014Bon Jour, Hola, Hello! Want the little ones to be asking directions when on vacation? Check out some tips from our friends over at Little Pim on how your baby or toddler can be multilingual in weeks (and why it’s a great idea)! Fun/Cool Facts about Language Acquisition When babies first start to vocalize, Read more (…)
Henry Goes to the Beach
July 23, 2014Every summer for over twenty years I have gone “Up North” to Harbor Springs, Michigan. Spending summers there is something I am very grateful for. I’ve made new friends over the years, catch up with old friends, experience new things, and, in most recent years, spend extended time with my family. This experience has become Read more (…)
Macy’s Madness
July 22, 2014I love shopping for my granddaughters’ wardrobe. What makes it so much fun besides the cuteness factor is the fact that I can get great bargains on quality clothing if I shop smart! I wait until the end of the season (July for summer) and watch the sales for the additional percent off in addition Read more (…)
Snack Happy from Happy Family Brands
July 18, 2014One of our favorite toddler food companies has shared some of their pointers from HAPPYFAMILY Nutrition Advisor Amy Marlow. Amy shares some common questions from parents. There’s no doubt that young children need snacks. Figuring out what to serve at snack time (and when, and how much) is the million dollar question. According to her, Read more (…)
Sick Babies
July 16, 2014Oh man, I have come to the conclusion there is nothing sadder than a sick baby! Today marks day 9 of my 11 month old being sick. She is finally getting over a rough bout of coxsackie but is now battling a terrible cough and runny nose. At this point in her life, I definitely Read more (…)
Taking a Break from Wedding Planning
July 14, 2014My daughter’s wedding is a month away; most of the planning is complete and we are just waiting on the response cards that are past due. So I felt this was my last chance to escape for a few days before the hustle and bustle of the wedding to hang with friends. Finding a dress for the rehearsal Read more (…)
Guilt: Working Women
July 11, 2014Over the past month I have met a number of different women, all with fascinating backgrounds, for coffee to talk business, share ideas, seek mentorship, triumphs and struggles. Despite the different stages in life each are in (20s, 30s, 40s & 50s) there seems to be the general over harking struggle with guilt. I don’t have enough time for my friends, Read more (…)
Half Birthdays, First Birthdays, and Fun with Grandparents
July 9, 2014Exactly one year ago this week, my little family and I moved from New York City to the Washington, DC area. It seems like just last week and forever ago all at once. In that time, my baby girl has celebrated her half birthday, eaten solid food, gone swimming, stood up, walked, talked, signed, cut Read more (…)
Changing of the Guard
July 7, 2014About 4 months ago, my daughter and I decided upon a NYC hotel for her wedding guests. I had spent weeks conversing, emailing and negotiating until the perfect West Village area hotel was chosen. We picked the Sheraton Tribeca for convenience, location , amenities and friendly cooperation. Working with the sales manager we locked in the wedding Read more (…)
Baby Proofing: The Vicious Cycle
July 2, 2014I’ve finally figured out the ultimate baby-proofing technique: full body armor, equipped with helmets and kneepads. Kidding (sort of). Baby-proofing is extremely tricky. Once you think you have it figured out, those little explorers beat the system again and again. The climbing is the worst. What are you supposed to do? Remove all of your Read more (…)
What Happens in Atlantic City Stays in Atlantic City
June 30, 2014We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful pre-summer day for eight geese to follow the mother goose around the boardwalk of Atlantic City for a bachelorette party. We started at the beach for a few drinks in the sun, then to check in to our hotel as some of the group decorated the room in stellar bachelorette fashion. Read more (…)
5 Best Kept Secret Activities for Families in the Hamptons
June 26, 2014Jennie Magaro of Hamptons Family Concierge The Hamptons are world renowned for the beautiful beaches, celebrities, and gala fundraising events. But what can you do when vacationing in the Hamptons with your kids? As a local mom, and co-founder of Hamptons Family Concierge, I am willing to share a few secret spots that I’m Read more (…)
Talking, Technology, and the Terrible Twos…
June 25, 2014Three months ago my sweet Henry wasn’t saying much. These days he has a lot to say! Henry has a sound for almost every animal, names for his toys and objects around him, and will have in depth conversations with me about some very serious topics. I have NO IDEA what he’s saying, but I Read more (…)
Another Father’s Day
June 23, 2014Father’s Day has been bittersweet for me. Celebrating Father’s Day with my kids is always a happy, fun time, but then there’s the sadness I feel that goes with the loss of my dad and grandfather. They were both great example of what Fathers should be and they left a positive, lasting effect on my life. When I look Read more (…)
Musical Theater Camp for Lil’ Ones: Imagine Works
June 20, 2014Summer has begun and with it, kids are off to every type of camp imaginable. Today we’re featuring an awesome youth musical theater camp that starts next week (registration is still open!). What is it? Imagine Works is a youth musical theater summer camp located in the West Village that starts on July 14th. They Read more (…)
Life with Two!
June 18, 2014We were blessed to welcome our second daughter into the world in early April. As much as I don’t love being pregnant, I found myself extra thankful this time around to have nine months to mentally prepare for life with two. It also gave us time to build excitement with our ever-so-sassy 3 year old. Read more (…)
Girls’ Weekend
June 16, 2014I asked my bestie to accompany me to my daughter’s bachelorette party. I thought it would be more enjoyable to have a buddy my own age to pal around with. After some discussion, we decided to leave a couple of days earlier and enjoy the beach ourselves. After 35 years of friendship, we never took Read more (…)
Be Mini Couture Special Promotion
June 13, 2014We sat down and interviewed Heidi Lieske, CEO of Be Mini Couture and learned all about this lil’ fashion site. Luckily for BFC members, Be Mini Couture is running a special for $25 off your order using our exclusive discount code (keep reading to see it!). What is Be Mini Couture? Be Mini Couture is the Read more (…)
The Importance of Date Night
June 11, 2014Pre baby, my husband and I had a great tradition of Friday night being date night. My husband is a real planner so usually on Wednesday, Thursday morning he would start the convo via text/email about where we should go for dinner. We would try our best to come up with new places to go in neighboring towns, or even Read more (…)
Target.com Shoppers Beware
June 9, 2014Saturday, I innocently walked in to Target with my return product in hand and my Target Red Card expecting a quick transaction. When to my frustration and surprise left the store 30 minutes later with my return product still in tow. What happened you ask? Not much. Within those 30 minutes I found out Target Read more (…)
Summer Water Safety
June 6, 2014Summer is a time filled with beaches, tropical vacations, swimming pools, slip & slides, kiddie pools, open fire hydrants, outdoor showers, lakes, and every other type of water imaginable to help beat the heat. Kids love the water, but they also need constant supervision. We’ve compiled the most important safety tips of the summer to Read more (…)
The Sweetest Sound
June 4, 2014Almost exactly one year ago, my husband and I moved from New York City to Arlington, VA with our five month old baby girl. Within days of our arrival, I learned about the local cooperative playgroup and knew it was something we wanted to do. I also knew we had some time to wait as Read more (…)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
June 2, 2014Once upon a time there was a beautiful, young bride to be who wanted to step in Audrey Hepburn’s shoes for a day. So on the day of her bridal shower in her own backyard, the tables and chairs were adorned with Tiffany blue covers and chair ties, tables decorated in pearls, the famous black sunglasses, gift Read more (…)
Allergies and Lil’ Ones
May 29, 2014Having toddlers that are just learning how to talk makes it difficult to understand when something is wrong; I ran into this very situation this weekend while in Ohio visiting family. One of my twins broke out into hives that looked like large welts. Being in a new environment and around tons of new people Read more (…)
A House Hunting We Go!
May 26, 2014My daughter and her family are planning on moving back home. So, on my last visit I agreed to drive back home with her and the kids so she could house hunt. Being an avid House Hunter television show watcher, I thought this would be great fun. Of course I forgot the fact that we Read more (…)
Summer Pregnancy Tips
May 23, 2014City summers can be rough on everyone when the heat really turns up, especially pregnant women. We’ve compiled some great tips to help you breeze through the summer. Try to avoid being outdoors on hot days; stay inside near an AC unit or fan. Stay hydrated! Sports drinks and juices can help keep your sugar Read more (…)
Don’t Eat the Crayon!
May 21, 2014“Don’t eat the crayon!” “That’s HOT! Don’t touch!” “Henry, don’t share all your dinner with the dog!” “Put the iPad DOWN!” “No, you can’t have the knife!” “Stop licking the floor” “Please keep your diaper on!” Welcome to Toddlerville! That pretty much sums up my recent conversations with my 19 month old. I should have Read more (…)
Another Year, Another Pizza
May 16, 2014The end of another school year is getting closer and closer. Coming from a family where the youngest “lil’ ones” are now in college, I can personally say that the trinkets and projects add up over the years. We all love the cute kiddie paintings and diorama projects (alright maybe just the kids love those..), Read more (…)
My First Official Mother’s Day
May 14, 2014I have celebrated many a Mother’s Day throughout my lifetime, celebrating and honoring my mother and then my sister as well when she became a mother to twins 7 years ago this month. I never thought to much about the holiday, in fact I have no idea if it falls on the same day every Read more (…)
A Happy Mother’s Day Thank You to my Daughters
May 12, 2014You came into my world so small And I was I wonder of it all When you first placed your lil’ hands in mine I knew you’d have my heart until the end of time We’ve gone through a lot throughout the years Happy times, hard times,conquered all the fear I can’t imagine my life Read more (…)
A Weekend Away
May 7, 2014Before I was a mother, I couldn’t understand friends’ hesitation at leaving their kids for a weekend. I thought, “Can’t their other parent watch them?” “Won’t it be good to have a break?” “It’s just one weekend!” As with most parenting subjects, I was clueless. Now, I understand. I just made my first solo trip Read more (…)
Bittersweet Birthdays
May 5, 2014At my age my birthdays are becoming bittersweet. On one hand I’m glad to have reached another birthday, but I also become more aware of my youth slipping away. I will concentrate on the positive. I so enjoy the days leading up to my birthday when cards arrive and I stand reading them through blurred eyes Read more (…)
Built In Best-Buddies
May 2, 2014Watching the relationship between my twins evolve as they grow is truly remarkable. I’ve been thinking about how lucky they are to have each other and to never feel alone. It makes me comforted to know that they will (hopefully) have each other’s backs, to have a friend to laugh with, to cry with, always. Read more (…)
Best Dressed Lil’ Frankensteins
April 28, 2014Another busy trip to the east coast led me to my granddaughters’ front door for another wonderful visit. They are now walking stiffed legged and arms out like lil’ Frankensteins. They are so proud of themselves as they giggle and lunge toward you, looking for praise for their accomplishments. My daughter had them dressed in the Read more (…)
How Will We See Our Photographs in 100 Years?
April 25, 2014With digital it easy to forget that having photographs in frames and on our walls and tabletops has a powerful effect. We see and remember the beauty and joy of our lives. We also forget that the most secure way to have heirlooms is through prints. Whether a print is from a digital image or from film, Read more (…)
Spring: A Season of Change
April 23, 2014With the changing of the seasons in Chicago comes many new milestones in our lives. Henry has hit the year and a half mark and with that comes many changes to his appearance, personality, physical abilities, and his language skills. He has sprouted like the flowers in the ground and now all his pants look Read more (…)
Happy Rainy Birthday to You
April 21, 2014Two daughters, two granddaughters and myself took a five hour trip to help my 29-year-old celebrate her birthday. Besides the five passengers, the car was packed with two portable cribs, two booster seats, a twin size stroller, diaper bag, food bag, and four pieces of various sized luggage. It’s exhausting just writing it all down! Read more (…)
Spring Newsletter
April 16, 2014Spring is here! We have selected a few fun tips, tricks, reminders, and insider info from our latest newsletter! If you don’t subscribe to our monthly newsletter yet, click here to get the full scoop. Happy Easter & Passover from everyone here at LLD Wishing you and your family a great holiday! Let us all hope Read more (…)
Say Yes to the Dress
April 14, 2014My oldest daughter is getting married soon and her wish growing up was to someday wear my wedding dress. So she asked me if she could have my dress and make the alterations needed to modernize it in to a shorter version. I said yes to the dress and on my last visit in NYC we had a Read more (…)
From Farm to Baby
April 9, 2014I have always considered myself a healthy eater by moderate standards; I never eat fast food, I eat my fruits and vegetables, I buy whole grain pasta etc… However, ever since having my daughter and entering the world of solid foods 2 months ago, it is amazing how quick the tables have turned and I Read more (…)
Mr(S) Clean
April 7, 2014Have you seen the latest Mr. Clean commercial when he is a baby learning his trade and sharing with others the joy of cleaning? I feel like my baby picture should go along side of Mr. Clean’s. I heard my daughter recently tell me that one of my daughter’s comments to her was, “I love Read more (…)
Lets Play!
April 4, 2014As parents and caregivers we all know how fun it is to play with the children we love and care for. Depending on the child, their age and developmental level the way we play will vary. One of my favorite ways to interact, engage and be an active participant when working with children is facilitating Read more (…)
Mommy Fitness
April 2, 2014Before I had my daughter, I worked out everyday…sometimes several times a day! Yes, I was working as a fitness professional and working out was my job; but it was also something I just loved. If there was a new class, I wanted to try it; if I had a favorite, I scheduled around it. Read more (…)
Bridesmaid Shopping for the Over 50 Crowd
March 31, 2014Many girls are pleasantly surprised when asked to be a bridesmaid; imagine my surprise when my daughter asked me to be her matron of honor. I quickly rebutted,” Why do you want me in that role?” She answered, “Because you are the most special person to me.” Of course this response turned on the waterworks. Well now Read more (…)
April Showers
March 28, 2014April is coming this weekend, and we all know the saying “April showers bring May flowers!” So how do you enjoy the Spring with your lil’ ones? We have a cute craft that will keep your lil’ ones busy and bring in the Spring: flower pots! This is a three-part craft: painting the terracota pots, Read more (…)
It’s Coming, It’s Coming!
March 25, 2014Over the last five months, our team has been working tirelessly to perfect our new site and booking platform that will launch this June. The new platform will make the booking process quick, simple, and convenient for both our member families and our CareGivers. Yesterday evening, a few lucky CareGivers, member families, and our in-house Read more (…)
Minted
March 24, 2014Being a mom of five daughters, yes five! I’m ok (thrilled actually) with the fact that I will be planning weddings for the forseable future, followed by baby showers (twins most recently and I better have an excuse to plan for more!). Two weddings down and well into my third I am a self- professed Read more (…)
Etiquette Academy
March 21, 2014My name is Karen Felix. My daughter, Kailee, and I recently moved from coastal NC due to her acceptance to study in NYC at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. We left dad at home, we left Orin at college, and we moved from here… so Kailee could pursue this dream… Allow me to Read more (…)
How to Balance Motherhood with the Rest of Your Life
March 19, 2014Undoubtedly motherhood is the most important and challenging job. Whether you stay-at-home or have returned to work, it’s a struggle to balance it all. Cue the mommy guilt. I have yet to meet a mother who hasn’t admitted that at some point she has felt overwhelmed, inadequate, or finds moments where she just wants to Read more (…)
The Luck of the Irish to You
March 17, 2014My “baby” had some unfortunate complication from back surgery two years ago. Her doctor commented that this is only the third time he has seen this happen in his 10 year career. A distinguishable fact I could live without. So I flew her back home so recuperation could be more comfortable. There’s no place like Read more (…)
Moms Night Out for a Good Cause
March 14, 2014New York, NY – This summer, take a break from the kids for a great cause. Grant making charity Walk the Walk is bringing back its bra-baring marathon, The MoonWalk New York City, presented by Empire BlueCross BlueShield, where women and men Power Walk the streets of New York overnight in decorated bras to raise Read more (…)
Daycare Drama
March 12, 2014I have had the amazing privilege of being able to take an entire year off of work to spend it with my daughter. I am a teacher and I gave birth to my daughter at the beginning of August. It was right about this time a year ago that my school and I came to Read more (…)
A Frozen Birthday
March 10, 2014Last weekend on a freezing cold afternoon, I went to a “Frozen” themed five year olds birthday party. Having adult children allows you to forget what those birthday party days were like and the current pop culture of the five year old. The party was decorated with all things “Frozen” down to the two layer cake with Read more (…)
Spring Break Fun!
March 7, 2014Spring break is a much anticipated time in school…. and can be a stressful week for parents having their kiddies home for an entire week! Especially when it is colder out, it may be hard to find activities to do; Luckily, we have a great idea for each day of break! Day 1) Mini food Read more (…)
From One Mom to Another
March 5, 2014It’s been a little more than a year since my daughter was born and in that short time, I have laughed more, cried more, played more, loved harder, and slept less than I ever have in my life and I am happier, healthier and more fulfilled because of it. I’ll be honest, I was a Read more (…)
Add Another Winner!
March 3, 2014I spent a few days with an old friend and per usual came home with a few new recipes. Being retired like myself, she spends some of her free time leafing through magazines collecting recipes to try. We had the usual terrible Ohio weather, snow, ice , rain and wind so food was our comfort. Let me share with you Read more (…)
Time flies when you’re having…babies!
February 26, 2014I cannot believe my girls are 1 year old! The last year pretty much feels like a blur with glimpses of sleepless nights, giggles, dirty diapers, and cuddles. People have always told me that this happens and to cherish every moment. I could not stress this advice more. Things aren’t always easy when you have Read more (…)
The Winter Blues
February 25, 2014Living in the polar region of northeast Ohio I have developed a severe case of the winter blues. I’ve cleaned every nook and cranny, in, out and under the refrigerator, paint touchups and shopped till I dropped (or ran out of money– whichever came first). So, what to do next? Last shopping trip at Home Goods, Read more (…)
Yoga Workout for New Moms
February 21, 2014Once you have the green light to exercise again after delivery, here’s some great yoga and core moves you can do to ease yourself back in to shape. Remember your body has gone through quite a bit of stress during pregnancy and labor. If you’ve taken the recommended 4 to 6 weeks off after vaginal Read more (…)
Living in a Snow Globe
February 19, 2014I’ve really tried to not complain about the weather this winter, but it’s getting harder and harder as winter stretches on and on. I’m from the midwest, I grew up in the harsh winters, but this has to be the worst one I’ve ever experienced. It literally feels like I’m living in a snow globe Read more (…)
Happy Birthday!
February 17, 2014You are Grandma’s lil’ miracles that have grown to be one year. Both cute as a bug and precious to hug So nice to cuddle and hold near. I hope turning one is happy and fun as you stumble from table to chair. I remember the first time I held you kissed you and whispered your Read more (…)
Heart Shaped Treats
February 14, 2014Today we’re going to share one of our favorite recipes… to die for sugar cookies! The best part is, since they are roll out, they can easily be made into hearts for Valentine’s Day. Kids will love helping you roll out these cookies after dinner too! Serving: 20 medium/large cookies Ingredients: 1 cup butter 2/3 Read more (…)
Back to the Babies
February 10, 2014With all the adult plans and excitements, I can’t forget to mention spending time with the grandbabies! At eleven months they are the most fun. They walk around objects holding on for dear life, squeezing through nooks and crannies all the while watching to see if you were going to chase after them. Crawling around Read more (…)
We’d Like to Introduce you to…. FUNBITES!
February 7, 2014Today we have a very special product we’d like to introduce you to before Valentine’s Day! When we had the opportunity to review the FunBites product, we were excited! We love easy products like this that make mealtime easier for kids and parents. About the product: FunBites is the first state of the art kitchen tool Read more (…)
An Engagement Affair to Remember
February 3, 2014What better place to be on a cold winter’s night than in a warm loft apartment over looking the Empire State Building in NYC? I’m used to the 400 square feet studio apartments that my daughters have lived in. This place was fit for a wedding venue. And whoever said New Yorkers weren’t friendly has not had the Read more (…)
Sleep Training… or Torture?
January 29, 2014My daughter Ashton will be 6 months old in two weeks and up until this point I would say that she truly has been a very easy baby. She is my first, and so I have nothing to compare her to; however, from what I have read, and heard from fellow moms, I can say Read more (…)
Planning a Birthday Bash
January 24, 2014Once a year that special day comes for our lil’ ones… their birthday! Whether they are young or old, birthday parties are always a great way to celebrate. Today we’re giving some tips on how to make that party special, fun, and easy for you to plan! Don’t overwhelm your lil’ ones. A good general Read more (…)
Happy First Birthday!
January 22, 2014On Sunday, my baby girl turned one!! How did that happen so fast? Wasn’t I JUST wearing maternity clothes? Wasn’t she JUST born? I don’t know that a year has ever passed so quickly in my life! I was prepared for the countless hours scouring Pinterest for first Birthday party ideas. I knew I would Read more (…)
Happy New Year
January 20, 2014It has been a year of many blessings for our family. First, the birth of our beautiful grandchildren who have really enriched our lives as well as make us feel our age. We have added a wonderful new son-in-law as well as watched our once-upon-a-time-tomboy daughter turn into a gorgeous bride. Another daughter expanded her Read more (…)
Sick Baby: 1, Mommy: 0
January 16, 2014Life has been quite the whirlwind lately. The girls have been so out of whack with their sleep schedules; on top of it, one of them came down with an ear infection, teething, and I’m pretty sure roseola all at the same time. I have never felt so helpless. As a mom, you try night Read more (…)
Dreaming of the Family Holiday
January 13, 2014Starting on the Saturday before Christmas the clan started coming home. My daughter with the twins came in, so did their four suitcases portable crib, booster seat,boxes of diapers, food, toys and various other items. The family room soon turned into a kid friendly fortress that required adults to crawl in and out of, along Read more (…)
Back to School
January 10, 2014Back to school after winter break can be hard for your lil’ ones. We have a few solutions to get them excited to be back in the classroom: Schedule a time when they can bring in their new toy for show and tell if they are younger. Older and younger kids can also bring toys to Read more (…)
Henry in Hawaii
January 8, 2014When your parents offer to take you to Maui, you don’t turn it down, even if it you have to travel all that way with a very energetic 14-month old! Bob and I thought long and hard about how we were going to keep Henry happy, comfortable, and entertained for a 15 hour travel day. Read more (…)
Mama Bell’s Return & The Bellbonic Plague
January 6, 2014Looks like my hiatus has ended, being summoned back by the boss. So, to get you all caught up: I finished planning a wedding, had a wedding, then the entire family caught the flu,went to New Jersey for a family Thanksgiving,had the family in for Christmas, my oldest got engaged, started planning that wedding and now getting Read more (…)
Snow Day, Fun Day!
January 3, 2014With all NYC public schools closed along with many major highways and roads in New York, children everywhere are celebrating. Parents, maybe not as much. Snow days mean wet feet and cooped up children… luckily we have some fun ideas to help! Go outside! If you live close to a park, suit up in snow Read more (…)
Happy New Year!!!! Change is coming
January 2, 2014Wow….where did 2013 go? It’s hard to believe a new year has arrived so quickly! Our year was filled with laughter and joy while we witnessed our sweet little baby grow into a beautiful big girl. And now, as we head into 2014, our thoughts turn to preparing for life with not one girl, but Read more (…)
Winter Break or Holiday Havoc?
December 31, 2013This past week I found myself very aware of stressed out parents, restless children and very few nannies in the city. Many families go away for the holidays, as do their childcare providers. This shift in the norm can wreak havoc on the most organized family. This week I saw parents on edge, completely overwhelmed, Read more (…)
Resolutions for Lil’ Ones
December 27, 2013Along with the new year comes New Year’s Resolutions. The gyms fill up, the cookie sales decline, and expectations run high. However, these resolutions rarely last more than a month. Resolutions are a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf and create some positive changes in your life and are a good practice for Read more (…)
Tis the Season to Give…or Not?
December 23, 2013It is that time of year… Happy…Merry… The winter holidays are here!!! For those of us in the service industry it is an especially happy time or at least we hope… Like no other city in the world, Manhattan residents depend on doormen, building staff, delivery people, assistants, caregivers/nannies, housekeepers and such! As Pamela Skillings Read more (…)
The Guide for Finding Classes In NYC!
December 20, 2013Living in NYC is great because there are literally a thousands ways to enrich your lil’ darling’s life (as our great sitter2Mom, Samantha, talked about in her post this past Wednesday). However, the downside to this is that busy parents don’t have the time to actually find, research, and compare the hundreds of class Read more (…)
Classes Galore
December 18, 2013It is unbelievable how many classes there are for babies—yoga, music, swimming…..the list goes on and on. During my pregnancy—when talking to other moms-to-be—a question that often came up was “what classes will you be signing up for?” At the time, I had not given it any real thought, but of course my mind flashed Read more (…)
Enjoy the Little Things in Life
December 16, 2013I think I’m learning as much from my little girl as I am teaching her. And usually, the biggest lessons come in the simplest moments, like the other day as I watched her eat cottage cheese. She carefully picked up one kernel at a time and placed (sometimes shoveled) each piece into her mouth. Every Read more (…)
Stay Safe: Fire Safety Edition
December 11, 2013NY Nanny Center & Lucky Lil’ Darlings had our quarterly CPR training with our friends at the FDNY this past Monday, and we’ve got fire safety on the mind! Like everything else they are curious about- kids are naturally curious about the concept fire. To prevent any accidental fires starting in the home, we wanted Read more (…)
Resources in NYC for Children with Special Needs
December 9, 2013It can be an overwhelming process to understand and implement the services needed for a child with special needs. In most circumstances it begins with your child’s pediatrician. Typically if a child it not reaching his or her developmental milestones the pediatrician will refer the family to have an evaluation done to determine the possible Read more (…)
Put Dry Skin “On a Timeout” this Winter
December 6, 2013Ah, winter! Cue visions of hot chocolate, christmas carols and cozy nights by the fireplace. For many of us, however, the drop in temperatures also signals skin so dry and lips so chapped that we dread wool sweaters, can’t sleep from itching (or from itchy kids not sleeping!) and run at the sight of mistletoe. How to Read more (…)
Babies’ First Christmas
December 4, 2013To me, Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season which is now in full swing. This has always been the most wonderful time of the year (insert Christmas music), and is so much more meaningful now with our new additions. Of course I’ve already bought two sets of Christmas pajamas and elf hats for Christmas Read more (…)
New York…A progressive city for Children with Special Needs.
December 2, 2013I love NYC for many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons I love NYC is that this city is aggressive when providing Early Intervention Services (EIS) for children with special needs. Don’t get me wrong, navigating the system, understanding the services and obtaining the support you need is not always a seamless process, but Read more (…)
Special LLD Discount!
November 29, 2013It’s the time of year! The turkeys are off the table and the jingle bells are ringin’! That’s why we’re so excited to share a special discount with our valued LLD family! Come enjoy the Radio City Christmas Spectacular® at the one and only Radio City Music Hall® this year!! This special offer only goes until December 30th Read more (…)
A Year of Thanks
November 27, 2013There are so many things I am thankful for. Life is pretty good, but I’m especially grateful for all the people in my life who help me be a great mom (it takes a village!). I have a great husband who is present, physically and mentally, in our son’s life. He gives me the breaks I Read more (…)
How to Pay Your Nanny!
November 25, 2013I recently attended a very informative seminar about how to pay your nanny and learned a wealth of information about having a written contract, decided on the standard weekly hours, tax information , health care and worker’s compensation. Nikki Kristol, MST is a Upper Westside wife and mother of two with a Masters degree in Read more (…)
Gobble Gobble: The Healthy Way
November 21, 2013This Thanksgiving, LLD is featuring a special blog post on how to stay healthier while still making your kids happy. We’ve compiled some of the best healthy recipes from around the web and compiled them here for your healthiest Thanksgiving yet. Appetizers: Ditch the heavy cheese dips and chips before the big Thanksgiving meal. Creating Read more (…)
Calling Out Sick
November 18, 2013I am not sure what feels worse being sick, or calling out sick. It is that time of year and colds, flu and illness will happen! The weather is changing and the heat is on whether you want it or not. No one likes being sick, but it is inevitable. Being sick as a nanny can be emotionally Read more (…)
Our Ultimate LLD Baby Names List!
November 16, 2013We’ve been hard at work at LLD compiling a list of some of our favorite baby names. Don’t see one you like? Feel free to add it to our comments section below! Girls: 1. Avery 2. Madeleine 3. Rosie 4. Olivia 5. Maggie 6. Brooke 7. Scarlett 8. Eva 9. Milly 10. Clementine 11. Hayden Read more (…)
Dress to Impress- Holiday Edition
November 13, 2013I LOVE holidays!! They are just plain fun…I enjoy a good themed craft project, I like to dress myself and my home up, any excuse for a party is a good one, and don’t even get me started on finding the perfect gifts! I have always loved them, but now that I have a daughter…..oh Read more (…)
Vacation Together, not Home Alone
November 12, 2013We’ve all seen Home Alone. The movie opens up with mass chaos during the evening leading up to a big family vacation to Paris, France. Kids are everywhere, food is flying, and adults are struggling to pack. Eventually, a child gets left behind in the continuation of the chaos the next morning. Now, I’m not Read more (…)
Capturing Sweet Portraits
November 8, 2013Everyone loves taking pictures of their lil’ ones; after all, they are one of the best ways to capture memories forever. Today, we sat down and talked to professional NYC photographer, Emily Dewan, who shared her tips on making your photos the best they can be. Hold the cheese, please The command “say cheese!” Read more (…)
“It’s Amazing You All Survived”
November 6, 2013For me, my mother is and always has been a wealth of information on a variety of topics; since having my first child, she now more than ever is my first call for just about anything. However, it is clear that quite a bit has changed since the day I was just a wee one. Tomorrow is Read more (…)
Just Say No!!!
November 4, 2013I was born in the late 70’s and recall family member’s saying, “Children should be seen and not heard” or “…because I said so” or my all-time favorite, spoken in a whisper through clenched teeth, “When I get you home…” Thirty plus years later, parenting protocol and limit setting has changed drastically. Punitive punishment is Read more (…)
Are You Really Sorry?
November 1, 2013At LLD, our sitters are trained to help children manage inevitable conflicts and unhappiness. However, when children are playing together nicely, sometimes even a small things can become challenging. Dana Rosenbloom, Owner and Therapist at Dana’s Kids, explores how we use “I’m Sorry” in place of fostering meaningful interactions between our children. The Problem: Children Read more (…)