Vacations: It’s quick, it’s easy and it could win you a family vacation for a family of four! It’s Westchester Family’s 2018 Family Favorite Awards. Read more…

Hot Topics: Using mindfulness in parenting matters. It’s not a specific thing to do; it’s a way of life. Mindfulness is a long-term opportunity to build traits that lead to greater happiness and the capacity to manage challenges. It is about real-life situations and building skills rather than a simple buzz word. In fact, there is no more direct way to train attention and executive function (the developmental path related to self-management skills) than with mindfulness. Read more…

Entertainment: Disney has had amazing success on Broadway starting with its production of Beauty and the Beast in 1994, which ran an astonishing 13 years. Then there was – and still is – The Lion King. And most recently they produced Alladin. But all Disney musicals are not created equal, The Little Mermaid and Tarzan are among the less successful. Their latest production, Frozen, falls somewhere in-between. Read more…

Tweens: There are only so many times you can go to the beach or the pool over the summer without craving something more. So why not take the opportunity this summer to visit these wonderful water parks? Read more…

Pets: Dogs are part of the family, and every canine caretaker wants their pet to be happy and healthy. Doesn’t man’s best friend deserve the best food? But the array of dog food available is dizzying. Purina alone produces more than a dozen different brands. Pet food commercials, claims on packaging and Internet exposés yield confusion, fear or exasperation among pet owners. Read more…

Tweens: I call it spontaneous weeping. I’m referring to the many times throughout my daughter’s treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I unexpectedly teared up or full on cried in inappropriate places like shops, supermarkets, exercise classes, meetings. I’m certain that any worried parent suffering on behalf of their child recognizes this phenomenon. The experience of supporting my daughter through her cancer treatment taught me that my fear and sadness were now always ready to burst out to anyone. Read more…

Hot Topics: The transition to motherhood is a story as old as time, yet it’s retold with each individual experience of becoming a mother. In honor of Mother’s Day, let’s acknowledge that this seemingly ordinary transformation is in fact extraordinary. There is no doubt that a mother has enormous impact on her children. Yet, it’s also intriguing to examine how children can shape a mother’s personal growth and development. Read more…

Tweens: I’ve been hearing about the ropes course in the Palisades Center Mall in nearby Nyack for several years. Read more…

Tweens: – Albert Einstein Read more…

Elementary: Spring welcomes us to get outside more, so why not take science and art activities outside. You and your family can STEAM into spring with these fun activities that bring science and art together. Read more…

Tweens: Eastchester parent Beryn Corham’s son came home excited from school. “He couldn’t wait to tell me what happened that day at assembly,” she says. And teachers are thrilled too. According to Westchester teachers, nothing makes a kid’s eyes open wider than holding a piece of rebar (reinforcing steel) like that used in the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge or a strand from one of the stay cables that support the main span roadway. Read more…

Contests: Botley is ready to use rtight out of the box. Introduce your child, as young as 5, to the world of coding in a fun and strightforward way. Botley has advanced features that grow with kids offering challenges for mnay years to come. Read more…

Contests: Iconic fashion brand Vera Bradley is releasing baby-bump inspired wrapping paper, perfect for baby showers! Read more…

Bar & Bat Mitzvahs: Your child’s coming of age is a truly momentous occasion. And if you’ve got a bar or bat mitzvah coming up in your family, understandably, you may be feeling some pressure around finding the perfect venue. Where’s the best place to celebrate after the ceremony? And how can you make this day something your family and friends are going to talk about for years to come? Read more…