Breezy Mama

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How to Parent Tips

How to Shop for the Right Sleep Away Camp

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Breezy Mama’s NY Editor, Lan, has the scoop on sending your child to a sleep away camp!

From Lan:
Our eldest decided not too long ago that she was ready to go to sleep away camp. Needless to say, I was thrilled. One of my fondest memories was spending a summer away from my parents and four siblings for eight weeks. I was able to stretch myself, try new things like jewelry design, be a different person.

But with hundreds of sleep away camps to choose from, finding the right one can seem overwhelming. Ann Travis, who has worked with thousands of families over 25 years as The Summer Lady, has some great tips on how to get started once your child is comfortable with sleepovers:

Interview your child
There is a camp for [Read more…] about How to Shop for the Right Sleep Away Camp

Meet Enterovirus D68, the Potentially Lethal Virus

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Every year we hear about a new virus–and every virus seems like it’s scarier than the last. My mom kept asking if I had heard about Enterovirus D68–a virus that started in the midwest and is slowly making it’s way across America, hospitalizing children along the way. I hadn’t heard a thing about it, and neither had the majority of my friends. It was time for Breezy Mama to do some investigating. We turned to Dr. Carol Wilkinson, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Kinsights, and a pediatrician at UCSF for some insight. . .

What is a enterovirus?

There are actually many different types of enteroviruses that infect children every year. The CDC estimates that there are 10-15 million enteroviral infections in children every year! Usually, these infections cause simple minor colds. However, this year, one specific enterovirus, Enterovirus D68, has been responsible for more severe [Read more…] about Meet Enterovirus D68, the Potentially Lethal Virus

Question of the Day: Explaining the Dangers of Strangers

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Question of the Day is where Breezy Mama‘s Go-To parenting whiz, Dr. Fran Walfish, who is an Expert in Parents Magazine’s “Ask Our Experts” column, is here to answer your daily parenting questions. Make sure to send us what’s on your mind to alex@breezymama.com and Dr. Walfish will tackle it in a future Breezy post. Now on to today’s question. . .

How do I explain to my child the dangers of strangers without giving them nightmares?

Before talking to your children, you need a good “self thermometer” to make sure that you don’t have signs of fear or anxiety in your voice. If you do, you may [Read more…] about Question of the Day: Explaining the Dangers of Strangers

Tips on Getting Kids Ready for Preschool

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Breezy Mama Editor Lan has the scoop on tips for starting preschool!

From Lan:

If your family is like ours and has a child entering preschool for the first time, fall will be an exciting and stressful time. We asked Maria Dantos-Katsaros, director of the Upper Valley Preschool in New York City, for some tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Start talking about all the exciting things they will do at preschool one month before the first day, recommends Dantos-Katsaros, who has worked as a classroom teacher and as educational directors for institutions like Bright Horizon and Sylvan Learning Center. Here are some more tips:

How do you prepare your child for preschool?
Talking to your child about their upcoming entry into preschool is a great way to prepare them for what is ahead. If possible, visit the school with the child ahead of time so that they can meet their teachers and know what to anticipate. Talk about the [Read more…] about Tips on Getting Kids Ready for Preschool

Question of the Day: My Child Keeps Using Bad Language!

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Question of the Day is where Breezy Mama‘s Go-To parenting whiz, Dr. Fran Walfish, who is an Expert in Parents Magazine’s “Ask Our Experts” column, is here to answer your daily parenting questions. Make sure to send us what’s on your mind to alex@breezymama.com and Dr. Walfish will tackle it in a future Breezy post. Now on to today’s question. . .

My child keeps using bad language. How do I explain that this is not okay?

Obviously there are words that most parents don’t want their children to use. They won’t get your children invited on playdates or into the sorority. First off, as a parent, you want to make sure [Read more…] about Question of the Day: My Child Keeps Using Bad Language!