Being a dad is a great thing. In taking on the responsibility of raising a child it has to be an “all in” kind of a commitment. You are constantly in awe of the growth of your child and are tuned into what they need at any given time in their development.
Nature Versus Nurture?
The nature versus nurture question comes up constantly. How much does your input as a father impact a kid and how much is just an inherent a personality component of her or him? Going through the experience I’d have to say both.
Hands Off Versus Guidance?
There are ways that my child is very much her own person, with incredible traits that I can’t recognize in myself or my wife. These are things I give her space on and let her grow into ideas without interference by me. I have to admit I use “teaching moments” but I try not to bring too much attention to the fact I am passing on insights. In short, I parent with a hands off on things that are happening developmentally with her that are working out well, but step in when some guidance seems necessary. Something must be working out because she is an amazing human being!
The NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene together with the Department of Education put out a letter recently addressed to parents and guardians. The NYC Department of Health is currently investigating cases of Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome, or PMIS, a new health condition appearing in children in New York City and elsewhere. The NYC Health Department is also investigating the possible association between PMIS and COVID-19 in children. Some doctors think the condition is related to having COVID-19, but the connection is still not clear.
PMIS is a rare condition that is not contagious. However, because it is life-threatening, it is important to know the signs. Most children have a persistent, high temperature lasting several days, along with other symptoms, including:
Irritability or sluggishness
Abdominal pain without another explanation
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Rash
Conjunctivitis, or red or pink eyes
Enlarged lymph node (“gland”) on one side of the neck
Red, cracked lips or red tongue that looks like a strawberrySwollen hands and feet, which might also be red
You should call your doctor if your child becomes ill and has had continued fever. Your doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and use that information to recommend next steps. If your child is severely ill, you should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
This publication came about through our need to connect with activities for kids for our then toddler daughter. Things have changed a lot from then and our daughter is now in middle school.
Reflecting on the Past
The years do go by quickly and we are in awe of our daughter and the wonderful person she is. We continue to do this publication in part because we are supportive of the Blog Coalition of which we are members, but also because there is a part of us that makes us want to remember every phase our daughter has gone through.
What We all Have in Common
We don’t list activities for kids on this blog all that often. Times have changed but we’re really all kids at heart.
Parenting has a new stressor that was not anticipated: taking care of your kids in the Coronavirus age. Awareness of COVID-19 only started around a month ago and prior to that time our hands were already full. Now tension has increased as we are faced with new questions.
Facing the Same Problems
As seen in this post on the blog “Manhattan Coronavirus,” even just getting something as basic as food for our kids has become a challenge. In the case of the writer in the article, he tried over 10 methods to get food delivered for his family but none of them worked. Thankfully though, he came up with a solution.
New Doors Needed
As parents we are faced with new virus driven fears and tasks to overcome for our families. How will we find new indoor fun ways for them to play? How will they exercise? How do we assist them with not going stir crazy? What activities and knowledge can we open the doors for them in the virtual world?
Important Now
We are faced with having to wing it with no precedence of other parents having faced the same challenges. We are the first. Hopefully one day this will become a distant memory, but for now it is time to be creative to keep our children safe, healthy and happy.
Starting a children’s theater company means that you are taking on special work. Many perceive children’s theater as nothing more than a group that performs story characters, possibly borrowed from a popular kids book, who act in an extreme and silly manner. Many write off childrens theater as nothing more than vapid entertainment that the family enjoys and does not have to do a lot of analyzing.
The Impactful Side of Children’s Theater
In truth, children participating in the productions (or watching them) are impacted in meaningful ways. Children’s theater helps a kid’s development. It can actually increase intelligence through participation. Additionally it opens up a whole new vista for the child. Depending on the production they are participating in, they can make discoveries that will last them a lifetime.
More Positives About Children’s Theater
Children’s theater helps kids to imagine new worlds and ultimately be more empathetic. Young minds also are opened up to a better understanding of what they read. Going through the process of putting up a production can change the point of view of youths.
Grades Can Go Up
Studies have shown that kids who do theater much of the time have better grades in school.
What is Special About Your Group?
We have taken a bit of time exploring the “why” of children’s theater, now we are going to look at the “how.” Having a mission is important. Also it should differentiate you from other companies. What is special about your group? For marketing and promotional ideas check out websites like How to Get New Customers. You can also explore sites such as Magic Neighbors and their theater company.
Get Prepared
Once this is established decide on what method of being able to accept donation you want. Do you want to be a nonprofit? This is possible but it takes time. And easier way of doing this is to get another nonprofit to fiscally sponsor you. There are organizations dedicated to this very thing. Search fiscal sponsorship in your area. You also should also open a bank account in the name of your company to put donations in.
Finding a Space for Your Children’s Theater Company
You’ll also need a space. Chances are you don’t have a big budget so you might consider solutions like staging performance in a church’s community area. Or some churches even have stages.
A Business Idea for Children’s Theater
Another way of bringing in money is through offering classes to kids which the parents pay for in conjunction with staging a particular production. Parents will enjoy seeing their children perform.
We live in Inwood Manhattan but frequently travel all over this amazing metropolis doing all kinds of activities. Manhattan is an amazing playground for families with everything under the sun. Some activities cost money whereas many do not. The great thing is that many of the activities are educational yet fun and will make a big impression on kids.
Fun and Interesting Activities
Some fun and interesting activities include The Empire State Building, New York Transit Museum, The Highline Park, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Central Park, The Brooklyn Bridge and the Natural History Museum just to name a few.
Harmony in New York
As a mom of an 11 year old living in Manhattan, it is important to me that my child experience all the city has to offer. One of our favorite activities is swimming. Another is simply going through the city and visiting the exciting and different areas of cultures that live together in harmony.
Free Stuff to Do With Your Child
Plus, there is lots of free stuff you can do. This includes the Museum of the City of New York, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, The Houdini Museum, The Queens County Farm Museum and the Brooklyn Museum. This is just the tip of the iceberg of wonderful things that can be done in Manhattan for free.
Manhattan is Magical
My husband, who has a background in magic, especially likes the Houdini Museum and several of his Society of American Magician meetings have been held there. Although we have gone to several different magic shows, my daughter and I have yet to visit the Houdini Museum. We look forward to doing so.
Scratching the Surface
Of course we’ve barely scratched the surface of what is possible in this wonderous city. The key is to keep you eyes open for more new experiences that you and your kids can have. We wish to thank Lights Camera Read for giving us some of these ideas.
We generally stick to articles just about kids, their families and magical journeys. But we thought this would be an important look at an aspect of growing up for many children: Walt Disney.
Billions Over?
The somewhat shocking accusation comes from a former senior accountant at Disney. The gist of it is that this whistle blower is claiming that Disney overstated it’s revenue by billions of dollars – as much as 6 billion in fact.
Claims Denied
Disney’s response to this whistle blower’s accusation was that the claims were “Utterly without merit.” Manhattan Magician would tend to agree.
Your Kids
How could this be important to you as a parent? If these accusations are accurate it could cause you to look again at Disney as a supplier of entertainment and more for your children.
Cruises
Don’t get us wrong. We love Disney. In truth, our daughter is a major Disney fan, especially of their cruises, where you get to live the magic.
Sandra Kuba
But has the magic now been tainted? Sandra Kuba, an employee at Disney for nearly two decades made her claims known by filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A Trustworthy Source?
Also, can the whistle blower be trusted? This employee was fired because of apparently displaying a pattern of workplace complaints against coworkers without a reasonable basis for doing so. Manhattan Magician tends to believe this also.
What Do YOU Think?!
We believe, as does Market Your Journey, that it is likely that Disney will snap back like it always does and this incident will be a small blip in its stellar reputation. But we want to know what you think.
Does this Affect Your Feelings About Disney?
Would this cause you to think twice about purchasing Disney items? Or is it considered, in these weird times, something that is just business doing business?
Thanks to Those Who Have Already Responded
We received responses from readers of an early version of this blog post and thank them for their input. Seems most feel Disney will get through this without a scratch!
There are certain organizations that are really making a difference in the Inwood Manhattan community and beyond. Magic Neighbors Theater Company is one such group. They primarily perform in libraries but basically will share their magic virtually anywhere they are needed. They help affirm for kids that magic is real, a feeling that hopefully they will keep as they get older. One thing we can never have enough of in this world is magic.
Manhattan Magician is Still a Member of Magic Neighbors
We have long supported Magic Neighbors and have been to many of their shows. The thing that makes them different is that their presentations are part story and part magic show. In fact, Manhattan Magician holds a book from which he reads, interspersed with the display of magic tricks. And as we understand it, a group called Market Your Journey are acting as consultants for the “Real Magic” aspect. Magic Neighbors are always the pioneers!
A Big Thumbs Up to Organizations that Support Magic Neighbors
We know that it is tough to keep a company like Magic Neighbors going, so we are thrilled that they are finding assistance through How to Get New Customers. This new resource assists those who need help doing something that is making a difference in their neighborhood and community.
Magic Neighbors is a Community Forum
A factor of Magic Neighbors is the way they open up their process for possible participation from all. They appreciate any input and from what we’ve been told have at times had great impact from the ideas presented.
Changing the Lives of Kids
It’s no surprise that Magic Neighbors is at times literally continuing on fumes as donations are hard to come by. Now that the fiscally sponsored organization Lights Camera Read is no longer able to provide them with capital, Magic Neighbors is really existing on the pure love of theater and changing the lives of kids through performance.
Mission is Important
Additional ways you can support Magic Neighbors is through volunteering either behind the scenes or even as an actor. They are always looking for new participants in this area and even if you are short on theater training Magic Neighbors will likely give you a chance. This is because they are looking more for people who believe in their mission of making a difference in the lives of kids than you having to be a very experienced performer. Market Your Journey have recently volunteered.
Magic Through and Through
Always optimistic Magic Neighbors feels that 2020 is going to be a great year for them and we agree. They are most happy when they are making a difference and we know they will. Thank you Magic Neighbors for you terrific contribution to the community! You truly are magic!
Time to plan school supplies and more for the next school year!
Finally a Solution
We vented quite a bit last time regarding middle school placement for 6th grade and now several months later we have found a solution. In fact, in part, the reason we haven’t been updating this blog has a lot to do with M.S.A.D. (Middle School Application Distraction).
Schools Near Inwood Manhattan
Don’t get us wrong, we love Inwood Manhattan, but sometimes one wishes with a wave of the magician’s wand, this process could be over. In truth, it wasn’t until April when school selections were unveiled that relief was found. But frankly, that’s just the beginning of the next phase which is calling the school you wanted to have your child get into and hope that a slot opens up because someone who’s child had been accepted there decides to move on.
A Decision is Made!
Such was our story and ironically we ultimately did not accept offers from city schools but went with a Charter School instead!
Inwood Manhattan parents, even as our 5th grade kids are taking out their pencils for the beginning of the school year, stress has been turned up to “High” as we embark on the perilous journey of trying to get our children into a decent Middle School!
A Big Problem to Face
We of “Manhattan Kids Guide” are also parents and are facing the very thing that many other parents of Inwood Manhattan have faced before us: the stress of trying to get your kid into a good middle school in upper Manhattan.
The Challenging Transition from 5th Grade to 6th Grade
The thing is, you start worrying the moment your child enters 5th grade. It’s as if you are motivated out of fear by a timer, realizing that although early December is the actual deadline for submitting your list of choices, there’s no guarantee that after you submit it that your child will be placed at ANY of you choices.
How do You Get Your Kid into an Acceptable School?
This is easier said than done and requires a process that is even more overwhelming than getting your child into decent grammar school. So what’s a parent to do whose child is in 5th grade and will be entering middle school in the coming school year?
The Stigma of Where We Live in District 6
Some of the schools in district 6 are fine, but the specific area where we live in District 6 has a stigma. We don’t have the same options of those who only live a few blocks away from us. In other words we don’t automatically qualify for the better schools because of the city block we live in. Location, location, location, has never been so true!
Trying to Put Together a List
Our original concept for this Op Ed piece was to create a list of the best Middle School choices for Inwood Manhattan parents including both Public and Charter Schools. At the time of publishing this we are still putting that list together. It will consist of the schools recommended by our daughter’s current grammar school as well as other finds we’ve made.
The Reality of Getting Your Child to and from Her/His Middle School
The sad reality is that if we are even lucky enough for our child to get into an acceptible Middle School it will likely be one that is several miles away which in the city has 3 basic possibilities for travel.
The 3 Travel Realities When it Comes to Middle School:
(1) You can drive your child to school (we don’t have a car ourselves).
(2) You can bring your child to school by subway which means a trip there for drop off, a trip back, then a trip for pick up, followed by another return. This can easily equal 4 hours of your day as a parent just in travel!
(3) You allow your sixth grader to take the subway herself or himself (which some parents do).
Which of the 3 Realities Do We Potentionally Face?
Since we don’t have a car (and many in Inwood Manhattan don’t) number (1) is out for us.
Being that we refuse to let our then-to-be 11 year old child to fend for herself in the subway means a “no” on option for (3). Even if she was a part of a group of kids going together, we think 11 is too young to be potentially accosted by the latent dangers of the city.
Losing 20 Hours a Week to Keep Your Child Safe
So (2) is the choice we’d be forced to do and lose 4 hours a day, 5 days a week or 20 hours a week just in traveling. Of course there are also potentially an option (4) a school bus, as well as (5) an MTA bus. But you have to be dealing with very specific schools for (4) and (5) to be possible.
Unfortunately Travel is Just the Beginning
Once more, all of this travel talk is presupposing that the DOE (Department of Education) even selects our child for a decent school.
