UPDATE: Congratulations to Miriam (comment #25), winner of this giveaway! Hachai Publishing has just released 3 new books featuring relevant topics and captivating illustrations perfect for the younger set. The young boy in Whatever the Weather enjoys round-the-year activities with his family, whatever the weather: Rain or shine there’s always what... Read more
Summer camp is wrappings up and yet there’s still a few weeks until back to school. If your vacation plans bring you to the New York area or if you’re from the area and aren’t planning to go far you should consider a visit to the Bronx Zoo. On display now are a collection of Lego animal sculptures sure to wow the kids. There are also... Read more
Congratulations to Dvora (comment #12) winner of the giveaway!! Hachai Publishing has released two new books for children, Hashem is Truly Everywhere and Big Small or Just One Wall. Hashem is Truly Everywhere is an adorable book about two curious little boys who look, well, up, down and all around trying to find Hashem. Written by Chaim Altein with... Read more
The New York Times has an interesting article on how Israel is the world leader in in vitro fertilization. In addition to being a family oriented culture, the Israeli government provides free, unlimited IVF procedures for up to two “take-home babies” until a woman is 45. Perhaps it is then no wonder that Israelis are the highest per capita users... Read more
If you have a young daughter you are certainly familiar with Hello Kitty, Dora the Explorer and various other Disney-type characters that children can’t seem to get enough of. Utilizing her professional background in marketing and writing, Malky Weinstock has ambitiously created a brand, Lite Girl (which is an acronym for love, inspire, teach, encourage),... Read more
Unfortunately, we live in a world that includes sick individuals, including in our community, who will harm children when the opportunity arises. Below is a parenting workshop entitled “Speaking to Your Kids about Personal Safety” (34 minutes long) conducted by Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Director of The Center for Jewish Family Life’s Project YES and... Read more
Family Fun is a monthly magazine chock-full of projects and crafts. Subscribe to Family Fun Magazine for just $1.95!! Use this coupon code: MPSBIG. Click here to subscribe. This offer also works for renewing a current subscription. Read More
Sheva of My Shtub prepared these adorable cards for her son to hand out to his friends on the last day of school. Creative ideas like these surely make her son the most popular and well marketed little guy in school. Directions: 1. Take photos of your child posing with their hand straight out. 2. Once you have chosen the best photo you can print them... Read more
UPDATE: Congratulations to Lorene, winner of the Stuck On You labels!! By: Oksana, the Order Maven Oy! It is time to gear up for camp. And you’re right, just like most parents out there, I am not exactly jumping for joy. However, after doing it for some years now, I know how to get my groove on. I am a big fan of planning and routines... Read more
In today’s world we can never daven enough that our children should grow into fine and upright G-d fearing Jews who lead joyous and fulfilling lives. There is a special custom from the Shelah HaHadosh, though, for parents to recite a prayer specifically today, Thursday, the day before Rosh Chodesh Sivan. The reason for this is that Sivan is the month... Read more
Many families have small but memorable traditions to usher in the joyful month(s) of Adar: Unearth the storage bin of Purim costumes and props for a festive masquerade. When folding the laundry, tuck treats into your kid’s freshly laundered socks. Bake a batch of hamentaschen to be enjoyed before Purim. Sheva of My Shtub shared an ultra... Read more
This post features: A Savvima review of Mountain Climbers 2 by Malky Feig. A chance to be entered to win a free copy of Mountain Climbers 2 by commenting below about this post or by sharing what you turn to for strength during difficult times. In the recently released Mountain Climbers 2 published by Artscroll, Malky... Read more
Doctors and dentists both agree that washing hands for 20 seconds and brushing teeth for two minutes are the recommended times for proper hygiene. For most people this is not a lot of time but for kids it can feel like an eternity. Enter the Wash & Brush Timer. This fun timer has two timing modes: one for washing hands and the second for brushing... Read more
Ynet has an interesting article about Rivkah, a 44 year old woman from Jerusalem who just gave birth to her 18th child, making it an even nine boys and nine girls. When she was young, Rivkah, a Jerusalem resident belonging to the Belz Hasidic movement, never dreamed that at the age of 44 she would be leaving the maternity ward with her 18th child. It’s... Read more
Kids are drawn to magnets, like magnets are attracted to refrigerator doors. Unless your refrigerator is stainless, then you’re out of luck. Here’s a creatively simple way to reintroduce magnet play while maintaining a clear path to the fridge during meal prep time. Dig out some unused cookie sheets and set up a magnetic play tray to keep... Read more
In a highly controversial essay in the Wall Street Journal entitled Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior, Amy Chua, a professor at Yale Law School, promotes an ultra-strict parenting methodology favored by the Chinese that puts a tremendous emphasis on academic achievement. Chua argues that this parenting style (whose practitioners are referred to as “Tiger... Read more
Here is an educational (and fun!) way to entertain your family this winterbreak. What better way to express the sentiment of “Our hearts are in the East, while we dwell in the West,” than embarking on an Israeli Staycation! ACHI, which stands for American Communities Helping Israel, proposes that families plan and create a “pretend”... Read more
Mitzvah Boulevard is a new series of learning and entertainment DVDs. In this first volume your kids will join Eli and his friends as they learn the Aleph Beis. Mitzvah Boulevard contains a mix of graphics, kids at play, and zany puppets. The mellow melodies of Chaim Fogelman are a nice break from a certain popular uncle we sometimes grow tired of.... Read more
Cute little thumbs pounding away at an iPhone or BlackBerry has become a common site. The Times has an article on how more parents are allowing their children to watch videos and play games on their smartphones. The benefits are obvious – the gadgets are a great way to keep the kids busy and out of our hair. Critics will argue, though, that spending... Read more
DiaperBuds are individually wrapped vacuum-sealed diapers that bloom into full size disposable diapers. The diapers, which are extra absorbent and soft, fit easily in your purse, bag or pocket, and while pricey, are great if reserved for outings when lugging a large diaper bag isn’t convenient. According to DiaperBuds, their diapers resist leaks well,... Read more