Forever Young
January 27, 2010
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
—Dylan Thomas
Q.I’m tired of taking this sitting down. What can I do to fight the aging process?
A: There’s nothing that will stop aging, but you know that. The most you can hope for is longevity with health. Here are some pointers from health professionals for a high quality of life. You may find these boring, but they work: [Read more]
Set for Summer
January 27, 2010
Families got a head start on their children’s summer activities with the Camp Fair Series this past weekend. New York Family Magazine played host to more than 400 families and representatives of 50-plus camps who attended fairs on the Upper East and Upper West sides. The fairs featured both city day camps for younger children and beginning campers, and sleepaway camps from around the country for older children seeking a traditional camp experience. Representatives were on hand to answer questions from both parents and prospective campers, giving a complete idea of camp life. Two additional fairs will be held this weekend in downtown Manhattan and in Park Slope, Brooklyn. [Read more]
Summer Camp Savings
January 27, 2010
Camp can be the experience of a lifetime, but in the here-and-now, budgeting for your child’s summer adventure may seem daunting. Fees range from $75 to more than $650 per week for accredited day and resident camps, according to the American Camp Association, with day camps being a little less expensive (weekly fees are about $182 on average) and resident camps being a bit pricier (with a median weekly cost of $390).
However, even as parents are pinching pennies, Adam Weinstein, executive director of the American Camp Association, says he hasn’t seen camp-goers cut back on their summer experience.
“Childhood only happens for a defined amount of time, and we’re finding that the last dollar parents cut is for their kids,” he said. [Read more]
Ask the Vet: Calling the Shots For Your Pet
January 20, 2010
We vaccinate our pets for the same reason we vaccinate our children: to protect them against serious diseases that can potentially be fatal. Also, some of these diseases are transmissible to people (i.e., zoonotic). As with people, vaccination may not entirely prevent the disease, but it will reduce the severity of infection. In general, dog diseases do not affect cats, and cat diseases do not affect dogs.
Puppies and kittens should receive a series of vaccinations every three weeks from the time they are six to eight weeks old until they are between three and four months old. The first vaccine for a kitten is called either a “3 in 1” or a “4 in 1,” or FVRCP, and it gives protection from viruses that cause serious upper respiratory symptoms that can become much more severe than just a “kitty cold.” [Read more]
Destination Day Camp
January 20, 2010
Summer is the ideal time for kids to romp around outdoors after having spent nearly 10 months cooped up in the classroom. To keep children active and learning throughout the summer months, many parents look to day camp, which takes the nurturing environment of school and injects it with a little summertime fun and outdoor play.
Day camp offers kids “a place to learn to take risks in a very safe environment,” said Renee Flax, director of program services at the New York branch of the American Camp Association. Day camp gives children the chance to build friendships, to mature and to experience everything from new sports to nature, Flax explained. [Read more]
Tackling a Camp Fair
January 20, 2010
For the past several years, Manhattan Media and the American Camp Association-NY have successfully worked together to bring New York City families camp fairs. The purpose of these fairs is to bring together families and camps so that people can explore the various choices concerning accredited summer programs for their children. The response from both camps and parents has been incredibly positive, and therefore we will once again be offering families a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with camp directors.
Many families trying to select a camp best suited for their child will schedule camp tours the summer before attending. Visiting camps allows you to see the camp “in action” by checking out the facilities, observing activities, seeing the interaction of the campers and staff and having an opportunity to talk to program directors and camp owners. [Read more]
The Four-Week Option
January 8, 2010
Years ago, summer camp was typically an all-or-nothing experience: young people rushed home from school, packed their bags and said goodbye to their families for eight weeks.
But today’s kids, with their jam-packed schedules, often can’t sacrifice two months for sleepaway camp. And so more and more camps have accommodated families by offering two- and four-week options.
“There was a time that you went to camp, camp ran the schedule, that was kind of it. Today, kids have so many choices,” said Renee Flax, director of program services at American Camp Association, New York. [Read more]
Beating the Blues
December 31, 2009
Q. Is depression just a “normal” part of aging?
A: There are a lot of problems to face as you get older. There are losses of all kinds that can get you down. And feeling blue for a while is a normal part of living at any age.
But unrelenting depression is not normal. If you feel this way, you should seek medical attention. Most people get better if they treat their depression. [Read more]
Ask The Vet: Pets as Presents
December 23, 2009
Remember that neat gadget gift you got last year from your friend? I’ll bet by now it has lost it appeal and is either collecting dust on a shelf or has been re-gifted.
Imagine if that “gadget” were living, breathing and had four legs and a tail? Now what? [Read more]
A Blue Christmas?
December 9, 2009
Psychoanalyst Dr. Robert Schwalbe knows that when the Christmas carols start playing, the phone starts ringing.
The doctor, who specializes in treating men at his Upper East Side practice, said that much like a retailer, the holidays have become his busiest season.
“My practice booms at this time of year,” he said, estimating that he typically sees a 25 percent spike peaking in January. And that’s on top of the 50 percent increase he’s already noticed since the economic crisis began. [Read more]
