March 2015 Table of Contents By NYMetroParents Table of Contents April 23, 2015 Get can’t-miss family activities sent to you! Subscribe The March 2015 issue of NYMetroParents features our summer camp planner, with advice and resources for finding the perfect camp for your kids. Plus, you'll find tips on making the most of your family vacations to Disney World and Sesame Place, advice on how to raise your son as a gentleman, an essay by a local mom on love, loss, and parenthood, and much more! By PhotoOp NYC March 2015 Camp Issue FEATURE ARTICLES Elmo, Mickey, & YouIf you've got kids and live in the NY metro area, chances are that trips to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania and Walt Disney World in Florida are in your future. Check out our top 5 tips for visiting Sesame Place and 10 tips to make the most of Disney World. Okay, Play with FireOne mother realizes that protecting her children too much can harm them in the long run. In teaching her children to build a fire, they learn beautiful life lessons. Plus, 4 ways camp helps kids form a connection with nature. A Dancer's DebutA Brooklyn mother shares the preparation, excitement, and joy of her daughter's first dance recital in this photo essay. By PhotoOp NYC How to Raise a GentlemanIs your son's roughhousing and rude behavior making you cringe? There are things you can to do instill kindness, compassion, manners, and conviction to raise your son to be a gentleman. SUMMER CAMP PLANNING GUIDE Summer Camps in the New York City AreaOur comprehensive guide features specialty, tradtional, and sleepaway camps, plus outings and services for campers, to help you plan the perfect summer for your kids. FUN & ACTIVITIES Family Activities CalendarSearch our calendar to find fun and low-cost things to do across the NYC area. In March, you'll find maple sugaring festivals in Westchester and Fairfield, Disney Live shows in several counties, Easter egg hunts and fun Purim events, outdoor events to celebrate spring, and St. Patrick's Day parades in all regions, and much more!Also see: Top 100 Things to Do this Spring in the NYC Area Family Outing: Tenafly Nature CenterThe Tenafly Nature Center is a 400-acre preservation area full of New Jersey greenery and wildlife, plus 7 miles of trails and a 3-acre pond. Stop by for a weekend nature program or a seasonal event like maple sugaring or apple cidering. Where-To Guide: Volunteer with KidsLend a little hand in your community, and make it a family affair! We've put together a guide to places around the New York Metro Area that need your help, including nursing homes, nonprofit organizations, animal shelters, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and many more. Volunteer opportunities are available for kids and adults alike - and remember, big or small, everyone has the power to make a difference! ADVICE & CONNECTIONS The Best of the Rest of the WebFrom the March 2015 issues of NYMetroParents comes a selection of funny and thoughtful quotes about how to handle upset children on airplanes, an inspirational talk from Former WWE wrestling champion Marc Moro, and the 'best' time for projectile vomiting. NYMP Q&A: Choosing the Right Nanny for Your FamilyWhy spend hours choosing the best toys if you leave your child with a caregiver who is not engaging? Here are tips for choosing a quality nanny, handling the nanny-parent relationship, and communicating your needs to your child's nanny. What Remains: An Essay on Loss and ParentingA local mom writes about parenting her young son during the loss of her mother. Special Needs: What to Expect When You're Least ExpectingLisa Shulman, M.D., shares why it is so important to celebrate the small victories, even if your child's progress is delayed. How to Help Your Kids Make Tough ChoicesWhen your child is faced with a tough choice, remember that his ability to reason out his decision is part of growing up. Here, advice from a child psychologist on how to help your kids make difficult decisions in their lives.