Archives for 2020

Co-parenting during the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 10, 2020 By Michelle Yannaco

Sponsored

The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought with it a variety of new challenges for families, and parents are finding themselves scrambling to adjust to having the children at home while maintaining work life and home life. However, for divorced parents who are sharing their children between two homes, a whole new set of challenges has arisen. With orders to stay at home in place expanded throughout the state of Florida, the ability to maintain their regular timesharing schedule has become a concern to many parents.

Many divorced couples who share time with their children have asked what they should be doing. Should they continue to split time between homes or keep their children sheltered in one place? Are they ignoring orders to stay at home if they continue to follow the guidelines of their Parenting Plan or timesharing agreement? Can there be legal ramifications based upon their decision?

Although this can be a very confusing predicament, Board Certified Attorney Abigail Beebe advises the best thing for parents to do is:

Try to maintain the same co-parenting schedule they had before COVID-19 turned everyone’s worlds upside down.
Because the stay at home order does not apply to timesharing or parenting plans, unless you have proof of a careless/reckless situation, the timesharing requires travel by air or across state lines, which has been restricted, or if one parent is sick, you should put the needs of the children first and maintain their normalcy to the best of your ability.
As long as everyone in the family is healthy, being safe and comfortable moving forward, it is best to stick with the agreement as best as possible.
Keep in mind that when this is over, the courts are going to be open and operating, with some continuing to operate now. Therefore, be prepared for a situation in which one parent might be entitled to makeup time or subject to some form of sanction or contempt.
Due to the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, the outcome- post COVI19 is a complete unknown, but just keep in mind in any decisions you make regarding your children, their best interests, safety and well-being is of utmost concern.

abeebelaw.com

The Questions Every Parent Is Asking About COVID-19

April 9, 2020 By Michelle Yannaco

With so much misinformation out there about COVID-19, it’s hard to figure out what’s true and what’s not. Considering your health is at stake, it’s never been more important to find reliable info. So we went straight to the source — Northwell Health — to find out how the novel coronavirus can affect our family, our health, and what we need to do to protect ourselves.

Here are the top FAQ’s from parents about COVID-19, answered by healthcare professionals at Northwell Health.

How should I talk to my child about COVID-19?
The spread of coronavirus in New York and across the U.S. has many concerned, including children. Here’s how parents can reduce those anxieties and fears.

Are children at higher risk than adults for contracting COVID-19?
Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. Instead, it appears that they are at lower risk for severe infection. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, the majority of the cases have been mild and involve dry cough and low grade fever.

Are children more likely to carry or spread COVID-19?
Young children are known to be transmitters of other viruses, such as influenza. Children should be encouraged to cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or the inside of their elbow.

Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children than in adults?
No. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported.

What can I do to help protect my child?
You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things as everyone else, including practicing good hand hygiene and social distancing.

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.

Could ibuprofen worsen the disease for children with COVID-19?
Based on currently available information, World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®). WHO is aware of theoretical concerns on the use of ibuprofen for the treatment of fever for people with COVID-19 but adequate clinical data on adverse effects are lacking. Both acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen are available to treat fever and pain in children and acetaminophen is generally recommended as the initial medication.

My child is immunosuppressed. Is my child at higher risk of complications from COVID-19?
It’s not known yet whether some children may be at higher risk for severe illness, for example, children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs. There is much more to be learned about how the disease impacts children but immunocompromised patients are, in general, at higher risk for infections.

Here is some additional information for families about COVID-19

Keeping Kids Safe From Coronavirus
What a pediatric infectious disease specialist wants you to know about COVID-19 and kids.

Parenting in the Age of COVID-19
Teens don’t like to stay in place for long– especially when adults say they have to. Many are asking if it’s really necessary. The answer is, of course, YES. Here’s how to get your point across.

Talking To Your Kids About Coronavirus
As schools close and activities are canceled, a child psychiatrist helps parents figure out what to say to ease their kids’ concerns.

How To Get Your Kids To Wash Their Hands—And Do It Correctly!
From stamping hands to singing songs, all the tricks and tips you need to ensure your little one’s hands are getting as clean as can be.

What Happens When You Have Coronavirus
Check out a helpful video portraying exactly what happens in your body when you have the coronavirus.

How To Stay Healthy—And Sane—When You’re Stuck At Home
Expert advice for everyone who’s skipping the gym, stress eating junk food, and letting their anxiety run rampant.

Virtual Concerts, Story Time, Dance, Art & More

April 9, 2020 By Jeannine Cintron

Just because kids are home 24/7, they don’t have to spend their days with their faces buried in Fortnite and YouTube. There are more productive ways to pass the time with those electronic devices. With the nation on lockdown, virtual enrichment programs are popping up everywhere. We rounded up some of our favorites for you.

Music with Patrick
Mon-Fri, 6pm; Monday 10am; Saturday 10am.
Mr. Patrick is giving daily performances on Facebook Live. Just go the Music With Patrick Facebook page and be ready to have fun. Song requests and birthday shout-outs encouraged.

Berkner Breaks
Most Weekdays at 10am
Join Laurie Berkner on Facebook for live performaces of her catchy, kid-friendly tunes.

Deedle Dees
Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30am
Live-streaming singalongs featuring their funny and educational music.

Legoland
New content added Wednesdays
Need a few ideas on how to bring legos to life at home? New activities and building videos are added every Wednesday.

Monster Art School
Weekdays 2-2:45 (ages 8-12)
Weekdays 3-3:45 (ages 13+)
Free art classes for kids via Facebook live. Kids can learn to draw monsters, dragons, wolves, goblins and more. Catch videos on Youtube as well.

LunchDoodles with Mo Willems
Around the world, people of all ages have joined Mo Willems in his studio for weekday LUNCH DOODLES. The three-week run, all 15 episodes and their downloadable activities, are archived here.

Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.

Lincoln Center Concerts for Kids & Popup Classrooms
Visit the Lincoln Center Facebook page for lively, kid-friendly concerts as well as art classes, music classes and more.

Trio Kids Musical Bingo Dance Party
Wednesdays starting April 1, 2020.
Sign up here ($10 fee). Prizes include Amazon & Amex gift cards, game night basket, Ubereats gift card basket, Ryan eggs and more.

Disney Magical Moments
Enjoy Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic with stories, videos, and activities to inspire imagination and discovery among kids, fans, and families alike.

Let’s Dance with Kiddie Wonderland Characters
Thursdays at 11am
Kiddie Wonderland characters will lead your kids in some dancing and exercises. Each week will be a new character. Join the Kiddie Wonderland Facebook page and join the live video.

Story Time

Penguin Kids Live Story Time
Weekdays at 11:15am via Facebook

Pete the Cat with author James Dean
Weekdays at noon via Instagram

Lavar Burton of Reading Rainbow
Mondays at noon for kids; Wednesdays at 6pm for teens via Twitter

Josh Gad (Olaf from Frozen)
Weeknights at 7pm via Twitter

Good Night with Dolly Parton
Thursdays at 7pm

#SAVEWITHSTORIES
Different celebrities read books to kids via Instagram. New videos are posted throughout the day.

Dav Pilkey at Home (author of Captain Underpants and Dog Man)
New episodes posted Fridays at 8am

Book Reading in Your PJ’s with Ms. Tara
Every Monday at 7pm

Storytime with Librarians at the New York Public Library
Updated weekdays.

Next Level Easter Eggs

April 10, 2020 By Michelle Yannaco

The store kits are great for beginners, but maybe it’s time to up your Easter Egg game. Your kids will hop with excitement making these awesome DIY eggs.

Minecraft Easter Eggs

Perfect for a video-game themed basket. See the tutorial at STL Motherhood

Emoji Eggs

They’re not just for your text messages. See the Tutorial at Studio DIY

Glow-In-the-Dark Eggs

Get glowing reviews with these eggs. See the tutorial at Growing a Jeweled Rose

Mood Easter Eggs

These are so cool! Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger

Dinosaur Eggs

A roaring good idea! See the tutorial at Our Best Bites

5 Ways Staten Island Won’t Let COVID-19 Win

April 7, 2020 By Michelle Yannaco

Covid-19. It’s all anyone is talking about these days. And rightfully so. In less than a few short months, a single virus has fundamentally impacted all of humanity.

Many of the impacts are obviously negative; the news is filled with talk of death tolls, mandatory lockdowns, PPE shortages, hospital overcrowding, stock market crashes, economic downfall…the list goes on.

Oh, but those silver linings. Tragedy brings people together like noting else can, and the coronavirus crisis is no exception. Mutual hope for a better future brings about the good deeds of today. Positivity unites. People inspire. There is so much beauty to be found in dark times.

THE KIDS

Maybe we are biased here at Staten Island Parent, but kids have truly been our rocks through all of this. Sure, they drive us crazy, but at the end of the day, their strength is our strength. They’re our reason and inspiration for pushing forward.

Staten Island Parent has started our own initiative to spread a message of positivity. Cabin Fever Candids is an ongoing gallery loaded with images of children keeping busy at home during quarantine. Check it out for ideas or just to bring a smile to your face! You can also submit your own child’s photos until April 30th.

This message has been circulating on social media in Staten Island and we couldn’t agree more:

“Everyone is applauding everyone but our kids!! These little heroes have stayed indoors more than they’ve ever known in their lives. Their whole worlds have literally been turned upside down. All these rules they’ve never known. A life they couldn’t have imagined. Adults talking about others becoming unwell, news reporting death after death. Our poor babies minds must be racing. Every day they get up and carry on despite all that’s going on. So here’s to our little heroes, today, tomorrow, forever. ❤️”

The Rainbows Over Staten Island and Beyond Facebook group is growing exponentially by day. Children (and grownups too!) are placing rainbows in their windows as a sign of hope and encouragement. The group has even expanded into neighboring boroughs and cities.

THIS PICTURE
This absolutely moving work of art by 23 year old local artist James Cox really needs no explanation. The tribute to all local heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic is EXACTLY what Staten Island needs right now. Mr. Cox would love to sell prints (and donate proceeds to the relief effort), so he set up a GoFundMe page asking for funding.

The thing we love about this image is that it truly represents everyone helping through this crisis: from doctors and nurses to sanitation and postal workers — and everyone in between. It’s a tribute to ALL essential workers, and to Staten Island as a whole.

PPE DONATIONS

Recent recommendations indicate that people should be wearing masks in public. The healthcare workers on the front lines need them most, and hospitals are facing shortages as a result. A lot of generous folks out there are looking donate in any way they can.

The Facebook group Masks for Staten Island Heroes offers helpful advice for making your own masks to donate and also posts hospitals’ in need of masks.

A GoFundMe page has been started by local dad Michael Perina, whose child was the first on Staten Island to be tested for the coronavirus (his test came back negative!). While his son was in ICU, Mr. Perina, who runs run a fabrication shop on Staten Island, realized he could use 3D printers to create Face Shields for medical staff. According to his GoFundMe page:

“With the help of a great local non-profit Makerspace, we are able to produce 200x face-shields per day with the ultimate goal of producing 3,000 face shields to start. With the help from our friends over at Makerspace these face shields will be donated to hospitals throughout NYC as they are needed. We need to order PLA plastic filament, clear sheets of PETG and the elastic head straps along with supplies for hygiene including gloves and bags. In the event we raise more than we can possibly produce, all excess funds will either be donated to a cause helping fight the COVID-19 virus or to possibly fund another item we can produce that will help fight this virus.”

The Carl V Bini Memorial Fund traveled all over Staten Island delivering more than 25,000 masks and 100,000 pairs of gloves to police precincts and fire houses.

STUDENTS & TEACHERS

Although students and teachers aren’t physically in school, they are utilizing a virtual learning environment to be together anyway.

Staten Island Tech students performed their spring musical entirely online from separate homes. Watch it here.
I.S. 24 created a tribute video.
P.S. 78 created a tribute video.
I.S 24’s dance students created a beautiful video.
I.S. 72’s video can be seen here.

(We will update this page as more videos are published!)

ESSENTIAL WORKERS & SUPPORTERS

Not only do we have the most amazing essential workers here on Staten Island (once again, see James Cox’s image above) but we also have a beautiful support system helping the men and women on the front lines get the job done.

The Essential Heroes Project was started by two wives of FDNY workers to bring smiles to essential workers and those keeping everyone safe through this crisis — and in doing so, it helps teach children how to express gratitude. See their video on Facebook here.

Despite being essential workers themselves, restaurants Island-wide are donating food to hospitals and first responders every day.

Borough President Oddo partnered with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the United Federation of Teachers and local restaurants and caterers the Feeding Our Frontline initiative, which provides grab & go meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center.

The Heroes to Heroes initiative allows people to purchase deeply discounted three-foot and six-foot heroes from select restaurants and have it to delivered to the “hero” of their choice (hospitals, FDNY, NYPD, DSNY).

Wendy’s is offering free coffee and Frosties to medical personnel and first responders.

Richmond Republic, Hop Shoppe, The Pizza Parlor and Play Sport Bar are matching food donations to hospitals through their Donate a Meal to Local Heroes program.

Family Game Night: The Top 20 Board Games

April 4, 2020 By Michelle Yannaco

It doesn’t matter how bad the weather is, one thing is for sure. Family game night will always be there for housebound families. Here’s our 20 favorite games to keep the indoor family fun going at home for a while.

Pie Face Game

The winners are the players who manage to avoid getting whacked in the face with a dollop of delicious cream, but this is clearly the type of game where when hilarity ensues, everyone wins. New versions include Pie Face: Cannon and Pie Face: Sky High. Hasbro.com • Ages 5+

Pictopia Disney Edition

If your family is like most American families, then you’ve probably seen your fair share of Disney movies and visited a Disney theme park at least once or twice. This game features 1,000 trivia questions to test players’ knowledge of everything Disney, and it’s usually a hit with both kids and adults. WonderForge.com • Ages 7+

Noodle Speedoodle

The tagline reads: “Grab a noodle and draw a doodle!” And that’s exactly what you do in this cooperative picture-guessing game for families. Like many games from Peaceable Kingdom, everyone works together and plays as a team, and there are no winners or losers—just lots of fun. PeaceableKingdom.com • Ages 8+

Dixit

Children are natural-born storytellers, and this is the type of game where the gift of creative storytelling comes in handy. Players take turns making up brief tales and their opponents must correctly guess which card describes each tale. It’s definitely a winner for kids and parents alike. Libellud.com • Ages 8+

Hoot Owl Hoot

This game is a real hoot for the kindergarten crowd, who take turns helping owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. Kids will learn numbers, counting, colors and teamwork. PeaceableKingdom.com • Ages 4 -7

Move & Groove

This game is a top pick for toddlers, with simple rules and no skill required. Simply roll the cube, grab a card, then boogie down! Little ones will learn colors while building their confidence, improving coordination, and having a blast. ThinkFun.com • 18 months-5 years

Zingo

This twist on the classic favorite Bingo has the added value of vocabulary recognition for younger players. While Bingo relies purely on luck, Zingo requires more work than simply checking off numbers on a card –which keeps everyone from losing interest quickly.
ThinkFun.com • Ages 4-8

Robot Turtles

If you think your child is too young to learn how to code, think again. This game teaches basic programming concepts to players as young as four years old without even using a computer screen. robotturtles.com • Ages 4+

Apples to Apples Junior

Fans of the popular party game Apples to Apples can play this fun comparison game with their whole family now. The recommended age is 9+, but many reviewers claim to enjoy the “Junior” version with kids as young as five or six years old.
MattelGames.com • Ages 9+

Spot It

With over 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s hard to imagine anyone wouldn’t like this fast-paced matching card game. Simple instructions make it easy for younger players but fun for the whole family. Switch it up with different game versions, like Spot It Sports, Disney, Animals, Halloween, etc. There’s also a Junior version for younger players. BlueOrangeGames.com • Ages 7+

Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

The rules are basic enough for early preschoolers to grasp, which helps young children understand basic concepts of board game play. Players get to use tweezers to grab acorns, which helps with developing fine motor skills as well. EducationalInsights.com • Ages 3-7 years

Ticket to Ride

Frustrated by games that rely on pure luck? This fun and educational game incorporates strategic thinking and decision-making with a little bit of geography. Players collect and match train cards to claim railway routes throughout North America. DaysOfWonder.com • Ages 8-12

Qwirkle

Upon first glance, this game looks like Scrabble for preschoolers. But don’t let the tiles fool you, the two are nothing alike. In this simple yet engaging game, players build lines by matching tiles based on either color or shape. Although recommended for ages 6 and up, it can double as a simpler color and shape matching game for the younger ones. But it’s also a hit with adults, making it truly fun for all ages. MindWare.com • Ages 6+

The Dinosaur Escape Game

Dinosaurs are big hit with any preschool crowd, so it’s no wonder a game where kids get to manipulate big dinosaur game pieces along a game board has become so popular. Players work as a team to save the dinosaurs from a volcanic eruption and everyone wins. PeaceableKingdom.com • Ages 4-7

No Stress Chess

The rules of chess can sometimes seem complicated for adults, but this game teaches chess in smaller, simpler steps. The board is two-sided, so once players have a thorough understanding of the game, they can switch from the beginner side to the standard chess side.Winning-Moves.com • Ages 7+

Read Next | Finding My Way Back To Fine

Labyrinth

Incorporate fantasy with moving mazes for the perfect family game that’s easy enough for players as young as 7 or 8 up all the way up to teens and adults. Ravensburger.us • Ages 8+

Headbanz & Hedbanz Jr.

This engaging guessing game requires players to wear the answer on their head literally. Spinmaster.com • Ages 5+

Watch Ya Mouth

Don’t let the title fool you; this game is 100% family friendly. Players take turns wearing mouthpieces and reciting phrases. And yes, it is as hilarious as it sounds. Wymgame.com • Ages 8+

Blokus

Game time is less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect length of time for kids. Even better? There is just one rule, so it’s pretty easy to get the hang of. Mattel.com. Ages 7+

Little kids can play cards too!

Card games can be for everyone, but sometimes young players have trouble mastering the fanning technique required for grasping a whole handful. Gamewright’s Little Hands Playing Card Holder solves that problem for the tiniest card players with their handheld paddle that keeps cards in place. Learn more at gamewright.com or buy it on Amazon for $5.

Updated Classics

If you’re a big fan of the classics, try versions that include popular characters or simpler rules for younger ones—like Clue: Harry Potter Edition; Disney Monopoly; The Game of Life Junior; Connect 4: Super Mario; and Candyland: Princess Edition.

By Jeannine Cintron, Staten Island mom of two and the family’s reigning Scrabble champion.

Co-parenting during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Questions Every Parent Is Asking About COVID-19

Virtual Concerts, Story Time, Dance, Art & More