Westchester Magazine
The Parents' Sourcebook
Where to find other moms:
You're not the only woman to ever go through this-- although it may feel that way. Finding other expectant women or new mothers can help you form a support network and get the inside track on everything from diaper deals to nursery-school applications. Where can you find a group near you?
Your town's "newcomer" club might have one and the local library often plays the host. Area hospitals are another great starting point. Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, for example, has a new mother's support group and a "Mother's of Multiples Club" for women who are raising twins or triplets. Call (914) 666-1370 to register for the new moms group, (914) 666-1292 for the "Mothers of Multiples Club."
Baby Bites is a luncheon for new and expectant moms held monthly at Palmer's Crossing (1957 Palmer Ave., Larchmont). Raffle prizes are given away and guest speakers discuss topics like "Getting Your Baby to Sleep." Admission is $30 in advance, $35 at the door. For information: www.babybitesnyc.com.
The Web offers other great ways to connect. At www.essentialmom.com, you can find a list of area groups and www.meetup.com, a website that connects local people with similar interests, is also a must-visit. Joining a group is as simple as logging on and signing up.
Where to find local tips with your fingertips:
Gretchen Menzies' website, www.essentialmom.com, is a westchester mom's best friend. Gretchen, who is also a Westchester mom, has packed her site with kid-friendly restaurant reviews, events, camps, childcare information, classifieds, local resources, and more.
5 Top Parenting Sites
Parenting Questions and Crises Can Arise any time of the day, so we asked local pediatricians, psychologists, and teachers to name their favorite online resources. Keep these addresses handy. The next time it's 2 a.m. and you're wide awake with worry, you'll have instant help with everything from fevers to feedings.
www.familyeducation.com
As one of the first parenting sites on the web, Family Education offers a ton of useful information for parents of infants to teens. Articles cover topics as diverse as postpartum health, choosing a pet, and family vacations. There's also advice for parents of special-needs children
www.parentorganizer.com
If all the practices, lessons, rehearsals, and school events are too much for your Palm Pilot to handle, this website will help you organize it all. Sign up and create a color-coded calendar to keep track of each family member's hectic schedule, when bills are due, and various important dates (Grandparents' Day, Aunt Syliva's birthday, the family dog's annual checkup). A daily email reminder can be sent to you with a list of the day's activities, and the site can even be set up to automatically pay certain bills.
www.essentialmom.com
Founded by Bedford mom Gretchen Menzies, this handy website has everything a Westchester parent needs. From reviews of kid-friendly restaurants, to area events, to a listing of nannies and babysitters, it's a one-stop site for all your local parenting queries.
www.webmd.com Think that cough is serious? Check it out on WebMD-- easily one of the most comprehensive sites for medical info on the Web. With answers from experts, practical tips, and health news, you'll gain a better understanding of what's serious and what's not.
www.positiveparenting.com
Started by California-based teacher Deborah Critzer-Fox, who leads parenting classes and workshops, this site provides information for parents with kids of all ages. Downloadable MP3 audio articles such as "Parenting with Finesse," an online newsletter featuring that evergreen child-rearing topic-- how to say "no."
