Toy Fair 2019: The Coolest Toys & Games
Our L.A. Parent team just came back from Toy Fair in New York and one thing we learned for sure is that you are never too old to play with toys. The International Toy Fair, produced by The Toy Association, is an annual gathering of more than 1,000 toy and game manufacturers, big and small, […]
Family Road Tripping Goes Global
Rebecca Bernard wants your family to go to camp. Together. And bring your passports. Bernard is founder and chief culture officer at FamilyGo, a company offering group travel curated for kids, parents and even grandparents to enjoy together. Bernard calls her program a “camp on the road.” Groups of families visit a destination, and the […]
Saugus Schools Implement Mindful Leading at Recess
For several mornings, Lisa Storaker, a campus supervisor at Mountainview Elementary School in Saugus, noticed a second-grader leaning against the wall near the playground watching the action around her, but not participating. Storaker became concerned. “I started chatting with her to get to know her better,” says the mom of five, who has been a […]
Tips for Long Journeys With Loved Ones With Autism
The author of “Cowboy and Willis” and mother of a son with autism offers helpful advice for special-needs travel. by Monica Holloway For many families with loved ones on the autism spectrum the idea of a long journey can be daunting. Here are some suggestions from the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (www.sath.org), a […]
Strategies For Struggling Readers
Whether they have a learning disability or other special needs, your child can build a relationship with books. by Christina Elston Paul Curtis’s favorite childhood book was The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. He read it in fifth grade, and there is a particular reason that it stayed with him. “It was the first book that […]
Steve Everett: Power(ful) Soccer Role Model
Steve Everett plays and promotes power soccer, where adults and kids play together from their power wheelchairs, and learn powerful lessons. by Christina Elston When Steve Everett talks about the sport of power soccer, played in power wheelchairs, he makes it sound fun. “We have these guards on the front of our chairs. They almost […]
Social Foundations Helps Special-Needs Kids Build Skills
Built on Michelle Winner’s ‘Social Thinking’ concept, the mom-run Santa Monica business touts social awareness. by Elena Epstein Moms Suzanne Tabachnick and Kelly Priest met seven years ago in an early-intervention program for children on the autism spectrum. They had an instant connection. Priest has a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and several years of […]
Snip-Its Hair Salons Specialize In Special-Needs Kids
With extra training for stylists and helpful guides for parents, the chain makes haircuts easier for children on the autism spectrum. by Christina Elston For parents of a child on the autism spectrum, little things that other families take for granted – things like a simple haircut – can be a real challenge. Children with […]
Seven Keys to Keep You Smiling Through Dental Visits
These tips will help children with special needs – and their parents – feel more comfortable in the dentist’s chair. by Elaine Hall I’m scared of dentists. Well, not the dentist himself (my brother is a dentist in San Diego), but I am scared of sitting in that chair, opening my mouth and not knowing […]
Keeping Bullies At Bay
Children with special needs are bullied more often, but Dawn Barnes of Dawn Barnes Karate Kids has some wonderful prevention tips. by Dawn Barnes Sending children back to school is exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be a time of worry. Bullying is in the news more than ever and mothers are rightfully concerned about the […]
Special Needs: Financial Planning Today Means Care For Tomorrow
Coping with a special-needs child’s diagnosis can take its toll, but don’t delay planning for the future. by Melanie Gaball Financial planning is important for parents, but for those who have a child with special needs the complexities of funding a lifetime of care can be overwhelming and emotional. While many parents are still dealing […]
Book Takes a Look At What Makes Us Different
‘Jacob’s Eye Patch’ is a sweet story that offers lessons for approaching special needs. by Christina Elston If you’re the parent of young children, you’ve no doubt had to remind them not to stare, point or talk too loudly about some difference they have noticed in someone else – the man who is so tall […]
A Super Kid, A Heroic Mom, A Story Worth Reading
“Life With a Superhero: Raising Michael Who Has Down Syndrome” tells a family’s story with bravery and heart. by Julie Kertes Michael Hulings’ story is a remarkable one, right from the beginning. In a small Israeli town more than 20 years ago, a mother gave up her newborn baby when she discovered he had Down […]
Step Back From the Bustle In Larchmont Village
Families find quaint shops and good food in this cozy part of town. by Erin Mahoney Harris Larchmont Boulevard, which runs between Melrose Avenue and 3rd Street, has long stood in as “Main Street USA” for the surrounding communities of Hancock Park and Windsor Square. Independently owned shops and restaurants still outnumber major chains, and […]
Shopping, Culture and Fun In Century City and Westwood
Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, culture or good food, this slice of L.A.’s West side has you covered. by Erin Mahoney Harris Tucked among the towering buildings of Century City, the Westfield shopping center was designed with family fun in mind, while the cultural institutions of nearby UCLA provide a high-minded counterbalance to […]
Sea Life, Ships and Shopping in San Pedro
See marine life, taste delicious seafood, shop for hand-crafted goods and see a bit of battleship history. by Erin Mahoney Harris The harbor city of San Pedro is loaded with hidden treasures. An excellent aquarium, whale watching excursions, a permanent craft fair, a historic battleship and more neat discoveries are in store for families willing […]
Historic Fun and Theme Park Thrills In Santa Clarita Valley
Take a family field trip to these popular family communities for history, ranch fun, and a great ride or two. by Erin Mahoney Harris Just a half-hour’s drive north of Los Angeles, Santa Clarita has in recent years become a popular place for young families to settle down, and with good reason. Boasting beautiful natural […]
Head North For Family Fun in Montrose
Quiet Montrose, west of La Cañada-Flintridge, offers family shopping, tasty treats for kids, great bookstores, and places to connect with nature. by Erin Mahoney Harris The quiet community of Montrose is nestled near the intersection of the 210 and 2 freeways, just west of La Cañada-Flintridge. It’s farther north than some Angelenos are used to […]
Find a Big Boy and Small Trains Around Toluca Lake
Take a family field trip to the SFV neighborhood to find classic diner food, sophisticated sweets, gelato, playgrounds and trains. by Erin Mahoney Harris Toluca Lake is nestled between Studio City, North Hollywood and Burbank, offering convenient access to the nearby television and movie studios while maintaining a relatively quiet vibe. Distinctive restaurants and shops, […]
Exploring Manhattan Beach
Find seaside relaxation, upscale shopping, and plenty of family fun in this South Bay town. by Erin Mahoney Harris The well-heeled South Bay community of Manhattan Beach combines the laid-back vibe of a seaside town with the upscale dining and shopping of Beverly Hills. Every summer, its beautiful sandy beaches host the Manhattan Beach Open […]
The Embrace Kindness Mission: A Brainstorm Leads to Kinder Kids
An initiative at Laurel Hall School in North Hollywood was spearheaded by parents hoping to replace negative behavior with positive. by Ellen Byron Car magnets bearing the simple message, “Be Kind,” have sparked a lot of curiosity in the San Fernando Valley. They’re the latest brainchild of the Embrace Kindness Mission, a unique program created […]
Samantha Kurtzman-Counter: The Mother Company’s Mom
Samantha Kurtzman-Counter co-founded The Mother Company, which produces the “Ruby’s Studio” books, apps, shows and activities, after her son Jack was born. by Elena Epstein Samantha Kurtzman-Counter was enjoying a successful career as a television and film producer and director when she became a mom. “I thought I would return to work within three weeks […]