I’m giving birth in June and planning on having my mom come into town for 2 weeks since my husband doesn’t have paternity leave. The problem is, I have no idea where she will stay since she won’t fit in our 1 bedroom. What does everyone typically do when they have longer term guests? Airbnb? Hotel?

A preschool in my area gave up their 3k program/government funding, and for the 2024-2025 school year did not have 3k, only a regular tuition 3s class. They are now claiming that they will be getting back the 3K for next school year, even though they are currently not on the 3k website. Is this at all possible? We don’t want to be swindled. When they cancelled their 3k last year, they did so in May, and left a lot of families in the lurch and alot of families had no choice but to pay full tuition since everywhere else was full.

Edit: thanks for the responses. While I don't think it is appropriate for toddlers to be in the bathroom alone, it's helpful to understand how other parents (and potentially administrators) think and would react when it comes to these sort of issues. I didn't realize this would be a polarizing topic, though I fully get how some parents are more relaxed with supervision/incident reporting.

My almost 3 yo daughter goes to a private preschool (a 2's program) in Brooklyn. Today she told me that another student showed her his "peanut" and when I asked where his "peanut" was, she pointed to her private area. She then told me that it happened in the bathroom. I asked where the teachers were and she said she went all by herself. She did say that neither of them touched each other's private parts, but he did show him hers.

She's 2, almost 3, so her stories are sometimes not 100% true but often at least 75% true. I do believe that he showed her his privates and used the word "peanut" or penis and she misheard. We typically refer to that area on boys/girls as privates. She knows she has a vagina and no one is allowed to touch her there. We haven't taught her what a penis is yet. What I find hard to believe is that the teachers would send her and another student to the bathroom by themselves.

We have also had issues with this same student pushing or hitting my daughter. My daughter has told us about 5 or 6 different incidents over the school year, one where he bit her, and the school only informed us about 1 incident. The others I had to reach out with what my daughter told me first.

I understand that they are kids and maybe this is something that is not uncommon. But I don't like it and am not okay with it 😭 I think there should be supervision at all times in the bathroom and that if something like this was happening it should be stopped by the teacher immediately. I also think the school should have told us.

Not sure how to react, but I am pretty upset at this situation. Very open to opinions/thoughts and feedback for how to proceed.

Hi! I am a Research Assistant at Columbia University. We are currently recruiting NYC teenagers aged 14-17 to participate in a research study about social media, brain processing, suicidality, and mental health!

The study uses brain imaging and cortisol to understand risk and protective factors for mental health among adolescents on social media. We are currently recruiting adolescents ages 14-17 who struggle with their mental health. To participate in our study, we would ask your child to: (a) complete a mental health interview (over Zoom), (b) complete a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, (c), provide a hair sample, and (c) collect data from their social media and upload it to a secure tool where a computer program will analyze their data. There also would be brief follow-up assessments that would be completed by Zoom at 2-, 4-, and 6- months after the initial interview. For participating in the study, your child may receive up to $350.

Interested parents or teens can fill out the following interest form: https://redcap-std.hs.pitt.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=7AHW9F9N84MXFNRY or contact us at impactsstudy@cumc.columbia.edu.

Isabella
Research Assistant
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
https://www.auerbachlab.com/

Anybody have any experience with sending their kid to Lightbridge (237 Duffield St), Downtown Brooklyn Childcare (163 Schermerhorn St), or Imagine (101 Willoughby St)? I was thinking about sending my toddler-aged daughter to one of these daycare centers, so I'm just trying to see what people thought about them.

I am almost 14 weeks pregnant now and moving from California to Manhattan. I am looking for recommendations for OBGYN for rest of my pregnancy. does anyone have any good recommendations ? Any doctors they have/ had good experience with ? Also, I already called Weill cornell / Alex Cohen and they are fully booked for my date. I am panicking. Any suggestion are appreciated.

For 3k, and elementary.

Thanks in advance.

Any recommendations as to where a set of parents could get massages together? Does not have to be romantic because we’ll probably fall asleep. Looking for Manhattan locations or downtown Brooklyn.

My 6yo daughter cut her own hair and now has an uneven mullet. Any recommendations for a hairstylist in Brooklyn/NYC who can work some magic?

*In my experience the kid-centric salons can only do straight simple trims – I think we’ll need an adult stylist who also does kids – but open to any suggestions!

A couple parents in my son’s DoE 3K class are very peeved that some of the teachers show the kids videos. I don’t mean Paw Patrol or overly stimulating material, but YouTube videos about the alphabet or musical groupings, etc. Their argument is the teachers should be able to teach the lesson without relying on screens. Fair enough, though a small amount of educational screen time doesn’t personally bother me (for example, Daniel Tiger has helped my son with emotional regulation).

I’m curious to hear what parents and teachers have experienced in other NYC schools.

If I live in district 13, that has several zoned schools, does that mean that I am zoned for any one of those schools? I know when you apply your more likely to get a spot for school that you were zoned in, but does that mean any of the schools in the zone or just the one that’s closest to you?

Genuinely asking - I feel like I must be missing something or ignorant of how they work (maybe you don’t have to pay the full amount if xyz, or they come down if you’ve lived there for x years, etc).

We’re looking on the Upper East and Upper West Side for a 3 bed 2 bath, and for some of these places the maintenance fees are like $11k/mo! That obviously doesn’t work for us, but it made me wonder who DOES it work for? It’s not like these buildings are all empty, but that just seems like such poor use of a monthly payment (I mean why not just rent at that point?)

I thought I’d ask here in case anyone in this group either 1) does it and feels it’s worth it, or 2) knows why that’s the case? I can justify up to like $4k/mo in fees but anything more than that (which seems like about half of what I’m seeing) just feels exorbitant. Genuinely looking to learn more from other parents who have bought in the city (Manhattan in particular!)

Also, if there’s a better like NYC real estate subreddit to post this in, happy to delete and post there!

Hi NYC parents, just moved to Manhattan - near union square - and looking for dance and/or music classes for our 2.5 YO on the weekends. Has anyone had a good experience with a low key creative movement - type class; ideally of the less expensive variety? It really doesn't need to be pre-ballet at a serious dance school, although I'd be grateful for any recs where you've had a good experience.

Thank you!!

I am creating a group where everyone can use to find the best afterschool activities, play areas and activities for kids in NYC. Please join and share your recommendations https://www.reddit.com/r/LittleNewYorkers/s/7d6SL4T4lN

Hey there! I’m looking for a Manhattan or Brooklyn neighborhood where families put down real roots—not just a stop on the way to the suburbs. I want that sense of community where kids grow up together, parents know each other, and there’s a real long-term vibe.

I know some areas have a more transient feel, but where do you actually find families staying for the long haul? Schools, playgrounds, local shops—what neighborhoods make you feel like you’re part of a true village in the middle of the city?

Would love to hear from parents who’ve built a strong community here! Thanks!

Hi All, what are the chances of being accepted into PS 9 or PS 199 if we are not in their zone? We live in UWS but are out of the zones

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone had any opinions on any of these schools-all generally equidistant

a) PS 9 Sarah Smith dual language prospect heights

b) PS 482 montessori

c) PS 9 regular

d) PS 20 clinton hill

e) PS 11 Fort Greene

f) PS 282 Park Slope

g) PS 38 Pacific

h) PS 133 William Butler

We've noticed recently that we no longer see the carseat option with Uber. We've tried to book rides at different times, in different boroughs, etc. and still nothing. Haven't been able to find any info about this anywhere online. Anyone else noticed the same? Or know anything about this?

If you get into a charter school via lottery in April and accept a seat, does that impact your MySchools lottery app? Like if your top choice(s) are DOE schools, but you're interested in a charter school as a back-up, would accepting a charter seat prevent you from possibly getting an offer from your top choice DOE schools? Is there any issue with accepting a charter offer and backing out later after the MySchools offers come out?

Hi, is there anyone who is attempting to raise their kids bilingual (french or german).

Hoping that we can at least get them to communicate with one set of great grandparents but we’re not diligent enough to do it ourselves.

What schools did you select? Are the public dual language programs good?

Hello NYC parents! I’m a freelance photographer & toddler dad based in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn. I would like to share my portrait website where I am currently taking bookings for 45-minute family portrait sessions. As a new father, I have quickly realized how much we rely on our phones to capture all the moments we can as we watch our children grow & I would like to offer my services to provide your family with professional portraits that you can look back on fondly for years to come and remember this moment in time with your family. I am happy to shoot at a location of your choice whether it’s a favorite park, or your home-I also offer physical prints in addition to retouched digital image files. I look forward to working with you & creating lasting memories through portraits

https://preview.redd.it/24zx0deqckge1.jpg?width=6720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a899ba23b2bc96e2a2d252b2a5ca6b6cd15d3217

www.rsmithportraits.com

Hello, We will be travelling to NYC with our then 5 month old in March.

We know all about the struggles of the subway with a stroller, however as we are travelling from Ireland we will need it with us.

On the MTA website it says that the subway station at the port Authority has ramps but they are not ADA compliant.

I’m wondering though if they are ok for using a stroller as we will have luggage and the stroller with us.

Port Authority is only a 10 minute walk to our hotel.

While I am quite familiar with Manhattan, I’ve never been with an infant and luggage In tow and port Authority would be a great option for us if it works with a stroller. Thankyou.

Any resources to seek any cooking classes/club for 5 years old? Afterschool programs for cooking/baking?

Hi all, my wife and I are planning to move back to New York this summer with our three-year-old (he turns 4 in October). We made this decision only recently and have now missed (it seems) all the preschool (3-K) application deadlines for the upcoming fall (Sept 2025).

Does anyone have any advice for how we could still get our son into preschool even in this case?

We will be moving back to the upper west side initially, so ideally we'd want a place on the UWS or UES.

Thanks so much! So grateful for any thoughts here.

Hi!

I’m a first-time parent and I didn’t grow up in the States, so I’m still getting accustomed to this system.

We currently live in Long Island City (LIC), near Gantry Park. Our son is eligible for Pre-K this September, and we are zoned for PS/IS 78Q, which we have heard great things about. We really love this area because of the park and the friendships we've made. We want our son to attend this school.

I'm pregnant with our second child and we have outgrown our current home. We are looking to move to Astoria, near the Broadway station, and our lease ends in July. My in-laws live in Astoria, and they have been a tremendous help to us; we really need their support.

I have a few questions:

1. How competitive is it to get into PS/IS 78Q? I know it's lottery-based, but do we have a better chance since we are in the zone?

2. Is it worth it to include PS/IS 78Q in the application even though we will be moving out of the zone? If we get accepted, what happens next?

3. We found schools near my in-laws: PS017 and PS234. Are they good schools? Can we apply when we aren’t in the zone?

I’m 12 weeks and looking for recommendations for Doulas. Due in August and planning to give birth in the hospital in Manhattan. I’m based in Brooklyn.

I’ve spoken with a few doulas and I’m finding that what I’m looking for is almost a coach vs. someone who’s going to do the “you got this mama” “tap into your feminine power” type thing. I’m an athlete and definitely respond better to “focus and get it done” type language.

Any recommendations? Or maybe I’m delusional and I’m not going want that day of. Taking advice on this one!

For example, if you live on the UWS the list might include the Natural History Museum, Lincoln Center, Zabar's, and Sheep Meadow. If you live in the West Village maybe it includes Jefferson Market Library, Washington Square Park, the Village Vanguard, and Joe's Pizza.

Please help me out, it's for a book I'm making for my kids!

Hi all, we are expecting our first baby soon so are planning to move to a bigger apartment but of course trying to find one in a good school district. We are looking at an apartment right now that we really love and PS 267 is the district elementary school - is this a good school?

We also moved to NYC from Europe so we don’t have a great understanding of the school system here just yet but we are trying our best to figure it out haha

Thank you in advance!

Private kids cooking classes customized to your children’s ages + preferences! Former NYC elementary school teacher, culinary school trained. Email: info@littlechefsnyc.com