Let the Games REALLY Begin

"Babe, I hear the photog knows the admissions director. Smile purty!"

The summer Olympics are sooo over; now let the games REALLY begin. 

What games, you ask? Um, that would be the FRANTIC Games.

Fueled by the belief that the “best” preschools are a direct route to the “best” universities, parents from hither and thither follow the reasoning that acceptance now to top preschools equals futures at ivy colleges. 

Parents from all walks of life fall prey and become FRANTIC around this time of year.  Heck, even Tori & Dean are FRANTIC.  It’s well documented, you know.

Anyway, the basic point is this: If you your children don’t get into the most competitive preschools, you can give up the dream that they will get into decent colleges. In fact, you should be prepared for the cruel truth:Your little failures will be bound for those diplomas you can get while wearing your pajamas.

Putting “Time Out” in a Time Out

The September 2008 print issue of Time Out New York: Kids has a section entitled “Whining and Dining” which is, of course, about eating out with children. There are reviews of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens eateries.

The mag also offers tips for a successful restaurant visit.  Yeah, yeah… all well and good.  But they forgot to mention our recent similar post, No Fries with That: Upscale Restaurants with Kids.

Humph.

Shame on you, Time Out, for not taking the opportunity to point your cursor to ParentZing! Such naughty behavior warrants — dare we say it — a time out.

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ParentZing! Perk: The Children’s Place is offering 15% off all purchases with code FA78 (ends 9/2).

Transit Trek: The Next Generation

Today’s guest post by the Muni Ladies is a follow-up to our recent entry entitled, “Free Ride: Taking Public Transportation with Babies & Kids.”

Picking up where Ms. Manners leaves off, the Muni Ladies are the sassy duo behind Muni Manners, and they’ve given a face lift to mass transit etiquette. While inspired by San Francisco Bay Area transit, their etiquette rules apply to public transportation in any metro area. 

PS For Michael Phelps fans: See the video we just appended to our Phelps’ Mom Sez: “Where Did I Go RIGHT?“ post. You *will* find it funny!

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When it comes to parenting, there’s never a bad time to introduce etiquette and manners. As new riders and their families join the existing legions of the transit savvy, we at Muni Manners feel that simple and actionable etiquette rules resonate now more than ever – on public transportation, at home, or in school. 

Phelps’ Mom Sez: “Where Did I Go RIGHT?”

While many a parent has shaken his or her head and groaned, “Where did I go wrong?!” Michael Phelps’ mother gets to shout from the rooftops, “Where did I go RIGHT?” 

By now everybody knows Squid Boy has made Olympic history with the help of his teammates, snatching up a record eight gold medals.  And while the whole world continues to marvel over his greatness, I’m managing to move on and find a way to make it all about… me. (Naturally).

Debbie Phelps helped her son overcome myriad challenges over the years so that in 2008 he could shatter records. Note to self: You aren’t even effective enough to get the kids to clean up the mess they made from playing soccer on the table with their fingers and bengal grams (a.k.a. chickpeas). 

So, what am I doing wrong and what the heck did Michael Phelps’ mom do that was so dang right?!  

Shameless City Bashing: Phelps Growing up on the “Mean Streets”

Baltimore, MD

I happened upon an article in the China Daily about Michael Phelps the other day.

The author, an Aussie who momentarily found himself cheering for Squid Boy, describes Phelps as “the former kid from the mean streets of Baltimore…”

Once again someone takes an opportunity to point out how scary cities are, implying that poor Mikey had to be one tough kid to stick out that miserable lifestyle. 

There’s only one problem with this analysis:  He didn’t grow up in Baltimore.  

Free Ride: Public Transportation with Babies & Kids

In many cities (not LA), there are great public transportation systems (not LA) that allow you to get to where you gotta go pretty efficiently (not LA).

Ok, LA…I’ll give you this: The weather IS undeniably fabulous. And there IS greater celeb-sighting potential. I guess it wouldn’t be so horrible running into, say, hunky dad David Boreanaz under warm, sunny skies.

Anyway, if you are lucky enough to be a resident of one of the pro-public transit cities or — even just visiting — buckle up ‘n enjoy the ride with your babies or kids. Need some convincing that it can actually work and be worth it? Read on…

First, children usually are free. Yup, it’s a free ride, baby. And for you? Given that gas prices mean a seven block drive costs approximately as much as an iPod, that $1.70 CharlieCard fare for the “T” in Boston is lookin’, well…pretty fair.

Eco-Zing! “Green” Gifts for Expecting or New Parents

I’m today’s guest blogger, typing this out at midnight after the kids are asleep. My ParentZing! bloggerista buddy is unplugged somewhere in North Carolina, and since I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill (go Heels!) I’m so glad she’s vacationing there.

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This list has been jotted down on napkins and post-it notes for years, whenever a non-parent says: “You have kids. So what should I get for someone who is about to have (or just had) a baby?”

I’m glad they ask. I’m glad you’ve asked. Well, maybe you haven’t technically asked…but haven’t you noticed all those baby bumps around? Clearly you need my help. So here it is: My Top 10 Eco-Friendly Gift List for Expecting or New urban. style. parents.