Tennis, Everyone?

Tennis isn’t just for the country club.  It’s also part of the city scene. Our guest poster, Esther, is a tennis enthusiast based in New York City. She firmly believes that “getting your child interested in activities will help them manage their time better, make more friends and succeed in school.” We firmly believe that some day your little budding tennis star will be able to score you Wimbeldon tickets!  So consider the investment a good one, all the way around.

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Do you live in NYC? Did you watch the US Open? Are your children eager to learn tennis?  Do they play with a racquet even in your cramped apartment every chance that they get? If so, you may want to consider giving your child tennis lessons. 

The bad news is that in NYC tennis options are scarce. The good news is that I am here to your rescue. I realized the need for tennis classes for young children and started a tennis program.  I rent space at a facility in Murray Hill and I also give classes at Ys, JCCs, and schools. I am able to do this because my business is portable. I have portable nets that I set up within minutes. We use lightweight racquets and nerf balls.   

Here are some activities that kids can look forward to in my class. We teach kids the fundamentals of tennis: forehands, backhands, volleys, and overheads. To keep the tennis class lively we often play games. We often partake in the game Graduation, where kids get to move up a grade each time they are able to connect with the ball. We play in which  kids are able to run and dodge balls when they hit a certain number of balls, Does this sound like fun to you? If so you should check out Elf Tennis! 

I Heart Philly

Each month ParentZing! highlights a different city and a guest poster raves about why it’s great to raise a family there. This time ’round it’s Philadelphia. You know, the largest city in the US… in 1800. ParentZing! reader Kaitlyn Bowers tells us why she loves the City of Brotherly Love…

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Philadelphia suffers from city envy.  A few miles one way you have NYC. A smidgen more another way you have Washington, DC. But it’s a great town in it’s own respect, really! Here are 10 reasons why I love living and raising my kids in Philly.

So Now You’re in Trouble…(Final Valentine’s Day Gift Idea)

No Valentine’s Day Gift, eh? You can still look like you made the effort with, actually, very little effort. We scoured cooks.com for three super easy dessert recipes. And when we say easy, we mean idiot-proof.  You won’t deserve it, but he or she will be impressed.  

Putting $ Where Their Mouth Is (Out of the Box Valentine’s Day Gifts #4-6)

Got a Valentine who’s a do-gooder? Well, he or she wouldn’t want some expensive conspicuous consumption gift, then. So put your money where their mouth is: Check out Donate for Valentines.  From their website:
 

This year on valentines day why not do something different and spend some money on a meaningful cause – one of the many charities doing great work worldwide. The money can go to all sorts of good use and make a long term difference – long after the standard valentines day flowers and chocolates are gone and forgotten.

It’s not to say you can’t do something romantic with your partner – but that can be completely free! Plus both you and your partner can feel good in knowing that you have helped the good cause of your choice.

Remember your donations may be tax deductible, which makes your money go even further.

Get Lost! (Out of the Box Valentine’s Day Gift #3)

 

…Or not, with a GPS for your Valentine’s bike. Promote your honey’s bike riding hobby while at the same time stripping him or her of the ability to use the “Sorry I’m late. We got lost.” excuse ever again. Nothing like a win-win gift.

ParentZing! Perk: Ugly diaper bags, begone! Check out JPLizzy and save 25% now until Valentine’s Day with the code VDAY.

Chuck You! (Out of the Box Valentine’s Day Gift Idea #2)

Admit it: You despise Valentine’s Day. First of all, it’s a stupid holiday; second, it’s a stupid holiday that is linked with, well, stupid gifts.

But here’s your chance to, er, chuck those old ideas about what makes a good Valentine’s Day present.

Remember your old Converse sneaks? The ones you wore (and wore out) and bought multiple pairs of just in case? 

Give a gift that will help your Valentine re-live those moments and more. But don’t settle for off-the-shelf. Instead, let him, her (or them) design their own Converse sneakers. Swear!

Alternatively, consider channeling your inner designer and customizing the sneaks for them. You can pick various colors and patterns to reflect your relationship, including zippy animal prints (you grrrrrr, girl!) or — as would make sense in some relationships — skulls.  

Yes, skulls. If your “Valentine” balks at the macabre design, just remind him or her: If the shoe fits, wear it.

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ParentZing! Perk: Free shipping until 2/12 for Land’s End! Enter the Promotion code SPRING and the PIN 00006540 in the space provided.

Puff ‘n Stuff (Out of the Box Valentine’s Day Gift Idea #1)

Betcha can't eat just one!

Forget the boring old box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Think outside the box with gourmet marshmallows.  Dig into our interview with Plush Puffs gourmands… you’ll never think of the humble puffed treat in the same way!

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Q: You got the inspiration for “plush puffs” one Halloween when your son asked you to make pumpkin marshmallows. But honestly, when you shared your idea about starting a marshmallow business with others, didn’t they give you the, “Oh, the poor thing! She must be exhausted. She’s spouting crazy things!” look?

A: That’s what I was expecting. But the response was really positive, most people said “Marshmallows, why didn’t I think of that?” In fact, the only person I recall who gave me discouraging words was a gourmet business owner – something to the effect of “you got a snowball’s chance in @#@* at this”. I’ve officially proven her wrong.