Mid-summer musings

Talking about Back to School at the end of July is getting on my nerves. I’m not the only one. Our social media guru and columnist Danielle Sullivan and I had the same thought going.

It seems that we are pushing the marketing of things up further and further and the phrase itself is so worn out that we want to dispose of it and replace it with something else, but what? TV commercials and print ads are already overusing this tired expression.

The return to classes will mean summer’s over and that a family’s regular routine will resume. Vacations will be behind us and summer schedules and long days of light will come to a close, as will the beaches. But not yet, and not now! We have weeks ahead of us of still lovely summer weather. Personally I love the beach!

There are great summer foods in the farmer’s markets and food stalls with the first of the summer corn showing up in the last week or so. Peaches and nectarines have appeared and tomatoes too! Sunflowers are for sale and up in the loveliest places. To me they mean mid-summer.

New York is such a great place to be in the summer with many events taking place in every borough. Our calendars are full of wonderful things for every family to do wherever you live or want to play.

Signing up for our e-blasts and utilizing our website can help keep you in the loop about what’s happening in every part of the city. Log onto www.NYParenting.com and sign up for the newsletter. Twice a week we will send you links to interesting articles and ideas for the weekend that will inspire you and your family. You’ll also get a chance to win tickets and other prizes.

Speaking of winning, we are giving away a gorgeous Britax Affinity Stroller to some lucky family. Enter to win by clicking on the link www.NYParenting.com/stroller and make sure you fill out the form completely. That means also telling us why you would like to win it. Only city residents can enter, so don’t tell your sister-in-law on the island or in Westchester. They are not eligible.

This issue has some great articles that we hope you enjoy. Allison Plitt has written an interesting piece on Smart Snack guidelines for the schools. Be sure to read it.

Whatever your plans are for the coming weeks, enjoy! If you’re like me and you’re hard at work except on the weekends, then make the most of those days. If the kids are away at camp or in a day camp nearby, they should be doing the same, relishing the summer time outdoors in all the ways that kids do.

Thanks for reading.