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Ten Skills I Honed as PTA President

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During my first foggy years of stay-at-home motherhood, Mommy brain replaced the quick wit I previously employed as an English teacher. Life suddenly revolved around my brood of four kids under four years old rather than my cohort of rowdy freshmen. Literature started to look more like board books and less like Shakespeare. My mind threatened to turn to mush in the melee of spit up, swings, snacks, swaddles, strollers, and stretchy pants . It was hard to see beyond the immediate task of making sure my household was fed, clothed, clean, and sleeping. Just when I glimpsed a light at the end of the tunnel (aka all kids attending school), COVID-19 hit and launched us into a blurry year of hybrid learning limbo . When my youngest child finally entered full-day Kindergarten in 2021, I emerged from the daze of new parenthood. Not looking to return to the classroom as a teacher, but ready to expand my focus beyond meeting my family’s basic needs, I dipped my toe into volunteering with our el...
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How a Christmas Desk Paved the Way for Small Space Hospitality

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Adding a desk to our kids’ bedroom launched an apartment reshuffling akin to a game of musical chairs. The desk was the last player standing, so to speak, as we shed the outgrown or underused contents of our New York City apartment–all for the sake of making our home a welcoming gathering place. My eldest daughter had included a desk on her Christmas wish list . For a suburban family with ample room, this would have been a no-brainer. As a mom fitting a household of six into a two-bedroom apartment, however, her wish seemed unrealistic. I saw the value in upgrading our toddler table to a scale appropriate for my eight, ten, and twelve year olds. An extra workstation would come in handy, especially considering they often invite friends over for homework playdates. However, we needed to think outside the box to seriously entertain the idea. Two bunk beds, two dressers, and a bookshelf monopolized all four walls in the kids’ bedroom, so where could we squeeze in a desk? As an experiment, ...
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Head to Midtown West to Hit Some of NYC’s Best New Highlights

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As part of my new school year’s resolution to more regularly venture out of my neighborhood, I recently explored New York City’s revitalized Midtown West along the Hudson River. Despite having lived in NYC for more than 17 years, most of my time spent along this waterfront has been in a car, en route to the Lincoln Tunnel. Last week, however, a doctor’s appointment in midtown inspired me to tack on a fun outing while in the area. I set off on foot, determined to discover this delightful section of town up close.  Hudson River Park I began my day perched on a bench just south of the Intrepid Museum and gazed over the inlet, sectioned off for kayaking so that paddlers aren't capsized by approaching cruise ships. I took in the huge aircraft carrier, amazed as always by its sheer size and imposing stature, docked right here in the Big Apple. The early hour made the setting quite serene. A pair of police horses added some ambience as they walked slowly along the bike path. I set off o...
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