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• Summer Fairs, Festivals, Food & Fun on Staten Island

  With so many fairs, festivals, parades, parties and strolls on Staten Island this summer, your kids will gladly put down their tablets and phones and join in the excitement! Here’s where to find the fun in Staten Island! Staten Island Fairs and Festivals, Food and Fun Movies Under the Stars  Watch a free family-friendly flick under the stars. Check the dates on the Staten Island Parent calendar.  2023 Staten Island Mall Carnival June 1-2, 5-11pm; June 3-4, 12-11pm; June 5-9, 5-11pm; June 10-11, 12-11pm Staten Island Mall • 2655 Richmond Ave. This annual family event features a variety of fun activities, including rides, games, carnival food and more. Figment Festival June 3, 10am-10pm; June 4, 10am-6pm Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • 1000 Richmond Terr. Figment is a free participatory arts event that celebrates creativity by challenging artists and participants to find new ways to create, share, and dream. Green Neighbor Family Day June 3, 12-3pm Olmsted-Beil House Park • 4515 Hylan Blvd. Join Friends of Olmsted-Beil House for a free afternoon of nature-inspired arts and crafts activities, storytelling, games and more.   SunriseWALKS – Staten Island  June 4, 9am-5pm Staten Island University Hospital Community Park • 75 Richmond Terr. Give summer back to kids with cancer in our community by joining Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island at a walk and family carnival. 8th Annual New Drop Car & Jeep Show June 4, 9am-2pm New Drop High School • 465 New Dorp Ln. Check out so many makes and models of cars, and enjoy live music, a vendor market and more. Proceeds support the New Dorp High School Football Team.  Food Truck Festival at the Mount June 9, 6-10pm; June 10, 12-10pm; June 11, 12-8pm Catholic Charities Staten Island • 6541 Hylan Blvd. This huge family event features live music on stage, beer and sangria garden, rides for kids, and an amazing lineup of food trucks on the island.  World Oceans Day at the Zoo June 11, 11am-2pm Staten Island Zoo • 614 Broadway Learn all about the ocean and its amazing aquatic residents at this fun event. Cottage Row Curiosities  June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, 11am-4pm Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • 1000 Richmond Terr. Speaking of Staten Island fairs and festivals, don’t overlook Cottage Row Curiosities! Go shopping at this community artisan market featuring over 50 Staten Island vendors. Enjoy music, entertainment, food and more. Juneteenth Freedom Festival June 17, 11am-6pm Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • 1000 Richmond Terr. Enjoy this celebration that features live musical performances, historical readings and other fun activities. Learn about the history, and experience the culture and contributions of the African American community while enjoying the surroundings of Snug Harbor. Juneteenth Celebration  June 18, 11am-5pm Historic Richmond Town • 441 Clarke Ave. Celebrate Juneteenth at this event that will feature special programs including demonstrations of hearth cooking, discussions of social history and historical reenactment. 14th Annual Polish Festival June 18, 12-8pm Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • 1000 Richmond Terr. Get acquainted with Polish culture, music, traditions and more at this fun festival. Enjoy live performances by singers and dance groups representing traditional music and dance. Traditional cuisine is served throughout the day including kielbasa, pierogi, golabki (stuffed cabbage), baked goods, and Polish beer. Kids activities include face painting, bounce houses and more. Independence Day Weekend July 1-2, 10am-4pm Historic Richmond Town • 441 Clarke Ave. Celebrate the founding of the American republic at Historic Richmond Town with crafts, activities, homemade treats, and more. Travis 4th of July Parade July 4,12pm Independence Park • Victory Blvd. and Glen Street Ceremony starts at noon at Independence Park in Travis (Corner of Victory Blvd. and Glen Street).  During the ceremony, dignitaries and honored guests, including the Grand Marshal, will be recognized. Step off is at 12:30pm at Showplace Entertainment Center.  Maker Park Radio’s 6 Year Anniversary Music and Arts Fest July 8, 6-10pm Maker Park at Front and Thompson Streets Enjoy music, food options, art and maker vendors, beverages and more at Maker Park Radio’s anniversary event. Richmond County Fair Sept. 2-4, 12-8pm Historic Richmond Town • 441 Clarke Ave. It’s that time of year again! Celebrate the best of Staten Island with fun food, music and so much more at the famous Richmond County Fair. Revolutionary War Living History Saturday June 10, 10am-5pm Historic Richmond Town • 441 Clarke Ave. Step back in time to experience the American Revolution as it happened in Richmond County. Historians will be on site demonstrating military drills, weapons and historic skills. Hear stories about soldiers and civilians as you learn about life during the American Revolution in New York. Open Village  Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am-5pm through Oct. 1 Historic Richmond Town • 441 Clarke Ave. Step back in time and experience the open village at Historic Richmond Town. The open air museum is alive with living history, demonstrated by costumed historical interpreters in structures throughout the campus. Summer Nights Vendor Market July 7, 3-8pm Empire Outlets • 55 Richmond Terr. Shop, eat and listen to music at this fun vendors market hosted by Created for You Artists Market. EO Backyard Games Daily, 10am-8pm through Oct. 31 Empire Outlets • 55 Richmond Terr. Head to this summer-time event series to play Jenga, Cornhole, Connect Four and lounge in Adirondack chairs. This article was updated on May 28, 2023. Wanna read more stuff like this? Get our newsletters packed with ideas, events, and information for parents in Staten Island.

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• Sunrise Day Camp Staten Island

  WALK FOR A CAUSE! Join SunriseWALKS on Sunday, June 4, to raise money for Sunrise Day Camp! CLICK HERE for more information.  Nothing is more devastating for a parent than their child’s diagnosis of cancer. Aside from the heartache of watching a youngster endure treatment, parents are concerned about the effects of the illness on siblings. It turns the entire family’s world upside down in ways never before imagined. In an effort to provide a positive summer experience, the JCC of Staten island will rent space at Staten Island Academy, Todt Hill, and utilize the facilities at the school for the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp, a dedicated day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, provided completely free of charge. Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said, “Childhood should be a time for playdates, adventures outside in the sun, toothless grins, and scraped knees. But for too many children and their families, a pediatric cancer diagnosis changes everything. That’s why our Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island is so important. This free camp for children with cancer and their siblings gives our campers the gift of a magical summer that every child deserves to experience. Days at Sunrise are filled with friends, games, songs, and fun—the perfect antidote to long, lonely days at home and in the hospital. There’s nothing better than the smiles we see at Sunrise Day Camp because we know how much our campers have been through at such a young age. We are grateful to all the generous donors and sponsors who make camp a reality for these children by supporting us every year.” About half of the children who attend Sunrise Day Camp have cancer. The other half are their siblings, whose lives are so often altered by the disease. No friends over to the house because of impaired immune systems, no ‘equal’ treatment because so much of a family’s resources (emotional, financial, time, etc) are dominated by the health/medical needs of the patient. The camp recognizes the need for fun in all the children’s lives. Providing memorable summers on Staten Island since 2016 for children ages 3½–16, the camp brings the simple pleasures of childhood back to children struggling with cancer, changing months of loneliness and isolation into summers filled with sunshine, laughter and happiness. And because Sunrise is a day camp, it does all this while allowing the children to continue their medical treatment and enjoy the comfort and safety of their own homes at night. “Each day at Sunrise Day Camp, we’re spreading sunshine to kids who have been through the unimaginable,” David Lutzker, incoming Director of Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, said. “But so often, we find that it’s really our campers—and the smiles and the laughter they share—who shine the most.” Staten Island Academy has a 12-acre campus, which provides enough space for Sunrise campers to take part in activities both indoors and out. “It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome Sunrise Day Camp to their new home at Staten Island Academy,” Eileen Corigliano, Staten Island Academy’s assistant head of school, said. “Nothing beats seeing the children’s smiling faces as they enjoy all that our beautiful campus has to offer. It is such a powerful experience to have Staten Island organizations join together and share their resources to support children, especially during this difficult time in their lives. Staten Island Academy students have the privilege of working with Sunrise and their children and it has been a rewarding experience. I am hopeful that this becomes a lifelong partnership for Sunrise and Staten Island Academy.” Additionally, the camp operates with enhanced safety protocols in place to minimize the potential of COVID-19 transmission at camp. Still, a virtual camp option is available for those families who may prefer or need distance camping. Sunrise Day Camp is operated by the JCC of Staten Island and is a program of the Sunrise Association, which has locations locally and worldwide. Sunrise Day Camps are in locations including Atlanta, Baltimore, Long Island, Pearl River, Israel, and of course, Staten Island. This year, camp runs June 29-Aug. 10. Unlike similar sleep-away camps that are offered for only 1-2 weeks, Sunrise allows children in active treatment to continue with their home doctors, while attending camp each day. This unique concept allows children the comfort of sleeping in their own beds each night – a comfort not only for the campers, but for their parents as well. Parents have peace of mind when their children attend Sunrise. All activities at camp are designed with special features to best accommodate chronically ill children, with medical personnel always available to provide expert care if needed. The flexible and individualized camp schedule allows for children to attend the program when they are able to do so, whether for the entire summer or a day or two. The goal is to provide the campers with a typical, predictable summer in a world filled with uncertainties and situations which no child nor family should ever have to face. How Do Parents Enroll Their Child? Parents can enroll their child online or by calling 718-475-5119. Children must be referred/given clearance by their oncologist or hospital. The camp welcomes children primarily from Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan and central or northern New Jersey. Children are picked up at their homes and home hospitals and returned there at the end of the camp day. They attend as they can…the whole summer, a few weeks, a day…whatever works for them and their physical health and treatment schedule. How Is Sunrise Day Camp Staten Island Different From The Other JCC Camp At Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds? Actually, it isn’t very different at all. It has the same kinds of activities like sports, arts and crafts, swimming, music, and much more. Of course it will have well-trained and caring staff. What does make it different is that there are high energy levels and lower energy levels of the activities based on how a child is feeling. There is more medical personnel. But to the child…NO difference and [more…]

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• Where to Go Fishing On Staten Island

  Where to Go Fishing On Staten Island Have some reel fun this summer by going fishing on Staten Island! There are many locations on Staten Island, as well as a few spots in nearby New Jersey, where families can enjoy fishing adventures. From freshwater opportunities at local parks such as Clove Lakes, to catching saltwater species at Lemon Creek and by the boardwalk, there are plenty of fishing locations dotted throughout Staten Island. As an added bonus, many of these locations have other amenities to enjoy, including playgrounds, hiking trails and more to round out your family day in the great outdoors!   Rules and Regulations for Fishing on Staten Island  As you plan your day out fishing, it’s important to follow the rules, posted guidelines and city, state and federal regulations so you’re in the know before you go. This is true whether you fish in NY or NJ. It’s also important to note that in New York City, freshwater fishing is catch and release only. Saltwater fishing is subject to NYS DEC angling regulations. Check out the city’s fishing rules and visit the NYS DEC fishing page, where you’ll find tons of important information about fishing in Staten Island. The city also requests that those who fish remove all fishing line fragments, hooks and lures from parklands and waters, as discarded fishing line can hurt wildlife and people.  You can also find great tips on how to make the most of your fishing experience by joining the Staten Island NY Fishing group on Facebook. You’ll see some cool photos of impressive catches, too. And now…on to some fantastic fishing fun!  Where to Go Fishing on Staten Island  Clove Lakes Park  Forest Avenue, Victory Boulevard bet. Clove Road and Brookside Avenue, Royal Oak Road This popular park is made up of three ponds that are home to many fish species including bluegill sunfish, carp, brown bullhead and largemouth bass. Fishing is easy here, as there are helpful vegetation breaks around the lakes’ perimeters. After fishing–if the kids still have energy–stop by the park’s playground or sports fields for some extra fun at the park.  Lemon Creek Park  Hylan Boulevard from Sharrott Avenue to Seguine Avenue Looking for flounder and striped bass? If so, head to this South Shore park and catch these fish and others including bluefish, sea robin and dogfish. While you’re there, you might see some cool bird species, too, as the surrounding parkland serves as a resting point for numerous migratory birds. Species you can see here include swans, mallard ducks and black ducks. FUN BONUS: The hand-sculpted ceramic fish located at the foot of the fishing pier provide great photo opportunities! Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach  Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Father Capodanno Boulevard Head to this very popular and spacious beachfront area to enjoy some fantastic fishing. In addition to fishing, you can enjoy other beach-side activities here, such as sports fields, playgrounds and more. You can even rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals located in several locations by the beach and enjoy some family biking time together.   Willowbrook Park  Richmond Avenue, Victory Boulevard, Ashworth Avenue and Forest Hill Road Willowbrook Park offers lots of opportunities for family fun—including fishing! The park’s freshwater lake has bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish, largemouth bass, carp and brown bullhead. Don’t forget to take a spin on the park’s Carousel for All Children before you leave!  Wolfe’s Pond Park  Cornelia Avenue and Hylan Boulevard You can easily plan a full day of fun at this South Shore park. Pack a picnic with your family’s favorite eats, and enjoy your meal at one of the many tables located by the water. Then, start fishing! You can fish either from the interior of the park’s nature preserve or along the beach on the south shore.  Great Kills Park – Gateway National Recreation Area Hylan Boulevard and Buffalo Street There are plenty of places to fish at this 523-acre national park located in Staten Island’s South Shore. There are plenty of other recreation amenities, too, including a beach center, a life-guarded beach, a multi-use path, hiking trails and a marina—everything you need for a fun outdoor day on Staten Island. Where to Go Fishing in New Jersey Ramapo Valley County Reserve Ramapo Valley Rd. Route 202, Mahwah This natural area is a huge park in Bergen County. Visitors can hike the hills and valleys, enjoy the Ramapo River and several ponds, and admire the vibrant ecosystem. Fishing is permitted.  Catch-and-release only.  A valid fishing license is required for anyone 14 or older. Visit the website for more information about permits and rules.  Stephens State Park  Hackettstown The park is home to the Musconetcong River, a great spot for freshwater fishing. Families can enjoy picnic tables and grills with scenic views along the river, and go hiking or mountain biking. Visit the website for more information about rules and regulations. Allamuchy Mountain State Park  Waterloo Rd., Stanhope In addition to fishing, this state park is packed with things to do all year long. Families can enjoy a variety of winter activities, including sledding, and boating, canoeing and kayaking once the weather warms up. Visit the website for more information about rules and regulations.   Wanna read more stuff like this? Get our newsletters packed with ideas, events, and information for parents in Staten Island.

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• Back to School Readiness Checklist

  The school year is coming. Here’s your back-to-school readiness checklist. Prepare Your child likely needs more than a new backpack and lunchbox for the first day. Purchase bento boxes, reusable water bottles, small ice packs, thermoses, pocket tissues, etc. Stock up on breakfast and lunch supplies. If possible, plan your menus in advance to cut down on time during the week. Review schoolwork from the previous year. If it seems like your child needs to brush up on any subjects, and after two months off school he or she surely might, put in some extra study time before the first day. Prepare homework space. Buy new home supplies and organize the area where your child will be spending time completing assignments after school. Medical Make sure all medical checkups are up-to-date, including pediatrician, dentist, and optometrist. Routines Practice the new bedtime routine and morning routine a week or so before school starts. Mary Miele, learning and education specialist, and CEO of Evolved Education Company, suggests creating pictures of tasks to do in the morning and night.  “Print them out and put them on the table. As your child completes them, turn the picture over,” she explained. “Older students can write tasks on note cards and do the same thing.” Christine Hernandez, certified doula, early childhood and parenting expert, and founder of Allo Saratoga, recommends adjusting your child’s sleep schedule long before the night before the first day of school. “We all know that summertime can bring a lot of fun and late nights catching fireflies, but as we gradually head back to the routine of fall, it’s really important to slowly–that’s the key–adjust your child’s sleep schedule back to the school-year time and routine,” she said. “By gradually adjusting their sleep schedule back to a regular routine before school starts, you help them ease into the new academic year with less stress and fatigue. This transition allows them to be well-rested, alert, and ready to engage in school activities from the very beginning. Simply adjust their bedtime by a few minutes every night, starting a few weeks before school begins, and it won’t be such a fight the night before school begins.” Set up a family calendar. This is a great way to prepare for what’s coming up and get everyone excited about the school year ahead.  “I recommend setting up a family calendar to organize everyone’s schedules, including school activities, extracurriculars, and important dates,” Hernandez explained. “Having a visual representation of the weekly routine helps everyone stay on track and manage time effectively. We all know those first few weeks back to school are chaotic, so set everyone up for success with a family calendar.” As the first day approaches, limit time spent on electronic devices and increase daily reading time.  Also, Miele said for students who have phones, text them a note with their morning, evening and weekly afterschool activity routines for easy reference. Be sure to include daily and weekly chores as doing chores is an excellent way to prepare children for adult life and build executive functioning.  Brainstorm some new ways to ask “how was your day” when kids get home from school. Asking more specific questions will help you understand how well your child is doing in a new class, new school, with new teachers, etc. Re-establish meal times that match school hours. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner times.  “Having regular meal times helps regulate energy levels and prepares the body for the school day,” Hernandez said. “It will help prepare everyone for the upcoming year, so start establishing these meal times a few weeks before school begins to gradually get back into the routine.” Safety Review safety procedures for walking to school or getting on and off the school bus. If your child is attending a new school, do a practice run to familiarize him or her with the new surroundings. First Day Prepare the night before. Set the breakfast table, pack lunches, lay out clothes, organize supplies and fill book bags. Make a list. Memorize new class numbers and teachers’ names. Double, triple, and quadruple check your supply list. Make sure you have everything your child will need for the first day. Summer homework check-in. Make sure all summer homework assignments have been completed. For younger children or those with first day jitters, read a book together the night before about starting school. Popular titles include: Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes; The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn; We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins; and Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney. Academics Stock up on books. Once the school year starts, provide access to books and make time for reading, Miele said.  “Even 20 minutes on weekend days will help,” she said. Talk about news articles with your children. Miele recommends Newsela as a great resource. Also, preview math courses and skills.  For older students, meet with your child and create an approach for studying, doing homework and scheduling that everyone agrees with.  “Be sure that when you create a system, you all follow it with fidelity. Keep in mind that many middle and high school students need time on the weekends to do homework and study,” Miele said. “Create a family plan for this before school begins with clearly outlined expectations that everyone can agree upon. Discuss and clarify phone and video game time limitations and discuss any concerns.” Pssst… Check out 7 Tips For Preparing Healthy School Lunches

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• 10 Grab-and-Go Breakfasts Your Kids Will Love

  Grab-and-Go Breakfasts As we know, breakfast is important at any age. And, studies have shown that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school, have more energy and concentrate better. But sometimes, breakfast is skipped because of the whirlwind of a busy morning. The good news is, there are many nutritious and easy grab-and-go breakfasts for kids that can fit into any busy schedule. Browse this list of breakfast ideas that are easy to make and the kiddos will love to eat. Tips For Healthy and Easy Grab-and-Go Breakfasts for Kids Choosing healthy breakfast options can be a challenge, especially on a busy morning when everyone is getting ready for school or work. Before we get into our list of breakfast ideas, here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing an easy and nutritious morning meal: Keep it Simple: Your kitchen isn’t the Four Seasons, so don’t worry about cooking a breakfast buffet in the morning. A healthy muffin, quick egg or juice and toast can go a long way.  Nutritional Balance is Key: According to the the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), keep in mind that nutritional balance is important, not just for one meal but for foods eaten throughout the day. Add fruit at breakfasts, and give vegetables with a hummus dip as an afternoon snack.  Pack in Advance: Make to-go breakfast packs the night before to save time in the morning.  Keeping Hunger Away: Protein and fiber with some healthy fat is the name of the game to stave off hunger and start the day right. If you have some time on the weekends or at night, consider making something protein-packed in advance. “Homemade nut butter made with seeds is a great choice when paired with an apple, rice cake or whole-grain toast,” said Lauren Braun Costello, a classically trained chef and cooking-show host. (You’ll read more about her later on!) Grab-and-go Breakfasts for Kids The Microwaved Egg Did you know you don’t need to boil water to cook an egg? Just crack the egg, give it a scramble, and microwave it for about a minute. The result? A ready-to-eat omelet-style egg that gives your child energy to go!  Consider this Breakfast Hack Speaking of eggs, check out Just Crack an Egg. It features a combination of prepared ingredients so parents can make a delicious breakfast in less than two minutes in the microwave.  Make Healthy Muffins In Advance Try this easy banana-walnut maple muffin recipe on the weekend, and you’ll have breakfast prepared for the week. The muffins are not only delicious, but completely refined sugar-free. BONUS: They’re easy to stuff into a backpack on those days when everyone is running late!  Matzo Brei  This one might take a bit more work than the other grab-and-go breakfasts on this list, but it’s well worth preparing. It’s made with a simple mixture of matzo and beaten eggs, and can be garnished with something sweet or savory. This recipe is from Chef Lauren Braun Costello, mentioned earlier. It calls for cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, charoset, caramelized onions and toasted “everything” seasoning. Delicious!  French Toast Muffins (that aren’t messy) This protein-packed muffin is filled with good fats and gluten and dairy free. Make a batch in advance for breakfasts on the go all week long for grab-and-go breakfasts. This recipe comes from Natasha Beck, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Organic Mommy. She may not be an actual chef, but Dr. Beck has some other pretty tasty recipes on her site, like homemade granola, coconut bliss balls and pumpkin waffles. Kids (and adults in your family) won’t even realize how nutritious these meals are! Fruit Fruit is packed with vitamins and other nutrition that kids need. But which kinds of fruits are easy to take on the go? Grapes, apple slices, melon chunks or any berries are always good ideas and easy to prepare in advance. Check out these tips from Harvard University for more ideas on how to choose, pack and prepare fruits and vegetables to-go for kids. Breakfast Bars It might not be the most ideal breakfast, but a breakfast bar is perfect when it comes to grab-and-go breakfasts to throw in a backpack or hand to a kid who missed the bus, overslept, or is just a picky eater. Just be sure to pick out a brand that isn’t packed with corn syrup or too many preservatives. KIND makes bars that are healthy-ish for kids. Many are made with gluten-free oats and other super grains like millet and buckwheat. Be sure to read the ingredients list of each box for allergen and nutritional information.  Organic Yogurt Check out the kids line from Stonyfield Organic for grab-and-go breakfasts. From yogurt pouches to tubes, cups and smoothies, they’re perfect for lunchboxes, as an after-school snack, or an easy and nutritious breakfast. Protein Chips Protein chips are a breakfast snack option. Wilde Chips come in a variety of flavors.  Cheese Bites Another option for a protein snack that kids love are those tasty cheese bites in a bag, such as these from Whisps.    Wanna read more stuff like this? Get our newsletters packed with ideas, events, and information for parents in Staten Island.

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• Talking To Your Kids About September 11

  Talking to Kids About September 11  For many adults, September 11, 2001, feels like yesterday. Almost everyone in the United States and beyond can remember where they were and what they were doing when the World Trade Center in Manhattan was attacked by terrorists on that tragic day. Many New Yorkers vividly remember what the weather was like, what part of the city they were in—and what they saw. While most of us will never forget that terrible day, an event that took place 22 years ago can seem like another era to children. But there are many tips parents can keep in mind when talking to kids about September 11, a discussion that can provide a powerful and useful lesson in resilience, perseverance and community for younger children.  We connected with Erica Miller, a clinical psychologist and founder of Connected Minds NYC, a neuropsychological service that offers parenting support and individual therapy. Miller shared with us strategies for talking to kids about September 11 to help ensure future generations know what happened on that terrible day in history.  Talking to Kids About September 11 Why is it important for parents to talk about September 11, 2001, with their kids? Our children are constantly listening, learning and hearing things that we may or may not want them to hear. Since we live in a world with so much access to media and information, it is important for us to talk about what is happening and what has happened in the world so that they can process and understand at their developmental level. As parents, we are the people they trust the most, and we can help shape how they think while still feeling as safe as possible talking about such an atrocity. We also want to talk about September 11 because it is important that our children learn that talking about things does not have to be scary and that we can always talk about anything, no matter how upsetting. Often, when we do not talk about something, children will go to the darkest part of their minds and feel alone with those thoughts. Being able to talk about hard topics sends the message that our children are not alone, and that we can help through their dark thoughts and feelings.  Should the topic be approached delicately? Also, is there any special way to approach it since kids were not yet born when it occurred?  I believe that it is often the adults’ feelings around the topic that is the hardest. We experienced September 11. We felt and feel the trauma. So we bring that to the table. If we approach it delicately, we may send our kids the message that this is something that should be avoided, or that we are scared or uncomfortable. I would approach it with some concrete and developmentally appropriate facts.  Is there any way to talk about the heroic efforts of the firefighters, police officers and others to show kids how the city came together to help each other? Perhaps to show a glimmer of something positive that came out of something so horrific? Absolutely! The story of September 11 does not have to only focus on one side, especially when we are talking to children, and wanting them to continue to feel as safe and secure as possible. Including in our conversation the incredible response of our police, firefighters, and health care workers, as well as the power of our community, helps to bolster feelings of security. Additional Tips For Talking to Kids About September 11  Miller shared these five additional tips for parents when talking to kids about September 11: Check in with yourself first. If you are bringing up the conversation, are you ready? What feelings are coming up for you? Being aware of your thoughts and feelings and your goals for the conversation are key. It is okay to get emotional and show the emotion to your children.   Do not be scared of your child’s feelings. Your child may already know something about this, and the more we tippy toe, the more we are sending information and signals that we can’t talk about this, that this is too scary or too big to talk about. Our children want to know that they can talk to us, that we will be there, and that we are not scared of their feelings. In fact, their feelings are welcome and necessary. Use factual words. You do not have to give every piece of information when talking to kids about September 11 but know that developmentally appropriate information taking into account their language, social-emotional, and cognitive functioning is helpful. Find out what they know and ask them to tell you if they can. Then, help them to link the dots to create a narrative about this. Having a story gives kids something to go back to, as it leaves less questions for them. Remind them that they are safe now. We know that things happen beyond our control, and many of us are scared that children will figure this out and become more anxious. We can assure our children that we will figure it out together. You do not have to talk your child out of their worries or fears. This can backfire, and sometimes reinforce our child’s fear, or make them feel more alone. Many of us likely have had similar fears. Validate and emphasize with your child; show them that you understand that they are not alone, and that we can still live safely. Remember, this is not a one-time conversation. You can revisit it whenever you want, and as they age the information that you will provide will evolve. I find that this helps to take the pressure off thinking that this is your chance to have the “perfect” conversation, because there is no such thing.    Wanna read more stuff like this? Get our newsletters packed with ideas, events, and information for parents in Staten Island.

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