Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 08/24/2023 - 10:30am

Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.

Maybe best known for furniture assembly and moving help, for-hire task-tackling service Taskrabbit is also able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing–freeing up your time or even just maintaining your sanity. From organizing and storing last year’s artwork, to family meal planning, to thoughtfully decorating a dorm room, experienced Taskers can seriously cut down your to-do list and help you get those argument-inducing, potentially-marriage-ending jobs done.

Taskrabbit has been so helpful in managing my seemingly never ending list of errands and projects, but I do find it easy to forget just how many ways the service can lend a hand. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of things you probably didn’t know you could hire a Tasker to do this back-to-school season–to remind myself, and all of us, of all the ways we can use Taskrabbit to lighten our loads.

Expert Tips for Navigating Back to School Challenges and Tough Talks

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 5:00pm

Connecticut Childrens' latest Back to School Toolkit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice to keep kids happy and healthy.

The start of a new school year often comes with excitement, but it can also mean uncertainty, nerves, and tough conversations… To help with some of the challenges families may face this fall, we’ve partnered with Connecticut Children’s to share guidance from their free 2023 Back to School Kit. As always, this year’s toolkit provides straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice about the issues that could have a big impact on your child’s health and happiness in the upcoming academic year.

Here are five common challenges and tough talks you may be taking on this school year, plus advice on how to navigate:

Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 2:00pm

We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.

Holidays. After school. That rare date night. Finding trusted childcare can truly feel like a part-time job for parents–and one we definitely don’t have time for.

As a team of moms and dads, we get it. So, in hopes of lightening your load, we've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory. Now, when you search our new Childcare section, you can find background-checked caregivers right alongside daycares, schools, preschools, camps, and more.

Use our directory filters to select your location, and choose the “Babysitters & Nannies” category to narrow your search. Each listing includes the caregiver’s hourly rate, location, experience, and other helpful details. If you see someone you’re interested in working with, you can click through to Care.com to read reviews and reach out to the sitter or nanny directly about your childcare needs.

We Tried Safety-First Swim Lessons and Here’s What You Should Know

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sat, 07/08/2023 - 1:00pm

British Swim School's gentle individualized guidance helped my daughters quickly build up their skills and confidence in the water.

Water safety and swimming are critical skills, which is exactly why British Swim School uses a gentle survival-first approach to effectively teach kids and infants from 3 months and up how to swim.

Between busy school schedules and jam-packed weekends, I recently found myself staring down another summer with a 4-year-old and 7-year-old who still hadn’t learned the first thing about swimming. So, when I heard my kids had an opportunity to take a couple of lessons with British Swim School, I jumped at the chance to enroll them at a nearby pool.

What to Expect: A Free Parenting Guide by Stage

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sat, 06/03/2023 - 12:00pm

In the latest toolkit, Connecticut Children's pediatric specialists share guidance on kids' health and well-being from pregnancy to college.

From pregnancy to college, this parenting thing is always throwing us curve balls. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a team of top doctors and experts on call to share trustworthy advice along the way or even prepare us with information before we need it? That’s where the toolkits from Connecticut Children’s Hospital come in: created by top pediatric experts and backed by one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, they offer expert advice on the topics parents need to know about.

In the hospital’s latest kit, What to Expect Through Life Stages, fetal care experts, pediatric physical therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists share guidance on kids' health and well-being for each stage, from pregnancy right through to those tricky teen years. Take a look at some of the standout articles below, from understanding babies’ developmental milestones to helping teens make big decisions about their futures. You’ll find even more articles in the toolkit, so click through for additional advice at each stage.

If you have questions for a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, you can easily request a virtual or in-person appointment at Connecticut Children’s here.

Best Online STEM, Robotics, and Coding Classes and Camps for Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 10:34am

Code Galaxy offers fun and effective virtual coding camps and summer accelerated classes for kids and teens. Photo courtesy of Code Galaxy

STEM summer camps and online coding classes are always popular, and virtual options mean kids and parents can really take their pick! To help narrow down the search, we've rounded up a few of our favorite online STEM classes, robotics camps, and coding camps that can be easily accessed across the country. From engaging programs that teach Python, 3D modeling, and Minecraft, to girls' camps and classes dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech, you're sure to find something to inspire your science and tech motivated kids.

Find more virtual camps and online classes in our Directory of Online Camps and Classes—plus oodles of STEM resources in our STEM Activities Guide for Kids. You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.

Best Birthday Party Places in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 05/04/2023 - 10:13am

Celebrate at the Prospect Park Carousel with two hours of unlimited rides and a shady spot for a birthday picnic. Photo by Paul Martinka

New York isn't exactly a cookie-cutter city, and neither are these birthday party places in NYC. No matter your kid's interest, there are birthday party places in NYC for just about every interest under the sun. Sports fanatics can invite guests to hit an indoor ice skating rink or a high-tech golf driving range, while little ones celebrate with a custom puppet show party. Birthday kids can mark the day with everything from a glamorous fashion party to an animal encounter geared toward underwater enthusiasts.

If you're on the hunt for a birthday party venue for your own one-of-a-kind kid, take a look at these awesome New York City birthday party places with packages for everyone from tots to teens spanning locations from Brooklyn to the Bronx, Manhattan to Queens, and even on Staten Island.

For even more ideas, take a look at our New York City Birthday Party Guide, or browse our directory for party places and entertainers.

8 Reasons Parent-Founded Goldfish Swim School is a Family Favorite

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 4:00pm

Goldfish Swim School is a family favorite for kids’ swimming lessons, with 11 locations in the Boston Area.

Co-founded by a mom-of-four and her husband, Goldfish Swim School is a family favorite for kids’ swimming lessons, with 11 locations in the Boston Area. With its one-of-a-kind, play-based curriculum and kid-centric facilities, Goldfish Swim School makes water safety and learning to swim fun and approachable for babies as young as 4 months to kids up to 12 years old. Read on to see why this innovative swim center is in such high demand–and find out how to get started at Goldfish Swim School with a free first lesson.