Jody Mercier

When asked to illustrate her dream job as a first grader, Jody drew a picture of a mom with one kid on each hip and another clinging to her leg. All these years later, that is her reality, raising three kids in New York City. Since that gig only pays in hugs and kisses, she has spent her professional career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting topics. She's currently the regional editor overseeing the Mommy Poppins NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester sites and can be reached at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

Admissions Changes in Store for NYC Middle and High School Students

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 12/18/2020 - 12:44pm

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced sweeping admissions changes for middle and high school students. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced sweeping admissions changes for public middle and high schools. Spurred by pandemic-induced limitations, middle schools will put a one-year pause on all screening requirements. High schools are eliminating geographic priorities over the next two years, plus conducting the specialized high school entrance exam at local middle schools, and allowing auditions for selective performing arts schools to be completed online.

In addition to announcing admissions changes, officials detailed the long-delayed application timeline; in a normal year, applications are submitted by the holiday break.

Find plenty more information about the NYC Department of Education, plus after-school classes and distance learning support in our Schools Guide.

Call Santa: How to Call Santa Claus for Free

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/17/2020 - 1:00pm

Ready or not, Santa Claus is coming to town! For kids who may not have gotten the chance to deliver their letters in person this year, let them call Santa for a big thrill. We've rounded up several ways to call Santa, get Santa to call your kids (or text them), and more Christmas fun, like tracking Santa on the big night.

Want to really blow their minds? There are apps that let you share a photo of Santa handing out presents in your very own living room. Christmastime is already among the most magical seasons for children, but these fun tools take it to the next level. Read on for our favorite ways to check in with Santa before Christmas. Our special gift for you: These special Santa calls and experiences are (mostly) FREE!

For 2020, the elves have taken it a step further with virtual visits with Santa Claus, where kids can interact with the big guy from the safety of home.

FAO Schwarz, Airbnb Offer Toy Store For Magical One-Night-Only Stay

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/10/2020 - 12:51pm

The iconic FAO Schwarz is listing America’s most beloved toy store on Airbnb for one-of-a-kind private access to its toy-field world.

Grab your PJs and pack an overnight bag because FAO Schwarz has teamed up with Airbnb to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an only-in-New-York slumber party.

The experience, which is available for booking Tuesday, December 15, for the bargain-basement price of just $25, offers a one-night-only stay in the iconic toy store, complete with a real FAO Schwarz toy soldier as your host and tour guide, a glittering living room setup overlooking the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and plenty more perks with exclusive access to the toy store for the entirety of your stay.

Van Cortlandt Park With Kids: 14 Fun All-Season Activities in the Bronx Oasis

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/07/2020 - 5:20pm

Take inspiration for your visit to Van Cortlandt Park from the Tortoise and the Hare statue: slow and steady. There's so much to see in the park, you'll never do it all in one day.

Sometimes you just need a break from crowded subways and sidewalks. New Yorkers in search of outdoor adventure and wide-open spaces can find plenty of both in the Bronx at Van Cortlandt Park. At 1,146 acres, the sprawling green space is about as outside of the city as you can get without crossing the border to Westchester, and it offers tons of all-season fun.

An infusion of recent improvements provides plenty of reasons to visit this marquee green space, which belongs in the conversation with Central Park, Prospect Park, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park as one of the city's top outdoor destinations.

Here are 14 of our favorite things to do with kids in Van Cortlandt Park.

NYC Schools Set Phased Reopening for Some Students

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 11/29/2020 - 12:45pm

NYC's public schools are set to begin a phased reopening on Monday, December 7, for early childhood, elementary, and special education students.

On Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a phased reopening for New York City's public schools, which have been shuttered since Thursday, November 19. School buildings reopen Monday, December 7, for elementary and early childhood students; District 75 students are eligible to return to school buildings on Thursday, December 10.

In an abrupt shift, de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced they would be moving away from the hybrid model; students who have opted for blended learning will be moved to full, five-day, in-person schedules as soon as schools can accommodate them with adequate space and staffing. There is still no timeline for middle and high school students to return to school buildings.

Six Flags Debuts Holiday Lights Drive-Thru for Christmas Season

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/23/2020 - 2:24pm

Six Flags Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru features more than a million dazzling lights, festive holiday themes, and a seasonal soundtrack.

It's no secret Christmas light drive-thrus are the it attraction of the 2020 holiday season. In fact, just after we published this massive list of 20 must-see holiday drive-thrus in the tri-state area, we caught wind of another destination-worthy drive-thru. Fresh off the success of its summer drive-thru safari, Six Flags Great Adventure debuts a Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru on Monday, November 30.

The theme park is already a holiday destination for its weekends-only Holiday in the Park experience, but this new holiday lights drive-thru means you can visit Monday through Thursday nights to experience some holiday magic and over-the-top festive displays. Read on for the details on this new attraction, including how to score the required reservations, and find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide or our Event Calendar.

NYC Schools Shutdown: Find Free Child Care, Meals, and More Support

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 11/19/2020 - 3:46pm

New York City is offering FREE child care through its Learning Bridges Program for families struggling with child care. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The New York City Public School system's latest shutdown wasn't exactly a surprise to city parents, but that doesn't mean we can't all use a little support to get through this period, however long it lasts. From FREE child care to paid programs and info on FREE meals and DOE-issued devices, here's where New York City parents can turn for help right now.

Be sure to bookmark our Homeschool and Online School Guide for parent-tested tips, tricks, helpful hacks, and more to break up the monotony of remote learning.

New York City Schools Close Due to Coronavirus Uptick

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 11/18/2020 - 2:45pm

New York City Public Schools will close temporarily beginning Thursday, November 19.

In the midst of the rising COVID cases, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza have announced New York City Public Schools will close temporarily beginning Thursday, November 19.

"We do need to close our schools for the coming days," Mayor de Blasio said at a late-afternoon press conference. "No one is happy about this decision because so much good work has been put into opening the schools to begin with and making them so safe. We set a very clear standard, and we need to stick to that standard. I want to emphasize to parents and educators, to staff and to kids, that we intend to come back. We intend to come back as quickly as possible."

The school closure is the latest development in a roller-coaster back-to-school season for New York City families, marred by delayed starts and changes to opt-in rules for blended learning.