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[-]Are we the only UES'ers who did not spend $20K on preschool? Skipped the whole private preschool thing and just did classes. Db will be going to K at Anderson.
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NP: why? I have a newborn so I don't really understand the dynamics here - can you enlighten me?
[ Reply | More ]nnp: my dc will also be attending Anderson K this year. I understand we got really lucky. Lucky that she did well on the test (she's bright but a 4 yo can't be trusted to perform on demand) and lucky to get picked in the lottery. Its likely 600 or more families put Anderson as their first choice, about 45 names were chosen plus sibs.
[ Reply | More ]she is obviously bragging. she had to put in both that she is an UES'er and that her baby got into anderson, yet she is trying to say that she never cared about the whole preschool process.
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I think preschool is great, it's just too bad that it costs so much in NY. I send my DC to a wonderful preschool that only costs $12K per year. On site pools, tennis courts for the 4 & 5s, hayrides, outdoor picnics. Beautiful school nestled in the rolling hills. We're going to miss it because there's no way we are going to get this quality experience for this price tag in Manhattan, but I believe in the socialization so we'll do it for one year before they start K.
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[-]UWS Montessori pre-schools, which one is most TRUE to the Montessori method? I am new to NY and am looking for a Montessori Pre-school that really has that true Montessori ethos with experienced teachers (directors), not just the label hanged at the door. Specifically looking at Morningside, Metropolitan, Westside, Riverside/Twin Parks. Thank you!
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why not being a true Montessori a good thing? Maybe I wasn't too clear... I just know some schools claim to be Montessori but really aren't. This may not be the case in the Montessori schools in Manhattan. I would like to know which as the best reputation are a pre-school, not so much on exmissions but on culture and fostering environment for the child.
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[-]My mom is coming to visit me this weekend and I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions on fun things to do in the city. I have lived here for 10 years and she comes about twice a year and always looks new/fun for her. We did the bus tours already but are doing a waterway tour (hopefully the weather stays nice). Any suggestions? I live in the UES but will to go anywhere. Was thinking about walking her over the Booklyn Bridge since she never did taht before and the Grimali's (if the line isn't insane)
4 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreIf you walk across the bridge, skip Gramaldi's and go in to Dumbo. Have lunch at Superfine or Bubby's and then window shop in dumbo. Walk on the promenade, go to the new Brooklyn Bridge park, there are so many things to do right there!!! (signed...bklyn mom who recently moved to the burbs...)
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[-]What foods shld I buy for nanny? She's starting next week, and yes I asked what she likes but just said "whatever you have is fine." Truth is we don't usually have much in the fridge but I don't want her to have to bring her lunch or buy it out everyday. I don't think she feels unconfortable being honest and telling what to buy for her. Any ideas for foods to have other than bread and deli meats that don't need a ton of cooking or prep I can have on hand for her?
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Ask her what she eats at home. Purchase some of those ingredients and let her cook some food for herself.
[ Reply | More ]Is your child on solids? I just make extra of what my family eats - I would say our nanny eats some of it (she loves this really expensive bread we get from Pain Quotidien and cheese and all our fruit)
[ Reply | More ]no, she's taking care of our 6 mos old who is just starting purees one time a day, and me and dh hardly cook for ourselves. basically delivery most nights unless i just decide to eat oatmeal. i know, not great, and not what we'd want to do ideally (i acutlaly love to cook) but just no time right now with us both working full time.
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[-]I realize that this may get me flamed but I just had to fire my cleaning lady, and I feel so guilty over it. Ugh. She was awful but had worked for us for years, so she was really upset. Anyway...realize it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but wish I hadn't had to do it. Gave her severance but she was so upset, she didn't seem to care that much.
69 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreWhat is the deal with that?? I told our nanny with 6 weeks notice that we will have to let her go and have spent HOURS of my maternity leave trying to find her a new postion. We're moving away -- not like I am just being mean and firing her, there is a clear reason. I told her today that in addition to the 2 weeks of not working that we will pay for, we are also going to give her almost 2 additional weeks of pay (the equivalent of her rent next month) to make sure she knows she can make rent. So basically I paid this month and next month's rent and didn't get a thank you...just more comments about how she hopes I FIND her a job today. She's a fantastic nanny, but come on! I'm not rich either, this is basically coming out of my savings...
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OP: I know. I don't think she realized how bad she was. I just know we were a big source of her income, and she's very nice, but egad, I couldn't take the missed dust/misplaced laundry/total lack of attention to details. But you're right - I shouldn't feel guilty. I'm just too nice!
[ Reply | More ]NR: Yes, you really are just "too nice" - you fired your cleaning lady and now you feel guilty about it. Can I nominate you for the Nobel Peace Prize? But first, let's talk more about how you're feeling about this. How her firing affects you.
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Have you ever brought this up to her or were you too nice to point out the problems you had with her in the past? I sure hope you didn't just grin your teeth and kept everything building up and out of the blue (from the cleaning person's point of view) she got fired.
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OP: whoops, that was for a different comment. Yes, I've mentioned things in the past, but she just wasn't focused any more. She also recently missed some days of work without notice, which is why I ultimately did it. Still though, she's a very kind woman, and I wish that things had gone differently. That's all I was trying to express in my post.
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You need to suck it up. When you hired her, you took on this responsibility - that you might have to fire her. You don't get sympathy because you just fired someone. Could you possibly make this any more about you?
[ Reply | More ]Wow! I already fired her. AND gave her two months severance (almost $2k!). I'm hardly making this about me, only saying that I feel terribly about the situation. But thanks anyway.
[ Reply | More ]You don't really feel terrible, though. You're just looking for someone to absolve you of responsibility. No. You hired her, it was your decision, and you fired her, it was your decision.
[ Reply | More ]Ha! I don't know what you're problem is but I do really feel terrible. But that doesn't mean that I should have kept her employed. And of course, it was my decision. I was only venting here anonymously because I could. Have you never made a decision that you have to make but feel bad about anyway? I'll step away from replying now. Thanks though.
[ Reply | More ]Yes I have indeed made such decisions, but when they affect other people negatively, I don't whine about how sad I feel about it, because it's a bad-faith gesture. Here's an analogy: a corporation closes its US plant to ship production overseas and cut costs. What would you think if the CEO went on TV and talked about how horrible he felt about it, how he was losing sleep over it? That he was a self-absorbed prick?
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np: absolve her of responsibility from what? she didn't do anything wrong. she just feels bad having to tell someone (someone whom she knows very well and has probably come to care about) that her job is gone. she doesn't really have a choice since the cleaning lady isn't doing a good job.
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grammar poster from "feeling badly" post here - you feel terrible, not terribly. sorry, i'll go away now.
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You don't get it, OR. Everything is about OP. She's always somehow the victim - even when she fires her cleaning lady, she's still the victim. We're supposed to feel bad for her, not the cleaning lady.
[ Reply | More ]I'm not the OR, sorry. I'm a NP. I think you're mean. I think you can see both sides and feel bad for both the cleaning lady and the woman who had to tell her that she was fired. Have you ever had to fire someone who worked for you for a long time? It's not easy.
[ Reply | More ]OP: What?? Seriously? This could not be more wrong. I put up a simple post about feeling guilty over having to let someone go who has worked for my family a long time, and I'm always the victim? I tried to treat the situation - and HER - as delicately as I could. I'd venture to say that your response is much more about you than it is about me. Anyway, I'll move along.
[ Reply | More ]my post sounds mean, but really there is no need to feel guilty. she works, you pay, that's all there is. i don't know why women attach emotions to a work situation.
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No, please don't move along. Tell us more about how hard it was to fire your immigrant cleaning lady who speaks no English. Poor you! I can only imagine the challenges you face in your life.
[ Reply | More ]you're right, she shouldn't feel bad at all. in fact, she should kick the cleaning lady on her way out the door.
[ Reply | More ]Exactly! Kick her on the way out the door and then come post here and tell us how very guilty she feels about it. Poor OP, can you imagine? She might have chipped her toenail polish on the cleaning lady's a**.
[ Reply | More ]um, that was meant to be sarcastic - I was making fun of YOU, not OP. are you just jealous b/c you don't have a cleaning lady or something? why do you assume that someone who has a cleaning lady is a rich bitch? maybe she works really long hours, you have no idea what her situation is.
[ Reply | More ]OP: thanks - I really think this is more about the OR than it is about me, so don't worry about it. Yes, I have three kids, work full-time, and have a dog that sheds, so I need someone to help me straighten the house. I'm not entitled or sitting around doing my pedicure, AND, while hard-working, I can still feel sad about letting someone go. Imagine that!
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Excuse me, why should we feel that badly for the cleaning lady? She wasn't doing her job. If I don't do my job, I get fired. And I don't think anybody here would this my boss should be sad about it. Where is that different?
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BT-Doing that with long-time nanny. It is so hard. She also does not speak English so it's very hard to find her another position. We are basically in debt over paying her for very very few hours just out of "feeling bad" She cried when we told her (8 weeks notice) and keeps crying now it is her last week. I feel like a terrible person and I'm working 24/7 to find her a new spot but bottom line- can't afford her anymore
[ Reply | More ]better not look for sympathy on this board - these witches will flame anyone who has the audacity to have any guilty feelings about firing help that is doing a bad job. apparently you are not supposed to form any human attachments to people who work in your home.
[ Reply | More ]Wrong. You are not supposed to expect sympathy because you fire people. Google had to lay off some people last year. Larry and Sergey, let's talk about how bad that makes you feel. Aw, you feel guilty about it? That must be a heavy cross to bear.
[ Reply | More ]The reality is it's never fun to let someone go- for whatever reason. I'm glad the OP posted. I know how she feels. I wish I were rich and could give my nanny and unlimited income...I wish she could work for us forever. It is sad :(
[ Reply | More ]I completely agree with you. I have had to let a cleaning lady go before. But I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me because of it! Even if my cleaning lady were doing a bad job, I would still think it was normal for someone to feel bad for HER instead of me. She's the one out of a job, I'm just left with a bad taste in my mouth. It doesn't seem comparable, YKWIM?
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What is wrong with you? Have you ever had to let go of someone yourself? I'm an academic, but my father and sister both have jobs overseeing large companies and OF COURSE they feel badly about laying off people.
[ Reply | More ]uh, yeah, actually I would feel bad for the actual people who had to deliver the message to the ones being fired - especially if they knew them well. I would feel WORSE for the people getting fired, but I would understand how unpleasant and sad a task it would be for the ones doing the firing. I think there is something wrong with you if you wouldn't feel bad having to tell someone you like a lot that he/she is out of a job.
[ Reply | More ]You don't understand. Of course I would feel bad firing someone. Of course I would feel guilty afterwards. But I wouldn't go complaining to people that I felt guilty, because someone would be out of a job because of me.
[ Reply | More ]The OP was just venting. Isn't that the point of this board? I'm sure some managers sit around and talk about how much it sucks to have to fire someone. Someone is taking the OP too seriously...life if by virtue of posting she's saying she deserves more sympathy than the lady she is firing. I read it as her saying "isn't this a sucky situation? anyone else btdt?"
[ Reply | More ]That's just silly. You're allowed to have emotions, and to express them to others - especially valid ones like feeling awful about having to deliver bad news to another human being that you care about.
[ Reply | More ]OP: thank you! I can't see anywhere in my post where I expressed that I cared more about myself than my cleaning lady. The fact is, I care A LOT about her, which is why I'm upset! I was simply venting about a difficult situation for ALL parties - and the fact that I paid her a generous severance shows that I KNOW that it's much worse for her than for me! Seriously.
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Dear OP - i had to fire my cleaning lady last week because she was simply not putting things back into place and wrecking havoc in my life whenever I needed to find something. I spoke to her about it several times. She just didn't give a sh1t. STILL, I felt guilty about firing her. She has a small child to support. Anyway - I totally understand why you feel this way. I gave her so many chances because I didn't want to fire her. Don't worry - once you find a new cleaner - the guilt will go away.
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[-]I emailed a woman I was friends with for a few months 15 years ago. (We did an internship in nyc together, then she left to go back home to CA and we soon lost touch, but we had been super close that summer - just had clicked immediately. I've wondered about her from time to time and occaisionally googled her but never found her until it crossed my mind to look on facebook and there she was. So I emailed her...still haven't heard back. Anyone else write to someone out of the blue like this? Starting to wonder if she thought it was weird after all this time..esp since althought we got very close we really didn't actually know eachother too long.
6 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI did this on facebook. I found a friend that I hadn't seen in about 18 yrs. I sent him a message (he's a fam. friend) and just last week heard back from him after about 4mo. I find that many ppl go months without going on facebook. That may be why she hasn't responded to you. GL
[ Reply | More ]Did you include a message with your invitation reminding her how you knew each other? If not, it's entirely possible that she forgot who you are. Even if you really clicked that summer, 15 years is a long time.
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[-]Looking for marriage counselor in midtown, preferably someone who takes insurance. Any recs?
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[-]I just finished my list for preschools. How difficult is it to get two siblings (not twins) into the same school? I only have four schools on my list, is that enough? I do have three other schools in mind, but they either seem like long shots, are very expensive or are not in our nabe.
20 replies [ Reply | Watch | More4 schools will NOT be be enough. You need to cast a wider net. Go for the long shots. I got in to our long shot and it was our only acceptance. GL
[ Reply | More ]Ugh. Well, the four on my list are Brownstone, JCC, Stephen Wise and West Side Montessori. I heard that these are rather easy to get into, with the exception of Brownstone. I had Rodeph Sholom on my list, but it's $31K for pre-K and that's insane. I also had Temple Emanu-El, but I heard that's a long shot and Preschool of the Arts, but that's in Chelsea.
[ Reply | More ]Brownstone near impossible. I would add Columbus Pre-School to your list. Good program and easy to get into.
[ Reply | More ]West Side Montessori used to be much-much more difficult to get into then Brownstone. In-fact just 5 years ago it was considered more like a daycare place.
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Don't know about the others but JCC and Stephen Wise are not that easy to get into.
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[-]I am mortified!child stated to art teacher and pre-school mom , "Do you know why you too match?" Teacher states, "Why?" Daughter states, "Because you are both fat". She is four and too her credit it was an accurate observation but jeez...
40 replies [ Reply | Watch | Moremay I ask (and I'm not being snarky) but why does your dc know this word. I mean how does she know to use it to describe ppl? That word is not allowed in my house to describe anything big.
[ Reply | More ]np: ita. We have the same rules. We teach our dcs to describe ppl by their names or their item of clothing (if they forgot the name) never and I mean never say fat or skinny, black, white, green, ect.
[ Reply | More ]I really like this advice. Have never even thought about it - just always assumed that kids will eventually say something like this.
[ Reply | More ]or: kids esp. when they're in preschool don't know fat, skinny, black, white. They know what they're shown or taught mostly by their parents. It will stay this way as long as we teach them the proper way to address or speak of someone. My oldest is 10 yr old and she knows better than to call someone fat. I don't deny she may do it behind my back when with friends but I have to hope that she remembers what we've instilled in her and my other 2 dcs.
[ Reply | More ]You know I agree with not calling people fat etc. and we do not and I never talk about weight in general. But DD, 8, picks it up from other children, TV, etc., and I have had to emphasize that a) don't risk offending someone by saying fat and b) everyone comes in different shapes and sizes. She also constantly hears other mothers talk about fat and thin and weight.
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NP me either. I am really surprised that a 4 yr old knows to call someone "fat" who is fat -- OP you need to watch how you speak about other people in front of her from now on. Wow.
[ Reply | More ]My four year old told me on Saturday that I am fat. And guess what? I am. I also believe in teaching our children to tell the truth.
[ Reply | More ]you can teach your dc to speak the truth but the right way. We don't want our kids to have diarrhea mouth, we teach them how to filter things
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There's a difference btw teaching your children to tell the truth and teaching them to be rude. Do you want a kid who is going to tell people they are fat, ugly, whatever? B/c your kid is either going to be a bully or a huge outcast, and you'll be the parent with "that" kid who has diarrhea mouth.
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We don't use the word fat in the house either, but my kids know it as a vocabulary word. They've overheard it used, and it comes up in books (even children's books, though it's usually used to describe an animal rather than a person). I'm all for teaching kids not to use it, but isn't knowing it unavoidable (and not necessarily bad)? My 4 year old son commented once on a waitress being fat (to us, but in earshot of the waitress...luckily we were not in an english-speaking country at the time so I'm hoping she didn't understand). It (obviously!) prompted a discussion of appropriate ways to describe people, and he hasn't said anything similar since, but I wasn't surprised that he knew the word...
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after watching Wall-E, 5yo dd asked her grandparents recently if they were fat. dh felt it necessary to apologize and provide an explanation but if one thinks about it, why should he, they are fat, anybody can see that, dd just hasn't been taught to repress herself.
[ Reply | More ]My DS keeps trying to describe people by the color of their skin... "the white kid pushed me," "the brown kid told me so," etc. It is also mortifying.
[ Reply | More ]A 4-yo knows what fat (skinny, tall, short, dark, light) mean. They just don't know that society has appended judgments to these factual descriptions. OP, I doubt you did anything wrong (unless you sit around the dinner table making fun of the fat people you encountered that day). You can begin the conversation with dd that while, yes, some people are fat (skinny/tall/short/dark/light), they sometimes feel self conscious about it and don't want it pointed out. She'll get it as she matures, but it's okay that she hasn't learned that yet. (And yes, I'm overweight (BMI 26.5), and my dd (5.5) has noted that I am "fat" from time to time. I don't deny it or downplay. I make the point that yes, that's the way I am, and it's not something to be ash...
[ Reply | More ]don't you think it's better to teach them not to use that word but maybe use overweight instead or big (bigger). I'm overweight too and I think word is a hateful word (because of the way most of society uses it).
[ Reply | More ]Eh, I prefer that she not learn that "fat" (or any other descriptor) is a Bad Word. Fat describes a person's body, not his or her moral character or worth as a human being. "Overweight" (aside from the clinical meaning tied to BMI) is often a euphemism, and by using it you imply that "fat" is a bad word. Call a spade a spade, but--as you grow in sensitivity--be aware that the spade might not want to be reminded of that fact. Even as she learns that "fat" actually *is* a bad word to some people, she can (I hope) avoid seeing it as such herself.
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Because you seem to think it's fine for your kid to run around describing others' bodies.
[ Reply | More ]Ah, I see I what you mean. I wasn't clear for all my verbosity. I agree that one shouldn't describe a person by his/her body, and don't encourage dd to. I do also let dd know that it's rude to describe other's bodies. Above I over emphasized my efforts to also keep those same word from becoming moral judgments. Gah, I'm just making a mess of this now. Guess I am a piece of work!
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you do know that too is also spelled "to" and "two" depending on your usage, right?
[ Reply | More ]I'm all about teaching kids to be polite, have good manners, not point out things that will be perceived as insulting. But OP, I don't think this particular situation reflects badly on you or your kid. Despite assertions above that if you simply forbid the words kids won't use them, I think kids speak up with all sorts of observations that are distasteful to adult ears and impolite by adult standards (This dinner is yukky, you aren't my friend any more, that man doesn't have any hair on his head). It is a mark of maturity when a child learns that it is okay to say "my, what pretty red hair you have" and "my, you are very fat." As parents, we need to remind them daily how to develop into kind, non-judgmental and graceful older kids and a...
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[-]Would appreciate any insight/opinions on afterschool programs. DC is starting kindergarten in an UWS public school and we are exploring afterschool programs for him. We are thinking of Wingspan, PS87 afterschool or the Westside Y. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
14 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI think everyone / anyone who attends these is happy with them. I would think about where dc is at school, where you live, what is most convenient for you to pick up, etc. While I have heard good things about Westside (and Jcc for that matter) the idea of my child being transported by some babysitter pick up in a group in terrible weather, rain, snow, sleet etc or trudging through inclemate weather is unappealing to me and I'd stick with the good option where s/he is at school if K/1/2. Maybe for g3 - 5 if they have a strong preference/interest in something that is better served outside the school, okay, but my bias would be to stay at school. IN that vein, you don't mention 199 so I assume you're not at school there but K parents there st...
[ Reply | More ]I don't understand, can't you only go to PS87 if that's where your child is in school? And Wingspan is at some other schools. Do kids hop from one school to another for the afterschool?
[ Reply | More ]Not op, and I don't know anything about wingspan, but Westside Y and 87 are open to outsiders. But yeah, most people stay at their home schools, because few (if any!) after school options are "worth" traveling too if you have a decent one at home base...that said, some don't have decent ones that's why they go out o fhouse I think to say the Westside Y, or maybe it's near parents home if dc is at a lottery school from which Westside Y picks up at, or magnet/g and t option...that kind of thing, I imagine.
[ Reply | More ]thanks, I just looked at the PS 87 afterschool webpage. Students from other schools are responsible for their own transportation. Unless you have a group of kids at your school that want to do this together that would be a show stopper for me. Even if dc is at 452 right down the block you'd need a babysitter to walk them from one school to the other.
[ Reply | More ]I was told that 452 kids would be walked over by someone (an instructor, etc.) that was involved in the afterschool.
[ Reply | More ]IMO 452 parents should choose whatever they offer at 452 rather than 87. The kids and parents need the school to have its own identity separate form the 87 overflow school.
[ Reply | More ]The Anderson program's afterschool is being shared with 452, I understand. Which makes sense, as they're in the same building, and as there's 2 K classes at A for K, and 3 classes at 452, so you add those two schools together and that's 5--there's still MORE K classes at 87, with 6! Oh my!
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I would vote Anderson simply because it's right there. Seems enough of a transition to dc to just be starting K. S/he should stay there, not add a hike on to it (to a K kid, one block is a distance!). I would be delighted to have the option of A students as a peer group for my dc! I'm stereotyping here, but perhaps they tend on the whole to be more mature for their age etc. I would not let the high score in any way intimidate me re my dc ability wise, it's afterschool so the point is games and activities and fun. I would think it would be a good mix. Certainly one worth trying first IMHO. Put it this way, they won't be lowering the bar.
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[-]Bedbugs really are everywhere. I now know dozens of apts that have had them, at all socioeconomic levels. It's amazing.
30 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreThere's something a little fake about this post. How does OP know dozens of apts with the problem when the rate of infestation is about 1 in 15? Unless OP is from an exterminator company or something...
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OR: not sure where I read it, possibly on UB, which is never the most reliable source of information. I guess I should take it back as 1 in 15 seems high to me, but just used that number to demonstrate that OP's statement doesn't ring true. I am very OCD about bed bugs, but the sceptic in me thinks that while it is a problem, many companies and individuals have a financial incentive to overhype it.
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there are about 20 apt in my co-op infested..we have 3 buildings all together. There was a lady who sat on a bench, looked on her shirt and saw one YUCK
[ Reply | More ]I am absolutely FREAKED OUT about getting these. FREAKED OUT, I tell you. For example, I stopped going to movie theaters in Manhattan, because someone told me EVERY movie theatre has them. Every one. Imagine going to see an overrated, overpriced so-so flick and bringing those things home with ya?
[ Reply | More ]OP here. Several large buildings in my neighborhood - easily dozens of apts right there - as well as other people I know casually in other areas, e.g. Brooklyn. Discussion at hairdresser's. Someone's brother, someone else's parents. Go ahead and doubt me but I'm guessing you are in for a big surprise if you think this is a small or limited problem.
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oh no! What are you doing? Spraying the soles of your shoes with rubbing alcohol before you enter the house is a good precaution.
[ Reply | More ]Scoured my apt, had every piece of clothing in my office dry cleaned, and used a blow dryer on my office shoes. My office is being completely treated. So far, so good. I have never once seen any bug, btw. I have done some research and feel more informed and less scared now than a week ago. This is unpleasant to deal with, but it
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We had them in our building last summer. It was strange - some neighbors had them so bad that they finally moved out some (crazy) tenants would let the inspectors in their apartments. But not every apartment got them. We had a company called mite busters come and treat our apartment as if we had them even though we didn't. We never got them.
[ Reply | More ]I usually do not freak out about things but bed bugs and lice freak me out!!! Just hoping it is media hype.
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[-]My list of 2nd Tier schools that I still like (after touring) is dwindling..now I have only Cathedral..any other ideas for 2nd Tier options? I'm getting nervous
35 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreOMG This tier BS is so annoying. How about thinking for yourself? What a novel idea. You should be nervous.
[ Reply | More ]I will try to help you. What schools are currently on your list, are you looking only at co-ed, do you have a boy or girl, and are you applying for K? I will not "tier" schools, but maybe can help brainstorm on other attributes of schools that'd fit.
[ Reply | More ]Look at Bank St and St Hilda's and St. Hughes. If you don't mind progressive, there is Calhoun.
[ Reply | More ]Town alum and Trevor mom here: Town is very strong academically, don't think you can call it 2d tier, kid needs to work hard and be smart. Trevor takes a wide variety of kids but challenges the top kids. It is also a lot more structured than people (m) think. There is a very strong structure there but their ideas on how to present things within the structure are progressive. You should put it on your list cuz it is easier to get into than places like Trinity and Dalton if that's how you define "2d tier."
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It's the language that really drives me nuts. Why not just say "first or second choice". Labeling things in tiers is so condescending. People make choices based on so many things other than status. OP mind sharing what your "top tier" shools are?
[ Reply | More ]It's called Life my friend. In every sphere there are tiers. It's how the human brain categorizes info. Nothing wrong with it and I think it's almost infantile for you to be screaming to this poor parent who is just trying to develop a back up list ( of schools for her child.
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It is so hard to get into any private school in NYC, I think it's important to acknowledge that some are harder than others. If you really want your kid to go to private school you have to apply to a lot (10? 12?) and have a mix of hard to get in and less hard, just don't use the word "tier" if you don't want. But if you apply only to HM Dalton and Trinity you have to accept that your kid may end up at public-which may be fine-don't get me wrong, just depends on what you want. If it's private at all costs, your kid may go to BWL instead of HM, and that may be fine for that kid, just face that there are differences whether you call then "tiers" or not.
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[-]We need to redo a bathroom (we live in a Manhattan coop). Any advice on whom to use or whom to stay away from? We heard so many horror stories... Tia.
5 replies [ Reply | Watch | Moreask for recommendations from previous jobs. and not just one, but 3, and follow thru on them. i relied on 1 recommendation that was faulty, visited a job site but should have talked to the owner instead. best to talk to actual clients, not just the architect/designer who wants to protect his/her a$$ by putting a positive face on everything.
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[-]Going rate for nannies (starting point, new hire) for 2 kids? 50 hr wk, 1 kid in school full-days. Light housekeeping (the standard). 2nd kid naps 2 hrs day (only pt being that it's a long day, but there's a 2 hr lull).
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[-]If you are an interfaith couple who is raising the DCs Jewish, which preschools would you have on your list for this upcoming admission cycle? TIA!
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If you are raising your kids Jewish what does being interfaith matter? Pick a Jewish preschool that you like.
[ Reply | More ]Duh, a lot of dense people on tonight. Interfaith means that one member of the couple isn't Jewish. OP is raising the DCs Jewish so she wants a Jewish preschool that isn't going to make the nonJewish spouse uncomfortable.
[ Reply | More ]Duh, that was clear. Thanks for stating the obvious. As one half of an interfaith couple, it really doesn't matter unless the kids are being raised Orthodox, and in this case she probably wouldn't marry a non-Jew. So, as would be obvious to the intelligent people here, pick a reform or conservative preschool that you like and which your non-Jewish DH will presumably tour as well.
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[-]Who really got into Temple Emanuel for 2s this year? How many people?
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Ironically, 3 of these posts came in within 3 minutes of each other. Love when people try and pretend to be 3 different people. Mid-day I'd believe it, but not at 4 am. I bet your DD isn't even going to Emanuel.
[ Reply | More ]This is the funniest thing I've seen. You're right, the questions, "Is her kid going?" and the comments, "if she did, her child has to be going, they got all their contracts back. No movement off the waitlist in 2s," and "DD did but we heart it was really tight this year. Almost all siblings" are 100% written by the same person! What a LOSER!
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You are 100% the same person who wrote about 3rd and 4th generations up top. You posted this within a minute of posting that! I am also willing to bet you're the same person who wrote 3x about the connections, the waitlist, and the tightness of admissions despite your DD getting in. Now you realized you got caught b/c we can tell when you posted! LOSER!
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[-]Any feedback on pediatrician Dr. Dalton (Erin Thelander Dalton) from the Pytlak/O'Connor/Dalton practice in Brooklyn Heights? Apologies if this post has been repeated but O'Connor and Pytlak are not accepting new patients. When I searched for comments re Dalton, I'm flooded with messages about Dalton, the school. Thanks in advance! (If you have any other great recs for bklyn heights or other local neighborhood pediatric practices, I'd be grateful!)
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