10 Checklists to Simplify the Lives of Manhattan Parents

The responsibilities of a parent are endless, between planning for summer camp, preparing for school, choosing your family pediatrician, planning the perfect birthday party, removing stains on a weekly—if not daily—basis, and, before you know it, preparing for college. With the help of experts in these fields, in addition to those in pregnancy wellness, education, special needs, time management, and moving, we created 10 checklists to make the lives of Manhattan parents easier. 

These downloadable checklists will make those never-ending tasks a little easier (and a little quicker), so you can spend more time having fun with your family in Brooklyn (and maybe even have a second to breathe!). Click the link below to download a printable version of the parenting checklists you’ve been missing and use them to track your progress throughout the overwhelming (but rewarding) parenting tasks in your life.

Download the checklists today!

Your Hospital Go-Bag

It’s a daunting bag to pack—what will you need while you’re in labor? How about right after the baby is born? Thankfully, American Pregnancy, a national health organization committed to promoting reproductive and pregnancy wellness, has the lowdown on what should actually go into that hospital suitcase.

 

Tips to Host a Birthday Party

From you’re throwing the bash of the year to taking a few friends to an amusement park, local moms reveal some helpful tips for planning a party for kids.

 

Camp Packing Lists

Whether they are leaving home for the day or for the month, sending your little ones off to camp can be nerve-wracking. You want to give them every chance to stay safe, have fun, make friends and learn new skills. This starts with knowing what to pack in their camp bag.

 

Make the Most of a Parent-Teacher Conference

A parent-teacher conference is an ideal opportunity to get the lowdown on your child’s academic life—but how do you maximize your limited time and get all the information you need? With the help of Dana Stahl, M.Ed., author of the ABCs of Learning Issues, Diane Marzitliano and Danielle Monick, sixth and eighth grade teachers at M.S. 137, and Allyson Moyal, an Old Westbury mother of three, we compiled a list of the most important questions to ask.

 

What to Ask When Choosing a Pediatrician

Choosing a pediatrician is a challenge that parents face before their little ones are even born. With so many options available, it’s important to find a doctor that can accommodate your schedule, as well as your parenting philosophy. Lauren Levine, M.D., of Columbia Midtown Pediatrics in Manhattan, suggests questions parents should ask when looking for a pediatrician.

 

The Essential College Visit and Interview Checklist

College visits and interviews are valuable for the college to get to know your son or daughter as more than just a file. To make the most of a college visit and college interview, Tony Di Giacomo, Ph.D., educator and founder of Novella Prep, a college planning service, shares tip to ensure the college visit and interview are a success.

 

How to Treat Common Stains

Who hasn’t come across a surprise stain while doing laundry? Mary Gagliardi (aka Dr. Laundry for Clorox) says the first step is to always read the care label. If the garment contains spandex, use a color-safe bleach, such as Clorox 2, and avoid anything with sodium hydrochloride in it. Leather, suede, and silk should be treated professionally. For everything else, Dr. Laundry shares advice to get the toughest stains out of clothing.

 

What to Do After Diagnosis

When you notice signs of delay in your child’s development, your next steps may be unclear. INCLUDEnyc (212-677-4660; Spanish: 212-677-4668), the leading provider of training and information for young people (birth to 26) with any disability and their families, shares what you can do to secure educational, therapeutic, and community-based services for your child.

 

5 Time Management Tips for Kids

Do you have an elementary school student who is exploring all of her various interests in after-school activities? Or is your high-schooler focused on band or soccer and working a part-time job? Whatever your child’s after-school schedule looks like, learning time management skills will set him up for a lifetime of success. In this checklist, you’ll find tips for helping him think through tasks and commitments to ensure everything gets done.

 

8 Things to Do When You Move

While moving can be overwhelming (especially with small children in the mix), there are some often-overlooked tasks you’ll want to tackle ASAP. On the other hand, there are also things you may think need to be done immediately that can be moved to your long-term to-do list. Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design at Home Depot, weighs in on what to do before moving, on move-in day, and after moving to make the process a little easier.

Download the checklists today!