Kidmoto: New Family Car Service for NYC Airports

NYC families, I feel sure you'll be able to relate to this one.

We all know airline travel can be stressful with children, but one such frustration occurs long before you arrive at your gate: the should-be-simple act of GETTING to the airport! 

Many car services do not provide infant or booster car seats, which leaves you installing one on your own (studies show a hefty percentage of us are doing it incorrectly), uninstalling when you arrive, then lugging car seat through airport and on to your destination. The same goes for families who may be traveling to NYC for vacation, except worse as they likely won't need a car seat for day to day getting around the city. They might be deterred from visiting altogether because the idea of installing and uninstalling car seats in cabs is as daunting as not using one at all (a common yet crazy practice here in the city).

Long story short, the fact that there aren't more options for families with young children traveling to/from the airport has always baffled me. So needless to say I was thrilled to learn about Kidmoto, a new service providing just that: reliable, safe transportation for your travel to/from NYC airports. Drivers are specifically trained and your vehicle arrives pre-installed and harnessed and ready to go.
With the Kidmoto app (also available on Google Play), book your travel easily by requesting exactly what kind of car seat you need, type of car, etc. Up to 4 car seats are available in a single car for those traveling with large families.

Our experience was great, and let me just mention a few extras, as Nelson Nigel, our driver and the CEO of Kidmoto, has really thought of everything. Vivian got car sick on the way to the airport (a really great way to start vacation!), which I was completely unprepared for. Nelson had bags for just this occasion in the back seat, and I was able to grab one just in time. He even had Water Wipes to aid in cleaning her up! Then, on the other end of our trip, he was ready with an umbrella to get us to our door in the pouring down rain. This is all on top of a very safe and secure ride to/from the airport.

So happy to know about Kidmoto & share with all of you! If you're interested in trying out the service for yourself, use BABYMEETSCITY and receive $20 off each ride (this code is good for a year). Safe travels this summer!




Disclosure: I was provided with Kidmoto credit in exchange for this review. All opinions herein are my own.

Broadway Benefit for the NYSPCC

This Sunday, The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (The NYSPCC) will host their 5th Annual Family Benefit, which includes a reception brunch at Sanctuary Hotel's HAVEN Rooftop (for Golden Ticket level supporters), followed by a matinee of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway.

The mission of the NYSPCC, the world’s first child protective agency, is to respond to the complex needs of abused and neglected children, as well as those involved in their care. Sunday's special event will directly support Safe Touches: Personal Safety Training for Children, the agency's child sexual abuse prevention program.

First launched in 2007, Safe Touches is geared towards K-3rd graders, teaching them what parts of the body are private by using colorful puppets in role-play scenarios. Specially-trained clinicians help children recognize the difference between safe and not-safe touches and identify who to tell if they have experienced a non-safe touch. With child sexual abuse a chronic, under-reported tragedy in the United States, this programming by the NYSPCC is all too important. As of last year, Safe Touches workshops reached over 5,000 students from NYC area schools.

The NYSPCC is led by Executive Director Dr. Mary L. Pulido, who has worked to help child victims of abuse and neglect for more than three decades. I'm so proud to stand with her as I help spread the word about this organization and the amazing work they're doing to benefit NYC children. Please consider Sunday's benefit (ticket information can be found HERE) -- what a special treat to be able to give back while checking out one of Broadway's most exciting and family-friendly new musicals!

Staying Safe with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear (& a giveaway!)

I think we can finally say that warmer weather is here to stay. Hurrah! As a result, we've been spending as much time outdoors as possible. We live across the street from a beautiful park, so there's plenty of room for the girls to explore on their scooters or bikes (and while there's still a learning curve on the whole riding a bike thing, we're getting there)!

With this increased time spent on wheels, it's as good a time as ever to stress the importance of scooter & bike safety by wearing a helmet and protective gear. May is National Bike Month, and it's the perfect time to increase awareness about the health and environmental benefits of bike riding. And oh yeah, it's FUN!

I've partnered with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear to remind everyone that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injury by an estimated 60% and brain injury by 58%. Wipeout gear sets itself apart by allowing each child to personalize their own helmet and knee pads with provided dry erase markers and stencils. Kids get to decorate everything themselves, promoting ownership and increasing the likelihood that they'll wear their helmet with ease (not to mention the comfort factor; Wipeout's helmets are cushioned on the inside yet built with ABS hard-shell construction for durability).

Feel free to get creative on your own, or see some of Wipeout's creative tutorials HERE. The caterpillar design is my favorite! Along with scooting and biking all over the place, I see roller skates in our future, too. Wipeout's knee pads, helmet and wrist guards will continue to be used for years to come. Here's to mixing safety with artistic creativity -- I love it!

           

Now here's some fun news. Wipeout is conducting a giveaway for one helmet and accessory kit! See Rafflecopter instructions below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided with product and compensation to conduct this review. All opinions herein are my own.

Raising Awareness with Moms+SocialGood

Yesterday marked the 5th anniversary of Moms+SocialGood, presented by the United Nations Foundation and Johnson & Johnson. It's an event I always try to attend, as I know it's bound to be informative, inspiring and best of all, a reminder that blogging and social media can be a force for good in the world.

With moms and their families at the center of the conversation, the day was broken down into panels with experts and advocates, eager to share their ideas, inspire action and tackle some of the world's most critical challenges facing families around the world.

Here's a few of the key takeaways from my day (unfortunately I had to miss the last 2 panels as it was school pick up time... mom duty calls!):

Save the Children has a great new giving program which aims to fight child hunger in East Africa, where nearly 20 million lives are currently at risk. By skipping lunch & photographing your empty plate with #LUNCHLESS, you're spreading the word about this horrific issue. Then, text LUNCHLESS to 20222 and donate $10 (your lunch money) to help those in need through Save the Children. Finally, tag your friends and family in your photo to join in!

Another panel that really got to me was on the "unseen enemy" known as the flu. Yes, the flu. I don't think I'll ever take it lightly again after hearing the stories of two mothers who lost their daughters, one a teenager and the other, a toddler, right here in the US. A need for more research, awareness and the case for immunizations was discussed. The moderator, Janet Tobias, just directed a documentary of the same name, Unseen Enemy, which will air on CNN Films soon. I'll be checking it out.

Want to get involved from the comfort of you very own phone? From May 3- June 16, you can participate in the Global Moms Relay, a digital campaign with Johnson & Johnson. Use the Donate A Photo app and J&J will donate $1 (up to $500,000) when you upload of photo to a variety of causes highlighted by Moms+SocialGood, including GirlUp, empowering girls around the world, and Nothing But Nets, which provides nets to malaria-prevalent areas in Africa. I downloaded and selected an app in about 1 minute-- seriously!

Blogging and social media can sometimes be a frivolous, silly business, honestly. So happy to be able to use it to amplify the work of some amazing individuals and organizations that are doing their part to give back around the globe, as well as here at home. Check out Moms+SocialGood & the Global Moms Relay to find out more.

Holiday Safety Tips with Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care

Earlier this month, I worked with Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care to bring together a group of my fellow parenting bloggers for a lunch & learn on their services and holiday safety tips in which we can all benefit. With 6 locations in the city, Northwell Health-Go Health Urgent Care is an important medical resource here in the city, especially when health concerns arise & you need to see a provider quickly.

Here are some of my key takeaways from the event:

First, on the topic of urgent care. Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care provides immediate walk-in healthcare for non-life threatening injuries & illnesses (bronchitis, cold & flu, ear or sinus pain, infections, nausea, etc). Backed by the entire Northwell Health system, you'll see an experienced clinician to receive the most efficient, highest quality care. Sick child this winter? As long as they are older than 6 months of age, you can bring them in for treatment.

Regarding health insurance, Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care accepts many commercial insurance plans, including employer-sponsored and individual plans, Medicare, Medicaid & motor vehicle insurance. For patients without health insurance, they offer affordable self-pay rates.

Now, on to the holidays! A few things to keep on your radar, friends, especially those of us with young children.

Did you know that the holly berry is the most dangerous type of plant during the winter season? Me, neither. Berries can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea (and in rare cases, death) in children that eat 20 or more, so keep them out of reach of curious toddlers...

Toy injuries resulted in 185,000 visits to the emergency room in 2015. So on that note, select toys that are appropriate to your child's age, and don't give electronic toys with heating elements to children under the age of 8. Look for sturdy construction and tightly secured parts.

Replace smoke & carbon monoxide detector batteries annually. One way to remember? Pick an annual event or holiday and set a reminder to take care of it then. Never use space heaters or portable generators indoors without proper ventilation.

Lastly, and this is for the mamas out there: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a REAL thing. More common in women, this disorder generally comes in the winter months due to lack of sunlight. Leading to grumpiness, lack of sleep and trouble concentrating, there are ways to keep SAD at bay by making time for yourself, having a support system, getting sunlight when you can, getting enough sleep and laughing as often as you can. I could use this advice all year long!

Special thanks to Handzies, an alcohol-free cleaning wipe that's perfect for keeping hands clean all year long, not just through the winter, and Pipsnacks, a delicious snacking popcorn that's made with all-natural, gluten-free and non-GMO ingredients, for providing samples in everyone's goody bags.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Take the Key Pledge & Keep Liquid Laundry Packets Away from Children

As I stare at a never-ending pile of laundry, I wanted to alert you to an important campaign by The American Cleaning Institute regarding home & laundry safety. And yes, that really is a thing.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were over 12,000 accidental exposures to liquid laundry packets in children five and younger in 2015. By ingesting or exposure to eyes, these packets can be quite harmful to curious children who are simply doing what they do best - getting into things! Through the Key Pledge Campaign, ACI aims to educate consumers about home and laundry safety and to re-evaluate their laundry room & routine by taking these simple steps:

Keep single-load liquid laundry packets out of the reach of children (& in their original container)
Educate your family & friends about the safe use & storage of these new laundry products
You serve a key role in laundry safety

By taking the Pledge to a safe laundry room and routine, you are automatically entered to win $2,500 for a laundry room makeover! How's that for an added bonus to keeping your child safe? You have until December 31st, 2016 to enter, but please remember The American Cleaning Institute, which is full of helpful information year round.

If you've got a young child at home, and you probably do if you're reading this, stay alert in your laundry routine, and good luck in the contest!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The American Cleaning Institute. All opinions herein are my own.