UltimateMama advises you to grab your children and run to NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to view the wonderful Andy Warhol exhibit entitled “Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years“.   The exhibit runs until December 31, 2012 so don’t miss out on the colorful, educational experience.   “Wall Relief with Bird” by Jeff Koons was a family favorite!  The girls also loved the colorful artwork by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.  UltimateMama’s daughters have seen it three times already and want to go back soon to play with the fun balloons near the exit of the exhibit!

UltimateMama loves to link educational moments with the daily routine of her family.  So, that is why she has implemented a $1 per week chore-based allowance for her 5 year old.  Linking chores and household work to earning money is a terrific way to teach children the value of hard work as well elementary money management.  To earn her one dollar per week, UltimateMama’s oldest daughter has to make her bed each morning, get dressed on her own (UltimateMama lays out her school uniform on weekdays or playtime attire on weekends on her daughter’s nightstand), help with any clean-up efforts surrounding her playtime activities, and remember to take off her shoes at the front door.  After 5 weeks, UltimateMama asks her daughter if she wants to trade her five $1 bills in for a crisp $5 bill.  After 10 weeks, she can trade in for a $10 bill.  And on it goes……. UltimateMama feels that a $1 per week allowance is age appropriate for a 5 year old and will happily re-visit increases as her daughter gets older and responsibilities increase.

UltimateMama teaches her daughter how to earn and manage money while her daughter can save up to buy something valuable — such as a college education 🙂

A few months ago, on a whim, UltimateMama and her family drove to Boston for a long weekend. Everyone had a good time in Beantown.  Here is UltimateMama’s list of things to do and see with kids when in Boston:

– Walk trough Boston Public Garden and see the Swan Boats and don’t miss the bronze “Make Way for Ducklings”sculpture that is a hit with children of all ages who love Robert McCloskey’s famous books.

– Hit the New England Aquarium on Boston’s Historic waterfront.  It has everything including beautiful fish, sea lions, seals, stingrays, penguins, great movies, and live shows!  Legal Sea Foods Long Wharf is a great restaurant for families to try before or after the aquarium delight.

– Explore Boston’s Financial District, Freedom Trail, and Faneuil Hall.

– Spend time at Boston’s interactive Museum of Science.

– If you find yourselves in Boston’s Back Bay near Fenway Park go eat at Summer Shack restaurant.

– Go to the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum.

– Have fun at the Boston Children’s Museum.

– Explore the USS Constitution Museum near Old Ironsides.

– Ride the Boston Common Carousel.

– Stay at the Boston Four Seasons which is terrific for kids!

– If you want to stay a night at a nearby beach check into blue, The Inn on the Beach at Plum Island. Only a short drive from Boston.

UltimateMama does not believe the tooth fairy should break the bank when flying in to deliver her gift of money to children. She has heard urban legends of NYC tooth fairies gifting kids upwards of $50 per lost tooth! NOT happening at UltimateMama’s house!

The tooth fairy for UltimateMama’s girls leaves a fresh, crisp $2 bill each time she picks up a tooth! The gift of a two dollar bill gives UltimateMama a lot to talk to her girls about in the morning given the rarity of such a bill that has President Thomas Jefferson on its face!

UltimateMama wanted to let you know that Fox 5 Good Day New York organized a terrific drive with the Catholic Charities of New York to help those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  Grab your kids and donate tomorrow – Friday, November 9th 2012 starting before school at 7 AM at 205 East 67th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Encourage your kids to be socially responsible by helping others!

UltimateMama believes the best way to teach children to give back to their community is to make them understand what it means to donate to those in need.  Right now, UltimateMama and her family are gathering clothing to take to their church to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.  This is a “teachable moment” as the kids can also help package the clothing up and personally deliver the items to the church.  For all of you in the NYC area, please drop off clothing of any size, gender, men/women/teen/children/babies to the Parish House of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola at 980 Park Avenue at East 84th Street from 9 AM until 5 PM on Sunday, November 4th; Monday, November 5th; and Tuesday, November 6th, 2012. 

All clothing donations will go to NYC’s Metropolitan Hospital on First Avenue and East 97th Street as the hospital is in desperate need of clothing after many patients from New York City’s Bellevue Hospital Center were evacuated during Hurricane Sandy and sent to other local hospitals, including Metropolitan. 

Make this a family effort to help others who really need clothing NOW!  Your children will get satisfaction when you explain to them that they can help other children and babies as well as adults with an act of kindness and generosity.

UltimateMama believes children should learn to give back to those less fortunate or in need – especially other children.  Donating packaged/unopened Halloween candy is a great way to teach your children to be socially responsible by helping others.  For the 3rd year in a row, UltimateMama and her two girls walked over to our local Ronald McDonald House and the girls presented the staff with a huge bag of candy!  The girls beamed when the staff members thanked them for their contribution and learned (at the ages of 5 and 3) what it feels like to give back to the community.  Check local charitable organizations in your area and donate Halloween candy today and make someones day brighter!