Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

25 Ways to Play Princess in New York City

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 4:00pm

If you have daughters, you know it is hard to shield them from the cotton-candy pink frocks, tulle-filled tutus, sparkly wands, and gleaming tiaras of princesses for long. Of course, many kids, not just the girls, are captivated by the swirl of a princess dress or a blinking fairy wand.

With two daughters at home, we have a closet of dress-up flocks, bins of teeny, tiny princess figurines, and shelves chock-a-block full of Disney DVDs. Playing princess is a constant state of being around here. Sometimes my princesses frolic at home; other times we enjoy a night on the town. But no matter where our princess adventures take us, we always have fun.

So, from my princesses to yours, here are 25 ways to experience NYC in royal style.

So Long Summer! 21 Reasons NYC Parents Can't Wait for Fall

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/01/2016 - 2:00pm

It seems like only yesterday I was anticipating summer with the same giddy excitement as my grade-schoolers. Once we hit Memorial Day, I was in full-on countdown mode. I couldn't wait for lazy summer mornings that fade into afternoons of romping in our favorite playgrounds, spoiling dinner with an extra scoop of our favorite ice cream, and all that weekend beach, water and amusement park fun.

We made our summer fun list and checked off one activity after another. Now I'm worn out. I'm sick of being sticky with the summer heat and sunblock, inhaling the noxious subway platform fumes, dripping popsicles — all of it. Gimme the cooler weather and all that comes with it, including back-to-school and all that cozy fall fun. I'm guessing I'm not the only one. Here are 21 reasons this summer-weary NYC momma is anticipating the change of seasons. Happy fall all!

BASIS Independent Manhattan to Open in Fall 2017

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/22/2016 - 10:00am

School searches can be fraught with stress, but searching for the right fit in Manhattan seems to multiply the tension tenfold...at least! Whether you're searching for a Pre-K program, elementary school, middle school or beyond, finding the right fit for your child is paramount. From public to private to charter, there are so many factors to consider and the landscape is ever- changing.

If you're a Manhattan-based family in the market for a school next year, you've got a great new option: BASIS Independent Schools is set to open its first Manhattan school on the Upper West Side in fall 2017. Serving kids in kindergarten through grade 8, the aim of BASIS Independent is to build well-rounded individuals who are challenged by the schools' accelerated liberal arts and sciences curriculum.

NYC to Offer Public Lactation Rooms at Some City Agencies

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 11:00am

Attention pregnant and nursing mothers: It's about to get a little easier to find a clean spot to pump privately or breastfeed in peace in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio just signed legislation, which was passed unanimously by the City Council, requiring a host of city agencies to offer lactation rooms to nursing mothers across the five boroughs by July 1, 2017.

The bill, sponsored by Brooklyn City Councilman Robert Cornegy, doesn't change New Yorkers right to breastfeed in any public space. Instead, it acknowledges that sometimes finding a comfortable spot to nurse or pump milk is a serious challenge. Anything that offers an alternative to the dreaded bathroom stall is a win-win in our book. Read on for more details about this new law impacting NYC parents.

Experience NYC in True Princess Style at the Lotte New York Palace

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 08/11/2016 - 4:00pm

With a 3-year-old and 7-year-old daughter, princesses long ago took over my home. We've got dress-up clothes, dolls, movies, sing-along-microphones, and multiple tiaras, but never have my girls felt quite as regal as they did on a recent stay at the Lotte New York Palace where we were treated to a truly magical experience as royal guests with the luxury hotel's Palace Princess Package.

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Lotte New York Palace offers a perfect destination for a staycation (as we enjoyed) to celebrate a birthday perhaps or as a treat for out-of-towners looking to make their visit to NYC extra special for a certain princess.

Slide Hill Opens on Governors Island with New Playground Fun

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 12:00pm

The Hills are alive on Governors Island. July 19 marked opening day for the long-awaited addition of new green spaces and playground fun on this seasonal city play space. Judging by the throngs of people dashing up the granite scramble as soon as the ribbon was cut, we weren't the only ones excited to check out this new section of the island.

Made up of four distinct hills, the 10 acres of parkland include 70-foot-high Outlook Hill, 25-foot-high Grassy Hill, twin 40-foot peaks together dubbed Discovery Hill, and Slide Hill, which is undoubtedly the most family-friendly of them all, packed with four slides.

Morris-Jumel Mansion: Explore Manhattan’s Oldest House

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/19/2016 - 4:00pm

If you've ever considered visiting Manhattan's highest point, you've probably contemplated a trip to One World Observatory, but if you want to keep your feet on the ground and still find a spectacular view, your best bet is to head to the southern edge of Washington Heights where you'll find Manhattan's oldest house, Morris-Jumel Mansion, perched atop Sugar Hill.

Built in 1765 as a summer villa for his family by British Colonel Roger Morris and his wife, Mary Philipse, the mansion stands today as a museum and member of the Historic House Trust of New York City. A visit brings sweeping views of the city, a glimpse into New York City's rich history, and puts you just a wee-bit closer to the Hamilton phenomenon.

NYC Extends Pool and Beach Season Beyond Labor Day for 2016

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/30/2016 - 1:00pm

City kids hadn't even had a chance to dive into the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation's 55 pools before the Parks commissioner graced them with a special announcement: For the first time, many of the city's favorite swimming pools will remain open beyond Labor Day, closing the 2016 season on Sunday, September 11, and giving all New Yorkers an extra week to cool off.

The good news didn't end there, though, in addition to more time to enjoy the city's FREE pools, local beaches will again remain open past the traditional end-of-summer holiday. After last year's first successful extension of the beach season in 2015, the city's public beaches, specifically Rockaway Beach in Queens, Coney Island and Brighton Beaches in Brooklyn, Midland and South Beaches in Staten Island, and Orchard Beach in the Bronx, will also close for the season on September 11.

Jody Mercier

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