Roberta Brown

Roberta to launched Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles in 2011. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which worked out well for her son, who grew up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.

Latest posts by Roberta

15 Road Trips You Can Take from Los Angeles this Weekend: California Summer Travel 2020

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 12:48pm

Yosemite National Park, photo by Regan Buker/Flickr

Most of us had summer vacation plans for 2020, and most of us have faced by now that those plans aren't happening. While we adjust daily to the new normal, we also look at an uncertain summer that really needs some bright spots, preferably including a couple of getaways. California has begun cautiously opening up, and that gives us some options: from glamping to deserts to not-so-far islands, we've checked to see which weekend destinations we can drive to now, in pursuit of that vacation we all definitely deserve.

California Reopening Phase 2: What's Open and What's Closed in Los Angeles Now

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 5:30am

If Coronavirus quarantine has got you down, help is on the way. Governor Newsom and Mayor Garcetti have begun rolling out their reopening plans, offering gradual relief to families and businesses exhausted by months of Stay-at-Home orders. Going outside has never sounded so thrilling. After two months of lockdown, only seeing each other in car parades and 8pm howls, giving our kids quarantine haircuts and virtual birthday parties, we finally have the beginnings of a plan to get out and enjoy the beaches, hiking trails, and more of LA's natural beauty. If we do it responsibly, we should be able to enjoy some fresh air without putting people's lives at risk.

The plan to reopen California has four phases, and we are in the early stages of Phase 2. Read on to find out what that means for schools and businesses, as well as trails, beaches, farms, and more that we can now visit—as long as we adhere to social distancing protocol and cover up with face masks.

Support LA! Toy and Book Stores Offering Curbside Pick-up & Delivery in Lockdown

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 10:54am

Like so many things we took for granted before the COVID-19 pandemic, toy stores and book stores have had to close their doors to visitors for now. We may understand the logic, and yet there are moments when a new toy or book really does feel essential. In those moments, we'd like to encourage you to support your local businesses—the toy stores we want to find when doors open again, and the book shops that host all of those wonderful storytimes and author visits. While you're getting creative about connecting with your community, don't forget to include your friendly neighborhood toy and book vendors.

We've rounded up a list of wonderful local book stores and toy shops that are offering curbside pick-up or delivery options during the #StayatHome days. These small businesses offer a combination of contactless pick-up, free local delivery, and online shipping. Several can text you photos of options, or hop on a call and make suggestions. Every one of them would be VERY happy to hear from you.

Let's make sure The Last Bookstore doesn't live up to its name.

And while you're showing your support for the businesses you love, we hope you'll count Mommy Poppins and our small business partners among them. You can support Mommy Poppins by sharing articles you find useful with friends or on your social media channels, checking out our directory of virtual classes, camps and birthday parties and telling businesses you found them through Mommy Poppins. Also, as part of our effort to keep our local parent writers and this website afloat and support some of our favorite family businesses, we've created Poppins@Home, a platform for small businesses to share free and low-cost online classes and birthday parties with kids all over the country. Please consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together!

Underwood Family Farm Re-Opens for Pick-Your-Own Visits!

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 05/01/2020 - 2:11pm

Photo courtesy of Underwood Family Farms

Update: The Pick-Your-Own fields will open again on May 9, 2020, at both the Moorpark and Somis locations.

Underwood Family Farms shares some much needed good news today: Moorpark's popular pick-your-own farm is opening up its fields to allow families to get some fresh air and pick some fruit and vegetables in the spring sunshine—starting today! It's the outing we all desperately need, and just in time as the weather starts to change. So while we're missing our beach days, let's go to the farm, ride the tractor, pick some berries, and bring home fresh dinner. There are rules to make it all safe, of course, so read on for all the details.

Is LA Going Back to School in July? Is that What Governor Newsom Just Said?

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 11:50pm

This post has been updated to reflect new information from LAUSD on May 4, 2020.

Governor Gavin Newsom turns out not to be a fan of the anthem School's Out for Summer. He may have won kids' hearts when he announced his support for ending the school year back on April 1, but he lost them again today, when he took to the podium in support of going back to school in July. Is this for real? Will we be jumping right back into a new school year only a few weeks after breaking for summer? What would that look like? And who decides? We've collected some key answers to the questions lots of students and parents are asking.

Mother's Day Brunch Delivery or Takeout: LA Restaurants with Treats for Mom

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 3:36pm

Mother's Day may look a little different this year. Heck, Mother may look a little different this year (ever notice that root is a four-letter word?), but all the more reason that Mama needs a little pampering. If you're Mom, stop reading right here and pass the laptop to the nearest family member—then await your surprise on a tray in bed.

For the rest of you: Mother's Day meals cooked at home are delightful only if you plan to do the dishes. Otherwise, let's move on to delivery and curbside takeout. Wonderful, indulgent, luxurious, and downright comforting restaurants all over Los Angeles are offering Mother's Day brunch treats from red velvet waffles and Thai tea pancakes to chicken 'n' waffles and breakfast cocktails. And lest we forget, many of these restaurants are local small businesses we love; every one of the delivery and pick-up options below is a local business we want to be there when it's safe for dining in to resume.

So mark your calendars for May 10th, start working on your homemade Mother's Day cards, and go ahead and pass Mom back the computer now so she can tell you where to order from.

What’s Open in Coronavirus Shutdown: Parks, Beaches, Hikes You Can Do While Social Distancing

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 3:44pm

School is closed (along with everything else!), but this sure doesn't feel like spring break. Last night the governor, the mayor, and a series of LA County officials all issued statements in rapid succession saying to stay home. Any dream we may have had of escaping this COVID-19 madness ended abruptly.

But what exactly does a Stay-at-Home order mean?

Here's what it doesn't mean: It's not an order to stare at screens blaring scary news stories until you feel drained of all hope. It also doesn't mean your kids can't go outside! Sunshine and fresh air are healthy for body and mind—especially young ones—and there are several approved ways to enjoy that during this crisis. In fact, Mayor Garcetti's order specifically makes exceptions to the Stay-at-Home order for "walking, hiking, running, cycling, using scooters, roller skates, skateboards, or travel in a vehicle with household members to go to a place to walk, hike, run, or ride a bike."

We heard the man. Our kids need to run! So we've got a list for you of places you can stretch your limbs and feel normal for a spell—all while keeping six feet away from other folks.

Disneyland, Disney World, California Adventure, Disney Cruises, Universal Studios Close for COVID-19 Crisis

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 03/13/2020 - 10:00am

OK, folks, this just got serious. I know we've all been glued to our screens tracking the inconceivable developments of this pandemic situation, watching major events cancel in real time, wondering if our kids are going to be attending school from the sofa next week, canceling trips to Europe, etc... But look out because COVID-19, aka the Coronavirus, just shut down Disneyland.

Roberta Brown

Latest posts by Roberta

Pages