We’re not gonna lie: this ain’t easy. Between gaps in childcare, trying to work outside or inside the home and managing some version of school, and concern about the health and safety of our families, it’s a wonder we aren’t all just eating pizza in bed by noon every day. Pandemic parenting is no joke. Could there actually be a silver (okay maybe just a grey) lining?
Recently, Amazon Kids & Family teamed up with Engine Insights to ask families about quarantine habits, and the results are surprisingly positive. The study, which took place in late July of 2020 and surveyed nearly 1000 parents with children ages 5-12, 82% of whom spent at least some time sheltering in place during the previous spring and early summer. It found that nearly half of all parents (59%) agreed that they were their child’s primary teacher, and primary source of entertainment. The biggest takeaway? Kids are reading more.
The findings included some bright spots:
55% of parents said their kids are reading more.
49% said their kids have started new hobbies and interests.
46% reported their kids having increased confidence.
55% believe their children have increased their vocabulary as well.
In addition, some parents reported an uptick in good habits and responsibility:35% of parents say their kids are taking on more responsibility at home, 27% said they are more self-sufficient in general and 20% say their kids are better at managing screen time. Overall, 49% of parents said the most positive outcome was spending more time together as a family.
As for the other half of parents? Well, it might be the pizza in bed by noon.
This year back to school preparations have been anything but normal. Working parents are scrambling trying to figure out how to maintain a positive work and life balance while managing distance or hybrid learning. Care.com surveyed working parents to find out what they would like to see and how they could alleviate the stressors caring for their children while returning to work.
The COVID-19 Working Parents Survey reveals that the pandemic has not only made childcare more difficult, but women are often finding themselves picking up the slack as careers are impacted. The survey also found that with the announced limitations of schools and/or daycares as they re-open, 73% of parents plan to make major changes to their professional lives with 15% considering leaving the workplace altogether.
52% of working parents say that juggling childcare and work responsibilities has been harder during the COVID-19 crisis. This increases to 57% of those with a youngest child under 4 years old. Additionally, 66% of working parents agree that juggling childcare responsibilities with work responsibilities during the COVID-19 crisis has caused their productivity to suffer.
The study found that women are picking up the slack. 57% of working women say that they’ve taken on most or all of the extra childcare responsibilities during the crisis, compared to just 8% of women who say their partners do more. However, 36% of men say they do the extra childcare work.
Workplace anxieties are on the rise. 52% of working parents agree that they hide childcare concerns because they worry that their employer or colleagues won’t understand.
43% of respondents say that their employers are more tolerant toward managing children while working than they were at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, compared to only 12% who say their employer is less tolerant. 84% of respondents who don’t currently receive childcare benefits say that receiving new employer-provided childcare benefits is important in order to continue working and raising children at the same time.
Parents want more childcare benefits. Only 15% receive childcare benefits that are sponsored by their employer, and in addition, men are twice as likely to receive childcare benefits (22% to 11%).
What do you do when things can’t be equal? This is a question many dual-income households are currently grappling with.
In my own household, which has been built on equality–both my husband and I are senior leaders within our respective companies–this question is hitting me particularly hard. The amount of anxiety, uncertainty, and plans going into the next school year seems to have disproportionately hit moms. Indeed, research shows in dual-income households, women shoulder more of these household burdens. Anecdotal evidence from my mom groups, group chats, and emails that have circulated further this thesis: as working men continue business as usual, women everywhere are trying to figure out what the heck we’re going to do when the school year starts.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has just announced a virtual start to the year. And with COVID-19 cases across most of the country increasing, we are all bracing for a year where parents will be called upon to be the primary educator and facilitator of distance learning. And when I say parents, I mean mothers. Working mothers in particular who have already battled the emotional toll of returning to work after maternity leaves, pumping on conference calls, finding ways to FedEx breast milk to babies while on work trips and countless microaggressions that keep us in secondary positions in the workplace will be left disadvantaged yet again.
To be clear, I’m not just talking about professional, white-collar women either. Data shows this is impacting women across the entire spectrum. A recent study shows a disproportionate number of female hourly workers cite childcare as their main barrier to going back to work right now.
But what are the solutions? Flexible work arrangements? We’ve tried that for months. We’re exhausted and burnt out. We’ve blocked our calendars, worked into the night or woken up early, we’ve done it all in the name of ‘making it work.’ The harsh reality is even with the most flexible work schedules, it will not solve the fundamental issue here—we cannot be called upon to give it our all at work all while being childcare providers, nurturers, cooks, and educators to our own children simultaneously. Even as expert jugglers, at some point there are simply too many balls in the air to manage.
I want to tie this all up in a bow, to provide some uplifting message or idea that will solve our 2020-2021 school year problems, but it doesn’t seem possible. The number of women that will either elect or be forced to leave the workforce, or need to ask for part-time time arrangements will set back an entire generation of women who have been trying desperately to break the glass ceiling for decades.
So what can we do? First, I’d like to go back to the initial point that this will disproportionately impact mothers. Male colleagues, do me a favor, don’t just outsource this task to your wife, get involved, and help advocate for your female colleagues. For example, employers could consider offering more job-sharing arrangements for moms, or policymakers could create paid “education leave” similar to maternity leave to let parents take time off away from the office to focus on schooling.
A mom can dream for creative solutions, but given how little our own President seem to care about this issue, I implore colleagues who do not have children to step up, ask your coworkers who are parents how you can help take some of their workload, so they can stay in the workforce. Otherwise, all of these years of fighting for equality will be wiped away in a matter of months.
Rachel is a mother to two boys, Eli (4) and Logan (2). She has a decade of marketing experience and is a cum laude graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Catch up with Bluey. The popular Australian preschool series is coming back to Disney Channel and DisneyNOW for a second season on Jul. 10. All season two episodes will subsequently air on Disney Junior.
The first season of the heart-warming show, brought to you by BBC Studios, will continue to air on Disney Junior and Disney Channel, and will remain available to stream on Disney+.
Bluey follows the adventures of the lovable and inexhaustible 6-year-old Blue Heeler puppy, Bluey, who lives with her Dad (Bandit), her Mum (Chilli) and 4-year-old little sis, Bingo. A sweet and instantly-relatable celebration of family, friends and the all-out fun of childhood, Bluey is a standout entry to the kids’ TV “playground.” A loving send-up to the many pluses of unstructured play for children, Bluey is the perfect “playmate” for helping to show today’s kids and families that nothing beats the power of simple creative play for keeping children happy and healthy as they grow!
“Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents with its beautiful animation and honest take on modern family life. The show offers relatable situations for engaging kids every day, which is so important to parents at this current time,” said Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Director of Children’s Content Partnerships, BBC Studios. “Disney Junior and Disney Channel are the perfect homes for a brand new season of inspirational episodes, bringing families together for a genuine co-viewing experience that delivers laughs as well as real, impactful messages.”
“We love that kids and parents are embracing Bluey all across America. It’s really wonderful to see a kids programming from Australia resonating so much with U.S. audiences,” said Bluey EPs and Ludo co-founders, Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson. “We love hearing from fans on social media and hope everyone enjoys this new season, as much as we enjoyed making it!”
Season 2 introduces viewers to more of Bluey and Bingo’s friends and extended family, as well as a variety of imaginative and ingenious games, including Tickle Crabs, Fancy Restaurant, Rug Island, and many more. The season also shines a spotlight on Bandit and Chilli’s relationship with their daughters, as they continue to juggle work and childcare. Additionally Anthony Field, the Blue Wiggle, will voice characters featured in two of the new episodes, including one of the season premiere episodes, Dance Mode.
On Jul. 27, the first volume of Bluey Season 1 will be available for purchase through Apple iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and other digital retailers. There will be six volumes with a new one available every three weeks. The retail price for each volume will be $9.99.
We had the opportunity to interview Tim Allen, the CEO of Care.com, the digital platform that provides comprehensive solutions for finding, managing, and paying for childcare and more, about what life might look like this summer and how working parents can navigate the future during this new, quarantine-style world.
How do parents navigate going back to their workplaces while schools and daycares remain closed?
“One thing that’s been abundantly clear to everyone these last few months is that childcare is simply essential for working parents. That means that access to childcare will be critical to our economic recovery. In fact, in a recent survey, we did with our members, of the more than 1,000 who responded 98% said childcare is crucial for them to get back to work. With daycares and schools closed, we expect that more families will look to hire in-home caregivers as parents return to their workplaces. In-home care is in abundant supply with a workforce of professional nannies, displaced teachers, daycare workers, and college students. In addition, having one person come to your home to care for your children is far less daunting to some parents right now because it enables them to more closely manage the number of people with whom their kids are in contact and to control the environment with things like regular handwashing.”
What are you hearing from parents about those concerns going forward?
“They are concerned about bringing caregivers into their homes and concerned about their kids going back to daycare. In our survey, more than half said they wouldn’t feel comfortable putting their child back in daycare and ¾ of those parents say they’re now more likely to hire in-home care. As a parent myself, I get it and expect that this will be an on-going discussion in most households for many months. At the end of the day, each parent has to make the decision that best suits their family.”
What do you think the childcare landscape will look like in the coming months?
“Clearly there will be changes inside daycares to control class sizes, interactions and the ability to keep things sanitized. Exactly what they will look like remains to be seen; we’re watching some of the European countries who are slowly started to re-open. And again, with daycares closed and even after they reopen, we anticipate many families will turn to in-home care as their new childcare solution.”
What about the summer?
“Many camps and summer programs are canceled. While it’s true that many camps and traditional summer programs are canceled, there is actually some good news: we parents have some time to solve for that and make alternate arrangements. One of the most challenging aspects of the last few months was how quickly schools and daycares closed. Overnight, we were all scrambling to be stand-in teachers as well as parents all while trying to work. Now with the luxury of a little advance notice, we can make new plans. Not surprisingly, most of the camps and extracurricular programs are being adapted for a digital world. We have a service—Care.com Explore—where thousands of classes and programs are now available virtually. From music to video production to art to science…it’s all there and you can put together a pretty fun summer for your kids.”
If parents are hiring nannies or sitters, what should they do to ensure a healthy environment, given the pandemic?
“It’s essential that parents and caregivers have candid conversations on this and are clear about expectations while on the job. When a caregiver is in your home and with your child, you have the right to set the house rules. For clarity, we encourage parents to have a nanny contract where everything is mapped out from salary and hours to responsibilities and yes, to expectations about maintaining certain protocols surrounding COVID-19. We encourage both families and caregivers to follow the CDC protocol guidelines and, on our website, we have recommendations on specific questions to ask during the interview process to help ease concerns.”
What else should parents think about going forward?
“The parent/caregiver relationship is unique. On the one hand, the caregiver becomes a part of your family; after all, you’re entrusting them with your child. On the other hand, you’re now a household employer and that comes with certain obligations, like paying your caregiver over the table. Our Care.com HomePay team often hears from parents who are concerned that their caregiver won’t want to be paid on the books and here’s what we counsel them:
Paying your caregiver legally is more than just the law; it’s protection for the caregiver, someone who is now a part of your family. During these last few months, while parents have been home, caregivers who’d been paid legally had access to paid sick leave, paid time off, and unemployment benefits, as well as any help offered by the federal government. Those were real benefits and real dollars at a time when it was desperately needed. As parents look to hire in-home caregivers, we urge them to start the relationship on the right foot: paying above board. Is there anything else you’re hearing from parents right now? Knowing how intertwined care and work are, we were curious if these last few months have influenced how parents think about childcare from a policy standpoint, so we asked some questions in our survey and the results were eye-opening. A whopping 92% feel that childcare is something that should get more attention from the government and 68% said that childcare policies will impact how they vote in the election this November. I think it’s fair to say that childcare is a topic we’re going to be talking about for quite some time.”
A lifestyle writer whose work can be seen in Red Tricycle, Money.com, Livestrong.com and Redbook. When she’s not checking out new events, museums, and restaurants to keep her and her kids entertained, she can be found wandering around flea markets and thrift stores looking for cool vintage finds.
Sittercity has been a valuable resource for parents looking to find nannies and babysitters for nearly 20 years. You post your job, review profiles for applicants and pick a caregiver who fits your family. It’s that simple. With many parents temporarily working from home and juggling homeschooling, Sittercity has scaled their business model to lend a hand virtually. Find out how this service that simplified childcare is getting creative with supporting Chicago families.
photo: Sittercity
Sittercity Goes Virtual
It might sound a wee bit like something straight out of The Jetsons, but Eizabeth Harz, mom of 2 and CEO of Sittercity, has introduced a virtual arm to childcare. You won’t have The Jetson’s Rosie flitting about, cleaning spills and making meals, but you will have a professional to engage your kids digitally for a short period of time so you can work, or take a breather, in peace. You can utilize Sittercity’s pool of stellar resources to assist with schoolwork or engage your child in an interactive game online.
Is it Safe?
Even though this person won’t physically be in your home, Sittercity recommends you still go through the same vetting process you would for any other babysitting experience. They encourage you to never leave your child unattended, the sitter is not able to physically supervise or control your child via video, and to review with the sitter any planned activities to determine what’s appropriate for your child.
How Much Do You Pay a Virtual Sitter?
You can post a job and browse sitters for free. Regularly priced subscription plans are $35 for one month, $70 for three months or $140 for 12 months. However, they are currently offering 50% off full premium access for one month.
While the responsibilities are different for a virtual sitting session vs an in-person experience, paying the standard rate, if you’re able, is appreciated. According to Sittercity, the average hourly rate in Chicago, and the nation, is $16.50/hour. If you’re curious to see how Chicago stacks up, you can view their chart that lists average hourly childcare rates in top U.S. cities.
Extra Support for Chicago’s Essential Workers
We’ve been instructed to stay home and socially distance as much as possible, but for many Chicagoans deemed as essential, this is an impossibility. This creates a tricky situation with their kids home from school, still in need of supervision.
Sittercity has partnered with the City of Chicago to launch Chicago Responds, a program that helps the city’s essential workforce by connecting them to volunteers to help care for their families. Frontline workers who sign up will receive three free months of Sittercity Premium. If you’re an essential worker who needs assistance or would like to volunteer to care for their kids, click here.
Our new series, Family Tales, is an honest peek into the daily lives of families across the country who are on this crazy ride we call parenthood! From divulging childcare costs to breaking down family finances to managing bedtime routines with multiple kids, we tap into the Red Tricycle army of parents to find out how they’re making it work. This series is a judgment-free zone.
Interested in telling your story? Start by filling out our questionnaire here. All stories are anonymous.
I’m a Single Mom on a 30k Salary with Almost No Support from My Ex: Here’s How I Make It Work.
My age and occupation: 31, childcare provider My partner’s age and occupation: N/A Annual household income: $30,000 City: Bothell, Washington Childcare costs per year: $2,400 How we found our childcare: I work there Our kid(s) ages: 8 and 7
I’m a single mom without much support from my ex (he started paying child support this past summer after six years), and I run the childcare program at my kids’ school. I get a discount, so not having to budget full-price child care into my salary means I have enough money left over every month to pay for the activities my kids enjoy: piano, cheer, gymnastics and dance. Our life is a little frantic at times, but as a single mother, I feel lucky to be close enough to my kids to have an input on their education, even if the days are long. Here’s how I make it work as a single mom of two without much support from a partner:
Morning: I’m the first one up, and it’s always early
I wake up at 5 a.m. and leave for work at 6 a.m. My commute is only about five minutes, which is great. I’m also a full-time student, and my job is one of the reasons why I’m able to make it work. I know I’m lucky.
photo: iStock
Another reason why I’m able to make it work is that I live with my mom. She’s the one who wakes my children up at 5:30 a.m. and gets them, and herself, ready for school and work. I do feel guilty sometimes because my job and child care situation takes away time spent with my kids (they aren’t allowed to be in the classroom with me), and I struggle with not being able to control things like whether or not they get their homework done.
My Work Day: Halfway through the day, I have to switch into student mode
It’s a mad dash after I leave my job at 10 a.m. At this point, I’ve already been at work for half the day. When I get home I have to quickly switch gears into student mode (I’m working on a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.). Between classes and schoolwork, there’s little to no time left for anything else before I rush back to work at 3:15 p.m. to get ready for the after-school program.
photo: iStock
Afternoon: It can be frustrating waiting so late for parents to pick up their kids
The bell rings at 3:40 p.m.; my coworkers and I divide the students and go to our respective classrooms—my children being in the other class, of course. I do my best to keep the boundaries of mom and teacher when at work, but it isn’t always easy when they see me in the halls.
Throughout the week either my mom or I will shuttle the kids to their practices or home after school, and it can get late. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I don’t pick up my daughter until 8 p.m.!
The rest of the week, I’m usually home by 7 p.m., but we generally have at least one parent a week that doesn’t arrive to pick up their child by 6:30 p.m., and I occasionally end up staying at work until 7 p.m. or even 7:30 p.m. I get that everyone runs late, but these late evenings are so agonizing. Parents who arrive after closing time are taking away from time I can spend with my own kids, and I can’t help but feel annoyed.
photo: iStock
Evening: Even though I’m exhausted, this is the best part of my day
My mom makes dinner and tries to have it ready around the time I get home. After dinner, I sign any papers from school, check on the kids’ homework, do bath time and have them in bed by 9 p.m. Bedtime is definitely my favorite part of the day. Since our schedules are so hectic, this is the only time we can fit in quality time during the week. My ex-husband only sees them once a month, so I try to set aside this time just for my kids.
Bedtime: It’s a struggle for me to actually slow down after the kids are asleep
I’m often not in bed until 11 p.m. or even 12 a.m. I know that’s not enough sleep, but I really struggle to wind down after my day. The crazy thing is that in just a few hours, it’ll start all over again.
Interested in telling your story? Start by filling out our questionnaire here. All stories are anonymous.
When was the last time you had a second to catch your breath and enjoy a moment of “me” time? Self-care isn’t just a selfish indulgence. It’s a must-do. One Chicago mom is determined to make it easier to fit more of that essential, self-care-focused ‘me time’ into the lives of parents across Chicagoland. Read on to learn how the new MeTime app is making finding last-minute childcare for your kids a cinch so you can grab ahold of some of that elusive alone time.
photo: MeTime Founders
Self-care: a necessity, not an indulgence
Shortly after she went on maternity leave, Chicago mom Kayla Carey contracted a brutal case of mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue often accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
“I needed to take my son Liam with me as I went to the doctor and the pharmacy for treatment while finding the stamina to take care of him throughout the day,” said Carey.
With her husband out of town for work and without regular childcare, Carey needed a babysitter STAT. Unable to secure a last-minute sitter, she spent the whole day caring for a newborn, despite desperately needing to rest and recover.
“The whole experience was exhausting, but I couldn’t find an alternative on short notice,” she said.
This situation prompted Carey to wonder whether other parents dealt with the same balancing act of self-care and care-giving.
“Most parents know the struggle of finding affordable childcare that fits their schedules. On top of that, there’s a daily negotiation of how to find some time for yourself,” she said. “Parents, especially moms, feel like they need to do it all, and often for others, leaving nothing left for themselves.”
Need last-minute childcare? There’s an app for that!
Carey decided to take action: She paired with a pal, Toi Valentine, and the duo harnessed their combined professional experience in healthcare, business strategy and product design to create trymetime.com a web-based platform for parents to find and book drop-in childcare in the greater Chicago region and Northwest Indiana.
The technology-enabled childcare co-op platform is one of the first services of its kind as a drop-in childcare aggregator and booking tool.
“Flexibility is hard to come by, so many parents are forced to find their own workarounds — whether that’s a change to their position at work or informal childcare arrangements with other parents,” said Carey, who serves as the co-founder and chief executive officer of MeTime. “Just like any caregiver, parents need a respite from time to time.”
“MeTime was born of necessity. Parents need more options for childcare than what exists today, especially millennial parents. They have different needs and lifestyles than those of our parents before us,” co-founder Valentine said, who serves as MeTime’s Chief Product Officer. “However, even if parents find flexibility in their professional and personal lives, they still need flexible childcare to match their needs.”
How it works
MeTime helps parents locate childcare options near home or their points of interest, such as the gym or grocery store, on an interactive map. The map displays the type of provider, the distance from your location, the provider’s amenities and photos of both the provider and their child-friendly space.
All of the providers undergo rigorous vetting, including background, home inspections for child safety and reference checks, in order to be listed on MeTime.
MeTime users can book as little as one hour of care up to a full day. The platform has approximately 1,500 hours of childcare per week as its current capacity. To meet the anticipated demand, MeTime is adding providers to its network — such as licensed daycare centers, in-home providers and playspace drop-ins — on a rolling basis. The co-founders hope to expand to several other cities by the end of next year.
Schedule self-care on-the-spot STAT
“Self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence,” says Emma Bennett, LCSW, who specializes in working with new moms. “We need to nurture ourselves just like we nurture our children. If we don’t take care of ourselves, feelings of depletion, resentment, and isolation could potentially arise. I feel more centered and present after taking time to engage in self-care, and strongly believe in building it into my daily agenda.”
Ready to book a little ‘me time’? Visit trymetime.com to learn more or to schedule a little self-care STAT.
Exercise is one of the best ways to burn off steam, stress, and calories (and keep your sanity as a parent). That’s why finding a gym with childcare is key for so many NYC moms and dads. Knowing your gym provides safe, reliable babysitting can go a long way when it comes to getting motivated and making it out of the house. Whether it’s a hard core boot camp class or stress-reducing yoga and steam room session you’re after, here’s where you can get fit while the kids have fun. Read on for our top picks of NYC gyms with daycare!
YMCA
Dodge YMCA
A membership to the Y is one of the best gym deals around and the NYC branches are better than you might imagine. Besides, even a family membership costs less than top NYC gym chains. Many have pools and class schedules offer an impressive array of options, including baby-and-me classes for new moms and fun drop-ins for kid members. When you need someone to watch your kid, ages 6 months to 7 years old, drop him at Child Watch for up to two hours - it's free! Reservations are recommended and it does fill up during peak times. Visit ymca.net for locations and details by site.
Get a tough workout and feel pampered all at the same time. Sweat through a challenging class from one of NYC’s top fitness instructors and cool down with a chilled eucalyptus towel found in mini-fridges throughout the gyms, all while your child stays at the Kids Club. And we won't tell if you just show up for a luxurious shower - you'll love the Kiehl's products and the ability to dry your hair without worrying you hear your baby's cries. Childcare is offered for kids ages 3 months to eight years. Equinox charges $14 for an up to two-hour session. You can save by buying a 10 or 20-pack of vouchers. Find the Kids Club at several of the NYC Equinox locations including Upper East Side and Upper West Side gyms, as well as Tribeca, Brooklyn Heights,Brookfield Place and Printing House in Hudson Square. Childcare hours vary from club to club, but hours are typically 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring your tiny dancer to The Bar Method Cobble Hill where you can sculpt and get lean using your own body weight and the ballet barre. Childcare is offered for kids as young as eight weeks months, as long as they are up to date on shots, and as old as eight. The service is $15 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. classes. (Classes last 45 minutes to an hour.) Advance registration is required, and you can book and pay online.
267 Pacific St. Cobble Hill 718-522-3350 Online: barmethod.com
Just one Crunch gym location has childcare, and guess which one it is? If you said Park Slope, Brooklyn, you're a winner! It's affordable, too: Just $4 for the first kid, and $2 for siblings. Be sure to indulge in the on-site Rituals spa products while you're there!
With more locations than any other gym chain around the city, it’s not hard to find a New York Sports Club near you. But be aware, some locations do not have childcare, and hours vary from club to club, so be sure to call ahead to check with your nearest gym. That said, many NYSC locations, do offer babysitting, including several on the Upper West and East sides, downtown, in Bay Ridge and Midwood, Forest Hills, Glendale, the Bronx and Staten Island. (Search NYSC locations by babysitting service here.) NYSC babysitters, which have undergone background checks and are AED/CPR certified, are available for kids ages 3 months to 10 years old. Rates vary from location to location; some, like the 106th Street and Third Avenue location include childcare in the membership; at Cobble Hill in Brooklyn the rate is $19.99 for two hours, and at 80th and Broadway, it's $15 for two hours.
LA Fitness is an affordable gym (under $50 a month) with childcare as part of your membership for an additional $15 a month. Babysitting is offered for kids six months and up, with hours varying by location. (You can find hours for each listed on individual clubs' sites.) You'll find LA Fitness in Howard Beach, Queens, and in Staten Island.
If your kids are as interested in being active as you are, this Brooklyn Heights club offers something for everyone from racquetball courts and a small pool for you to a Junior Academy featuring karate, basketball, ballet, volleyball, swimming and more for kids. The gym also offers no-reservation-required babysitting for kids ages 6 months to six years old. (There is a maximum of eight kids at a time, so be advised.) Childcare is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Childcare vouchers (good for an hour-and-a-half of babysitting) are $8 for one (expiring in a month), or $60 for a ten pack, which expire in six months. (Psst! There's a spa here, too.)
Astoria's Club Fitness New York describes itself as "a 40,000-square-foot gym with state of the art equipment and enriching amenities." (They will not, however, describe their membership rate — you need to drop by in person to get that; expect to pay at least $60/month.) You get a lot for your money, including classes like spin, Boot Camp, belly dancing, pilates, boxing, Fat Burn and two kinds of yoga. The gym is home to extensive weight-training and cardio facilities, including a trippy-looking spin studio, as well as a day spa and an organic cafe. Child care — for kids ages one to 12— is included with all memberships, and is available Mon- Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 -9 p.m., and Sat. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
With an initial New York area location in Staten Island, Retro Fitness has expanded to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond and offers childcare at its Park Slope, Flatbush (Church Ave.), and Hoboken gyms. Childcare is included with membership, the rates for which vary by location. The gym also offers classes ranging from yoga to Zumba to spin, TRX Glute Camp and more. Equipment is internet-connected and outfitted with docks for iPhones and you can even work on your tan there if that's your thing. Stop by the smoothie bar for a post-workout snack when you're done.
Harbor Fitness began in Bay Ridge nearly 30 years ago. Since then, they've expanded to locations in Park Slope, Marine Park and Mill Basin, all of three of which offer complimentary childcare seven days a week. There is a two-hour limit and children must be up to date with shots. In addition to cardiovascular equipment, strength machines, free weights and boxing, each club has recently been upgraded for HIIT turf training. For classes, take your pick from intense circuit training, barre and Pilates, to Zumba, Brooklyn Boot Camp and more. Visit their website for details on each club's offerings and membership rates.
The best place to live when you’re single and childless may not be ideal anymore once you start a family. A new study reveals the best and worst states in the country to raise kids.
WalletHub compared 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness to compile a ranking of the best places for families to live. The facts considered include health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, socio-economics and family fun. Taking the top spot as best place to raise kids is Minnesota, which also came in first last year.
In fact, not much has changed since 2019, with the same states taking the top five spots as the previous year. However, there was some movement among the top ten with Connecticut and Washington working their way up.
10 Best States to Raise a Family
1. Minnesota
2. Massachussets
3. North Dakota
4. Vermont
5. New Hampshire
6. New York
7. New Jersey
8. Nebraska
9. Connecticut
10. Washington
The worst states also lined up similarly this year, with almost no changes in the bottom ten other than a handful swapping spots.
10 Worst States to Raise a Family
41. Arizona
42. Georgia
43. South Carolina
44. Oklahoma
45. Arkansas
46. Alabama
47. West Virginia
48. Louisiana
49. Mississippi
50. New Mexico
Check out WalletHub’s full list of rankings by state here.
