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Q&A With a Better Balance About the New Paid Family Leave Laws in New York State

Details: Category: Working Parents

Paid family leave in New York goes into effect on January 1, 2018. And those who have kids in 2017 may take paid family leave in 2018, as long as they take leave within a year of the birth (https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-paid-family-leave).

In response to the many questions on various Park Slope Parents listserves, Park Slope parent & ABB Board Member Elizabeth Saylor put together the below question and answer. Molly Weston Williamson, a staff attorney at A Better Balance (http://www.abetterbalance.org/), helped her with this. If you are an employee or independent contractor and have additional questions not answered below, we recommend you call ABB (212-430-5982) or the state’s paid family leave hotline (844-337-6303). Employers, including household employers of nannies or housekeepers, should also call the state hotline for more information.

The 2017 Park Slope Parents' Nanny Survey Results

Details: Parent Category: Nanny 101; Category: Nanny Surveys

The 2017 data is here! PSP conducted its 6th Nanny Compensation Survey of employers who employ a nanny. These results are based on 870 parents from Brooklyn who employ live-out nannies who are not part of a nanny share.

IMPORTANT FINDINGS:

PAY:

▪ $17.05 per hour for 1 child ($1.99 more than 2015)
▪ $18.33 per hour for 2 children ($1.89 more than 2015)

Part-time nannies continue to make a higher hourly rate than a full-time nannies, paying a premium for fewer hours:
* $18.30 per hour for 10-20 hours
* $17.90 per hour for 50+ hours

TIME OFF:

▪ The average agreed upon days off is 14 days, while the reported days actually received is 21 days. (The vast majority of nannies are paid for all 21 days they receive off.)
▪ 1 in 2 (58%) let their nanny schedule time off at the nanny's discretion (something for which PSP advocates.)

RAISES & BONUSES:

▪ The average raise given is $1.28 per hour.
▪ Giving bonuses continues to be standard, with 1 week's pay given the most common amount.

See the full survey results

THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSOR:

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July 22 - It's a SCORCHER!

Details: Category: News

It's summer in New York! Here are how some ideas of what to do in NYC, and how to brave the hot temps with the kiddos.

A few neighborly requests:

Water your tree pits (ideally in the early morning or later at night)
Check in on your neighbors, especially the elderly and those you suspect don’t have adequate cooling.
Keep an eye on pets to make sure they are keeping cool. Lots of extra water, especially dogs out for walks! If you see a pet that’s been left outside, contact the owner or call 3-1-1.

summerNYC image via here

Places to go:

Go to a Splash Pad or Playground with water features (the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, Harmony Playground, Imagination Playground, Brooklyn Bridge Park)
Find a place to cool off: www.nyc.gov/beattheheat
Go to a local NYC Parks Pool (Red Hook, Sunset Park, Douglas and Degraw)
Museums! All of them have to keep the art air conditioned which is good news for people! (Brooklyn Children’s Museum is free from 2pm – 6pm today/Thursday)
Coffee shops and restaurants
The Beach!
Get TONS more ideas in the PSP guide to Hot in the City! Cheap (or free!) Activities.

Here’s what to do to keep yourself cooler:

DRINK YOUR WATER! Lots of water! (drink BEFORE you get thirsty)
get some spray/squirt bottles (most of the dollar and discount stores have these). Also good for a water fight instead of water balloons
take a cool shower
eat hydrating foods (e.g., watermelon, ripe fruits) and skip heavier foods
water balloon fight.
don’t work with a computer on your lap
take off your shoes; it helps you feel cooler
eat spicey stuff—makes you feel cooler (yup)
tube sock, rice, freezer—put it behind your neck or between the sheets. (D2 has cheap tube socks)
Ice Cream! Other ideas for the kids on how to beat a hot weather food strike.

Things to help keep you house cooler:

a bowl of ice and a fan (yep like they did in the old days)
close the damper of your fireplace
shut any doors to closets and rooms you don’t need
at night put in a window fan backwards to blow the heat out!
replace the filters in your air conditioner units so it’s more efficient.
seal any cracks around your air conditioner units
run fans and air conditioners
turn off computers (or extra tvs) which put off a lot of heat
wash dishes by hand as the drying cycle heats things up
don’t use the dryer on really hot days; adds to your inside heat index (there are still houses with clothes lines—I’d love to see a 2017 photo of people using those in the hood!)
grill out rather than use your stove and oven
turn off the lights (and use cfbs)

Suspect heat-related illness?

Symptoms include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, sweats, headaches, shortness of breath and more. Seek medical attention if you’re worried for yourself, family, or neighbors.

News from NYC Notify:

Notification issued 7/20/17 at 7:00 AM. The National Weather Service has extended the heat advisory for New York City until 8:00 PM tonight, 7/20. These conditions are dangerous to health. Avoid strenuous activity. People without air conditioning, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk. Cooling centers will be open.

In addition, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for New York City from 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM today, 7/20. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. For more information, visit dec.nyc.gov. For locations, hours, and more information on avoiding heat illness, contact 3-1-1.

Other useful ideas of where to go on the PSP website:

Enjoy the AC in a museum! Here are PSP kid approved art, museum & music events

Play tourist in your own city! These are PSP members' suggestions of tourist activities for tweens & teenagers

July 17 - 23: Upcoming Meetups

Details: Parent Category: Newsflashes; Category: Newsflash

AAAUpcomingMeetups

Every week, Park Slope Parents' groups put on events and meet ups for PSP members. Here are some of the meet ups happening this weekend. See you there, PSPers! Want to attend but not a PSP member? Sign up to become a PSP member here and start enjoying the community of PSP, find out about events in the future, plus get member discounts at some of your favorite stores and restaurants.

View all upcoming events on our calendar here.

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Monday, July 17:

May 2017 Babies: Whole Foods Roof
What: For folks with May 2017 babies. No need to RSVP but email the group before you go.
When:Monday, July 17, 2017, 11:30 AM
Where: Whole Foods Brooklyn 3rd Street/3rd Avenue

PSP Consultants/Business Services Careers Meetup
When: Monday, July 17, 2017, 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM
Where: The Gate
5th Ave at 3rd Street
Register: http://bit.ly/2u1vXwo

Tuesday, July 18:

Fall 2015 Babies: Weekly Tuesday Meetup
What: For families with Fall (Oct/Nov/Dec) 2015 babies. No need to RSVP but email the group before you go to confirm details.
When: Tuesday, July 18, 2017, 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM
Where:The 3rd street playground at prospect park at 10:30am.

Dad’s Group Movie Night—Spiderman Homecoming
When: Monday, July 18, 2017, 6:00 PM drinks (movie at 7:25)
Where: Alamo Drafthouse
Drinks RSVP: http://bit.ly/PSPDadsSpidermanJuly18
Buy Tickets at Fandango: https://fandan.co/2tNWWgD (you can cancel if your plans change)

Wednesday, July 19:

Winter 2017 Babies: Weekly Get Together
What: For folks with Winter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 2017 babies. This is a standing weekly event so no need to RSVP but email the group before you go!
When: Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 11:00 AM
Where: Uptown Roasters 355 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Summer Movies Under the Stars in Prospect Park
What: The Neverending Story under the stars in Prospect Par (on the great lawn by the picnic house/Long Meadow North. Entertainment starting at 7pm with the movie starting after sundown. Synopsis: On his way to school, Bastian (Barret Oliver) ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called “The Neverending Story,” Bastian begins reading it in the school attic. The novel is about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by “The Nothing,” a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. Brought to you by Nitehawk Cinemas, the Prospect Park Alliance-- with help from PSP as a media sponsor (yay!
When: Wednesday, July 19th, 2017, 7 PM
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-summer-movie-under-the-stars-registration-34836245147

Thursday, July 20:

June 2017 Babies: Weekly Thursday South Slope Walk
What: For folks with June 2017 babies. No need to RSVP just email the group before you go to confirm details. We'll probably wait at the entrance until 10:15) Where: meet @ corner entrance of Prospect Park at PPW & 15th St.
When: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 10:00 AM
Where: Prospect Park - Meet at 15th Street Entrance

Winter 2017 Babies: Nanny Meetups
What: Weekly meetup for Nannies with Winter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 2017 babies. No need to RSVP but email the group each week as location may change. Summer Location: Typically nannies meet behind the picnic house and hang out on blankets with the babes.
When: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 1:00 PM
Where: Usually Prospect Park Behind Picnic House But Email The Group For Confirmation

November 2017 Babies: Meet Up
What: For folks expecting November 2017 babies. Please RSVP using the link below so that we know how many folks to expect.
When: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 7:15 PM
Where: Sidecar 560 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Fall 2015 Babies: Summer Night Out
What: Join other adults with Fall (Oct/Nov/Dec) 2015 babies. Take a break from our kiddos next week and meet up for some tacos and adult beverages! To RSVP please email the group.
When: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 7:30 PM
Where: Parklife 636 Degraw St between 4th and 5th Ave

Friday, July 21:

April 2017 Babies: Dizzy Every Friday At 11AM
What: For folks with April 2017 babies. This is a weekly meetup so no need to RSVP but Please email the group before you to confirm details.
When: Friday, July 21, 2017, 11:00 AM
Where: Dizzy's on 5th 230 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Saturday, July 22:

tore-skogheim-66279

PSP Family Nature Walk With WILD! For Prospect Park
What: This walk is great for all ages! Mary Beth Artz from WILD for Prospect Park will take families on an journey around the Lullwater and to Music Island. She’ll talk about Prospect Park’s wildlife as well as the flora and fauna, how WILD is a steward of the park, and how families can become great overseers of the park’s wildlife.
$10/family (proceeds to be donated to Fred and Friends)
When: Saturday, July 22, 2017, 9:15 AM until 10:30 AM
Where: Prospect Park, Audubon Center, waterside

July 2016 Babies: Celebrate Our One-Year-Olds!
What: Join families from the group as we celebrate our babies first birthday. Please RSVP so that we know how many folks to expect. We know nap times play a role so come by after nap time.
When: Saturday, July 22, 2017, 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM
Where: Prospect Park - Picnic House (right side)

PSP Pre-K 118 Meetup at JJ Byrne
What: Meet other families starting PreK at P.S.118 Brooklyn. Have your Pre-Ker wear the Maroon PS 118 shirt (if you got one!)
When: Saturday, July 22, 2017, 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM
Where: JJ Byrne Playground, 5th ave between 3rd and 4th Streets

Sunday, July 23:

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Motherless Mothers Tea and Sympathy
What: Nurture yourself. Give yourself the time and space to talk about your mother, and what it's like to be a mother after losing yours.
When: Sunday, July 23, 2017, 3:30 PM until 5:30 PM
Where: Sir D's Lounge, 837 Union St. (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

October 2017 Babies: Weekly Sunday Get Together
What: For folks expecting October 2017 babies. This is a standing meetup so no need to RSVP but please email the group before you go to confirm details.
When: Sunday, July 23, 2017, 6:00 PM
Where: Alchemy, 56 5th Avenue

For all meetups and events, make sure you're logged into PSP before you sign up.
Make sure you receive a confirmation email; it may contain information that's not in the event post, such as an address or phone number.
If you're signed up for a meetup and can't attend, please email:

Images credits: Babies by Alona Kraft on Unsplash, Duck by Tore Skogheim on Unsplash, Tea Drinkers by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

July 14 - 18: Upcoming Meetups

Details: Parent Category: About Park Slope Parents; Category: Events

AAAUpcomingMeetups

View all upcoming events on our calendar here.

Friday, July 14:

April 2017 Babies: Dizzy Every Friday at 11AM
When: Friday, July 14, 2017, 11:00 AM
Where: Dizzy's on 5th 230 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
What: For folks with April 2017 babies. This is a weekly meetup so no need to RSVP but Please email the group before you to confirm details.

June 2017 Babies: Threes Brewery Friday
When: Friday, July 14, 2017, 3:00 PM
Where: Threes Brewery 33 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
What: For folks with June 2017 babies. No RSVP needed but email the group before you go.

Saturday, July 15:

prospectpark

PSP People Of Color Affinity Group Picnic
When: Saturday, July 15, 2017, 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM
Where: Prospect Park Picnic House
What: Come join us near the Prospect Park Picnic House. Bring something to share! Rain Date July 16th
RSVP: http://bit.ly/PSP-POC-7-15

August 2017 Babies: Meetup For August Mums
When: Saturday, July 15, 2017, 2:00 PM
Where: Prospect Park, behind the Picnic House
What: For folks expecting August 2017 babies! To RSVP please email the group. Look for silver balloons and possibly a unicorn horn headband

Tueday, July 18:

Image credits, thanks to a creative commons license: here and here.