BK Life

While we’re all aware of the job losses triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, a less publicized aspect of the crisis is the skyrocketing level of food insecurity across the country. According toFeeding America, the number of people without adequate access to nutritious food is likely to grow by 17 million in 2020, including nearly seven million children. Bringing that number down starts in our local communities—so we’ve compiled a few

As we head into a most unusual holiday season, we at PSP hope you’ll join us in supporting those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic and its effects on poverty,  food insecurity,  and housing insecurity. No matter your age, skillset, or availability, there’s an opportunity for you to donate some time or money to lend a hand this holiday season.

Giving is a great way to help those who need a hand up this holiday season. We have many ways to help, including gift drives, warm winter wear drives and more.  For any of the great drives below, feel free to organize a toy drive with your office or your baby group!  Have a holiday party potluck and have people bring gifts to donate.

Share these drives with work colleagues, block associations, or on social media. Every little bit helps!

Earth Day is April 22^nd and we have a way to SAVE THE PLANET ONE TOY AT A TIME!  Second Chance Toys rescues gently used toys for children in need.

Question :
Well, we got our first kid-noise complaint today. My downstairs neighbor wrote: I can hear your son running back and forth, back and forth. I can pretty much hear everything down here. Its a bit much, especially at 7:30 AM. "

How do you ensure your baby gets some snores and zzzzz's when it's all sirens and beep beeps?

Ideas ro solve a classic city problem: cooling a windowless kid's room!

A PSP member writes.: "I'm writing more for my husband than for myself - but in any event I'm hoping for some insight from the collective about an ugly incident that happened this weekend. He can't shake his anger and frustration and honestly, I'm bothered by it too and would love to hear some thoughts on the matter..."

Off-Broadway WeekNew to the city? Been here for years and now moving away? Read on for the quintessential Brooklyn and New York activities that received glowing reviews from Park Slope Parents members.

Plagued by skeeters? PSP members have tips to keep your yard clear so that you can hang outdoors without unwittingly turning yourself into a feast.

It’s once again the time of year to protect yourself against tick bites, particularly if you’re in a rural area and/or one where Lyme disease is more prevalent. There’s no need to panic, as Lyme is often avoidable and treatable, but knowledge is key—so be sure you’re informed, and tuck those pants into your socks before tromping out into the forest!

Pictured here is a wood tick, which does not carry Lyme disease, but is nevertheless gross.

Looking for a a new addition to the family? PSP members have advice on adopting (or fostering) a dog.
 

- Remember that YOU will be spending a lot of your time with your dog. Make sure you feel confident your family will be able to provide your pet a good and loving home in 5, 10, or 15 years.

- If you are not ready to commit to adoption, try fostering a dog. This is a great way to see if a dog might be right for your family or not.

- Find a dog

In no particular order, the people, places, and things that made 2016 an awesome year for Park Slope Parents include...

Cause we're more than baby strollers, ya know...

Here are PSP member stories about some of the Hollywood movies and TV shows that used Park Slope as their film set.

Have you found or lost a cat or dog in the neighborhood?  Here's what to do...

Do you feel like the street traffic on your block is unsafe? Think about asking New York City for a speed hump! Brooklyn District Manager Craig Hammerman shares his tips on how to ask The Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider installing a speed hump on your block.

Are you a parent of a young volunteer? This spring, the Prospect Park Alliance launches the Junior Volunteer Corps, a new program that invites families and youth organizations to help clear leaves and debris, making your favorite Park look its best. The program is a great way to encourage environmental stewardship and volunteerism throughout a child’s life.

Local parents share how they've had a BBQ in Prospect Park

Tips on having parties at the Prospect Park Carousel

What you need to know about staying safe and reporting a crime in Prospect Park

Find donation and volunteer opportunities for every family and budget.

Want more good stuff? Check out the PSP Guide to the Holidays to find your perfect celebration.

Not yet a member of Park Slope Parents? Join us today to get connected to the PSP Activists Group, Volunteer Corps, and so much more!

Wondering what action to take? Put on your pussy hat, tell your friends, and make your voice heard. Here are some ideas:

Interested in Fostering a kitty or dog?

How to clean those stuffed animals for donation to a charity (or your own use).

The Kings County District Attorney's office offers more than 30 community outreach programs for teens, senior citizens, parents, battered women, students, individuals with disabilities and many others. We are committed to crime prevention, intervention and rehabilitative programs for the Brooklyn community.

Help make the Prospect Park Playgrounds better!

Brooklyn For Peace is committed to eliminating war and the social injustices that are its causes.

A new neighborhood organization committed to the protection and enhancement of quality of life in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Transportation Alternatives is a 5500-member NYC-area non-profit citizens group working for better bicycling, walking and public transit, and fewer cars. We work for safer, calmer streets and car-free parks.

PSCC organizes our yearly Halloween Parade, does the Park Slope House Tour, Clean Sweep and many other civic minded events.

Help out a great organization that helps address issues of domestic violence here in New York City. Park Slope Parents works with FJC to get needed items to the folks they serve.

Help our 5th Avenue Park, where we've had many a PSP Event, grow better and stronger!

Help our biggest park stay our best park!

Friday, April 17^th, was Crossing Guard Appreciation Day at the 78th Precinct! All the women were extremely thankful that their hard work was appreciated. It was a cold winter and they are out there braving all kinds of weather (like today) to help our kids/families stay safe...

Frequently askes questions about PSP clothing swaps.

A Guide For How To Do It Right!

A block party is as Brooklyn as brick oven pizza. A block party makes your street, avenue, or building a place for fun, games, and connecting with neighbors. Here’s how to make one summer’s day (or spring or fall day) a delightful memory.

With a few simple steps, rules and preparation, home exchanges and subletting can be a really positive experience. As a renter, housing exchanges can offer you the comforts of being in a home and provide your family with plenty of space and amenities. And as a host, you can even make some money from renting out your home to visitors.

Bad experience at Ikea?  Members speak out.....

Local CSAs (Most CSA’s run May/June through November.)

We asked our members about how to winterize NYC homes, and here are their helpful replies... 

In addition to being amazing places to eat, drink and make merry, our local restaurants and bars must keep their establishments safe, healthy, and running smoothly, not only for families but for all visitors. Given our interactions with businesses in the past, we know that there are many attempts to work with families before deciding to establish “kid-friendly” hours and rules. We know that it only takes a few people’s behavior to cause these

Over the years, PSP members have asked the group about smelling cigarette and cigar smoke from their neighbors.

How can you control the temperature in your child's bedroom to be comfortable for winter sleeping - especially in New York City where come winter time, apartment temperatures can vary from an ice box to a sauna. One parent asks:

"We rent a 2BR in a pre-war apartment building and are having a really hard time controlling the temperature in our 1-year-old son's room, which is heated by a steam radiator. In general, it's way too hot (85+ degrees if

"This evening, as I was stepping out of my ground floor apartment (sans shoes!), two rats raced right under the metal gate, past my door and into the under-the-stairs storage compartment where people in our brownstone keep their bikes...

As one PSP member asked the group: "When / how do you offer a seat on the subway or bus to someone who you think may need it but aren't sure if they do?  For example, those who aren't quite elderly but you're just not sure, or those who may be pregnant.  Sometimes I find myself wanting to offer, but I don't want to offend anyone, either!  In these cases, I'll get up without saying anything and walk down the car, but then that leaves the seat open

From a PSP-er who has been there, done that and had to throw away the T shirt (or at least tumble dried it for 30+ minutes)

With fall comes spectucular autumn folliage.  Nothing beats the sound of leaves crunching under our feet.  Sadly, New York City streets just can't handle all of it. The leaves, as lovely as they are, clog gutters & drains (especially if you sweep leaves down 'em). And what happens then? Flooding in your apartment. Plus, when leaves pile up it is impossible for street cleaners to do their job. And what happens then? We are left with dirty streets. 

More bed bugs questions answered...

(bed bugs have six legs and are very flat - almost paper thin that helps make them expert hiders)

The Do's & Don'ts of double parking in New York City.

 It's that time of year. While we love the fresh fruit summer brings, it seems like we are not the only ones.... Here are tips from members in the neighborhood who got rid of fruit flies with all types of tricks - from filling bowls with vinegar and a drop of dish soap to dilligently cleaning fruit, pouring bleach down the drain and more. Click below to Read More and as one parent said: "watch 'em drop, well, like flies!"

image via "Just a

One Mom talks about baby transitions as seen from the Baby Yahoo Groups.

For helping to get rid of the little vermin... we highly recommend... A PYTHON.. Or a Mongoose!

APRIL FOOLS 2019!

(but really-- if you need to rid yourself of mice-- read on....)

Real Estate 101: FSBOs -- Getting Ready to Sell

with Real Estate Coach, Broker, and Brooklyn Mom, Jasmina Nikolov

Did you know that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service? In honor of Dr. King's legacy fighting for systemic change, this Monday, January 17th, is a great time to volunteer to improve our community.

Here are a few ways you and your kids can help!

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and, if you’re like me, you’ve gotten a plethora of emails asking you to give. We wanted to remind people to give locally and as generously as you can. If you have presents to buy this season, consider purchasing MEMBERSHIPS as gifts and asking family and friends to do the same. It can be a membership for folks in your family or for friends, a nanny, baby group leader who helps plan lots of events, a teacher,

Hey All,

Do you have toiletries (body washes and lotions, soaps) that you can donate?

Photo credit Joe Hastings

Can you imagine your child being denied an education because he or she doesn’t have shoes?  Yet in many impoverished countries, footwear is a requirement to attend classes.  Lack of shoes also contributes to the spread of disease.

Soles 4 Souls, a Nashville-based charity, collects new and gently used shoes and distributes them to people in need.  To date, the charity has given away nearly 14 million pairs of shoes to

CAMBA Volunteers

Looking for a way to 'give back'? Brooklyn-based charity CAMBA is having a food an book drive.  CAMBA s a non-profit agency that offers integrated services and programs in: Economic Development, Education & Youth Development, Family Support Services, HIV/AIDS Services, Housing Services & Development, Legal Services.

Right now CAMBA is looking for donations of the following:

--Rice, Pasta,Cereal

--Beans,Canned Tuna/Salmon, Peanut

The Heart of the Slope

Want to give back this year? Why not consider a gift to The Old Stone House?

The Old Stone House, or OSH to its admirers, is that stone house in the Middle of Washington Park (formerly known as JJ Byrne) on 5^th Avenue between 3^rd and 4^th Streets and we think it's one of the very best things about living here in the Slope. 

The building is a 1930 reconstruction with some original materials of the Vechte-Cortelyou House which was

Veterans of AYSO soccer will know this already, but their coat drive ends December 31st.  You can leave cleaned coats at the top of the stoop (24/7) at 491 1st St (7-8 Ave), in Brooklyn.  Contact Bruce Shearouse, Brooklyn AYSO Community Affairs Director, (646) 236-3566 for more information.

Supporting a food pantry is a great way to help New Yorker in need. It’s also an easy way for kids to learn about the importance of helping others. A food drive is a great way to involve even young children. You can collect food as a family, with a group of friends or in your child’s class at school. Here are some local food pantries to consider...

A gaping wound and limb fallen from a great tree near 3rd Street

The event application process - from the 76th Precinct Community Newsletter

Wondering where to take a kindergartener or elementary schooler for a memorable outing in New York City and its environs? Look no further—Park Slope Parents members who have been there, done that have suggestions to fit every preference.

If you’re not yet a member of PSP, join us to find a community who can answer your questions at all stages of the parenting journey, from the expectant months to the college years!

We asked Park Slope Parents members for the greatest and grandest grandparent/grandchild activities in NYC, and they delivered. Check out the recs below, from cruises to kid-led tours!

The PSP Grandparents Group keeps in grand touch through online chats, Zooms, and in-person meet-ups. If you’re a PSP member and the grandparents of your family want to get in on the fun, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need

 Here's a checklist to help you do your part in keeping Prospect Park (and our other wonderful Brooklyn parks) safe, healthy, and thriving!

While owning a car in New York City has many advantages, one of its disadvantage is parking - and dealing with alternative street parking, especially when you gone for a long period of time and won't be around to move it. What do you do? Here are PSP member tips for parking while on vacation. 

PSP members share their experiences, tips and stories about riding the subway (and trying to get a seat!) while pregnant.

From train safety to travel manners, here are tips and suggestions for what to do when your Tween/Kid is ready to ride the Subway alone.

PSP members talk about how to handle street harassment (like cat calling, sexual remarks, lewd comments, leering).  

Sleep training your child can be an anxious experience in itself. This anxiety is emphasized in New York, where many parents get nervous about upsetting their neighbors with their crying baby in the early hours of the morning. What can you do to keep the peace with your neighbors?

So your neighbors said you are too loud. What should you do when you’re the one making the noise?

Tips for taking care of your tree pits.

Bed bugs have infested hotels, movie theaters, public transportation, schools, dorms, etc., etc. They also are showing up in the apparel in retail stores, likely brought in from overseas in the original shipment. The bugs are hitchhikers and frequently lay eggs on, or find their way into, clothing, luggage and furniture. Note: to protect yourself entirely from bed bug exposure is practically impossible, but there are many efforts that can

Are you currently agonizing over moving out of the ‘hood and exploring what options there are beyond Park Slope?

A guide to helping you find bad landlords and bed bug history in the house hunt!

Always forgetting where you left your car? Because locating a parking spot is only half the battle, Join PSP and get advice on all aspects of living and raising kids in Brooklyn, from finding a car to feeding a baby and far beyond!

Just arrived in the wild and wonderful world of NYC? Read on for must-know tips and life hacks from your new neighbors. And even if you're a seasoned New Yorker, you might just learn something new!

Spoiler alert:Our top tip is to join Park Slope Parents if you're a parent in Brooklyn! Since 2002, PSP's powerful, passionate, and caring community of 7,000+ member families has shared advice online and IRL on everything from child care to health

Car ownership ticked up dramatically during the Covid pandemic: Cars.com reported that through June 2020, walk-ins at New York City-area car dealerships were up 38% that year, compared to an overall nationwide increase of 6%. If you’re in the market for a four-wheeler, read on for tips from PSP members; and if you’re still deciding, first check out our article on To Own or Not To Own A Car in New York.

Looking to add a four-legged friend to your family? PSP members have all the recommendations you need for the purr-fect cat adoption, as well as thoughts on whether fostering might be right for you.

Thinking about summer and Block Parties? Since it can take 60 days (or 90 in some areas), you might need to get crackin’ on plannin’.

Here’s some information about throwing a great party as well as links to applying in Community Board 6 and CB7.

"Hey All,

I receive lots of emails, some funny, some serious, and some that I feel are useful to post so that our members can learn from other people’s experiences.

I’d love to know what YOU would do in this situation as a way to discuss best practices and action plans.  While it’s sometimes hard to think clearly when things like the below scenario happen, having a discussion about it might just help you come up with ideas if it were to happen

PSP members recently shared their favorite local businesses to the Advice List.

Don't forget to shop local when you can, don’t forget to take advantage of the 600+ discounts available as part of your PSP membership, and support our local businesses & community!

image via a Creative Commons license

Here are PSP member favorite local spots: