Hellobee Boards Topic: How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?

Hellobee Boards Topic: How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:17:44 +0000 SAHM0811 on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-217001 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:31:43 +0000 SAHM0811 217001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Living in Manhattan with a baby isn't bad at all. Everything was at my fingertips! I didn't have to deal with commuting or driving alone in traffic with a crying baby in the backseat. We lived in elevator buildings with playrooms (it was like having Gymboree at home). We lived near a ton of parks, preschools, museums, restaurants, shops... You name it. I lived near a ton of grocery stores, all within 1-10 min walks and my stroller was my shopping cart usually. If I bought too much to stow in the stroller, they'd deliver it to my apt later that day. There was also Fresh Direct.. And ordering takeout from not just fast food or pizza joints, but from pretty healthier places too. I barely had to take a subway to do anything exciting, but if I wanted to, my neighborhood (Upper West Side) had a lot of subway stops with clean elevators, so i barely ever dealt with stairs. There was always taking a cab or car service too. It's once we had two kids that it all became a bit more of a pain, but even then I just adjusted to a different way of doing things and getting around. hilsy85 on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216598 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:09:35 +0000 hilsy85 216598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Charcole2011: that's one of the main reasons I would never move out of NYC--I HATE driving, and love being able to walk to anything I need here. hilsy85 on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216596 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:08:55 +0000 hilsy85 216596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I really don't think it will be that bad! I'm anticipating spending a lot of time in our neighborhood versus taking the subway when LO is small...but I love living in NYC and would never give it up :) MamaMoose on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216571 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:51:33 +0000 MamaMoose 216571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I used to live in Manhattan and I always said I would never have a baby in the city unless I also became a a multi-millionaire so I hire car service at all times and have a live in nanny. I was always in awe of the people who can do it! erwoo on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216527 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:19:49 +0000 erwoo 216527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Props to families who live in a big city! Today my LO had a huge poop just as we got to Costco and I had the luxury of changing him in my trunk (have an SUV) and then headed in to shop. If I lived in the city I would have to find somewhere to change him with my toddler in tow and have to worry about him running off (even if he's less likely to do so anyway). I do miss city living though! Clementine on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216522 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:12:31 +0000 Clementine 216522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ it's freaking pain and hard. we take the subways often because we don't have a car, so mostly lugging our foldable stroller and using our ergo. LindsayInNY on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216495 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:45:07 +0000 LindsayInNY 216495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We don't have a LO yet but plan on raising him/her in Manhattan. At this point, none of the city "stuff" phases me anymore. It might take a little adapting but it's so worth it for all that NYC has to offer! Charcole2011 on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216484 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:35:42 +0000 Charcole2011 216484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @artbee: That totally makes sense! My friend is a WAHM and her hubby works for a hedge fund so he has pretty long hours, so I think that's why the convenience factor is so big for her - he isn't home to help as much. I just remember when she mentioned that to me thinking "huh, I never would have thought of that as a plus of being in the city, but it sort of makes sense!" heffalump on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216305 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:59:17 +0000 heffalump 216305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Charcole2011: Until about a month ago I did all my grocery shopping on the weekends or at night while DH watched LO because she just didn't like it. It was nice for me, I got a little break and got to get out of the house wtihout a baby. But now that she's bigger I can easily entertain her and it's not bad at all. Charcole2011 on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216263 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:41:52 +0000 Charcole2011 216263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I live in NYC although we are trying to move and this is one of the biggest reasons! It seems so hard, although I must say I have a good friend who has an 8 month old and she says in a lot of ways, moving OUT of the city will be more inconvenient in that it's so easy here to only have to walk a block to pick something up, and EVERYTHING can be delivered. To her, putting a kid in a carseat, driving to the grocery store, dealing with a baby in the shopping buggy, etc. sounds like way more work - I had never thought of it that way until she pointed it out! So I guess I think now there are pluses and minuses of both worlds. The subway definitely would be a killer once the LO was too big to wear though - that would probably be my breaking point (if we don't manage to move before having a LO). mrsjazz on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216221 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:22:04 +0000 mrsjazz 216221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've only been doing this parenting thing for about 3 months but we live on the 4th fl. of a 4-story walk-up. It's hell! We are moving to a larger building with an elevator and laundry at the end of September. I baby wear everywhere when I'm along with my LO. I have a Beco Gemini and it's awesome. LO has been on the bus and subway. She's been to 2 restaurants and both were family friendly. No changing tables in either, but you make do without it. I like to be near Barnes & Noble stores if possible because they have changing tables! When DH is with us we take the stroller for walks around the neighborhood and to parks. We have taken the occasional cab and we make sure and call a car service (and not just hail one on the street) so that there are working seat belts for the car seat. Andrea on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216159 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:37:26 +0000 Andrea 216159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We opted to move out of the city and have more space but my friends living in the city seem to do just fine. They live in those big high rises on the UWS so there are elevators. There are lots of things to do within walking distance. But they don't have cars so they don't go very far with their kids. I like having a car so we can go all around to the city, Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island etc on the weekends. Modern Daisy on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216107 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:04:01 +0000 Modern Daisy 216107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My co-op is about 50% families with young children, but we have an elevator so as long as it's working they seem to manage just fine. Bathrooms are a huge problem in NYC and I can only imagine much worse for families. There are very few if any public restrooms and the ones that do exist are filthy, crowded and tiny. I also live in a family friendly neighborhood (UWS) and there is a ton to do since we're surrounded by Central and Riverside parks. I do have a car, but it's parked about a mile from our home so we only use it for leaving the city on the weekends. Mrs. Bee on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216096 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:55:26 +0000 Mrs. Bee 216096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @artbee: yup park slope is young family central. then people start moving out to the suburbs for more space. and it's just insanely expensive to buy here. heffalump on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-216077 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:43:38 +0000 heffalump 216077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @meredithNYC: We thought it was so weird that there were TONS of babies where we were but no older kids. DH's cousin said it's because people move to the suburbs when the kids get a little older. I'm pretty sure I didn't see a kid over 4 years old! meredithNYC on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215958 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:54:13 +0000 meredithNYC 215958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @artbee: You are right- tons of people manage it, which gives me hope. I guess it's all just a matter of adapting, but lately, for the first time in my life I am dreaming of having a house and a yard. I think I have about 3-4 more years of city life in me before I'm back to the Midwest. heffalump on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215956 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:52:34 +0000 heffalump 215956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @meredithNYC: People have to walk dogs with strollers everywhere, so you're not alone there! Although we did pick a house with a fenced in backyard for that reason, it does make life easier. I think it's also more difficult for me because I get bad migraines, which are triggered by heavy things on my shoulders so I can't carry around a lot of stuff. meredithNYC on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215953 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:48:45 +0000 meredithNYC 215953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My baby is only 6 weeks old and I'm already worried about it. And we're in relatively family-friendly Brooklyn, too. So far I have just sort of forced myself to get out, as the only way to learn how to deal is to practice getting out with the baby gear and all. Honestly, the hardest so far has been walking my dog with the stroller. I would use the Ergo, but my daughter is too small to go without the infant insert and it's too hot here for the insert :( mrbee on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215948 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:42:45 +0000 mrbee 215948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @artbee: We do go into the city on the subway sometimes... it's just not an everyday thing. It's mostly to do stuff like go to Central Park or the Bronx Zoo. Yah it's tough to recreate life in the suburbs in the city. Then again, we've been really lucky that there are so many playgrounds and water features nearby. Oh and the buses are great too! Sometimes we take the bus to Brooklyn Bridge Park and that can be amazing! We'll probably take the ferry from there to Governor's Island soon... Charlie can't get enough of boats! BKCaribBaby on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215947 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:40:50 +0000 BKCaribBaby 215947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm just TTC, but I do observe a lot of people with kids. Here's what I see: 1) Lots of Baby Bjorns and other carriers in the subway. If there baby/child s small enough, then they are usually worn. 2) Very light strollers. As small and as light as possible on the subway. 3) Using the elevators in the subway. Not all stations have them, but the MTA does show which ones have an elevator. 4) While I don't live in walk up, I know some people choose to live in elevator buildings or smaller buildings where they won't have to use a lot of stairs. 5) Just deal. :) I'll ask a few of my Mom friends, but honestly none of them mention feeling overwhelmed when they go out, so I never think to ask them about this. heffalump on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215940 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:30:42 +0000 heffalump 215940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mrbee: So you guys never go into the city or leave Park Slope? Or do you just call a car when you want to do that? I guess if I were there longer I would learn the family friendly restaurants. It's just easier here because if there's no changing table I can walk out to my mini van and change her in there. I got spoiled! Luckily we were able to leave the stroller downstairs so we only had to lug up the baby and her bag, plus whatever bags we had. mrbee on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215934 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:27:56 +0000 mrbee 215934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It's not so bad! We don't go on the subway and we eat only at family-friendly restaurants. We walk to a lot of the local parks and playgrounds, and have fun there. Living in a walkup is brutal with a stroller though! We used to live in a walkup and it was really tough, although after a while it's not so bad. heffalump on "How do you NYC mom's and dad's do it?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-nyc-moms-and-dads-do-it#post-215929 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:23:52 +0000 heffalump 215929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We just came back from vacation to NY and I felt like it was not an easy place to have a baby! Just to get out of our apt in the morning we have to walk down 3 flights of steep stairs with LO and all of her crap. I could never ride the subway with her by myself because I can't carry her in her stroller and her diaper bag up and down all of the stairs. Plus, there's no place to change them. Even when we did kid friendly things, the bathrooms didn't have changing tables. Also there were rarely high chairs in restaurants, but that wasn't a huge deal because I could just have her sit on my lap. Do you find it hard to have a baby in the city?