Blogging

Child(ish) Reads: Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant

| Patti Webb

In December, I usually pick a fun book to review; mostly to whiz through it and have a light-hearted post. This one changed up a bit on me.

Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant: How Nannying for the 1% Taught Me about the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and Upward Mobility in America by Stephanie Kiser

Blurb: When Stephanie Kiser moves to New York City after college to pursue a career in writing, she quickly learns that her entry-level salary won’t cover the high cost of living―never mind her crushing student loan debt. But there is one in-demand job that pays more than enough to allow Stephanie to stay in the city: nannying for the 1%. Desperate to escape the poverty of her own childhood, Stephanie falls into a job that hijacks her life for the next seven years: a glorified personal assistant to toddlers on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Patti’s Wishlist

| Patti Webb

There are sometimes I think holiday shopping for women is so easy; all you have to do is pay a little attention to detail. We love a little trinket, a little cutesy thing, etc. We like getting gifted things we would’ve bought ourselves anyway, and we love a little field trip.

After the drama of this year, I just want a few of the little things. My wishlist covers the basics (something I want, something I need, something to wear, something to read). Still throwing in a hydrofacial and prep for our next trip in February.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Mary’s Wishlist

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

‘Tis the season! You know the drill: as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared, the family Wishlist requests start rolling in. Last year, I was winging it. This year? I’ve got a game plan. Maybe I’ve just tuned in to what makes me smile, but my asks come with purpose. Here’s what I’m hoping to find under the tree this year…

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Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Elementary Kids, Ages 6-9

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Kids ages 6–9 are growing fast mentally, socially, and physically. They start reading independently, grasp abstract ideas, and enjoy creative and group play. Friendships deepen, empathy emerges, and they seek approval from peers. Motor skills sharpen, and they take pride in accomplishments. Gifts for this age group balance autonomy with guidance, and encourage curiosity, connection, and confidence.

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Mary’s School Update: New School, Who’s This?

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Last school year, it was shared that our local public elementary school was shortlisted for possible closure. After five grueling months of parent advocacy and formal meetings with the school board, a final decision was made: our cherished elementary school would close its doors due to fiscal responsibility. The outcome was deeply disheartening.

I served on the research team tasked with compiling data and proposing innovative, cost-saving alternatives that could give us a chance for this upcoming school year. But despite our efforts, the board’s majority leaned toward shuttering aging facilities and reallocating resources.

This feels deeply personal to me right now, but this trend has been widely documented across the country. School systems increasingly forced to make difficult decisions in response to shrinking budgets and changing demographics. As public school enrollment declines (due to a range of factors), closures and consolidations have become part of the cost-cutting strategy.

So where does this leave our community?

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