Frisco Kids
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Debbie's Answers
Q. What's the best playground in San Francisco or the Bay Area?
A.
We love Magic Mountain playground at Coyote Point in San Mateo. It's very close to the Bay and the airport, so you can watch the airplanes flying low overhead, and have close access to the water. There's a huge field for flying kites, kicking a soccer ball or just running around. And the two adjoining playgrounds serve toddlers on one side, and bigger kids on the other. There's a big dragon to climb on, a tall house with a fast, two or three-story slide, tire swings and many other things to keep the kids busy and happy. Lots of tables too - with grills, and close-by bathrooms and water fountains.
By Debbie
Q. What's your go-to snack for your kids?
A.
My kids love popcorn, preferably with powdered cheese on it. I push the yogurt and cheese sticks on them, for calcium too. And the go-to fruit is the banana. Though it doesn't travel well. I always carry chewy granola bars in my purse for emergencies, and we usually have bags of mixed cereal in the car as well. Here's an even longer list to use for school snacks: http://www.friscokids.net/2011/10/school-snacks.html
By Debbie
Q. What's an affordable and fun family activity?
A.
There are tons of free cultural activities for families, including free museum entrances often once a month, and the first weekend of many museums free for Bank of America holders. Lowe's and Home Depot offer free monthly workshops for kids to make something, with parents attending. The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra presents free "first concerts" for kids, introducing kids (and parents) to different types of music. Stern Grove in San Francisco has amazing free concerts in a beautiful setting. And of course there are many street festivals and cultural festivals year round in the Bay Area. Sunday Streets is starting up soon, offering a free place to ride bikes, walk and be outside without car traffic, in various San Francisco locales.
By Debbie
Q. How do you keep your kids involved with chores?
A.
Like the Little Red Hen, my kids know that if I'm baking, they need to pitch in so they can sample some of the results (no utensil licking unless they help). While it's a constant battle to get them to do even the minimum, they have to pick up their rooms, put their clean clothes away, set or clear the table, etc. Making it fun for them (i.e. letting them get creative by folding the napkins a fancy way) makes it more enjoyable for everyone.
By Debbie
Q. What's an easy recipe a babysitter can make?
A.
We're big on anything that can go in the microwave. A standby is tortilla and cheese (quesadilla).
By Debbie
Q. How did you know you were ready for another baby?
A.
Is anyone EVER ready for another baby? My husband is convinced women get amnesia after the first childbirth, because who really would want to go through that again? (Yes, yes, some of you may have loved the experience. I did not). We decided early on we wanted two kids, about two years apart. So when our first turned one, it was time to start trying for the second.
By Debbie
Q. What's a great spring or summer recipe that uses corn?
A.
I love making corn chowder. I seem to collect recipes every time I see one, but I always use low fat milk or soy milk (Silk) instead of cream. It's good with a bit of chile pepper in there too. One of my favorite toppings is Trader Joe's corn relish, which you can get near the salsa. I use it on tacos, eggs, crackers, and mixed in with guacamole.
By Debbie
About Debbie Abrams Kaplan & Her Blog
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What's the best part about living in the San Francisco Bay Area?
The San Francisco Bay Area is beautiful and it's easy to find lots of outdoor things to do with the kids. Skiing is only a few hours away, and the beach is close too. There are plenty of camping options, as well as cultural opportunities. People in the Bay Area come from all over the world, so you don't have to be born here to fit in.
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What is your favorite kid-friendly activity in the Bay Area?
It's hard to choose just one, so I'll list some of our favorites: Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose, the Tech Museum in San Jose, the Exploratorium, shopping in ethnic stores (Japantown, the Mission, Chinatown) and taking day trips.
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Some people say it's hard to raise a kid in the Bay Area. Do you agree?
The only thing that's hard about raising a kid in the Bay Area is the cost of living. Housing is so expensive that it can affect what school district you're in, and how much lawn space your kid has to play in. Also, the schools in the Bay Area lack proper funding, which means there are not as many of the extras that many schools provide elsewhere (art, music, etc.). That said, there's diversity, beauty, nature and culture.
