• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Print Subscription
  • Contact Us

Am I Giving My Kids an Edge?

March 7, 2014 by The Inside Press

JanineBy Janine Marino

When Grace asked me to guest edit this issue, slated to focus on some of the many exceptional children we had in the area, I thought, ”exceptional,” that’s one of the descriptors that sold me on Chappaqua in the first place.

I’ll never forget my first day at the bus stop seven years ago. I ran down in sweats, no bra, yesterday’s mascara and some serious bed head. Before me stood a perfectly put-together woman, right down to the Gucci shoes.  There were other women in various degrees of “fabulous” and yeah, I was not one of them.  I thought to myself, well at least I wasn’t wearing my PJs like I did in my old town! (And I won Best Dressed at that bus stop.) Everyone was pretty nice, but, regardless, I just couldn’t break into a conversation. They had obviously known each other for a long time and I was the new girl. I wondered how my kids would fare.

Janine and her kids Steven, Michaela and Alex at Michaela's Sweet Sixteen last year. Note: older son Steven now towers over Janine. Rising Star Photography
Janine and her kids Steven, Michaela and Alex at Michaela’s Sweet Sixteen last year. Note: older son Steven now towers over Janine. Rising Star Photography

I’d quickly come to learn that Chappaqua had a large chunk of type A people. Me, I teeter between B + and A -. Before I even moved here, a friend of mine had signed me up for two PTA committees at Roaring Brook. Uh…thanks? I was thrust right into the thick of it. I enjoyed the exuberant involvement these parents had. They seemed to know everything about anything that had to do with the school and the town. I also enjoyed the first back to school night…sushi and Starbucks…a far cry from the two boxes of Entenmann’s at my last school. I quickly learned that my kids were behind the curve, not having private pitching lessons or voice lessons in second and fourth grades. I was also concerned that maybe my then three-year-old would not be able to color in the lines because I hadn’t sent him to the double-the-price preschool that many seemed to be raving about. But still, I liked that everyone had a definite opinion…let’s call it “passion” for…you name it!

One thing I cannot deny here in Chappaqua is the real sense of community. People want the best for the town, their kids, the schools, everything. There are so many helpful, charitable people. Someone will bring you soup when you’re sick or pick up your kids when you are stuck. Sure, there are plenty of entitled folks too, but I’m quick to point out to my kids the good eggs and try to nip in the bud any spoiled behavior. No, I will not bring Frappuccinos to my 16-yr-old and her friends at Greeley in the middle of a school day. (And yes, I was asked.)

With two in high school now, I’m really starting to feel the pressures that go along with this great town. Kids are thinking about college in 9th grade. My son Steven at 14 already knows exactly what he needs to get into Syracuse. And, of course, every kid is “expected” to take multiple AP classes and have private tutoring (because, you know, a B is failing).

Seems everyone has to have “an edge.” You need to apply for early action to college. If you don’t, your kids will feel “left out.” Juniors are already posting their college visits on Facebook and Instagram. My 11th grader, Michaela, hasn’t been anywhere yet. Perhaps it’s because I’ve downgraded my type A-/B+ personality to a B- to counterbalance. I’m not sure. But I promise, we will get there soon, and my first will be off and running.

There’s no doubt there’s a lot of keeping up and aiming high that comes along with living in Chappaqua. However, I think my kids will come out feeling very lucky to be part of this exceptionally beautiful and spirited town. And maybe, just maybe….they’ll have an edge.

Janine Marino is a freelance copywriter and creative marketing consultant as well as the Marketing/Creative Director for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. She’s an avid tennis player, makeup junkie and according to her kids, a “weird but, 
fun” mom.

Filed Under: From the Editor Tagged With: Chappaqua, community, high school, kids, schools

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara Simon says

    March 10, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Well said, insightful & fabulous!

  2. Karen Payes says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:36 am

    Nice job, Janine! I enjoyed reading your piece. Thanks for your openness and honesty.

  3. Steven Durr says

    May 4, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Good job, mom! You really captured my sense of perseverance to get into Syracuse. I may even get into Harvard now!

    Love…
    Big Steve
    Ps. I Love You!

Primary Sidebar

Please Visit

William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
White Plains Hospital
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Lisa Koh and Allison Coviello
Purple Plains
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Korth & Shannahan
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence: Harriet Libov
Compass: Aurora Banaszek
Terra Tile & Marble
CPW Vein & Aesthetic Center
King Street Creatives
New Castle Physical Therapy
David Visconti Painting & Contracting
Temple Beth El

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua and Millwood Inside Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Publisher’s Note Regarding Our Valued Sponsors

Inside Press is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in either sponsor-driven stories or in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising or sponsor driven stories that appear in this publication. The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2025 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in