Middle School Transition

The first year of middle school was a transitional year for our daughter. It was the first year she received letter grades for academic work. It was the first year her circle of friends grew more defined. It was also the first year she grew as tall as her own mother! This dynamic tide of changes prompted me to slow down and tune in to her world, so we could navigate the year successfully. If I were to chat over coffee with a fellow mom, here are some observations I would share about incoming middle schoolers.

Importance of downtime

By sixth grade, extracurricular activities are ramping up. More children (at least in the Bay Area) are opting for year-round club sports instead of seasonal recreation leagues. Skill levels are increasing so much that it almost feels like 11 and 12 year olds are professional athletes, musicians, academics and performers. This type of environment is tough to keep up with, for both parents and students alike.

Such a competitive pace can take a negative toll. Early in the year, my daughter mentioned how she almost felt like an employee, being on the go from 8am to after 7pm each day. I will never forget that moment, and knew things had to change immediately. For the remainder of the year, we adjusted priorities with enough space and freedom for her to feel like the child (and not the employee) she really was. Where possible, days were calibrated to support downtime based on the week’s homework load and commitments.

No bossing around

I have a leftover tendency from the early years to tell the kids what to do. Middle schoolers may not appreciate this. They are at an age where developing independence is more important than following arbitrary mom-rules. Many times when I tried to tell my daughter what to do, she would (expectedly) resist. On the contrary, when I changed my tone and asked how I could be helpful, she engaged. Our relationship flowed more easily once we realized we were on the same team. And with all of the work middle school required, teamwork was a must!

Good work habits can help improve grades

Middle school is the first year of letter grades and Honor Roll in our school district, and keeping the grades up required hard work and focused effort.

Midway through the first trimester we logged onto the grading portal and were met with some surprise. My husband and I were used to the early (non-graded) years when the kids did well enough by being left on autopilot. But for middle school, autopilot didn’t seem to be working, and the stakes were slightly higher.

After tuning in more closely to the assignments, we realized it wasn’t academic capability causing the issue, but project management skills (i.e., keeping track of stuff, keeping it neat, keeping it on schedule). We did things like clean out the notebook, fortify the pencil pouch, and pay attention to the calendar. We touched base regularly on the progress reports. We emphasized that she engage with teachers directly to better understand directions and expectations. We offered to read essays for spelling errors - you know, the little stuff. Finally, we encouraged her not to ignore extra credit. When the grade is borderline, extra credit can be an excellent opportunity for improvement.

Understand the difference between best friends and true friends

During the the year, social circles seemed to form clearly defined boundaries, and different circles could at times initiate friction. On occasion where personalities in the grade started clashing, I voiced to my daughter that she does not need to feel tied down on any “sides” of friends’ disputes. Rather, using supportive skills of diplomacy can establish a sense of independence and lead to true friendships over time.

This year was both awesome and challenging. I’m glad I was able to help get it off the ground. But now, maybe I can tune into a few of my own issues. If you have any comments on the middle school transition, I’d love to hear from you.

Connecting With Your Kids

Family life has been surprisingly sane since our trip to Europe. Maybe the plan to “stop time” worked! I won’t hold my breath, but here are some epiphanies from the Akemann household...

Keep work and family separate. When the kids are in the house, it’s family time. When the kids are at school, that’s when I do my work. If I have to multi-task, I give the kids a heads-up and make sure they have some projects to do in parallel. For the majority of afternoons when the kids are home from school, we focus on doing things together.

Eat a meal together after school. My children are tired, hot and hungry after school. I always drive straight home to get them comfortable, with time to unwind. A full-plated meal of something like pasta, fruit & cheese gives them enough energy to get through the rest of the day without being cranky. By sitting at the table with them, I keep up my own energy, and we talk about what happened at school.

Disable email from your smartphone. Trips out of the house used to be characterized by staring intermittently at the palm of my hand, checking messages. I was thinking more often about what others had to say rather than the observations and inquisitions of my children. It takes some time to break the habit, but turning email off has been incredibly satisfying. Trips to school and back have been full of conversations. We can learn so much about these budding personalities by tuning in to listen.

Get down to eye level. Saying hello, goodbye, or how are you is so impactful at eye level. A child’s world is most often spent looking up at a grown up and being told what to do. Whenever I get down on a knee and talk to them face to face, I can feel the self-esteem rising. Finally, they aren’t being “told”. Instead, their view of the world is being respected.

Say "no" more than "yes" – and save yes for best. My parenting style is more strict than lenient. I expect my children to behave, and when they don’t, we stop in our tracks until they do. At the ages of 6 & 8, they know most of the rules and do a pretty good job at being respectful. So now, when I say “how about some ice cream?” - little faces light up like a Christmas tree because it's a surprise rather than the norm. 

At some point these golden years will be replaced by the ups and downs of tweenhood. I don’t  know what my parenting style will be like then, or my sanity. But for now – this is my story and I’m sticking to it.

Why I (Still) Love Print Books

Coming fresh from the TOC Bologna conference on children’s digital publishing, the concept of “what is a book” is dominating my mind. It was clear, from the commentary & discussions, that apps are creating a buzz. What isn’t clear, is why I feel so uncomfortable listening to technology directions I’m supposed to be advocating. After all, aren’t I “Little Miss App”?

Apparently… not.

Every so often it’s important to fine-tune one’s own critical thinking skills. For me, Bologna was that time. Over the past two years I’ve purposefully exposed myself to hundreds of apps and app developers. I’ve seen and tried apps of all shapes and sizes, from big budgets and little budgets, made by people from over 30 countries worldwide. And now, as apps for kids are about to launch and go mainstream, I’m starting to feel reservations about how the benefits are being marketed.

When I hear phrases like “interactive reading” or “children can entertain themselves over and over again (and isn’t that great)”, I feel like things are about to go astray. Books - traditional, dog-eared, children’s books with ragged paper covers worn to the binding, are perfection. Apps, which can be lovely digital creations with lots of potential, still need to be validated before making claims in the areas of reading and literacy. Call it a game, call it an app, call it an eLearning experience, but please – be careful before you label it a “book”. Books take up my living room shelf space. Books clutter my bedside table. Books calm my children down when they are wound up. Books compose the fabric of my family life, with rhythm and words, page after printed page, from left to right.

My iPad…my iPad is (just) a tool! It has educational potential IF it has content that meets specific learning objectives.

My intention by voicing these passions is not to underestimate the talent emerging in the digital space, but rather, to emphasize that we need to be careful with the foundations of literacy. As a mom who is witnessing literacy lightbulbs lighting inside her kindergartener’s head, I’m wary of claims that state “the more interactive the better” in reference to books. Is it really reading if we choose the "read to me" or "auto-play" rather than "read by myself" option on the app? As measured by which child development expert?

Next time we say “digital media is educational”, let’s be more specific. Before I get too excited about seeing more apps, I want to know which teachers were on the beta team. I want to know who is validating the claim that these apps are indeed “educational”. I want to know which ages are most appropriate. I want to know how and why certain elements of interactivity are valuable to a child’s development. General catch phrases aren’t going to get us anywhere, and general buzzwords aren’t going to educate our kids.

Conscious choices, critical thinking, and tested content – let’s start there, you know, before we go overboard.

iMom Says: "Unsmart Your Phone"

These are the days of the iMom. Mothers of all shapes and sizes are toting networked devices, feeling connected and efficient. But I'm beginning to feel that connectivity and efficiency are getting in the way of my relationship with the kids. Instead of being weighed down with a constant string of incoming messages, maybe I should strive for a clearer and more focused state of mind.

After several hectic months immersed in email clutter and too many projects, I decided to put my iPhone back in its place: I dumbed it down.

So far, it been a liberating move. Interested in taking the plunge? Let's lay it out...

1) Ban your charging station (where you plug in your iPhone or iPad or iWhatever) from your bedroom. I was beginning to question that my first instinct was to wake up and check messages. What about waking up and saying "good morning" to everyone?

2) Try to reserve email correspondence for desk-based computer time. On-the-go email can interrupt what you are doing when you are on the go. Is your mind on your messages, or is your mind on the moment? Now, I can enjoy my computer time more because I "relax into" my correspondence, instead of constantly checking throughout the day.

3) Consider deleting your email account/s from your iPhone.  In your Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendar, your phone can be void of email accounts, and look just like this screenshot.

Give yourself a few days to get used to it. But as you start to drive more safely, interact with fellow parents at school pick ups, or tuck a book under your arm as you leave the house, you'll wonder what was so interesting about your palm in the first place.

To Steve and all of the talented folks at Apple - don't take any of this the wrong way. We love what you created. It's just that in the end, our children's questions are more important that our latest emails.

3 Tips for Outsmarting the Winter Blues

Seeing these smiling snowmen in my daughter's Kindergarten class reminded me of the long winter ahead. Could I make it through with the same chipper & upbeat spirit that they have? If your winter mood is a gamble, like mine, here are some ideas to keep you on track:

1) ENJOY DISTRACTIONS - Do you remember when toddlers would throw a tantrum, and showing them the nearest shiny object would distract them and make them forget what they were tantruming about? Winter is a great time for distracting yourself with movies, reading, current events, classes, activities, exercise, and time with friends.

2) PLAN A TRIP - I'm a firm believer in anchors. One of the problems of depression is the people tend to feel adrift, disconnected, and uninspired. Travel provides anticipation that connects us to our next adventure. Check out books, look at maps, make reservations, and give yourself something to look forward to.

3) BE HONEST ABOUT IT - Read about it, talk about it, write about it - but whatever you do, don't hide from it. You're not solving any problems by pretending it's not there. In fact, even Stanford University recently wrote about the benefits of sharing your problems with others. Chances are, some of your best winter experiences could be hashing it out with friends going through the same stuff.

What else have you got?  Would love to "distract" myself with your ideas and add them to this list!

Discussion Topic: What Makes an App "Educational"?

After spending much of the past year interacting with over 100 moms (and dads) with apps, I find myself thinking a lot about apps, and what they mean to our children as technology advances further into our lives and our classrooms. Recently, the developers in our Moms With Apps group posed a question...

What makes an app “educational”?

We first agreed that “educational” is a relative term based on an individual’s particular needs, capabilities, and goals, and realize this is a difficult question to address. We also noted that deeming an app "educational" may be best left up to professional teachers and educators. However, should that stop the conversation?

For parents seeking educational content for children, here are some snippets from our discussion. Coming from a diverse set of individuals (parents, graduate students, research organizations, homeschooling parents, special needs families) we hope you’ll find these insights helpful when evaluating apps for your household:

Does the app…

Help reinforce academic principles or develop individual skill sets?

• Does the app help develop confidence in a particular area?
• Does it encourage the user to rethink their current understanding of a topic?
• Are there academic learning objective or goals, and are they mapped to core curriculum standards?
• Is the app of a particular, unique value to the end-user? 
• Does it encourage and prepare for higher learning?
• What is the ratio of "learning" to "entertainment"?

Help encourage creativity? (see link to the article on Creativity Crisis)

• Can you create, imagine, or pretend with the app?
• Is there one right answer, or is the app open-ended?
• Does the material leave space for users to fill with their own imagination?
• Is there room for problem solving, trial and error, and experimenting with solutions?
• Does it prompt further discovery, engaging the user to learn more?

Help broaden awareness of the world and how it works?

• Can you learn about people, places or things in your environment?
• Can you spark an interest in new subjects to study or activities to try?

Help promote interactivity and socialization?

• Does it start a new conversation, introduce a new concept, or propose a new idea?
• Is it active rather than passive? (i.e., being engaged is different than being entertained)

As I peer over my computer at Webster's College Dictionary, it's comforting to ground myself in a traditional definition of educate/education/educational as a form of validation on the above: to impart knowledge; to provide with information; to develop powers of reason or judgement.

If we believe that technology can have positive outcomes on the future of education, we certainly owe it to ourselves and our kids to dive deeper into these questions and continue the discussion on their behalf.

Our Digital Responsibility

Usually I write about travel and places to go. But lately I've been working on a project related to our new iPhone app, and have some commentary to share. When we are out and about, I can't help but notice how many people are walking around staring at their smartphones. Could these technological advances be too much of a good thing? How does this constant access to information affect our children, and their behavior?

As a mother of two young girls, I feel it’s my duty to keep current with digital media so I can be aware of what’s coming their way. But my worst fear is that the world will turn into a land of electrified zombies, deriving self-worth from the number of text messages sent or received, or the accumulation of virtual goods. What is my responsibility, as a parent, to keep enough media in our lives to be useful without creating addictive habits?

I’m paying attention to two forces behind the kids and technology debate:

1) Potential consequences of spending too much time online

2) Potential benefits of new technologies for educational, developmental and creative uses

Many of us seem to be aware of #1 or have heard the buzz in the press about the negative effects of too much screen time. So as a parent, what are my options? Do I cut all of the cords? What I’m hoping we do is channel the technology adoption towards #2. But this will be an active process, not a passive one.

Together with other parent developers from Moms With Apps, we are working on key principles of healthy media habits that work within our own families:

• PLAY should be open-ended, MEDIA should not be. Practice moderation by setting the right example. If you don’t want your kids to zone out in front of the screen, then stop constantly checking your own devices. Recognize that technology can be addictive. Set boundaries and limits that work for your family, and enforce the rules. Don’t be afraid to TURN IT OFF.

• Stay current. Now is not the time to hide your head in the sand. Technology has reached new levels of rapid fire development. Companies that are only two years old, are OLD. We move on to new things more quickly than we can blink. Keep your eyes open and your skills agile. Knowing how to work the latest communication platforms will keep doors open in the longer run for communicating with your kids.

• Keep it public. Computers and devices should be kept on the main living level so parents can monitor online behavior. Should technology be a tool or a lifestyle? The only way to manage an appropriate balance is to be aware of what’s going on behind the screen.

• Choose good content. You have twenty bazillion choices of where to go or what to download online. Choose the good stuff.

How do you know what is good? The barometer we use is this – does the technology we are engaging with help us live our lives more fully, or is it merely consuming our lives? Is it interactive, or passive? Is the technology starting more conversations, or limiting them? We realize that each family will need to strike its own unique balance. But overall, we want to make sure that number #2 comes out on top, and that as new technologies emerge, that they encourage more life experiences, not fewer.

Marketing My iPhone App (What I Wish I Knew Last Year)

While I am pleased with the progress of My Little Suitcase, I wish I had gone out of the starting gates a little differently. Marketing your app in a store with hundreds of thousands of apps is tricky. If you are thinking of creating your own app, here are some points to consider:

1. QUERY THE EXPERTS. I recently read Crazy Mike's iPhone App Marketing eBook. For someone who is new to app marketing, I found the book and the case studies insightful and genuine. They share real information on how top apps like Pocket God and Paper Toss cultivated a following. The book also covers topics like effective iTunes store descriptions, email marketing, PR, social media, etc. Required reading for anyone who wants to have a shot at getting noticed on the App Store. In addition, I've started following an industry blog from AppsMarketing.Mobi. They feature interviews with developers, and write columns on industry trends. By digging in with experts, you can acquire marketing knowlege in advance of launching your app, which ultimately may result in a more successful app.

2. KNOW THY APP STORE. Whether you are launching on the iTunes App Store, on Blackberry's App World, or some other Google Android platform, learn how customers search for apps, and how the apps get listed on the store. Try and find out what drives the "What's Hot List" or "Staff Picks". Understand how you can be seen amidst 100,000 other apps. What are your categories and how have you listed yourself? You can make changes along the way, so don't hesitate to run experiments to find out what works.

3. INCLUDE SOME EDUCATIONAL APPEAL. From the perspective of family-friendly apps, if I'm downloading anything for my kids, I want it to be good for them. Highlight the educational value of your app. There is a growing market for kids apps - it's very hot - but it needs to be good for you too.

4. MAKE IT LOOK PRETTY. Have great graphics. There is too much competition to have crappy graphics. Making it look polished and professional is a minimum requirement.

5. LAUNCH IN ADVANCE. You don't need the app to be complete before you start your marketing efforts. Build buzz with social media in advance of your launch. Apps like @Arithmeroo and @Tales2Go are doing an excellent job of this.

6. REVIEWERS ARE YOUR FRIENDS. Read the app review blogs. When it's time to go live, these folks have the audience you need. Without them you are pretty much dead. Keep track of their posts, submit comments, find them on Twitter, and when it is finally your turn to submit your app, follow their instructions carefully. They are busy people.

7. NETWORK WITH OTHER DEVELOPERS. The most significant benefit of this past quarter has been connecting with other parent iPhone developers. From them, I've recognized benchmarks for successful apps and marketing practices. Kudos to our forum at Moms With Apps.

8. GET PROFESSIONAL WITH YOUR WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE. Apps are their own little marketing engines. An appealing springboard icon that can double on your Facebook and Twitter profiles provides an integrated digital portfolio (@MomMaps is a great example). Having this all organized on a homepage with links to your blog, YouTube demos, and customer testimonials is a nice touch.

9. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF YOUTUBE. Video is powerful. Video reviewers are probably more powerful. Getting a handle on this universal channel should be tops in terms of my 2010 priorities.

More ideas? Fire them up! Let's make some great apps in 2010!

5 Reasons #PWP Is Important to You, Too

When this year's Passports With Purpose fundraiser was launched, I was impressed with the initiative on a professional level, but it took time to make the connection on a personal level because I haven't yet visited Cambodia. That was soon overridden by the principles this initiative represents:

1. It supports childhood literacy and education. They are building a SCHOOL. Education is good for kids, necessary for progress, and critical if we hope to manage our planet wisely.

2. It supports the concept of a global community. Sure, I can volunteer down the street at my neighborhood school and act locally. But why not do both?

3. It's being organized by a team of A-listers: Debbie @deliciousbaby, Pam @nerdseyeview, Beth @wanderluster & Michelle @wandermom. By definition, this fundraiser will be a success.

4. It builds even more community within this super-cool, super-charged network of travel bloggers. I remember when I first started blogging a year ago, folks said I would eventually find my corner of the universe. I'm so glad I found this corner.

5. It's the right time. 'Tis the season to give.

To the team at Passports With Purpose, go ahead and throw a My Busy Kit shopping spree into the equation. The winner can choose a selection of My Busy Kits (travel activities for kids on the go) of up to $100 in value. My Busy Kits are used to keep children creatively entertained on the plane, in the car, or whenever parents need it most. If the winner can provide me with the gender and ages, I'll customize them into the biggest, bestest My Busy Kits ever made. Let's do it!

Sailing Beyond the Golden Gate

It's historic, adventuresome, exhilarating, and requires swift skill and navigation. It takes place in unbiased and merciless territory. And it's really, really fun - especially when you have access to someone else's boat and crew.


I was excited this past Labor Day when my family had a chance to sail around San Francisco Bay. Not only did it facilitate a great afternoon nap, but it also launched a conversation about the Plastiki: a boat being built in San Francisco out of 12,000 plastic bottles. This November, the Plastiki Expedition will sail out beyond the Golden Gate and across the Pacific to make a statement about ocean exploitation.


With a day of sailing under their belts, my kids might be able to understand what it means to venture out beyond the bridge. With a computer at our fingertips, the kids can follow this adventure online, and learn about the length of time it will take to make an ocean crossing. We can talk about how the pile of trash it will be sailing through in the Great Pacific Gyre is actually what's being used to keep this particular boat afloat. So thank you David de Rothschild, for spearheading an example which can inspire today's children to become tomorrow's problem solvers (or at least that's what I hope for this little lady right here).

Family Travel Tips
San Francisco

My Plan to Stop Time

In a month, the sun will set on summer and fall schedules will be underway. Given the speed at which September through December usually progresses, I feel like August is the last chance to catch a breath before the year takes over. My wish is that folks treat themselves to a civilized August, similar to how the French take the whole month off, or how New Yorkers flee to the Hamptons. If we can slow things down by stepping out of our normal routines, maybe we'll start to gain some time back, or at least not loose it so quickly.

The plan might possibly be working, because I've finally gotten a chance to read more books! This one, Traveling With Kids (my very favorite subject!) by Leslie Forsberg and Michelle Duffy, hits the mark right here:

Even if it requires some work to manifest, spending time with our children away from daily routines can be transformative...If we slow down and try to see the world through their eyes, we can find the kid inside ourselves that we've forgotten for a long time. When you go on a trip with your children, breathe deeply, kick off your shoes, and plunge wholeheartedly into adventures. You may find yourself grinning so broadly that your cheeks hurt.

Whether at home or away, with kids or without kids, my Dream this Monday is that folks can plunge wholeheartedly into August, grinning broadly.

I.O.U. Some Memories

My home state of California started issuing IOUs to pay its vendors because the budget crisis is still unsettled (i.e., in fiscal emergency). On the chopping block are our beloved state parks. I wonder if the state's legislators ever went camping? Or roasted marshmallows? Or played with flashlights beyond bedtime? Can you just imagine, The Terminator roasting a marshmallow? I wonder if it would make him smile a little more. If not, maybe this video clip will:



Some motivated folks are taking action over at www.savestateparks.org. I also like the series Bridget has started over at Family Adventure Guidebooks called State Park Sunday. If you like motivated folks, don't forget to check out more of them at Photo Friday!

Television, Yes or No?

Ever since I had children, I’ve struggled with television. Is TV good or bad? Will it turn brains to mush? How much is too much? Are my limits too loose, or too stringent?

I was able to attend a workshop in June hosted by PBS Kids about the role media plays in family life, and how families establish healthy media habits. Sent home with a backpack of materials from the SUPER WHY show, I spent time during the week working with my kids as a PBS Parent. I was floored. We had so much fun with the learning materials (book, music, puzzle & worksheets), that we actually skipped watching the TV show until the end of the week.

This two minute video shows what happens when you have high quality children's content centered around a fun and educational theme - PBS, I am WAY impressed! You just illustrated the power of good content.



Sure, I still have my struggles with TV, but at least I have a benchmark for measuring educational programming, along with a new set of resources for at-home activities with my kids. Thanks PBS Kids for turning letters, words, spelling and reading into SUPER powers! The kids are lovin it!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Austism spectrum. Life-threatening food allergies. Heart conditions. Travel impaired? Hell no. This post is dedicated to families who have taken extra steps to get out and about, despite the additional work, risk, and sometimes anxiety. I tend get trapped in a definition of 'travel' as someplace new and adventurous. But the benefits of travel can apply to everyone, no matter how big or small the trip. Sometimes, something as simple as heading across town can bring a change of perspective, and a very appropriate travel opportunity.

The photograph above is Leo. He is eight. He and his family were able to have a fantastic time together at the San Francisco Exploratorium because the museum hosted a special event called Autism/Aspergers Family Night. Here is how Leo's Mom felt about the evening: The event was fantastic. Leo and the girls frolicked. I was floored -- and so, so grateful. I've never seen a non-autism organization put so much effort into meeting the needs of my son and his friends. My faith in humanity has been restored.



This is Noland. He is two. This month he got to see lots of trains, first at Legoland, and then real ones at Roaring Camp in the Santa Cruz, California mountains. They had to pack his food, and steer clear of any peanuts headed his way, but it turned out to be a roaring success! Here is the email from Noland's Mom when they returned: Train ride was worth it...Noland loved the steam train! We had a big adventure day. We did the 11am steam train through the mountains. Of course the family across from us pulled out their emerald nuts and the lady next to me ate a snickers bar but we shielded Noland and he loved the experience.



This is Krista. Based on what the doctors said when Krista was born, we weren't sure she'd make it out of the hospital. Krista is two, and she already knows how to ski. Here is what Krista's Mom had to say once she got up on skiis: Krista was pretty fired up to get her first turns in at Squaw this weekend! She had gotten really tired of dropping off the sisters to go skiing and being left out of the fun, so I decided it was her turn. She got 6 runs in on the beginner lift at Squaw and is still beaming! She made Jan put her skis and poles right next to her when she took her nap later in the day!

I do not understand what it must feel like to manage these circumstances. But I know what I can do - I can provide support and encouragement at every opportunity. Happy travels, to ALL. And thank you, Debbie Dubrow, for giving travel photos a voice on Fridays.

5 Signs That Moms Need Mother's Day

It's been a long month, and for the first time I can remember, I'm actually thankful for a Hallmark Holiday. You see, there are a few things that have been happening to indicate some pampering is needed. Is it just me, or does any of this sound familiar?

1) Your neighbors can hear you.

2) When you shoo your kids outside to play, it's not for an hour or for an afternoon, but for the whole day, until bedtime.

3) Your beverages of choice are coffee or wine.

4) Your kids start using their polite voice, and do chores without asking, just to stay on your 'good' side.

5) You Google "Calgon", just for kicks.

And then you step over to your bedside table, and see the flowers your youngest picked out. And you decide to get over it. Well, after your massage.

On The Trail

This week I attended a community workshop sponsored by the Children and Nature Network, which is an organization committed to getting families outdoors. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and who coined the term "nature deficit disorder", emphasises that children are happier, healthier, and better problem solvers when they connect with nature. The workshop was full of great information - but I also left wondering, what type of a world requires reminders for playing outside? Is this my world?

Well, thank goodness for Delicious Baby's Photo Friday to lift my spirits! While searching for my weekly photo, I realized just how much time is spent outdoors while on vacation. If you sift through your own vacation photos, chances are, you will find a large assortment of hikes, trails, adventures and seashores. So yes, I will of course continue to shoo my kids outside for the afternoons, take them to the parks on the weekends, and embark upon lots of day trips. But I'll also be ordering that book for my husband, as justification for an extensive 2009-2010 travel itinerary. It's good for the kids!

Changed by a Pile of Trash

Last weekend I visited a close friend who is also the exhibits designer for the Seymour Center at Long Marine Laboratory, UC Santa Cruz. Wendelin has been a lifelong inspiration, but this visit was more than I ever expected. On our personal tour, she led me through earth science exhibits that were thought provoking and engaging for all ages. They have an aquarium, a touch tank, hands on exhibits, local artwork, tours and even classroom programs for kids.

But it was the plastic pile of trash that impacted me the most. Standing in the corner like a transparent Christmas tree was a sculpture of plastic bottles and containers. It is a representation for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a landfill the size of Texas, floating around in the ocean and messing with the food chain.


Looking up the coastline as we walked outside onto the bluffs, I couldn't get the image of a huge floating trash dump out of my mind.


And that is what, in my opinion, makes an effective exhibit. It should keep haunting you until you choose to make a positive change. Education centers succeed when visitors leave with a mental set of action-items. If we are moved by a message, then we can make a difference.


When I went back into my car, I wasn't very happy to see my own plastic water bottle in the cupholder. It's time to recognize my hypocrisy, and fix it. Then it's time to spread the word. Because it would be really great if my daughters could experience the annual whale migrations by seeing, you know, actual whales.

When Everybody Wins

There are times when we get obsessed with our to-do lists. Go to work, stay healthy, socialize, fulfill commitments, manage the household (and all of the people in it). You name it, we try to do it, placing ourselves in the center of this busy universe.

Then there are times when we pay attention to the peripherals. The school fundraiser. The community walk. The donation to your local charity.

There is an exciting moment when these two scenarios meet, when someone else's to-do list maps onto your own, and by working together you make an even greater impact. This is an intersection where everybody wins.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend an event for The Foundation for Building Strength, a charity which raises awareness about a rare childhood muscle disease. Instead of stopping at a one-time donation, the event became an opportunity to make an ongoing contribution. Asking how we can creatively help, instead of just checking items off our to-do lists, can result in better outcomes for everyone.



Another organization, Baby Buggy, distributes baby gear for needy families. One of their board members was a customer of mine, which turned into a wider opportunity for us to start a donation program for the families they serve.



More examples? Check out Tonic.com, a website focused on "good news, good styles, and good deeds". Their mission is to spread the word about people who are doing good things. They tipped me off to the segment on NBC Nightly News called "Making a Difference". Look at their comments page and you will find a nation's input on acts of kindness.

By looking beyond our own borders, we can turn an egocentric situation into an ECOcentric one. It's the new, more human version of eco-friendly. Now, let's just hope it's contagious.

Hidden Treasures

I came across this newspaper clipping in a used bookstore. It was tucked inside a book with a publishing date of 1921. I was immediately enamored with this tangible slice of history, and placed the words delicately in my hands. Treasure!

It describes some general assumptions about students at Ivy League schools coming from the "rich and leisured" classes. The president of Yale refutes this assumption, stating that 1/3 of their students are working their way through school. " 'I wish', he says, 'that every student had to earn half his expenses so that he would appreciate the value of an education.'... The youth that must work his way through college cannot afford to waste time joy-riding and jazzing around."

I hope today's parents keep these principles in mind when the time comes to send kids to college. And I hope they use the specific language "joy-riding and jazzing around" to demonstrate their point.

Caught Red Handed

In December, when I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for my husband, I got distracted in the Apple Store and came out with an iPhone. The rest, as they say, is history.

After years of herding toddlers with my head in the sand(box), this device has singlehandedly propelled me into modern times. I watch webcasts, read the latest headlines, check messages, download apps, tweet, twerp, you name it! But now, now I need to learn how to put it down.

The term I've heard bantered around is Constant Partial Attention. Apparently, all of this instantaneous communication can impede our ability to focus. We become so programmed to continuously check for information, that we tend to interrupt ourselves. In some cases, it impacts our manners, common sense, and common courtesies.

I don't want to rain on the iPhone (or even the Obama Blackberry) parade. I just want to point out that it takes focus to solve a problem. And problems, well, they seem to be getting worse. Like 'airplane' mode, maybe we could suggest some new modes for the next version: solving-a-physics-problem mode, talking-to-my-wife mode (very important), driving-in-my-car mode, etc. Yes, of course I know we can always turn it off, but hey, this is more creative!