Posts Tagged ‘
Family ’
Monday, March 14th, 2011
After this year’s extra cold winter, your kids are probably itching to get outside now that temperatures are warming up. Here’s one more reason to do it right now: It’s National Wildlife Week!
In order to connect families and communities to nature, help us raise healthier children, and instill in future generations a life-long appreciation for the environment, the National Wildlife Federation is offering up a slew of awesome outdoor activity ideas for families (everything from looking for animal tracks to creating a nature journal), plus some great online games and printables for kids.
So go on and celebrate nature!
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
I’ve never been a video game person, so my husband was surprised when I suggested that we buy our family a Wii for Christmas. My daughters are 11 years apart—Jane is almost 6 and Abby is 17—and with Abby’s busy schedule (homework, sports, friends, college applications), they really don’t get to spend that much quality time together. Something told me that a Wii would be good family activity, and I was right. Jane has a chip on her shoulder about being the youngest and assumes she will always lose at games, but she was able to hold her own with Abby on the Wii. It was great to see the two of them giggling together. For some reason, my little girly girl’s favorite game is Swordfighting, but maybe it’ll be assertiveness training.
Friday, November 12th, 2010
Don’t you hate it when you’re ready for a vacay but your bank account isn’t? Well I found some travel deals that I think your wallet will warm up to at livingsocial.com. Originally started as a site for huge discounts on everything from restaurants to haircuts, it launched an “Escapes” section this week with 40 to 70 percent savings on weekend getaways and longer adventures. I’m eying the 50 percent off Vermont package. What vacation are you coveting?
Monday, October 11th, 2010
When I used to work right next to a smoker, I noted his frequent, sanctioned breaks to head outside and get his fix. I joked that I should pretend to be a smoker, too, even though I’d never touched a cigarette, just so I can go outside, get some air, and enjoy the same benefit every hour or so. The European Union Court of Justice has applied that thinking to breastfeeding now, according to Time magazine: If moms can do it–and get work breaks for it–than dads deserve the same consideration, and to deny men that right is sex discrimination.
Cue the punchlines. I am sure Letterman’s writers are all over this one. And even as an always-harried dad who covets any time to myself that I can grab, I hardly need to point out the absurdity of the idea.
But.
Scratch beneath the surface, and, according to the Time report, the supposed men’s breastfeeding break was not actually that: “Rather, the ruling is intended to make the early infancy period less stressful for both mom and dad. Even though it’s called breast-feeding leave, the court ruled it should really be thought of as “time purely devoted to the child’,” Time says.
Perhaps we should set aside the wisecracks and take note of what a family-friendly policy really is, one which truly values kids, understands the stresses of working parents (male and female), and treats fathers and mothers as equals–and equally deserving of support and protection–in raising their children.
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
Mother’s Day is so early this year, it’s catching me off guard! I just logged onto Design Mom and found that she’s doing an awesome week of giveaways to celebrate all the fabulous mommies out there! A few of the gifts are already closed (bummer) but 2 are fair game today, and I imagine there will be at least 2 more this week. Click here to enter to win a $300 shopping spree at Cambria Cove, or here to win a $200 package which includes a digital camera, products from Safety First, and a Tasty Baby eco bag.
So run, don’t walk, over to this totally inspiring blog and enter to win some goodies!
Photo via.
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
The Crafty Crow is doing a great series of posts asking the question “What can you make with ______?”. These are the perfect eco-crafts for, you guessed it, Earth Day! (That’s tomorrow if you forgot!) Now go root through your recycling bin and get crafty!
Beautiful bottle cap crafts.
Egg-celent egg carton crafts.
Precious plastic crafts.
Whimsical wine cork crafts.
Friday, October 30th, 2009
This Week's Poll Goody:
Disney announced this week that it will offer refunds for its Baby Einstein line of DVDs (bought June 2004 to September 4th), which had been marketed as educational for babies and toddlers (a claim that's caused the company problems over the years). Apparently watching TV doesn't make your child a genius. Who knew? But a lot of parents didn't expect Baby Einstein to turn their kid into, well, Einstein–they just wanted something good their little one could watch while they cooked dinner or took a much-needed breather. Regardless of the reasons for buying the DVDs, you now have the option of a refund. Here's what we want to know: Are you planning on getting the refund or letting it go? Post a comment below to let us know!
This Week's DVD Goodies:
Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension, Vol. 5
Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension, Vol. 6
Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s Vol. 2
Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Vol. 2
The Secret Saturdays, Vol. 2
Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)
The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week (Halloween Edition):
Let The Right One In
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
This Week's Big-Screen Goody:
Astro Boy (rated PG) flies into theaters this weekend. Unless you were big into comics and Japanese manga, you probably only have a vague recollection of him from childhood cartoons. A forefather to what's known as anime today, the young super-hero is getting a major computer-animated, 3-D makeover to up his appeal for a new generation. I always wondered if Spielberg's A.I. was inspired by the classic series, which is about a robot who really just wants to be a human boy.
This Week's DVD Goodies:
Faerie Tale Theatre: Bedtime Tales
Faerie Tale Theatre: Magical Tales
Hi-5 Season Three
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Vol. 1
Plastic Man: The Complete Collection
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubbzy's Christmas Adventure
Yo Gabba Gabba!: Meet My Family
Childhood Flashback Film:
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week:
Drag Me to Hell
