Unplugged

The NY Times had an interesting article on parenting while plugged in that introduced the trouble with parents who spend more time on social media or smart phones and less time speaking to their kids.  When I started reading it, I thought how horrible that these parents aren't paying enough attention to their kids.  Then I thought about it and realized I may sometimes be that parent.

Granted my son is not a toddler any longer.  But when he was only 3 weeks old, I recall sitting in front of my computer on the floor while I rocked him with my foot.  I was checking work email (couldn't bear to be away from the office grind in those days).  My husband came into the room asking me what the hell I was thinking?  I had no idea what he was talking about until he revealed that I was so engrossed in my work that I was rocking the baby at a pace that could have launched him into the ceiling.

I don't think it's new for parents to be distracted with work efforts while trying to multitask as parents.  I just think technology has made it so much easier to do.  If you have kids you know that toddlers will stop a perfectly content play session to get your attention as soon as you are on the phone. But now you can take that phone to the playground or for a walk.

Recently my teenager slammed ipod and ripped the connected from the car outlet because as he was telling me about a new song that he wanted me to hear, I answered my OnStar to take a call.  I realized how it made him feel pretty quickly and immediately told the caller I would get back to them.  His face showed a bit of surprise but he smiled and even thanked me.  Maybe I am not a lost cause.

Yesterday, he and I decided to bike to the marina for lunch.  He purposefully left his phone at home and I put mine on vibrate on the bottom of my backpack.  We did not speak continually throughout that ride or lunch but we were both "present" and engaged with each other.  It was a terrific afternoon.

I think age and experience is telling me that it is ok to miss a call.  Most items will wait and emergencies are usually not the norm.  I am now putting "Unplug" on my to do list.

Ring Pops and Silly Bands

When my husband and I had had our son we decided to move back to Buffalo, so that our child could experience the benefits of growing up with his extended family.  We never anticipated what an amazing experience it would be for us to grow old with our extended family, specifically our nieces and nephews.

The entire family was over on Sunday and the kids, true to form,  were wound up and crazy.  I had spent the better part of the week, cleaning the house, shopping for cocktails and cooking, cooking, cooking.  My husband, as usual, thought of the kids.  He is so good at that.  He makes sure there is always a special treat for the nieces and nephews.  It has gotten so that our little niece Helana calls him "Uncle Matty the Candy Man".  This party the treats included giant marshmallows, ring pops and silly bands.

The fun started with a conversation with the 5 year old Christel who informed me that she was using her play phone to call Noah.  When I asked if that was her boyfriend, she very sternly said " No Auntie Bonnie, I have a crush on him that does not make him my boyfriend".  Nice.

Next our dancer Avery came, still in her dance recital make up.  I was able to lift and spin her a little before she saw the eldest girl Cameron.  Everyone loves Cameron as she is the mother figure to all the girls. The boys Ethan and Gavin let me kiss their beautiful faces while they pretended to hate it.  It's the price they have to pay to get to play video games with our teenager.  I adore these guys.

Here is where it gets crazy.  My adorable little nieces (3 and 4) came in and were in fabulously talkative moods. The little ones Nathan, Helena and Sophia found our son's play lazer guns and decided to attack.  My brother had one on his leg, my husband battled with one on his arm and I was trapped in the kitchen.  We were all laughing and falling down being attacked by the toddlers.  I could not stop laughing.  The only way to stop them was to throw giant marshmallows at the little rebels.  So much for a clean house or a quiet evening - this was so much better.

The highlight came when my husband brought them all out to stand in line and bid for silly bands. The rationale of a 4 year old is incomparable. 20 minutes later they all had a bunch of bracelets and a bunch of ring pops.  We love sending the kids home jacked up on sugar.

I truly hope the kids remember these parties fondly.  As my son gets bigger, his cousins provide an excuse to act like a toddler.  The same excuse they provide to us adults.  Guess moving back to Buffalo was the right decision.  Thank you my sweeties!

St. Paddy Day Leprechaun

I don't really celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  Maybe a long time ago when it meant an excuse to have another happy hour, or maybe when my sister's part-Irish hubby made us a great corned beef and cabbage dinner but it has been a while.  I didn't even have a place to bring green bagels to this year.

Never really thought about the celebration or missing it.  Actually forgot about it until, on our way to school,  I saw all the obnoxious green pants and pedestrians in silly hats.  My son and I laughed as we realized what day it was and how we had completely forgotten about it.  It did however start a conversation between us regarding ethnicity and racial profiling.  What a difference from the green cupcakes and pot-of-gold conversations we had driving to kindergarden.

My sister had a much different day.  Her girls are 3 and 4 and are thrilled by the thought of the St. Patrick's Day leprechaun.  In preschool they have been talking about the ruckus he makes, his love of green and they even made boxes to try to catch this mystical creature.  To excite the girls more, my sister went about the house Tuesday evening, after they went to bed, simulating the results of a leprechaun encounter, which I found out meant messing up your house.  She piled up toys precariously in the bedrooms, lined up all the stuffed animals in a parade, made shamrock inspired cupcakes with gold coins,  and her highlight...dyed the toilet water green.

When the girls woke up they were elated!  To quote her youngest, while using the "facilities" and seeing the green water, "Mommie does this mean my bottom will turn green?"  The older doll wanted to know if the leprechaun would be returning after school.  Oh a mother's work is never done.

Although I loved the stimulating conversation (inspired by the day) I had with my son, my nieces made me nostalgic for a kid's fantastical celebration.

Lower school students defending Pluto

Check out this site.  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pluto/mail-flash.html

Several 3rd graders have been upset with the declassification of Pluto as a planet.  It has been going on since 2000 but the 2008 apology is the best.

This is a good sign.  Our youth is unhappy so they are doing something about it.  Let them learn young that they have a voice and should use it.  I love it!