Strollerderby : kids activities

What Colbert Report Writers Are Doing During the Strike

Adrienne Martini — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Kids! Are your peers pressuring you about reducing your carbon footprint? Do they mock your parents' SUV? Do the lunch ladies make you recycle your soda cans and take just one napkin?

Pen an essay or a short video about the pain the "Greenies" have inflicted upon your conservative soul and win up to $200! Think of how many barrels of oil you could buy with that! Plus, your work will be published in an actual book made from tree corpses!

Entery details for World Ahead Publishing's "Kids and Globaloney Contest" are online. You provide the conservative indignation. They'll provide a finished anthology called "The Sky is Not Falling: Why It's OK to Chill About Global Warming."

So just kick back and chill, already.

Oh. Wait. This is a real contest? Not just some elaborate joke. Um...nevermind.

Photo Credit: www.giftsonline.net

Museum-Quality Kids?

Amy Kuras — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:08:00 GMT

It's cold here, y'alls, like 13 degrees and windchill of negative jillion cold. This doesn’t especially bother me, since I am really pretty much of a lazyass and welcome any excuse to lounge on the couch under a blanket. My extremely active daughter, however, hates it because she's been cooped up inside a lot and can’t run off all that energy.

We've been searching for things to do that she'll like. One of my favorite places to hang when I am by myself or with other grownups is our local art museum – it's in a big huge beautiful building in one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city and has a really interesting, varied collection. It just recently reopened after a giant renovation and has been wildly popular.

What it's not, especially, is kid-friendly, at least not my kid (did I mention active? And energetic?). They have made the museum displays much more child-oriented, with nifty little things for kids to find and explore everywhere and great kid activities, and even a list of helpful tips, but three still seems a little young for a nice relaxing visit (although she did take her first real steps there as a one-year-old). And she's more interested in zipping around the open areas than really enjoying the art .

What do you think? Do your kids like museum visits or is it more of a struggle? And what ages seem most appropriate to do this sort of thing?

Girl Scout Robbed, Gets Crime Victim Badge

Kelly Mills — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:39:00 GMT

I love those stories about heists and capers gone wrong because the thief tried to rob the 7-11 where everyone knew him or attempted to deposit a check with his home address while pointing a gun at the bank teller and demanding the contents of the safe. And this story--of a Girl Scout getting robbed--has elements of that. Now, who would rob a girl scout and take her cookie money? Isn't that right up there with punching a nun or something?

I'll tell you who: a twelve-year-old kid. Nicole Grant, a ten-year-old Girl Scout, took an order from a kid on a bike, who then swiped the ziplock bag containing all $28 of Nicole's cookie cash stash and made her escape on a bike. Police tracked the suspect to her home, because she had put her address on the cookie order form. Um, duh. Now, Girl Scouts are supposed to be accompanied by adults at all times during the cookie sales, but I guess Nicole went solo entrepreneur without the knowledge of her parents. Her dad said, "But you learn from your mistakes, and she understands that now." I bet. She holds the distinction of being the first GS robbed in Savannah, the founding place of the Girl Scouts. Maybe she'll get a badge for that.

Go Ahead and Take Young Kids to Racy Movies

Madeline Holler — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:20:00 GMT

Because I have no clue what I'm doing as a parent -- and I mean that sincerely -- I am susceptible to taking parenting advice from New York Times movie writers and anybody else who tells me what I want to hear. Dangerous? Sure, but I figure, if a guy from the Times is wrecking his kids, can't I?

Today's questionable advice, which I believe has led to the opening of a tightly sealed floodgate for me: screw movie ratings, take your kid to grown-up movies. OK, I will!

He writes:

"... while I am happy (or at least willing) to take my children to the latest animated or tweener-star-driven “family” movies — with their singing chipmunks and chirpy Loch Ness Monsters — we gravitate more and more toward age- inappropriate fare, exploring the grown-up realms of PG-13 and even, sometimes, R."

His daughter is in the third grade and his son is in the sixth and they've seen it all. Or a lot of it, he bravely discloses. You know what? Good for him (actually, good for them, the kids, the family.) His son loved the international intrigue of Charlie Wilson's War and thought Sweeney Todd was just great. He doesn't think The Kite Runner, after all, a story about a close friendship, should be adults-only.

"... children, more than critics, are receptive to anything that doesn’t bore them. Mine were enchanted by “Persepolis,” for instance, which is after all the story of a rebellious young girl contending with unjust authority. It’s not so different from “The Golden Compass” (which they also liked), except that instead of taking place in a computer-generated fantasy world full of armored bears it is set in the real country of Iran, which is rendered in beautifully drawn ink-washed two-dimensional animation. “Persepolis” is also in French, but don’t let that put you off. If your children can read just-right books, surely they can read subtitles too."

One of the big trade-offs with having kids for me was cutting way down on movie-going. It's expensive when you have to budget for a babysitter, and you have to do a little more planning than in the olden days, when I could just show up and see whatever, whenever. But one thing I have been looking forward to is when the older girl gets old enough to come with me -- to movies I want to see. Hey, I guess she already is! A guy in the New York Times said so! (Though I think I'll put There Will Be Blood in my Netflix queue, just to be safe.)

What about you? When are your kids going to be old enough to see your movies?

Photo: www.ageowns.com

Teeny Tiny, Itty Bitty Tatas

Madeline Holler — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:04:00 GMT

A car company at the New Dehli Auto Expo in India lifted its shirt earlier today to expose one perky, proportioned, pert little Tata. The unveiling got the attention of high-level executives. Cheapskates around the world are certainly aroused. Today, everybody is talking about Tatas.

They are teeny tiny, itty bitty, suuuuuuuuper cheap five-person cars. Retailing at around $2,500, it's meant to get India's growing middle class off scooters and into cars. Tata's Nano runs on something like a souped up lawn mower engine, topping out at about 50 miles per hour and gets 50 miles to the gallon. But here's why I, an admitted trunk woman, am getting excited about Tatas.

The Wall Street Journal: [Tata's] Nano is part of a global race to lower the prices of entry-level cars for millions of new developing world consumers.

That's good news! Because (1) we just don't need 2 billion people driving around in massive Chrysler Escalades and (2) maybe this means we'll get some super-tiny, cheap, cheap, cheap cars for sale here in the U.S.

I want one.

For almost seven years, we have been a one-car family, which is about one car too many for the hardcore urbanite, but since we live in Southern California, I think we're doing pretty well. However! There are times when I wish we were more like a one-and-a-half car family. As my kids get older, the schedules don't always coincide. But I hesitate to spend even $10,000 on something that will sit in front of the house most days of the week. Car-sharing isn't available here.

Anyway, how about you? Are you ready to wave good-bye to the era of enormously bloated and expensive cars and usher in spare and cute wheels? What do you think of these Tatas? Think even a single carseat would fit in the back? Yeah, me either.

Bestest News Ever for Work-at-Home Parents

Amy Kuras — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:09:00 GMT

Here in my part of the world, we got socked with the western end of the big snowstorm that hit the Midwest and into New England.

Which means that today I am facing down the bane of any work-at-home parent: The Snow Day. Remember how these used to be fun when we were kids? Now, not so much. Add in the fact the city did not do its promised plowing on my street so it's pretty hard to get out, and the fact I have deadlines like crazy, and the level of parenting around here is taking a pretty sharp plunge.

As I write, I have a little girl plastered against my side, playing with my hair, and I am typing with the other arm, writing away while she watches Noggin.

Go ahead and judge, it's TV, and I am fully aware of all the evil that is supposed to entail. But it's blessedly free of ads, most of the shows have some kind of educational component, and some of it is just plain awesome, educational or no (I've written before about my love for Jack's Big Music Show, just for starters).

So I greeted this news with interest: Noggin is going 24 hours on Dec. 31. Right now it runs 6 am to 6 pm, and switches over to teen-oriented the N at night. There will be new shows, new seasons of old shows, and movies to flesh out the schedule.

More info, including a full show lineup, at www.noggin.com.

Mexico Loves Its Bullfighters Young and Younger

Madeline Holler — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:36:00 GMT

I know I should hate this story, but really, I think it’s cute. Little 9-year-olds out fighting bulls!

Sure, they’re getting gored like the rest in the profession. But kids are resilient! They'll shake it off! Plus, I bet their parents don’t get accused of being helicopters!

The two boys featured in this New York Times piece are not allowed to fight in their home country, Spain, which has boring old age restrictions on professional sports that involve blood, livestock and the real threat of bodily harm. So the kid-matadors have been swinging their capes and thrilling audiences all over Mexico, where -- don’t you get the impression? -- anything goes.

The featured boys and their contemporaries – there are many, though Mexico doesn’t keep count – are a popular attraction at the bullfights. They are matched with bulls according to their age and experience and, in this case, trained by their fathers who are masters at the sport themselves. The very youngest matadors get matched with year-old bulls.

What do you think? Kind of makes the skate park look tame, doesn’t it? And, do stories like this make you feel like your kids are -- how shall I put this -- boring?

Crafty: Thanksgiving Apple Votive

Alisyn — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:04:00 GMT

Not only are apples a healthy and delicious fall snack, they're also a classic symbol of the season, and, as it turns out, perfect for carving into festive votive candle holders! Done prior to Thanksgiving, this craft would liven up any Turkey Day table, but I'm thinking that it would also be a great way to keep the little ones entertained during that lull between dinner and bedtime on Thanksgiving night.

Supplies: Apples, tea candles, a good knife, a spoon and a lemon (or lemon juice). Additonal: a decorative bowl or pot if you want to float your apple votives in water (pretty!)

How To:

If you are going to place the apple votives in the water, check how they float first. Do this by filling the pot you'll be putting them in and marking with a dot the side that stays up above the water.
Place a tea candle over the dot you have made in #1 and trace around its circumference with a utility knife, inserting the knife vertically as deep as the tea candle is tall.
Set aside the candle, and cut the circle into sections and scoop out using the spoon. Squeeze lemon juice onto the cut surface to keep the apple from turning brown, and insert a tea candle.

And there you have it: A simple, creative craft using only the fruits of the season and a little elbow grease.

[Via Craft Library]

Hollywood Power Players Show Their Kids How To Be Creeps

Kelly Mills — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:29:00 GMT

Here's a lovely story: Hollywood big shots use their power and position to take their kids to advance screenings of children's movies and shows and so on. Okay. But as it turns out, these parents sometimes have to weasel and threaten to make sure Junior gets a first look at the latest kid flick. And even worse, a kind of one-upping and power playing has become part of the allure for some on the A, B, and C-lists. Check it: "A lot of these parents simply want to be heroes at home. Still, as with most matters involving the inner workings of the entertainment business, this jockeying carries a heavy flavor of status and bragging rights." Um, gross. Feeling all special because you have the power to get your kid into the latest film screening is lame, but it's equally as lame to go all out to try and impress your own children. Note to industry folks: we are supposed to be raising and caring for our kids, not bowling them over with our star pull, okay? "Look honey, Daddy's a bigshot!"

I wish that was the end of it, but naturally, there's more ick to come. There's tales of kids having to smile pretty for the camera on the red carpet, because naturally the studios love the celeb offspring at screenings since it gets the film publicity. Fame-whoring your youngsters is obnoxious. And worst of all, creeps (like Pat O'Brien of show The Insider) have no problem bumping the little people out of their seats, or making celebs with less fame power move to worse seats when a hotter commodity comes knocking with brood in tow. In short, the spawn of the Hollywood elite are getting front row seats to lessons on acting like a total asshole.

You Aren't Getting Snuggled Thanks To Political Correctness?

Kelly Mills — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:33:00 GMT

Some British psychologists say we all need hugs, like at least one a day. However, "Political correctness is partly to blame as we have been conditioned not to touch anyone anymore as it can easily be deemed inappropriate." M'kay. Even if you don't feel the yearning for some snuggle action, the researchers say that while our kids are getting all the love, the adults are cold and lonely. Hugging for kids drops off at around age 11, and then picks up at age 18, I guess when they start going to college parties, though we didn't call that hugging when I was younger. Ahem.

Look, I'm not anti-hug at all, but is it really being P.C. that has destroyed our cuddles? When I think of the folks who might want to hug me but worry it could be inappropriate, I think, "thank god that person isn't hugging me." And maybe some of the adolescent hug drop off has more to do with the nature of teens. The study says, "Those aged between the ages of 15 and 17 are the ones least likely to receive, or even want to receive, a hug." I bet.

Because this study was sponsored by a soap company, the spokesperson also says, "Our study found having huggable, snuggleable soft skin makes us feel happier when coming into contact with loved ones." What a crucial finding. But whatever, go hug yerself.

Kids Games Revived For Adults: Cardboard Tube Smackdown

Kelly Mills — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:01:00 GMT

I don't know what they do in your neck of the woods, but here in the glorious SF Bay Area, there's been a serious resurgence of kid games for grown-ups. And kids, but we definitely get the adults involved. There's been large-scale pillow fights and kickball leagues and organized tag and so on. I think many of the trends start in far-off places like Oregon and New York, but here we have the right combination of mild weather year-round and earnestness and web-savvy people and geeks (hi!) to take these competitions to the next level.

This weekend was my favorite so far: the Cardboard Tube Fighting Championship. Little did I know that my and my sister's epic battles with those empty wrapping paper tubes would prove to be excellent training for an actual tournament, though we never thought to make cardboard armor. The rules included no stabbing or goring, no defending with anything other than cardboard, and no face blows. As far as I know, no one was beheaded or hospitalized, but there's always next time. And if you can't get behind cardboard tube battles, you are dead inside.

I'm thinking of starting a hopscotch league, if anyone is interested.

Pole Dancing Classes For Kids

Kelly Mills — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:28:00 GMT

I've seen a couple of these articles now, so I guess this is qualifying as a wee overseas trend: pole dancing lessons as physical fitness for teens and pre-teens. Those who are pro say it offers a fun activity that emphasizes flexibility, strength, and coordination without being too sexual. The cons say it sexualizes our kids. I'm feeling a little funny about the whole thing.

I guess I'd like to see what kinds of moves they teach--is this a big bump-and-grind fest? And, um, are there any boys in the classes? Because while this group says pole dancing is open to both sexes, I'd be curious to see if that is what gets played out in reality. I'm still a little surprised whenever I see a cheer routine and the cheerleaders do that "uh uh" stuff, and with the pom-poms... But not too many people are railing against that, unless a teacher adds it to the lesson plan. I have a feeling a producer somewhere is planning a juvenile version of The Full Monty. Sigh. Anyone up for a game of tag?

Blank Screen: Kids TV Network Says "Get Out!"

Madeline Holler — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:37:00 GMT

I’m going to try to not be too cynical about a TV network's attempt to promote kids’ health. I’ve got to believe the intentions are good and that station officials really do want kids to stop watching (for a bit) and get up off the couch and go play.

Or it’s a publicity stunt.

In any case, here goes:

Saturday, Nickelodeon will stop airing for three hours beginning at noon (EDT/PDT). The idea isn’t that kids should click over to Cartoon Network. Rather, the station programmers hope kids will go outside and play.

A few hours after programming resumes, kids can watch the network's "Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge" (6 p.m. EDT/PDT), which will feature other kids who have taken up exercise, their challenges and success stories. The blank screen non-program and health challenge are the product of an ongoing project of Nickelodeon’s and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Three hours of dead air in the afternoon hardly seems like enough. But it’s a start. I wonder how many kids that blank screen will jolt out of the TV stupor. I wonder how many will wind up playing video games instead. Also, what about Nick Jr., the companies network for preschoolers? They don't appear to be taking part.

Maybe the network will do it again next year, and bring the other children’s television channels along with them. Then ESPN and Food Network the year after that and the whole family might wind up at the park.

Crafty: This One's For All The Haters

Alisyn — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:10:00 GMT

I feel like I have to lead my kids through some kind of craft-like activity occasionally - it's just the right thing to do. I don't really consider coloring, painting or farting around with stickers "crafty" - my girls do these things regularly (partially because I hate my kitchen table and I am trying to kill it so I can buy a new one, but mostly because I support the arts, okay?). I consider anything that needs to be cut, glued, affixed, sewn, sprinkled, shaped or shellacked "crafty," and I can barely bring myself to allow it more than once a month.

Which is why I love crafts like this one. This one's for all the craft-haters out there (like me!), who send their children to art class and, you know, school, so they can learn how to cut properly with scissors and make pipe cleaner villages, and someone else can pick up after them. This craft is virtually mess free, and requires nothing more than a trip out to the recycling bin to retrieve an egg carton, and maybe a trip to the craft store, if you can't think of anything else to make the stem out of (we strung our "flowers" on yarn and made picnic lights the doll house!).

Supplies:

Egg carton
Scissors
Paints and paint brushes (or markers)
Pipe cleaners (or...?)
Glue

How To:

Cut individual cups from the egg carton
Cut different kinds of "petals" in cups
Paint/glitter/glue the cups
Attach pipe cleaner stems to the back of the cup using glue or oke a hole through the middle of the "flower" and push the stem through it, or poke holes through flolwers and string them on yarn.

So easy. So cute. So painless.

You're so welcome.

Weekly Check-Up: Getting Kids To Exercise. Yeah, Again.

Kelly Mills — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:30:00 GMT

Apparently this topic is trying to compete with "blah blah causes childhood obesity" for the top over-covered news slot. And of course the two go together, because our bad, sedentary ways are contributing to the (ba ba bum) obesity epidemic. But I'll do this one AGAIN because this story at least has two sometimes overlooked thoughts on how to get kids to, you know, work out something other than their mousing hand. And of course you have committed to heart all the previous advice on playing games like tag and working for better urban planning so that kids can safely ride bikes and go to parks and so on and on and on.

My favorite bit of advice for getting kids to be active: "Lead by example." Yeah, you can talk all day long about the importance of exercise for a healthy body, but if you only break a sweat during the American Idol finals, then your kids are probably going to sense you are talking out of your ass. I'll go further and say, bring the kids to the gym or the track with you every once in a while. Let them see you in action. That will ultimately have a bigger impact than "exercise good" blather.

The other thing I like on this: "Choose active recreation." Play physical games. Hike. Walk places. Just don't limit fun time to sitting and staring at a screen, though I believe there's room for that too. But adding just a little movement to family time helps. Plus, you get to hear that lovely whine, "Mom, my feet are too tiiiired to walk any more." And there's the potential for bonding in that.

Kids and Cyberdanger

Kelly Mills — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:28:00 GMT

Maybe you thought the internet was this real boon, allowing us to access all kinds of information and meet people and whine about parenting, but noooo. Of course it is really a highly dangerous place for kids, where their every step is tracked by cyberpredators and they access all kinds of grown-up stuff that you had to view by digging those interesting magazines out from under your dad's bed. Symantec, which sells (surprise!) internet security products, commissioned a study about how kids are in way over their heads on the internet and their parents DON'T EVEN KNOW. In other overhyped news: childhood obesity is a problem.

Here's the PR bullets from the selfless folks at Symantec:

-Twenty-one percent of children have reported having an experience with inappropriate material via the Internet that made them feel uncomfortable

-Eighteen percent of children have had an experience with cyberbullyng or cyber pranks (such as receiving messages, images or videos intended as a joke or prank)

-Twenty-three percent of children have had an encounter with a stranger on the Internet, including seven percent of children who reported having met someone in the real world from the Internet

-Twenty percent of children wish their parents were more interested in using the Internet

This tells me that: 1) kids get pranked and chatted up way less than grownups, and 2) I'm stunned any kid wants their parents on the internet more. Do they really want us to find the online diary where they write, "OMG I H8 MY MOM!!!"

Crafty: Eyeball Pincushions

Kelly Mills — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:27:00 GMT

My family has a thing for eyeballs. One year my better half and I made eyeball Christmas tree ornaments--use white balls for the eyes, felt for the iris, and a black thumbtack for the pupil and all of the sudden the trees have eyes. We've given out eyeball bouncy balls as party favors, and you'd better believe Halloween is all eyeballs, all the time. Our child has picked up the fascination, and her current favorite book is Heedley Pecked Me in the Eye. Yes, we are watching you right now.

So I love this crafty project: make an eyeball pincushion. You can use this tutorial, then go here to figure out the rest or register for her website. My only problem is that I can't sew. (Which begs the question, "Why would I need a pincushion? Response: "Look, eyeballs!") I'm hoping I can convince Mike to make me one. Or several. Particularly the bloodshot ones, which immediately make me think of my Whole Foods cashier.

StrollerDerby PlayDate: It's Hot Outside

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:55:00 GMT

It's Summer around these parts and increasingly hot hot hot. So what is a mama and a papa to do? First, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (and anyone with a brain), don't leave your kids in cars in the summer heat. Just don't do it. Ever.

Urban In-Fill suggests going to your local public pool or beach.
Open Country warns us about heat exhaustion.
The UTMB Newsroom gives tips for protecting your kids from the heat.

Read Jessica's tips for summer fun with water toys later today on Strollerderby. And share your tips for keeping cool!

How to Wring the Joy Out of Your Kid's Summer

Karen Murphy — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:33:00 GMT

Ah, summer. Remember the days when school let out and you knew you had freedom, complete freedom, for what seemed an eternity stretching ahead of you? Two months, maybe three if you were lucky, of nothing but sleeping in, maybe a few swimming lessons, long afternoons of Monopoly maybe, and listening for the bell of the ice cream man's truck at dinner time while the Little league kids yelled "heyyy batterbatterbatter" off in the distance at the schoolyard next door. Remember that? Or was I the only kid with basically no life?

Well, it turns out kids have lives now. Full, busy, managed lives. Even in summer, which has traditionally been a time of rest from too many organized activities. And? It's not such a good thing.

But? Now there's sports camp, computer camp, math camp, science camp, band camp, horse camp, and even bank camp, to name only a few. Residential university programs for 5th graders? Check. And the sports-oriented activities are the worst, at least in terms of time-sucking. Football practice used to start in August, but no more: now it's in June.

Experts say that all this activity is too much. Let kids have a rest. I agree: they've got all their adult lives to stress, why start early?

Best Weapon Against Childhood Boredom? Imagination

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:47:00 GMT

The Washington Post writes a piece this week about the importance of childhood imagination, particularly as an antidote to the baleful cries of I'm boooooorrred."

Like many parents, I have dreams of instilling in my kids a love of reading, a desire to be physically active, and a sense of silly funniness that often ebbs away once one becomes, say, a parent.

Can you fathom how proud you'd be if this quoted your child? "If you have imagination," Claire says.., "a box could be a racing car."

Turning off the television is only just the beginning of encouraging the naturally expansive imagination of your kids. Equally important is free time (aimless days) during which to express their own bizarre sense of wonder.

[Photo credit: Washington Post]

Convertibles for (Parents of) Young Kids

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:32:00 GMT

As new and expectant parents, many of us trade in our fun-mobiles for responsible side impact air bag full cars at some point. For me, that time came when I could no longer fit behind the wheel of my beloved Mazda Miata. Pregnant with twins, I opted instead for a responsible car with significantly less appeal, but more safety. Alas, the love of convertibles never went away.

Car companies are smartening up to sublimated convertible desires among today's parents and are marketing fun sporty family cars accordingly. Smarties. Several types of convertibles are even deemed safe enough for families with young children (not with them driving, of course).

If the squeals of laughter erupting from the backseat when all the windows are down are any indication, love of convertibles is genetic.

To see a complete list of fun sporty family cars, go here.

Having Fun with Your Kids this Summer

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:47:00 GMT

For many parents, Summer creates a scheduling nightmare as working folks try and find suitably engaging activities for their kids. Summer isn't what it used to be. But University of Missouri Professor Dick Robinson thinks Summer should be a time of fun and learning, a seemingly obvious statement.

Some of his ideas include creating a home library, taking kids to places of historical interest, and playing word games while in the car. Since my husband and I are both working stiffs, we've managed a sort of middle ground on some quality summer time with our kids (two of whom are just entering Kindergarten this Fall).

I think Summer is a lovely time for child-rearing. Swimming pools, neighborhood parties, trips to the park. Everything seems less shut-in and more expansive in the bright sunshine.

Let's hope each of us can find some time to put some fun back in our kids summer... word games, home libraries or no.

Are Sports Too Soft?

Kelly Mills — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:30:00 GMT

We've had lots of interesting discussions on kids and sports, but boy, there's always territory to mine here. One parent on Catholic Answers Forum posted a whole laundry list of questions regarding what sports parents choose and why. ("How important is the possibility of a professional career in the sport?" I'll field that one: unless you have already given your kid steroids or named him Tiger, dreeeeam on.) Some of the questions and answers are pretty good, and then I read this response:

The one thing I hate about kids team sports as of late is the new "we can't be competitive" attitude. I don't understand getting to play positions you haven't worked for (my own kids included) and I don't understand the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality. I don't understand telling a kid who's born to play shortstop that they can't play there because we have to let someone who's not qualified play there. It's like it's the worst thing in the world if our kids fail or are disappointed. It's not helpful in preparing them for a world that should work on the merit system. When I was a kid (a most overused phrase) we played where the coach put us and we were happy to be playing. If we wanted to be in a certain spot, we worked harder.

I do think this raises a real interesting point about the current obsession with protecting kids from any kind of disappointment or possible sense of inadequacy. Let's not romanticize the days when some kids were picked last for teams (and it probably still happens, because I don't recall most gym teachers being a forward-thinking, egalitarian bunch) but at the same time, what does it mean to work hard if everyone gets an equal turn regardless of effort? I dunno, as an unathletic kid the whole competitive thing freaked me out so much I was terrified to even attempt most games. But I can also see some validity to this argument, especially for older kids. What do you think?

The Disneyland Submarine Ride Returns. All Hail the Sub!

Kelly Mills — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:38:00 GMT

On Monday, Disneyland unveiled the new submarine ride. For those of you who haven't kept up with your ride lore, the old sub ride was closed in 1998, because it was expensive to run and could only schlepp a few people at a time. I guess people were kind of upset to see the old sub go, and one of them was Marty Sklar, at the time Disney's creative chief. "He publicly threatened to lie down on the busy street that fronts Disneyland to prevent the subs from being deep-sixed." Wow, he'd die for a sub ride? Now that's passion, people. Anyhow, boomers begged for the return of the ride and so finally it was overhauled and gussied up and finally relaunched as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Argh, not the clownfish!!! Will he never go away?

The new ride has gotten rave reviews from advance riders. "'IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! i would TOTALLY WAIT IN LINE for like 6 hours for it,' wrote one satisfied rider...And even before its official opening to the general public today, dozens of grainy, blurry and dark videos had surfaced on YouTube." You know what? I just went to D-land a month ago (looong story) and I wouldn't wait in line for 6 hours to ride on Johnny Depp's lap, let alone squeeze into a tiny sub to oogle a clownfish. But just so you know, my childhood memories of the old subs were colored by the fact that 1. they smelled like feet, 2. I waited for almost six hours in the heat to get on it, and 3. while on that ride, I discovered I am claustrophobic. Age six. There's my trauma.

If you get a chance to raise the periscope on this puppy, let us know if we should believe the hype. Meanwhile, I'm just going to try to steal the animatronic Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride for my own foul purposes.