More Home to Work Transition Tales

Posted on July 26, 2012 | 8 comments

An update on my transition back to work…..

If you’re looking for a quick way to deflate any ego you’ve built in adulthood, I highly recommend starting a new job. Five years ago, I was leading a team of writers and producers on breaking stories and major news events. Today I fear picking up the office phone because I won’t know how to help the caller.

The first few days were fine. I wore a dress and heels, met some nice people and got the lay of the land in the office.  Then it was time to get serious and figure out what I’m supposed to do.  I was assigned to work with various 20-somethings who clicked a mouse so fast my eyes got blurry.

I observed and took copious, disorganized notes, trying to keep up with the how-to’s. Since I’m only a freelancer I don’t have a dedicated desk.  I spent several painstaking hours on the phone with the IT department setting up my computer with logins, passwords, shortcuts, and programs, only to be kicked out of my desk by a staffer on the afternoon shift.

This job requires working on 5 separate computer programs simultaneously. Besides logging into Windows and getting Outlook mail, I need a news gathering program, content management system, online chat room with separate portals for video and writing assignments, and various websites for grabbing photos and video.

Dizzy yet?  I am.

I persevered through low moments when, feeling like a useless dunce, I wondered why I had temporarily given up my wonderful life of kid whining, dishwasher unloading, and laundry for this.

Everyone has a job to do so it’s been difficult to get someone to sit with me for more than 10 minutes to go through procedures and ask questions. I’m constantly  torn between wanting to stop and learn, and letting a colleague complete a task because I understand news has to get out quickly. For several days I felt like my coworkers were feeding me, instead of teaching me how to fish.

Note to self: proper employee training is a lost art. Everyone is in too much of a hurry.

Another problem is my innate fear of computers.  I am old enough to remember time before the internet, email, and texting. I’ve used computers since I started working in the 1990’s but they’ve never been my friends. When I hit a stumbling block in the process of creating a story for the web, I freeze. I’m anxious about what to do next and worry that I’ll delete my work or damage the system. These kids training me don’t know life without a computer so their brazen problem solving is more intuitive.

I often spend the night before work tossing and turning, cursing my mistakes and fretting that my co-workers think I’m an idiot. In the office I’m trying to work independently so I don’t have to bother busy colleagues.  I clutch my notebook and rifle through the pages, trying to remember my 8 passwords and piece together procedures.

I only work two non-consecutive days a week so it’s been difficult to find my groove. But I’m adapting. The last day I worked was the best yet. I completed a bunch of stories and worked on a slide show. My pace is woefully  s   l   o   w,  but it’s already getting easier.

I’m sure in 6 weeks I’ll  look back and laugh at what a ball of nerves and incompetence I was. Right now, it’s still raw and not yet funny.

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Talking to Children about Aurora Shootings: Know Your Kid

Posted on July 24, 2012 | 3 comments

I’ve been glued to the TV and iPad soaking in details of the Aurora, Colorado theater shootings. A young, intelligent person methodically plotting that violent act is beyond comprehension. Part of my need to know all the facts is to try to make sense of the evil. Did you see the shooter in court with the wild red hair and dazed look? Sickening.

While I could sit for hours watching coverage, trolling for any new information on the case and the victims, Wilson doesn’t see the point of dwelling. Always a news junkie, when a big story happens I follow it closely, but I’ve realized over-saturation is not for everyone.  Violent and/or heartbreaking events can be triggers for some, causing anxiety and even depression.

I’ve seen several stories online this week about how to talk to your kids about tragedies and it reminded me of a column I wrote a few years ago when my then 9-year-old, Jacob, was grilling me about the deadly earthquake in Indonesia. You can check out my story here.

The bottom line is, you have to know your kid. My 9 and 6 year olds are much more concerned this week with their baseball playoffs and extra sprinkles on their ice cream than the news. That works for me.

Things haven’t changed much since I wrote that column. While my younger boys were oblivious, Jacob was fascinated by this week’s  shooting rampage and asked me a zillion questions, most of which I could not answer. He wanted to know how the shooter got so many guns and bullets, how he was able to booby trap his apartment, but mostly why? why? why?

12- year-old Jacob is extremely curious by nature (not sure where he gets it from) and gets frustrated when we can’t offer satisfactory responses to his queries.  We did our best to give him the appropriate information and encouraged him to discuss his feelings about the crime. The conversation repeatedly turned back to the shooter’s motive.

As we told him this week, part of growing up is realizing sometimes people do horrible things for no good reason at all.

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2012 Emmy Nominations: Heights and Slights

Posted on July 20, 2012 | 4 comments

Oh how I love the Emmy’s. Maybe you’ve noticed I’m not afraid to admit TV has been my joy since I was old enough to work a remote (back then it had only 6 buttons and we called it a “clicker.”)  Today the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the Emmy nominations for best in shows.

Who will be walking the red carpet with head held high and who got snubbed? For the full list of nominations click this link.

Here’s my take:

–I’m thrilled that “Girls” was recognized for outstanding comedy series, lead actress, director, and writer after just 10 short but brilliant episodes. Judd Apatow produces but it’s my new hero– the amazing 26-year-old Lena Dunham— who writes, directs, produces and stars in this HBO comedy about 20-something girls in NYC. It’s “Sex in the City” meets “Manhattan” meets “Juno” and it’s my favorite new show on TV.

“Girls”/HBO

I’m rooting for Merritt Wever to win best supporting actress for her exceptional work on Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie.”  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rewind a scene because I was laughing my ass off and couldn’t hear the next line. Wever has created one of the most unique characters on TV in Zoey. She takes kooky to a whole new level. Is it weird that I want her to move in with my family? I’m pulling for you and your cartoon scrubs Merritt. You go girl!

Merritt Wever as Zoey on
“Nurse Jackie”/Showtime

One show that’s sure to dominate in the comedy category is “Modern Family.”  Wilson and I crack up at the characters and the writing is clever without any cheap or obvious tricks. Almost every actor on the show is nominated– with good reason as they’re all irrepressibly talented– but Eric Stonestreet as Cameron is beyond.  I also love Julie Bowen as Claire and the timing of Sofia Vergara’s Gloria…but they’re up against Merritt so I’m going to hope for a “MF” win in the best comedy  and writing categories.

As for lead actress in a comedy series, it’s like Sophie’s Choice for me among Lena Dunham, Edie Falco as “Nurse Jackie” and Queen of Quirk Zooey Deschanel for Fox’s “New Girl.” All formidable dames who own their characters.

I hope Jimmy Fallon wins for hosting “SNL”— one of the funniest 90 minutes I’ve seen in a long while. The gifted Kristin Wiig was also nominated for her scores of oddball characters on “SNL”– good luck Target lady!

For Outstanding Drama, I was happy to see HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” nominated for several awards. The scripts are excellent and the art direction sublime but it’s still no “Mad Men.”  Of course, Jon Hamm is up for best lead actor and on the drama writing slate, “MM” got 3 of the 5 nods.

Mad Men/AMC

Nominees for Outstanding Children’s Program include: “Degrassi,” “Good Luck Charlie,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” and “Wizards of Waverly Place.” Really?! Outstanding?! Mr Rogers is rolling over in his grave.

I was surprised to see that “American Idol”  was not recognized in the best reality show category. I doubt those two dance shows and “Project Runway” have more to offer but apparently there was enough room for “The Voice”  in this contest. But the always reliable, affable, and consumately professional Ryan Seacrest will get a shot at best reality host. What number do I text to vote for you Ryan?

Also snubbed was one of my all-time favs, “How I Met Your Mother.”  How is Neil Patrick Harris overlooked for his brilliant turn as Barney and how are the writers not rewarded for consistently funny, creative scripts and believable characters? Tsk, tsk Academy.

In other Emmy injustices…. Hugh Laurie got no love in his last season on “House,” “Glee” was undernominated and the dashing and dastardly Timothy Olyphant was overlooked for FX’s “Justified.”  But the one that knocked the plasma outta me was the Academy not recognizing  “Mad Men’s”    John Slattery. It’s enough to drive me to drink.

You can see more snubs here and here.

Where will I be when the Emmy’s are handed out on September 23rd?  Curled up on the couch in front of the tube, with a giant bowl of popcorn and chocolate almonds, clutching my cell phone and laptop so I can text friends and follow the action on Twitter.

I wasn’t playing when I told you I was a TV geek.

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Stay at Home to Work Transition: From Carpools to Cubicles

Posted on July 18, 2012 | 13 comments

I started a part-time job last week as an editor at a news website. I’ve been interviewing for a while so I was lucky to find a gig in this sagging market and an opportunity to learn new skills.

While I‘ve been freelance writing from home for the last 3 years, the last time I set foot in an office, Bush 43 was president,  Michael Jackson was singing, and Bernie Madoff was still living on Park Avenue. It’s definitely been tough adapting to a corporate setting after nearly 5 years in the safe haven of my house.

All my boys (ages 6, 9, and 12) are finally in a full day of school and most weeks this summer they’re in camp so it’s the right time for me to dip my toe back into the working world and figure out what I want to do when I grow up some more.

For the last several years I’ve been a stay-at-home mom trying to keep my journalism/writing career going in my down time.  My priority was managing our family and the house so I fit in work commitments  around carpools, homework, groceries, and bedtime tuck-ins.

I’m ready to focus on work again but. …it’s an adjustment.

Ego Issues:

Challenge:  It’s always difficult to start fresh. I hate feeling inept and out of control in a new situation. I’m also taking a significant pay cut and a step down compared to my last management position.

Bonus: Less responsibility means less stress and although I’m eager to get up to speed and take on more, after several years out of the office, it’s nice to ease back in and find my way slowly.

Time Management

Challenge: Instead of coordinating schedules and tasks the night before at home, I have to look at my calendar for days, even weeks in advance to make sure I plan all the pickups, drop-offs, meals, and equipment before I leave for the office.

Bonus:  Once I get on that train, there’s nothing I can do about it so it’ll be what it will be.

Learning Curve:

Challenge: Although my news background still helps, I’ve changed fields from TV to online production and the tools are completely new. My first day I had a delightful 27-year-old training me and she clicked around so fast I felt like grandma learning to text. There must be 20 steps to getting a story online.

Bonus:   I’m learning new skills that will help me stay relevant in this ever-changing media world.  And I get to live vicariously through the life of a modern 20-something working gal in New York—and still get to go home to Wilson and my kids.

Commute:

Challenge:  I don’t hate my one-hour door-to-door commute—it’s a brief and pleasant train ride and one subway—but I resent the time suck.  It’s two hours I could be with my kids or tackling my to-do list.  Plus, the trains are unpredictable. On my first day, there were half-hour delays and some trains were diverted to another station.

Bonus:  On the train, there’s time to decompress, read, and chat with commuting friends uninterrupted.

Wardrobe:

Challenge: Need to keep up with young fashionista media types who live in Manhattan and spend half their salaries on shoes and handbags.

Bonus:  No more yoga pants and tank tops.  For two days a week I get to dress like a lady and have a legitimate excuse to shop.

I’ve already suffered through several frustrating days and there will be more to come before I feel comfortable with the technical aspects of the job and understand all my responsibilities. My coworkers seem nice and helpful and I’m jazzed by the energy of a newsroom again.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I anticipate at least a few mortifying stories– spilled coffee on the boss, missed deadline, accidentally publishing my to-do list on the World page, etc—in the coming months. Please share any home-to-work transitions you’ve experienced in the comments. I’d love to hear about your new employment escapades!

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What to Do in Paris with Kids- Part Deux

Posted on July 15, 2012 | Comments Off on What to Do in Paris with Kids- Part Deux

Sick of hearing about my frolicking in France yet? But I haven’t even told you about all the shopping damage (oh the shoes… c’est bon! c’est bon!)

Here is part deux of things to do with kids in Paris…..and then I’ll  fermer ma bouche for a while!

–Bateaux Mouche 

Our  boat ride down the Siene was a fun and inexpensive way to see the sights and architecture of Paris in a short amount of time.  We boarded the boat in the  evening (at this time of year Paris doesn’t get dark until 10pm)  and got to see the gorgeous city views at dusk. The boys loved hanging over the side of the boat railing while shouting at the lovers along the banks of the Siene. The hour-long ride gave us views of both the Right and Left Banks and several sights, including a close up of the Eiffel Tower.  On the boat we heard about an enchanting tradition on the only foot bridge between the Left and Right Banks: sweethearts come to seal their love by leaving a lock on the bridge railings and toss the key into the Siene as a symbol of their amour. Oh la la!

Jacob & Avery waving to people from Baton Mouche

View of Notre Dame from Baton Mouche

If you don’t want to climb it, this view of the Eiffel Tower is next best thing

Hard to get a good pic of love locks from moving boat!

Sunset on the Siene

–Luxembourg Gardens

We spent the afternoon in this beautiful park one day so the kids could kick a soccer ball,  push sail boats in the pond,  and play on the playground. The boys were fascinated by watching French children at play. The Parisian kids behaved  similarly to Americans, but they were much better dressed.

You can rent sticks & boats to push around the pond

—Sainte-Chapelle

We saw many sights in Paris but this was the one place where both boys walked in and said “Whoa!” The 15 stained glass windows in this chapel are awe-inspiring. The windows appear to be stories high and depict more than a thousand scenes from Christian stories through color and symbolism. The church is only a couple blocks from Notre Dame and a visit doesn’t take long so it’s definitely worth the detour.

Seeing these windows up close is a religious experience

— Arc de Triomphe

If you have the stamina, I recommend you walk down the Champs-Elysees to see all the cafes and shops on your way to the Arc (we had a successful pit stop at the Nike store where we bought one-of-a-kind sneakers and soccer jerseys.)  Jacob and I felt dizzy while climbing the narrow, winding staircase to the top of the Arc, but the view was well worth it. It’s in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle where 12 main streets meet, so the view is spectacular.  Make sure to take the hokey optical illusion photo of your kid leaning on the Eiffel Tower while you’re up there.

Jacob gets ready for the climb

View from Arc de Triomphe

Requisite Leaning Tower photo

Are these the only things to do with kids in Paris? Absolutely not. Of course there are many more museums, a zoo, EuroDisney, and several other amusement parks… but Jacob can ride a roller coaster or see a chimp at home. Our jocks would have loved to see a soccer game but no one was playing nearby that week.

 

This is what we could manage with two 12-year-old boys who we had to drag away from playing NHL Hockey on my iPad each morning.  Outside their door was a beautiful foreign city with tons to see and do but they would have been happy to stay inside and score another hat trick.

We pushed them every day to try new things– the Metro, tabouli, art history–   and open their minds.  To their credit, those boys accepted the challenge and had a great time. By the last day, they led the way to our favorite cafe and ordered lunch in French.

Paris had me at bonjour.

For the kids, the affection came more gradually. But even 12-year-old boys can fall in love with Paris. Just make the museum visits short and keep passing the crepes.

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What to Do In Paris with Kids (Besides Eat!)

Posted on July 12, 2012 | 2 comments

Jacob & mom on the Bateaux Mouche

Forgive me if I’m bleeding baguettes this week but my recent trip to Paris provided beaucoup material that may be helpful if you ever make the trip.

My friend, Tami, and I took our 12-year-old sons to France to visit Tami’s sister and explore Paris. In the next two posts I’ll focus on what we did besides eating, which I covered in my last dispatch.

Don’t get me wrong, eating is a highlight for kids in Paris.  Jacob and his friend, Avery will remember the pain chocolat more fondly than the pain of trekking around the Louvre. But you can’t go to Paris and not take in a few museums and some of the amazing sights.

—Louvre

Don’t make the same mistake we did by taking your kids to the Louvre on the first day. Our boys were still jet lagged and the museum was overwhelming for all of us. We tried to break it down to just the Egyptian section and the masterpieces but that still took us nearly three hours and they were tired, bored and miserable by the time we left.  The Louvre is an enormous and impressive building but difficult to navigate. Much of the art is old and austere with religious themes that didn’t interest the kids. We thought the audio tour would be a good way to engage them– especially since the equipment was a Nintendo DS– but it was confusing and not user-friendly so I would not waste money on it again. Next time, I’ll limit the Louvre experience to just the masterpieces or leave the kids at home.

“Winged Victory” at Louvre

Hard to get close to “Mona Lisa”

“Venus di Milo”
(another masterpiece lost on 12yo boys)

—Musee D’Orsay

After the Louvre disaster, we bravely persevered and took them the following day to the Musee D’Orsay– a much more successful experience.  The museum was an old train station so the look is unique and captivating. It’s also where the “Hugo Cabret” book and movie are set so the giant clocks have become iconic for kids. The art is more modern and accessible, especially the amazing Impressionist collection. One of my trip highlights was walking through the galleries of works by Monet, Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Renoir, and Van Gogh, conjuring up all my art history knowledge from college and sharing it with Jacob. I can’t say it was his favorite activity but he didn’t hate it and retained some of what he learned. The museum is a manageable size so we let the kids wander on their own for an hour, and they loved that freedom.

My fav museum in the world

Lady Liberty highlights sculpture gallery

Nice view from the famous clock

––Montemartre/Sacre Couer

Riding the Metro was memorable for Jacob because he learned the city’s geography and appreciated the people watching– especially when some gypsies nearly pickpocketed me while waiting for a train. We took the Metro to Montemartre and walked to the funicular– a tram that takes you up the hill to Sacre Coeur. We couldn’t help but be awed looking up at the enormous church, towering on a hill above all of Paris. The carvings, gargoyles and sculpture on the church’s facade are amazing and it’s only a quick walk around the peaceful inside before you head out to the steps to take in the impressive city view.  Although we chose not to, you can climb up to the top of the church, but Jacob liked the view from the front steps. There are several cute shops leading to the church and although we didn’t stop to eat, I’m sure you could find a nice cafe.

Kids loved the Metro:
great people watching & less walking!

On line for the funicular

Basilica di Sacre Coeur

Amazing view from Sacre Coeur


But wait…there’s more! I’ll post the rest of my things to do with kids in Paris later this week. Voila!

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My Top 7 Favorite Paris Eats

Posted on July 8, 2012 | 4 comments


I spent last week in Paris with my 12-year-old son, Jacob and some friends. It was a trip I had planned and saved for for more than a year. When you tell people you’re going to Paris they cluck with envy and often share personal experiences of their time there.  I had been once before– when I was 21 and traveling after studying for a semester in Florence– and I had fond memories of the sights and feel of the city.

The City of Light lived up to my memories and the hype.  We had a magical week walking the neighborhoods, wandering through museums, sightseeing, shopping, and of course, eating. If you ask Jacob to name his favorite part of the trip he will certainly say the food. We ate with abandon, but miraculously I think I lost weight. The French eat small portions and don’t snack so I guess all the walking balanced out the bread, cheese, and desserts I consumed.

Paris is an epicurean’s delight. Everything is so fresh, I don’t think we ate any processed food the entire week.  I can’t say enough about the bread.  Every morning, Jacob had a pain chocolat (chocolate croissant) or pain avec jambon et fromage (ham and cheese croissant) and even at the most basic cafe, they were the best we’ve ever had. Several mornings I walked into a random bakery and ordered a giant baguette that was crunchy on the outside and doughy and warm from the oven on the inside, and cost less than a dollar. C’est magnifique!

Here are my Top 7 favorite Paris eats:

–Greens and Gruyere  This classic French salad usually comes with walnuts or pine nuts and a light vinaigrette dressing. The rich, gooey gruyere is baked so it’s soft and easily spreads over the crunchy toast. Yum!

—Steak Frites   This was Jacob’s fav for sure. We loved it so much, we visited the famous Le Relais de l’Entrecote twice in a week. There is no menu as they only offer one meal. No-nonsense waiters serve you a green salad with Dijon dressing and two helpings of steak frites with a special green sauce that you can’t get anywhere else.  Delicious desserts include profiteroles and fruit melbas topped with gelato.

—Falafel in Le Marais. Who knew you could get such terrific Middle Eastern food in urban France? Le Marais is an old neighborhood on the Right Bank  that’s home to many Jews. The falafel, meatballs, tabouli and hummus at Chez Marianne were a tasty distraction from traditional French fare.

—Crepes  Is it wrong that we had crepes four times in a week? I admit to my weakness for the light, thin, buttery pancakes smothered in Nutella and bananas, topped with whipped cream. We also indulged in savory crepes with ingredients from greens and assorted veggies to eggs, ham and cheese. We found the excellent Creperie du Clown on rue des Canettes, but the crepes from street stands were equally scrumptious.

Macarons  These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are in pastry shops all over Paris but the famous bakery Laduree is where you want to sample them. Macarons are two light, flaky meringue-like biscuits held together by ganache, buttercream or jelly. They come in a wide variety of flavors from raspberry to pistachio, but my preference is chocolate and cafe.

Laduree

–-Hot Chocolate at Angelina  This fancy cafe on rue de Rivoli, near the Tuileries Gardens, is pricey but worth the splurge for a hot chocolate and pastry break on your way to shop on the Champs-Elysees. Imagine melting the richest dark chocolate bar and drinking it out of a teapot. It’s somewhere between hot chocolate and chocolate syrup, and with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, it’s sweet bliss.

–-Gelato  Paris isn’t the only place you can get gelato, but it’s one of the best. It must be the all natural ingredients and dense flavor that make this Euro-ice cream so good. Many flock — as we did– to Berthillon on the Ile Saint-Louis for the grande dame of glaces. The chocolate was other-worldly.  Don’t I look psyched to dig into this raspberry and chocolate cone at Gelateria Amorino on rue de Buci?  They shape the gelato into a rose which is almost too pretty to eat…but not quite!

Jacob & friend Avery sample gelato at Berthillon

If you have a pleasurable Paris provision to share, please tell me in the comments. Bon appetit!

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My Take on The Busy Trap

Posted on July 6, 2012 | 5 comments

There was a great opinion piece in the New York Times this week that may make you take a hard look at how you live your life. I dare you not to recognize yourself– even just a little– in writer Tim Kreider’s diatribe on why we’re all too busy.

The column made me laugh as he blatantly mocked me and all the busy people, who only have ourselves to blame for creating activities and events that keep us on the run day after day, like products on a factory conveyor belt.

Kreider says ” busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance, a hedge against emptiness; obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or trivial or meaningless if you are so busy, completely booked, in demand every hour of the day. ”  He suggests people are busy “because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they’re addicted to busyness and dread what they might have to face in its absence.”

Ouch.

I related to Kreider’s observation that people feel tense and guilty when they aren’t working or promoting their work.  When I quit my fulltime job as a TV news producer after more than 15 years, I was desperate to fill my days with legitimate activities. The idea of loafing around brainstorming, reading, or watching TV was abhorrent and– even though I was doing the hard work of raising three young boys–  I never could shake the feeling that I was playing hooky.

Five years later, my calendar is still packed with work commitments, volunteer duties, kids activity responsibilities, house projects, and errands galore. God forbid I just take some time to relax and recharge my battery.

It’s been difficult to figure out what I want to do with the next part of my life, mostly because I haven’t allowed myself the time to really ponder it in a thoughtful way. Who has the time to contemplate the future when I have to drive baseball carpool, write a blog post, water my garden, or run to the grocery store?

Krieder has high praise for idle time. So do I….in theory. But in practice, I can’t help but feel contrite and a bit antsy when I lay in our hammock and read a book.

Kreider argues that idleness is necessary to seeing a broader perspective, which can lead to inspiration and increased productivity. I know clearing my mind –whether it’s through meditation, yoga, exercise, daydreaming, or even a long quiet walk– always leads to new ideas, but it’s challenging to discipline myself to do it.

Last week, however, I fulfilled a dream and took my 12-year-old son, Jacob to Paris for a week.  In true French style, there was no hurrying as we walked the city’s various neighborhoods, stopping now and then for a crepe or gelato.  We sat in cafes to watch people and I drank wine at late lunches and dinners.

And guess what? Life did not seem meaningless even though it slowed  down. I noticed after a few days I wasn’t clenching my teeth and had increased energy. Due to the expense, I suspended internet service on my phone all week and didn’t have the twitchy need to check my email or Twitter 8 times a day. This left me time to think and be more aware of my surroundings.

I don’t agree with all Kreider’s points. It doesn’t sound like he understands the dynamics of raising kids and how much time they require, even without over-scheduling.  But much of the piece resonated with me.

The article is long so I’m sure many of you will be too busy to commit. If you can spare the time between activities, read it here.

Let me know what you think of his theory in the comments.

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Candy Reading List: More Picture Books Ages 3-10

Posted on July 2, 2012 | 1 comment

I’m adding to the Candy Reading List this month with a few more picture books for ages 3 to 10 that are among our favorites. Summer is a good time to get to your local library to pass the time and escape the heat. Check out these picture books and let me know what you think. I’d also love to see your favorites so tell me about them in the comments.

Let’s talk about books!

Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox/Erin Dealey

This book’s brightly colored, animated illustrations look like pop art. Goldie Locks is sick with dots so the whole neighborhood— from Henny Penny to Red Ridinghood to Bo Peep– pays a visit to check her spots. The rhyming stanzas are clever and funny and we love the ending, when her pesky little brother gets his just desserts.

Mr. Mumble/Peter Catalanotto

Most kids love animals and this book is chock-full of them, showing up in unexpected places, which always gets a laugh. Mr. Mumble is not speaking clearly so his day of errands turns into one crazy mishap after another. My boys love trying to figure out what he’s really saying. Just when he’s getting ready to page Dr. Doolittle, the mumbling mystery is solved!

Sakes Alive A Cattle Drive/Karma Wilson

Wilson is a wonderful author and illustrator who has a gift for farm farce. Hilarity ensues when two cows escape in the farmer’s pickup and the whole town chases them down. These bold and brave bovines make quite a scene, one that your kids won’t forget.

Pout-Pout Fish/Deborah Diesen

While this sea story is aimed at younger kids, all readers can learn from the message of turning that frown upside down. Mr. Fish’s spirits have sunk as low as the ocean floor and he feels doomed to the depths until another fish turns him around. It’s a good lesson that we all have a choice to prevent the pout.

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What’s Appropriate for Teens on Facebook

Posted on June 28, 2012 | Comments Off on What’s Appropriate for Teens on Facebook


Here’s a modern parenting issue I’d like to put out there for discussion.  My close friend is arguing with her daughter, Katie (not her real name) who is 15 years old, and a tall, thin, blond beauty.  She’s smart and sweet but still rather socially innocent.  She spends her weekend nights with a few girlfriends watching movies and socializing online, not going out to parties or group dates.

Recently Katie was goofing around with a girlfriend who took a series of very sexy photos of her in a bikini.  Now Katie has posted those pictures and used one as her Facebook profile. In one shot, she’s leaning up against a fence with her head tilted back smiling demurely at the camera while her long blond hair cascades down her back.

I can’t show you the photo because her mother is horrified.

Mother and daughter are close and share a lot but in this case, mom thinks the photo is inappropriate and advertising something Katie can’t deliver. She also believes that Katie is too immature to understand the power of that photo on the internet.

Katie thinks mom is being prudish and is enjoying all the attention the photo is attracting.  One of her arguments in favor of keeping the photo up was pointing out how many “Likes” she had on Facebook now.

Well duh!

What kid wouldn’t like that picture?! Girls say, “Good for you!” and boys say, “Bring it on!“ The only people who hate it are adults who have concern for her welfare.

My friend feels like she’s starring in her own After School Special.  Shockingly, Katie’s dad is ok with the photo because he believes the positive attention is building her self-esteem and worried if they demand she remove it, Katie will block her parents on all social media and they won’t be able to monitor her online activity.  Even if they punish her, kids will find a way.

It’s a good thing Wilson doesn’t have girls because he took one look at that photo and went ballistic. There’s no way any daughter of his would ever post that kind of photo online. Of course he doesn’t have a daughter, or know the first thing about the complexities of their fragile teenaged egos.  He is not familiar with heaving sobs into pillows at night or notebooks filled with hearts and boys’ names.

One mother recommended my friend show Katie the movie “Trust,” about a girl who is stalked by an online predator to educate her about the dangers of creating an online profile.  But I’d actually be more worried about the boys in her school than outside creeps.  What message is she sending with the photo?  What situations could it get her into for which she is not prepared? Or is this oversharing and exposure all part of the modern high school experience?

Please weigh in on the issue. Maybe some of you think this kind of photo is fine. Of course my friend could order Katie take down the photos, threaten punishment, lecture her. But she’s looking for a way to get Katie to want to take it down on her own, because she understands why it’s a bad idea and has the information to make better decisions in the future.  Any advice to get to that outcome is welcome!

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