I promise. However, I must point out that along with K's layoff from his job....my family and I were also treated to a middle-of-the-night visit to ER in the wee hours of Saturday morning (courtesy of Z and a case of acute croup) and your's truly has a cold.
Yes indeedy! Fun times at the VDB house!! Wheeeeeee!
Seriously though, as of this post...the pity party has ended. Just a quick poll and then things will be back to normal beginning with tomorrow (or the day after, depending on whether or not I get around to posting).
Poll:
If J and K are unable to find paying jobs within the next three months, should they:
a) take to a life of crime and become baby-wearing bank robbers (and teach M how to drive the get-a-way car)?
b) consider opening San Jose's first (as far as we know, that is) suburban bordello?
c) ditch their sinking ship of a home in the dark of night, change identities, and move to Mexico?
d) see if they can get jobs as "dancing men" holding ad signs outside Little Ceasar's Pizza?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Welcome to the Big Suck
I had a totally different post lined up for today. And then life, as it frequently does, threw us a little curve ball in the form of K being let go from his job. Actually, we knew it would happen as of yesterday and frankly, the signs were piling up all over the place for the past few weeks. So as shitty as it is, at least it didn't come out of nowhere.
So. Now what? What exactly does one do when in this sort of situation?
Part of me would like to do nothing more than jump in my car, drive to the residence of K's ball-less wonder of a boss, and slap his face (twice, for good measure). Another part of me is feeling deeply panicked in a biblical "wailing and gnashing of teeth" way. And yet another part is sort of philisophical and zen about the whole thing....as in "this too shall pass." Only time will tell which aspect will come out on top.
I guess now I'm at a bit of a loss. See, the thing is, I really only have a supporting role in the show at the moment. Because it's all about K and his ability to pick himself up and negotiate his way into another job. The fact is, he's always been the primary income earner of the family...the cash cow, if you will. When I was working I definitely brought in some decent money...but never quite to K's level. So while I could feasibly run out and look for a job, it still wouldn't solve all our problems. And there's only so much I can do to help K land another position.
And then, of course, there's the whole health insurance BS to deal with. Who'd have guessed while I was spending the last several weeks angsting over the whole H1N1 vaccine that, in the end, the decision of whether or not to vaccinate might simply come down to whether or not we have health insurance. I guess you could say our situation is certainly relevant, given all the health care reform discussions going on.
Sigh. What a drag. That's all there is to say right now. The weekend is upon us and we've got the next 48 to process and digest the situation before we figure out a strategy and begin working on it next week. But....should you know of anyone who's a) looking for a freelance writer or b) looking for a marketing director/VP or business development director/VP, point them in my direction.
Over and out.
So. Now what? What exactly does one do when in this sort of situation?
Part of me would like to do nothing more than jump in my car, drive to the residence of K's ball-less wonder of a boss, and slap his face (twice, for good measure). Another part of me is feeling deeply panicked in a biblical "wailing and gnashing of teeth" way. And yet another part is sort of philisophical and zen about the whole thing....as in "this too shall pass." Only time will tell which aspect will come out on top.
I guess now I'm at a bit of a loss. See, the thing is, I really only have a supporting role in the show at the moment. Because it's all about K and his ability to pick himself up and negotiate his way into another job. The fact is, he's always been the primary income earner of the family...the cash cow, if you will. When I was working I definitely brought in some decent money...but never quite to K's level. So while I could feasibly run out and look for a job, it still wouldn't solve all our problems. And there's only so much I can do to help K land another position.
And then, of course, there's the whole health insurance BS to deal with. Who'd have guessed while I was spending the last several weeks angsting over the whole H1N1 vaccine that, in the end, the decision of whether or not to vaccinate might simply come down to whether or not we have health insurance. I guess you could say our situation is certainly relevant, given all the health care reform discussions going on.
Sigh. What a drag. That's all there is to say right now. The weekend is upon us and we've got the next 48 to process and digest the situation before we figure out a strategy and begin working on it next week. But....should you know of anyone who's a) looking for a freelance writer or b) looking for a marketing director/VP or business development director/VP, point them in my direction.
Over and out.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Is Preschool Bad for Kids?
When participating in a lot of "alternative" groups (passively or otherwise) one frequently come across things that at best, challenge your perspective and force you to rethink your own views and at worst, make you tilt your head and go "Are these people living on the same planet as me? I think not."
Recently, I came across an example of this. However, I wanted to throw it out to you as something to ponder. First, I'll let you read through the item yourself. Then I'll tell you what I think. And afterwards, please feel free to share your own thoughts. Apologies for the length...this is not something I was able to link to as I received it in an email newsletter. I shrunk the font to make it lest cumbersome.
ASK NAOMI: PRESCHOOL OR NOT? by Naomi Aldort
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”- Albert Einstein
Q: Our daughter is four and very curious and social. Even though I am at home with her baby brother, we signed her up for a wonderful small alternative pre-school. After a short adjustment period in which she cried when I left, she became happy there. Yet, after Christmas break she refused to go back and it has become a struggle every morning. I know she enjoys herself once she is at school but she doesn’t want to leave me. I don’t want to deprive her of a learning and social opportunity, but, I also want to listen to her choice. What would you suggest?
A: What do you recall from age four? If you are like most, you remember close to nothing. What you recall are feelings, sensations, faces and fragments of visuals. Nothing you know today relies on what you learned in these early years in a school. Instead, it relies on how you felt about yourself.
Your wish to respond to your child’s choice is worth trusting. What else can be more valuable for her than learning that the way she feels inside is right? In school, your daughter will not remember the learning or the play, but she will remember the pain of separation and of learning not to trust what she feels inside. Learning to follow external guides and ignore her own, she will later become susceptible to media influences, peer pressure and other external forces.
You also say you don’t want her to miss social and learning opportunities. How can socializing with family who love her the most be called “missing” something? When with mother she does not miss school. When at school, she misses mother.
Pre-school is socially unnatural. By taking young children away from their source of power, mother, and putting them together in a group of similar ages (unable to help each other,) we render them helpless. In this impossible and unnatural setting they fail to socialize on their own and depend on adult control to be able to function and stay safe. Such experience teaches the child to see herself as socially failing and dependent on authority.
The best group experience for a young child is the family. It is a group that is doing things together and in which each member is highly valued and loved. If you had to work, I would talk about empowering your daughter to find joy in her substitute care. However, since you are at home, there is no need to take your daughter away from what is best for her.
Likewise, your child does not miss any learning while at home. It is while in a pre-school that she has to suspend her own learning for the sake of an imposed program. Uninvited teaching thwarts learning and prevents the child from inventing her own methods. When inventing her own ways of figuring things out, the child's brain develops by far more than through following instructions. At home she is free to follow the blueprint of her own mind for optimal timing, and in her own way.
Your child’s social and learning skills come from feeling secure in your love and in her own inner guide.
The “Full Term” child
If the baby is born prematurely, her life and well being is at risk. Prematurity is not desirable, full term is. In the same way, the family is the “womb” of childhood. Children who remain in the family “womb,” emerge at full term emotionally strong and ready to flourish in society. Your child must rely on parental power until she has her own; only then she has the strength to stay rooted in herself in the face of the barrage of influences and choices she is going to face.
Most developmental stages happen on their own quiet suddenly, like birth and like walking. Our attempt at gradually training wee ones to become adults causes them much anxiety and confusion. I often see youth who have been “stuffed” with education from a young age, become exhausted and burdened by the race of living up to expectations and those who had autonomy over the same years, achieving their goals with joy and ease, often, all at once.
"But she had such a good time at school"
It is easy to be fooled by a child’s ability to have fun in the moment. Once your daughter is clear that she must stay in school (even her tears didn’t help her,) she is wise enough to immerse herself in the present. However, of her own free will, no young child would choose to be away from mom; this is nature’s way to ensure optimal intellectual and social development. Therefore, no matter how much a child enjoys herself in a school or in a class, it is not worth the price of teaching her to go against herself.
In addition, your child’s social skills are learned by the way she is treated. If you want her to learn to honor other people (an important social skill,) honor her.
Some parents are sure that their child is totally happy in a school setting from day one. I am open. I cannot know each particular child or family situation. And yet, I suspect that given the choice, before getting used to a school, every child would rather be with her loving mom and family.
Providing nurturance and stimulation at home
Our society is generally over stimulating and competitive, distracting children from their own inner guidance. Protect your daughter from such pressures. Keep in mind Einstein’s famous words, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Let your daughter play and day-dream so she can come up with her own interests, methods of learning and creative thinking.
She may need one friend to play with, preferably a much older child. As for intellectual and cultural exposure, include your daughter in what you love to do and join her emerging interests. At age four, home, play, music, dance, art, books and nature are all she needs and all available at home.
The longer your daughter is spared any indoctrination, the better her chances to optimize her own talents, social skills and learning. When her choice is honored she will learn the only lesson that counts: “My inner voice is the one to listen to.”
So, where to start?
Here's my polite response: I commend this woman (who, by the way is a highly touted expert in certain attachment parenting circles and frequently lectures across the country and internationally) for taking what, I'm sure, is a controversial stance. What is more normal than preschool? I mean, isn't that the way it should be? Don't kids thrive in an environment when mixed with other kids? Don't they learn more this way? Or, as she points out, is this an unnatural alternative that we force on children when, in fact, they'd be better off hanging around at home with mom or dad.
And here's my not-so-polite response: BULLSHIT!
The fact is, yes...sometimes my daughter does not want to go to preschool. But more often than not, she eagerly looks forward to it. And as much as I'd love to be the all-nuturing earth mother-type parent, the truth is--I'm not. I love my girls dearly. I love to spend lots of time with them. But I need some time to myself as well so I can recharge my batteries. After all, if I'm putting all my energy into my children, how can I stay well-rounded and "keep the saw sharpened" so I can stay at the top of my game? The best way for me to be an excellent parent is to honor myself so I can then honor my child. If that means I work outside the home and my child goes to preschool, so be it. If that means I stay at home and my child stays with me (or goes to preschool), so be it.
I don't doubt many kids thrive at home. I suspect they sometimes prefer to spend time with mom and dad and siblings. But I also think they thrive in an environment with other children and other adults. A place that is "not home". Let's face it, unless you plan to have your child with you 24/7 for the rest of his/her life...it's important for kids to know how to function oustide the home just as well as they do inside the home. This isn't to say that we should just throw them into daycare from day one. I'm not a big fan of that and when a parent has the time and stamina, I think it may be better for an infant to be with mom (or a parent-like figure) for at least the first year. That said, I can't see the harm in kids going to preschool.
I was talking with my mom about this whole thing earlier. And she pointed out that when she was a kid, preschools didn't really exist. Moms typically stayed at home with the kids and children played in the neighborhood with the other kids while being watched over by a group of collective moms and grandparents. I suspect this type of lifestyle is what one might find in less developed parts of the world...places where very young children are literally raised by an entire village rather than being sent off to a special place to learn. It sure sounds lovely and bucolic and idyllic. But that's not the world we westerners live in today. Rightly or wrongly, we don't all live clustered together in small groups where we are likely related to everyone within a one-mile radius of our home (or hut, as it were). So now, instead of our kids running amok in a village with other people's kids all being looked after by multiple parents....many of our kids run amok with other people's kids in large or small preschools being looked after by multiple parent-substitutes. So aside from the change in locale, how are these things drastically different from one another?
Lastly...let me say this: I am ALL for the idea of attachment parenting. I do believe the best way to raise a child with a good character, strong morals, and excellent coping skills is to provide him/her with a sturdy foundation via a loving, nuturing family. However, 1) Why does it always seem to be solely up to the mom to do all the work? Where is the dad in all of this? Re-read the article above and you will see ZERO mention of a father. Did he drop dead? Does he not exist? WTF?! 2) I'd like to know what happens to the mom (or dad) who pours the very essence of his/her being into a child when said child leaves home for good. Will colleges start implementing "parent" dorms so these poor lost souls can continue to spend every waking (and sleeping) hour next to their children? Or will the "empty nest" syndrome become a mental health crisis of national proportions with depressed, husk-like parents popping pills to ease the separation from their sole reason for existance?
Also, shouldn't good parenting be as much about easing your child into the world as it is about being there for them as much as possible? Isn't it perhaps detrimental to a child if you make yourself totally available to them ALL THE TIME so that they begin to expect this not only of you but of all adults they come into contact with? How does a child learn that he/she may be a focal point for you and the rest of the family...but not for the rest of the world?
Recently, I came across an example of this. However, I wanted to throw it out to you as something to ponder. First, I'll let you read through the item yourself. Then I'll tell you what I think. And afterwards, please feel free to share your own thoughts. Apologies for the length...this is not something I was able to link to as I received it in an email newsletter. I shrunk the font to make it lest cumbersome.
ASK NAOMI: PRESCHOOL OR NOT? by Naomi Aldort
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”- Albert Einstein
Q: Our daughter is four and very curious and social. Even though I am at home with her baby brother, we signed her up for a wonderful small alternative pre-school. After a short adjustment period in which she cried when I left, she became happy there. Yet, after Christmas break she refused to go back and it has become a struggle every morning. I know she enjoys herself once she is at school but she doesn’t want to leave me. I don’t want to deprive her of a learning and social opportunity, but, I also want to listen to her choice. What would you suggest?
A: What do you recall from age four? If you are like most, you remember close to nothing. What you recall are feelings, sensations, faces and fragments of visuals. Nothing you know today relies on what you learned in these early years in a school. Instead, it relies on how you felt about yourself.
Your wish to respond to your child’s choice is worth trusting. What else can be more valuable for her than learning that the way she feels inside is right? In school, your daughter will not remember the learning or the play, but she will remember the pain of separation and of learning not to trust what she feels inside. Learning to follow external guides and ignore her own, she will later become susceptible to media influences, peer pressure and other external forces.
You also say you don’t want her to miss social and learning opportunities. How can socializing with family who love her the most be called “missing” something? When with mother she does not miss school. When at school, she misses mother.
Pre-school is socially unnatural. By taking young children away from their source of power, mother, and putting them together in a group of similar ages (unable to help each other,) we render them helpless. In this impossible and unnatural setting they fail to socialize on their own and depend on adult control to be able to function and stay safe. Such experience teaches the child to see herself as socially failing and dependent on authority.
The best group experience for a young child is the family. It is a group that is doing things together and in which each member is highly valued and loved. If you had to work, I would talk about empowering your daughter to find joy in her substitute care. However, since you are at home, there is no need to take your daughter away from what is best for her.
Likewise, your child does not miss any learning while at home. It is while in a pre-school that she has to suspend her own learning for the sake of an imposed program. Uninvited teaching thwarts learning and prevents the child from inventing her own methods. When inventing her own ways of figuring things out, the child's brain develops by far more than through following instructions. At home she is free to follow the blueprint of her own mind for optimal timing, and in her own way.
Your child’s social and learning skills come from feeling secure in your love and in her own inner guide.
The “Full Term” child
If the baby is born prematurely, her life and well being is at risk. Prematurity is not desirable, full term is. In the same way, the family is the “womb” of childhood. Children who remain in the family “womb,” emerge at full term emotionally strong and ready to flourish in society. Your child must rely on parental power until she has her own; only then she has the strength to stay rooted in herself in the face of the barrage of influences and choices she is going to face.
Most developmental stages happen on their own quiet suddenly, like birth and like walking. Our attempt at gradually training wee ones to become adults causes them much anxiety and confusion. I often see youth who have been “stuffed” with education from a young age, become exhausted and burdened by the race of living up to expectations and those who had autonomy over the same years, achieving their goals with joy and ease, often, all at once.
"But she had such a good time at school"
It is easy to be fooled by a child’s ability to have fun in the moment. Once your daughter is clear that she must stay in school (even her tears didn’t help her,) she is wise enough to immerse herself in the present. However, of her own free will, no young child would choose to be away from mom; this is nature’s way to ensure optimal intellectual and social development. Therefore, no matter how much a child enjoys herself in a school or in a class, it is not worth the price of teaching her to go against herself.
In addition, your child’s social skills are learned by the way she is treated. If you want her to learn to honor other people (an important social skill,) honor her.
Some parents are sure that their child is totally happy in a school setting from day one. I am open. I cannot know each particular child or family situation. And yet, I suspect that given the choice, before getting used to a school, every child would rather be with her loving mom and family.
Providing nurturance and stimulation at home
Our society is generally over stimulating and competitive, distracting children from their own inner guidance. Protect your daughter from such pressures. Keep in mind Einstein’s famous words, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Let your daughter play and day-dream so she can come up with her own interests, methods of learning and creative thinking.
She may need one friend to play with, preferably a much older child. As for intellectual and cultural exposure, include your daughter in what you love to do and join her emerging interests. At age four, home, play, music, dance, art, books and nature are all she needs and all available at home.
The longer your daughter is spared any indoctrination, the better her chances to optimize her own talents, social skills and learning. When her choice is honored she will learn the only lesson that counts: “My inner voice is the one to listen to.”
So, where to start?
Here's my polite response: I commend this woman (who, by the way is a highly touted expert in certain attachment parenting circles and frequently lectures across the country and internationally) for taking what, I'm sure, is a controversial stance. What is more normal than preschool? I mean, isn't that the way it should be? Don't kids thrive in an environment when mixed with other kids? Don't they learn more this way? Or, as she points out, is this an unnatural alternative that we force on children when, in fact, they'd be better off hanging around at home with mom or dad.
And here's my not-so-polite response: BULLSHIT!
The fact is, yes...sometimes my daughter does not want to go to preschool. But more often than not, she eagerly looks forward to it. And as much as I'd love to be the all-nuturing earth mother-type parent, the truth is--I'm not. I love my girls dearly. I love to spend lots of time with them. But I need some time to myself as well so I can recharge my batteries. After all, if I'm putting all my energy into my children, how can I stay well-rounded and "keep the saw sharpened" so I can stay at the top of my game? The best way for me to be an excellent parent is to honor myself so I can then honor my child. If that means I work outside the home and my child goes to preschool, so be it. If that means I stay at home and my child stays with me (or goes to preschool), so be it.
I don't doubt many kids thrive at home. I suspect they sometimes prefer to spend time with mom and dad and siblings. But I also think they thrive in an environment with other children and other adults. A place that is "not home". Let's face it, unless you plan to have your child with you 24/7 for the rest of his/her life...it's important for kids to know how to function oustide the home just as well as they do inside the home. This isn't to say that we should just throw them into daycare from day one. I'm not a big fan of that and when a parent has the time and stamina, I think it may be better for an infant to be with mom (or a parent-like figure) for at least the first year. That said, I can't see the harm in kids going to preschool.
I was talking with my mom about this whole thing earlier. And she pointed out that when she was a kid, preschools didn't really exist. Moms typically stayed at home with the kids and children played in the neighborhood with the other kids while being watched over by a group of collective moms and grandparents. I suspect this type of lifestyle is what one might find in less developed parts of the world...places where very young children are literally raised by an entire village rather than being sent off to a special place to learn. It sure sounds lovely and bucolic and idyllic. But that's not the world we westerners live in today. Rightly or wrongly, we don't all live clustered together in small groups where we are likely related to everyone within a one-mile radius of our home (or hut, as it were). So now, instead of our kids running amok in a village with other people's kids all being looked after by multiple parents....many of our kids run amok with other people's kids in large or small preschools being looked after by multiple parent-substitutes. So aside from the change in locale, how are these things drastically different from one another?
Lastly...let me say this: I am ALL for the idea of attachment parenting. I do believe the best way to raise a child with a good character, strong morals, and excellent coping skills is to provide him/her with a sturdy foundation via a loving, nuturing family. However, 1) Why does it always seem to be solely up to the mom to do all the work? Where is the dad in all of this? Re-read the article above and you will see ZERO mention of a father. Did he drop dead? Does he not exist? WTF?! 2) I'd like to know what happens to the mom (or dad) who pours the very essence of his/her being into a child when said child leaves home for good. Will colleges start implementing "parent" dorms so these poor lost souls can continue to spend every waking (and sleeping) hour next to their children? Or will the "empty nest" syndrome become a mental health crisis of national proportions with depressed, husk-like parents popping pills to ease the separation from their sole reason for existance?
Also, shouldn't good parenting be as much about easing your child into the world as it is about being there for them as much as possible? Isn't it perhaps detrimental to a child if you make yourself totally available to them ALL THE TIME so that they begin to expect this not only of you but of all adults they come into contact with? How does a child learn that he/she may be a focal point for you and the rest of the family...but not for the rest of the world?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Everything You EVER Wanted to Know about Hand Sanitzers
Well...not really. But if you, like me, are a parent and have some basic concerns about keeping your kids healthy this coming cold and flu season....then you'll probably find some food for thought in today's post.
Right now, across the country, parents, grandparents, and teachers are dashing to their local Target or Walmart to pick up giant packs of hand sanitizers. These handy, purse-sized bottles are so easy to whip out at any sign of dirt, germs, and various types of child-produced effluvia that in some circles, they've all but replaced traditional soap and water. And given the widespread concerns about H1N1, I suspect more people than usual are loading up on Purell and similar products. All this in spite of:
.....the fact that a two-ounce bottle of alchohol-based hand sanitizer contains as much ethanol as four shots of vodka
.....the fact that alchohol-based hand sanitizer is (also thanks to the ethanol) highly flammable. Even a small amount, if ignited, burns quickly and at a high temperature.
.....the fact that most hand sanitizers (and, sadly, some toothpastes and any product treated with anti-bacterial solution -- kid's lunchbags are a prime example) contain triclosan. Lab studies link triclosan to cancer, developmental defects, and liver and lung toxicity. (for more info on triclosan, where its commonly found, and how you can avoid it, read this).
So what's a girl to do?
1) Go old school and embrace hand washing. Various studies agree you are just as (if not more) likely to remove germs from your hands by washing with soap and water as you are with a hand sanitizer.
2) Soap and water not handy? Well, there are a few "natural" sanitizers on the market that work just as well as the "big lable" sanitizers. For an alchohol and triclosan-free sanitizer, try CleanWell. I've been using this product for years...it's safe for kids, comes in purse-sized wipes and sprays, and is available at Target. You can also try EO Hand Sanitizer which is triclosan-free but still contains achohol (so keep it away from the kiddies).
3) On a budget and tired of paying through the nose for upscale, non-chemical and alchohol-based sanitizers? Well, why not go super old school and make your own. Say what? Yeah, sounds a little kooky...but sit back my friend and prepare for a little history lesson.
Back in the 15th century, a band of thieves apparently made a living by robbing dead and dying plague victims. They were eventually captured and brought to trial. The magistrate was prepared to be leniant if the men would explain how they managed to rob so many plague victims without getting sick themselves. Turns out these fellows had perfume and spice trade connections which led them to concoct a special oil made of herbs and spices which they would rub on their hands prior to and just after each job. The oil became known as thieves oil and the rest is history.
Or at least it some of it is. Because in a few accounts I've read, the magistrate/king who interviewed these fellows was none other than King James (a la King James Bible). But last I checked, he wasn't alive and kicking during the 1400s.....hmmm. Whatever. Bottom line is, thieves oil has been around for a long time and has been in use for hundreds of years as a topical anti-bacterial ointment. Don't buy it? Check out what the New York Times has to say about cinnamon, a key ingredient of thieves oil. Oh, and more about thieves oil here and a few recipes.
4) Not really interested in concocting a medieval hand sanitizer in the comfort of your own home? (I mean, let's face it, if thieves oil were really so fabulous, why the hell did so many people continue to drop dead from various plagues and poxes after it was discovered? Ok, aside from poor sanitation, poor nutrition, and total ignorance about health and wellness.) Well, in less time and with less ingredients, you can try this recipe in a pinch.
Happy hand sanitizing!
Right now, across the country, parents, grandparents, and teachers are dashing to their local Target or Walmart to pick up giant packs of hand sanitizers. These handy, purse-sized bottles are so easy to whip out at any sign of dirt, germs, and various types of child-produced effluvia that in some circles, they've all but replaced traditional soap and water. And given the widespread concerns about H1N1, I suspect more people than usual are loading up on Purell and similar products. All this in spite of:
.....the fact that a two-ounce bottle of alchohol-based hand sanitizer contains as much ethanol as four shots of vodka
.....the fact that alchohol-based hand sanitizer is (also thanks to the ethanol) highly flammable. Even a small amount, if ignited, burns quickly and at a high temperature.
.....the fact that most hand sanitizers (and, sadly, some toothpastes and any product treated with anti-bacterial solution -- kid's lunchbags are a prime example) contain triclosan. Lab studies link triclosan to cancer, developmental defects, and liver and lung toxicity. (for more info on triclosan, where its commonly found, and how you can avoid it, read this).
So what's a girl to do?
1) Go old school and embrace hand washing. Various studies agree you are just as (if not more) likely to remove germs from your hands by washing with soap and water as you are with a hand sanitizer.
2) Soap and water not handy? Well, there are a few "natural" sanitizers on the market that work just as well as the "big lable" sanitizers. For an alchohol and triclosan-free sanitizer, try CleanWell. I've been using this product for years...it's safe for kids, comes in purse-sized wipes and sprays, and is available at Target. You can also try EO Hand Sanitizer which is triclosan-free but still contains achohol (so keep it away from the kiddies).
3) On a budget and tired of paying through the nose for upscale, non-chemical and alchohol-based sanitizers? Well, why not go super old school and make your own. Say what? Yeah, sounds a little kooky...but sit back my friend and prepare for a little history lesson.
Back in the 15th century, a band of thieves apparently made a living by robbing dead and dying plague victims. They were eventually captured and brought to trial. The magistrate was prepared to be leniant if the men would explain how they managed to rob so many plague victims without getting sick themselves. Turns out these fellows had perfume and spice trade connections which led them to concoct a special oil made of herbs and spices which they would rub on their hands prior to and just after each job. The oil became known as thieves oil and the rest is history.
Or at least it some of it is. Because in a few accounts I've read, the magistrate/king who interviewed these fellows was none other than King James (a la King James Bible). But last I checked, he wasn't alive and kicking during the 1400s.....hmmm. Whatever. Bottom line is, thieves oil has been around for a long time and has been in use for hundreds of years as a topical anti-bacterial ointment. Don't buy it? Check out what the New York Times has to say about cinnamon, a key ingredient of thieves oil. Oh, and more about thieves oil here and a few recipes.
4) Not really interested in concocting a medieval hand sanitizer in the comfort of your own home? (I mean, let's face it, if thieves oil were really so fabulous, why the hell did so many people continue to drop dead from various plagues and poxes after it was discovered? Ok, aside from poor sanitation, poor nutrition, and total ignorance about health and wellness.) Well, in less time and with less ingredients, you can try this recipe in a pinch.
Happy hand sanitizing!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Venting
So. As many of you are aware, I interviewed for a job a few weeks ago at a large company named after a piece of fruit (I'll give you one guess). Anyway, as you might have guessed, I'm really not hankering after a full-time job. But I feel/felt obligated to go through the motions because K's job is far from stable at the moment. And, frankly, as much as I love being a stay-at-home mom...I think I'd much prefer to take a full-time job vs. living out of my car.
Anyway...back to the main point of this post. So I went to the interview...did the follow-up thank you BS...and contacted the recruiter last week after a reasonable amount of time had passed to check in and see what was going on, if anything. She promptly responded to say she had a meeting with the hiring managers the following day and would get back to me before the week was out. This was on Wednesday September 9. Today it is Tuesday September 15. And I still have not heard back from said recruiter.
Now mind you...I do not claim to be very concerned about the outcome of all of this. So if I'm, for whatever reason, not a great fit...c'est la vie. But come on people! If you say you are going to follow-up, regardless of whether you have good, bad, or no news...then fucking DO IT!! It's not that hard!! You don't even have to pick up the phone!! You can simply take two seconds to cut and paste a form letter that says "sorry Charlie" or the equivalent!!
Jesus Christ people. I feel like I'm in the midst of a bad manner epidemic that is plaguing recruiters. What gives? Way to represent your company dipshit!
Grumble.
Anyway...back to the main point of this post. So I went to the interview...did the follow-up thank you BS...and contacted the recruiter last week after a reasonable amount of time had passed to check in and see what was going on, if anything. She promptly responded to say she had a meeting with the hiring managers the following day and would get back to me before the week was out. This was on Wednesday September 9. Today it is Tuesday September 15. And I still have not heard back from said recruiter.
Now mind you...I do not claim to be very concerned about the outcome of all of this. So if I'm, for whatever reason, not a great fit...c'est la vie. But come on people! If you say you are going to follow-up, regardless of whether you have good, bad, or no news...then fucking DO IT!! It's not that hard!! You don't even have to pick up the phone!! You can simply take two seconds to cut and paste a form letter that says "sorry Charlie" or the equivalent!!
Jesus Christ people. I feel like I'm in the midst of a bad manner epidemic that is plaguing recruiters. What gives? Way to represent your company dipshit!
Grumble.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Outsourcing: The Key to a Top-Notch Birthday Party
After the traumatic events of last May when I decided to pull M's birthday party together from scratch (including, God help me, baking and decorating a cake)...I swore I would do things differently when it came time for Z's first birthday. And I have.
1) I am not baking a cake. No ma'am. Instead, I've ordered a cake from a local (admittedly overpriced but yummy) bakery. For those of you who are familiar with this place...I have decided to break out of the mold and order something other than the famed banana cake. Hopefully it's a decision I won't regret.
2) In spite of the fact that the birthday girl will be largely oblivious to all the hoo-ha, I will still have 12+ kids running around in dire need of entertainment. Enter Happily Ever Laughter, a relatively inexpensive (yet highly rated) group of young women who dress up as faeries, pirates, clowns, you name it, and perform puppet shows, magic shows, balloon twisting, face painting, sing-a-longs, games, and more.
Yes, I'm pleased to announce that for the first time in the past three years, I will actually be able to sit down and enjoy my child's birthday party. And I can hardly wait.
What's that, you say? The cost? Well, while it isn't exactly budget concious of me to outsource all my party needs...the truth is I spent close to the same amount for M's party even though I did most of the work myself. In the end, the cost of the cake and the entertainment for Z's party will more or less balance out the cost of the cake ingredients, special cake pan, decor kit, pinata, pinata toys, craft project items, etc for M's birthday. And best of all, I won't be on the verge of a nervous breakdown by the end of the day. Hurray!
1) I am not baking a cake. No ma'am. Instead, I've ordered a cake from a local (admittedly overpriced but yummy) bakery. For those of you who are familiar with this place...I have decided to break out of the mold and order something other than the famed banana cake. Hopefully it's a decision I won't regret.
2) In spite of the fact that the birthday girl will be largely oblivious to all the hoo-ha, I will still have 12+ kids running around in dire need of entertainment. Enter Happily Ever Laughter, a relatively inexpensive (yet highly rated) group of young women who dress up as faeries, pirates, clowns, you name it, and perform puppet shows, magic shows, balloon twisting, face painting, sing-a-longs, games, and more.
Yes, I'm pleased to announce that for the first time in the past three years, I will actually be able to sit down and enjoy my child's birthday party. And I can hardly wait.
What's that, you say? The cost? Well, while it isn't exactly budget concious of me to outsource all my party needs...the truth is I spent close to the same amount for M's party even though I did most of the work myself. In the end, the cost of the cake and the entertainment for Z's party will more or less balance out the cost of the cake ingredients, special cake pan, decor kit, pinata, pinata toys, craft project items, etc for M's birthday. And best of all, I won't be on the verge of a nervous breakdown by the end of the day. Hurray!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September 11 is Patriot Day?! WTF?
Perhaps I have been living in a deep, dark cave for the past several years. Or I've been dwelling in the relatively open-minded, free-thinking bubble that is the Silicon Valley. Whatever the case, I only recently realized we are now supposed to refer to 9/11 as Patriot Day.
It all started earlier last week. I was on my way to pick M up from preschool and I happened to pass an elementary school with one of those digital, scrolling signs out front. Seeing as how I was at a red light, I idly watched as the messages flashed onto and disappeared from the screen. But one in particular caused me to sit up and take notice. It read, in all caps:
PATRIOT DAY ON 9/11/2009
BE SURE TO WEAR YOUR RED, WHITE, AND BLUE CLOTHES!
At first, I thought (hoped) the school team was the Patriots and maybe it just so happened that their school spirit day fell on the same day as 9/11. But then, as I passed more schools with similar signs over the next few days...it began to dawn on me that something more was going on. I finally asked someone and she looked at me a bit funny and responded, "Well, yeah. 9/11 has been Patriot Day for a while now."
So...
1) How did I miss this?
2) Is it me, or is it odd that schools are honoring/celebrating/whatever you want to call it this tragedy by having kids wear red, white, and blue clothes? Why not take it further and drape them in the American flag, for Christ's sake?
3) While I think it's totally appropriate to commemorate this sad day with solemn reflection and memorial services...I have issues with the fact that we appear to be turning it into an "us against them", proud to be American, Chevy/Ford truck commercial kind of day. It feels way too festive considering what happened on the real 9/11.
Maybe I'm missing the point. But in ways that I can't quite put my finger on...this whole Patriot Day thing bugs the fuck out of me.
It all started earlier last week. I was on my way to pick M up from preschool and I happened to pass an elementary school with one of those digital, scrolling signs out front. Seeing as how I was at a red light, I idly watched as the messages flashed onto and disappeared from the screen. But one in particular caused me to sit up and take notice. It read, in all caps:
PATRIOT DAY ON 9/11/2009
BE SURE TO WEAR YOUR RED, WHITE, AND BLUE CLOTHES!
At first, I thought (hoped) the school team was the Patriots and maybe it just so happened that their school spirit day fell on the same day as 9/11. But then, as I passed more schools with similar signs over the next few days...it began to dawn on me that something more was going on. I finally asked someone and she looked at me a bit funny and responded, "Well, yeah. 9/11 has been Patriot Day for a while now."
So...
1) How did I miss this?
2) Is it me, or is it odd that schools are honoring/celebrating/whatever you want to call it this tragedy by having kids wear red, white, and blue clothes? Why not take it further and drape them in the American flag, for Christ's sake?
3) While I think it's totally appropriate to commemorate this sad day with solemn reflection and memorial services...I have issues with the fact that we appear to be turning it into an "us against them", proud to be American, Chevy/Ford truck commercial kind of day. It feels way too festive considering what happened on the real 9/11.
Maybe I'm missing the point. But in ways that I can't quite put my finger on...this whole Patriot Day thing bugs the fuck out of me.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Letting My Freak Flag Fly
Yes ladies (and gentleman, you know who you are) I have officially entered a new phase of existence. I can't really say what the hell is going on with me. Maybe it's because I'm unemployed.....or maybe it's because I am, for the forseeable future, done breeding (never say never my friends)...or perhaps I've decided to fully embrace the Age of Aquarius. Whatever it is, I currently find myself doing and thinking things that I never would have imagined just a few years ago.
Now before you start to worry about me, I promise:
a) I haven't joined a cult
b) I am not having a midlife crisis...at least, I don't think so
c) I do not believe in the healing power of crystals, tantric sex, or claim to be accompanied by a personal (albeit invisible) entourage of angels
d) I am still sharp of tongue and intolerable of assholes
e) I will not start weaving and dying my own clothes...nor will I wear Birkenstocks
f) I won't change my name to Shanti
I have, however:
a) Signed up for a free class on Introductory Meditation
b) Started attending (w/family in tow) services at a lovely "church" near our home that feels more like a meditation retreat/afternoon classical concert/spa than it probably should
c) Joined a holistic mom network and am attending my first meeting--on Environmental Health--on October 6
d) Subscribed to an incredibly fascinating and well-written/deep quarterly publication (read my first issue two nights ago....really interesting stuff)
e) Began seriously thinking about going back to school to pursue a degree in psychotherapy or psychology with an emphasis in Jungian archetypes
[brief pause to allow readers to collect themselves]
My sense is that I'm trying to focus on aspects of myself that have, until recently, been left out in the cold for many, many years. I mean, how many of us really take the time to connect with and explore ourselves and our lives in ways that we probably did at some point or another while in college? The last time I pondered the meaning of life or things of a vaguely spiritual nature was roughly 15 or so years ago. And that may or may not have been the result of an illegal substance.
I also suspect my kids have something to do with this change. Frankly, I blame M (when in doubt, blame the dog or the kids). The truth is, kids are frequently a catalyst for change in most families. They don't give a crap about timing or convenience or schedules. They simply have questions and they want answers. Why do we die? Where do we go afterwards? Who is God? Is Buddha like Santa Claus? Why is that sad man up there on that "T" (M upon seeing her first Jesus on the cross)? Why are you tired all the time? Why do I have to be nice to my sister? Are you sure there are no monsters outside our house?
I guess "How the hell should I know?!" isn't kosher. So I'm seeking other ways to respond to M's questions...with the help of some folks who, I suspect, have a lot more practice at this sort of thing. And let's face it...I believe if you're going to do something, then don't be half-assed about it. Jump in all the way and see where it gets you.
Or....
maybe I am simply having a midlife crisis. But I really don't feel like I'm in a crisis. I'm quite happy with my life as it is right now...and I'm not hankering after a huge change. Maybe it's just part of growing older....perhaps we naturally gravitate towards weightier topics as we age and as our focus draws slowly inwards. Or maybe I just need to go have a fling with a younger man....and buy a red convertible.
Suggestions?
Now before you start to worry about me, I promise:
a) I haven't joined a cult
b) I am not having a midlife crisis...at least, I don't think so
c) I do not believe in the healing power of crystals, tantric sex, or claim to be accompanied by a personal (albeit invisible) entourage of angels
d) I am still sharp of tongue and intolerable of assholes
e) I will not start weaving and dying my own clothes...nor will I wear Birkenstocks
f) I won't change my name to Shanti
I have, however:
a) Signed up for a free class on Introductory Meditation
b) Started attending (w/family in tow) services at a lovely "church" near our home that feels more like a meditation retreat/afternoon classical concert/spa than it probably should
c) Joined a holistic mom network and am attending my first meeting--on Environmental Health--on October 6
d) Subscribed to an incredibly fascinating and well-written/deep quarterly publication (read my first issue two nights ago....really interesting stuff)
e) Began seriously thinking about going back to school to pursue a degree in psychotherapy or psychology with an emphasis in Jungian archetypes
[brief pause to allow readers to collect themselves]
My sense is that I'm trying to focus on aspects of myself that have, until recently, been left out in the cold for many, many years. I mean, how many of us really take the time to connect with and explore ourselves and our lives in ways that we probably did at some point or another while in college? The last time I pondered the meaning of life or things of a vaguely spiritual nature was roughly 15 or so years ago. And that may or may not have been the result of an illegal substance.
I also suspect my kids have something to do with this change. Frankly, I blame M (when in doubt, blame the dog or the kids). The truth is, kids are frequently a catalyst for change in most families. They don't give a crap about timing or convenience or schedules. They simply have questions and they want answers. Why do we die? Where do we go afterwards? Who is God? Is Buddha like Santa Claus? Why is that sad man up there on that "T" (M upon seeing her first Jesus on the cross)? Why are you tired all the time? Why do I have to be nice to my sister? Are you sure there are no monsters outside our house?
I guess "How the hell should I know?!" isn't kosher. So I'm seeking other ways to respond to M's questions...with the help of some folks who, I suspect, have a lot more practice at this sort of thing. And let's face it...I believe if you're going to do something, then don't be half-assed about it. Jump in all the way and see where it gets you.
Or....
maybe I am simply having a midlife crisis. But I really don't feel like I'm in a crisis. I'm quite happy with my life as it is right now...and I'm not hankering after a huge change. Maybe it's just part of growing older....perhaps we naturally gravitate towards weightier topics as we age and as our focus draws slowly inwards. Or maybe I just need to go have a fling with a younger man....and buy a red convertible.
Suggestions?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Homeschooling, Unschooling, Parent-Participation Schools, Oh My!
In my ongoing quest to unravel the whole school thing I have taken a tumble down the rabbit hole into the world of "alternative" schooling.
It all started with an innocent chat with a friend a few weeks back. We were talking about money (or a lack thereof) and how the state budget cuts were likely weakening an already challenged California public school system. I told her what school I'd send my kids to if we won the lottery. She told me she and her husband have been going back and forth about potentially moving into a better school district. Towards the end of the chat, she mentioned she'd even been considering home schooling. We laughed and rolled our eyes and joked about donning pioneer-style gowns and living in multi-wife households. Later than night, our conversation replayed itself over and over in my head...to the extent that I could not sleep. That's how I ended up on the living room sofa at 2:00am researching homeschooling and other alternative school methods online.
Before I go any further, let me say this: in my mind, I have a happy image of my two children attending a local school (preferably one within walking distance) where they are learning all sorts of things in a fun, creative, and healthy environment. I envision young women and men teaching with boundless energy, tasty and nutritious school lunches provided, in part, by an organic school garden out back, and laughing kids of all races and creeds playing and growing together. Granted, when I reflect back on my own school experiences...I can't say they have a lot in common with this utopian fantasy. Sure, school could be fun and exciting. But more often than not, particularly from 5th grade on, it sucked. Big time. However the fact is, I went to school. My parents went to school. And I kind of want my kids to have the same experience as we did...at least on the surface, that is (I'd like to remove any of the bullying, bitchy teachers, and horrid cafeteria food that I experienced).
Which is why I'm sort of surprised to find myself looking into these alternative school methods. Because aside from the whole parent-participation thing, they do not resemble the school experience I had in any way, shape, or form.
First of all, some quick definitions.
Parent-participation schools are just that--schools where parents are heavily involved in the classroom. Most parent-participation schools require at least two hours of classroom time per week from each family. Some of these schools are public (free!) some are not (but are still cheaper than the norm). All of them give you a chance to stay tightly connected with your child(rens) education from the get-go.
Homeschooling is also self explanatory. Rather than send kids to a formal school, parents choose to keep kids at home where they teach with the help of all sorts of materials like virtual academies, field trips, tutors, community classes, etc. Some states do not allow homeschooling. Mine does. Proponents of homeschooling have lots of data points to back up the success of this education style....and almost always point out that until the last few hundred years, most children were educated at home.
Unschooling takes the whole homeschool thing a step further by not only keeping kids at home, but by not providing any sort of learning curriculum. Unschoolers believe kids learn best through life experiences...and they don't need much else.
Sooo. First of all, let me simply say that while the idea of unschooling sounds.....interesting....I can't really get behind it at all. All I can imagine is how frigging boring it would be to grow up in that sort of environment. But the other two definitely have some merit.
The parent-participation concept intrigues me. It kind of takes the whole "parent-school community involvement" to the next level and blurs the lines between school and home. I like the idea of being able to see, first hand, what my children are up to in the classroom. I also like the idea of being intimately involved with my children's teachers and the curriculum development. And I guess you'd never really have to worry about not knowing who your kids hung out with. But I also wonder what the schools do to ensure participating parents are adequately prepped and trained to interact with students during classroom time. Wouldn't the constant rotating door of parents create a lack of consistency when it comes to discipline, classroom management, etc.?
I'm also intrigued, but perhaps a little less so, by homeschooling. In theory, I can see how homeschool definitely works for some families..especially those who have children with developmental needs that go beyond what a normal school might be able to provide. And frankly, the whole "socialization" argument against homeschooling is a waste of energy...because there are myriad ways to ensure a child is getting adequately socialized with community classes, homeschooling networks, playgroups, field trips, summer camps, and more. My biggest issues with regards to homeschooling is that I, personally, am not sure I'd be up to the challenge. First of all, I suspect homeschooling only really works if one parent is not holding down a full-time job. Right now, that describes me to a T. But I have no idea how long this work hiatus will actually last. And what then? Secondly, I can barely manage through one day of dealing with both kids on my own. So I cannot imagine what it would be like to do that day in and day out only this time, I'd also be primarily responsible for their education on top of everything else. STRESSFUL. Lastly, I confess I'd feel guilty for depriving my children of that perennial American experience: going to school. Going to school doesn't just represent an educational choice for me...it also represents a cultural medium. It's a shared experience that draws kids (and adults) together. Think about it, what's the first thing grade-school and beyond kids ask of one another upon meeting? "What grade are you in?" and "What school do you go to?"
Anyway, I'm still processing all of this information and hoping that some form of inspiration drops into my lap from the heavens above (or that I win the lottery). In the mean time, what are your thoughts about alternative schooling?
It all started with an innocent chat with a friend a few weeks back. We were talking about money (or a lack thereof) and how the state budget cuts were likely weakening an already challenged California public school system. I told her what school I'd send my kids to if we won the lottery. She told me she and her husband have been going back and forth about potentially moving into a better school district. Towards the end of the chat, she mentioned she'd even been considering home schooling. We laughed and rolled our eyes and joked about donning pioneer-style gowns and living in multi-wife households. Later than night, our conversation replayed itself over and over in my head...to the extent that I could not sleep. That's how I ended up on the living room sofa at 2:00am researching homeschooling and other alternative school methods online.
Before I go any further, let me say this: in my mind, I have a happy image of my two children attending a local school (preferably one within walking distance) where they are learning all sorts of things in a fun, creative, and healthy environment. I envision young women and men teaching with boundless energy, tasty and nutritious school lunches provided, in part, by an organic school garden out back, and laughing kids of all races and creeds playing and growing together. Granted, when I reflect back on my own school experiences...I can't say they have a lot in common with this utopian fantasy. Sure, school could be fun and exciting. But more often than not, particularly from 5th grade on, it sucked. Big time. However the fact is, I went to school. My parents went to school. And I kind of want my kids to have the same experience as we did...at least on the surface, that is (I'd like to remove any of the bullying, bitchy teachers, and horrid cafeteria food that I experienced).
Which is why I'm sort of surprised to find myself looking into these alternative school methods. Because aside from the whole parent-participation thing, they do not resemble the school experience I had in any way, shape, or form.
First of all, some quick definitions.
Parent-participation schools are just that--schools where parents are heavily involved in the classroom. Most parent-participation schools require at least two hours of classroom time per week from each family. Some of these schools are public (free!) some are not (but are still cheaper than the norm). All of them give you a chance to stay tightly connected with your child(rens) education from the get-go.
Homeschooling is also self explanatory. Rather than send kids to a formal school, parents choose to keep kids at home where they teach with the help of all sorts of materials like virtual academies, field trips, tutors, community classes, etc. Some states do not allow homeschooling. Mine does. Proponents of homeschooling have lots of data points to back up the success of this education style....and almost always point out that until the last few hundred years, most children were educated at home.
Unschooling takes the whole homeschool thing a step further by not only keeping kids at home, but by not providing any sort of learning curriculum. Unschoolers believe kids learn best through life experiences...and they don't need much else.
Sooo. First of all, let me simply say that while the idea of unschooling sounds.....interesting....I can't really get behind it at all. All I can imagine is how frigging boring it would be to grow up in that sort of environment. But the other two definitely have some merit.
The parent-participation concept intrigues me. It kind of takes the whole "parent-school community involvement" to the next level and blurs the lines between school and home. I like the idea of being able to see, first hand, what my children are up to in the classroom. I also like the idea of being intimately involved with my children's teachers and the curriculum development. And I guess you'd never really have to worry about not knowing who your kids hung out with. But I also wonder what the schools do to ensure participating parents are adequately prepped and trained to interact with students during classroom time. Wouldn't the constant rotating door of parents create a lack of consistency when it comes to discipline, classroom management, etc.?
I'm also intrigued, but perhaps a little less so, by homeschooling. In theory, I can see how homeschool definitely works for some families..especially those who have children with developmental needs that go beyond what a normal school might be able to provide. And frankly, the whole "socialization" argument against homeschooling is a waste of energy...because there are myriad ways to ensure a child is getting adequately socialized with community classes, homeschooling networks, playgroups, field trips, summer camps, and more. My biggest issues with regards to homeschooling is that I, personally, am not sure I'd be up to the challenge. First of all, I suspect homeschooling only really works if one parent is not holding down a full-time job. Right now, that describes me to a T. But I have no idea how long this work hiatus will actually last. And what then? Secondly, I can barely manage through one day of dealing with both kids on my own. So I cannot imagine what it would be like to do that day in and day out only this time, I'd also be primarily responsible for their education on top of everything else. STRESSFUL. Lastly, I confess I'd feel guilty for depriving my children of that perennial American experience: going to school. Going to school doesn't just represent an educational choice for me...it also represents a cultural medium. It's a shared experience that draws kids (and adults) together. Think about it, what's the first thing grade-school and beyond kids ask of one another upon meeting? "What grade are you in?" and "What school do you go to?"
Anyway, I'm still processing all of this information and hoping that some form of inspiration drops into my lap from the heavens above (or that I win the lottery). In the mean time, what are your thoughts about alternative schooling?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Healthcare Reform Shit Storm on Facebook
Today, my friend Philip posted a status update that many of you probably saw (or posted), if you logged in at some point today, or heard about via other friends. Hell, I even received a status update from President Obama (or his PR lackeys) commenting on how pleased he was to see this showing up all over Facebook:
No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day.
Hard to disagree with that, right? I mean, as far as I'm concerned, healthcare is a basic human right...up there with education, shelter, and food. Well, little did I (or Philip, for that matter) realize the debate that would ensue as a result of this post. Yeah, I know the whole healthcare topic has been stirring up a variety of emotions and reactions. But I'd always assumed that the people who were opposed to it were a bunch of redneck whackos from BFE Arkansas. Because I couldn't imagine any of my friends or aquaintances taking issue with the idea that healthcare should be available to all people, everywhere.
Clearly I was wrong. It turns out some people are perfectly happy with the idea of making healthcare available to anyone who needs it....just so long as they don't have to lift a finger or make any changes to their lives in order for it to happen. Some people claim their main objection is a lack of trust in the government. They have doubts it will be able to get a monumental program like this off the ground and make it work. Others like to dredge up the dreaded "welfare queen" bogey...the idea that there are thousands of freeloaders out there who are waiting eagerly for the whole healthcare system to change so they can milk the fuck out of it and take advantage of all us hardworking souls.
Please people. Give it a rest. And stop and think for a moment. Do you honestly think you have more of a right to healthcare than the three-year old child of a single mom on welfare? Are you willing to refuse healthcare to said mother and child because a) she can't pay for it which means b) you (and everyone else) may have to help pick up the tab? And just because a task seems challenging and potentially filled with pitfalls, shouldn't we at least give it our very best shot to do what we can to make affordable healthcare available to everyone?
As I was in the middle of writing this, I received a troubling email from a fellow mom who subscribes to the same parenting forum as me. She is unemployed. Her husband has a job but barely makes enough (in fact, he does NOT make enough) to cover the cost of rent, bills, and food. Once insurance kicks in, an additional $400 will be deducted from his paycheck each month....$400 this family urgently needs to continue having a roof over their heads. Last month this gal sold her parents' wedding rings to help make ends meet. A few months prior, she sent out an email asking if anyone was willing to pay her for odd jobs so she could make enough money to feed her family that week. I happen to know she also recently had to undergo major surgery on her knee and is now a partially incapacitated stay-at-home mom of a five-month old.
Here we have a classic case of a family struggling to make ends meet. Who knows how this story will end and whether or not they will have to move into temporary housing until they get back on their feet. But wouldn't it be nice if the one thing they didn't have to worry about in the midst of all this is healthcare? How nice if that $400 per month didn't go to line the pockets of an insurance firm and instead, stayed put on a much needed paycheck.
Ugh. I just want people to stop freaking out and worrying so much about what could happen and focus on what should happen. Forget the goddamn government and the money and the complications and whatever BS the media and right-wing nutjobs like Sarah Palin can fixate on to distract us from the real issues at hand. Don't we, as human beings, have a moral obligation to help our fellow humans? Don't we?! Isn't there something really wrong with the fact that the U.S. ranked #29 (tied with Poland) on infant mortality rates? Or that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. We rank the 38th in the World Health Organizations in healthcare fairness and quality (only Slovenia is below us). I mean COME ON!!!!
All I'm saying is I hope we can finally get our shit together on this issue and make some positive changes that will benefit more than a handful of insurance company stockholders and CEOs.
No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day.
Hard to disagree with that, right? I mean, as far as I'm concerned, healthcare is a basic human right...up there with education, shelter, and food. Well, little did I (or Philip, for that matter) realize the debate that would ensue as a result of this post. Yeah, I know the whole healthcare topic has been stirring up a variety of emotions and reactions. But I'd always assumed that the people who were opposed to it were a bunch of redneck whackos from BFE Arkansas. Because I couldn't imagine any of my friends or aquaintances taking issue with the idea that healthcare should be available to all people, everywhere.
Clearly I was wrong. It turns out some people are perfectly happy with the idea of making healthcare available to anyone who needs it....just so long as they don't have to lift a finger or make any changes to their lives in order for it to happen. Some people claim their main objection is a lack of trust in the government. They have doubts it will be able to get a monumental program like this off the ground and make it work. Others like to dredge up the dreaded "welfare queen" bogey...the idea that there are thousands of freeloaders out there who are waiting eagerly for the whole healthcare system to change so they can milk the fuck out of it and take advantage of all us hardworking souls.
Please people. Give it a rest. And stop and think for a moment. Do you honestly think you have more of a right to healthcare than the three-year old child of a single mom on welfare? Are you willing to refuse healthcare to said mother and child because a) she can't pay for it which means b) you (and everyone else) may have to help pick up the tab? And just because a task seems challenging and potentially filled with pitfalls, shouldn't we at least give it our very best shot to do what we can to make affordable healthcare available to everyone?
As I was in the middle of writing this, I received a troubling email from a fellow mom who subscribes to the same parenting forum as me. She is unemployed. Her husband has a job but barely makes enough (in fact, he does NOT make enough) to cover the cost of rent, bills, and food. Once insurance kicks in, an additional $400 will be deducted from his paycheck each month....$400 this family urgently needs to continue having a roof over their heads. Last month this gal sold her parents' wedding rings to help make ends meet. A few months prior, she sent out an email asking if anyone was willing to pay her for odd jobs so she could make enough money to feed her family that week. I happen to know she also recently had to undergo major surgery on her knee and is now a partially incapacitated stay-at-home mom of a five-month old.
Here we have a classic case of a family struggling to make ends meet. Who knows how this story will end and whether or not they will have to move into temporary housing until they get back on their feet. But wouldn't it be nice if the one thing they didn't have to worry about in the midst of all this is healthcare? How nice if that $400 per month didn't go to line the pockets of an insurance firm and instead, stayed put on a much needed paycheck.
Ugh. I just want people to stop freaking out and worrying so much about what could happen and focus on what should happen. Forget the goddamn government and the money and the complications and whatever BS the media and right-wing nutjobs like Sarah Palin can fixate on to distract us from the real issues at hand. Don't we, as human beings, have a moral obligation to help our fellow humans? Don't we?! Isn't there something really wrong with the fact that the U.S. ranked #29 (tied with Poland) on infant mortality rates? Or that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. We rank the 38th in the World Health Organizations in healthcare fairness and quality (only Slovenia is below us). I mean COME ON!!!!
All I'm saying is I hope we can finally get our shit together on this issue and make some positive changes that will benefit more than a handful of insurance company stockholders and CEOs.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Halloween Costumes
As a child, I was lucky enough to have a mom who could sew. Not only could she sew...but she was incredibly creative. At no time of the year did this become more obvious than Halloween. While many of my friends were forced to buy a plastic wrapped costume off the shelf of the local drugstore, or throw a costume together based on old clothes and sheets found in a parent's closet....I always had a freshly created, handmade costume just in time for October 31.
When my mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis several years ago, I was--of course--upset and worried. But deep in a hidden and very selfish corner of my brain, I was also quietly asking myself, "If I have kids, who is going to make their costumes?! I can't even sew a button! The horror!!!!"
Thankfully, my mom's hands are still functioning. Last year she stepped up to the challenge and made M a very cute, simple witch costume. This year, now that Z is on the scene, we've upped the ante. I've pondered the options and decided on sibling theme costumes. I mean we've got two little kids who are still too young to care what they wear....why not take advantage of the situation and have some fun?
I perused the online sewing sites (Butterick, McCalls, and the like) for costume patterns and, after some thought, decided on Little Bo Peep and her sheep (or, if you prefer, Mary and her Little Lamb). Voila!
Costume for Miss Z (see lower left)
Costume for Miss M (see upper left)
My only question...where does one find a shepherdess crook? Or, alternatively, how does one make it?
When my mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis several years ago, I was--of course--upset and worried. But deep in a hidden and very selfish corner of my brain, I was also quietly asking myself, "If I have kids, who is going to make their costumes?! I can't even sew a button! The horror!!!!"
Thankfully, my mom's hands are still functioning. Last year she stepped up to the challenge and made M a very cute, simple witch costume. This year, now that Z is on the scene, we've upped the ante. I've pondered the options and decided on sibling theme costumes. I mean we've got two little kids who are still too young to care what they wear....why not take advantage of the situation and have some fun?
I perused the online sewing sites (Butterick, McCalls, and the like) for costume patterns and, after some thought, decided on Little Bo Peep and her sheep (or, if you prefer, Mary and her Little Lamb). Voila!
Costume for Miss Z (see lower left)
Costume for Miss M (see upper left)
My only question...where does one find a shepherdess crook? Or, alternatively, how does one make it?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
It's That Time Again....
Yes, after a three-month reprieve...I'm sorry to say it's time for me to jump back into birthday party planning once again. Z turns one on October 4 and we're having a party for her on October 3. After the last experience I had (you can read about my trials and tribulations here, here, and here) you probably won't be surprised to know that I decided to purchase a cake rather than bake it myself. As far as I'm concerned, every penny I spend on a custom cake is a penny towards keeping myself from having a nervous breakdown on the day of the party.
Because the party is for Z....I'm having a tough time figuring out what the hell to do. Obviously she won't give a crap whether or not there are games or entertainment or even gifts as she'll more or less be largely oblivious to the entire event aside from the moment she has her first slice of cake. But there will be other kids there, including Z's older sister. So I feel obliged to do something to keep the older tots from rioting when they show up and realize there isn't a damn thing to do. However I do NOT want to spend oodles of extra cash.
The weather should be nice enough (please, please, please) so most of the party can take place outside. I guess I could do a pinata again...and some sort of craft project...and, oh hell I don't know. I need help. Does anyone have any suggestions? As with all brainstorming sessions...nothing is too lame.
Because the party is for Z....I'm having a tough time figuring out what the hell to do. Obviously she won't give a crap whether or not there are games or entertainment or even gifts as she'll more or less be largely oblivious to the entire event aside from the moment she has her first slice of cake. But there will be other kids there, including Z's older sister. So I feel obliged to do something to keep the older tots from rioting when they show up and realize there isn't a damn thing to do. However I do NOT want to spend oodles of extra cash.
The weather should be nice enough (please, please, please) so most of the party can take place outside. I guess I could do a pinata again...and some sort of craft project...and, oh hell I don't know. I need help. Does anyone have any suggestions? As with all brainstorming sessions...nothing is too lame.
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