Technically, the Fourth of July was the bug's first holiday (followed uneventfully by Summer Solstice, Labor Day, and Columbus Day), but Independence Day celebrations aren't exactly the place for a two-week old. I'd like to think of Halloween as the bug's first participation in holiday festivities.
She dressed up like a ladybug with cute faces on her feet (faces that demanded much attention from everyone, costume occupant included) and paraded around town with wifey and dozens of other kids. Some could argue that Halloween goes right over the head of a four-month old. At that age, it isn't really about the kid. It's the parents' excuse to dress the kid(s) in something they wouldn't consciously agree to and be rewarded for it with candy.
Lots and lots of candy. Somehow lots and lots didn't make it home... (I had to work 7am - 9pm as per our new schedule.) Still, I have it on good authority that everything in the Peeps basket is fair game. Another word for mine.
Which brings me to my point. Remember when Halloween was considered safe if your parents inspected your loot before you ate it (no suspicious holes, breaks in wrappers/peels, sharp objects, etc.). Now there are whole neighborhoods off limits. Trick-or-treating has devolved to a maskless tour through local businesses passing out name brand wrapped candies during the daytime.
I believe that there are areas of the country that celebrate more traditionally. Just not around me. Two years ago I had a major win, as it was the only year after graduating college (plenty of years ago) that I both bought candy and had trick-or-treaters.
By the time the bug is old enough to be guided from door to door, fairy wand in one hand and pillowcase in the other, will there be any houses to knock on? Or will she have to settle for a predetermined kid corral?
I'm thinking Halloween party! Controlled amount of sugar, plenty of activities for spending energy gained by aforementioned sugar, more than enough adults to keep damage to an allowable minimum, mutually agreed upon scare intensity (or lack thereof, as the case may be), no approaching strangers and asking for handouts, and infinitely more interaction with her peers.
Any parents out there opt for the party instead of wandering the streets? How did that go? Was there a mixture of both?
Showing posts with label social. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social. Show all posts
01 November, 2011
07 October, 2011
Advocacy of Table Time (Part I)
Family on Friday!!!
Commenting on last week's post, Gussie pointed out that not only our handy-dandy electronic devices divide us, but that the drawing power of the outside world beckons us to leave our homes in such a rush that tables become a depository of sorts. (I admittedly paraphrased and took liberties, but you can read her comments at the bottom of the post if you're that curious.)
Let me start off Part I of my continued advocacy of table time as a cornerstone of family solidarity by saying it doesn't have to, and probably can't in some cases, be an every night thing (or mornings... I could go for mornings). Making it a chore doesn't help. Kinda makes it counterproductive.
But, if you cannot meet as a family around the table for at least a full meal, dessert, and one game on a weekly basis, then there is a serious problem. The subtext to leading such a busy life is "my family is not as important as these other things." Probably isn't how you feel, but actions are paramount in interpersonal relationships. They define our character (as I've learned in numerous writing classes).
So, yeah. At least once a week. There are days when kiddos will want to sleep over at a friend's house. And days when parentals will want the kiddos to sleep over at a friend's house. Some days, you'll scarcely see your bed, let alone a table. (Interesting how some people get a nice home, fill it with nice stuff, and then barely even sleep there.)
The busy lifestyle is quite simple really.
Commenting on last week's post, Gussie pointed out that not only our handy-dandy electronic devices divide us, but that the drawing power of the outside world beckons us to leave our homes in such a rush that tables become a depository of sorts. (I admittedly paraphrased and took liberties, but you can read her comments at the bottom of the post if you're that curious.)
Let me start off Part I of my continued advocacy of table time as a cornerstone of family solidarity by saying it doesn't have to, and probably can't in some cases, be an every night thing (or mornings... I could go for mornings). Making it a chore doesn't help. Kinda makes it counterproductive.
But, if you cannot meet as a family around the table for at least a full meal, dessert, and one game on a weekly basis, then there is a serious problem. The subtext to leading such a busy life is "my family is not as important as these other things." Probably isn't how you feel, but actions are paramount in interpersonal relationships. They define our character (as I've learned in numerous writing classes).
So, yeah. At least once a week. There are days when kiddos will want to sleep over at a friend's house. And days when parentals will want the kiddos to sleep over at a friend's house. Some days, you'll scarcely see your bed, let alone a table. (Interesting how some people get a nice home, fill it with nice stuff, and then barely even sleep there.)
The busy lifestyle is quite simple really.
- Live an hour from work
- Work a little extra because 110% is the new minimum
- Have the kids cram eight completely different classes in their day, each of which is supposed to assign two hours of homework for every hour in class
- Let the kids join a few clubs (gotta nurture their interests), a sport, and take lessons for fill-in-the-blank
- Join some clubs yourself
- Volunteer
- Be an active part of your community
- Now pick and choose on a daily basis who's being run where to meet the right-after-work/school activities that will run up to the start of the next one (grab dinner on the way)
- Spend time socializing with the people at the end of the second activity who, for some reason, never have anything to do
- Get home sometime before midnight
- Feed the pets and let them out in the yard
- Help kids with homework or trust they are while you flip through the DVR
- Rinse, sleep, repeat
30 September, 2011
Table Time in the Modern Age
Family on Friday!
Or should I say, "Table Time in Spite of the Modern Age?"
The point is, too many people feel that just being in the same room is enough. And there are those who rarely do that anymore. I'm not saying to kill your t.v. or check your phone at the door. I am saying that it would be better to have some place and time when the outside world is left outside. Signing up your family members for a MMORPG account and doing quests together is social, yes, but in a sad, sad way.
Tables are great for social interaction. If you can't seem to connect with your family on a meaningful level over a meal just yet, then try any of a wide variety of table games that are out there. Not all families can converse without heated arguments sending something into the trashcan (I've eaten with you. I know). Try turning those arguments into competitiveness. Nothing can justify animosity better than a game.
Families that have fun together... well... have fun together.
My daughter isn't old enough to play anything more advanced than look-at-the-toy, hold-up-your-head, or how-long-can-you-hold-the-rattle. As a former youngun, I can remember living in my parents' very social home. I've been to houses with teens, tweens, and energy vampires, and it doesn't take long to tell which families set aside time to be a family from those who pass each other in the halls.
I wouldn't suggest quitting the screens cold turkey. Start off just by trying to demonstrate some simple courtesy (hundreds of thousands of moviegoers will thank you). And lead by example. Nothing will build up resentment and rebellion more a than do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do attitude. Think about your attitude toward our government and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
Courtesy can and will prompt a change from looking in the area between the plate and stomach to heads up, eyes forward, and realizing that there are people in the room with whom to speak. The best way to get there relies on incentive and reward, not restriction and punishment. You've got to be ten times more interesting than whatever they're doing to avoid you, not the subject of their next flame.
What's worked for you?
Or should I say, "Table Time in Spite of the Modern Age?"
The point is, too many people feel that just being in the same room is enough. And there are those who rarely do that anymore. I'm not saying to kill your t.v. or check your phone at the door. I am saying that it would be better to have some place and time when the outside world is left outside. Signing up your family members for a MMORPG account and doing quests together is social, yes, but in a sad, sad way.
Tables are great for social interaction. If you can't seem to connect with your family on a meaningful level over a meal just yet, then try any of a wide variety of table games that are out there. Not all families can converse without heated arguments sending something into the trashcan (I've eaten with you. I know). Try turning those arguments into competitiveness. Nothing can justify animosity better than a game.
Families that have fun together... well... have fun together.
My daughter isn't old enough to play anything more advanced than look-at-the-toy, hold-up-your-head, or how-long-can-you-hold-the-rattle. As a former youngun, I can remember living in my parents' very social home. I've been to houses with teens, tweens, and energy vampires, and it doesn't take long to tell which families set aside time to be a family from those who pass each other in the halls.
I wouldn't suggest quitting the screens cold turkey. Start off just by trying to demonstrate some simple courtesy (hundreds of thousands of moviegoers will thank you). And lead by example. Nothing will build up resentment and rebellion more a than do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do attitude. Think about your attitude toward our government and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
Courtesy can and will prompt a change from looking in the area between the plate and stomach to heads up, eyes forward, and realizing that there are people in the room with whom to speak. The best way to get there relies on incentive and reward, not restriction and punishment. You've got to be ten times more interesting than whatever they're doing to avoid you, not the subject of their next flame.
What's worked for you?
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