Last night Jason was enjoying the All-Star game and while flipping channels at the commercial break he saw a promo for the evening news. “The fourth Madison murder this year! Is this a growing problem? Are you safe?” Something tells me that watching that news clip would’ve helped me sleep like a baby last night. (catching the sarcasm, here?)
There’s a huge distance between being informed and fear mongering. Not to be a media basher, but the reality is that bad new sells.
Here’s a sampling of the top news stories in Madison last night…
Murder on Madison’s South Side, Abduction Investigation, GM to Speed Up Closure of Janesville Plant, On the Menu: Higher Prices?, Madison Bus Driver Could Face Felony Charges.
Not that I’m advocating denial here, but do we need this negative programming right before our night of rest? It’s no surprise that there’s a major connection between lack of sleep and stress levels. With that in mind, I share with you the following…
Top 5 Ways to Sleep Well at Night
1. Do not watch the news.
2. Do not watch the news.
3. Do not watch the news.
4. Do not watch the news.
5. Do not watch the news.
Jason and I rarely ever watch the news. I get my news from USA Today’s breaking news email alerts. Everything else, locally, that is newsworthy certainly finds it’s way to my ears without my help- grocery store check-out lines, the talk from people after church, or headlines on the newspapers I step over on my daily walk.
Do yourself a favor and limit your intake of fear. It goes a long way on your journey to fight Adultitis.
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Today is the youngest you will ever be. Act like it. - Mark Cuban
Whether you liked him in office or not, former President George H.W. Bush Sr. is a great example of what this quote it all about. This picture is from his sixth jump, at the age of 83, just less than a year after a hip replacement.
What kind of jump should you be making?
(Thanks, Phil, for sharing this quote!)
Related Posts:What happened to the lazy days of a child’s summer vacation?
When we first moved to Madison eight years ago I spent the summer working for a summer daycare/day camp. We had third through fifth graders. The daycare hours were 7AM- 6PM. This was the first time my eyes were opened to the reality of what summer vacation is like for many modern kids. As one of the many “teachers” we tried to give the kids unstructured time, in order to let them feel like they could enjoy the lazy days of summer. Honestly, though, there is only so much you can do. Maintaining sanity and safely in a program with 50- 75 kids on any given day requires structure. Lunch is served just like at school. Activities are planned, in order to keep order and balance. That’s a lot of kids to manage! 
The kids were great, but I saw a cloud of disappointment over many of them that I just couldn’t shake. It took me a while to figure it out, but once I did it bothered me beyond belief and I was not able to participate as a teacher the following summer. It all came down to freedom- the freedom of summer, and many of these kids felt resentful of the school-like atmosphere. They wanted to be home… and free to do what THEY wanted to do. I couldn’t blame them!
I realize that the dual-parent career and single-parent households have little choice but to enroll their kids in a summer day camp setting. Many kids thrive on it (I’m guessing kids who are naturally extroverts), but for the introverted kids (at least 1/4 of them), a summer day camp can be a nightmare. By the way, for those of you who think being introverted means that you are shy, please read this article: “The Top 5 Things Every Extrovert Should Know About Introverts.”
So, what can working and single parents do to avoid resentment and allow their children the opportunity to experience the freedom of summer, that many of us look back on with delight?
Here are a few ideas…
1. Talk to your boss. Try to change your work schedule for the summer so that you work longer days, but get a day off each week, enabling your child to have a three-day weekend at home every single week. (Key point: DO NOT fill your long weekends. Keep them low-key and lazy.)
2. If you have a job that can be done from home, ask your boss if you can work from home a few days a week. Start on a trial basis, to show him/her that you will, indeed, accomplish your work. This will allow your child the chance to be in his/her own setting throughout the day.
3. Hire an in home babysitter. Trustworthy high school students are perfect for summer baby sitting jobs. If the cost is just too high, join households with a neighboring family (or two) and have the babysitter trade off which house is the host each day. A group of 5-8 kids is still better than a group of 55 kids. If you don’t know any high school students, talk to the principal of the local high school or the pastor of your church.
4. If you must enroll your kids in the day camp setting, limit the hours so that they are not there at 7AM and picked up at 6PM. Also, make sure their evenings and weekends are empty. No extracurriculars PERIOD. Since their day times are structured, provide for them the freedom of summer in different places.
Finally, a combination of the above ideas may work also. Here’s the bottom line… you need to ask yourself if you are living by rules that don’t exist. Don’t allow society and social pressures to convince you that it just “has to be this way.” YOU are in charge of your choices. Don’t blame others for what your reality is. Get creative.
Your kids will thank you later!
Related Posts:In keeping with our tradition to do something childlike on our anniversary, Jason and I celebrated eight years of “Mr. and Mrs.” last night by going to see the playful movie Son of Rambow. Reviews have said… “It makes you feel like a kid again.” “One-of-a-kind… an endearingly wacky look at boyhood and aspiring moviemakers. I really like this film.”
I have to agree! This movie brought me into the reality of childhood from the perspective of two imaginative young boys. I felt like I was walking (and running) right alongside them on their journey. It reminded me of the power of a young minds to create something out of nothing. It inspired me to want to grab my friends by the arm and tackle an adventure, like no other, together. It was a real treat! Very childlike!
It seems like there are lots of childlike options at the box office right now… and in the next few weeks. Another movie I am itching to see is Young @ Heart. It’s a documentary featuring the Young @ Heart Chorus, a vocal group from Northampton, MA, who have earned an international reputation for their unique interpretations of well-known rock & roll tunes by bands such as Coldplay, Sonic Youth, the Ramones, and the Clash. Here’s the kicker, though… the group is comprised of 22 senior citizens whose average age is 80! The movie is a look into their experience rehearsing for their annual concert in Northhampton. It shares the background of several members and their efforts to stay active and think positive, even as their friends succumb to old age. If this isn’t a movie about Escaping Adulthood, I don’t know what is! I’m so there!
Check out the trailer…
The trailer alone gives me chills!! I LOVE their rendition of Fix You by Coldplay!
There are just so many good choices that will invite your inner child out to play….Indiana Jones and the Kingdom or the Crystal Skull, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Speed Racer… then of course there’s two Jason is dying to see-The Dark Knight and The Incredible Hulk (hopefully better than the last one.).
Which childlike movie are you looking forward to seeing soon?
Related Posts:Being the youngest, I often had the experience of an only child. With my next oldest sister two years ahead of me in school I had two years, when I was three and four-years-old, where I had the house to myself (me and my mom, that is). As I mentioned in December, Mr Rogers became a dear friend of mine, along with the smiling faces and furry friends on Sesame Street. I felt like I had a whole bunch of friends- Mr. Hooper, Bob, Gordon, Susan, Luis, Maria. Not to mention the even sillier ones like Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, The Count, and Oscar the Grouch.
Sesame Street was simply a part of my existence. I sang “Rubber Duckie” in my own bathtub. 
(He really DID make bath time “Oh So Fun!”) I played for countless hours with my Fisher-Price Little People Sesame Street set. I thought about the Cookie Monster every time I ate my own cookies. I even called water “agua”… all because of that magical street.
Last week Jason and I had the privilege of interviewing Bob from Sesame Street for our recent podcast. You may remember he was the music teacher on the show. At one point we were talking about the famous song “Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?” He told some fun stories about different celebrities that he sang the song with over the years. Towards the end of our interview I had an inspired thought… maybe I can ask Bob to sing for us. To my childlike delight, he not only agreed, he customized that childhood classic with our very own names…
By the time he was done singing, I have to admit, I had a tear in my eye. My four-year-old self was simply giddy with childlike delight! (It still is!) It was a childhood dream come true… 25 years later.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who grew up on Sesame Street. Leave a comment to share who you would consider to be YOUR favorite Sesame Street character? Don’t forget about some of the obscure ones like Forgetful Jones or the Two-Headed Monster.
Enjoy this video clip of Bob singing with some of his neighbors. It’s guaranteed to bring back some great memories.
Related Posts:One of the topics we hit on in our speaking programs is fear. Fear is a major obstacle to living an Adultitis-free life. Grown-ups sure have an easy time maxing out their daily quota of worry and fear. Our imaginations instantly create the worst case scenario, rarely leaving time for what’s likely to happen, or even what the best case may be.
Here’s the truth… fear is paralyzing - mentally, spiritually, and physically. It fills our 
head, heart and body with unnecessary tension preventing chemicals and hormones from working properly… leading to a bunch of health issues that are not good. (technically speaking, of course) I know I’ve said this before, but it’s good to remember that F.E.A.R. is False Evidence Appearing Real. Most of the things we worry about never even happen. Truly.
I’ve been reading the classic book by Dale Carnegie, “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.” This books is jam-packed with ideas and insights that shake you to the core. What a waste this gift of life truly is, if/when you live it in fear.
There’s a poem that is in the book that I want to share. Maybe you’ve read it before, but it certainly deserves another read.
Just for Today
- By Sibyl F. Partridge
Just for today I will be happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.
Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.
Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.
Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.
Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.
Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.
Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.
Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurrying and indecision.
Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax. In this half-hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.
Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.
Related Posts:This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #22: This Little Light of Mine: Do something to make the world a better place.
When it comes to helping make the world a better place, there are lots of options here in Madison. Supposedly Wisconsin’s capital has more nonprofit organizations per capita than any other city in the nation. That’s pretty darn cool.
“The greatest exercise for the human heart is to reach down and lift someone up.”
I heard this quote in a powerful interview on CNN recently highlighting Jon Huntsman, a self-made billionaire who
is spending his hard-earned cash on one thing… curing cancer! Inspired by the loss of his mother at a young age from cancer, he founded the Huntsman Cancer Institute in her honor. The dedicated folks there are working endlessly to not only cure cancer but to help improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. His namesake HCI building holds this quote “Selfless giving unto others represents one’s true wealth.” Time Magazine identified Huntsman as the sixth largest philanthropist in the United States in 2000. In 2007, he gave $750 million in contributions and donations. He proudly shared in this candid interview with Glenn Beck that he plans to die bankrupt.
Men like Mr. Huntsman both humble and inspire me to think bigger and give more. You don’t have to be a billionaire before you start sharing the gifts you’ve been given. In today’s busy world, sharing your time if often a greater challenge than sharing money.
So, exercise your heart this week. Share a comment on the Escape Plan Blog of what you decide to do to make the world a better place.
Related Posts:Puberty and the teenage years are often the initial cause of the widespread epidemic, Adultitis. It makes sense.
Raise your hand if you’d like to go back to puberty. No hands… I thought so.
Sure, there were fun moments, but for the most part the common experience is an extended period of awkwardness as you make the trek on the slow train from childhood to adulthood. With your hormones are out of control, the zits, peer pressure, and the pointless homework, you can’t wait to leave childhood in the dust. Many of the people I have talked to about this agree that college was much more enjoyable than junior high and high school.
Parents of teenagers have a challenging job. (This is the understatement of the century!)
Recently at a gig in Chicago a parent told us afterwards about a cool way she connects with her two teenage boys. Her and her husband were frustrated with the reality that during car rides together they would each be listening to their iPods, separated by earbuds and playlists. Parents of teenagers are often asking the same question, “How do I get them to talk to me?” Well, these parents have found a very simple solution… music!
On road trips they each take a turn, even the parents, playing a song they like and then they get to tell the rest of the family why they enjoy that particular song. This mom was oozing enthusiasm while telling us about this newfound connecting point with her kids. She shared that she has learned so much about her boys by the songs they choose and the explanations of why they connect with them. Her and her husband have also been able to share stories they would probably not have had the opportunity to share, relating back to why their songs mean so much to them.
One son played a John Mayer song which she admitted she really ended up loving. For her birthday he surprised her with a CD with that song on it. She was shocked that such a thoughtful gift would come from her teenage son!
She also spoke of the opportunities that arise when they play a song with “iffy” lyrics, one that she wouldn’t necessarily like them listening to. It gives them the chance to talk about the content. They usually tell her that they don’t hear the song the same way she does. It’s been an eye opener for everyone.
Music is such a connecting point for people. It’s no surprise that it has the magical ability to whisk you back to different periods of your life.
The first music video I ever watched was a song that my mom LOVED. We were flipping channels and this video was on, “These Boots are Made For Walking” by Nancy Sinatra. My mom told me about why it was one of her favorite songs in her 20’s. To this day I always think of my mom and her story when I hear that song.
I have dozens of mix tapes (yes, TAPES) that Jason made me in our five years of dating. Each song was hand picked for a certain reason and brings me back to memories that are cherished. (That’s probably why I absolutely love the new “audio cassette tote bag” we just added to our store.)
What songs have helped you connect to someone special?
Related Posts:As many of you know from the watching the big Packers vs. Giants game last Sunday, it’s freakin’ cold here in WI. I’ve resorted to Plan B for my daily exercise. If you remember Plan A consisted of piling on layers like everyone’s favorite kid brother, Randy, and sucking it up for my daily walk. I’ve made the executive decision that losing sections of my face to frostbite is not my idea of a good time.
I am thrilled to share my new exercise routine. Necessity is truly the mother of all invention. (Thanks to Libby and Shirley for the inspiration!)
It’s called… The Charlie Brown Dance Party USA
You’re familiar with the boisterous dancing styles of the Charlie Brown crew?
Some of you may remember the grooving teens with the high bangs on the 80’s show, Dance Party USA?
These two amazingly silly entities were married in a civil union unofficially here in Madison, in our second bedroom.
Here’s how it works.
1. First, dress for success. Get your sneakers and comfy exercise-like pants (or spandex if you really want to revive the 80’s).
2. Set the mood. Pick some music that you know will get you hoppin’.
3. Close the shades. (This is a VERY important step!)
4. Dance like no one is watching! (Again, a reminder to close those shades!)
It is so much fun, and far better than the handful of dusty exercise videos I have.
This video will surely inspire you!
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Innovative sites like Lifehacker and LifeTipsDaily try. Respected authors like Stephen Covey, Timothy Ferris, and David Allen continue to give it their best shot. No one has successfully managed to add more time to our daily ration of 1,440 minutes a day.
Until NOW.
I am excited to share that there are now more than 24 hours in a single day. Woo Hoo! You can thank the striking folks from the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America). Yep, since the strike started on November 5th, they have added hours to our week. In our household, we’ve received six additional hours a week, which adds up to be 60+ hours since the strike began. That’s two and a half full days of my life back.
Thanks WGA!!
Have I missed the mindblowing plot lines of Heroes and the crazy non-PC utterances of Michael Scott on The Office? Yeah, sure, but it’s been nice to have more time too.
How many hours have you received in the last two months?
An even more important question is… what have you done with your extra hours?
Ever notice how kids can often be the best gift givers? We trudge through malls, search countless online stores, and still miss that perfect gift that says it all.
When I was five my dad piled us four girls (known to others as the K-Mart sisters because we all start with K) into our station wagon and headed off to K-Mart, ironically, a few days before Christmas to pick something out for my mom. I knew exactly what to get. No hesitation. I had heard her mention recently that we needed more straws… yes straws. Looking back on it, she was probably just mentioning it out-loud for her mental shopping list. Well, I had overheard and thought that would be the perfect gift to get. After all, she did need them. You can imagine how thrilled I was to find the option of bendable straws, versus the everyday straight variety. So, I splurged and $1.00 later, I was all set. To this day, we all laugh about the look on my mom’s face after she opened the gift and heard my explanation of why I had picked such a perfect (strange) gift.
It really is the thought that counts.
Here at Kim & Jason, we’ve been enjoying receiving a handful of heartwarming emails from customers of our online store, The Lemonade Stand, sharing how the “cool stuff” they bought served as that connecting point between them and their loved ones this holiday season. It’s neat to hear the individual stories and to get a taste of how excited they were to give their gifts.
The holidays are certainly not just about the gifts, but giving and receiving gifts can be an interesting experiment that often reveals how well people really know each other. Jason and I really enjoy taking the time to pick out that “perfect gift” for our family members. It does take more time, but the looks on their faces are always worth it. I was most excited for my dad to open the Steve Urkel shirt Jason and I found at the Mall of America, featuring a picture of Jaleel White saying, “Did I do that?” My dad loved Urkel in the days of TGIF.
As far as receiving gifts goes I would guess that most people have at least one person in their life who gives gifts that say something about the one receiving it. Here are a few of the gifts that said something to me this Christmas about how other people view me.
• A t-shirt, saying “Life is Short, Eat Dessert First.
• A t-shirt with a picture of the Charlie Brown Christmas crew.
• A retro T-shirt featuring Mr. Owl, from the old Tootsie Roll commercials.
• Giraffe and ladybug socks
Fun stuff! It’s a neat thing to know that people “get” you. Is it weird to be giving an (almost) 30-year-old socks donning giraffes? Not if that 3 decade old recipient is ME.
Another meaningful gift I received recently was actually advice from my father-in-law to check out the TV show, The Big Idea, with Donny Deutsch on CNBC (Your Roadmap to the American Dream.) It’s like reading a motivation book every night. I’m loving it! His mindfulness in connecting us to this show is something that means a lot.
What gift did you give or receive that was just “perfect” this holiday season?
Technorati Tags: gift giving, Charlie Brown, Mr. Owl, giraffes, Urkel, Jaleel White, The Big Idea, Donny Deutsch, CNBC
Related Posts:Two great Christmas movies, one important lesson…
Childlike vs. Childish
Technorati Tags: Elf, Christmas Vacation, Cousin Eddy, childlike, childish
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