The New York Times magazine piece that Rebel Dad informed us about is certainly worth the read.

It turns out that lots of "high-powered" women are pulling back a bit, or a lot, professionally in order to spend more time with their children. It's a long, and interesting, read, particularly coming from a progressive source like the NY Times.
- posted by Michael @ 2:24 PM

 
Check out these numbers on kids age 6 to 12 who regularly spend time in "self care" (now there's a wonderful term for the 21st century).

Also note that higher-income parents do this more than lower-income parents.

"Sorry, Junior, mommy and daddy have to go to work to pay for that giant TV you're watching. Please stay away from the stove while we're gone."

(This New York Times article tipped me off to this report.)
- posted by Michael @ 1:57 AM

 
I'm building a new page on books we love. It will change over time as I add additional ones and cut off others that I change my mind about. But we have read each of these countless times.

I would love to learn about other classics, which I define as a book that you and your kid(s) love reading hundreds of times.
- posted by Michael @ 3:51 PM

 
Annoying moment of the week:

I'm using the poor man's Imaginarium--K.B. Toy Hobby--to kill some time with the boy. He is pushing an empty doll stroller around the place. (We always put everything away when we're done with it, so the workers tolerate us showing up all the time.)

Suddenly, we pass a mom and girl. The girl, about three, is riding a little lawn mower/scooter-type thing. She says "Look, Mommy, he's playing with a girl's toy." I have no problem with her--she's three.

But then her mom says, "That's ok--he can play with a girl's toy, because you're playing with a boy's toy."

Now, if a mom wants to tell her daughter that a riding toy is a boy's toy (because it looks like a lawn mower?), that's her prerogative.

But I was peeved that she would suggest in a loud voice that a stroller is a girl's toy.

Now, don't get me wrong. I cringe when my kid tries on Mommy's shoes or puts on her necklace. I am not that liberated.

But I don't buy that showing an interest in taking care of kids--even dolls--is girl’s stuff.

Of course, for him, the doll stroller is probably just a fun car-like thing that he gets to drive and steer. He's as happy to put an umbrella in there as a Pooh doll (the baby dolls are in boxes at KB, so they don't fit in there).

But I would actually be flattered if he wanted to push around the stroller to imitate me pushing him in his stroller (which we almost never use anymore, but he probably remembers when we did).

So, no big deal--I did not unleash on her like I did on the crazy woman at the swing-set--but it irked me.

Keep the boys away from dresses, but let them play with dolls. That's my current position. Any thoughts? (I am still trying to learn how to add a comment box, but you can email me for now.)

- posted by Michael @ 6:37 PM

 
Mrs. Bush agrees with me about TV, by the way.

Some plans for this web site. Will take a few weeks, but might actually bring some utility to the site. Stay tuned (if anyone is still there).
- posted by Michael @ 6:58 PM