Helicopter Parenting in the Age of Fear

What kind of parent we become often relates back to the experiences we had as a child. Writer Kelly Wallace's article for CNN, From 80's latchkey kid to helicopter parent today, asks other writers about their experiences both as children and parents. Why do we parent differently? Has the world become a more fearful place to live in or is the constant influx of news contributing to our parenting style? What stands out most in her article is the recounting of how lonely being a latchkey kid felt for some of the parents and how this isolation has impacted some of their parenting decisions. One mother recounts how, while she wants her children to learn how to be self-sufficient and independent, she doesn't want them to come home to an empty house after school because she remembers how isolated and disconnected she felt. So maybe too many decisions are falling under the umbrella of helicopter parenting - there is a difference between wanting our children to feel connected to others rather than the TV and doing so much for our children that they can't take care of themselves as adults.

Traveling with Kids

Ever packed for a trip with young children? Gone are the days of "packing light" since you never know when you might need the Children's Motrin, boots, an extra pair of pants....the list goes on. Traveling by plane makes packing even more complicated. But once on the road (or sky) there are a few essentials that will make the trip easier for parents and kids.
1) Books on Audible. My favorite app for traveling with kids young and old since Audible carries narrated books for all ages. Even I enjoy listening to the Pinkalicious  and the Diary of A Wimpy Kid book series and best of all, it keeps the peace for an hour or two while traveling.
2) Legos. Carrying even a small assortment in a tupperware container allows kids to put those restless hands to use, especially when confined to small spaces during travel.
3) And when all else fails at the restaurant, there's Toca Boca, from Sweden, a play studio that makes digital toys for kids ages 3 and up. Unlike a lot of the game apps, Toca apps are designed to stimulate imagination and creative play that's even fun for parents.

Happy New Year!

In honor of the new year, I want to share a quote that will help all of us remember the value of mistakes, a value that we can also pass on to our children: 

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.” - Neil Gaiman

Just think of all the scientific discoveries that were the result of mistakes  -- the x-ray, the slinky, pacemakers, and post-it notes just to name a few.  Here's to making mistakes and success in the new year!