Children now spend 25% less time doing chores around the house than
they did 20 years ago. It's not that they're spoiled--their parents now
rely on outside help, and kids are expected to spend more time studying
or participating in extracurricular activities. But what effect will
this have on them as adults? A piece in the Wall Street Journal posits
that these little boys might grow up to be aggravating husbands 'cause
the Modern Woman needs a mate who helps with the housework. More
interestingly, whether or not children do chores is a big predictor of
whether they will volunteer in their communities as adults. Anybody
have anecdotal evidence that supports this?
Posted by sarah on 08/27/2008 - 11:57am.
In honor of the panic that will hit us around, say Wednesday morning, when we've run out of ideas of what to throw in the bag.
First of all, get a SIGG, because how do you not have one already? Fill it with chocolate milk shaken with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla.
If you have the time for homemade sports-bars, these are cheaper and tastier than most shelf brands.
Dark chocolate covered bananas, and they're organic, fair-trade, and will get your kid an A from the hemp-wearin' English teacher.
Shun just any pbn'j, surprise them with a pbn'mf: peanut butter and marshamallow fluff sandwich. Relax, it's all natural and probably no worse than jelly. Plus you'll get a huge smooch when they get home.
The least you can do is throw in some Pocky sticks, but better yet, send along some choice Double Whammy Hard Candy! Who doesn't want that?
Posted by stephanie on 08/26/2008 - 11:02pm.
Posted by eds on 08/25/2008 - 12:54am.
I have a big problem. I thought I had the perfect job, where I could care for my 2 year old son and work at the same time. I am a babysitter of another 2 year old boy for a few days a week, 8 hours a day. The issue is, my son is being bullied. I have worked there for months, without much improvement and have brought the issue up with the parents. They agree, that if I left, they would understand. However, the job is convenient and my son and I have grown close to the other child, despite the fact that he harms my son.
Read more »
Posted by ilovemybabyboy on 08/21/2008 - 10:03pm.
Sandra Tsing Loh is interviewed in Salon this week about her new book, Mother on Fire: A True Motherf%@& Story About Parenting. Cali-mommy Loh was shocked, when the time came to send her eldest daughter to school, to find that the upper middle class had pretty much abandoned the public school system in L.A. But Loh couldn't afford private school tuition, and her book explains how she and her artist friends made public school education work for them. Loh is funny, profane, and authentic, and her voice will resonate with any of us who've wondered how we can give our urban children the same advantages as their private or suburban-school-enrolled peers.
Posted by sarah on 08/21/2008 - 4:48pm.
Posted by eds on 08/20/2008 - 11:34pm.
