Gift giving
PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com Ever since Alternative Celebrations launched its radical (as in root), gift giving approach in the 1970s, thoughtful authors have offered tips, craft instructions and recipes to make holidays in general, and gift giving in particular, less materialistic and more meaningful. I welcome their voices on the subject. The kind act of expressing affection…
Parents and children playing together for 40 years
Christie and Levi DeFrates enjoy Funshop. PHOTO BY DIANNE CROWN In January 1976, visionary child-and-family advocate Dr. Georgia Davis opened the doors to Funshop in a Springfield church. It was designed to be a safe haven where overscheduled parents and children could enjoy the rare gift of time to talk and play together, just for…
Short order cooks
PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com Children are naturally curious, and have a strong desire to emulate the grown-ups in their life. For the young child, time spent in the kitchen provides a wealth of opportunities to learn, discover and fine-tune motor skills. Aside from increasing exposure to different foods and flavors, the responsibilities and satisfaction that come along…
Raising kids with grit
Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn, a man of True Grit. If grit still makes you think of sandpaper or southern breakfasts, you haven’t been paying attention. In the past few years, grit has become an important buzzword in the study of children’s development and education. As my now 4-year-old daughter was learning how to dress…
Summer camps for kids
Riverside Stables Horse Camp May 30-Aug 15. Riverside Stables Horse Camp May 30 – Aug 15, 8am-4pm Mon- Fri. Week-long sessions offered June 8 to Aug 10. Ages 5-16. $425 per week. Reserve your week at riversidestable.com. Riverside Stables Horse Camp, 2310 Chinchilla Lane, 522-7702. Kids Camp at Springfield Racquet & Fitness Center. May 31-Aug…
America’s dismal maternity leave policy
PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com I had been dreading the question ever since my plane touched down in Oslo. I was eight months pregnant, visiting my family in Norway for Christmas for one last international adventure before the baby arrived. The question was finally raised by my cousins as we were sitting around and relaxing after Christmas dinner:…
