Today’s post brought to you by the letters “O” and “K”
The genius of Sesame Street meets the genius of OK Go and gives birth to an equal parts simple and sophisticated lesson on primary and secondary colors. So much awesomeness!
NYC or bust
We’re heading to NYC* this weekend, so watch your back Naked Cowboy!
*Also to CT to visit Papa’s fam and all the cousins on that side. Road trip… yeehaw!
Sit Happens
We’re not in full-on toilet training mode just yet, but it’s just around the corner. Every time Papa or I go to the bathroom, JJ runs in after us shouting “PEEPEEPOOPOO! PEEPEEPOOPOO!” He then sits on his own ‘lil training seat (below), hops up in a few seconds, then pulls its lever to “flush.” Isn’t that just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? Yes, I realize I may change my mind once it has actual urine and feces in it…
JJ’s other potty duty dooty is flushing the toilet for us, and then waving “Bye bye pee pee!”, closing the lid*, and then washing his hands. So far all of his bathroom experiences have been pretty non-traumatic (other than trying to flush a full roll of paper) which I hear is key in a successful transition to big-boy pants.
So you can imagine my alarm when my Mom sent me this photo, asking if we wanted it for JJ.
This monstrosity is my Dad’s training toilet, unearthed while my parents were going through my recently deceased Grandmother’s things. Last used during the Truman administration, it looks to be made entirely of dark wood, with a faded Dick & Jane-type illustration on the back. While I’m all about vintage furnishings, I couldn’t see us using this for anything except maybe an outdoor planter. Or perhaps if we lived in the American Horror Story house.
I mean seriously — faced with the daunting task of pooping on your own for the first time, which would you prefer? The bright-and-shiny, super-smiley “Cheer for Me! Potty? Or the miniature electric chair? I don’t know how anyone survived childhood before Fisher-Price…
*We also recently purchased these awesome toilet seats (I know, I’m getting excited about toilet seats…) that close slowly so as not to smash baby’s fingers. We even got one that’s called “Next Step” and has a smaller training seat magnetically attached to the lid that can come down to aid in potty training. Ain’t technology grand?
Wonderdads To The Rescue!
If you’re like me, you have grand ideas of introducing your children to the most educational, entertaining and all-around awesome things your city has to offer. But Holy brainfreeze, Batman! Who has time to think of something new and exciting every weekend?!?
Wonderdads, that’s who! I recently discovered them (rather, they discovered me, asking if I’d review their DC book) and was instantly excited by how helpful this site, book and networking opportunity could be!
Wonderdads: Washington DC is wonderfully comprehensive: it contains scads of activities, outdoor parks, restaurants, sporting events and tons of shopping. There’s even a “Unique Adventures” category, which lists one of our favorite new discoveries, Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD. My only beef is that the neighborhoods don’t extend beyond DC proper further than Bethesda (on the Maryland side), and it lumps of all of Northern Virginia into a “NoVa” category. Here’s hoping Wonderdads expands its reach as its popularity grows.
The web site is similar to the book, but showcases over 40 different cities across the US, each subsite offering information on how, where and when to take your kid. Also like the book, it’s broken down even further by neighborhoods/suburbs within each city.
Wonderdads can be a valuable tool for anyone, from first time tourist to born-and-raised. I’ve lived in the DC Metro area for over 15 years, so was surprised both the site and DC book include things I’ve never even heard of. And if you’re a new Dad like me, Wonderdads is great to help you see your town from a kid-friendly perspective. Sorry, no bars or nightclubs listed here… 
Another great feature is a weekly email you can sign up for that sends you a top 10 of “What To Do This Weekend.” Each week’s list includes a wide range of fun stuff to do, from as simple as “Play Three-penny Hockey” to “Teach kids about tools and how to use them safely” and “Then build something together.” Making snacks, taking trips, getting crafty, educational stuff — it’s all here, culled together from every corner of the interwebs for your convenience.
All in all, Wonderdads (both book and site) is an excellent resource — an endless supply of ideas for ways to spend time with your kids, and great at helping dads (and moms!) everywhere be the superhero they were destined to be!
Cause I said so, that’s why.
I’ll admit that as a good liberal/progressive, I’ve signed my share of online petitions over the years. But I’ve grown a bit weary as they come at you so hard and fast through every online avenue imaginable. And often with horrendous spelling.
However, I did come across two petitions from Change.org (one of the more reputable sources of online petitioning) that definitely hit home. They relate to Design and Daddyhood, respectively, so I’m setting up the soapbox here at the blog today.
CAUSE #1
The first is in response to reports of extremely unhealthy immoral conditions at Chinese factories producing Apple products such as the iPad and iPhone. I had initially heard about it on The Daily Show (the juicy part starts at around the 1:50 mark):
…
These atrocities have also been reported on by This American Life and CBS News. Why does this example of Chinese inhumanity bug me more than others? Because Apple has always touted itself as being different: mindful of the human condition, a friend of the misunderstood genius, and above all a responsible business. I won’t go into all the ways I’ve loved Apple over the years (you can read that here). But suffice it say that I — like any lifelong Mac user, as well as the legion of newcomers to the fold — have come to expect more.
Here’s the blurb I wrote to accompany my signature:
I’ve been using Apple products exclusively since 1990. All my computers, iPod, iPad, iPhone, even AppleTV. When Steve Jobs passed, I was heartbroken. His vision has inspired and motivated me my entire professional life. This is a blight on his memory and goes against everything Apple has ever stood for. Please remedy this immediately or risk losing your reason for existing — your loyal Mac Users.
Read more about the petition, as well as sign, comment and share by clicking the graphic below:
CAUSE #2
The second petition relates to the long, ongoing battle regarding same-sex marriage, specifically in my state of Maryland. A couple of times we’ve gotten close to becoming the 8th state/district to grant equal marriage rights to all its citizens, but alas have fallen short. The issue has been brought up again by our wonderfully supportive governor, Martin O’Malley, but it’s still going to be a long, arduous process. I implore you (especially you fellow Marylanders) to not only sign this petition, comment, and share it all over Facebook and Twitter, but to contact your local representative to voice your support for my family and many, many others like it who are second-class citizens in this particular area.
Comment posted with my signature:
My partner and I have been together for almost 15 years; more than half of that we’ve lived in Maryland; we’ve been fathers of a beautiful boy for the last 2 years. Please do all you can to help ensure our family gets all of the same rights and protections as every other citizen of this wonderful state!
Read more about this petition and sign, comment and share by clicking the graphic below:
Thanks for your time and support. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming…
The Kids Are All Right
If you’re in the DC area Saturday, February 18th, grab the whole family and go see “The Kids Are All Right” performed by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington! As a member of this chorus, I can tell you it’s not often the phrase “family-friendly” is used to describe one of our shows… but “Kids” will be a great evening of music with a message: Be who you were born to be!
The concert features songs and stories about growing up “different” — and not just surviving, but overcoming adversity to enjoy and embrace our individuality.
Two big highlights of the show will include a mini-musical based on the children’s book “Oliver Button Is A Sissy,” narrated by Candace Gingrich-Jones (half-sister of a certain soon-to-be former presidential candidate); as well as a performance by Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh performing arts group of LGBT youth and their allies. They will present a segment from their original show “Being In, Being Out” about the journey we all take to belong.
As part of the chorus’ GenOUT program, free tickets are available for high school students, their teachers and parents. Learn more about GMCW’s youth outreach program and request tickets at www.gmcw.org/outreach/genout
And check out this fun little animation. Not my creation (although the logos are), but darned if that first photo that appears isn’t familiar…
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Saturday, February 18, 2012
8pm
Lisner Auditorium
730 21st Street NW • Washington DC
INFO / TICKETS
DDQ&A: Doug Powell
Doug Powell designs and dads in chilly Minneapolis, and is the current president of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts, for you non-designers). I had the privilege of hearing Doug speak recently on the topic of AIGA’s Design for Good initiative, as well as his own work inspired by a very personal experience involving his daughter. Doug was kind enough to answer my DDQ&A, as well as some additional questions specific to his presentation on Design for Good.
Q&A with designer dad Doug Powell
Tell me briefly about your design business: how long in business, what kinds of clients you have and/or work you specialize in.
My wife, Lisa, and I founded Schwartz Powell in 1989. For most of that time we operated as a traditional graphic design studio working for a variety of clients ranging from Target and Andersen Windows to local arts organizations and schools. In 2002 our daughter, Maya, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (aka juvenile diabetes) and this caused Lisa and me to really reset our priorities around family and work. One of the outcomes of this experience was a line of products that Lisa and I designed to help families better manage life with diabetes. This grew into a bigger business vision over the subsequent years, applying this approach to a broader range of health care scenarios. In 2007 this business, called HealthSimple, was acquired by a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Since then, I’ve been continuing to work with organizations in the health and nutrition space to work with design and design thinking.
Doo-Dad of the Day: Robot Snack Sac!
Another out-of-this-world deal from Zulily (a site I’ve had to avoid since the holidays — it’s as addictive as crack, and way cuter) in the form of this far out Robot Snack Sac. Touted as a lunch tote, I can also see it filled with all kinds of non-edible goodies for long car rides or trips to the mall, where a satchel full of distracting entertaining educational toys would come in handy. Perhaps these equally awesome wind-up robots Santa gave JJ for Christmas?
Smiling wide and fully insulated, Mr. Roboto measures 7″ x 11″ and comes with 12 of something called “Sweet Notes”, which I assume are little note cards you can leave for your kid to let them know they’re loved and cherished. A little cloying for my tastes — besides, they will know how awesome you think they are when you give them this to carry around. Domo!
Available in a whole slew of other styles (doggy, horsey, monkey, sharky!), Zulily has them on sale ($9.99 – $15.99, normally $16 – $26) until January 27. Otherwise, you can buy them direct from Stephen Joseph, where they have a bazillion other varieties to choose from.
But do they come in adult sizes?
Top 5 Keeping Your Cool With Your Kid Tips
The good folks at Circle of Moms (who, despite their name, are cool about including us dads) will survey parent bloggers on occasion to get our 2 cents on a particular topic. The latest question: What is your best tip for not losing your temper with children?
Being that JJ is just this side of 2, this question is often on my mind — so I was able to bang out a quick list of my* Top 5 Keeping Your Cool With Your Kid Tips:
1. Breathe. Take a beat, chillax, find your inner Buddha, Let Go and Let God — whatever you want to call it, stepping back for a second to regroup goes a long way.
2. Sleep. A well-rested Daddy is a better Daddy — better equipped to respond with more patience and less frustration.
3. Exercise. I find that when I take the time to blow off steam and burn some calories, I’m in an all-around better mood — and less likely to stress out on my kiddo.
4. Ask for help. Whether it’s from my husband, my Mom, or the sitter… from time-to-time I need to swallow my pride, realize I’m not Super Dad and admit I need a break. The only thing I have to prove to anyone is to my son that I love him. And sometimes that means I need reinforcements.
5. Focus. I want to be present with my son whether we’re having dinner, wrestling, reading or watching Dora. If I’m distracted by something else (I’m looking at you, iPhone), I’m more likely to miss what’s going on and prevent JJ from being his toddlery, rascally self. When I’m mentally and physically present, I can see things coming and respond in a more thoughtful way — thwarting both mischief and mayhem.
BONUS: Ask other parents what they do! Email a friend, scour the internet, call your pediatrician, read a fortune cookie. There’s wisdom to be found everywhere — look around and something’s bound to ring true for you. And be sure and visit Circle of Moms to see what fellow parents had to offer on this subject and many others.
*This is post is as much for my benefit as anyone else’s. I am admittedly NOT doing all of these, so hopefully jotting them down here will a) help me remember them, and b) hold me accountable for taking my own advice! Please feel free to share your wisdom on this topic as well!
Potty-mouth training
Once again, the most recent episode of Modern Family paralleled our own lil’ modern fam, what with Lily dropping the F-bomb and all…
A week or so ago JJ uttered his first foul phrase — and while not nearly as gasp-inducing (or laughter-inducing, if you’re Cam), it still took us by surprise as it was out of nowhere and not in response to anything in particular.
I’m sure you’re wondering what our wee cherub said, but I admit I’m hesitant to say since Grandma and Nonna both have frequented this site on occasion. And while I make no pretense that this blog is merely a sweet and sugary photo album of their precious favorite grandson, let’s just say his words were not ones a Baptist minister’s wife or devout Italian Catholic would choose as JJ’s first foray into profanity.
Our initial response was to ignore it. When it came around a few days later, I responded, “Let’s say ‘I love you’ instead, m’kay?” Tonight he again repeated it — once more totally out of the blue — and I ignorantly asked him where he heard it. His initial response was to point the finger at his sitter. His sweet-as-pie, 60-year old, Mormon sitter. I was skeptical. So I ran down the list of more logical suspects. Did you hear Daddy say it? Yes. Papa? Yes. Bita (the sitter – thought I’d check again) Yes. Cordi? (the dog) Yes.
Well, we’ve got a mystery on our hands, don’t we? That, or we’re about to make a fortune off our cursing dog…
So what was your child’s first curse word? At what age? And how did you deal with it? I’m not just fishing to get comments — I really am seeking the knowledge (and empathy) of those who’ve walked this dirty road before.