Archive for the ‘Parenting’ Category
Is it that time already? I got an email from Steve & Kate’s Camp about their pricing for the upcoming summer schedule. Wow! I can’t believe I have to start thinking about it already. Last summer, I waited too long and couldn’t get the kids in to some of the summer camps programs.
So, start planning soon to secure those summer camps spots! Here are a few Marin County summer camps to check in to.
I took the family to see Jack and the Beanstalk in San Francisco on Saturday. The play is put on by the Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco (CTA).
The classic fairytale is delightful for young children, who are encouraged to clap, and express their delight in the performance. Even my youngest stayed in his seat, enthralled in the performance. The CTA is a non-profit that was founded in 1934. The CTA charges for weekend performances, but offers the performance for free to local elementary school children during the week.
Performances are held in the Florence Gould Theater at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The small theater is perfect for this type of play. It is a beautiful and intimate setting and every seat is a good one. Tickets are only $12.00 ( a bargain in San Francisco) and parking is plentiful and free.
The play is very simple…,don’t expect to hear Pavorotti, but it is a very special treat for children all the same. Both my husband and father-in-law complained about the lack of men in the all-women cast. Both the Giant and the role of Jack were played by women. This didn’t bother me, but I knew going it what to expect.
I will definitely be on the lookout for future CTA productions. If you are looking for a fun, family friendly event- this is well worth the trip across the bridge!
I saw something today that was so disturbing that I had to post about it. When I picked up my child from a Marin County school today, I saw a young child (approx 4-5 years old), honking the horn of the family vehicle. I looked in to see a very hot, sweaty child left alone in the car with the windows up.
The parent was no where in sight. I notified another parent and someone in the school office immediately. When prompted, the girl was able to open the car door. Still no parent in sight. The child was extremely sweaty and warm.
First of all- never, ever leave a child alone in a vehicle, particularly with the windows up. Especially on a 90+ degree day. According to Careful Parents, a car left in the sun with the windows closed on a summer day can easily reach 120 to 130 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
The child was left alone for far more than 10 minutes. Please, please don’t leave your kids alone, for even a few minutes. You never know what might delay you…and it only takes a few minutes to create temperatures that could be fatal to a child.
I just stumbled across a blog that I find very interesting and informative. It is a great resource for Marin moms & dads looking for parenting tips, places to go and sort of everything mom. It features areas for both moms and dads. Check it out- MarinMommies.com!
A Forbes magazine study has rated Marin County, California the best education value in the United States. The Forbes “Best and Worst School Districts for the Buck,” measured per-pupil spending, college entrance exam scores, entrance exam participation rate and graduation rate to determine which counties provide the best value for the money. Marin County was ranked #1.
So while our schools aren’t spending much the education are kids are getting is excellent. 96.8 graduate and more than 60%. Why?
I generally feel very safe living in Marin County. We don’t hear a lot about violent crimes, despite living within close proximity to San Quentin. Yesterday, I was notified about two seemingly separate suspicious contacts (potential kidnappings?) with young children in Larkspur and in Corte Madera. I posted a copy of one of the notices. (click on the picture to view it larger) In Larkspur, a stranger asked an eleven year old girl to enter their vehicle. In the second instant, a seven year old girl was approached outside her home in West Corte Madera. Police are not calling them attempted kidnappings at this point.
These are very scary circumstances. It is so easy to get complacent. The area we live in feels like a small, close knit community. We try and watch out for each other. The mothers’ club online boards frequently post stories about nannies and babysitters who shouldn’t be trusted. These mothers’ clubs have eagle eyes and they spread the word. Thankfully, they spread the word about these frightening circumstances. Southern Marin Mothers Club & Ross Valley Mothers Club- it might be time to get together and do a Stranger Safety night. It is always a worthwhile topic!
How do we protect our kids without scaring them? According to kidpower, you use matter of fact language, not fear based language.
Remember the old term, “stranger danger“? Forget it! Call it stranger safety. Bad touches? NO- unwanted touches and attention.
UGGH! I don’t want to have this discussion with my kids. It is not fun. I wish I can stick my head in the sand and everything would be ok- but that is not the answer. Teaching our children to say NO when circumstances feel wrong or uncomfortable is the answer.
The National Children’s Advocacy Center has some good tips to keep your kids safe.
Educate yourself, educate your kids. Be a community watchdog and report strange behavior to police, or the school, your friends or that mothers’ club board. Find that right place to talk about it.
Thanks for looking out for my kids. I will be on the watch for yours too!