Peaceful 'Ohana
Posts tagged children
More Guilt: "Save the Planet: Have Fewer Kids"
Aug 5th
Those who are concerned about their “carbon footprint” have started looking at individual’s decisions, including those about reproduction.
A study by statisticians at Oregon State University concluded that in the United States, the carbon legacy and greenhouse gas impact of an extra child is almost 20 times more important than some of the other environment-friendly practices people might employ during their entire lives — things like driving a high mileage car, recycling, or using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs. [LiveScience.com]
It does make perfect sense. And, yet, we have another child coming soon…
Should there be a limit on how many children a family can have, as they do in China?
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Kid-friendly iPhone and iPod Touch
Jun 17th
If you’ve been thinking about an iPhone or iPod Touch, or already have one, here’s some pretty cool things you can do that will provide even more value to you as you extend it to your family; I’m talking about making it “kid-friendly”.
I moved from having Palm PDA’s for years to an iPod Touch. The Touch does all the things I needed my T|X to do (wireless, applications, calendar, note taking, etc.) but with a much better web browser, incredibly easy-to-use iTunes integration, and — with using Plaxo — syncing my calendar between work PC and home Mac.
But the apps are what really make this thing kid-friendly. My two and a half year old sees me working on it and says “I play papa game!” He loves to try out the fun of using that touch screen to make things happen. And, as I’ve learned from other parents, having an iPod Touch/iPhone that can hold MOVIES can be PERFECT for long flights, like to Japan! This device has probably helped lower my blood pressure level significantly (no more wandering child, screaming of boredom).
So, here are a couple of great toddler-friendly things for your iPhone or iPod Touch:
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Things to do in Honolulu for kids
Feb 11th
A friend of mine is visiting Hawaii for a couple of days and wanted to know some fun things to do with his son. Since there might be other people looking for activities for children on a visit here, I’ve expanded on that email to him:
- Mason likes the Honolulu Zoo (www.honoluluzoo.org) a lot — we have a yearly membership — you can spend a good 1/2 day there (petting zoo, walking around, snack bar, gift shop, oh and animals!).
- The Waikiki Aquarium (www.waquarium.org) is a bit expensive and kind of small — you can do the whole thing in about an hour. The dragon fish and jelly fish are my favorites, but they have some sharks and a small petting pond.
- Bishop Museum runs different exhibits for kids from time to time — right now it’s “Animal Grossology” about gross stuff animals do: www.bishopmuseum.org — should be a good 3 hours, but requires a car or sitting on a bus and walking to get there. One of the best parts of the museum is closed right now (the Hawaii exhibitions), but the air-conditioned planetarium show is really nice after walking around in the sun.
YMCA KIDS CLUB
Jan 9th
生後１８ヶ月から入れるキッズクラブというのがYMCAにあると聞いて、子供が１０ヶ月の頃から申し込み、空きを待っていたら１６ヶ月で「空きがでましたよ。見学に来てください」という電話があった。
ここは他のジンボリーや音楽教室と違うのは保護者が付き添っていていなくて良いということ。
朝９時半～１１時までの１時間半、子供を預けて自分は買い物をしたりお茶したりできる。
私はYMCAの同ビル内のジムで身体を鍛えようと思って、コレだ！と前から決めていた。
うちの子も最近子供同士で遊ぶことができるようになってきたみたいだし、プレスクールに行く練習にもなると思う。「独立心を早くから培うことができるのでは」と期待している。週２回で月謝が＄９５。時間割りにすると８ドルくらいかな（安い）。実際見学をしたら、「お教室」というよりは「預かり所」という感じで、先生が何かを教えてくれるわけではない。先生は若いお兄さんとお姉さんが１人づつ、年配のリーダーのような人が１人。子供の数は多くて１５人とのこと。今日は６人だった。最初の４５分間は自由遊び、そしてサークルタイム（輪になって歌や手遊びをする）、スナックタイムで終わりとなる。「ま、始めるか！」と決めているけど気になることが一つ。お兄さんがとっても優しいのだが、かなり（正真正銘、太鼓判付き）音痴なのだ・・・。私のかわいい息子がこの音感を体得してしまわないように祈る。
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Changes after nearly 1 year
Aug 29th
Our son is almost 1 year old. Man, it’s been a wild year! From the excitement, nervousness, and joy of his birth through the 3 months of colic with him screaming for hours, to his getting stronger and healthier, to now his walking and RUNNING… Whew… Where’s the PAUSE button on this little guy?! 
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U.S. on List of UNICEF's Worst Countries for Kids
Feb 16th
Source: http://www.npr.org/
A new report from the U.N. Children’s Fund says the United States and Britain are the worst countries in the industrialized world in which to be a child. UNICEF says an examination of 40 factors, such as poverty, deprivation, happiness, relationships, and risky or bad behavior puts the United States and Britain at the bottom of a list of 21 economically developed nations.
…
“I think what we know from history in the U.S.,” Parker says, “is that it’s not necessarily how the welfare is provided but the nature of the support. One of the key things is that the role of government is important, but the entire society must have at its heart the idea of improving child well-being.”
Billions for bombs…
On a positive note, Hawaii is debating the Children’s Health Care topic: HB1008 — status
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