Monthly Archives: June 2014
School’s out. Now what?
Sweet dreams of endless summer with nothing to do can turn into a sour reality: Endless summer with nothing to do. Meanwhile there’s a world of need out there. And a world of future employers and colleges to impress. (Not to mention your own precious self.) With a little bit of initiative and expectation management, […]
What’s a family wage in Clark County?
With Seattle passing a $15 minimum wage, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee supporting the idea for the whole state, the question of how much money it takes to get by has been a hot topic. So I was very intrigued when I came across MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, which estimates a family wage, that is, […]
Parents: Summer is fun, no matter what you do
Here’s a little light reading for you parents who might be tempted to switch to helicopter mode in order to create an amazing and educational summer for your children. The gist is: Less is more. If you take a more free-range approach, your kids will make their own fun, and probably learn something in the […]
Telecommuting makes things easier, but working family life is still a juggle
One thought struck me when I visited Christian Bullock’s Vancouver home office recently for a story on telecommuting: Working from home doesn’t mean you don’t need childcare. Nor does it end the juggle that is the reality for dual-career couples. Bullock hands his kids off to a nanny who watches the two toddlers in the […]
Family meetings and summer realities
A temporary population spike – in the form of a college student home for the summer and a high schooler with tons of upcoming freedom on her hands – prompted our family to convene a meeting. This is a grand old tradition in a group that really digs plans and organization, at least in theory […]
Events offer kid safety info
It’s tough to find that middle ground between helicopter and free-range parenting, although most parents would agree they want to keep their kids safe. Good information can help. And plenty will be available at two June 14 events in Vancouver. The Community Bike Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hough Elementary School, […]
Shorter maternity leave in the U.S. gives moms more time to enjoy workplace pump stations
In Washington state, it’s possible to string together 18 weeks of maternity leave by combining six weeks of disability with the 12 weeks off guaranteed by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The family leave is unpaid, and compensation during the disability leave depends on the terms of your workplace’s disability insurance coverage. I […]
Children watching parents watching screens
We all know, having read a Columbian masterpiece on May 18, just how cool Vancouver’s downtown has grown these days. I noticed another aspect of downtown cool – unless maybe it’s downright cold – during an afternoon stroll around what some like to call Vancouver’s living room. (And living room is another name for “family room,” right?) […]
Darn it, kids, go outside!
I’m constantly encouraging my two noisy boys to go outside, usually at the top of my voice. Exploring the outdoors makes kids happier, healthier and smarter. If you have a tough time prying your kids away from video games and TV, the next couple of weekends offer some enticement. Columbia Springs’ twice-annual family field trip day is June […]