urbanMamas Portland

It's not every morning that I've read the paper by 7:30 AM, but this morning the stars aligned in our house and I made it through all 6 pages of The O (OK, slight exaggeration on the 6 pages).  Maybe you saw it too?  The short piece about the debate in Salem over a bill proposed to make smoking in cars with kids illegal. 

No doubt we all have an immediate, sort of gut reaction to this.  But after reading the full article (instead of just the headline, my usual M.O. these days), it proves to be an interesting debate with a bundle of pros and cons.  Like:

• Declaring something illegal sends a strong message.
• Will everyone call 911 when they see someone smoking in the car with kids?  Clogging the lines for emergencies?
• Is it just a tad too far for government?  How is it different than car seats? 
• 4 other states have this law (!): Arkansas, CA, ME, and LA.  WA is pondering it.
• Is education effective enough to be a real alternative?
• What would the penalty be?
• Would kids report their parents? (I added that one)
• The adverse health effects are significant and not at all in question.
• More than once I've been annoyed that I can't decide when it's appropriate to leave my kids in the car, that I am penalized because some parents make bad decisions with occasioanlly tragic outcomes.  But in this case, if you're a non-smoker it simply doesn't affect you.  Easier to support a law that affects someone else, right?

The bill (H2385) had its 1st hearing in the legislature last Friday.  House Transportation Committee members want more info before scheduling a vote on the floor of the House.  Read the bill here and contact your legislator if you've got a strong opinion.  I'm torn.  Leaning toward yes, but sorting out the issues.  I'm about as liberal as they come, but I weigh heavily government intervention into personal decisions.  You??

[Thanks to flickr for the pic, the title of which is 'child abuse.'  Guess someone has a strong opinion!]

Podcasts are something I should get into, but anything with a "pod" is a bit too high tech for me.  Do you need an iPod to listen to a podcast?

Anyway, I digress.  I surely understand the value of the podcast, if only I could figure it out.  An urbanMama recently emailed:

What are you listening to/watching these days? I am stuck in a Fresh Air and This American Life podcast rut and a Daily Show, FoodTV on demand/TiVo rut. Any great podcasts or shows out there that I should learn about? Especially ones that although topical, aren't out of date in a week? What about good ways to get new music or TV? Anyone tried Hulu? I like TV and have TiVo, but my TiVo is full of George, Clifford, and Martha, rather than interesting mama shows. What are your recommendations?

Friday

Music FUNdamentals: Coffee for parents, music for kids. What could be better first thing in the morning? $2 donation. Airplay Cafe,10:00 am.

NE Moms Playgroup: You don't have to live in NE to join this group of moms that gets together to play and chat.  Bring a snack to share if you can.  Milagros Boutique (5433 NE 30th), 2:30 pm.

Story & a Stroll: Enjoy a short guided walk that involves education about animal habitats. Targets kids 3-6, rain or shine. Pre-registration required. Tryon Creek State Park, 1:00-2:00 pm.

Chinese New Year Celebration: This Year of the Ox celebration for families and children will have activities all weekend long, including storytelling, lion dancing, lantern making, and many other choral and dance performances by various groups. $8.50 adults, kids 5 and under are free. Portland Classical Chinese Garden.  Check website for specific events and times.

Mz. Pearl's Variety Show: A solo clown show filled with physical comedy, juggling, magic, dance and word play. St. Johns Library (7510 N. Charleston), 2:00-2:45 pm.

Saturday

Tryon Creek Chili Feed: Feast to your stomach's content and listen to live music at this fundraiser for Tryon Creek education programs. $15 adults, $8 kids under 12. 5:00-7:30 pm.

Chocolate Fest: All things chocolate...chocolate fountains, samplings, wine pairings, classes and demonstrations. World Forestry Center. $8 adults, $5 kids 3-18. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Community Square Dance: Featuring callers Bill Martin and Caroline Oakley and the Foghorn Stringband. All ages welcome, especially those that love to dance. Portland Waldorf School (2300 SE Harrison, Milwaukie), $5 donation. 7:00-10:00 pm.

Airplay Cafe All-stars: Come enjoy music by some favorite regulars as well as some new talents. $5 per family (up to 4 people), 5:00 pm.

Sunday

$2 OMSI: If you're looking to get out of the Portland elements, the first Sunday of every month, OMSI is only $2 per person.

Chip & Dip Tasting: Just in time for superbowl Sunday. All New Seasons stores, 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

It's the new year, and time to focus on something.  It is always great to focus on ourselves, our bodies.  An urbanMama recently emailed:

I'm stressed out and out of shape. Friends on all points of the mainstream-to-crunchy spectrum say I've got to try yoga. Can anyone recommend someplace with a beginner's class, preferably in SE? I'm hoping to find a class that's not too expensive and is pretty low key (i.e. where my rumpled sweat pants/shirt approach to workout-wear) would fit right in.

One of my new year's resolutions is to get more creative and interactive in the kitchen at dinnertime.  The kids have poured through their cookbooks, and I've told them we can choose any of the non-sweet recipes and we can give it a try.  We've had one recent recipe that is an overwhelming hit - both to make and to eat - an easy version of pad thai.

We've shared our dinner favorite recipes and we've also drummed up your inspiration for dinner meals.  We've even tried the freezer food assembly productions.  On the mama circuit of late, I can sense that we can use even more inspiration.  Have at it, mamas.  Please share some of your fool-proof, easy-to-make, well-balanced, and crowd-pleasing dinner tips.  We could always use some fresh ideas.

Life as a mama can indeed be a sacrificial life.  As we carry our offspring, we may give up things to preserve the best environment for the growing babe (for me, it was hardest giving up wine and rigorous physical activity).  Once the babes are born, we still give up the ease of going out for a date with friends or partner, we give up restful nights, we give up money that we would've otherwise spent on frivilous items for ourselves.  So many times, we put the kids first and foremost, above and beyond the things we love, need, and want - oh-so badly.

The top things on my list of those crazy things I'll do for my kids:

• Not peeing.  Sometimes I get so busy with life in the home - running around with the kids, running errands, cleaning up, making dinner, playing checkers, reading stories - that I defer peeing.  Sometimes, I fear that I will cause permanent physical challenge.  But, better to get that story read than relieve myself, right?
• Pooping on demand.  My second girl went through a phase when she needed to be the one to flush the toilet after she peed or pooped.  It was an assertion of independence.  Once, by habit, I accidentally flushed her poop, and she was pissed.  She threw a full out tantrum, in the middle of which, she told me, "I want poop back in the toilet!"  I pulled my pants down and tried to poop for her.  Alas, I couldn't do it.  It was already afternoon.
• Not eating.  There are some things they love to eat.  Pad Thai is one of those things.  For sure, two orders is way too much for us, so we will only get one order on that special occassion that we get Thai food.  Maybe my love for pad thai has now just vanished.  I forgo the desire, for I know how much they love to see those leftovers show up in their lunches the next day.

• Spending hours at the mall.   This is absolutely one of my most unfavorite things to do.  Alas, Lloyd Center is home to the only ice skating rink in Portland's city limits.  And, my first girl believes she is the next Michelle Kwan.  So, I bring the paper, a pile of work, and my phone & charger.  On one school in-service day, I spent eight hours at the mall, watching my girl and her friends go 'round and 'round and 'round.  Definitely not my favorite place to hang.

We all do things we don't love, for the love of our children.  I laugh about those things, and - in the end - that's all we can do.  We make choices, and we wouldn't do these things if we couldn't live with ourselves.  I know I'm not alone.  I want to hear stories of crazy things you all do, all for the love of your kids.

Now that the state legislature's in session, we've got more to do than just talk about policy change.  We're getting involved and hope you will, too.  There are two bills we're especially tracking this session: paid family leave and the children's safer product act.  Here's a bunch of recent posts on Activistas to keep you in the loop:

• Now's the time to tell Salem you want paid family leave: Yes you!  Yes now!  And after months of planning and meeting after meeting (after meeting....), we're ready to send our first round of emails to our state legislators. 
• PPS Parent leadership Conference: You Going?  The Portland chapter of Community & Parents for Public Schools (CPPS) is holding its 9th annual Parent Leadership Conference next month.  
• 10 Americans.  10 Very polluted Americans.  Let's get this ball rolling, mamas.  Sign The Declaration to add your voice to the thousand of others around the country who are saying no to pre-polluted babies, no to toxic baby bottles (and everything else on the shelves), and yes to the Kid-safe Chemicals Act.  
• Safer Children's products in Oregon.  Sign On.  Now's the time to speak up, mamas, if you want to see safer children's products here in Oregon.  I know I do. 
• Pinker than we think.The color of economic stimulus. In Oregon, the notion of a green economy -- once a wild and idealistic idea -- has gained so much ground as to seem almost mainstream 
• Does pumping get in the way of breastfeeding?  I pumped for almost a year with my first child – and hated it the whole time.  I returned to part-time work and full-time school when he was 4-months old and...

We hope you'll wonder over and see what we're talking about and doing - and get active on the issues that matter to you and your family.   

Friday

Discovering Drums & Rhythm: Bring your earplugs as the little ones  drum away to their hearts content. Suggested donation of $2 per child. Recommended for children age 5 and under. Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside),10:00 am.

Saturday

SCRAP Art: Joint the talented artists from SCRAP to make a unique piece of art from reused and reclaimed materials.  FREE, North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth), 11:00 am-1:00 pm. 

Raven Steals the Sun: This play, based on a Native American tale, tells how Raven the trickster brought light and warmth to the world at a time when the sun, moon, and stars were locked in a box. Free, but limited seating available 30 minutes before show time. Sellwood-Moreland Library (7860 SE 13th), 11:00 am AND 12:00 pm.

Portland Youth Spelling Bee: Got a kid who loves letters? Bring all kids grades 1-12 out for a lively test of spelling skills. Kids will be divided into groups by grade.  Prizes such as free pizza, cookies, and t-shirts!  Mississippi Pizza (3552 N. Mississippi), 1:00-3:00 pm

Toy Trains Concert: This lively band entertains kids and adults alike with covers from Dan Zanes, the Beatles, REM, and original music as well.  $10 per family, Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside), 5:30 pm.

Lorna Miller's Little Kids Jamboree: Join Lorna Miller as she entertains adults and kids with music, rhythm, and movement.  $5 per family. Mississippi Pizza (3552 N. Mississippi), 4:00 pm.

Sunday

Portland Art Museum Family Day: Children of all ages can use textiles and other materials to create fiber art inspired by the APEX: MK Guthexhibition in artist-led workshops. A docent-led, kid focused tour, story time, and an art project so they can make their own masterpiece. Kids under 17 are free. 12:30-3:00 pm.

Crystal Ballroom 95th Birthday Party: Oh, what a party this will be!  Marimba, bluegrass, tons o' music, kids activities and entertainment (for kids and by kids), and more. All ages, of course. Free, doors open at 12:30 pm.

Music of Zimbabwe: Come hear the traditional music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe played on the mbira, an instrument played for at least 1000 years made of many metal keys attached to a wooden sounding board. Central Library Collins Gallery (801 SW 10th), 12:30-1:30 pm.

Become a Rain Stomper: Learn more about the book, “The Rain Stomper!” and make your own baton so that you can dance and twirl like Jazmin. Coloring sheets and bookmarks will also be provided. Gregory Heights Library (7921 NE Sandy), 3:00-4:00 pm.

The hour is hovering bedtime, and it's already been a long day.  I can't wait for the kids to slumber, so I can get a little down time of my own.  In the mayhem of it all - dinner, bath, reading, and music - they always seem to ask, "Mama, can I have a snack?" right after I ask them to brush their teeth.

Growing up, every meal experience was an opportunity to bond and share quality time, snacks included.  I had a "midnight" snack at 9pm almost every night with my brothers and parents.  Chat and munch, chat and munch.  Sometimes, we had more conversation over snack than we did over dinner.  We have been big fruit & cheese lovers, so maybe we shared fruit or a slice of cheese and crackers.  And, a drink.  Formerly milk or water, now I may have some wine with my snack of berries.

To this day, I am a *horrible* nighttime snacker.  I think my midline is starting to tell me to reconsider my ways.  Nostalgia or hunger, I often give into the requests for the 7pm snack.  Milk and a cookie, fine.  Water and some pita chips, ok.  A bowl of cereal, sure.  I know, I know - it's horrible.

I can't be the only snacking culprit out there.  Am I dooming my kids for bad habits for years to come?  Like I am now a culprit of snacking?  I swear it's all the running and biking around makes me so ravenous at the 9pm hour!

It seemed innocent enough when my husband first announced to the kids, “let’s look at Nick Jr. on the computer.”  But the ensuing addiction to the video games (albeit Blues Clues and Dora) has reached fever pitch for my 4 and almost 6 year old sons and has turned me into mean ol’ mama for having to say no to their requests, every. single. hour. 

It probably doesn’t help that our computer armoire is just 5 feet from the dining room table and they see me checking email constantly throughout the day.  While logically I equate both computer and television as screen time to be limited, I’ve realized that I’m more leery of video games because I’m projecting 10 years down the road when I imagine the games of steeling cars and shooting bad guys.   Maybe I think I can prevent that by pretending that video games don't even exist!  Do you let your kids play video games?  What parameters do you put around them? How do you ensure they are age appropriate?

For those of us whose kids have two parents, there is Parent #1 and Parent #2.  If we are Parent #1, we do not even need to be in a relationship with Parent #2, beyond the relationship of co-parenting.  Still, there is #1, and there is #2.

In my world, Parent #1 is the one charged with the duties and responsibilities - keeping kids on schedule, dressed, fed and seeminly clean; leading kids in mind-stimulating activities; engaging in thought-provoking conversation to make them into those compassionate human beings we are all destined to rear.  But, the crux of the Parent #1 realm is the boring stuff like chores.  Yuck.

In my world, Parent #2 is the one charged with brightening the room upon entering.  Parent #2 is the novelty parent, the one who is showered with hugs and kisses once home, leaving Parent #1 toiling in the kitchen or tidying up after the brood who has just gone to shower Parent #2 with affection.

Y'all know what I'm talking about, right?  Or, is my world just this super-traditional and conservative one, where the stereotypical gender dynamics of the '50s still play strong undertones.  If your child(ren) has two parents, is there one boring, task-oriented parent while there is one fun, less task-oriented parent?

We admit it: we are mamas who will utilize the supervised play areas at the gym, at Fred Meyer, or at IKEA.  Who wouldn't want to go grocery shopping without the kids grabbing different bright colored snack foods?  Who wouldn't want to spent an hour at a yoga class, while the kids play in the kids zone?  And, who wouldn't want an hour of distraction-free time to conquer the madness of IKEA?

Our gym has a kids-zone at least two of its locations in Portland.  There is a cost of a few dollars per visit per child.  Sometimes, the wait time can be looooooonnnng and trecharous, with the kids just itching to get into that happy and festive place where they can run, jump, watch videos, color.  The agreement is that the child can stay no longer than 90 minutes, and you - of course - need to stay at the gym the whole time.

Fred Meyer has Fun Zones in a couple of their locations - Hollywood and N. Lombard are the ones I know of.  Kids are welcome there for an hour while you shop, free of charge.  You can peer into the space where they play, and they usually play with plastic play things or watch a video.  It's always such a treat for our kids, and we only leave them in the Fun Zone if they ask beg.  Kids are welcome from age 2 through kinder-age.  Sometimes, it feels like a spa day to cruise down a grocery aisle without your little one nearby.

The champion kid space has got to be the IKEA kids zone, free of charge.  Kids have to be a certain height to enter and can only stay 60 minutes.  Almost every time we've passed the kids zone, there has been *some* wait time involved.  All worth it though!

Visits at the 'zones' are never incident free.  Our first time we dropped of our younger at the Freddie's Fun Zone, we heard our names being called on the loud speaker just a few minutes after we dropped off.  When we picked up, we were met with the statement: "Your child had an accident.  Please note that all children should be brought to the restroom before dropping off at the Fun Zone."  But, we swear we had used the potty before we dropped off; we did, we did!

A friend of ours used the Freddie's Fun Zone to buy 30 minutes to do a little work at the adjacent Starbucks when the kids were home on a no-school day.  Maximizing the allowable time, pick-up happened on-the-dot 60 minutes after drop-off, and they were met with the comment: "We have been paging you over the loud speaker.  Your son has been crying and wanted to go home".  OOPS!  We swear he loves this place and has been so many times before!

Well, what about you?  Do you use these play/fun zones?  Have you had nothing but good times, with kids pleading to return?  Or, has the kid emerged crying, never wanting to go back?  Do you let yourself use these places to grab a little time without the kids or does it just not seem worth it to leave the wee ones in the 'zone'?

A three day weekend in honor of the remarkable Martin Luther King Jr, we've included a few family-friendly gems to check out for Monday.

Friday

NE Moms Playgroup: You don't have to live in NE to join this group of moms that gets together to play and chat.  Bring a snack to share if you can.  Milagros Boutique (5433 NE 30th), 2:30 pm.

Story & a Stroll: Enjoy a short guided walk that involves education about the great douglas fir tree. Targets kids 3-6, rain or shine. Pre-registration required. Tryon Creek State Park, 1:00-2:00 pm.

Kidical Mass: The first of 2009, this family friendly bike event through downtown is designed to draw attention to kids and families on bikes. Helmets are required and decorations and bike bells are encouraged.   Bring some hot cocoa! North Park Blocks (NW 8th and Burnside--meet at the playground), ride starts at 6:00.

Saturday

Mz. Pearl's Variety Show:  A solo clown show filled with physical comedy, juggling, magic, dance and word play.  Sellwood Moreland Library, 10:30 and noon. 

Sound Roots Community Jam: An opportunity to jam out with fellow musicians, for all ages and skill levels. $5 per person.  Bring your instrument or borrow one from Sound roots. No RSVP necessary.  4:00-6:00 pm.

Rose City Classic Dog Show: Got a kids who is crazy about pooches, or an adult who loved Best in Show? This might be the highlight of your weekend as they expect over 4,000 canines to be paraded around looking their very poochiest. $20 per family, Expo Center (2060 N. Marine Drive).

Sunday

Old Time Music Gathering: Lots of great music, including a Caroline & Maggie kids concert at 3:30 and a Family Dance at 4:00. FREE. Norse Hall (111 NE 11th) Noon-5:00 pm.

Soups On: Warm your belly and tempt your taste buds as our friends from New Seasons bust out the barley vegetable and other yummy soups from their shelves.  All stores, 11:00 am-5:00 pm.

The Curing Fox: The current production from Play after Play is a Native American story about a father trying to heal his ill daughter by saving a fox caught out in the snow.  Ages 2-9, reservations required. $7 per ticket, children under 2 are free.  Sundays at 2:00 pm., Saturdays at 10:00 am.

Monday

The Mystery of the Missing Hat $5 each of 4 guests for $17 (kids under 1 are free). Overlook House 10:00 am & 11:00 am.

Storytime with Raquel: Get lively with other parents and tots as songs are sung and stories are told. Airplay Cafe (701 E. Burnside), for kids 5 and under. 10:00 -11:00 am

Indoor Active Play at Pearl Court Activity Center:  A chance for children of all ages to burn off some energy as they run, play, and make some noise. 1425 NW 16th Ave, 3:30-5:00 pm. 

Portland Children's Museum I have a Dream Celebration: The Museum events of the day highlight volunteering, with simple volunteer projects for kids and a volunteering activity fair highlighting some local nonprofit organizations. $8 per person, children under 1 are free. 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Is the economy affecting your job?  Will the new administration – both local and national – impact your job or workplace? How did your workplace /employer/childcare provider handle (or not handle) the Arctic Blast? Join us at a working mamas lunch and share your stories.

When: Monday, February 2 (Groundhog Day) at 12:00 sharp.
Where:  Al Amir Lebanese Restaurant located at 233 SW Stark Street (http://www.alamirportland.com/default.htm). They take reservations so please RSVP in the comments by Friday, January 30 at noon.

Well, our dear mamas and papas, that time of year is upon us.  It's time for round up season.  This year, unlike the past several years, PPS is not holding the PPS Celebrate! event, where all schools host a booth in one centralized location for one day so parents and students can have the opportunity to visit with students, teachers, and administrators from all PPS schools.  So, it's up to us to go forth and seek out the schools, if we are considering exploying the PPS school choice. 

When are kindergarten round-ups?  Well, consult the complete calendar here (*pdf) or find all the round-ups listed on the urbanMamas calendar.  Note that some of the schools (such as the focus option schools like language immersion programs) have mandatory meetings not listed on the "complete" calendar.  Those schools include: Buckman, Richmond, Winterhaven, Atkinson, Woodstock, Beach, Metropolitan Learning Center, Bridger, Creative Science School, and Hayhurts.  Call individual schools to find out specific round-up meeting dates and times.

Best of luck!

Recent conversations with some of the other parents revolve around instances of bullying at our school - on the playground, in the classroom, and beyond.  The bullying seems to be recurring, and cycles of exclusion continue to hurt other children's feelings.

In the classrooms, teachers lead talks with the students to help differentiate "bullying" from poor behavior, say, from having a bad day.  Bullying of intentional intimidating is different from when a child may unintentionally hurt the feelings of another, maybe when he is insensitive as he rushes past (or pushes) a child to make his way out of the classroom.

I have an awful story of when I was a bully to a schoolmate.  My mother made me invite her to my slumber party in the fifth grade, even if I wasn't too chummy with her.  The whole evening, I ridculed her for her size (she was overweight).  Later that evening, her presence irritated me so much that I asked her to leave my party, and it was the middle of the night!  I walked her to the door, pushed her out, and locked the door with her outside.  To this day, I am remorseful for my behavior.  It was inexcusable.  I have other stories of being bullied (including being physically injured) and being the bully, but this experience was a pretty poignant memory.

Bullying is real.  Has your child encountered a bully at his or her school?  Has your child exhibited characteristics of being a bully?  Do you have books or resources to recommend to learn more about and about how to handle bullying?  If you talk about, what is part of that conversation?

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the call.  The call to service, that is. And even though what we do on one single day may not make up for all the days we haven't helped out, or meant to but didn't, for some reason this single day matters to me.  For so long I have wanted a President to once again ask me to do something for my country, something besides buy things.  So I want to show that when called, I do my best to answer. 

We've talked before on urbanMamas about how to best volunteer with kids, and now seems a perfect time to revisit that conversation. What will you do next Monday, January 19th?  I quick checked Hands On Portland for some ideas, and they have a whole MLK Weekend of Service planned.  So if you can't volunteer right on the 19th, which is a Monday, there are activities planned all weekend.  The schedule is filling up fast (yay!), so what other places should we check?  I did just join the Renew America Together group on Facebook - maybe they'll tell me what to do!

And hopefully, whatever I start on the 19th won't stop there.  My aim is to find something ongoing, something to keep this feeling up, to start something new.  What about you?

I recently read an Op-Ed piece (from back in December!) on what its author called a "macho" stimulus package.  One that funds construction jobs, in other words.  He argues that what we really need is a stimulus package that supports our social infrastructure, not just our actual infrastructure (roads, airports, etc...).  He wrote:

Another economist prepared a letter to President-elect Obama, saying this: "A majority of women in  this country - but not of men - voted for you in November.  We have the audacity to hope that you will not just remember us, but respond to our specific economic needs."

What do you think?  It makes sense to me, but then I'm not an economist and am way predisposed to support what I think is best for women and families. 

Whether or not we send out wish lists, we are certain we aren't the only ones whose kids receive gifts that we consider excessive, unwanted, inappropriate, or down-right annoying.  With many of us trying to start the New Year right with an organized and purged household, how would you handle some of those Christmas gifts that you just don't want?  An urbanMama emails:

My three year old daughter recieved a "computer" for Christmas.  It takes batteries, beeps and talks, etc.  We've worked pretty hard to keep battery operated toys our of our house.  It was easy when she was younger.  We'd say thanks (and mean it, of course. We're always grateful for the thought) and then we'd pass it on to Goodwill.  She never knew the difference  But she's three now.   She opened the package and knows what she got.  She's "playing" with it every day.  To make matters worse it was, in my opinion, mislabeled as appropriate for a 3 year old. Primarily because all of its games rest on the theory that she can recognize the numbers and letters on the keypad-- which she can't and results in added frustration for her (although she continues to play with it -- a lot.)  Do I snatch it? Take the batteries out? Relax and let her have it?  Anyone? Anyone?

The snow is gone and we are so thankful not to be housebound any longer! Good thing there are a few fun things to get out and do this weekend, many of them indoors if you're looking to escape the inevitable rain. Happy New Year!

Friday

Free Mini Baby Boot Camp: Join other moms trying to find the time and energy to get their heart rate up.  Airplay Cafe, 10:00 am. 

Family Friday Concerts:  The great folks from the Community Music Center have scheduled a series of short musical programs geared towards school-aged kids.  This week check out the Portland Cello Project, an "inventively eclectic, genre-busting gathering of Portland-area cellists". $15 per family. 7:00-8:30 pm. 

Saturday

St Johns Swap 'n Play: This new indoor play space will hold their grand opening celebration with a presentation of the Three Little Pigs by Shadow Puppet Theater at 10 am and catering from local cafe Proper Eats from 11am to 1pm.  It is a year round place for those member families to exchange useful goods (clothing, toys, books, baby equipment and more).

Portland Art Museum Family Day: Children of all ages can use textiles and other materials to create fiber art inspired by the APEX: MK Guthexhibition in artist-led workshops. A docent-led, kid focused tour, story time, and an art project so they can make their own masterpiece. Kids under 17 are free. 12:30-3:00 pm.

O-Shogatsu at Japanese Garden: This Japanese celebration of New Year will focus on the family and include tea, sweets, traditional New Year's activities for kids, and calligraphy writing.  Children in Japan are encouraged to write a few characters with brush and ink in the very best style they can for good luck with their studies over the coming year. Adults are $8, kids under 6 are free. Japanese Garden, Noon-3:00 pm.

Citrus Tasting: Need a little vitamin C? Ever seen (much less tasted!) a buddha's hand? Head on over to New Seasons for their weekend citrus tasting event.  Saturday & Sunday, all stores, 11:00 am-5:00 pm.

It cannot be that it's been over a 1-1/2 years since our last w(h)ine night!  I guess there have been a multitude of gatherings since then - film screenings, naked mama parties, coffee hours, and working mama lunches.  But, the urbanMamas w(h)ine nights are always so much fun.  We need to get together again soon!

We cordially invite you to the first urbanMamas w(h)ine night of 2009.  Come one, come all.  We have chosen a small, newish neighborhood joint.  Please join us for some banter and beverages:

Sunday, January 18, 2009
Yetti's Wine Bar
1914 N. Killingsworth, North Portland, OR 97217
7pm

Please RSVP in the comments so we can have a tentative mama count.

 
Did you see this yet?  Lisa over at Activistas and a few of the state's impressive breastfeeding activists (Diane Garrett and Amelia Psmythe) spoke to Susan Nielsen this week for today's opinion piece, Facebook and Breastfeeding.   Did you join the Facebook group, Hey, Facebook!  Breastfeeding is not obscene?  Or not?  I didn't, but am not totally clear as to why. Maybe, like Susan suggests, it isn't on my top 50 list of wildly important issues that affect families in the U.S.  But that's just my top 50.  Everyone's, clearly, is different.

As I wrote earlier this week, I join plenty of other Facebook groups, and imagery is powerful & important on a number of levels.  So is online activism.  Susan delves into the issue of on v. offline activism, which is super interesting to me.  Is one better than the other?  All good?  Here's a bit of what she has to say on that (an issue near and dear to my heart since my title at work is "online organizer"):

(A)fter contacting several Oregon women who've joined the group or are passionate about breastfeeding, I see the value of this online protest. As they explained, online activism can be powerful -- as long it spurs real-world action rather than replaces it.

For starters, private virtual communities have replaced the public town square. The hard-earned legal rights you enjoy in the real world don't always apply online, where you are a "user" or a "member" rather than a citizen. That's why Facebook's policy matters more than you'd think.

Read it for yourself, mamas.  Susan is a mom herself, and was a terrific moderator for our Mayoral Forum on Families last Spring.  Thanks, Susan, for bringing this issue to the fore.

[photo, per usual, courtesy of cafemama]

Lots, as is sometimes the case.  Here's a quick summary of what's on our minds so far in '09:

• OMamas discusses bennies of longer maternity leaves.  Surprise!!!  Longer maternity leaves result in healthier babies and moms.  No, way!   I never woulda guessed.
• Washington Post article highlights other online activist moms.  Good news!  Activistas are all the rage.  And effective, to boot.  The Washington Post's recent article on politically active moms who connect online sounds really familiar, except the group highlighted in the article ponders issues beyond the family.
• Tell Congress to Vote for = Pay!  It's about time!  Did you know that the Center for American Progress Action Fund has found that pay discrimination will cost the average woman $434,000 over a forty year period? 
• Get yer padnuh to join up!  Facebook, that is.  Ok, so the Parents for Paid Leave Facebook group is g-r-o-w-i-n-g.  Good news, right?  Right.  Except.  It's 90% women.  Where are the men? 
• Vote to Save Handmade Toys.  We recently posted about our concerns with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). As we get closer to the implementation this new law, there is a growing anxiety in the local, handmade craft community.
• Parents for Paid Leave: Time to kick it up a notch, mamas!  So we've been meeting monthly since April and the state legislature opens for lawmaking next week.  We're excited to make the most of our second chance to have a paid family leave program in Oregon, what would be the 3rd in the nation.

What's on yours?

Inauguration Day is coming in less than two weeks.  There are many among us who are excited for the moment our 44th president is sworn in and addresses us for the first time as our President. 

Just as the kids stayed up on Election Night 2008 watching votes roll in, coloring electoral college maps, we want them to be part of and remember the occassion on Tuesday the 20th.  Tons of stuff seems to be happening in DC the weekend prior to the event, but the inauguration will happen at noon EST on Tuesday, which is 9am Portland-time.  The line up will start around 8:30am our time with some opening remarks.

We've received several emails now from mamas looking for kid-friendly activities for the day.  Are you planning on partaking, somehow, in inauguration day activities?  The 8-9AM time slot sounds like a mighty fine time to congregate at one of our favorite coffee shops for a little Inauguration Day Playdate, doesn't it?  There are TVs at favorite haunts like Sip 'n' Kranz, Airplay Cafe, and Sydney's.  Perhaps Barackspace (aka Backspace) will project the live televised event on their big screen.  Or, can you TiVo/DVR it and enjoy it in the evening with a little bubbly all around to celebrate?  If you kids are school-aged, do you think they'll show the event at your school?

New year, new resolutions? An urbanMama needs your suggestions on healthy but yummy snack ideas.  She writes:

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions, exactly, but I do want to make 2009 a year of healthier eating in our family. Does anyone have either websites or resources to recommend re: healthy kid/family eating, or specific suggestions of healthy snack favorites? Our kids are in the 6-8 year old range.

[Photo courtesy cafemama.com]

Yikes.  Better Emily Harris than me!  Here's how they describe the show:

Whether or not vaccines pose a risk to infants and small children has been called one of the great debates of this decade. Some claim that there is a connection between vaccines and the rising rate of autism in the U.S., while others argue that vaccines are not only safe but vital to keeping kids healthy.

Oregon requires children to be vaccinated against 11 different diseases in order to attend school, but the state does allow for exemptions. These are technically religious exemptions, but religion is defined broadly as "any system of beliefs, practices or ethical values." The exemption rate is 4.1 percent statewide but Ashland has recently drawn national attention for their unusually high rate of vaccine exemptions. More than 28 percent of kindergartners there were not vaccinated in 2007. That's why the Centers for Disease Control will be hosting a public meeting in this southern Oregon city on Saturday to listen to parents' concerns and gather information for a vaccine safety study.

The news of a friend's book deal was paired on a writers' site with an announcement of a book on "My year of living within my means." I had to laugh to keep from crying, because, seriously: isn't that what many of us have been doing forever? It's been several years since I used a credit card (and it's not just because I'm disciplined, but that's another story). Why not a life of living within your means?

All ranting aside, it made me think of all the other "year-of" books that I'd prefer to adopt, at least mostly, as a life and not just a year -- or not just a New Year's resolution. I think of the "resolution" concept as something that should be applied to the moment, not a turn of the page on a calender, a new digit. Every moment is worth starting anew (or else, perhaps I'm just habitually late and this is my mantra of excusal). I'd like to re-commit this year to:

• The year of eating local. I continue to strive for better pathways to eat local, sustainably-produced food, and part of that this year will be to figure out how to do it without paying a lot -- and how to spread local foods beyond their "elite" label. I love what the Portland Fruit Tree Project is doing; part of local eating could be gleaning figs from a neighbor's tree or helping me harvest my cherries!

One urbanMama wrote in wondering what others think about the Oregonian's article yesterday on nutrition and exercise in child care settings.  Did you see it?  I did and it made me simultaneously appreciate and cringe about the food at our child care center, from the tater tot casserole (boo) to the organic milk (yay), from the fruit loops in the sensory table (yowza) to the whole wheat flour they're now using (progress!). Oh, and the unsweetened soy milk they recently switched to. 

But legislate it?  Our center used to participate in the UDSA food subsidy program for child care centers, and from what I understood (admittedly from the sidelines), compliance was a b#$%#.  We've talked before about the quantity of outside time in childcare settings, but this is a little closer to home. 

What do you think?  Is this the help our child care system needs?  I, for one, can think of some other items to at least add to the list, like 1) affordability, 2) location,  3) quality, and 4) availability.  From the article:

With children joining the ranks of the overweight and obese before they're old enough to recite the alphabet, public health and child advocates say it's time working parents across Oregon wonder whether day cares should shoulder some of the responsibility.

Closer regulation could be on its way. A statewide obesity prevention task force has recommended that the upcoming Legislature require state agencies to study child care and develop minimum standards for physical activity, healthy foods and time in front of a screen.

New food and activity rules will undoubtedly raise some hackles. Is it necessary to mandate play for rambunctious toddlers? Reasonable to expect low-paid caregivers to persuade children to eat their vegetables when most parents can't pull it off at home? And, really, aren't toddlers supposed to be a little chubby?

Thanks, K, for asking what everyone thinks.

A while back we talked about Facebook.  Mostly whether or not we were on or off, or not quite sure what all the fuss was about.  Well now that we're all wasting away our personal and work lives letting all of our "friends" know what we're doing, eating, thinking, & wearing among other things, I'm curious about something else.  Are you a joiner?  I am, but cautiously.  I recently posted about a great group I joined over on Activistas, that I heard about from a friend (natch).  But what next?  Join the rest of 'em?  I'm feeling like my groups are like a teenager's clothes, an outward sign of what I believe in, who I hang with. 

So what about you?  Do you join Facebook groups?  For fun?  Or with a purpose?  To network, or be supportive of friends who 'recruit' you?  Of course urbanMamas has a Facebook group, too, so you can always join that as an extension of this community - another reason for these groups. 

Is it getting to be like websites have become - if you don't have one, you're no-one?  Can't find that group on Facebook?  Must not exist.  For the record (not that you asked), here's a bunch I've joined:

• Activistas
• Parents for Paid Leave
• Moms Rising
• Environmental Working Group
• Oregon Environmental Council
• Emerge Oregon
• No BPA in Kids Products

But that's just me.  Clearly.

Today on Blog Talk Radio, Pundit Mom talks with several authors about the impact of Michelle Obama's proclaimed role as 'First Mom.'  How does it affect the debate over career moms and how they balance it all, and the rest of that longstanding debate.  Not sure I'd touch the topic with a 10 (or even 20) foot pole, but if you're interested in hearing more, listen in on Blog Talk Radio at 11 A.M. PST.  Here's how Pundit Mom describes the show:

Michelle Obama says her priority as First Lady will be as "First Mom." As an Ivy League educated and highly accomplished career woman, will this announcement re-ignite the Mommy Wars argument? Authors of the highly popular book

Mommy Guilt, Devra Renner and Aviva Pflock will join PunditMom for a lively discussion on whether there should be "political mommy guilt."

Pundit Mom has done a few other shows recently that uMs might find interesting, including "What's next for Moms Rising" and  "Where Do Political Women Go From here?"  You can find all of Pundit Mom's shows on her Blog Talk Radio channel.  Or just read her funny political/parenting blog, like I do.

All the families whose tweets I've been reading this past week have seemed to come down with the stomach flu that struck my entire extended family this week (Monroe rung in the new year by throwing up all over me at 1:30 a.m. January 1, and then it just spread). It's extremely contagious, if my family is any indication, but seems to affect the smallest people first.

I've consulted the family pediatrician and the internets, and here's what I've learned:

• the stomach flu (which could be any of a number of different viruses) has an incubation period from four to 48 hours
• the disease can be picked up by hand-to-mouth contact with vomit or poop, through kissing a sick baby or sharing a cup or sucking on the same toy
• washing hands thoroughly, for at least 15 seconds of vigorous rubbing-together, is the best way to prevent transmission (though if you're caring for a child with the disease, it's hard to avoid it)
• once you've got the disease, avoid eating or drinking anything while you're vomiting.
• babies and toddlers can be tried on about an ounce of breastmilk or Pedialyte after they've gone for an hour without throwing up. For older children and adults, a few ounces of water, Gatorade or Pedialyte.
• check for signs of dehydration: fewer than three wet diapers / trips to the bathroom in 24 hours; dry mucous glands in the mouth, compared to well family members; no tears when crying. If you think your child is dehydrated, take him to the hospital. Pregnant women and babies are most vulnerable to dehydration.
• after four hours without throwing up, it's safe to try bland foods. I've heard differing opinions on what is best and would love to hear your advice; toast, bananas, applesauce and rice are popular options, and chicken broth and chicken noodle soup are also recommended.
• one pediatric nurse recommended foods high in fat to recover from the diarrhea that usually follows the vomiting, such as toast with butter, whole milk, ice cream, fatty meat, and whole milk yogurt, and to avoid foods high in fiber, such as dried fruit. There seem to be two very different schools of thought here though.
• the illness can last between 24 and 60 hours, but you could be contagious for quite a while afterward. In my family's experience, the vomiting lasts 12 to 24 hours (and a bit longer for the younger babies) and the general achiness, fatigue, and light-headedness goes on for as much as three days.

Is your family sick too? Any helpful hints or advice?

Some of us are more creative than others with indoor kid games, and I'm way on the low end of the scale.  Art, legos, forts, books, my repertoire is fairly uninspired.  But after all this time indoors, we've gotten a wee more creative (see 'bowling' pic).  

How do you wile away the hours indoors with your kids?  Bowling with cups?  Soccer with paper balls?  Memory?  Go-Fish?  Ballet lessons and shows? 

Do tell, because I'm sure there's a whole lot more creative game playing going on around town than right here in our family room.  And I need ideas!  More rain, and apparently snow, on the way.  Best be prepared with more than a month's supply of coffee and 1/2 & 1/2.