TV might cause autism, definitely causes chaos

I recently cut off the cable at our house. If you knew me three years ago, you would be shocked. I've always been pretty relaxed when it comes to media's effects on my kids, but in the past few years I've seen more and more negative results of too much TV (even though I tried to limit the amount and quality of their exposure, I often failed due to a huge number of factors). Even when they weren't watching TV, my 6-year-old and 3-year-old were arguing with me about it.

I wrote about this for Culinate, and was amazed by the quality and quantity of the responses to my piece (where I was, mostly, talking about giving up Rachael Ray and replacing her with beloved cookbooks). The day after my piece went up, my boss sent me this article from Slate, which gives evidence that TV watching in young children might cause autism. I had to gulp, because my middle son is speech delayed, and I had to wonder if it was his frequent exposure to his older brother's television shows at a young age. The theory is that babies need three-dimensional stimuli, and an abundance (in my book, "abundance" means more than an hour a day, even in my loving, attentive, active and book-reading household, our TV days were often more like 3-4 hours) of two-dimensional stimuli is ultimately harming. No, I don't think this is isolated to the sorts of parents (or more likely, low-cost in-home infant care) where babies are strapped in car seats and plunked in front of TVs. This is homes like mine, where mama is trying to juggle too much and lets the kids watch three hours of Nick Jr.

I'm not suggesting that everyone cut their cable off, too (well, I am suggesting that, but I would never judge you for not doing it), but I think it's worth taking a closer look at the various studies and my anecdotal data. In my house, TV causes chaos, and so far I've been a better mama without it.

Summer Concerts at Edgefield: Family-Friendly?

Why surely we have our lower-cost/free summer concerts throughout town (check out summer, parks, fun, sun, 2008), some mamas & papas are looking to other concerts.  Does anyone have experience bringing kids to a concert at the McMenamin's Edgefield?  An urbanMama emailed:

There's a band I would love to see coming to play the Edgefield this summer. My daughter is 4.5, and I've taken her to outdoor concerts at the park and the zoo before, which were obviously family friendly. We've had a great time, and I'd love to take her to this all-ages show at the Edgefield with me. Before I invest almost $50 for a ticket for her though (Thanks Ticketmaster!), could any other urbanMamas advise as to the family friendliness of the Edgefield shows? I've never been to one before, obviously. Do other people take their kids along to these? Did they have fun?

Books on Family Fun in Portland

Of course the internet is a fantastic resource for finding out what's going on around town for the kids, places for serious family fun.  The uM calendar page is just one great place to get started.  But if you're offline, on a road trip, not near a computer (gasp!), what print resources do you love?  I have had Out and About Portland with Kids on the shelf for years, along with the Insiders' Guide Fun with the Family in Oregon: Hundreds of ideas for Day Trips with the Kids.  Do you even use books to find fun for the family?  If so, which ones do you love?  Why? 

Summer, Parks, Sun, Fun - 2008

It is so hard to think that school is out and summer fun is set to begin.  Nothing but grey, but - come July - all that grey will be worth it, right?  Portland summers are gorgeous. 

Beyond clear blue skies, sunshine, and temps in the sweet spot of the 70s, Portland has free entertainment and activities throughout the summer months - fun for all ages and in all parts of the city.

• Pools throughout the city will host Fun Days, Itty Bitty Beach Parties, Teen Swim Parties, Parent Appreciation Day (July 19th at All Pools), and Dive-In Movies (featuring the "Bee Movie").  The full schedule here.
• Summer Movies at the Park start mid-July and run into September.  Movies start at dusk and happen in parks all throughout the city.
• Traveling Rock Walls - we haven't found too much info about the traveling rock wall, but if it's anything like it sounds, it's bound to be fun for the climb-lovers among us.  Looks like the rock wall will make appearances at community centers and parks throughout the city.
• Summer Playgrounds start on June 19th, offering daily drop-in recreation for kids aged 5-12 including games, sports, and arts & crafts at 23 parks throughout the city.  Free lunches for kids will be available daily midday at 17 parks.
• Mobile Playgrounds come to a neighborhood near you!  Four fun vehicles will circulate throughout town every day of the week.  Print out the schedule and keep it handy.
• And, of course, the summer concert schedule 2008 is out.  The line up is full with talented performers representing a breath of styles, including the Portland Festival Symphony.  We love seeing friends and neighbors at the park, some of whom it seems we only see at the summer concerts.
• Oregon Symphony hosts concerts in the neighborhood, this year in late August at Mt. Scott Park and Tom McCall Waterfront park
• Regal Films offers free movies (rated G and PG) on Tuesday and Wednesdays from July through mid-August.  Showtimes are 10am.  A movie theater is a great respite from the heat on hot summer days.  A complete schedule here: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=OR

We have other summer favorites, which are not FREE, but still worth the honorable mention:

• Oregon Zoo Concerts - featuring Wednesday night Zoo Tunes (free for Zoo members level "plus" and higher or $10 admission) and "Premium" concerts (running $17-24 admission)
• Kruger's Farm Concerts - happen on Thursdays in July and August from 6:30-9:30pm.  Admission is $10 per car and new this year is a $50 season pass.

With all this activity, you wonder: how will I ever keep track?  Not to fret our beleoved mamas.  The *entire* Summer Concert Series is already on the urbanMamas calendar, and we'll be sure to get up all the aforementioned fun stuffs onto the calendar lickity split.  Have some summer fun to add?  Email us at urbanMamas@gmail.com and tell us: "Put this on the urbanMamas calendar!"

What's On Your Netflix Queue?

The deep and heavy parenting topics are great, but sometimes I personally love to compare notes on mindless stuff. The big thought-provoking question for me these days is, what's on your Netflix queue?  I'll share mine, if you share yours.

• Atonement. Because it's an Academy Award winner.
  
• Raising Cain. For a showing with for a group of mamas of boys.
• A Walk to Remember. A "mood-inducing" chick flick is a must for our list.
• The Da Vinci Code. Because I loved the book.
• Bee Movie. Something for the kids.
• Into the Wild. Something for the husband.

Do tell, what's on your list?  Any must see movies that should make it to the list, especially those great "mood-inducing" (a.k.a. cheesy romantic movies) favorites?