Mary Manz Simon's Blog, page 54

Click, then print

In our selfie-driven world, more than a million photos have been taken this year.

If you capture a good image today, don’t just imprint that on your mental camera: print it.

Great photos have been lost forever because today’s tech won’t read yesterday’s formats.

You might have taken thousands of photos of your child this year; perhaps you’ve clicked countless times during the holidays. Take the extra time to print the memory.

Our selfie generation

When we look back at the mid-teen years – 2013, 2014 and all too soon 2015 – I wonder how psychologists will interpret our Selfie Generation.

It’s obvious, that in spite of privacy concerns, kids (and too often their parents) want to be found. Actually, the more hits the better: the number of followers or “likes” has become social currency.

Are we so desperate for acceptance and fame that safety isn’t even an afterthought?

Distracted parenting

A tidal wave of distracted parenting appears to be reaching every corner of the world.

I feel sad when I watch a parent pull out a phone during a family meal…especially during holiday get-togethers.

In my heart, I ask myself, “Don’t parents realize they are teaching their kids more than media behaviors? One message comes through loud and clear: ‘a phone call is more important than talking with you.'”

Star Wars forever

If you thought the opening of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was the end of the intergalactic hype we’ve lived through for months, there’s bad news on the horizon: this was merely the beginning.

The Star Wars presence will grow at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. In addition to new attractions, Space Mountain will be transformed into Hyperspace Mountain for an X-wing battle. Star Tours will include various elements from the new movie and that’s for starters.

If you or your kids have yearned for a Jedi training academy,behind the scenes footage and special exhibits, plus products and foods, your dream is about to come true.

No wonder Disney prices are out of this world.

Infomercial at school?

Have you – or your kids- watched the documentary, 540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference, released by McDonald’s? (Yes, McDonald’s.)

The show follows a teacher, John Cisna, who lost weight by eating McDonald’s food for 90 days (and adding exercise to those days.)

Some parents aren’t happy their students are watching – in school – what some describe as an infomercial for fast food.

Installing a crazy car seat

Parents fail 95-100% of the time they try to install their child’s car seat.

That lousy statistic would only surprise someone who has not attempted to locate steel latches buried in rear seats, press the correct buttons, find the hook, fasten straps securely and fit a seat into the base.

With all the car seats that will be moved, re-installed and re-positioned during the holidays, can’t somebody come up with a simpler way to install a car seat?

Where is a robot when we need her?

The Big Red Doghouse

Norman Bridwell, creator of Clifford, the big red dog of children’s book fame, died almost exactly one year ago, on December 12, 2014.

His childhood home has been designated an official historic site.

So this holiday season, if you’re passing through Kokomo, IN, stop by 1020 W. Jefferson and pay your respects to the artist who gave us and our children more than 150 happy stories.

Social proof

Although media has covered the concept of social proof (checking with others to validate a decision before making a choice) I haven’t seen anyone link the idea to moms…and yet it seems so obvious.

I mean, moms almost continually check with others in their network, even when facing choices with little consequence (ie what to serve for supper.)

I wonder how social proof is impacting a mom’s self concept. Instead of actually confirming a mom’s decision, is the very process undermining a mom’s ability to make independent decisions?

E book or “real” book

Stuffing an e-book into a virtual stocking is simple, but isn’t the preferred format for young learners or their parents.

Research is consistent: parents still like the physical experience of sitting down with their child and a book-book. Children have a greater sense of pride and satisfaction when finishing a book than when they read a screen.

Baby wearables

Wearable devices will fill countless holiday stockings, especially stockings hung on the fireplace for babies.

Whether you need to learn how to angle a bottle properly (Really, it’s not that hard!) or your baby desperately craves an electronic pacifier, you can buy it.

But does your baby – or you – need it?