Tag Archives: family

Today’s Legos have too many specialty pieces, and how I’m fixing it for my own kids

Like many parents, I want my kids to experience some of the memories I cherish most from my own childhood, and this means having a great Lego collection in the house. I spent thousands of hours as a kid building … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Turning a trip to IKEA into a rainy day activity for kids

The mere mention of the word IKEA can cause PTSD in some people – a long, overwhelming shopping trek through a crowded maze, stressful decisions about what furniture to buy, purchasing a dozen things you never realized you needed in … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

With a pacifier, letting nature take its course

When you give a child a pacifier, you know you are making a devil’s bargain. You gain some desperately needed peace and quiet, but you know at some point in the distant future you are setting yourself up for a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Home Science Experiment: Improvised digital microscope for kids using an iPhone and Apple TV

Last week, I came across an interesting post about how DIY enthusiasts could remove a lens from a laser pointer and use it to create a simple microscope using an iPhone. I like doing experiments with my kids and teaching them … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Finally, my kids’ iPod has wireless connectivity

I just upgraded my kids’ iPod again so that it could obtain a feature I never thought I would consider critical: wireless connectivity. My kids are only five and three, and even I must admit that this does seem a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The great thing about a hyphenated name is that you are easy to find on Google

My wife and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary a few days ago. When we got married, I changed my name from “Jeremy Rothman” to “Jeremy Rothman-Shore.” I had never specifically wanted a hyphenated name, but it was important to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

What kids can learn from the song American Pie

For reasons I can’t quite recall, I introduced my kids to the Don McLean song “American Pie” last week. My three-year-old son Rafael will start singing it randomly, although his lyrics have been creatively interpreted. Instead of the original “…and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Finding playgrounds that challenge kids to be brave

I have the good fortune to live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where there are eight playgrounds within a couple of blocks of our house, including one at the end of our street. Our kids are very active and athletic, and having … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Two kids potty trained and not a clue how to accomplish it

If you search on the web for “potty training”, you will find endless articles and guides with names like “Potty Training Guide” and “Potty Training – How to Get the Job Done”. It seems like everyone has the secret recipe … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The sad state of astronaut and space toys

When we were in California a few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Academy of Sciences.  In its temporary housing, you can walk around and under the giant orbiter.  I was … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment