Tag Archives: parenting

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

Posted on January 1, 2014 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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With a pacifier, letting nature take its course

Posted on November 24, 2013 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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

Posted on November 3, 2013 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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What kids can learn from the song American Pie

Posted on September 8, 2013 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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Finding playgrounds that challenge kids to be brave

Posted on August 4, 2013 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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

Posted on July 21, 2013 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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The sad state of astronaut and space toys

Posted on June 30, 2013 by jrothmanshore

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 →

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On Fathers and Screwdrivers

Posted on June 16, 2013 by jrothmanshore

This morning, my three year old son Rafael called me into his room for help.  He has a wooden step-stool carved with the letters of his name as puzzle pieces, and the “L” was stuck.  He couldn’t get it out. … Continue reading →

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Rationalizing a subscription to Amazon Prime and finding it generally useful

Posted on June 9, 2013 by jrothmanshore

Amazon has designed their free two-day-shipping Prime subscription program well.  For any item sold directly by Amazon, you can just order it while you sit on the couch and know you will have it the day after tomorrow with no … Continue reading →

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When traveling with kids, renting a car using Hertz Gold is a must

Posted on June 2, 2013 by jrothmanshore

We just returned from a trip to the California with our two kids, ages 3 and 5.  Flying with kids is never easy, but for the for the first time, it wasn’t difficult, either. Their attention spans are now long … Continue reading →

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