> I would be sucked into box-cutting until my hand cramped, do 98% of the work, and then my kids would destroy it in less than five minutes).
I had similar thoughts while browsing Ginny Yurich's "1,000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time". It's heart is in the right place and maybe for older kids (8-12? not sure) it would work. But every entry is something like "45-60 minute activity: collect leaves of different colors, create a leaf mandala" and I'd read it and think "first, my kids will definitely not spend 60 minutes on that, more like 15-20 if I'm lucky; second, I am definitely going to be doing 80-90% of the work".
as always, thank you for your post, Sarah. iām glad youāre feeling better and wish you a wonderful, restorative, and fun holiday with your familyā¤ļø
I can't even tell you how much I love this!! I think I already adore your grandma. Have you ever heard of the Clifton Strengths assessment by Gallup? (It's vaguely meyers-briggs-esque but I hate saying that because it's MUCH more in depth and has literal decades of psychological research behind it). ANYWAY they've broken things down into 34 strength categories, all of which are good and helpful and needed, and everybody has a top set that come most naturally to them. One of the strengths is Positivity. It's one of the ones in my top 5 (I bet your grandma and possibly you have it as well!) Each of these strength categories can be used healthily or unhealthily, but one of my pet peeves is when people assume positivity is naivity or easy. Its really, really not! In fact it's downright backbreaking work sometimes, but as a positivity person I can't not. Why be the hydrant when you can be the dog!!
*Another strength is Restorative, which is really excellent at noticing things that are broken or wrong or malfunctioning, and having some ideas of how to fix them. I do NOT have that strength, but what I love about this assessment is that the philosophy is that each strength has something to offer. I am not great at knowing how to fix bad things, but hopefully positivity people can help point out the good things and help cheer and motivate those who ARE good at the fixing.
Okay wow I'll stop, maybe I need to write a whole post about Clifton Strengths. I've even used it to develop characters. Enjoy your road trip!!
I first took StrengthsFinder maybe 15 years ago and it ROCKED MY WORLD. Not exaggerating to say it changed my life, changed my work, changed my career. I retook it about eight years ago, maybe, and only one of my strengths had changed. I will forever think StrengthsFinder is the best "test" of them all.
A wonderful, timely newsletter as always, Sarah, thank you!
I only have one note: in your review of "I Will Dance," you use the term wheelchair-bound, which most wheelchair users find to be limiting. Next time consider describing folks who have chairs as mobility aids as wheelchair users. <3
Really well said Sarah! And I'm gonna start using your grandma's motto! It immediately reminded me of the book Lou, which is a big fave in my house! I currently have a 4-year-old with a broken leg so I've had a lot of hydrant feelings lately (and literally been peed on by him multiple times as we've been learning how to navigate toileting in a leg cast, so there's that.) Really appreciate this perspective! And have a great vaycay!
Be the dog! Sarah, I needed this over the weekend big time (which is when I read this post) as we were on one of the many flights en route to LHR that were turned around mid-flight b/c of the fire/electrical outage. It was a doozy and we are hoping (fingers crossed) to leave tomorrow. Anyway... it was a great opportunity to show our kids resiliency and patience and flexibility... and how to be the dog!
We have "Out of the Box" and it has provided some great inspiration. I requested Creature of Habit Tries His Best, too. Thanks!
Have a great time in TN! If you need a good adult book, have you read "So Big" by Edna Ferber? Highly recommend - set in Chicago and won the Pulitzer in 1925 but the social commentary so applicable 100 years later. I loved it.
Welcome to the Smokies! We're glad you visited! I live in Knoxville, and it's like the 3rd most expensive airport in the country. Flying would have been a more reasonable alternative if you'd chosen just about any other vacation destination. I hope you had a lovely time!
Need this while Iām in the thick of being sick š«¶š¼ enjoy your vacation!
> I would be sucked into box-cutting until my hand cramped, do 98% of the work, and then my kids would destroy it in less than five minutes).
I had similar thoughts while browsing Ginny Yurich's "1,000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time". It's heart is in the right place and maybe for older kids (8-12? not sure) it would work. But every entry is something like "45-60 minute activity: collect leaves of different colors, create a leaf mandala" and I'd read it and think "first, my kids will definitely not spend 60 minutes on that, more like 15-20 if I'm lucky; second, I am definitely going to be doing 80-90% of the work".
as always, thank you for your post, Sarah. iām glad youāre feeling better and wish you a wonderful, restorative, and fun holiday with your familyā¤ļø
My younger daughter would have eaten up that cardboard book when she was little!
I can't even tell you how much I love this!! I think I already adore your grandma. Have you ever heard of the Clifton Strengths assessment by Gallup? (It's vaguely meyers-briggs-esque but I hate saying that because it's MUCH more in depth and has literal decades of psychological research behind it). ANYWAY they've broken things down into 34 strength categories, all of which are good and helpful and needed, and everybody has a top set that come most naturally to them. One of the strengths is Positivity. It's one of the ones in my top 5 (I bet your grandma and possibly you have it as well!) Each of these strength categories can be used healthily or unhealthily, but one of my pet peeves is when people assume positivity is naivity or easy. Its really, really not! In fact it's downright backbreaking work sometimes, but as a positivity person I can't not. Why be the hydrant when you can be the dog!!
*Another strength is Restorative, which is really excellent at noticing things that are broken or wrong or malfunctioning, and having some ideas of how to fix them. I do NOT have that strength, but what I love about this assessment is that the philosophy is that each strength has something to offer. I am not great at knowing how to fix bad things, but hopefully positivity people can help point out the good things and help cheer and motivate those who ARE good at the fixing.
Okay wow I'll stop, maybe I need to write a whole post about Clifton Strengths. I've even used it to develop characters. Enjoy your road trip!!
I first took StrengthsFinder maybe 15 years ago and it ROCKED MY WORLD. Not exaggerating to say it changed my life, changed my work, changed my career. I retook it about eight years ago, maybe, and only one of my strengths had changed. I will forever think StrengthsFinder is the best "test" of them all.
YES!! I have cousins who changed whole careers because of it. Itās fascinating. Anyway, thanks for this awesome post!!
I feel like having Leo Espinosa art in my life would make it that much more enjoyable.
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A wonderful, timely newsletter as always, Sarah, thank you!
I only have one note: in your review of "I Will Dance," you use the term wheelchair-bound, which most wheelchair users find to be limiting. Next time consider describing folks who have chairs as mobility aids as wheelchair users. <3
Thank you *so* much for this feedback, Audrey -- I did not know this. Changing it right now!
āLife can be hard and good.ā ā¤ļø Wishing you and the family a wonderful trip.
Report back on that AirBNB when you're back! I hope it's amazing!!! Also, I laughed out loud about midwesterners and driving!
It's TRUE!
Really well said Sarah! And I'm gonna start using your grandma's motto! It immediately reminded me of the book Lou, which is a big fave in my house! I currently have a 4-year-old with a broken leg so I've had a lot of hydrant feelings lately (and literally been peed on by him multiple times as we've been learning how to navigate toileting in a leg cast, so there's that.) Really appreciate this perspective! And have a great vaycay!
Be the dog! Sarah, I needed this over the weekend big time (which is when I read this post) as we were on one of the many flights en route to LHR that were turned around mid-flight b/c of the fire/electrical outage. It was a doozy and we are hoping (fingers crossed) to leave tomorrow. Anyway... it was a great opportunity to show our kids resiliency and patience and flexibility... and how to be the dog!
We have "Out of the Box" and it has provided some great inspiration. I requested Creature of Habit Tries His Best, too. Thanks!
Have a great time in TN! If you need a good adult book, have you read "So Big" by Edna Ferber? Highly recommend - set in Chicago and won the Pulitzer in 1925 but the social commentary so applicable 100 years later. I loved it.
Ugh, Iām sorry for your travel woes. Itās so frustrating!
I havenāt read that Ferber book ā thanks for the rec!
Welcome to the Smokies! We're glad you visited! I live in Knoxville, and it's like the 3rd most expensive airport in the country. Flying would have been a more reasonable alternative if you'd chosen just about any other vacation destination. I hope you had a lovely time!