Machon Ink -- Editor's Cut

A Family That Plays Together, Stays Together

2009-10-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love it when the most obvious solution is also the most simple.
I recently wrote a piece about the importance of family nights. The concept is something I grew up with and understand well. From as far back as I can remember, in our house, Sundays were family days -- reserved just for our family.
We went to church in the morning, had our big "dinner" around 1 p.m., and every Sunday night was Game Night. (Sorry no, not Sunday night football.) My parents, big brother and I would gather around the "game table," in the corner of the living room we rarely entered, to play board games or card games or do a huge jigsaw together. The tradition remains one of my favorite childhood memories. I had no idea my parents were secretly and strategically strengthening our family bond at the time. But they were.
The Northern California marriage and family therapist I interviewed for the article, Kim Fredrickson (www.kimfredrickson.com) believes that set-aside Family Nights are more important these days than ever before. "In our society, everyone is so busy doing so many different things, that there isn't time to connect as a family," she explains. She says that without emotional connection, children tend to rebel and act out more frequently. Makes sense, doesn't it? Kids need a connection to help ground them when life gets a little dicey or scary.
Best of all, the solution is free and easy. Family Time can be anything you want it to be. Around the Machon house, we have dance nights, where we ALL crank up the music and bounce around the house (thank God for window coverings), or movie nights with popcorn, or family walks around the neighborhood. There are so many other ideas out there -- playing WII or Playstation as a family, cooking dinner together, going bowling, etc.
Fredrickson says the key is to make it fun. And to make it a priority. As she says, "Kids spell love T-I-M-E."

Disaster Preparation Just a Widget Away

2009-08-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Next month, September, is Disaster Preparedness Month and it's a great time for families to assess their own readiness to handle a natural or man made emergency (www.ready.gov).
One of the things that's always concerned me about preparing for the unknown is how exactly we'll get notified or alerted to impending danger.
What if there isn't a billowing smoke cloud to signal a fast-approaching wildfire? What if I'm not in my car, listening to the radio announcement of a hazmat-related road closure? What if the TV isn't on (which it isn't usually during the day in the office) to show the severe weather alert?
Fortunately, researching a recent article helped put my mind at ease a bit.
Most nat'l agencies (and local jurisdictions too) now offer a host of alert options -- from old-school mass phone notifications to Twitter posts, widgets and Facebook updates. Emergency warnings and information instantaneously can be sent to cell phones and laptops anywhere.
The trick, as I see it, is for residents to take the initiative to sign up for, or subscribe to, these alerts. It only takes seconds to do, and next to having an emergency supply kit ready, could mean the difference between being prepared, and not.

"You're not cheap, but you're easy."

2009-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the greatest compliments you get in life arrive unexpectedly and often in disguise. Like the mom at school who said to me the other day, "You always seem so happy and positive." She doesn't know it, but that little observation gave me an incredible boost of energy when I actually was somewhat emotionally depleted. It's amazing what power simple words can yield.
In talking with one of my editors last week, he casually lamented about obstacles that had come up in putting his current magazine issue to bed. I dutifully asked if there had been any problems with the articles I submitted weeks before.
He laughed, "No, you're easy. You're not cheap, but you're easy." After a moment, I realized that I can absolutely live with that assessment. Particularly at this stage in my life when I'm continually trying to balance professional goals with family and personal needs, that's a huge compliment.
My time is valuable, and I work hard to make sure everything I do is done efficiently. While that doesn't always happen in my personal life, it's a great comfort to know my professional associates consider me "easy, but not cheap."

Social Networking for the Ages

2009-03-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

In researching an article for a national pub pitch associated with social networking, I've been truly amazed at the explosive popularity of social networking within the "older" set. I knew the idea was gaining popularity, but had no idea to what extent.
Those of us who are, let's say, 30+, have discovered a convenient way to stay connected with family, friends and associates through Facebook, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Twitter and other applications. But contrary to critics (my husband is one), the appeal is not simply to have an online brag book to share pics of our kids or attractive poses of ourselves at our best. These sites have become an ingenuous way for businesspeople to market themselves, not just their firms, in order to stand out from the masses. And in the competitive job market we have now, being able to put a face with a name may be all it takes to break through corporate barriers.
From my own perspective as a business owner, I'd be a great testimonial for the value of social networking. I've received new clients through both LinkedIn and Facebook -- people who had no idea who I was, contacting me and eventually hiring me.
Signing up with LinkedIn was a no-brainer -- it's essentially an online resume'. But, I'll admit, I went into Facebook, kicking and screaming. Like many, I believed it was a pathetic way to connect with long-forgotten buddies and associates -- who has the time for that? Only after attending a seminar by international social networking guru Peter Shankman, who assured me Facebook would be the business networking wave of the future, did I jump on board. Thanks, Peter! I think.
For now, my biggest resistance to social networking seems to be the struggle to keep my personal life and business persona separate. My current and future clients really don't need to read my latest chicks-night-out musings to know I'll do a fantastic job for them. And because of that, I still haven't linked my company website with my Facebook page... and may never do so.

A giant Hershey bar for a 6-year old's snack. Really?

2009-02-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

You know, days like this remind me that no matter how imperfect I may be as a mom, I know I'm better than some. It's a small, petty comfort. But it's mine, and I'm keeping it.
Volunteering in Kindergarten class this morning, I about fell over when one of the little boys pulled out a giant Hershey bar for his "snack" at 9:45 a.m. Not just the big size vs. the Halloween mini size. I'm talking about a novelty, 5x8-inch, thick, hunk-0-chocolate.
Now, I'd love to believe that little rascal snuck it out of the pantry when mom wasn't looking, but the sad truth is, it was given to him. Being less than politically correct, I verified that mere fact myself.
It's no secret nutrition education for children starts at birth. They develop likes and dislikes for a variety of foods and textures early on, refining their palates as they reach school age. And when it comes to nutritious snack foods, our choices are by no means limited to fruits and vegetables. There are so many wonderful healthy snacks available these days, many without all the yukky artificial food colors, flavors and preservatives.
It just isn't that hard to help a child make the right food choices -- or make it for him, while you still can. It's really one of the most important life lessons we can teach, and demonstrate to, our kids.

Keeping Children Safe

2009-01-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

I've always said that certain writing assignments come my way for a reason. Well, I just finished researching and writing an article on preventing child abductions -- and I can't get the concept out of my mind.
One of the biggest "a-ha" moments I had during my interviews was hearing that the old "stranger danger" safety teachings are obsolete and potentially deadly to our children. What? National safety experts say 75% of child abductions are perpetrated by someone familiar to the child or family. So telling kids to avoid strangers doesn't cut it anymore.
IF your child was to be abducted, it would likely be by someone you live near, work with, interact with at the gym, or is a friend of a friend. The fact that your child recognizes that person is what puts him or her in the greatest danger. That's downright frightening.
So just how do parents warn children about "everyone" not just "strangers" without creating paranoid and distrusting little people?
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children promotes a great DVD called "Stranger Safety." It's kid-friendly and a great way to empower kids with tools, not fear. Check it out -- you can never be too educated or too prepared when it comes to child safety.

The Truth About Election 2008

2008-11-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

Today is a big day for our country. For the first time in eight years, a new president will be selected to take office in January.
But I can't help but feel discouraged as I do every election.
My son came home from school today saying, "I don't know why anyone would vote for McCain."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because Nathan (a friend in class) says he's going to outlaw video games for every kid under 15 years old."
Having previously been in the political consulting business for a number of years, I've become numb to the contextual distortions that occur on both sides of a campaign during political warfare.
"You can't believe everything you hear, honey," was my immediate response.
What an awful thing to have to tell a child.

Red Sox Rock!!!

2008-10-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

OK, I swore I'd never get political here. And it sort of goes against my "extend the life of a story" goal with this blog... but seriously! Back 7 runs to 0 to win it and stay in the series???? That, my friends, is why baseball is America's past time. Never, ever give up.

Muralist's Donation Is a Dream Come True

2008-09-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by a mom I interviewed back in January for an article I wrote on the Faces of Childhood Cancer www.machonink.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/faces2.pdf. Truly, the most sobering piece I've ever researched and written.
The parents of these children with life-threatening diseases are absolute heroes in my book. I'm not sure I could match their strength if challenged.
This mom wanted to update me on her adorable daughter's progress in her fight against Leukemia as well as let me know about an awesome muralist who was donating her talents to adorn the walls of a Sacramento-area pediatric cancer clinic.
In talking with the artist, Niki Gamboa, www.nikiart.net, I was so inspired by her spirit. She told me she was actually interested in starting a nonprofit business that would be devoted to helping brighten the lives of those in need. I wish Niki all the luck and all the appreciation she deserves.

Parents on a mission make a difference for kids with autism

2008-08-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

Last April I had the honor of preparing a story on autism, profiling several families and advocates who are fighting for awareness of "unconventional" biomedical treatments that actually are helping kids recover from this wide-spread epidemic.
I pitched the story to one of the magazines I write for, SierraStyle Publishing, and they agreed it was a subject readers would want to learn more about and understand.
Vicky Long, one of the moms I interviewed, and her husband Brian, have since formed a Talk About Autism support group for families http://www.lakehillschurch.org/talkaboutautism/. The group meets monthly in their community, at Lakehills Covenant Church, and covers topics from the special diets that help kids heal physically, to advancements in treatment options that parents won't hear about from their pediatricians.
My hope is to get more national exposure to such an important and timely discussion, so families facing the challenges of spectrum disorders have the benefit of hope on their side.