I bet you’ve already noticed Christmas is coming! I saw signs of it even before Halloween this year. Schools and non-profits are being inundated with gifts…but are they the right gifts? Yes! If you umi them. Continue reading “Gifts Between You and Me … and Schools!” »
What if that’s all you had to tell someone to be able to get what you need or want? I’ve always struggled to describe the service Udorami provides and so I decided to create a new verb. We’re familiar with that phenomenon these days…”Tweet it! ‘Google it” Well, now you have “Umi it!” Continue reading “Let’s Umi it!” »
You’ve been there from the beginning, cared for them through potty training (I dreaded it all three times), cried on their first day at school (until you cried on their first day of summer break instead), and listened daily to the little things happening in their day-to-day life. All in preparation for this grand migration of teenagers around the country. Yes, I’m talking about COLLEGE. I’m on my third one and each time it’s like losing a part of myself. Hey, hello there! they WERE a part of me at one time. The Japanese say that the rebellion of teenagers is to help parents let go. I don’t think mine rebelled enough.
In a week, I’m taking my third son for his second year and the only reason (so he says) I get to drive with him, Continue reading “Semi Empty Nester” »
These young men are not off to collect Pokemon characters or battle in a virtual gym, but to play YOUR game of….YARD WORK! They will get fresh air, exercise, and a little spending money while you get a nicer yard. I don’t know about you, but that sounds wonderful! And it worked for me just a few days ago. The trick was to take pictures, giving them clues as to where the work was to happen, parse them into short (20min) joblets and not give them all up front. I’ve included my list as an example below: Continue reading “Udorami GO!” »
Way before public schools, father’s taught boys after age seven about the “real” world. They took them away from the love and comfort of Mom and brought them to work in the family trade. Society has changed and though someone must closely care and guard a child from birth until at least 12, the lines are blurred as to whom and how.
Many male educators are also fathers and providers. I wonder if schools provide their students more supplies than their female counterparts? Do they ask for them? Or is it like asking for directions? I imagine they also reach into their household pocket to cover some incidentals, though maybe sleeves as handkerchiefs and dirty hands Continue reading “Father as Teacher” »