Background

This blog is about parenthood, both from my perspective as a son and now as a father.  I was blessed to be born into a family with a strong father and nurturing mother.  They worked together to protect their boys and prepare us for adulthood.  They took opportunities that would teach us things even when it pushed us and even them near exhaustion.  They encouraged us to be seek opportunities to learn from other leaders in the community as well.   They praised us when we were successful and disciplined us when we failed to do our best.  (from left: me, Brent, & Aron)

As I watched my daughter grow from an infant to a toddler over the past few months I learned that encouragement, praise, and discipline came naturally to parents and kids respond honestly.  My daughter, Rory, was persistent.  She clapped her hands with me when she made a step and fell to her bottom, and gives me a serious look or a mischevious grin when I say NO!   I make the most of the time I see her, I don't let myself be distracted by other things.  I focus on her and pay attention to what she wants.  Mostly she likes reading books, playing ball, drawing lines, dancing, and going outside to look for dogs and pointing out wildlife, and of course - napping. (from right: Rory & me)

Occasionally, I get to pick an activity or two.  So, while talking with a local, non-profit, Prairie Rivers Network, the coordinator and I came up with a project that would be useful for the both of us, a detailed list of ten things parents can do with young children relating to water.  Here is a brief summary of the activities.

Outdoor Activities                                                Rainy Day Activities

1)  Geocaching                                                       1)  Playing Water Games Online

2)  Trout Fishing                                                     2)  Reading a Children's Book About Water

3)  Making A Backyard Wildlife Habitat                  3)  Testing Tap Water Quality

4)  Paddling One of Illinois' Rivers                           4)  Measuring Household Water Consumption

5)  Searching For Fossils in a River Bank                5)  Writing a Letter to a Local Representative

Over the next six months I'll try to do as many of these as possible, some with my daughter, others with a group of older people.  Prior to each activity I'll describe the details and what I hope to get out of it.  I'll follow up with some pictures and reflection. I have done all of these activities before, but this time I will raise the ante by writing about it.  I will try to make some keen observations, reflect on past experiences, and hopefully motivate you to get out and do it.

Cheers,  Joel