SUMMER VS. WINTER OLYMPICS
Summer Olympics: We’ve got 47 different ways to throw things! Javelin, shot put, discus, hammer…
Winter Olympics: We’ve got skiing… and skiing with guns… and skiing while jumping off cliffs…
Summer Olympics Boxing: Punch each other in the head for three rounds while wearing protective gear and following strict rules.
Winter Olympics Hockey: Punch each other in the face for 60 minutes on razor-sharp blades while refs pretend not to notice.
Summer Olympics Equestrian: We taught horses to prance around like they’re at a debutante ball.
Winter Olympics Curling: We taught humans that screaming at a rock while frantically sweeping ice is a legitimate athletic endeavor.
Summer Olympics Gymnastics: Stick the landing or lose a tenth of a point.
Winter Olympics Ski Jumping: Stick the landing or lose consciousness.
BRUISED EGO? GO LOOK AT YOURSELF ON FACEBOOK _ Ever been stung by some criticism, then visited Facebook and suddenly felt better about yourself? Turns out we’re soothing our bruised egos with social network. According to a study (University of Madison-Wisconsin), test subjects were given negative feedback after doing one of three things: browsing their own Facebook profile; browsing a stranger’s profile; or writing a quick essay. Those who had browsed their own Facebook profile for a few minutes said they felt better about the harsh feedback. In other words, seeing themselves on Facebook was like an inoculation against criticism.
WHY PARENTS SHOULD DITCH THE SNOW BLOWER _ In places that get snow, parents should put away the snow blower. A parenting expert (Jon Graybon) says moms and dad should bundle up the kiddos and let them shovel with them:
• Bonding: Shoveling with dad is another thing a child can do with a parent, even if it’s for only 20 or 30 minutes.
• Sounds of the season: Winter used to be more, well, quiet. Except for the occasional snow plow, most winter sounds included the blowing of the wind, the voices of laughing, playing children, and the scraping of shovels on driveways. Turn off the noise and interact with your child.
• Exercise: Most kids and adults don’t get enough exercise. Kids don’t know it, but they’ll be getting stronger.
• Sleep: Vigorous exercise — in the correct amount — helps us all sleep better. And who doesn’t want their 8-year-old zonking out right at bed time an sleeping straight through the night?
• Work Ethic: Do we really need to be training our kids that whenever something ‘hard’ has to be done, a machine should be doing it? Remind your kids that when the shoveling is done, a hot cup of cocoa or some warm pajamas and a favorite movie are waiting.
