Archive for the 'Out and About' Category

Combating Nature Deficit Disorder

Published on August 4, 2010 in Out and About, Parenting, Uncategorized and exercise. 0 Comments Tags: , .

The last few months my family has found a new activity that keeps us all active and busy while enjoying the great outdoors. Both my son and daughter ask to go all the time. What is it you ask? Geocaching.

I vaguely knew what it was when a friend of ours told me about their children loving to do it. Basically there are thousands of hidden caches around the city ranging in size from an old army ammo box to a cylinder the size of the tip of your finger. The larger ones contain a log book to sign as well old discarded toys. You use your GPS device to get you in the ballpark of the cache and then its good old fashion hunting. We carry around a bag of items in our car to swap when we find a treasure chest. The best thing is that it gets everyone walking around outside trying to find the hidden object using a GPS device. Sometimes we have had to walk close to a mile to get to a site and the kids have not complained once. We have also learned that it is not as easy as one would think. On occasion we cannot find the object even though it is literally right in front of us.

When we recently went on a trip to Walla Walla, Continue reading ‘Combating Nature Deficit Disorder’

Running for Fun

Published on June 30, 2010 in Out and About and exercise. 1 Comment Tags: , .

This last weekend I was supposed to run the Rock and Roll Marathon in Seattle as I have done quite a few marathons over the years. Things did not work out as planned because about two months ago I developed an overuse injury that is slowly getting better. Having learned the lesson the hard way that my mind is stronger than my body on more than one occasion, like tearing muscles, for the first time I actually made the decision to let my body rest and not put it to that level of stress. It was the right decision.

This can be a hard thing for the teen athlete as well as there is so much pressure to compete. Often athletes can play through mild injuries but if things are getting worse then at some point rest is often the solution along with a hard look at what got them to that injury in the first place.

My wife and I both get out and exercise often as it helps to set an example for our children. They both enjoy going “jogging” around the block or taking walks. Our children see us both being active and want to engage in the activity as well. We also try to find activities to do as a family to get us all moving. Our latest new family activity is geocaching. Basically we use our GPS device to walk around parks and find little hidden treasures put there by other players. The kids really enjoy it.

Get Ready for Cycling

Published on May 11, 2010 in Out and About, Safety and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Cycling child

For those of you who know me well, I love to run and manage to get to far away places with nothing but my own two feet. Patients spot me running all over Redmond. I do not even own a bicycle at this time, but now that my daughter has learned how to ride a two-wheeler, it is time for me to reconsider. My daughter can cover a lot more ground on her bike than by foot right now and I want to encourage this.

Bicycling is an excellent way for a family to exercise and encourage a healthy lifestyle. It is one of those memorable childhood developmental milestones. It is also great that Group Health promotes cycling as a way to get and stay in shape, and have a bunch of fun in the process.  There are numerous events that they sponsor throughout the year.

Families can start introducing their children to the sport  at a young age by taking them along in the bike trailer with the right safety equipment on, of course. Children also need to be taught bike safety like riding with traffic and obeying traffic signals Continue reading ‘Get Ready for Cycling’

Happy Mother’s Day

Published on May 6, 2010 in Out and About and Parenting. 0 Comments Tags: .

Mother’s Day is this weekend. On a personal level, it is a time for me to reflect and appreciate all the wonderful things my mother has done for me and also the great things that my wife has done for our family. She brought two beautiful and unique children into our lives and I am grateful for this every day. I already have my children thinking about what they want to do for mommy on this special day and have some projects underway. Hopefully their plans will involve a day of no fighting. Continue reading ‘Happy Mother’s Day’

Everybody Loves Babies

Published on April 27, 2010 in Babies and Out and About. 0 Comments Tags: .

Image from Babies movieLast night my entire family went to the screening of the new movie Babies that was put on by the Group Health Foundation. I found it thoroughly enjoying with many clips bringing a smile to my face or making me laugh. Despite the cultural differences of the families, I found there to be so many similarities in the way the families interacted with their children such as the mothers singing to their babies. I also enjoyed seeing the differences as this is what makes us all unique. Continue reading ‘Everybody Loves Babies’

Healthy Planet, Healthy Families

Published on April 22, 2010 in Out and About and Prevention. 0 Comments Tags: .

vegetable gardenSince today is Earth Day, I thought I would take a moment to share what we discussed in our home. My daughter was actually the first one to mention it a few days ago as her school has been talking about it. This was a great introduction into a discussion about the importance doing what we can help the planet and to keep us healthy. We discussed healthy living by eating healthy foods, conserving our resources by doing little things like turning off lights, walking to places when able to and a few other topics.

Recycling is already common practice at home. I love it when she asks “daddy, Continue reading ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy Families’

It’s Time to Play

Published on April 13, 2010 in Out and About. 2 Comments Tags: .

Yesterday was my daughter’s first day of soccer practice and she loved every minute of it. It was fun to watch my 6 year old run around with her friends having a great time. I am not sure who had more fun, her, or us parents.  Even the grandparents got involved and came down to the field to watch and supply dinner for us all. I expected the fields to be soggy but they were in great shape and made for a fun evening for the entire family. Even my 2 year old got involved trying to kick a soccer ball that was about a quarter of his size. He was quite good for a 2 year old.

This time of year the weather is changing. As busy as we all are, it is important to find some time to get active as a family. It does not have to involve doing any organized sport. Children need exercise and we can help as parents by promoting this.

Have fun and stay warm.

Vacation time with kids

Published on April 6, 2010 in Out and About. 1 Comment Tags: , .

Jumping in the sandHaving just returned from a family vacation it was both enjoyable and at times challenging. Having that unstructured time to bond with my children without all the busy day to day things that distract us was wonderful. That is not to say that my two children did not argue or try to push each others buttons on more than one occasion but memories were made that we will all remember forever.

It’s nurturing to the parent-child relationship to have that unstructured Continue reading ‘Vacation time with kids’

Teddy Bear Clinic

Published on March 2, 2010 in Kidsquest and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

This last weekend I saw more than 50 patients on one Saturday. Normally it this would have been a crazy day, but these patients were stuffed animals that kids brought in for a check-up at the third annual KidsQuest Children’s Museum Teddy Bear Clinic. Their ailments ranged from sore throats to broken legs.

I volunteer at this event, along with some of my colleagues, every year. The event helps kids see that a trip to the doctor can be fun and hopefully makes their next doctor’s trip less stressful for everyone.

Check out the video below: Continue reading ‘Teddy Bear Clinic’

Upcoming event

Published on February 23, 2010 in Kidsquest, Parenting and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

A few things

I just did a quick interview for Parent Map magazine last week about birthmarks and when to worry. There are a lot of common ones and very few should cause parents to worry.  It should be coming out soon.

kidsquest
Also, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Factoria mall is the 3rd annual Teddybear Clinic. It is a great event where children bring their prized stuffed animals to the museum for a full check up. Everything from a weight station to immunizations.  It is fun for both the kids and us health care workers that donate some time for this great event. Continue reading ‘Upcoming event’