PTA, PTO and the rest of it

With the new school year comes lots of school activities. This year I have pledged to be in a PTA and a PTO (still won't do Booster Club at the High School level though, I am only one person and I hate selling stuff, even when it is for a good purpose).  I found a quote today that reminds me why I allow this stuff to cut into my gaming time:

 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I really believe that each of us must come to care about everyone else’s children. We must come to see that the well-being of our own individual children is intimately linked to the well-being of all other people’s children. After all, when one of our own children needs lifesaving surgery, someone else’s child will perform it; when one of our own children is threatened or harmed by violence on the streets, someone else’s child will commit it. The good life for our own children can only be secured if it is also secured for all other people’s children. But to worry about all other people’s children is not just a practical or strategic matter; it is a moral and ethical one: to strive for the well-being of all other people’s children is also right."

-Lilian G. Katz (early childhood educator)

Kids are the greatest!

In a related item, we didn't watch any new TV shows this weekend but we did rent RV with Robin Williams and I thought "Oh, great another cheesy family movie..." and it was pretty cheesy but guess what, I REALLY liked it! I have grown up with Robin Williams, from my earliest memories of him on Mork and Mindy to his comedy routines that had some stuff that can still make me blush but was sooo funny I couldn't help but laugh (kind of like Cranefolder's stuff). I can also remember him being able to cut people to ribbons but I have noticed over the years he has developed a sensitivity for people (or perhaps just developed the capability to show that sensitivity), that keeps him from doing it in a harsh, hurting manner and I really like him for that. Another thing that I really love is his off the cuff improvisions; his mind rotates at about 10x the speed of mine and how his mouth keeps up, I will never know. Listening to him is like going on a carnival ride! But what makes me think the man is truely genius is how he can use his humor for diplomacy in dealing with kids (other people too, I just notice it when he is acting with kids the most). I find myself handling situations more diplomatically after watching him, and it makes me want to watch more of his stuff.

For example, there's a scene in the movie where the family has found there is a Raccoon in their RV. While they are debating about what they are going to do about it, the kids in the movie family get in one of those stupid, jabbing arguements that brothers and sisters always do and just when it is about to come to blows, dad steps in and says "Do you see what that Racoon is doing, he is getting us to fight with one another. Thats his plan, divide and conquor!" And the way he says it, his delivery, it just makes everyone laugh (OK it makes me laugh and I am pretty sure the had to cut the scene because everyone there probably busted a gut too). So without spending a $150.00 parenting seminar or on visits to the family therapist, I just pick up a way to use some humor to deal with a tough situation that I will inevitably come up in my family's life. Thanks Mr. Williams!