On Any Given Day: Small Business in the USA

Just another day at the office . . . well, except for the fact that I am a little sore and tired. Why, you ask? Because yesterday I spent most of the day with Rudy, the warehouse manager, unloading a 40-foot container filled with product . That is life at a family-owned American business. My title is Vice President, but yesterday I was a warehouse grunt. On any given day I can be salesman, marketer, logistics manger, admin, or any other title you want to give me. The bottom line is that when a job needs to get done, someone has to do it; when resources aren’t endless, sometimes that someone is the VP; so I step out of my office and do whatever job needs to get done, no matter how big or small. In a small business, every task is important and has to get done by somebody. That is what hard working American businesses do every day without glory. We make up the majority of the businesses in America but account for a fraction of the revenue.

This makes me think of bigger issues at the forefront of our society and nation as a whole. I usually don’t go out and unload containers because the company’s money is better spent on me doing other things that not everyone here can do. But, due the economy and new competition, we are in a place where we have had to lay off employees, cut hours, cut overall spending across the board, and turn the switch to survival mode. We had to let go one young employee who has been with us since just about the beginning. To make it worse, he is engaged to be married. This is not something we like to do, but we have been here before and I am confident we will make it through.

While I realize the ups and downs are just part of doing business, it has made me think about our nation as a whole, our government, and the choices and decisions each American makes everyday. I see that some of our choices as a company have helped to get us into the current dilemma; as I was unloading boxes yesterday, every one said “made in China.” Am I happy about that? No.

Let me explain, then, why we manufacture overseas. The company started because my wife saw a problem with the way parents travel with kids and found a solution. Following the pursuit of the American Dream, she designed and patented her idea and brought it to market. The original product was 100% American: designed, manufactured, and assembled in the USA. Unfortunately, we were pushed overseas by American manufactures with a bad attitude, poor quality, and high prices. So, here we are almost ten years later with 100% designed in America- Made in China products.  How do we fix that? Stay tuned . . .

But first, American consumers need to look in the mirror as well and take some responsibility. We want the highest quality product at the lowest price. Understandable, who wouldn’t? But because our workers wanted more and more money for less, small American companies like Go-Go Babyz could no longer make products here and resell them at a price consumers would pay and stay in business. It’s a sad, vicious cycle. And now look where we are: manufacturing, one the strongest industries that helped make this nation great, is disappearing rapidly and taking jobs with it.

One place to start is government. It doesn’t matter if you are democrat or republican, conservative or liberal, right wing or left wing, or anywhere in between. You are American; we are American, and we are all in this together. If one side fails, we all fail; we all suffer the same consequences if this nation collapses. We need to get our representatives to do what’s right – make them accountable to the people who elected them . . .us . . . the American people. We need to bring jobs back to America now. We need long term goals supported by both long- and short-term solutions.

We all need to see our part and be accountable. We CAN make a difference and need to start somewhere if we want this nation to return to greatness. We need to take care of our own first. We need to support our small family businesses, whether a local coffee shop, grocery chain, car dealership, or other small business. Spend your hard-earned money where it will keep Americans employed and the local economies thrive. I know it’s not an overnight solution, or that it’s as simple as I am making it, but we need to start somewhere in order to make a difference.

The impact of our choices goes beyond local jobs and economies. Think of the global environment. All of those containers of products we, and other American companies, receive every day are produced in factories that do not have the strict environmental laws that we have here. Then, they are shipped on cargo ships that run on the worst fuel there is.

I can go on and on and would still just barely scratch the surface of this issue. It’s a complicated situation with complicated solutions, but there are solutions, and we can make a difference together. Just a few things that I do personally: I patronize my local small chain grocery store; I buy locally grown produce; I support small family businesses whenever possible; and I buy American whenever I can.  Go-Go Babyz is trying to do the same. Our next major product coming to market, while still manufactured in China, will be assembled and packaged in America, right here in San Jose, CA.  I know it is not a perfect plan, but it is a start.  At least we will be able to keep another American employed to do this. Our hope is to recover from our current situation and invest in finding solutions to begin our journey to becoming 100% “Made-in-America” again.

Help Go-Go Babyz and myself spread the word. It is time for change and every single American has a vested interest in our country as well the ability to make it better. Pass this along to everyone you know and start to get the word out. Share your opinion as well; everyone’s voice matters.

- Kevin Williams
VP & Dad – and whatever else you want to call me!

Tough Times…

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the phrase, “tough times” is that tough times make you stronger, which is frustrating and a bit cliché, don’t you think? Instead of believing that I somehow need tough times to make me stronger, how about a new belief: “I no longer have to face tough situations in order to learn,” or “I can grow as a person without misery or heartache”?

The reality is that the tough times do force me to grow; after the mourning period of a loss, I am grateful for a stronger connection to spirit. And in facing challenges, particularly the more painful ones, I am more likely to figure out an alternative way of doing things.

This is all great in my personal life, but how do you apply this to business? How do I learn and grow from the challenges that affect my livelihood?

As a small company, built on invention, family, and organic marketing, we have been blessed by our success. We entered the market with a much-needed product that makes life easier when traveling with kids. However, even with our modest success, we’ve never had the budget required to market to an ever-changing audience (new parents), and get our products in front of people who could benefit from them; this has always been one of our downfalls.

This limitation has been magnified by the entry of competition. After six years on the market, the big guys clued into our success and came out with their own knock-off of our product (they spent a lot of time and money working around our patents). My first question is: Why couldn’t they come to us and ask about licensing? The second is: How do you compete with big companies that have millions of dollars to spend on marketing, and their first efforts are taking over the searches, keywords, and accounts you have worked so hard to obtain?

Go-GoBabyz is more than a business to us; it is our life. While any business has a goal to make a profit, we also have the goal of making our customers’ lives just a bit easier; we truly care about the families who use our products, and enjoy the many relationships we’ve developed over the past years. Now we are faced with our biggest challenge: how do we continue to reach people when we have big corporations now competing for those customers with huge marketing budgets?

To all our customers and fans out there, I am seeking your assistance. Ideas, thoughts and experience in this situation are more than welcome.

Summer Chillin’ & Grillin’

Memorial Day is typically the kick off to summer, right? We all know what that means – fun in the sun with a lot of meat cooked with fire! Forgive me for sharing this a few weeks after Memorial Day but it just didn’t seem like summer around here with all the clouds and rain. Better late than never. What is it about grilling and BBQ’ing (there is a difference you know) that gets the testosterone pumping in men? Is it the fire, the smoke, the large slabs of meat? Is it the sweet, the savory, the slop and the mop that gets rubbed, slathered, basted and glazed over a perfectly cooked piece of meat? Maybe it is all the above and then some. Whatever it is, there is a primordial instinct that takes over a man when summer hits and the grill is uncovered for the first barbecue of the year. This instinct brings out the best in male competition because we all know, regardless of who comes away on top at the field, court, rink, or diamond, that he who hath the best ribs wins (replace ribs with any meat). I don’t care if you get a hat trick or a grand slam home run, nothing compares to laying out a summer spread with a platter of perfectly grilled New York steaks with nothing but salt & pepper on them.

This time of year just awakens something in men. I know guys who couldn’t bake a chicken if their life depended on it but hand them a bag of charcoal and some matches, and you’re gonna do some good grubbin’ tonight (don’t get me wrong, I also know guys who turn anything they BBQ into something resembling a hockey puck).  I get that – baked chicken simply is not as exciting as perfectly cooked chicken on the grill with a nice crisp skin and a juicy center – whether it’s barbecued, smoked, grilled, cooked fast or slow, or done on the rotisserie. So, I understand this about men. For myself, however, I love to cook inside and out. The grill is my vehicle of choice but I do it all. Fortunately, I live in California so my grill only gets covered a few months out of the year when the rain really hits.

This brings me to what I really want to talk about: summertime cooking.  As I mentioned, I love to cook all the time but I love the spring and summer simply because of all the fresh flavor possibilities and everything tastes better al fresco!  This time of year has so many options for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, creating the possibility for simple flavors to complex, layered flavors. I ‘cue everything from ribs with a complex spice rub and sauce with fresh ingredients to a simple grilled chicken marinated in olive oil with fresh lemon juice and oregano from my garden – both are to die for. The possibilities seem endless this time of year. Just add some fresh ingredients and fresh air and all is well. I have even been known to grill dessert!

Another great thing about this time of year is the al fresco part. More than just eating outside, it is nice just hanging out beyond the confines of walls, TV, a hot oven, and the wii, x-box or PS3. There is nothing better than hanging out with friends and family with the smell of BBQ in the air and the sound of laughing kids and playing dogs in the backyard.  Like the title says, Grillin’ & Chillin’. After all, that’s what summer’s all about!

 

Happy ‘Cueing

- Kevin Williams
VP & Dad

Outside Looking In

I have been reminded on more than one occasion on how lucky I am to be in this entirely odd position in life.  I am lucky to have a GF who has already hinted she won’t leave me if I ask her to marry me. We have an absolutely amazing little practice child in our Dog, Doogie Bowser.  I work in the Juvenile industry for a company run by experienced and awesome parents.  It’s like I get the free preview of the big show of life.  It’s amazing how much there is to learn about just products for children and all the safety that goes (in some cases should) into their creation. I have learned everything from common issues about diaper rash and changing to the stress points on a properly designed stroller. I have read product reviews and submissions from new inventors, I read mom and dad bloggers because it’s part of my job.  I live the life of a father of five sometimes.

I can’t tell you how many times I have been out with my GF and a lady walks by with a stroller and I turn and stare.  The sad thing is even my GF knows now that I am not checking the yummy mummy but rather inspecting her stroller, seeing how the kid likes it and how it rolls.  What is wrong with me?  Don’t get me wrong, I am super lucky to get a preview peek of all the madness. I am confident that I have a huge advantage when it comes to picking out all the gear that comes with raising a child. But is knowing all there is to it?  I mean, I have read about all the terrors and joys, all the worries and scenarios and I am not fazed anymore.  Is that a good thing? Kerry always jokes that the young ones here in the office, which are now all getting married and having kids, are already pros before we enter the game.

Real world experience almost always gives an advantage over fancy book learnin’. So will I choke when the real thing is in my hands? I mean my dog is a perfect example of my awesomeness in training and raising an animal. He is smart, knows the rules but likes to test them now and again, he talks and he can even dance on command.  That’s the first thing parents practice with babies too right?  The more I think about what I know the more I think how different it’s going to be when the family stage of my life actually hits full swing.  I look at Kevin and Kerry and how great their kids are and how they pulled it all off and still manage to run a successful company and think, I can do that too right?  The truth is I am looking forward to going pro in life; however I will continue to enjoy my amateur status while I have it.

Cole Straub

Project Manager & Uncle

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

As a mom I have a love/hate relationship with summer vacation. Ok, it is pretty great to get to sleep in and not have to worry about homework, packing lunches, and making sure the savages have actually brushed their teeth and put on matching clothes in a timely manner. I’m the first to admit that in the summer (street) clothes are optional. Summer is all about fun but there is that dreaded point when summer turns on you. The kids are bored. It’s too hot to play outside in the afternoons. You can’t possibly eat another snow cone. Ok, that last one is a lie… snow cones are always delicious! The fact is summer can turn on a Mama in a heartbeat.  I want the kids to have fun and stay busy. I want us to have lots of doing nothing but not send them back to school with Xbox sized holes in their brains. My husband’s profession makes it impossible to travel during the summer so we don’t have vacations to break up the time, teach us things, and offer new experiences. Over the years I have tried several summer techniques from doing nothing to having a daily lesson plan. I have finally figured out a good balance of forced activity, secret learning, and laid back fun. Here are a few of my favorite tips. I’d love to know what your family does over the summer to keep the kids busy and happy!
1. Start lazy. For the first 2 weeks of summer it is all about decompressing and recovering from the school year. We sleep in. We lounge around in our PJs. We eat snow cones at night. We are totally spontaneous pleasure seekers.

2. Make them pick one activity. I make all the kids pick one activity, sport camp, art class, etc. to do. It’s usually only a week long and I don’t overlap the kids’ schedules so we don’t fall into chaotic running from A to B. It’s a small amount of structure and routine and the kids have an opportunity to try something new or work on an already loved sport. Rockets, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Painting, Pottery, Bugs, there really is something for everyone. Check your local parks and recreation department, school district, or YMCA for fun activities in your area.

3. Sneak in learning. My favorite way to sneak educational stuff is in the kitchen. The kids all love cooking their own snacks, desserts, or dinner. They love making their own playdoh or slime. For the little kids cooking is a million lessons; reading, math, following directions, science and art. Their excitement when they taste (or play with!) the finished product is awesome! For the older kids working in the kitchen is a great life lesson in learning the basics of how to take care of themselves so they don’t have to survive on Pizza Hut when they move out. Be sure to check out my personal blog this summer as I will be posting some of my best recipes accumulated from my days teaching preschool. My kids are always amazed I can “cook” playdoh, paint, bubble soap, and several kinds of slime!

4. Make the ordinary fun. Yes, Disneyland is a good memory for kids. As parents we can be all about the “once in a lifetime” but don’t discount the small, silly things. When we were little my mom would sometimes make backwards dinner. We would have Hershey bar “steak”, ice cream “mashed potatoes” w/ caramel “gravy” and candy corn! For dessert… pizza! Those memories stick with me and encourage me to be silly with my own kids. We do backwards dinner. We sometimes randomly pile in the car at 10 at night in our PJs to go for pie or Krispy Kreme. Sledding at midnight, camping in the living room, spontaneous Dance Off, Night Nerf gun wars at the park… find something silly and fun and unexpected. Trust me; your kids will remember those moments.

5. Be a hometown tourist.  Do the things in your town that the tourists would do. We don’t live in a real touristy type destination. No theme parks, aquariums, or Children’s Museums. We do have fun things that we just don’t go do that often. In the summer we go to the zoo and water park of course. The Art museum is fun, the exhibits change and they frequently have activities for children. Ditto the local Discovery Center. Local street fairs and Farmer’s Markets can be fun. The library does children’s activities and story times. Our local park does Movies under the Stars where they project movies onto the side of a building. Find the hidden gems
in your town, many are cheap or free!

 6.  Be realistic and set expectations. Don’t plan on doing a million activities or being all educational all the time. With older kids let them know how often having friends over or going out with friends is acceptable. I for one am not a fan of a sleepover every day of the week (my kids get so cranky without sleep… yes, the teenagers!!) I find if I set a number ahead of time it saves a lot of last minute arguing and everyone gets along so much better! As the parent you set the limits and with a big family everyone’s schedule and mood can have a big impact on the whole so I have to keep that in mind. I also always remember that it’s summer, and some
flexibility can go a long way towards having fun!!

I am looking forward to this summer as it is our last one before the baby starts preschool and the last one the oldest will spend living at home. It is also likely the last one I will have as a full time stay at home Mom. I plan on making the most of it!! We don’t have vacation plans but I know we will make lots of memories that will last a lifetime!! Happy Summer!!
TheMommaDuck
http://5littleducks.blogspot.com/

Cooking With Kids: Grow Your Own!

I am a city boy through and through. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting out of the city and heading to the mountains. As a matter of fact, all my favorite activities are in the mountains, but the city is where I like to dwell.  My point is that although I remember the days when San Jose and its surrounding areas still had plenty of orchards and farmland, I grew up around more concrete than orchard, and my family didn’t farm. My grandma, however, always grew tomatoes and sometimes a few other vegetables. She did this in the tiny strip of dirt bordering the cement walkway on the side alley of her house. It couldn’t have been more than ten feet long by three feet deep. And let me tell you, I have yet to taste a better tomato.

My grandma’s tomatoes were so good that my dad started growing a garden, and I did the same when I moved out. We have never produced one as good but we do sometimes come pretty close. There is something very fulfilling about preparing a meal with food from your own garden, not to mention how fresh and healthy the food tastes.

In my previous posts, I have mentioned how my kids, Nolan & Davan, and I love to cook together. Well, they also love to help in the yard, especially when it involves planting fruits & vegetables. Now that their taste buds are developing and they are acquiring likes and dislikes for certain foods, they are becoming more interested in what we plant. They now want to make sure that the garden is properly taken care of so we can harvest good stuff to eat.

There are many reasons that this makes me happy. First of all, I get to discuss the concept and benefits of using fresh, locally grown ingredients. I let them know that it’s good for us and the environment, and that the benefits to us aren’t only health related. When the kids shop with me, I point out how much produce costs and where it comes from, and explain that shipping produce from distant locations causes harmful emissions to the atmosphere. I let them know how much the seedlings we plant cost us and that the only emissions come from the local delivery truck that brought the seeds to the store, and from my car when I went to the store to buy them. We are city folk, remember, so the concept of emissions does not go over their heads. All I have to mention is the black smoke that comes from the big trucks we see all the time. So, they do understand that in addition to saving a few bucks, we help preserve the ozone layer as well.

Without giving them a full environmental science, horticulture, and economics class, I get to teach them the little bit I have learned about gardening and the importance of eating locally grown food as much as possible. This helps them understand that the tomatoes just don’t mysteriously end up at the store in bins for us to pick through. Someone had to plant, water, harvest and deliver them.  And as I mentioned, they have developing tastes and understand that fresh stuff just tastes better. They love watching our stuff grow from start to finish, and love to harvest and eat it even more.

This is where the cooking comes in because we don’t eat everything right of the plant; most of the stuff is simply an ingredient for whatever we are making. They love it when we”harvest to order” by picking just what we need for whatever we are cooking right then. It just seems to taste better. As I mentioned before, it is also fulfilling knowing that we did more to prepare a meal than just the cooking; we actually grew the ingredients too. Besides all of these great lessons that get infused into the process, the kids and I have fun. That’s what it’s really all about, right? Especially in this day and age where technology rules; it’s just good to get them outdoors away from TV and video games to do some gardening.  Not to mention I get to teach them a bit about my grandma, whom they never had the pleasure of meeting. I can’t help thinking about her and the delicious tomatoes she grew whenever I plant and harvest my own, and am glad the kids get to share in her tomato legacy.

Thanks Grandma!

- Kevin Williams
VP & Dad

We all wear many hats

Having Just returned from a mini vacation with my loving GF I thought I would write this week about the many hats we all wear.  More than just Mom, Dad, Husband and wife; We all fill so many roles at work and even on vacation.  Working for a family orientated small business, it is essential that everyone does all they can to keep it going. I know you may think that Go-Go Babyz is some booming corporate Juggernaut (Just give me a few years and Kevin and I will make it happen) but we are in fact a true down to earth small business.

For instance it is not uncommon for our MBA Vice President to be out in the warehouse covered in sweat from helping fill shipments and doing inventory management.  Our President is not afraid to jump into anything that needs to be done, and they both do this while being awesome parents to two seriously great kids and a house full of dogs.  The reality is that this is what it takes to make things work.  I am the unofficial IT help desk, warehouse assistant, project manager, social media manager and assistant marketing manager…. And I brew a mean cup of Keurig Coffee. Everyone here at the office does whatever they can to keep this company rolling.  It’s a fact in small business but more and more I realize it’s the same in our outside lives (when we have time for them).

On our latest mini vacation, my GF and I hoofed it up to Yosemite for a mini retreat.  Now to make a vacation relaxing and peaceful, you still have to work your ass off.  I know I say this a lot in my blogs, but as  a couple it has to be infinitely easier than what Kerry and Kevin go through adding kids to the mix.  You need a trip planner, a schedule of sorts to make sure you can see what you want to, a cook,  fire starter,  driver, navigator and a money manager.   In most cases my GF keeps us organized and I am the workhorse. I don’t know if you caught our sponsored video on dadlabs but I am definitely the pack mule of the relationship. As I wrote above this is what it takes to make it work.  There are all kinds of hats to wear in a relationship just like at a small office.  It’s about sacrificing here and there for something you love, and my GF is all right too (jk).  Getting away is amazing when you can but the hats always come along.  I am scared and excited to see what it takes to do it all with kids. Hell, when we got back we spoiled our dog rotten we missed him so much and that was only for four days! Being on the border of marriage and kids but being surrounded by it all at the office really gives me an insight and I am starting to appreciate all that needs to be done more and more.

Think about all the roles you play every day at work, at home, even when you are away and “relaxing”.  So think about all you do, then think about all that your partner does too, what your boss does, and you start to feel a little more connected and appreciative.  We all wear many hats, some we wear better than others but the key to life is not being afraid to at least try another one on.

Cole Straub

Project Manager and Uncle.

Traveling with Kids: Bracing for A Very Long Trip!

Traveling with Kids: Bracing for A Very Long Trip!

The time is coming for me to put everything about traveling to the test as our family prepares for our biggest trip to date. This will be the longest flight that the kids and I have been on, and you may recall that I am not the best traveler around; I tend to get anxious and irritable when flying, and it only intensifies the longer I am on the plane—I just don’t like being in a confined area for very long, throw in a few airports and layovers, and you might as well knock me out and drag me around in one of our Travelmates or Cruisers. . . Ooh, there’s the next Go-Go Babyz innovation: adult models! Well, I guess that’s what wheelchairs are.

All joking aside, I have gotten better over the years. I still get nervous, anxious and a bit stressed out, but I am not quite as bad as I used to be. Usually it’s just pre-travel anxiety, and once we wake up and start our ventures, it’s all good; well, with the exception of an occasional lapse in reason and a tantrum or two, but otherwise, I’m great! As I mentioned, however, this will be our longest trip yet, about three times as long as our standard vacation travels, even more when you include connections and layovers. Not to mention that this is also our first international flight as a family. So, it will really test my fortitude as a traveler.

As anyone with kids knows, family traveling is more of a process. It takes more planning to make sure the trip is a success and everyone’s sanity is safe and secure and not lost somewhere in flight. My plan is to approach this long trip like I would any other trip; this one just has a few more logistical challenges. I will focus on what I need to do to make the flight smooth for everyone involved. On our regular trips, I focus on what I need to bring to keep the kids, and myself, happy and content (a good book is a must for me).  This time it’s even more important I don’t overlook myself; otherwise, Kerry might feel like she is traveling with three kids. My guess is that one book isn’t gonna cut it for this trip. So, I will make sure that I have plenty of options to keep me occupied as well.

One of the most important things for me is organization. I definitely can’t be organized if I have too much stuff, so I have to pack smart and as light as possible; I don’t mean to under-pack mind you, just pack the essentials for a good flight with a couple wild cards—you‘ve gotta have something you can turn to when all else fails. This is key for me because just the simple act of getting something out for the kids can turn into a very stressful ordeal; it can be the act the takes my sanity. I told you I tend to get stressed out when traveling, so if I can complete this next trip keeping my, and the family’s sanity in check, then I think it will be okay—we will just have to wait for my update this summer when we return.

In the meantime, how about all you seasoned travelers out there post some tips, tricks, and general advice to help ensure we, and any other family planning a long trip, arrive to our destinations relatively stress free!

Happy Travels!

- Kevin Williams
VP & Dad

Cooking With Kids: Nolan’s New System

It has been a while since I have written about cooking with the kids. This is a fun and very important topic. Cooking with the kids is a great opportunity to teach them many things while having fun at the same time. I can share “lessons” that don’t seem like learning because we are having so much fun. OK, for the most part, I am having so much fun. As I have mentioned before, I can tend to get uptight while cooking with the kids because it gets messy and they often get a little crazy. I am getting better, remembering that it’s just a mess and can be cleaned. Besides, before I know it they will be teenagers and won’t want to do anything with me anymore.

As I seize the opportunity to play & cook with Nolan & Davan, I make sure to incorporate lessons in food, nutrition, basic cooking techniques, and food chemistry. I believe these are lessons that will help them as they grow, especially once they reach adulthood. I sure don’t want them cooking what many twenty-somethings I’ve met consider their signature dish: “welfare stew,” which is top ramen with various canned foods tossed in. Also, since the easiest foods to consume these days are unhealthy, a basic understanding of cooking and nutrition is important. American’s are the heaviest they’ve ever been, which is pretty easy to understand considering the majority of food promoted is junk food. Unhealthy food is the most convenient food to purchase, prepare, and consume. Cooking and eating healthy takes conscious effort, and it is our responsibility as parents to prepare our kids to eat healthy throughout their lives.

Through many messes, wasted ingredients, accidents and would-have-been-fun-if-I-didn’t-get-so-upset experiences, I have learned that the most effective way to pack as much “teaching” into cooking as possible is to make it fun. As I got better at relaxing through this process, I just faked it for the kid’s sake. Now, however, I truly enjoy it.  A simple way to make it fun is to find a good kids cook book and let the kids pick out the recipes – they are usually simple, fun, and silly recipes. Once you pick a few recipes out, start the planning. First off, when will you have the kids and the time to cook, and what ingredients will you need to prepare the recipe they selected? Aha! Lesson number one and two: 1. Meals take planning and, 2. Food costs money. So, go to the fridge and cupboards with the recipe and see what you need and then make the grocery list. And, be sure to take the kids with you so they can see the ingredients and the different options there are for each, and so you can begin to introduce the idea of price and nutrition to them. Obviously you are not going to give them a crash course in economics or health & nutrition 101; just provide the basics. See, here is where we get to see marketers at their finest. Ask your child which item they would choose, and you know it’s going to be the one with the most exciting colors, the cool name, and the best logo or mascot, right?! And guess what? It will most likely be the unhealthiest choice, too. Lesson number three: shop with your head, not your eyes or stomach.

Back to the fun cookbook. Nolan got a Star Wars cookbook for a gift and recently pulled it out and asked if we could cook stuff from it. So we did. The recipes are fun, simple, and tasty. With these recipes, we were able to let Nolan and Davan do most of the work; we just helped as needed. That in itself makes it fun for them, but to make it even more fun, Nolan created a rating system. After each recipe he tries, he rates it in Light Sabers on a 5-point scale and he draws the light sabers on the recipe page. It becomes like a little cooking show because we all get to rate the meal and explain why we rated the way we did. Both kids really enjoy our cooking time, and it has been a great way to “sneak” in some lessons –and get a home cooked meal that Kerry & I didn’t have to cook.

Happy Cooking!

- Kevin Williams
VP & Dad

For the Love of the Game: Mom’s Perspective

With all Kevin’s blogging about kids and sports, I felt it was my time to chime in. We have definitely entered a new era of child rearing – whether on the sidelines watching our kids play or coaching their team, we are fully consumed.

At 6 years old, our daughter, Davan, has finally jumped on board with playing a team sport. And yes, I did say “finally.” With Nolan playing soccer for so many seasons, we’ve been practically begging Davan to join a soccer team each season as well. However, she expressed absolutely no interest. We even tried bribing her to join with a friend…but that didn’t work either. Instead, she came to every one of Nolan’s games, sometimes cheering him on, more often glued to my iphone while I cheered for him.

If you have read Kevin’s Blog, you know that he played soccer and football. I was also very athletic as a youngster and played soccer, volleyball, and ran track and field all through elementary school up to my sophomore year in High School. Both Kevin and I believe in team sports and the values it instills in kids. As Debra Mitchell writes in her article Cultivate Team Sports And Sportsmanship,

“Play is a critical part of a child’s healthy development, and well-planned sports and team sport programs are a chance for children to learn valuable life lessons, including teamwork, discipline, leadership, conflict resolution, respect, integrity, self-confidence and effective communication — all while having fun. Team sports are also an opportunity for children from many different backgrounds, economic means, and social levels to come together and learn how to work toward a common goal. For some children, being part of a team is the only time they can meet and share with individuals who may have beliefs and values that differ from theirs. Participation in team sports also helps children establish friendships they may keep for the rest of their lives.”

Because Kevin and I strongly believe in these values, it was hard to say no when asked to coach when I was signing Davan up for softball—for those who have not yet entered the sports era with their children, parent volunteers generally coach in most sports leagues. The leagues are dependent on parents stepping up and helping the kids. And when no one volunteers, kids are turned away for the season. However, when initially asked to coach the team, my answer was no. Shortly after, my answer changed to, only if no one else steps up. Soon after that, I received a voicemail requesting me to be the coach. After receiving that voicemail, I had to stop and consider why I didn’t want to coach the team, and if I would be willing to take on such a big commitment.

When I stopped to think about it, the results surprised me: Time and ego where my two reasons for not wanting to step into the position. Ultimately though, it was my ego that was holding me back. As I wrote earlier in this post, softball was not one of the sports I played. So, how could I coach a softball team of 5 and 6 year olds? I thought about how strongly I wanted to be there for my daughter; if this were soccer, it would have been a no brainer. I then thought more about coaching and what makes a good coach. I believe that at this stage in a sport, building a cohesive team, making the kids feel good about themselves and one another, teaching them the importance of supporting one another and cheering for each other, helping them stay focused, and helping them develop the ability to loose and win with dignity are just as critical to successful coaching as being an expert in the sport. So, I figured maybe, just maybe I can take my coaching beliefs and share them with these little girls as they are introduced into the world of fast-pitch softball (The rest of the softball fundamentals I have decided to learn from experts around me).

After only two practices, I am feeling extremely excited. I may have even found a new passion in myself!

So, here I am and here we go…Wish me luck on this new endeavor and please let me know if you have any good coaching advice!!!