KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sorry for the second send this morning! The first edition of this newsletter had a glitch that erased much of the content. —Deb |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
As I write this column, three Americans and one Canadian are hurtling home from a trip around the Moon, inside a machine that had better do exactly what it’s supposed to do. For years, every person involved in the mission obsessed over every detail at every stage until as little as possible was left to chance. “Failure is not an option,” an ethos long associated with our quest to
explore outer space, makes perfect sense when we're talking about Artemis II. But decades ago, the attitude leaked out of the space program and into everyday life, and that was a mixed blessing. When I was a teenager, “failure is not an option” might as well have been tattooed on my brain: For me, not only was failure not an option, but anything below an A grade wasn’t an option, either. I was so afraid of not being perfect that if I felt unprepared for a test, I’d stay home
“sick.” I looked successful from the outside, but because I was working so hard to avoid mistakes, I played it safe. So I didn't actually accomplish much aside from some sharp-looking letters on a report card. It took me years out in the real world to realize that real accomplishment usually looks less like gliding and more like bumping into things until you find the way through. So these days, failure and I are best buddies: I've replaced "failure is not an option" with
"nothing ventured, nothing gained" as I inch toward and away from success each day. Even writing my column each week is an act of resilience: I add and then murder my words until they say what I mean, and I'm always aware in the end that it could be better. One of my goals when I was homeschooling Madison and Ella was to make failure safe and ordinary... cheerful, even... a sign of progress. Kids need chances to try things that might flop: recipes that taste weird, projects
that collapse, math problems they have to redo, conversations they wish they’d handled better. I wanted them to understand that when the stakes are low, failure is not a tragedy, it’s just how learning works. It doesn't usually feel fun, or comfortable. But it's the only way to fly.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Hunt for baby marine animal eggs hidden around the museum gallery. Find them all to win an egg prize with a surprise inside!
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Underwater animals have some wild tricks up their fins to breathe! Explore gills, frills, and the incredible axolotl, a creature that uses four different ways to get oxygen. Bring your imagination to life by creating an axolotl buddy. No reservation required.
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Join us for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz. Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends – the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion -as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. Our brand-new take on this classic tale features an original score, memorable characters, and fun for the entire family.
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7 days to choose from during spring break! Come for one or all! Our camp counselors and kids aged 4-14 will have their days full of skating, arcade play, games, lunch, snack, and craft activities.
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Come cheer on your New York Mets!
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New York City has never bloomed like this. At The Orchid Show: Mr. Flower Fantastic’s Concrete Jungle, orchids collide with concrete in a dazzling reimagining of the Big Apple, from stoops and slice shops to the subway itself. Step into a breathtaking fusion of nature and cityscape artistry in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and experience the flair and style of New York transformed by thousands of flowers.
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Embark on an adventure through the museum to collect clues and crack puzzles as you follow the paths of shipwrecked sailors, clever castaways, and daring ocean scientists. Do you have what it takes to survive the open ocean? Embark on an adventure through the museum to collect clues and crack puzzles as you follow the paths of shipwrecked sailors, clever castaways, and daring ocean scientists. Cap off your quest by creating a Navigator's Necklace complete with a working compass!
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Have old computer parts, textiles, or paint lying around? Bring them to our e-waste collection day, hosted in partnership with the Lower East Side Ecology Center. We’ll be collecting these items: Electronics: TVs (any size), computers and parts, handheld devices Textiles: Clean and try clothing, towels, and other household linens, accessories such as shoes, belts, purses Paint: Leftover paint in its original, sealed container We will accept house paint and primers (latex or oil-based), stains, deck and concrete sealers, and clear finishes such as varnishes and shellac. No leaking, unlabeled or empty containers, spray cans, or paint thinner.
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Dive into the amazing wildlife of the Long Island Sound and bring your favorite sea creature to life using recycled materials in this fun, self-guided activity! Build your own ocean-inspired creation and leave it with us to become part of our special “Recycled Ecosystem” display.
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SHEN YUN’S unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, deeply moving journey. Featuring one of the world’s most ancient and richest dance systems—classical Chinese dance—along with dynamic animated backdrops and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.
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Come cheer on the Islanders at home! Check the schedule, grab your friends and family and get your tickets today!
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Long Island area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more.
Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Long Island area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure on Long Island? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a
spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Long Island area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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