Never forget

How technology changes everyday lives

2010-10-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here I am sitting on a train writing a blog.
Could I have done that 3 years ago or even 1 year ago?
It's got me thinking. Co-travellers are talking to their loved ones, others are emailing the office (it's 7.30pm on Friday OMG) whilst the older travellers are thinking what the heck is going on around me!
Is all this for the better?
My view - yes and no.
Here's for the Yes:

We can do more quicker
We can communicate easier
We can share thoughts and opinions on matters we previously didn't know existed
We can find old friends
We can educate ourselves on almost everything
We can stay in touch with loved ones
We can find where things are, what's good and what to avoid
We can reach people with similar interests

And for the 'No'

We stare at computers rather than look around us
We can become 'robotic'
We may take virtual risks we otherwise wouldn't consider
Our kids stay indoors more
We get trapped by online seduction

But in balance I'm for the yes, as long as we also do the traditional things like talk, go out, laugh out loud, hug our family and friends, play sport and sleep well.

Mummy's To Do List - Controversial Advice

2010-09-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

A recent list of advice compiled by a well know health care provider has created uproar among working mums.

Some of the guidelines for 'working away mums' included:

Tell you family well in advance that you're going away
Prepare meals in advance and freeze them (Munching on mummy's meals will remind them of how much you love them)
Write down important arrangements, appointments, emergency names and numbers
Use your mobile to phone home or send an email. If you have a webcam, you can even send a little virtual kiss
Leave little love notes. These are great for husbands and children
Record yourself. This is particularly great for young children (and, once again, for husbands).
Hide some gifts, chocolates, notes or tapes before you go

When these tips we sent out across Britain to female employees in corporate heath-care schemes a flurry of complaints followed.

The company concerned has been forced to apologise and has withdrawn the advice from circulation.

So, what's the problem?

Well, the complaints centred around how partronising and sexist the comments were and to me reinforces one very important element of a healthy family life, and that's communication.

The author of the guidelines (apparently the health-care company's psychology writer!) probably had best intentions in mind and in truth there's some decent suggestions in the guidelines. The problem is how the message was delivered.

So here's our real parenting lessons from this episode 'be careful how you say things to your partner and kids; don't be biased; use positive words and know your audience'

The 13 Must Know Facts of Parenting

2010-09-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

It's rarely talked about but according to those that know there are 13 controversial facts about parenting that every parent should know before having children. Here they are:

Children's shoes are unbelievably expensive
It takes 80% of your efforts for teenagers to enjoy 20% of your company
Girls are more conscientious than boys
You see more of your family than you did before baby arrives
Adults start showing their emotions more when a baby arrives
You're more concerned about your child's first day at school then you are about learning to drive
Peer pressure becomes increasingly difficult
As they grow up your children will use language you don't understand
Children do new things 100% quicker than their parents
At parents night you will think the teachers are pupils
The time for your children to 'fly the nest' comes unbelievably quickly
You should be the biggest influence on your children's lives so be full of care
Having children is the best thing that will ever happen to you.

So, now you know!

The 20 Milestones of Childhood

2010-08-31T06:08:00.000-07:00

Time moves so fast and part of life's deal is that as soon as you become a parent it speeds up.

So that got me thinking, if we know that there's likely to be certain events in our children's lives then we should use these to remind us to cherish time a bit more and store the happy memories as they happen. The message is clear 'Take a step back as often as possible to enjoy the now' as it'll be gone before you've realised.

Here's my version of the 20 Milestones of Childhood, but just think of all the good times inbetween:

Baby on the way
Kicking
Birth
Sleep through
Giggle
Crawl
Clap
Walk
Laugh
Toilet!
Talk
Nursery
Friends
School
Swim
Homework
Exams
Boy/Girlfriend
Holiday
Uni

Online Baby Journal

2010-08-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

As you may know there's a new and exciting online business just launched called imemoryboxes and I happen to be the founder!

As a key stepping stone to defining our offer we conducted some heavy research into the hassles and regrets of parents. A strong theme came out of the findings and helped us to create our fresh and innovative way of recording life's special moments.

Here's a taste of what we learned:

Treasured photos are not easy to find

Audio recordings are rarely listened to but when they are they are the best way of remembering special times. They trigger the mind's eye much better than anything else.

Traditional ways of collecting memories and recording events are too time consuming and dull

The best thing about memories is sharing them with loved ones - not so easy to do the traditional way

It's difficult to keep keepsake records tidy and presentable

There's lots more (you'd expect me to say that wouldn't you!)

So, there's a little insight into why parents of any age should look after their cherished memories with imemoryboxes.

visit www.imemoryboxes.com

When Children Know Best

2010-08-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

As parents we often think we know best, don't we?

Well, take yourselves back to when you were growing up and the number of times you thought you were right and your parents were wrong, especially in your teenage days.

The good news is, you were probably right lots of times.

Here's the type of things children know best and I'm telling you now I'm right!

How to use social networking sites
What the latest fashions are
What's cool
The lyrics to new songs you think you know the words to
How to text quickly
Words that had a different meaning in 'the old days'
Green issues
To get news as it happens
To get information fast

There's probably lots more so just add to the list

Be Happy in Business

2010-08-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

Before I started my new business www.imemoryboxes.com, I sought the opinions of fellow business people for their top 3 business success factors.

My thinking was 'if I could build a business that ticks all the boxes, then I'd be onto a winner'.

I was soon reminded that 'success' means different things to different people and how important it is to define and commit your own clear definition to paper.

So, if you are starting your own business or working for others may I suggest you do the same and take some inspiration from this list:

The 8 Factors for 'Being Successful'

Enjoy what you do
Do it amazingly well
See mistakes as lessons
Smile and laugh as much as possible
Respect the people who work with you
Listen
Pay attention to detail
Take time out to review and plan

Things you forget about childhood

2010-07-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing how something can trigger our childhood memories.
Here's some recent triggers I've had:

1.The smell of wet tarmac = being called in from the school playground by the dinner ladies

2. The smell of crayons = primary school

3. England getting knocked out of the world cup = how desperate we were to fill our football stickers album

4. Packing suitcases = Dad getting the family cases out of the loft

5. Watching Top Gear = our first Ford Capri

These are the real memories, daft little things that are so easily forgotten but make you smile.

If you've got any to add, capture them, share them and smile.

Thanks Radio 2

2010-06-09T02:04:00.000-07:00

iMemoryBoxes.com was featured on BBC2 Radio on Friday 4th June. I was invited to explain our new innovative offer during the Innovation Slot. This was a great opportunity to explain what we do, how we do it and to reinforce the importance of collecting memories before it's too late. The Radio 2 team were very supportive and gave great feedback. It's not very often you get to talk to over 6 million people!!!

Copycat Babies

2010-01-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

When a mum sees a picture of her baby smiling, brain activity is triggered in the part of the brain that is linked with pleasure. Brain scan studies prove it!

Well, that's no great surprise, we all like smiling kids don't we?

When the baby reaches three months apparently the bond strengthens. Further studies have shown that if the mum shows signs of fear and the baby sees, then they are likely to mimic the action e.g. widening eyes, even if the trigger is harmless.

Now we know why we love our Mums.

Further reading: The Brain Book by Rita Carter

The games we used to play

2009-12-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

As Christmas approaches and kids start asking for the latest games and gadgets, it occurred to me 'what games did we ask for or play when we were kids at Christmas?
Maybe today's children would have just as much fun away from a PC screen, as we did.

And then I started listing them...please add as many as you can.

Here's some for starters:
- Battleships
- Kerplunk
- Mousetrap
- Cludeo
- Marbles
- British bulldogs
- Where's the ball io
- Escaldo (horse racing)
- Subbuteo
- Murder in the dark
- Buckaroo
- Monopoly
- Bob's full house
- Carpet Golf
- Tick/tag
- Frustration
- Mastermind
- and Spirograph (my favourite)

Having More Kids?

2009-12-11T02:35:00.000-08:00

The experts are at it again!
Recent research by Montpelier University concludes that 'first borns' are more selfish and less co-operative because the arrival of a sibling has a negative impact on their personality, making them wary of others and their motives!!

So, what about all those little mother hens or big brothers who go out of their way to care and protect?

In an attempt to answer this, I asked my own kids. The eldest didn't have time to talk and my youngest, who contrary to research is much taller than his sister (see report), was relaxed about the whole thing.

Maybe the research is right?, but in my opinion, all kids can be all things and it's down to how they're raised from birth, the values we instil in them and who and what they listen to.

We have a big part to play and you know what...it's the best 'game' ever.

Let me have your thoughts.

See report here:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1234550/Firstborns-selfish-youngsters--likely-achieve-greatness.html