April 2009 Letter
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"I would like to practice running, but I just don’t have time," said my 14-year-old son Kyle. My initial reaction was, "You’re kidding, right?" But then I considered his schedule, he leaves for school at 8:30am and isn’t home until 5pm. Then he eats dinner and begins his homework. He is barely a teen and it feels like he has a 9 to 5 job with overtime. When Kyle first entered kindergarten, I remember being amazed at the amount of homework he brought home. Since he was just 5 years old, these assignments translated to homework for mom. I kept thinking, "I thought I graduated already." That was just the beginning. As the homework increased over the years, I found myself questioning its value and purpose. When were my kids supposed to be just kids? According to our Healthy Kids column on page xx, "Other casualties of homework overload include socializing with family and friends, family dinners, exercise, outdoor activities and sleep—all important facets of a balanced childhood and adulthood."
In order to maintain my sanity and some sense of balance, my rule is: only one scheduled activity per person per week – so only one sport or extracurricular class at a time. They have the rest of their lives to be overscheduled, why start young? Kids need time to explore the world and determine the type of person they want to be. So far my plan is working; both of my boys are making college plans and considering what type of work they would like to do. One thing is for sure, our economy is changing and the landscape of the job market is shifting. "Across every industry, new job possibilities are emerging for those with the skills to bridge the divide between the old, fossil-fuel-based economy and the new, energy-efficient one," explain the authors of our feature article Welcome to Green Collar America. The future is greener than ever. When we started this magazine seven years ago, environmentalists were just considered tree huggers. Now that green is cool, they are the leaders of a movement to shape the future.
April marks our anniversary publishing Natural Awakenings. As we enter our eighth year and 85th issue, I feel so grateful for all the advertisers, readers, and dedicated staff members that make each issue possible. Connecting the community with resources for natural health, sustainable living, and personal growth is a rewarding journey and I am grateful for the opportunity. Thank you for being a part of Natural Awakenings and I look forward to our bright green future together.
Happy Anniversary!
Kris Urquhart, Publisher
