We recently shifted our brand from “Kim & Jason” to “Escape Adulthood” because this mission has grown to be MUCH bigger than just Kim and me. Plus, it’s a much better description of what we’re all about: Escaping Adulthood. While this makes more sense from a marketing perspective, in that it’s short, descriptive, and more likely to be remembered than two random people’s names, there is also a danger in it. You see, it’s easy for people to discount all of us as irresponsible, immature, cotton-headed ninny noggins who are avoiding the responsibilities of adulthood and trying to escape the …
Archives for November 2013
School Celebrates Family with Ugly Cookies & Barbarian Spaghetti
A few years ago, I spoke at a school in Wisconsin, giving presentations for the staff and the parents. I shared the Ugly Cookie story, just like I (almost) always do. Lots of people have heard that story over the years. But Pete Hirt, the principal of the school, took it and ran with it. Not long after my talk, a parent of one of the students was diagnosed with cancer. Pete and the community sprang into action to help raise money for the family. Pete suggested they do an "Ugly Cake Auction," in which people would be invited to decorate cakes in the ugliest manner possible. About 1,000 people …
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The Kid Who Really Wanted Glasses He Didn’t Need (and the Mom Who Let Him Get Them)
People with Adultitis are often embarrassed by people without it. It makes them uncomfortable. They worry about what the behavior of the "Adultitis-free" people will say about them. Of course, there is one demographic of people that typically suffers from very little Adultitis. We call them children. If we let them, kids can help us treat the Adultitis within us. But if we're not careful, we can also inflict our Adultitis upon them. It's easy for parents (and teachers) to use their authority to shut down the behavior our children engage in; behavior that is completely innocent, …
How to Make Life More Exciting
I blame the microwave oven. Apparently it was the gateway drug that fueled our insatiable desire for immediacy. When you can cook an entire dinner in 30 seconds, why wait for anything? I was shocked to see that our neighbor put up her Christmas tree the day after Halloween. I tried to imagine a plausible explanation. Perhaps she was leaving for a two-month trip to New Zealand and wouldn't return until Christmas Eve, and she certainly wouldn’t want to have to unpack AND put up the tree? Then I started seeing and hearing of more people doing the same. I saw one house with a Christmas tree in …
Meet Lisa Olson
The Small Rebellion is a playful group of escape artists who share a joyful, indomitable childlike spirit and are not afraid to let that spirit come out to play! They’re united by a common goal of fighting Adultitis and the doo-doo heads who embrace its ideals. Quite frankly, they’re pretty much the coolest people on the planet. Here's one right now... • My name is... Lisa Olson. This is my fourth and final last name. I really mean it! www.findthefun.net • My hometown is... La Crosse, Wisconsin. Nestled between bluffs and the mighty Mississippi River. (Yes I sing the "crooked letter" …
Iowa Mom Grabs Life by the Reins
Besty McCleary is a good mom. She stopped by the Earl May so her kids could ride a horse around the parking lot. Then she figured she'd "kick Adultitis to the curb" and asked to join in. She may have been the only adult who did all day. Which also makes her a Champion of Childhood. When you're with a kid, you pretty much have carte blanche to let your inhibitions go and join them in their carefree adventures. They are pint-sized permission granters. It's a pity that parents (and grandparents and aunts and uncles) don't grab that opportunity by the reins every single chance they …
Everyone Else
Tarzan 2 is terrible compared to the first one with the Phil Collins soundtrack. At least that's what Kim said after half-watching it with the kids while I was on the road. I know, I'm just as surprised to hear that as you. You know what separates the Oscar-winning movies from the ones that go straight to DVD? The ones that win awards are telling stories we haven’t seen before. Throughout the entire process -- from the screenwriter to the producer to the casting director to the cinematographer to the director to the cast -- everyone has the opportunity to do things the way they've …
Forced To Eat Cake
One day this past summer, Marcia Brown took her mom, aunt and great aunt out to lunch to celebrate her aunt's birthday. As they all sat down to eat, she announced, "Today, we are eating dessert first!" The dinner guests were hesitant. But, after a bit of "encouragement," everyone ended up complying (and having a ball). Marcia's great aunt called the next day and told her she had more fun that day than she'd had in a very, very long time…and was still smiling. This stressed-out, burned-out world is in which we live is aching for silliness. Most of them time, people are just waiting for …
Keeping Kids Safe: Let’s Ban Tag!
In a story that seems ripped from the pages of The Onion, a middle school in Port Washington, New York has banned tag and cartwheels and balls of all sorts in order to cut down on injuries to children during recess. Yet another example of adults ruining everything. And we are one step closer to living in a society where we all wear Nerf clothing and drive on streets paved in Nerf in our Nerf-covered cars to our Nerf-wrapped places of employment. Kind of makes me want to invest in Nerf stock. Back in the day, if you didn't accidentally cut yourself on some sort or metal-edged toy …
Meet Anna M.
The Small Rebellion is a playful group of escape artists who share a joyful, indomitable childlike spirit and are not afraid to let that spirit come out to play! They’re united by a common goal of fighting Adultitis and the doo-doo heads who embrace its ideals. Quite frankly, they’re pretty much the coolest people on the planet. Here's one right now... • My name is... Anna M. • My hometown is... Farmington, CT • My biggest dream...is to link my child development and nursing degrees more holistically in a case manager position. • My inspiration...is my hardworking, caring husband …