A wedding is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life. But it can also be a breeding ground for Adultitis. This sinister foe downright salivates at events involving formal wear, the merging of families, and an expectation that everything is supposed to go perfectly. Is it possible to Adultitis-proof your wedding? Yes. But it requires a mindset that decides you're going to have fun no matter what the caterer messes up or your mother-in-law does. It also helps to incorporate some ideas that send the message to you and your guests that Adultitis is not invited. I've been …
Thy Laundromat Shalt Be Boring and Unappealing
"There's nothing about a washing machine which says it has to stand in an unpleasant space." -- Ruud Belmans, Creative Director of Pinkeye He's right, you know. Washing machines may come with bulky instruction manuals written in seven different languages, but there has never been one printed with a rule stating that it should stand in an unpleasant space. Rules that don't exist are EVERYWHERE, but they are so ingrained in us that we don't even consider the benefits of breaking them. The Belgians who dreamed up Wasbar did when they set out to design a new kind of laundromat. …
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The Phone Call No One Wants To Get
Cooties is pretty devastating. But Adultitis is probably more so, because at least you can grow out of Cooties. Awareness is the first step. Better get yourself tested. …
My Birthday Comeback Story
Birthdays come with a a lot of pressure! Everyone -- including myself -- hopes that it's a GREAT day. Some years this greatness is easier to achieve than others. Last year was a breeze. We played hooky as a family, savoring the early spring weather at the zoo. It was a VERY awesome day! But this year (my 35th) was shaping up to be a real challenge. …
How to Guarantee an Adultitis-Free Dinner Party
Adultitis would have us believe that it's unbecoming for an adult to play with his or her food. Apparently, Polish designer Boguslaw Sliwinski (say that three times fast) didn't get the memo. He has designed a series of plates that invite you turn your meal into an action scene. Now you tell me: what are the odds that Adultitis makes an appearance at a dinner party featuring plates of this nature? …
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A is for Adultitis
Sarah lives in Minnesota. She wrote this poem last year for an 8th grade school project after I spoke at her church. Apparently the talk was a hit, coincided with an assignment to compile a book of poems, and served as inspiration for this cool bit of prose. Enjoy! Adultitis by Sarah Weber A child’s imagination Blooms in their rooms Castles and Dragons and Even more. They Figure out what to do. Give them blocks Hurry back In minutes there’ll be Junctions and bridges. Kids can make anything Lots of fun Many adults Not knowingly look past Obvious creative Past times Quickly …
You Are Viral
My son Benjamin is only 15 months old, and he is a natural born flirt. On a recent family vacation to Santa Barbara, Ben made friends with approximately 7,235 people. He doesn’t say much, but then again, he doesn’t need to. His bright eyes and broad smile do all the work for him. Whether it’s sitting on airplanes, waiting in lines, or dining at a restaurant, Ben is constantly scanning for someone to smile at. And if you catch his gaze, watch out. Women are stopped dead in their tracks, and grown men are immediately drawn into silly games of peekaboo. When Ben smiles at you, no matter what …
Why Capn’ Crunch, the Trix Rabbit and Toucan Sam All Have Adultitis
I have never once considered the sugar-laden cereals that warm my heart and gladden my belly to be laced with Adultitis. Not once. That is, until I came across a cereal that was born in 1988 called Cröonchy Stars. Although 80s were my halcyon years of cereal eating, I'd never heard of them until my friend Lisa brought them to my attention a few weeks ago. The brainchild of Jim Henson and featuring his Muppet character The Swedish Chef, Cröonchy Stars was a cinnamon toast flavored cereal packaged in a box peppered with ridiculous, and sometimes unsolvable, games and puzzles. One time it …
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A Dog’s Guide to Fighting Adultitis
Can animals have Adultitis? I don't think so. I'm pretty sure humans are the only species that have the mental baggage to succumb to the wiles of this dreaded condition. Now, even though animals are, by default, Adultitis-free, dogs appear to be the most obviously so. There are actually many things we humans can learn from our canine companions when it comes to fighting Adultitis. After her dog Lucy passed away last year, Liz Danzico wrote a pretty neat list of things she learned from her furry friend. Good tips for life, good tips for Adultitis-fighting, indeed: …
Family Turns Christmas Eve Dinner Into a Barbarian Affair
One of the attendees of last summer's Escape Adulthood Summit was inspired by the Barbarian birthday party we held to celebrate our son Ben turning one. She wanted to have one with her family on Christmas Eve, but she was worried about how it would be received. Unsurprisingly, it would be quite a departure from their normal holiday traditions. Judging by the pictures she sent, it seems like it went over pretty well. (Bonus points for the twisty straw!) Sometimes the biggest hurdle to initiating a Small Rebellion is our own fear. That feeling of dread or uncertainty is Adultitis' last …
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