![]() ![]() I am pretty sure I made this blueberry cake on one of those long parenting days that I now only remember as “a pretty good Saturday.” A particularly hot one, during which the twins inevitably boycotted their naptime, I inevitably tried to control everything, and ultimately threw up my hands and said (or maybe screamed), “That’s it. It got me thinking that even the toughest parenting days, the ones that end well stick in my memory as “good ones.” All the tantrums (mine and the kids’) are redeemed by a game of chase, a bike ride, or just a sweet cuddle at the end of the night. It was that studies have shown we remember endings more than beginnings and middles are often forgotten. One aspect of his book really struck with me (besides the fact that you’re more likely to win a game when you’re 1 point behind your competitor during halftime). Much of how we operate stems from this daily rhythm, and he argues that we can better structure not only our days, but our lives, to be happier and more productive if we become more aware of timing. Most of us, though, we fall into a third category of in-between. Some of us are night owls, peaking later in the morning and in the evening, while others are what he calls larks, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed early in the morning. ![]() In his book, Pink argues that we all beat to a biological drum, and for all of us, the days start out with a peak, then plummet, and then see a return to optimal mood and productivity. As a content marketer, I am pretty sure the author, Daniel Pink, ran that title through a headline testing tool because it definitely caught my eye. On my very first and very short flight from Seattle to Vancouver, I read an interesting book called When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing (I recommend it!). Last weekend, in particular, felt painfully long, despite the fact that I had been away from home for several days (for work, but still). Especially during summer days in the PNW that feel both beautifully and painfully endless. Although there are few easy answers, the questions are addressed thoughtfully, and with care and nuance.Weekends are the longest and shortest days when you are a parent. Ultimately, what makes this book appropriate for young people is that Sonia and her mother, teacher, and good friends discuss each deep theme openly and honestly. Finally, struggling to fit in, Sonia lies to her mom about the cost of a pair of shoes she receives as a gift from her friend’s mom. Eventually, she is able to discuss this with her mom. She goes to church once with her Christian friend, Kate, and even tells Kate’s family that she is not Jewish. After the party, she confides in her mom, who gives her solid advice: “You don’t ever have to kiss anyone unless you want to.” Sonia struggles with what it means to be Jewish. Sonia plays Spin the Bottle at a party and is pressured into kissing a boy she does not like. ![]() When he is found, he is admitted to a hospital for treatment, and there is honest and compassionate dialogue about depression and the steps he is taking to get better. While this book has no physical violence, it does explore a number of complex subjects in a way that is accessible to a young reader. For example, in the final chapters of the book, Sonia’s dad goes missing. ![]()
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