Tag: kids

Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill

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There is perhaps no bigger or more important issue in America at present than youth violence.

Columbine, Sandy Hook, Aurora: We know them all too well, and for all the wrong reasons: kids, some as young as eleven years old, taking up arms and, with deadly, frightening accuracy, murdering anyone in their paths. What is going on?

According to the authors of Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill, there is blame to be laid right at the feet of the makers of violent video games (called “murder trainers” by one expert), the TV networks, and the Hollywood movie studios–the people responsible for the fact that children witness literally thousands of violent images a day.

Authors Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Gloria DeGaetano offer incontrovertible evidence, much of it based on recent major scientific studies and empirical research, that movies, TV, and video games are not just conditioning children to be violent–and unaware of the consequences of that violence–but are teaching the very mechanics of killing. Their book is a much-needed call to action for every parent, teacher, and citizen to help our children and stop the wave of killing and violence gripping America’s youth. And, most important, it is a blueprint for us all on how that can be achieved.

In Paducah, Kentucky, Michael Carneal, a fourteen-year-old boy who stole a gun from a neighbor’s house, brought it to school and fired eight shots at a student prayer group as they were breaking up. Prior to this event, he had never shot a real gun before. Of the eight shots he fired, he had eight hits on eight different kids. Five were head shots, the other three upper torso. The result was three dead, one paralyzed for life. The FBI says that the average, experienced, qualified law enforcement officer, in the average shootout, at an average range of seven yards, hits with less than one bullet in five. How does a child acquire such killing ability? What would lead him to go out and commit such a horrific act?

Colonel Grossman is a favorite author of mine, I have all of his books, and I think that every parent, teacher, politician, game designer, media head – heck everybody ought to read Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill.

February 23, 2017
52 Prepper’s Projects for Parents and Kids

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Prepare your child for the unpredictable through 52 prepper projects. Teach them basic outdoors survival skills, first aid, how to create their own “bug-out bag,” and more.

This was a fun book to write, I love trying out DIY Projects, and this time I got to try them out thinking about which ones would be fun and still teach something to my boy.

Some of these projects are age appropriate to little kids, but many are best suited for middle school or older children.

Each project in 52 Prepper’s Projects for Parents and Kids has the reasoning for each project along with a discussion starter at the end of each project.

Its not just about doing something with your children, or even having them do something. The main idea of this book is to teach your kids how to be self reliant and think for themselves.

Unfortunately critical thinking skills and personal responsibility are things that are lacking in out society. This book is meant to help reduce that issue while still being fun and useful.

If you have projects you have done with your kids, even if they aren’t in the book, I would love to hear about them.

January 5, 2017
Recipe: Potato Fan
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I have seen this recipe on multiple websites under a variety of names. This Potato Fan recipe is a great recipe for kids, both because it is a simple recipe that most kids can do with a minimum of supervision, but also because it is something kids will eat. I know I have a toddler that loves them.

From my research into this recipe, I have come to the conclusion that the proper name is probably Hasselback potatoes, since this recipe has most likely originated at A Swedish inn named the Hasselbacken.

Since this nothing more than a fancy baked potato, the best potatoes to use are Russet or Idaho potatoes. I have tried others, but I always get the best result from baking varieties.

Once you get the basic variety down, feel free to add any additional like herbs, crusts, or cheese toppings during the baking process.

Ingredients:
- 4 (8 ounce) baking potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons Oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons finely grated cheese
Procedure:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Wash Potatoes
- Cut a thin slice off off bottom of potatoes so they will stand firmly on table
- Place potatoes next to a large wooden or metal spoon.
- Using a sharp knife, make slices across the potato the short way about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart, making sure to cut down to the lip of the spoon, not all the way through the potato.
  - The slices should stay connected at the bottom, and the spoon helps keep the depth even.
- When all of the potatoes are cut, place them cut side up in a shallow baking dish or small roasting pan.
- Drizzle with half of the butter/oil mix
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Remove from the oven, and drizzle with the remaining butter/oil mix
- Sprinkle cheese onto the tops of the potatoes, and season with a little more salt and pepper.
- Return to the oven, and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until done
April 16, 2015