KidFriendly DC is 8 today! And what a fantastic adventure publishing my blog has been. I still am kind of awed by what it has become and sincerely grateful for all of you who read it. THANK YOU.
So, usually on my blogaversary, I do some reflecting on the past years and run a big giveaway to celebrate (see here and here if you’re interested in my thoughts on this blogging journey). This year, however, I’m changing it up and marking the occasion by introducing a couple of new features.
The first is a new section called the T(w)een Scene. I’m often asked what I’ll do as my children get older — will I continue blogging? The answer (at this point, anyway): YES. I do get the question, though. Owen is now in middle school, busier with more homework and activities and friends, and more independent with firmer ideas about how he’d like to spend his time. That said, he’s still a kid, and we still spend time together exploring and enjoying DC. It’s actually even more important to me now that we make a point of carving out that time. While I want my children to find their own footing and create their own paths as they grow, their young minds and hearts need guidance and support along the way. Plus, I think they are super cool people and truly dig hanging out with them (and I think/hope they still like hanging out with me).
So, occasionally, I’ll be sharing adventures that are both especially appropriate for and appealing to older kids in this new section of the blog. It’s already populated with some links to past experiences that t(w)een ages, in particular, would enjoy. And it won’t just be about our adventures; I’ll also include information about upcoming programs, exhibits, and other ideas relevant to that group. They are the future, and all of these experiences, hopefully, will help shape them to make it a great one.
And that (sort of) leads me to the next new feature of KFDC: A stronger voice. The Parkland tragedy and the resulting movement to end gun violence started by teenage kids has made me rethink how I approach my blog. I try not to be controversial or divisive, because as I said here, when it comes to KFDC, we’re all here as parents — who love our kids, have their best interests in mind, and understand that they are the future. But that’s also why I do want to start speaking out, or at least bring attention to issues that affect our kids and the future.
I grew up in Broward County, Florida. The news of the Parkland shootings broke my heart. When I saw the list of victims, I recognized a last name and later learned he was, indeed, a child of a family I knew back then. I have to acknowledge that the connection makes this latest (isn’t it crazy we can refer to it this way?) mass shooting hit me in a different way — it was a place I associated with a nice, safe childhood. However, every. single. one. of these horrific, senseless acts of violence has rocked me to my core. I cry, lose sleep, incessantly follow news about them, discuss them endlessly with friends. But I, admittedly, haven’t really done anything to make a difference.
I want to change this, and I plan to use KidFriendly DC to do so. After seeing the effect the student survivors of Parkland have had in a matter of days, I feel compelled to do my part, too. Is this my responsibility as a blogger? Maybe not, but I feel that it is as a parent, a member of the community, and as a compassionate human being. It’s not just about responsibility, though…it’s an opportunity. My blog reaches thousands and thousands of readers, and I have a chance to, at the very least, disseminate information to help forward this cause and keep the conversation going beyond the few-week frenzy that has been my norm. (*I welcome ideas for more ways to do this!)
Here are some links to start, many of which I’ve shared already, but important enough to share again:
An interesting post with comments from both sides
A very thought-provoking essay
And another one by Pia Guerra/The Nib to galvanize…
Whew! If you’ve stuck with me thus far, THANK YOU! And I mean that about both this post and my blog. I’m aware that this foray into what some consider a controversial subject may result in the loss of readers, but I can live with that. What I would regret is not seizing this opportunity. It may not make me complicit, but it would make me complacent. That, I can’t live with anymore.
YES! We all need to do more.
Agree. I think many just don’t know how to do more. I’m hoping to use KFDC to help with that.
Good for you! Yes, it can’t be business as usual if we want to build a safe world for our kids. Part of the promise of being American is the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The National Rifle Association is robbing us of that in order to protect profits for gun manufacturers. No more.
We all must step up! These are all our children. Thank you! ❤️
Bravo to you for speaking up on this very important topic of keeping our children safe and limiting guns in our country!!! I think of Newtown every day when I drop my now 3rd grader off at school and pray she comes home safe and her school isn’t the next site of a mass shooting. No more cowering to the NRA!
Fantastic!! Thank you so much – I love your blog and would be happy to see some activism on it, if you so choose. Appreciate the update.
Fantastic! On all of your new initiatives. I was just thinking that I wondered how relevant your postings would be as my children are getting older and I see you are addressing that! And FULLY support you using your platform to talk about serious issues too. Congrats on 8 Years and your continued evolution!
Sounds wonderful to me. I’m “in” on both counts. Appreciate all you do with this blog!
Sign up here to march next month with Brady at the March For Our Lives. You can also sign up for Brady’s email list to learn more about preventing gun violence. Or follow @bradybuzz and @averywgardiner on Twitter!
https://secure.everyaction.com/yquns98i8EWfCktoCzM7SA2
Thank you for sharing, Avery!
I love the picture you posted (I may borrow it) and your active stance to keep our kids safe. Keep it up!
I’m an MSD alum living in DC and a big fan of KFDC. Turns out there are more than 100 of us alums locally and we’ve organized ourselves and we’re doing a fundraiser on Tuesday for the victims’ fund.
On February 14, the students and teachers of Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School became the victims of senseless gun violence. Seventeen lost their lives at the hands of a former student armed with an AR-15 and countless magazines of ammunition.
MSD is my high school.
I am not willing to stand by and accept what happened at my alma mater…and neither are my fellow alumni. Please join us for…
An #MSDSTRONG Fundraiser
Tuesday, February 27th, 2018
6:00 to 8:00pm
Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place
3000 K St NW, Washington, DC
RSVP via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/611148232610587/) or email MSDAlumniDC@gmail.com
We will be joined in honoring the victims by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, among other honored guests and speakers.
If you can’t make it, I hope that you will still donate. 100% of the funds raised will go to support the Stoneman Douglas Victims & Families, through the Broward Educational Foundation.
It would be great if you could feature this in a post. Thanks.
Jordan, thank you for sharing. I definitely will feature this.
I like your new willingness to talk about sensitive issues like mass shootings. As a longtime KFDC user/reader(and even once an advertiser), I think this is a good thing.
Bravo. I haven’t done enough either. If there are local events, it would be great to see them from you. I want to do more and I see many others feel the same and have posted links. Already you are connecting us. Thank you.
Congratulations on 8 great years! I too have a middle schooler (and a 4th grader) and we’ve always found relevant activities on the blog. So now I’m even more excited to follow the new initiatives. Thank you for this resource!
Bravo for stepping up. It takes so much courage.
I’m an avid reader of this blog for ideas of things to do with my kids on the weekends. Impressed and extremely supportive of you using this platform for good!
Thank you Linda! Your bravery is inspiring.
Love!!!!! This is not a time for staying quiet.
I just want to say THANK YOU!! I found your blog 5 years ago, after I had just moved to DC alone with my then 2 yr old. I didn’t know anyone in the area, let alone with children, and I had always told myself I wanted to engage my daughter in as many activities as I can as I was always under the belief even before I moved here that DC had a lot to offer. This blog was my saving grace and believe it or not to this day every week I pop in to see what may be going on. Just through this blog, I’ve become very well versed with annual events, affordable event and just events period!! Thank you so much. You gave me and my daughter a life- seriously:). Its very easy as a single parent to get wrapped up in the societal negatives of it, instead of going out and looking for all the great aspects to the whole mothering experience.
Thank you, Zee. It’s feedback like this that makes me love what I do. So happy to hear KFDC has been such a positive part of your life. I hope it continues to be. 🙂
Thank you for using your voice
Yes, thank you! I’ve been checking your blog for kid activities for over two years now. Knowing you support the same cause I do is even better. Keep us informed of how to remain active on the cause and we will follow your lead!