1 Summertime Childhood Tradition in New Jersey That Could Be Gone Soon

Why can't this happen to mosquitos? Or Green Flies?

It makes me feel old when I say "When I was a kid," but it is truly appropriate in this instance, and it has nothing to do with "these kids today." So here goes.

When I was a kid fireflies or lightning bugs were just as much a part of our summer vacation as anything else. From the age of 7 or 8 we would be out all day, then we would have to be home for dinner, followed by one of many evening activities with all of our friends in the neighborhood.

When darkness fell we would play "kick the can" (we called it kick the bat), "flashlight tag," "manhunt" and tons more games perfect for nighttime. We wouldn't stop until our parents screamed our names to come in and get ready for bed. Hours seemed like minutes.

Another really cool and fun thing to do was to catch lightning bugs. Once it got really dark they were everywhere. They didn't bite, they didn't buzz, and they were friendly and easy to catch. I'd grab my glass jar from the garage which my dad had drilled holes in the lid for me, then me and all of my friends would catch as many as we could fit in that jar. The part that really got our hearts racing was trying to remove the lid to put more bugs in without letting any of the bugs already in the jar escape. Then we would close the garage and set them free as they lit up the room.

This summertime fun isn't as popular with kids today because there aren't as many lightning bugs around anymore.

Why?

According to Yahoo! "Nearly 1 in 3 firefly species in the United States and Canada may be threatened with extinction." Fireflies spend most of their life as larvae. Then come up from the earth to blink so we can play with them (see next paragraph for the real reason they flash). The problem is that much of the earth that they use to grow has fallen victim to developers. So, yes, once again it's those pesky humans. Because of this "nearly 1 in 3 firefly species in the United States and Canada may be threatened with extinction."

One more interesting fact. Did you know that the reason they flash is to attract a mate? "Some wink at each other with a double flash; others a triple. Males of certain species work together to woo mates by synchronizing their pulses." I guess my 7-year-old self was inadvertently enabling a little glow worm orgy in that little jar.

If you’ve never worked from home, you probably think it’s much easier than having to get ready every morning, making sure the kids are taken care of, driving into the office, and being off working all day.

Well, even though working from home has its drawbacks, it usually is much easier for most. My wife has been fortunate enough to be able to do so for the past ten years, and it has made life much easier for her and the family.

The same is true for many other moms who enjoy the flexibility of working from home. They are also very aware of the difficulties involved. For example, you’re working, and trying to do that with kids in the house for the summer makes it much more challenging.

You have to find the perfect balance between your responsibilities as an employee and being a mom. Kids don’t always understand that even though you’re in the house, sometimes you can’t be disturbed for any reason other than an emergency. It’s worth mentioning something you already know, your kids’ definition of an emergency can differ greatly from yours.

So let’s talk about CafeMom.com, and the seven “rules for success” that may be helpful for you and other moms in a similar situation.

Mimi Nicklin is an author and works full-time as the CEO of an ad agency. She works from home and also travels with her family. She’s developed the following methods to make it work for her and the rest of her house.

You need to be comfortable, in an area that’s well-lit and enclosed, so you have the emotional space, as well as the physical space to focus on work and show your family that you’re in “work mode.” You need to set a clear boundary.

You need to follow a consistent daily schedule so you stay organized and manage your time efficiently. Maybe you need to set specific work hours, plan regular breaks and schedule times for family activities. However, you should be open to adjusting it to accommodate all involved.

You may be awesome at your job and great at being a mom, but you should keep in mind that you really can’t do everything. Some things may have to wait. You need to set realistic goals with work and family responsibilities.

Working from home can be isolating, but it’s important to check in with your coworkers. "Regular check-ins, casual virtual coffee dates, and team-building conversations can help you stay connected."

Some people have a hard time doing this, but doing everything on your own can be equally difficult. Asking for a little help from family members or your team at work is a sign of strength.

It’s easy to focus on the struggles, but you need to acknowledge your achievements and celebrate the win with all involved. This will keep you positive so you have the right mindset for the next day.
For the full article go to CafeMom.com