We encounter a crazy amount of information every day. So I'm doing my part to add to it! :-) But seriously, my favorite way of finding new stuff is recommendations from friends. So every Friday I'll pass along my favorites from the week - things that inspire, uplift, educate, or just entertain. These are not affiliate links, so I'm not making any money - I'm just sharing things I enjoy. Here are this week's favorites:
Have you hugged your vet today?
So this one is a bit dark, I'm sorry. But anyone with pets, or considering pets, should give this a read. It's easy to assume that vets have some kind of special armor that protects them from the emotional aspects of caring for our furry family members. Easy to assume because not much is said about the emotional burdens they carry and the moral issues they face. Eye-opening.
Sibling influence
When we had our second child and especially as our youngest has gotten older, I started to realize the importance of sibling relationships. A few months ago, I learned that siblings are actually more influential than parents when it comes to development. I’ve seen this play out watching my youngest learn things so quickly from his brother. It’s a challenge sometimes to find ways to nurture their relationship with each other, but reading the statistics in this Atlantic article drives home the point of how important a positive sibling relationship can be not just in childhood, but throughout our lives.
Ghostly fun photos
I’m not particularly superstitious, but I’ll admit that there’s something creepy about turning my children into ghostly figures, even when I know it’s a Photoshop trick. This is still a fun tutorial though and I think I’ll try it out with my oldest who loves all things creepy.
National Park Murder
I’m just going to keep up with the macabre Halloween theme this month. Here’s a story about the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) of the National Park Service. They investigate crimes that take place in National Parks, which apparently happen more frequently than you might imagine. The story highlights an investigation of a death in Rocky Mountain National Park. I won’t give away the details, but it’s an interesting (and sad) read that highlights the work of a part of the NPS that I didn’t even know existed.
Educate yourself (for free)
Alright, enough darkness for today. Have you heard of massive open online courses (MOOCs)? They’re awesome. Coursera is my favorite resource for them and they feature courses on everything imaginable from universities all over the world. And the best part is they’re FREE. Some of my favorites have been in the arts (this one on photography and this one in graphic design). The only downside is that the require massive self-determination to finish. Everything is online (or the smart phone app), so it’s easy to watch and read. But it’s also easy to get busy doing other stuff and stop midway through (I wouldn’t know anything about this…). Anyway, if you’re looking for something fun to learn, check them out.
Nicole Sanchez Photography works with busy parents in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland to create stress-free photo sessions that take all the loving, fun, and chaotic moments of family life to make beautiful photos and films that families will love looking at year after year. Contact me today to start planning a custom photography experience that's perfect for your family.