Dan's Papers - August 8, 2008

First, the peace of mind segment. In Judith Viorst's now 10-year-old book, Necessary Losses, the author enumerates the many rites of passage that we undergo in order to grow and hopefully mature. As a childless, single person when the book was released, it all sounded very rational and reasonable to me. But now, with a 5-year old, I just don't see the need for all that separation mumbo-jumbo. And as our son gets older, we've realized that the separation anxiety is experienced not by him, but by us.

The first time I left the apartment in New York with our infant son in a carriage - my maiden voyage on a walk alone with him - my partner cried. When we dropped him off to pre-K 3 for the first time, there was still more crying - mine. Every new milestone is a reason for great celebration and tremendous histrionics. We've already fast forwarded to his college years. We've decided he can go wherever he likes. We're sure we'll find a nice house right nearby.

But here we are at his new milestones, 8:30-3:00 kindergarten in the fall, and for now, camp. Since this is his second summer, camp isn't as scary for us. But when we found out that they had taken the kids to a baseball field ON A BUS, we were on the verge of reporting the camp organizers to the police, better business bureau and FBI.

Okay, so we're a little overprotective. And if you are too, I'll pass on a product I just learned about: Camper Alert Bracelets. Waterproof and dare I say stylish, they're modeled like the simple rubber bands kids (and adults) are wearing on wrists and ankles, but have a happy face engraved on the front of a small steel plate, and information (parent's name, phone number) engraved on the back. So in case the little lamb strays from the fold, he can be safely returned.

Personally, as paranoid as I am, I don't go for these kinds of things. I think they put a danger vibe into the universe (okay, so I've watched "The Secret" too many times). But if you feel the need, go to hopepaige.com.

And now, things to do for fun. Next week, there are two wildly different children's events happening. On Wednesday at 6:30 (go at 6:00 and bring your own picnic), CMEE presents Javanese puppets and Balinese Dancers. "Tamara and the Shadow Theatre of Java" is a multimedia production of puppet plays where "Indonesian folk tales of forest spirits, animal tricksters and amazing adventures spring to life." The second part is "Dharma Swara" - young Balinese dancers perform the Barong Dragon Dance, Warrior Dance and Legong Dance of Beauty. For tickets: (631) 537-8250 or cmee.org.

On Thursday the 14th, for the Hanna Montana addicts, Bay Street presents the 'tween girl band, Girl Authority - 9 girls who've been performing together in musical theatre singing tunes like "The Loco-Motion" and "Car Wash, and "Walking on Sunshine." It's recommended for ages 8-12. For tickets: 631-725-9500 or www.baystreet.org.