REPOST: We Killed Our Television. And I Have No Regrets.

In a hyper-connected society, cutting off technology may seem a little extreme, but it just might be what families need to do to build strong connections with each other. The Huffington Post shares the benefits one family are currently enjoying.

We killed our television in the living room yesterday. It happened fast. I read a study that correlated even small amounts of TV viewing with expressive speech delay (my son's recently diagnosed delay is noticeable -- he regressed from talking to "mute" at 18 months after a seizure, and is still not talking at 22 months), and I sounded the alarm. We only allowed him to watch "educational programming," but that was specifically the kind of TV mentioned in the study! Anyway, it couldn't hurt to try less TV, right? My husband took swift action. He took the TV down with a drill and buried it in a box in the garage.  

Image Source: www.makeadare.com

Since then, we have noticed about a million surprising and wonderful things.

1. It feels like we have more time. Way more time. What parent doesn't need more of that?

2. My husband and I talk to each other more and feel more connected and in love. Before, our conversations were always rushed and not very thorough. In this one weekend without TV, my husband has told me more fun stories about himself; stuff I never knew before, but always craved. We are in sync.

3. We pay better quality attention to our son.

4. Our son seems happier -- I'm sure the additional attention helps a lot. We were very attentive before, but the quality and duration of our attention could definitely suffer depending on what was happening on TV.

5. We both have plopped down in the recliner and reached reflexively for the remote at least a dozen times in the 36 hours since we packed the TV away. Neither of us had realized before how automatic this behavior had become for us.

6. When we reached for the remote but couldn't find it, we often discovered that we were actually bored, or thirsty, or tired, or craving a change of scenery.

7. Since taking the TV down, we have suddenly regained our long-lost creativity at coming up with good ways to spend our time with each other, alone or at play with our son.

8. We both have had three times the glasses of water per day that we did before -- because somehow taking down the TV got us in touch with our long-lost sense of thirst. I don't get that one either...

9. We have eaten more protein snacks to regain energy when feeling sluggish, instead of plopping into the recliner.

10. We have gone outside twice as much as before, in order to satisfy our cravings for a change of scenery.

11. My husband and I both feel much more aware of ourselves, our thinking, our bodies, each other and "in the moment."

12. My son has exponentially increased his vocalizing and word attempts since TV went bye-bye; this after five months of zero progress in the regaining speech department. The immediate results of his receiving extra, high-quality face-talk time have been truly staggering and such a blessing.

Before taking the TV down, we wouldn't have considered ourselves TV addicts. At best, I now believe we weren't being completely honest with ourselves. By unplugging the darn thing, we only then noticed how much we were abusing TV time instead of satisfying our true needs. The TV was easy and brought a false sense of satisfaction, while simultaneously causing us to unwittingly neglect many of our real needs and desires and waste valuable time in the process.

We often lamented how little time we had for keeping up with stuff around the house; however, without a TV on, we plowed through a list of household chores AND played really fun games with our very active toddler, all in half a day -- and these were chores that might have taken three or more full weekends to complete before! It felt fantastic to accomplish so much and still have plenty of time left over in our weekend for an awesome, spontaneous day trip with Grandma to the train museum and river. My son, his Grandma, my husband and I will have warm memories of the day forever! 

Image Source: www.allparentstalk.com

It has been a fascinating and rewarding experience.

I will never judge another person's beloved TV time and that is not my purpose here. In fact, we haven't gone cold turkey, and we do keep a TV in our bedroom to watch one cartoon in the morning with our son and news/funny stuff after our son goes to bed.

I hope that people won't dismiss my experience by thinking that we were some kind of crazy TV junkies turned anti-TV activists. My only hope is that some of you, who perhaps have wondered about life with less TV, might hear my sincere desire for you to experience the joy of greener pastures on this side of TV land, and might be inspired to experiment with your wonderings.

It really is awesome over here in the land of less TV. Even my husband, a super-gadgety, loves-his-screen-time-kinda-guy, has spontaneously and sincerely expressed supreme happiness and pleasant surprise at this dramatic change in our household. 

Image Source: www.thepunch.com.au

For us, this experiment wouldn't work unless the TV was completely removed from the main room of the house. Our habitual remote-grabbing would have prematurely ended the experiment -- so we had to banish the whole contraption and its accoutrements to the garage. I wasn't sure how long we'd make it, but I figured a couple days would satisfy my curiosity. I am shocked to say it, but I don't think that TV will come back anytime soon. The many wonderful surprises we have gained and deep satisfaction we feel will keep this experiment going in our household for a long time.

Happy experimenting. Or not. Whatever floats your boat, people.

Sheryl Pouls lives in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, with her two teenage daughters. More articles on parenting can be found here.

REPOST: 'Twilight' Saga leads Teen Choice Award winners

In the recent awarding of the most popular teen TV, movie, and music icons, the Twilight Saga franchise brought home the most number of awards.  Star Pulse lists the stars in each category

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II' was the big winner at last night's Teen Choice Awards, picking up seven prizes.

The final movie in the popular vampire franchise picked up the Choice Movie accolades in both the Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Romance categories, while its star Kristen Stewart took home Movie Actress in both categories. Her co-star and former boyfriend Robert Pattinson scooped Choice Movie Actor: Romance, while Taylor Lautner picked up the same prize in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section, while Kellan Lutz took home Choice Movie Scene Stealer from the fan-voted ceremony.

Image Source: www.images.starpulse.com

Elsewhere, 'Pitch Perfect' picked up three awards - which are handed out in the form of life-sized surf boards - and its star Rebel Wilson drew laughs from the crowd at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles when she accepted her Choice Movie Actress: Comedy prize in an unusual outfit.

She said: "I'm so happy I won, you guys. Or else I'd be really embarrassed wearing this wetsuit."

One Direction - who opened the show with a performance of new single 'Best Song Ever' - had a successful night, picking up Choice Music: Group, Choice Love Song for 'Little Things,' and Choice Single: Group for 'Live While We're Young'. Band member Harry Styles was also voted Choice Male Hottie and Choice Smile.

In the TV category, 'Pretty Little Liars' scooped four trophies, as did 'Glee' - with the cast paying tribute to late co-star Cory Monteith - while 'The X Factor' and 'The Vampire Diaries' were both awarded four prizes.

Special honors went to Ultimate Choice Ashton Kutcher - who joked he was picking up the "old guy award" - and Acuvue Inspire Award winner Nick Jonas.

Demi Lovato, Paramore and Florida Georgia Line with Nelly all performed at the show, which was hosted by 'Glee's Darren Criss and 'Pretty Little Liars' actress Lucy Hale.

Teen Choice Awards complete winners list:

MOVIES

Choice Movie: Action: 'Iron Man 3'

Choice Movie Actor: Action: Robert Downey, Jr., 'Iron Man 3'

Choice Movie Actress: Action: Anne Hathaway, 'The Dark Knight Rises'

Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Taylor Lautner, 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Kristen Stewart, 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Choice Movie: Drama: 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Choice Movie Actor: Drama: Logan Lerman, 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Choice Movie Actress: Drama: Emma Watson, 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Choice Movie: Comedy: 'Pitch Perfect'

Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: Skylar Astin, 'Pitch Perfect'

Choice Movie Actress: Comedy: Rebel Wilson, 'Pitch Perfect'

Choice Movie: Romance: 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Choice Movie Actor: Romance: Robert Pattinson, 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Choice Movie Actress: Romance: Kristen Stewart, 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2″

Choice Movie Villain: Adam DeVine, 'Pitch Perfect'

Choice Movie Scene Stealer: Kellan Lutz, 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Choice Movie Breakout Star: Nicholas Hoult, 'Warm Bodies'

TELEVISION

Choice TV Show: Drama: 'Pretty Little Liars'

Choice TV Actor: Drama: Ian Harding, 'Pretty Little Liars'

Choice TV Actress: Drama: Troian Bellisario, 'Pretty Little Liars'

Choice TV Show: Fantasy/Sci-Fi: 'The Vampire Diaries'

Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Ian Somerhalder, 'The Vampire Diaries'

Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Nina Dobrev, 'The Vampire Diaries'

Choice TV Show: Action: 'NCIS: Los Angeles'

Choice TV Actor: Action: LL Cool J, 'NCIS: Los Angeles'

Choice TV Actress: Action: Lucy Liu, 'Elementary'

Choice TV Show: Comedy: 'Glee'

Choice TV Actor: Comedy: Jim Parsons, 'The Big Bang Theory'

Choice TV Actress: Comedy: Lea Michele, 'Glee'

Choice TV: Animated Show: 'The Simpsons'

Choice TV: Reality Competition Show: 'The X Factor'

Choice TV: Reality Show: 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'

Choice TV Villain: Janel Parrish, 'Pretty Little Liars'

Choice TV Personality - Male: Simon Cowell, 'The X Factor'

Choice TV Personality - Female: Demi Lovato, 'The X Factor'

Choice TV Female Reality Star: The Kardashians & Jenners, 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'

Choice TV Male Reality Star: Kevin Jonas, 'Married to Jonas'

Choice TV Male Scene Stealer: Chord Overstreet, 'Glee'

Choice TV Female Scene Stealer: Miley Cyrus, 'Two and a Half Men'

Choice TV Breakout Star: Blake Jenner, 'Glee'

Choice TV Breakout Show: 'The Fosters'

MUSIC

Choice Male Artist: Justin Bieber

Choice Female Artist: Demi Lovato

Choice Music Group: One Direction

Choice R&B Artist: Bruno Mars

Choice Hip-Hop/Rap Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Choice Rock Group: Paramore

Choice Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Artist: David Guetta

Choice Male Country Artist: Hunter Hayes

Choice Female Country Artist: Taylor Swift

Choice Country Group: Lady Antebellum

Choice Country Song: 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,' Taylor Swift

Choice Single: Female Artist: 'Heart Attack,' Demi Lovato

Choice Single: Male Artist: 'Beauty And A Beat,' Justin Bieber, featuring Nicki Minaj

Choice Single: Group: 'Live While We're Young,' One Direction

Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song: 'Can't Hold Us,' Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Ray Dalton

Choice Rock Song: 'Radioactive,' Imagine Dragons

Choice Love Song: 'Little Things,' One Direction

Choice Break-Up Song: 'Come and Get It,' Selena Gomez

Choice Music Breakout Artist: Ed Sheeran

Choice Music Breakout Group: Emblem3

FASHION

Choice Style Icon: Miley Cyrus

Choice Female Hottie: Selena Gomez

Choice Male Hottie: Harry Styles

Choice Smile: Harry Styles

SPORTS

Choice Female Athlete: Gabby Douglas

Choice Male Athlete: David Beckham

OTHER

Choice Comedian: Ellen DeGeneres

Choice Web Star: Cimorelli

Choice Social Network: Twitter

Candie's Choice Style Icon: Demi Lovato

Choice Twitter Personality: Justin Bieber

Ultimate Choice Award: Ashton Kutcher

Acuvue Inspire Award: Nick Jonas

Sheryl Pouls' children got their love for music and movies from their mother.  A philanthropist based in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, Sheryl continues to build a family with a strong appreciation toward culture and the arts.  Visit this Facebook page for more of this busy mom's interests.

The Scooby Connection: AT40 and its creator with a thousand voices

Image Source: scoobydoo.wikia.com

What does American Top 40, an internationally recognized radio countdown show, and the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon Scooby Doo have in common?

Casey Kasem, that’s who.

Image Source: time.com

Radio personality Casey Kasem is one of the co-creators of American Top 40, which began as an independent project based on the top songs listed by Billboard (and later, Radio and Records). He had hosted the radio show since its inception in 1970 until 1988 and returned to host it ten years later. He acted as host until 2003, continuing to co-host with Ryan Seacrest and AT40’s spin off show, Top 10, until his retirement in 2009.

Image Source: kool.cbslocal.com

In his storied career as a radio presenter, he also became a noted activist for the rights of Arab-Americans (of Arab Lebanese descent himself) and had appropriated his vocal talents for other productions. While he has made several television and advertising appearances, the most notable of his non-radio work is that of a voice actor for animated programs, most of them from Hanna-Barbera. He lent his versatile voice to Scooby Doo’s best friend Norville “Shaggy” Rogers—a role that he reprised for decades. He had a huge influence on how the character was portrayed and, to have him return to the role, executives have agreed to portray Shaggy as a vegetarian to reflect Kasem’s real life commitment to veganism.


His legacy as the definitive voice of Shaggy Rogers was so great that he continued to guest star in more recent incarnations of Scooby Doo, often as relatives of his primary character.


A mother to two teenagers, Sheryl Pouls is an avid fan of Top 40 music. Visit this blog for more updates about her interests.

A mother's love: Braving the storm

Their photo was one of the most haunting images in the wake of the deadly tornado that barreled through Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20. Associated Press photographer Sue Ogrocki captured LaTisha Garcia carrying her 8-year-old daughter Jazmin Rodriguez away from tons of rubble of what used to be her daughter’s school, Plaza Towers Elementary School.

Image source: huffingtonpost.com

It was an image filled with so many emotions: mother and daughter, holding on to each other as they make their way to safety through a devastated neighborhood. It was a run for survival. It was a journey any mother will not hesitate taking for her child.

“It was a long way toward the end of the parking lot,” Garcia told AP. “And she’s a heavy girl. There were times I didn’t think I was going to make it. But I did.”

Image source: nydailynews.com

Any mother will understand why Garcia braved the massive tornado just to get to her daughter. As Dame Agatha Christie once wrote, “A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

The photo of Garcia and her daughter is considered one of the most enduring images of the storm. But for Jazmin, it will serve as a beautiful reminder of what her mother will do for her. “I know she’s always [be] there for me.”

Image source: nydailynews.com

Sheryl Pouls is a mother to two teenage daughters, Samantha and Amanda. More thoughts about parenting and motherhood are available at this Twitter account.

REPOST: Why Teach Philanthropy -- and How?

Elizabeth Marquardt ponders on the idea of teaching philanthropy in schools. Although The Huffington Post contributor has misgivings about the study of philanthropy in higher education, she hopes that students who were taught “the principles of giving and serving humanity will find new ways to improve our nation, and make us proud.”

Reading, writing, 'rithmetic... and philanthropy?

Granted, philanthropy is not the first topic that comes to mind when thinking about standard offerings at liberal arts colleges. But increasingly, students studying humanities, social or hard sciences, or business can learn about philanthropy, and it's easy to see why. Philanthropy represents annually an approximately 300 billion dollar sector of the American economy. Americans appear uniquely to value civil society responses to social problems, contributing generously through philanthropic means of their time, talent, and especially, treasure. As observers since de Tocqueville have discovered, when Americans identify a concern their instinct seems to be to form a little group, raise some money, and make things better. In today's lingo it's sometimes called "social entrepreneurship." But the term philanthropy, the Greek for "love of humanity," continues best to capture the pro-social, virtuous thrust of the practice of giving and giving well.

And, like any virtue, philanthropy can be learned. In his recent book, Philanthropy and Fundraising in American Higher Education, University of Maryland professor Noah D. Drezner summarizes some of the research on how seeing one's parents give can influence later giving and altruistic behaviors in children. For example:

...Bentley and Nissan (1996) explored how primary school students learn philanthropy and altruistic behavior. The study suggests that witnessing an influential adult (parent or guardian, teacher, religious or youth organization leader) engage in acts of philanthropy is most effective in passing along the importance of helping others. Schervish and Havens (1997), using the 1992 Survey of Giving and Volunteering in the United States, found that witnessing at least one parent or guardian engage in volunteer work, watching a family member help others, or being the recipient of help while young was associated with higher levels of giving as an adult. Hunt (1990) referred to it as "modeling theory." This teachable moment is intensified when it is coupled with a discussion about the importance of such actions (Bar-Tal, 1976; Bentley and Nissan, 1996). (p. 59)

If giving is teachable, then the college years represent a tremendous opportunity to instill such behaviors in the next generation -- and the need is arguably greater than ever. In the future, all of us are going to have to be more savvy about philanthropy. As taxpayers are increasingly less willing to fund public giving, everyone in the non-profit world has to get out, beat the bushes, and make the case for why we are deserving of funds. As globalization ramps up competition, many of us are now competing with the best from around the world. Finally, the rise in social media fuels a need for us to be vivid, authentic tellers of our own story. The key to successful philanthropy is story, that is, understanding and telling the story of what the problem is, why the giver is the best leader to respond to the problem, and why the recipient is the best candidate for solving the problem on the ground.

Earlier this month, the first national school for philanthropy -- at Indiana University -- was renamed in honor of the Lilly family and the Lilly Endowment, a leading American foundation that was established 75 years ago. But another, less well-known foundation has also been propelling the study of philanthropy in higher education into the news: the Once Upon a Time Foundation. As the Yale Daily News reported, the Forth Worth, Texas foundation has been approaching professors at elite universities and providing 50-100,000 dollars for students to give away to charities of their choice. Professors at Harvard, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, Yale, Stanford, University of Texas, University of Virginia, Princeton and elsewhere have incorporated the philanthropic activity of students into their class syllabi, using foundation funds to equip their students to learn how to give money away.

When I recently stumbled upon articles about these activities, I thought I was misreading. I had assumed that students in a class about philanthropy would be, well, learning how to get some philanthropy! I had imagined that, in addition to learning the history, theory, and social science of philanthropy, students might also study practical skills such as grant writing, foundation and prospect research, how to make a three minute pitch to a potential donor, or even the timeless and endangered art of writing a handwritten thank-you note.

After all, the likelihood that today's college students will become philanthropists any time soon is slim. Unless their families have already established foundations, or they get a rare, coveted job in the foundation world, and especially given increasing economic inequality and concentration of wealth, it's far more likely that in the near future today's students will be grant seekers rather than grant givers. And, there is something about college students giving away money they have not earned that seems a little, well, offensive. Giving away your own money, which you have often earned through sweat, risk, long hours, and sacrifices of other interests you might wish to have pursued (such as being with your family, or having more leisure), is much harder than giving away money someone has handed to you. What, realistically, are these students learning?

Time will tell. Perhaps, like the student-led "Pennies for Patients" campaign at my children's elementary school, graduating seniors who have studied philanthropy will find creative ways to pool even limited resources to bring about social change. Perhaps they will be like the Binghamton University graduates who this month won 10,000 dollars and gave it to a community health program they learned about when taking professor David Campbell's "Philanthropy in Civil Society" course. Or, perhaps they'll become disgruntled, stymied, would-be philanthropists, wondering why after slaving forty hours in a cubicle no one is giving them free money so they can be lauded leaders in their communities.

I am willing to believe that my skepticism is for naught. I am more than willing to believe that today's students, taught the principles of giving and serving humanity, and even given a chance to take those principles out for a spin thanks to the generosity of a Texas-based foundation, will find new ways to improve our nation, surprise us, and make us proud.


Sheryl Pouls is a mother and philanthropist living in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. Subscribe to this Facebook page for more updates on giving and philanthropy.

Before ‘Gatsby’: Leonardo DiCaprio and his philanthropy

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

There are tons of reasons why everybody should be excited about the filmization of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby despite it having been made into a film for four times. First off, it's the newest film version since David Merrick's 1974 failed attempt to give life to Jay Gatsby; secondly, it was directed by the conscientious filmmaker behind The Red Curtain Trilogy, Baz Luhrmann; and lastly—or more importantly—inasmuch as it is the much-awaited quick comeback of Leonardo DiCaprio from the just recently premiered Django Unchained.

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

But before Gatsby, along with reading the Lost Generation's foremost member's novel, knowing the guy who characterized from book to celluloid the self-made American teenager Jay Gatsby a little bit deeper is a good start in understanding and scrutinizing his anticipated performance.

Image source: leonardodicaprio.com

Off-screen, DiCaprio’s life is opposite to that of Gatsby. He's not linked to any form of prohibition, and he uses his money for matters productive and charitable—he is a philanthropist. His humanitarian endeavors are like a vast expanse of good works, for he is involved with many causes such as anti-AIDS campaign, environmental activism, and human rights and anti-poverty crusade, et al.
And having knowledge of his philanthropy is important, for he is known for accepting roles that are close to his heart, characters who have the capacity to deliver a positive message.

Sheryl Pouls is a philanthropist residing in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. This Facebook page offers updates on charity and philanthropy.

How Nika Kljun killed it in The X Factor

A particularly enticing episode of The X Factor involves the casting of a handful of elite dancers from the world over. A not-so-surprising standout was Nika Kljun, the object of most appreciative praise in the comments section of the viral video of the auditions.

Image Source: musicianstogether.com

Clad in a loose cropped shirt, a fringed skirt, and killer heels, the Slovenian dancer/choreographer edged out the competition with striking accents to her dance and high-energy moves that washed out her fellow dancers into an inconsequential chorus. Her flowing platinum blond hair was tossed to the beat, proving that, as a professional dancer, every bit of her dances.

Image Source: revijaok.si

Auditioning for The X Factor may be superfluous by the standards of her personal success. Dancers are often painted to the background of high-wattage performances. They are supporting roles next to Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, or Madonna. Kljun, however, became famous for her dancing. She has been dancing since the tender age of three, picking up the fish-in-water feel of the craft from her parents’ dance school in her hometown. Her range is defined by a lifetime of exposure --- ballroom, Latin, jazz, and tap all culminated in a good kinesthetic feel for hiphop and other modern dances.

Image Source: siol.net

The global turn of her fame is attributed to her endorsement of Nike, icing on her weightier stints in shows such as The X Factor and Dancing with the Stars. She has also worked with best-selling artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Pitbull, and T-Pain.

Sheryl Pouls is a mother of two who is also a devoted fan of The X Factor. Learn more about her favorite TV series through this Twitter page.