Thanks from Now and Then - November 24, 2021 | What’s happening in San Diego <

Thanks from Now and Then

November 24, 2021

Debra Ross

It's often said that parenting is a "thankless" job. In one sense, that's undeniably true, because it will likely be many years before the young humans you're raising—the ones who actually have a stake in the outcome of the excellent job you're doing—are in a position to thank you. So you don't hear that phrase often during the first couple of decades of parenthood.

My fervent wish for the future is to live in a world filled with engaged, culturally literate, productive, happy people. This means that what I said above isn't precisely accurate: It's not only your kids who have a stake in your parenting success, we ALL do, and the path to that future starts NOW for the young people in your orbit. So I'm grateful that you care about getting them "out and about" to the wide variety of experiences available in your community: It will make all the difference.

Our job here at KidsOutAndAbout.com is to help you do that as easily as possible. In 2001, I created the original version of this web platform that now connects 8.3 million people each year with their area's activities and resources. My team gets to see it all up-close and personal as local businesses post to KidsOutAndAbout through their free listings, and then we get to turn around and shout about them to y'all, bringing your community closer to you.

So I want to step in for the rest of the world that's not (yet) thanking you, and say it to you today: Thank you so much for what you're doing. Raising kids is hard in any era, but no one could have anticipated all the roadblocks that a pandemic would toss onto our path.

As anyone who knows me knows, I'm endlessly looking for reasons to celebrate. So today, I'm celebrating YOU with my digital megaphone and pom-poms. You're doing a great job. Future Deb sends her thanks, too.

Deb