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Do you remember Liberty Mutual’s commercials based on the concept of “pay-it-forward” - someone who sees another person participating in an act of kindness and is inspired to do the same for a stranger? Not surprisingly, Liberty Mutual received an overwhelming reaction from viewers. In response they created an entire website called The Responsibility Project. It’s a wonderful resource for parents to help them talk with their kids about personal responsibility in a meaningful way.

It’s also a social networking site. You can create a profile, save your favorite films and blog posts in one place, and share your own responsibility story.

My responsibility story

Teaching children responsibility is tough especially when it doesn’t come naturally to your child.

I’ll never forget the time that Nathan came back visiting from the neighborhood school playground with his grandmother. He couldn’t wait to show me the treasure that he found. Was it a cool rock or a pretty wild flower? No, it was a three-ring binder filled with dozen of pages manga-style cartoons that some grade schooler had patiently drawn. Nathan brought it home thinking that he could keep it.

“Nathan, that belongs to someone else, someone who spent a lot of time drawing those cartoons,” I explained. “It’s not something to keep. It doesn’t belong to you. If you don’t return it, they’ll be very sad that they lost it.”

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Even though I was bookworm, as a child I spent time outside. I walked to and from school. I explored my town by bicycle. I also played in the backyard, catching fireflies at night, digging for rocks, or playing on our swing set.

Zoom ahead almost 40 years later and my children are driven to a school over three miles away. Our backyard is boring compared to a fast food restaurant play land or the play area at the local indoor mall. TV and computers beckon, too.

We try to find ways to get them outdoors. In the summer, they help mow and gather berries and vegetables in the garden. We go camping and fishing in the Colorado mountains. My husband also takes our children hiking in our national park.

The National Wildlife Federation (those nice people who bring children those Ranger Rick, Your Big Backyard, and Wild Animal Baby magazines) recommends that parents give their kids a “green hour” everyday - time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world in a garden,  backyard, or park. To support this they’ve developed the Green Hour website rich in family-friendly content that hosts a supportive virtual community where families can learn, explore, and share their outdoor experiences and backyard adventures.

What’s going on at the Green Hour?

The first thing you should do at the Green Hour site so you can participate in their Member Spaces and Community Corner. Afterwards, subscribe to the Green Hour® e-Newsletter. The last issue I received featured 7 Ways to Spread the Green Hour Message from the Green Hour Blog.

The site also features a Parents’ Guide to help you find the best ways to make Green Hour work for you. It includes tips like discover nature together and be prepared by packing an explorer’s kit.

The Green Hour also features a link to NatureFind – just plug in your zip code or city and state to locate the green spaces in your neighborhood. I did and it gave me nearby state parks, museums and nature centers. Very cool! Finally, there are seasonal activity suggestions like Ice Sculptures or a Lazy, Hazy Reading Day.

Isn’t it time for you and your family to take a Green Hour?

I found out this morning that My Readable Feast is the featured blog on TodaysMama this week.

What’s TodaysMama? Well, it’s a social networking site for moms that provides personal, professional and parenting resources designed to foster a greater sense of identity, empowerment and connection for women and mothers everywhere.

The site also provides exclusive columns, features and tips in its Expand Your Perspective section from established authors and experts. Mamas share aspirations and find inspiration on the site’s Dream Big section, and groove and sway to the music on the site’s MamasMix.

So if you’re stopping by, welcome!

And if you’re looking for some summer activities and book ideas, here are a few places to start:

If you have older kids who enjoy social networking sites like MySpace but who also like to cook, check out Yummr, an online social networking community of people who are passionate about food and cooking, and want to share food-related experiences, recipes, reviews, photos, and videos.

You have to be over 13 to join Yummr, however. (If your child isn’t, make joining and participation a family activity! Or you could do it on your own.) Yummr allows members to create their own foodie profiles complete with blogs, photos, galleries, and friends.

This week I have a challenge activity up at Yummr called Mommy Knows Best:

Preparing a fun and kid-friendly meal can be tough sometimes especially if you’ve got some little picky eaters on your hands. Do you know of some great snacks or recipes that are great hits with the kids?
Share your recipes and photos in this challenge inspired by member AMNichols‘ blog, My Readable Feast and This Mama Cooks! On a Diet, where she provides great healthy eating ideas for the whole family!

Join Yummr and meet me over at the Mommy Knows Best challenge to submit your recipes, tips and ideas. See you there!