Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Why Failure May Be the Best Summer Lesson

growingupsc — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:34:54 +0000

Success is often the culmination of lessons learned from failure. Back in my early 20s, I opened an environmental fundraising company that quickly lost $100,000 in six months. Devastated and unsure what to do next, I visited my Uncle Frank for advice. Uncle Frank was the first manufacturer of imitation crab in the United States. By the time I sat down with him, he had started 50 corporations. To prove it, he pulled out a thick binder and turned the pages one by one. As we looked through the binder, he explained why 46 of those businesses had failed. Then he told me about the four that were extremely successful. Their success, he said, was the direct result of what he had learned from every one of those 46 failures. That meeting changed the trajectory of my life. Instead of beating myself up for losing $100,000, I began to marvel at what I had learned about luck, timing, resilience, and persistence. Uncle Frank told me to hang on to my dreams and goals. Even if I failed or fell short, I would still be better off than I was before I started. He also told me not to worry too much about what others think or say. The difference between success and failure—or being called a genius or an idiot—is often paper-thin. As a college advisor, I guide students to find their special niche: a talent, interest, or passion that may lead them to a career where they can thrive, wake up excited to work each day, and eventually live the lifestyle they hope to build. We explore the many problems facing our society—climate change, civil rights, poverty, food safety, education, technology, health care—to see what sparks their interest. Where might this student focus their energy? What problem could they help solve, or at least improve? Most students ages 14 to 18 do not yet have the expertise or know-how to launch ambitious projects on their own. That is why I connect them with specialists and mentors who can help build their foundation and give them step-by-step instruction. But even with support, the mistakes and setbacks are theirs to experience. That is an essential part of the process. With each setback, students begin to understand firsthand what went wrong. They learn to research solutions, ask better questions, adjust their plans, and try again. They learn how to brush off their knees after a fall and find a new way to accomplish their goals. These are the kinds of lessons that cannot be taught through lectures or worksheets. They have to be lived. Unfortunately, some parents step in and do the work for their children. They think they are helping by speeding up the process, especially when their kids are already juggling school, sports, music, volunteering, and other extracurricular activities. But when parents take over, they rob their children of the opportunity to struggle, problem-solve, and grow. One parent actually took his son’s project to India and had a team of engineers build it. When he returned home with the completed project, his son was humiliated. The unspoken message he received was that his father did not believe he was capable of doing it himself. The damage was heartbreaking. The son decided not to apply to college and lost much of his entrepreneurial ambition. On the other hand, I have seen obstacles help students become more confident, capable, and self-assured. When they work through problems themselves, they begin to trust their own judgment. They become more critical thinkers because they have learned from their mistakes. They are not devastated by every challenge because they know challenges are part of the process. College, careers, relationships, and life itself will inevitably be filled with problems, disappointments, and even crises. Students who have learned how to overcome obstacles will be better prepared to handle them. They will be more resilient because they have already practiced resilience. But students whose parents do their work for them—or whose teachers give them shortcuts and cheat sheets so they can memorize facts without truly understanding concepts—may struggle when life demands original thinking, discipline, and perseverance. Without the experience of working through failure, they may become stressed, dependent, and unsure of themselves. So as you plan your children’s summer and school-year extracurriculars, give them the opportunity to try many things, even if those activities seem over their heads or possibly insignificant. Let them experiment. Let them make mistakes. Let them be frustrated. Let them discover what they care about and what they are willing to work hard to achieve. Remember Uncle Frank. He learned from every one of his 46 failures before he had the wisdom, experience, and confidence to build four successful companies. Failure did not define him. It trained him. And it may be one of the most valuable gifts we can allow our children to experience.

The post Why Failure May Be the Best Summer Lesson first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

The 20-Minute Stroller Workout

Monica Menard — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:15:07 +0000

The 20-Minute Stroller Workout By Monica Menard B.A. Certified Personal Trainer and Prenatal Postpartum Specialist These moves prepare you for the demands of motherhood and are postpartum safe. Both should be primary goals for all mothers and caretakers. Your fit-mom body will follow if done consistently. WARM-UP (4-5 min approx.) Brisk walk with arm circles: 1 min Straight-Backed Stroller Pushes: 5-10 reps o Stand with feet shoulder-width apart holding stroller handle bar. o Inhale as you push stroller forward and lower your torso down to parallel with the ground (keeping your back flat!). Exhale to bring back to start. Walking Lunges: 12-16 reps (6-8 reps each leg) o Holding stroller handle bar, inhale as you step forward into a lunge, exhale as you stand and bring the other leg forward. Continue alternating legs, making sure your front knee stays over your ankle and NOT your toe. Stepping side squats: 8-10 reps each leg o Stand with your right side facing stroller, right hand on the stroller. o Inhale as you step to the right into a squat, pushing stroller forward with right hand and reaching left hand to the ground–or to your knee. Exhale as you step left leg to standing and reach left arm overhead. o Do 8-10 reps on one side, then turn the other way and place the opposite hand on the stroller (keep traveling same direction) to do the other leg. Baby lifts (15 reps or 30 seconds) Using baby (or a 5-8lb weight) stand tall holding your baby in front of you at chest height. Extend arms straight and upward at a 45 degree angle lifting baby to the sky. Do this for 30 seconds. Be sure to exhale when baby is being lifted up and out. Slow/Fast Drill: 2-minutes o Finish your workout with a bit of cardio by alternating 30 sec at your own “moderate pace” (maybe that’s a walk, power walk, jog, etc) and then 30 seconds at your own “fast pace” (maybe that’s a faster walk, jog, or all out sprint!). Do this 2 times each for 1 min rounds (or longer if you want a bit more cardio!). CIRCUIT 1 – LOWER BODY & CORE (10 Minutes) Perform each of the exercises below for 1 minute. Then repeat the entire circuit once more (resting 30-60 sec in between if you need it). When you’re not using the stroller for a drill, make sure it’s locked beside you. Plie Pulse & Roll o Stand facing stroller holding handle bar with your feet wide and toes pointed 45-degrees. o Inhale as you sit into a plie squat and push stroller forward. Pulse about 10 times (very small movement), then stand back up, pulling the shoulder-blades down and back. Repeat for 1 minute. Bench Step-Ups (1 min each leg, 2 min total) o Stand facing a bench. Inhale and place your right foot onto the middle part of the bench, then exhale and push up on that right leg to stand up on the bench, bringing your left leg to meet it. o Inhale as you step back down with your left leg, bringing your right leg to meet it on the ground. o Repeat this for 1 minute: Step up right, left. Step down left, right. Then switch sides for 1 minute. Inclined Plank with Knee Lifts o Place a towel on the bench (for cushion) and place your forearms on the towel. o Bring yourself into a plank/pushup position with your navel drawn into your spine, your glute muscles engaged, and your head in line with your spine. o Take an inhale, then on the exhale bring one knee into your chest (drawing your navel in further). Then inhale to place the leg back on the ground. Exhale and bring the opposite knee into your chest. Continue alternating knees for 1 minute. Squat with Side Leg Lift o Stand with hands on handle bars and feet shoulder-width apart. o Inhale to lower down into squat, exhale to stand as you lift one leg to the side with your foot flexed and your knees and toes pointed forward (not up). o Inhale to lower back down into squat, then exhale and lift the opposite leg. Continue for 1 min, switching legs each rep. CIRCUIT 2 – UPPER BODY AND CORE (9 min) Perform each exercise below for 45 seconds. Then repeat the entire series once more (resting 30-60 seconds in between if needed). Lock the stroller next to you so your baby can watch and be somewhat entertained! Bench Pushups o Place your hands on the top of the bench and start in a perfect plank (navel drawn into spine, glutes engaged, head in line with your spine). Inhale and lower your chest toward the bench (aiming to touch the bench). o Exhale and push back up to start. Continue for 45 seconds, making sure to prioritize working through a full range of motion (getting your chest as low as possible) over speed and getting in more reps! Incling your push -up is a great modification for safe core work with an ab-seperation. Standing Rows o Loop a resistance band around the top rung of the bench. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart facing the bench. Grab the ends of the bands and wrap them once or twice around your wrists. o Begin by inhaling and extending your arms in front of you. Then exhale and perform a narrow arm row – keeping your elbows down by your sides and squeezing your shoulder blades together in the back as if trying to make them touch. Inhale and extend your arms back to start. o On your next exhale, row again, but this time make it a wide row with your elbows pointed out about 45 degrees. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and ensure your elbows stay lower than your shoulders. Continue rowing for 45 seconds (or longer if you wish), alternating between narrow and wide rows. Triceps Dips o Sit on bench and position hands on bench, shoulder-width apart and elbows pointing straight back. Slide your butt just slightly off bench with knees bent at 90-degrees. o Inhale as you slowly bend your elbows and lower down, then exhale to push back up (being sure not to completely lock elbows when you press up). Continue lowering and lifting for 45 seconds, making sure your butt stays close to the bench! If it’s too far away, this places, excess stress on your shoulders. Side Planks (45 seconds each side, 1.5 min total) Great for considering ab separation but needing to strengthen the core. o Place a towel on the bench for cushion and place your right forearm on the bench. o Go into a perfect side plank, making your body as straight as a board (navel drawn into your spine, glutes engaged, head in line with your spine), and hold. Hold for up to 45 sec (or as long as you can with good form), then switch to the other side. Plank with side Toe Taps: o Start in the same forearm plank you did in circuit 1 with your navel drawn into your spine, your glutes engaged, and your head in line with your spine. Dont hold your breath! o Separate your right foot from center and tapping your right toe on the ground to the side, alternate legs tapping left leg to the side. Continue alternating toe taps for 1 minute. Happy workout! Your Trainer, Monica Scan to go to my website and grab a freebie Please mention this article for a free consultation. *What is written here is intended solely for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of your doctor.

The post The 20-Minute Stroller Workout first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Wood You Believe It? The Wild Ride of the Woody

growingupsc — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:11:51 +0000

Explore the history of the classic 'woody' station wagon, from its practical beginnings to its iconic status in California's surf culture and the Woodies on the Wharf event.

The post Wood You Believe It? The Wild Ride of the Woody first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Rooted in Connection This Summer

Tovah Petra Kolodinski — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:10:44 +0000

Summer offers a unique opportunity for families to slow down and reconnect through nervous system regulation and emotionally safe parenting strategies.

The post Rooted in Connection This Summer first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Positive Discipline for Caregivers of Older Adults

growingupsc — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:09:10 +0000

Learn how Positive Discipline and person-centered care provide essential support and dignity for caregivers of older adults in an aging society.

The post Positive Discipline for Caregivers of Older Adults first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

What a Lemonade Stand Teaches Kids About Money

Bay Federal Credit Union — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:06:23 +0000

A lemonade stand may look like a folding table, a paper sign, and a pitcher of something slightly too sweet. But to a kid, it can feel like opening their very first business. First Comes the Plan How many lemons? How many cups? Do we need ice? Then Comes the Big Pricing Decision Is a cup 50 cents? One dollar? “Free for grandparents?” Kids quickly learn that choices matter, and that supplies do not magically appear. Next Comes the Work Making the lemonade, setting up the table, waving at neighbors, counting coins, and not drinking all the product before the first customer arrives. Deciding What to Do With the Earnings And finally, the best part: spend a little, save a little, or share a little with someone else. A lemonade stand is a small summer project with surprisingly big lessons: planning, patience, confidence, responsibility, and the joy of earning something yourself. It might be sticky. It might attract ants. The sign might fall over. But it is also a sweet way for kids to learn that money has meaning, effort has value, and sometimes the best lessons come one cup at a time.

The post What a Lemonade Stand Teaches Kids About Money first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Local Dads Say Time Together Matters Most

Malia Fort — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:36:45 +0000

Local dads share their favorite fatherhood memories, plus how a simple lemonade stand can teach children valuable lessons about planning, work, and money management.

The post Local Dads Say Time Together Matters Most first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

A Fish, A Moon, and the ‘Others’

growingupsc — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:34:15 +0000

John Louis Koenig reviews three exceptional children's books that entertain and educate: 'This Is Not My Hat,' 'Moon,' and 'Others.'

The post A Fish, A Moon, and the ‘Others’ first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Drawn2Art Celebrates 40 Years

growingupsc — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:32:54 +0000

Drawn2Art celebrates 40 years of teaching realistic drawing and painting to students of all ages, with local studios in Los Gatos and Aptos offering year-round classes and summer camps.

The post Drawn2Art Celebrates 40 Years first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

The Dog Days of Summer

growingupsc — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:29:10 +0000

Sheila Borgman shares the joy of family volunteering at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and how you can support local animals through fostering and fundraising.

The post The Dog Days of Summer first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.