Persistence Ain’t Easy

Well, I have a few updates on the invention/product development front.

Before I start, though, let me just say that I am so FRUSTRATED when I see products coming out that were launched AFTER I started all of my work on the sink mat.  Mostly I’m frustrated at myself…but frustrated all the same.

I think I might have mentioned that I lost (literally) 6 months with my initial designer/molder (what a nightmare.)  So that set me back.  I guess these delays aren’t entirely my fault, and I’m not sure what I could have done differently…but this has all been a great learning process for me.. ..so I guess I can’t complain.  (Well, I CAN complain, but I’m not sure it will do me much good.)
Anyway, fast forward (like, a year) and I FINALLY now have folks that seem to know what they are doing and are helping me, but it took forever to get here….and I’m still not “there” yet.

But I guess “here” is a good place to be, considering I was “nowhere” just a short time ago.

Anyway — a few updates: there was some movement on the patent application this week.  Apparently the patent examiner raised a few “objections” and questions which my patent attorney thinks can be overcome.  So we’ll file a response and see what happens.

And it took “just” 14 months for them to look at the application.  We filed AFTER this new “expedited” process (12 months) but still pretty quick when you figure some folks were waiting 3, 4 years on their applications.

Also — did I mention I’m thrilled with this new molder?  We had some sample runs, and are troubleshooting like crazy.  I love people who think/work like I do…let’s just GET IT DONE.

More soon!
Today’s Baby O’Blog Word:  PERSISTENCE!

A Crash Course in Preschool

Well, we started looking into preschools for Owen. He’s only 2, but he’ll be 3 soon, and I thought it might be nice for him to be able to go to “school” in the fall, if only for 5 hours a week.

The prices, of course, run the gammut — from $8K for a private preschool for the year to $60/month or so at a local cooperative preschool (where the parents chip in and help.) I love the stuff from some of these private preschools where the 3 year olds are taking a curriculum rich in art, music and French (Yes, FRENCH!). Talk about pressure.

Its a mystery to me how anyone from my generation got as far as they did without preschool. There was no preschool back then (at least, none that any of us attended!) At 5 years old (or in my case, 4) you started kindergarten and that’s where you learned your letters, numbers, and how to navigate the social world. I have friends who are doctors, lawyers, college deans and accountants.

How the heck did they do it without preschool I wonder???

I will say this, though — the curriculum in kindergarten and first grade has changed dramatically since the 60’s and 70’s and you probably do need a little help just to get started (at the ripe old age of 5) and not find yourself behind your classmates. Apparently now the 5 and 6 year old set are studying things like probability, quantum physics and algebra.

(Well, maybe not the physics and algebra stuff…but I have it on good authority that some kindergarteners and first graders are learning about probability.) As in: What is the probability you’ll end up being a doctor if you never went to preschool?

There’s an interesting article on CNN.COM today about this:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/03/14/paying.for.pre.kindergarden.ap/index.html

And here in NYState our new governor is advocating preschool “for all” (but who is going to pay for it? That’s the question!)

Ah well….Owen will likely end up doing SOMETHING in the fall — if only to give me a break and get him out of the house (the real motivation, if you must know the truth.) If he learns something, great. If he has more fun at recess — even better (see my earlier blog entry about letting your kids just PLAY!)

My 2 cents.

Today’s Baby O’Blog Quote: “I have a rock in my nose.” — 2 year old son, greeting his mother after preschool, a full hour after recess was over.