Hey Rob, So many valid points here. For more reasons than we can count, we need to get kids reconnected with nature and spending time outdoors. I came across this video a while back and thought it was pretty neat - it is more than possible to educate children in the outdoors - on a daily basis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIi1WkFhGvc Jane

Hi Doug - Accountability very much starts with ourselves. This can be hard to do alone. Having a coach in place or an informal group of colleagues that you trust can go a long way toward helping with this. Getting a perspective from the outside can help on so many levels. Thanks for writing about the work you are doing in this area. I know you are going to find your experience to be beneficial.

Adam, I love seeing your pictures and writing. Keep up the good work! Love Mom

Totally agree! Rob check out Audioboo or Spreaker - both would work well for you.

Rob, This is such a touching post. You are such a special person and one that I have learned so much from. You were one of the first people I connected with on PEI and you helped me in more ways that I can explain. You have also been such a mentor to me in terms of pushing myself outside of comfort zones, building relationships, blogging, thinking about my own health, where food comes from and the power of online connections, collaboration and nurturing networks. There is a part of me that is so sad to know you won't be on the Island any longer; however there is a bigger part of me that has immense gratitude to you for all that you have done to create networks, build relationships and make things happen on PEI that truly matter. I thank you for that. I wish you all the best as you move closer to your family and find even more time to play. I so hope that you will keep blogging and that you will continue to share your experiences and your journey during this next phase of life. Huge hugs to you and Robin. Thank you for being the most wonderful people that you are. Much love to you both. Jane

Hi I just came across your blog thanks to @omaniblog and am really enjoying your posts. I love this idea, living in the Vancouver area there are decreasing numbers of places for children to play safely outside. Of course there are parks etc, however often these are a car ride away. In recent years, I think that cities are planning better and that more attention is being paid to the sense of community that can come from making neighbourhoods more child/family friendly. Years ago we visited Prince Edward Island and what we noticed right away was that in many communities the children did play on the streets and ran from house to house. It was the sense of community that I remembered as a child, but certainly not what my own children were experiencing in their lives by living in the Vancouver area. Since then, we have been very drawn to that side of Canada - as the feeling of community is quite different there. Thanks so much. Happy to have connected with you.

I have not been part of a bank for a very, very long time. Here is the ad for my local credit union...it is exactly why I am a credit union member. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVRDTE4lfkc&list=PL0DA4087C2CD0999D&feature=plcp&context=C3957575FDOEgsToPDskKOym5F_AS53e73fvnXs429

I am really glad that Gabe left the comment that he did. I understand your concerns Rob. As I'm sure you know, this is something that many in the blogging world having been struggling with for years. I have seen many bloggers (not just Mommy Bloggers) who have transitioned from having no advertising, no affiliate links and no product sponsorships on their blog to having it all. In many cases, these bloggers have felt the need to tell their audiences they were sorry for "selling out". Personally, I believe that a balance can be achieved in a way that aligns a bloggers voice with products/services etc. The reality is that some people can come to earn income off of their blogs and they can do this in a responsible manner. Just because one chooses to incorporate a business element into their blog doesn't mean they have sold their soul. Like in any small business, there is a way to build community, credibility and trust. For me it all comes down to values. If I believe that a blogger has values that they hold true to, that their blogging voice aligns with those values and that they will not just sell me stuff for the sake of selling; then I have no issue with them partnering with products or services within their blog.

Thanks AJ!

Makes sense to me Josh. I no longer believe in the sense of work-life balance...as it is almost impossible to get to. You are correct...it is simple but hard to do what we are talking about here. That said, it is critical. Time has a way of passing us by very quickly when we are "busy". Jane

Wow...just a little clean up. Nothing like a PEI storm :)

This is absolutely the right kind of idea I think. Doing things that build local community networks and support will be key to getting through the big changes that are already starting to happen around us. I love the idea of connecting co-working spaces to expand the possibilities even further.

Sometimes it all feels so overwhelming it is hard to think about it. I guess that is like staying inside to enjoy the party while all hell is breaking loose below deck. For as long as I can remember there have always been people who felt that life as we know it is coming to an end. When I was growing up I was pretty much taught that these were extreme views and that in reality we would all be fine. Now, with all that is happening around us, I find myself wondering a lot more about this. I don't like to subscribe to doom and gloom thinking - but there are a lot more realities that seem to be striking closer to home. I'm not really sure what the answer is but I do know that continuing to do what we are doing as a world is probably not an option. My motherly instinct makes me want to pack up my family and run for safety, but then more more realistic/logical side tells me that I am over reacting.