Entertaining Distraction

If we all were not so distracted these days by one thing and another, we would notice more the fallout from our lack of focus. Sophistication in the form of multitasking is just one example; it’s become a synonym for “cultivated distraction.” Distraction comes in many forms. There is a time management demonstration in which a large jar is first filled with big stones, then pea gravel, then fine sand and finally water. At each stage the jar appears full until a finer ingredient is added to the mix. The point of the demo is to emphasize the importance of getting your priorities right. If the big stones don’t go in first, then you will never get them in. This book invites the reader to focus first on the “big stone” of one’s ultimate purpose. Remembering to remember to remember one’s ultimate purpose is the first step in eliminating other finer forms of distraction. The erosion of meaning through the slippage caused by distraction is the overall theme of this book.

Let me entertain you Can good distraction lead to a more creative, fun-filled life? Award-winning mother and distraction expert Monique Doyle will entertain you with laugh-out-loud true stories, reflective poems and inspirational ideas on how a little distraction in your day can unleash creative riches inside you. HAVE FUN and BE INSPIRED!

First published in 1980. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

A fun and practical guide to keeping kids engaged and off your phone. Face it. Your kids don’t want you around ALL the time! As much as you’d like to build that go-cart or that amazing tree house for them, you also need a little time for yourself! Sure, we’d all like to hand our kids the phone when things get tough, but down deep we know that screen time will not build world leaders. So how does a parent like you keep those little rug rats entertained and engaged in a meaningful way while you get your own stuff done? Well, this book is a good start! With these simple tricks, you will turn their boredom into fun, teachable, and productive (sometimes) moments in this irreverent yet practical guide. From photo bombing magazines in the dentist’s office to sock matching speed trials to making bread, this book provides spontaneous activities that kids can do with or without you, leaving time for you to do parent stuff like making dinner, reading the paper, or enjoying a glass of wine.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 When it comes to snow days or rainy weekends, parents are typically frustrated. However, children are excited about the opportunity to miss school, and soon they want to move around. #2 Rules are important in any activity, and treasure hunting is no different. Make sure that the treasure is hidden well, but not too well. The losers will pressure the winners into hiding their rewards again for another round, so make sure you have enough supplies to last the kids a couple of hours. #3 It's important to explain to your kids that this is a one-time shot game. You're only hiding X amount of dollars, and if the winner doesn't want to throw their winnings back into play, it's over. #4 Having a junk drawer is a common feature of American households. It’s a place where we store all our pens, paper clips, and forgotten game pieces. Having a junk drawer is a part of what is considered to be key characteristics of the great American household.

Contemporary architecture of theme-based design is examined in this book, leading to a new understanding of architecture's role in the increasingly diversified consumer environment. It explores the ‘Experience Economy’ to reveal how everyday environments strategically and opportunistically blur our leisure, work, and personal life experiences. Considering scientific design research, consumer psychology, and Hollywood story-telling techniques, the book looks at how the design of theme parks, casinos, and shopping malls has influenced our more unexpectedly themed spaces, from the city to the hospital. Widely taking architecture as a social practice, this text is of relevance to all cultural and sociological studies in the built and material environment.