James Fishman | Sunstone Online

Why Alone Time Matters for Kids and Parents

In a world that often celebrates togetherness and constant activity, the idea of spending time alone can sometimes be overlooked—especially when it comes to children. Yet, research and expert insights suggest that solitude, when chosen and balanced, can be a powerful tool for growth and well-being for both kids and their parents. For children, alone time is more than just a break from the crowd. It’s an opportunity to build independence and self-reliance as they learn to entertain themselves and solve problems without immediate adult guidance. Studies have shown that spending time alone can promote important developmental skills, such as self-regulation and the attainment of autonomy. These moments of solitude can also spark creativity and imagination, giving kids the freedom to invent games, explore new ideas, and express themselves in unique ways.

Emotionally, alone time offers space to process feelings and manage stress, helping children develop resilience and the ability to cope with challenges. It’s also a chance for self-discovery, as kids reflect on their interests, values, and preferences in a calm, distraction-free environment. Parents, too, can benefit from recognizing the value of solitude in their children’s lives. Understanding that alone time is not something to be avoided but embraced can lead to healthier parenting approaches. Rather than overscheduling or feeling pressured to constantly entertain, parents can support their children’s need for unstructured downtime, which research suggests can improve well-being and adjustment. This not only fosters a more relaxed home atmosphere but also models healthy habits around self-care and boundaries.

By encouraging and respecting their children’s need for solitude, parents help nurture independence, emotional well-being, and creativity. Of course, balance is key—solitude should complement, not replace, social interaction and support. But when embraced thoughtfully, alone time can help children grow into confident, creative, and resilient individuals, while also supporting a more mindful and balanced approach to parenting.

The Benefits of Family Dinner

Sharing dinner as a family is more than just a daily routine—it’s a chance to connect, according to experts. While busy schedules can make it tough, making time for family meals offers a range of benefits for both kids and adults.

Experts say that eating together helps strengthen family bonds and gives everyone a chance to catch up on each other’s lives. For children, these meals can boost self-esteem, improve communication skills, and even lead to better performance in school. Regular family dinners are also linked to healthier eating habits, as home-cooked meals tend to be more nutritious and balanced than takeout or fast food.

But it’s not just about the food. The real value comes from the conversation and togetherness. Experts recommend making mealtimes a screen-free zone, so everyone can focus on each other. Setting simple phone policies can help with this goal. For example, families can agree to leave phones in another room or place them in a basket during dinner. These small steps make it easier to enjoy meaningful conversations without digital distractions.

It’s also helpful to involve everyone in the dinner process, whether it’s setting the table, helping with cooking, or cleaning up afterwards. This not only eases the workload but also makes everyone feel included.

If daily family dinners aren’t possible, don’t worry. Even a few shared meals each week can make a difference. The key is to make those moments count by being present and engaged. Try to keep the mood light and positive, and encourage everyone to share something about their day.

In the end, family dinners are less about what’s on the table and more about who’s around it. Making time for these shared moments, even if only occasionally, can help build lasting memories and a stronger family connection.

Scaffolding Goes Up to Save Venice’s Banksy Mural

While much of the world’s attention is on Venice for Jeff Bezos’s high-profile wedding, not all eyes are on the billionaire’s big day. Some are focused on a different kind of local celebrity—a mural, widely believed to be the work of Banksy, that’s getting a little extra care along one of the city’s canals.

The mural, which appeared overnight in 2019, shows a young child in a life jacket holding up a bright pink flare. It’s painted on the side of a building along the Rio di Ca’ Foscari, one of Venice’s many waterways. Since its sudden arrival, the artwork has drawn plenty of attention from both locals and tourists, becoming a small landmark in its own right.

Recently, scaffolding has gone up around the mural. But don’t worry, it’s not being removed or hidden away. Instead, Venice officials are working to preserve it. The city’s restoration experts plan to gently clean the mural and apply a protective layer to shield it from the city’s famously damp and salty air, which can be tough on outdoor art. The scaffolding is there to help workers safely reach and treat the painting.

The mural’s appearance in Venice was never officially confirmed by Banksy, but the style and subject matter are consistent with his other works, which often highlight social issues—in this case, the plight of migrants crossing dangerous waters.

Venice’s decision to protect the mural is part of a broader effort to care for the city’s cultural heritage, which includes everything from centuries-old paintings to modern street art. For now, the little figure in the life jacket will stay put, keeping watch over the canal as the city works to make sure it lasts for years to come.

So, if you find yourself wandering Venice’s canals, you might just spot this famous piece—now getting a little extra care.

Happy Birthday to The Iron Horse: Celebrating Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig, one of baseball’s most respected players, was born on June 19, 1903, in New York City. Nicknamed “The Iron Horse,” Gehrig was the only surviving child of German immigrant parents and grew up in Manhattan. Encouraged by his mother, he pursued both academics and athletics.

Gehrig attended Columbia University, where he played football and baseball. His talent on the baseball field led to his signing with the New York Yankees in 1923. By 1925, he became the team’s regular first baseman and went on to play 2,130 consecutive games, setting a record that stood for many years.

During his 17-year career, Gehrig posted impressive statistics, including a .340 batting average, 493 home runs, and 1,990 RBIs. He helped the Yankees win six World Series titles, won the Triple Crown in 1934, and set a long-standing record with 23 career grand slams. His time with Babe Ruth was a highlight of the era.

In 1939, Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS, a disease now commonly associated with his name. He retired that year and delivered a memorable farewell speech at Yankee Stadium. After his passing in 1941, his wife Eleanor worked to preserve his legacy and support ALS research.

Lou Gehrig’s achievements and character continue to be remembered and appreciated by baseball fans and beyond.

Mars Volcano Rises Above the Clouds

If you think Earth’s mountains are tall, Mars has them beat by a mile—or several, actually. NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter recently captured a striking image of Arsia Mons, a volcano on Mars that stands about 12 miles high. For comparison, that’s roughly twice the height of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, Earth’s biggest volcano. The Mars Odyssey orbiter has been circling the planet since 2001, continuing to send back useful data and images for researchers on Earth.

What makes this new image interesting is how Arsia Mons rises above a layer of early morning clouds. The photo, taken in early May, shows the volcano’s summit poking through the clouds, which isn’t something scientists have seen from this angle before. The Odyssey spacecraft had to rotate 90 degrees to get this unique perspective, making the view possible.

Arsia Mons is part of a group of three volcanoes called the Tharsis Montes. It’s known for being the cloudiest of the trio, especially during a period in Mars’ year when the planet is farthest from the sun. During this time, water ice clouds often form around the volcanoes, and the new image gives researchers a better look at how these clouds interact with the Martian landscape.

According to Jonathon Hill, who works with Odyssey’s camera team, they specifically aimed to catch the volcano’s peak above the clouds—and the results matched their expectations. These kinds of images help scientists study both the volcanoes themselves and the Martian atmosphere, including how dust and clouds change with the seasons.

Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum: A New Home for Egypt’s Ancient Treasures

Even if a trip to Egypt isn’t on your calendar, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what’s happening near the Pyramids these days. Ancient history is making headlines once again, and it’s interesting to see how the story continues to unfold—even from afar.

Scheduled to officially open on July 3, 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been more than 20 years in the making. Located just two kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, the museum spans nearly five million square feet and is considered the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization.

A 36-foot-tall statue of Ramesses II greets visitors in the main atrium, where it has stood since 2006. The museum’s layout features wide staircases and extensive galleries, which together will eventually house more than 100,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian history.

Although parts of the complex—including the Grand Atrium, Grand Staircase, and sculpture gardens—have opened to limited visitors in recent months, the upcoming launch will mark the debut of the galleries devoted to Tutankhamun. These exhibitions will include the pharaoh’s golden funerary mask and more than 5,000 objects, many of which will be on public view for the first time.

The building was designed with a blend of modern and traditional elements, including a façade made of alabaster and glass, engraved with 500 cartouches representing royal names. The museum is not intended to replace the Egyptian Museum in Cairo but to complement it by expanding the country’s capacity for exhibition, conservation, and research.

Among the other major exhibits are two solar boats excavated near the Great Pyramid, collections of ancient manuscripts, sculptures, and a section focused on mummified animals. The Grand Egyptian Museum is positioned to become a central site for the preservation and display of Egypt’s cultural heritage.