October 2004

Families on the edge?

Having read your article “Brave New Family” in your September issue, I can’t help but think you are missing out on one important aspect in the work-family-money triad.

Authors Willow and Tomaszek spoke of the difficult choices parents need to make when it comes to working and raising families, and of the sacrifices some are making financially in order to have more time with their kids. Nowhere do they mention what is necessary to get ahead. Those interviewed seemed extremely focused on the present without mention of what it takes to earn enough for retirement, future college education for children, or for emergency situations. They describe families truly living on the edge, as when they described Becca and Joe’s only car being stolen.

I don’t disagree with the picture that they paint. These are tough times and we all have difficult decisions to make about work and family time. Throw into that mix a need to think about future financial drain and the issue becomes even more complex.

Denise Lubotsky

Riverwest (Milwaukee)

Kudos for Cosby

Dear Ms. Willow,

I am writing to comment and thank your writer, Frizell Bailey. I admired his comments about Bill Cosby. [“Cosby’s Clarion Call,” August 2004] Written with such clarity and to the point, I wish it could be reprinted and discussed in many publishing and other media venues.

Sincerely,

R.A. Holzhauer

Milwaukee

Love that new look – rrrowwrr!

You almost had me fooled. Earlier this month [September 04], I went around on my customary hunt for a copy of Vital, but couldn’t find it anywhere. I was sad, thinking you had finally been gobbled up by some media giant or otherwise closed up shop. But then I noticed this magazine I’d never seen before. I picked it up and there you were – Vital Source MAGAZINE. Way to go!

Jeff Reitzer

Milwaukee

Just picked up the new Vital Source from Ray’s in Wauwatosa. The new size is great, very nice use of color, too. I also thought the new layout was more logical and easy to follow. Keep up the good work.

Jessica Wertzke

Wauwatosa

Props to the SCP

Dear Lucky,

Thank you for your piece on the difficulty of finding school clothes for children that are cute, but not “cool.” [“Slightly Crunchy Parent” September 2004] Anyone with kids, especially girls, faces this battle. But it was nice to see you treat it with a mixture of firmness and humor. I loved your “fashion code” for your kids! It was funny and too true at the same time.

Thanks again,

Lisa Maryland

(by email)