International Women’s Day 2012

Jan 152013
 

One of the things that connects parents everywhere is the desire to give our kids the best.  Where it seems to fall apart, on so many levels, is how each of us chooses to define that.

Does it translate into such pressure to get into name schools that we create conditions for cheating scandals in affluent areas?  Or powerful entertainment icons feeling entitled to bully and demean those with a different point of view?  Or is it something as basic as being able to provide enough emergency food and clean water so that children survive childhood?  Freedom from violence whether at home, at school or on the street?

The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2012 is “Empower Rural Women — End Hunger and Poverty.” The official commemoration for the day will be held at UN Headquarters, New York, from 10:00-12:00 EST. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver opening remarks. The full event will be webcast live.

Here’s the link to watch it live

The day is young yet I’ve already seen some pretty polarizing “Oh yeah… you think YOU’VE got it bad” discussions.  I think that’s sad.  And pretty silly.  But I’m the fool who still believes that a culture that protects the vulnerable, meets basic survival needs and opens the door to equal opportunity and choices for all has got to be good for everyone.

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High Quality Compliments!

Jan 112013
 

by Esther Jantzen, guest poster

Children thrive when grown-ups point out their good qualities and the things they are doing well. Compliments are some of the best gifts you can give your child.

This activity teaches kids words they might not know. Here are several ways to do it: below are 45 words for positive traits. See if you can add 15 more to the list:

Active, determined, kind, adventurous, energetic, lively, artistic, enthusiastic, loving, aware, expressive, observant, beautiful, forgiving, open, bold, friendly, patient, brave, generous, powerful, bright, gentle, ready-to-learn, capable, handsome, respectful, caring, happy, responsible, changing, hard-working, sensitive, confident, honest strong, cooperative, imaginative, thoughtful, creative, inventive, unique, dependable, joyful, wise

1) Write each family member’s name on a separate piece of paper. Either alone or with others, write as many positive words as you can think of to describe each person. Give the paper to them.

2) When you find a family member doing a positive behavior, tell them! Tell them the specific instance when you saw that behavior. For example, say, “You sure were being gentle when you held that kitten.” Or, “I liked how energetically and quickly you picked up the papers from the floor.”

Compliments supports the English-Language Arts Content Standards related to vocabulary and concept development.

Esther Jantzen, Ed.D, is a mother, an educator and the author of Plus It! How to Easily Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Adventures for Kids available at www.plusitbook.com and the Way to Go! Family Learning Journal available through www.jantzenbooks.com

Art from the Heart

Jan 112013
 
Kaziah Hancock in her studio

Kaziah Hancock in her studio (Photo credit: The U.S. Army)

 

I have never  met Kaziah Hancock but I know that she has not had an easy life.  It shows.   It’s written all over her work, her face, her generosity ….and her compassion.  A little research affirmed that the Four Foundations had been hard at work.

Kaziah, known as the goat woman, is a survivor – of a difficult birth, a difficult life, and, most recently, of cancer.  Her journey to overcome adversity started on ‘day one.’  One needs to know little about being either an artist or a farmer to see the influences of discipline and hard work on her art.  But it’s her attitude and commitment to giving that makes her story so inspiring.

When it comes to giving, a lot of people focus on what they don’t have.  They sell themselves short.  They believe that one person can’t make a difference.  Clearly, they haven’t seen this story.   One woman made a decision to do something within her power to help heal some of the deepest wounds inflicted by war.

She lovingly paints memorial portraits for parents whose children have been killed in action.What began as an act of kindness from one person to another has grown into  Project Compassion.

In the face of the overwhelming grief, waste and despair that is any war, Kaziah has found a way to bring some love and perhaps some comfort to parents with broken hearts.

See more of her work and learn more of her story at

http://www.kaziahthegoatwoman.com

and at Project Compassion.

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