(FYI: about 10 or so minutes in, I use the word "jackass" once or twice... it's not enough for an E-rating, but I want you to be aware just in case you want to listen away from sensitive ears.)
Hi Friends,
I had planned for, and drafted, a very different kind of post today for you (I got about a dozen spider bites while sleeping Saturday night, and we've got a very large ant invasion going on in our kitchen; my abandoned draft was largely about these.)
But as I wrote I realized how truly small and insignificant these concerns of mine are.
There is a lot going on in the world, and a lot going on in the news.
And I wanted to start the week off with a simpler message.
I wasn't sure what that message would be, except somehow I wanted to transcend the fear, the worry, and the struggles that we are seeing in the news, and even in our own homes.
My family and I just finished virtually attending the closing ceremonies for the year at my son's school, and the Executive Director George Popham teared up saying the following:
"If there's one important thing we should be doing, it is to put good, kind people in the world."
Immediately I knew that that was the message I wanted to share.
This morning when I woke up, and even as I began to write this email, I was feeling helpless and small and afraid. (And itchy from spider bites, if I'm being honest.)
Hearing George's words made me feel much, much better.
We have a really important mission, us parents:
It's to put good, kind people in the world.
If we do nothing else – absolutely nothing! – besides this, I believe it will be enough.
And if I can be helpful to you, as you are working on this mission, that would fulfill something deep in me.
I have lots of ideas and experience working with young children, and spent nearly a decade working in an outstanding, cutting-edge preschool program.
I earned my bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Relations, and later my master's degree in Early Childhood Education.
I've spent the last six years helping parents rein in their children's bad behavior and truly enjoy family life.
I know a lot about what makes kids tick, and how we can alleviate their bad behavior, and thus connect with them and feel happy within ourselves as we raise them.
If we're going to raise kind people, we can do that best by making our environment is positive and kind as possible.
If you're struggling with that, I hope I can be helpful for you!
I just built a page on my website, weturnedoutokay.com/bias, where I gathered many of the resources that have been helping me learn to combat racism – a huge part of raising good and kind kids.
I've also got lots of other free resources, including 332 back podcast episodes, and an entire Virtual Summit that I put on in response to the pandemic this past April. You can spend more in depth time with me each Wednesday evening by joining the WTOO Book Club, which is free to join, and can be free to read the book if the purchase cost is a barrier for you. And I am running a special right now, until this coming Wednesday, June 3, on entry into the virtual coaching practice where I personally help parents with their biggest challenges, trying to make this as affordable for you as possible.
Lastly, if you've got any parenting questions at all I hope you'll go to weturnedoutokay.com/contact and ask.
We will get through this, together.
Cheers,
Karen