ML Interest Tag: journalist

Why Cultural Immersion Is So Important for Kids (& How to Make It Happen)

by Mimi Nartey

Recently, there has been an explosion of information and resources for parents on social privilege and social responsibility. As a result, many parents and children are having deeper conversations about racism and other systems of bias and how to act as an effective change agent.

All this conversation is important, but remember, social justice parenting is broader than activism. It doesn’t just mean preparing your children to stand up for diversity, equity, and inclusion; it also means teaching your children to be authentically sensitive, loving, and empathic. According to Race, Class, and Parenting: 7 Strategies for Raising Sensitive, Confident and Loving Kids, the key is training your children to be curious, rather than judgmental about other people and cultures. By encouraging cultural immersion with your kids, you’ll be opening their eyes and hearts to a whole new world.

Model Curiosity for Your Kids

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Journalist Ian Leslie explains, “Curiosity is a combination of intelligence, persistence, and hunger for novelty.  Curiosity will also enable your children to be humble and adaptable.”

You can model constructive cultural curiosity for your kids by the way you comment about different people:

"That's a pretty scarf she is wearing on her head...I wonder if it has a special meaning."

"I wonder what language they are speaking...it sounds cool."

"I have never seen that food before...I wonder how it tastes."

"Her hair looks really pretty. I wonder how long it took her to style it that way."

As you demonstrate how to be curious, your children will develop open-mindedness and charisma that will carry them far in their lives and careers.

Related: How I Explain Racism to My White Friends (So They Can Explain It to Their Kids)

Give Your Child Cultural Immersive Experiences

cultural immersion with grandparents
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It is a rewarding process to raise children who are curious rather than judgmental. We need to do a better job of giving our kids more immersive experiences. Take them to concerts to experience different kinds of music and dance. Travel to foreign countries (and leave the resort). Encourage them to learn new languages.

When your children are immersed in new cultural environments, they will organically learn to have respect and empathy for the experiences, talents, and perspectives of others. The most beautiful part about this process is the nuance in their understanding of how we are all different, but how we all share a common humanity.

Help Your Children Learn Humility and Adaptability

two boys laughing at jokes for kids
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There is a difference between having one or two friends from a minority group and immersing yourself in a different cultural context.  In communities that are not very diverse, it does not require as much humility and adaptability for a child from the majority group to find commonality between themselves and one of the few children of color in the school or neighborhood.  On the other hand, if a child attends a religious service or goes to a cultural festival, or travels to a country where they become the minority in that context, much more is required intellectually and emotionally. This kind of growth is the goal of social justice parenting.

Feed Their Curiosity

enjoy cultural immersion by eating sushi
Vinicus Benedit via Unsplash

Food is one of the most fun and simple ways to experience cultural immersion. The foods people cook are a reflection of their natural environment and historical geography. Although we may not all have the opportunity or means to travel all around the world, we can still give our children the opportunity to learn about these places and cultures through food.

11 of the Best Kid-Friendly Indian Food Recipes

15 Easy Japanese Recipes Kids Will Love

11 Simple Greek Recipes for Families

9 African Food Recipes You Need to Try at Home

8 Traditional Cuban Recipes for the Entire Family

 

 

 

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15 Trailblazing Women Who Changed Massachusetts

by Allison Sutcliffe

Boston is known as a place of innovation, creativity and activism, thanks in part to many of the ceiling-shattering women that called the Boston home. We’re celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting the accomplishments of 15 of these pioneering women. Read on to inspire the next generation.

Isabella Stewart Gardner

famous inspiring boston women
Wikimedia Commons

Art collector and philanthropist: 1840-1924

This unconventional socialite some called "Isabella of Boston" is known as the eclectic curator of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum that opened in 1903. But you can tell the kids she almost caused a panic when she wore a hat that read, "Oh, you Red Sox" to a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert in 1912.

Mindy Kaling

Wikimedia Commons

Actor, writer and producer: 1979-

At the age of 24, this Cambridge-born actor was the only female on an eight-person writing team for The Office. She wrote 26 of the shows episodes (the most of any writer), and went on to win multiple Emmys for her work. She continues to break ground with shows she created like Champions and Never Have I Ever. 

Ayanna Pressley

famous boston women inspiriational
Wikimedia Commons

Politician: 1974-

In 2010, Ayanna Pressley became the first Black woman elected as an at-large member of the Boston City Council. In 2019 she became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts. She has represented the state as the U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district since then. 

Susan B. Anthony

Wikimedia Commons

Social reformer and women's rights activist: 1820-1906

Born in Adams, MA into a Quaker family committed to social equality, Susan B. Anthony began her passion by collecting anti-slavery petitions at the age of 17. She went on to champion the rights of women and enslaved people with other like-minded women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 

Jessie "Little Doe" Baird

Algonquin Couple, an 18th-century watercolor by an unknown artist. Courtesy of the City of Montreal Records Management & Archives, Montreal, Canada.

Linguist

Jessie "Little Doe" Baird is a linguist who helped revive the Algonquian language of her ancestors that had not been spoken for more than 150 years. She has been the co-founder and director of the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project in Mashpee, MA, since 1993. As a citizen of the Mashpee Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation, she started to create a dictionary in 1996 chronicling the tribe’s ancestral language as part of a research fellowship with MIT. The dictionary holds more than 11,000 words.

Clara Barton

Wikimedia Commons

Pioneering Nurse: 1821-1912

Born in North Oxford, MA, Clara Barton was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross. She was self taught and provided nursing care during the Civil War. During a time when women did not have the right to vote, Clara Barton was known for her humanitarian work and civil rights advocacy. 

Callie Crossley

famous boston women callie crossley
Wikimedia Commons

Media commentator and radio show host: 1951-

Callie Crossley is a Boston-based radio and tv host, commentator and public speaker. In 2013 she began hosting radio program Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and continues to contribute to WGBH Radio's "Boston Public Radio".

Amelia Earhart

Wikimedia Commons

Aviation pioneer: 1897-disapppeared 1937, declared dead 1939

Amelia Earhart is perhaps most well known as the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set a number of other records during her lifetime and wrote books documenting her flying experiences. During an attempt to be the first woman to circumnavigate the globe in 1937, Earhart's plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. She and navigator Fred Noonan were declared dead over a year later, but significant interest in their disappearance still exists today. 

Gwen Ifill

Wikimedia Commons

Journalist and Television Newscaster: 1955-2016

In 1999, Gwen Ifill became the first Black person and first woman to moderate a major television news-analysis show, Washington Week in Review. She was a journalist, newscaster and author, and became co-anchor of the PBS NewsHour in 2013 until her death in 2016, part of the first all-female team to anchor a national nightly news program.

Margaret H. Marshall

Wikimedia Commons

Chief Justice: 1944-

Margaret H. Marshall was the first female chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. In 2003 she wrote the ground-breaking decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health that declared that the Massachusetts constitution does not permit the state to deny citizens the right to same-sex marriage.

Maria Mitchell

Wikimedia Commons

Astronomer: 1818-1889

Originally from Nantucket, Maria Mitchell became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1848, a year after discovering "Miss Mitchell's Comet," which made her famous and helped her become the first professional female astronomer

Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel

famous boston women inspiring
Wikimedia Commons

Physician

Elizabeth Nabel is an American cardiologist and the current President of Brigham Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital, a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and the Chief Health and Medical Adviser to the National Football League. Her work has produced 17 patents and more than 250 scientific publications. 

Phillis Wheatley Peters

Wikimedia Commons

Poet: 1753-1784

Born in West Africa, Phillis Wheatley Peters was sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America. She was enslaved by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. On a trip to London with her master's son, she was able to secure the patrons needed to publish her collection of poems: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral on September 1, 1773. She was the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. 

Ann Hobson Pilot

Ann Hobson Pilot

Harpist: 1943-

Ann Hobson Pilot began studying the harp at age 14 and received her bachelor's degree in music from the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 1966 she became the first Black member of the National Symphony Orchestra. She became the first Black woman to join the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1969. After 40 years with the BSO, Ms. Pilot retired at the end of the 2009 season. 

Doris Yaffe

Style icon: 1929-

You'll easily recognize Doris Yaffe with her eclectic collection of sunglasses and feather boas and for that she's known as Boston's Grande Dame. 

—Allison Sutcliffe & Kate Loweth

RELATED STORIES:

15 Boston Women-Owned Businesses to Support Today (& Always)

16 Women’s History Trips Your Kids Should Experience

41 Renegade Women to Name Your Kid After

7 Female Scientists Your Kids Should Know About 

Why Working Moms Rock 

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5 Tips for Teaching Kids Resilience

By Denise Daniels

It’s been a time, hasn’t it? So much change, confusion, fear, isolation, loss, grief. Adults are exhausted—and while people take it on faith that “Children are resilient,” it’s actually not that simple. According to the CDC and the American Psychological Association, self-harm, depression and anxiety, and ER visits for mental health issues are all on the rise in children as young as six. Younger children are experiencing outbursts and regressive behaviors.

Fortunately, resilience skills can be learned and grow over a lifetime—and it’s never too early to start teaching! (In fact, we adults may even learn something in the process.)

Research shows that children who are resilient benefit from improved mental and emotional well-being and experience less stress. They are curious, courageous, and trust their own instincts. Resilience helps kids stay calm, learn from their mistakes, and remain optimistic. In short, resilience helps kids not just bounce back from adversity, but bounce forward, better than before.

So how do we teach young children to be resilient? Start with these 5 tips:

1. It only takes one loving grownup to make a difference—be that grownup.
You’re open to conversation with your child, and you listen without judgment. You reassure your child that all feelings are okay (even those outsized feelings that are so difficult for grownups to deal with!); it’s what you do with those feelings that counts. When you provide a loving, safe space for a child, this gives them a head start on resilience.

2. Model the resilient behavior you want your child to learn.
Children sometimes find this hard to believe, but let them know that you, too, make mistakes all the time! And when you do, you take a deep breath and try again. Let them see you remaining calm in a stressful or emotional situation—and talk about how you find productive solutions. Encourage them to ask questions and give them age-appropriate answers. Getting honest answers in a loving environment can help a child feel less helpless or scared.

3. Help children identify their feelings—and demonstrate strategies that put them in charge of their emotions.
Sometimes young children seem like a volcano of emotions: roiling and out of control. It can feel like that to them, too! Help them put names to these big feelings: anger, frustration, sadness, disappointment, fear; even excitement or unbridled joy can sometimes go overboard! Use pictures in kids’ books to help them recognize facial expressions and body language that signal different emotions. Recognizing and labeling their own emotions and those of others is a key step toward developing empathy, which is critical for socialization.

Now teach them strategies for managing big emotions—let them know that they’re in charge and they can control their feelings! Take slow, deep breaths. Count to 10. Use positive self-talk in stressful situations: “I’m feeling calm,” or “I’m brave, I’m BRAVE!” Finally, if they’re feeling upset or afraid about terrible world events, teach them to “Look for the helpers”—every situation brings out the good people who want to help make it better.

4. Foster kids’ ability to solve problems for themselves.
There may be no better gift you can give a child than to offer a few problem-solving tips and then step back and let them figure out their own solutions. First, think positively: “I can do this!” Then, try breaking the problem into smaller, more manageable chunks. Have to tidy up a messy bedroom? Don’t try to tackle it all at once; first, put the clothes away, then the toys, then the books. Each completed mini-task creates a sense of accomplishment. Think about one good thing you’re learning from this problem (“I left my lunch at home today, but I won’t do that again: I’ll put up a sticky note tomorrow”). And remember: You can always ask for help if you need it!

5. Finally, encourage children to set goals for the future—and identify the steps it will take to get there.
Having a dream or an ambition is an important way for a child to learn to be resilient. By keeping their “eyes on the prize,” they can pick themselves up after stumbling because they have something to work toward and look forward to. Do they want to learn a new sport, improve existing skills, be a good artist, learn all about dinosaurs? Let them know they have the power to make that happen! Explain that each goal requires a series of smaller steps—just as when you read a book, you read one page at a time. Help them write down their goal and the steps they’re going to take to achieve it (take lessons, practice, take out books from the library). It will give them something positive to strive for.

Children have been through a lot these past couple of years—and they may not even realize how resilient they’ve already been. A great way to illustrate the power of resilience is to have them write or draw “The Story of Me”: telling the story of a hard time they endured and how they got through it.

This way, children can see their resilience in action, and know that they have the strength to get through any future challenges!

For additional helpful resources, please visit themoodsters.com

Image: courtesy of Moodsters

—Denise Daniels newest workbook, Bounce Forward With The Moodsters: A Guide for Kids on Finding Your Strong, Resilient Self (2021) features age-appropriate guidance and engaging interactive exercises to help preschoolers identify their own strengths and develop resilience as they prepare for a school year like no other.

 

Denise Daniels,RN, MS and creator of the groundbreaking children’s brand The Moodsters is a Peabody award-winning journalist, author, and parenting and child-development expert dedicated to putting young children on the path to positive mental health. She created The Moodsters—five quirky little feelings detectives who solve the mysteries of emotions. 

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My Young Sons Aren’t “Heartbreakers.” Here’s Why

By Elizabeth Brunner

When I realized I was going to be a #boymom, I mentally prepared myself for a lot of things from being completely surrounded by testosterone to having to wipe the toilet down multiple times a day. What I wasn’t prepared for was the influx of outdated and insulting stereotypical phrases directed towards young boys.

From the moment onlookers experienced my five-year-old’s heartwarming hugs or my 2-year-old’s swoon-worthy dimples, I’d be bombarded with “compliments” ranging from “He’s gonna break some hearts” to “That’s an aspiring lady killer” and “He’ll definitely be a ladies man.” And then, we have “Boys don’t cry.” “Boys will be boys.” “Boys are much rougher than girls.” Every time those remarks hit my ear, I’d instantly cringe. I understood there was no malice behind these phrases. They were people making conversation, trying to connect. But what I heard were stereotypes being perpetuated onto my young sons. And these stereotypes had the capacity to do very real damage to their sense of self, their relationships, and even their safety. Let me explain.

I believe children hear and absorb more than we realize. But young children don’t necessarily have the capacity to decipher these supposed “well-meaning” phrases. If they hear them enough and start internalizing them, there’s a chance they become a reflection of those stereotypes. They become boys who grow up to lack respect for another person’s body and personal space, demean another’s display of emotions and not feel the need to be held responsible for it because “boys will be boys.” That is not what I want for my kids.

And it’s even more essential for me to shut down these stereotypes because I’m the mom to two Black boys. When I hear them, I feel like these phrases have the potential to erase the small dose of innocence little Black boys are allowed in a world destined to vilify them. Being wild and rough, or being a “heartbreaker” in relationships are generalizations society routinely associates with Black men. However, the difference is that when Black boys absorb those generalizations, there is little grace that may be extended to white children. According to a 2014 study conducted by the American Psychological Association, Black boys are viewed as older and less innocent in comparison to white boys from the age of 10—which leads to harsher disciplinary actions.

Words have power. I want my children to be well-adjusted, functioning members of society. That’s why I do everything in my power to not only shower them with positive affirmations, but I correct any adult who dares repeat those narrow minded ideologies about or around my children in the hopes they will one day learn the error in their words.

Until then, I’ll continue to do what I can to surround my boys with positive images of masculinity and defy gender stereotypes in the hopes that they will learn that  “boys will not be boys.” Instead, boys can aspire to be “good people.”

—Written by Terri Huggins Hart  
Terri Huggins Hart is a nationally-published journalist, freelance writer, and public speaker. Find her on Instagram @terrificwords.

This post originally appeared on StereoType.

Elizabeth Brunner is a San Francisco-based designer and the founder of StereoType, a gender-free, st‌yle-forward kids clothing brand that’s designed to celebrate individuality and freedom of self-expression by blending traditional ideas of boys’ and girls’ wear. StereoType combines st‌yle, design and comfort to inspire creativity, individuality and freedom of expression.

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Celebrate Black Girl Magic with This New & Beautiful Book from Rebel Girls

by Sarah Shebek

Black Girl Magic is a powerful thing! Rebel Girls, the global empowerment brand dedicated to helping raise the most inspired and confident global generation of girls, is releasing a new book to celebrate the stories of Black women and girls. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic is available for pre-order now! 

Inside the book you’ll find women from over 30 countries featured, with plenty of familiar names: tennis player Naomi Osaka, author Toni Morrison, singer Aretha Franklin and filmmaker Ava DuVernay. You’ll also discover the stories of astronaut Jeanette Epps, journalist Ida B. Wells, Empress Tatyu Bedel and many more! Like all Rebel Girls publications, it features beautiful content, this time focusing on Black female and non-binary authors, illustrators and editors.

This is the fourth volume of the New York Times bestselling Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls series. It’s hardcover and a hefty 260 pages for hours of story time with your family. You can pre-order it now for $35 and it will ship on or after September 28.

To celebrate the release, Rebel Girls has launched a multimedia campaign that includes a book tour, new apparel and a partnership with various organizations to amplify community and give back. You can also buy an audiobook version that’s narrated by a stellar cast of Black women, including several award-winning actresses. Learn more on the brand’s website and get excited to celebrate these inspirational stories!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Rebel Girls

 

RELATED STORIES

Rebel Girls Celebrate Black History with New Podcasts & an Epic New Book Announcement

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5 Reasons Why You Should Want Your Kids to Lose

By MOJO Inc.

My daughter’s soccer team trudged slowly off the field, sweaty and exhausted. They had been outmatched—and they had lost. Again. You win some, you lose some, as they say. But sometimes you lose a lot, as my daughter’s soccer team did that season. (The losing streak was so bad that at one point a parent on the sidelines said, “Can we please at least tie?”)

Nonetheless, the team returned to the field for practice a few days later. My daughter was happy to be there, slamming the car door shut and racing off to be with her friends. They threw themselves into drills and scrimmages, putting the loss behind them and preparing for the next game. While I hated seeing her team lose, I could also see that she was still thriving.

One of the benefits of youth sports—and the inevitable losses—is that it offers a low-stakes place to face challenges and handle defeat. It prepares them for future hurdles and disappointments, ones that will likely be much greater.

“Learning to cope with loss is important because they’re not always going to win later in life,” says Dr. Kate Lund, a psychologist and the author of Bounce: Help Your Child Build Resilience and Thrive in School, Sports and Life. “It’s an important skill to develop, to lose with grace, not to blame other people and to take responsibility for the loss.” Losing is never fun, but there are some character-building silver linings.

1. Losing Builds Resilience—Not Just for Sports, but for the Rest of Life
A 2019 study by a team of Brigham Young University professors found that high school students who had participated in youth sports showed higher levels of resilience than students who didn’t participate. The students who had participated in youth sports also showed higher levels of self-regulation, empathy and social competence.

Much of that resilience comes from dealing with losing: Acknowledging the loss, then getting back on the field. “It teaches them to get back up and try again,” Lund says.

2. Losing Teaches Them to Reframe the Story
Similarly, the ability to reframe a situation—examining something that’s happened and seeing it from another perspective—is a skill that helps kids manage disappointment not just in sports, but in all aspects of life.

When my daughter’s soccer team lost, their coach directed them to look for the positive moments in the game. She noted that one player completed a tricky move, another player broke away with the ball and that the goalie pounced on the ball in a particularly close save. It didn’t add up to a win that time, but the players could still savor those small victories.

3. Losing Can Drive Them to Work Harder
It’s a classic movie-montage, inspirational music-filled scene for a reason: Motivated by the sting of a heartbreaking loss, the athlete channels her emotions into her next practice, pushing herself to work harder, and to come back stronger, faster, better. (Cue the Rocky theme song).

4. Losing Offers an Opportunity for Bonding—for the Team & for the Parent & Child
Being part of a team—something bigger than themselves—means that players must handle the loss together. It’s a chance for them to learn to regroup as a team, figure out what worked and what didn’t and find a way to improve together, an experience that can bring them closer, Lund says.

It can also be an opportunity for a child to bond with a parent. In The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed, author and educator Jessica Lahey reminds us that youth sports give parents the gift of time with their children. That time includes supporting the child after a defeat. She quotes an Olympic medalist, who says, “The perfect sports parents would be the ones you never hear from the sidelines. They should be there after the game, to be supportive, when heartbreaking things happen…The perfect sports parent is there after the heartbreak to listen and help the kid find the positive in the heartbreak.”

5. Losing Helps Develop Empathy
Having felt the pain of a loss, kids develop a better understanding and connection with the underdog. They know firsthand how it feels to be the loser, and therefore, know how they’d like to be treated.

And when they do win—a few months later, my daughter’s team kicked off the season by coming in second place in a tournament—the victory is so much sweeter.

Ellen Lee is a sports parent and an independent journalist who writes about business, technology, parenting, race, gender… and everything in between.

MOJO is on a mission to make youth sports more fun for everyone — one kid, one coach, one family at a time. 

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Teaching Your Child about Climate Change

By Cynthia Thayer

As adults, we have all experienced a crash course in climate change—whether we sought it out of our own volition or not. And while the concepts of global warming haven’t come without controversy, more and more messages related to climate change are hitting the mainstream every day. From the (almost daily) news, to political debates, to simply experiencing the weather outside, the complex and sometimes controversial topic of climate change has become part of our everyday world. In fact, as many as 1 in 5 Americans recall being exposed to climate change-related media messaging at least once a week, and 70% of Americans now agree that climate change is real.

As we struggle to improve our own climate literacy, the inundation of messaging on the topic has made it more important than ever to start the conversation about climate change and global warming with our children. As parents, we hope to rely on our children’s academic curriculum when it comes to science education, but in the U.S., these conversations need to start at home. While countries like the U.K. have started to integrate climate change into the school curriculum, the U.S. has yet to do the same. It is up to us as parents to develop a toolbox and framework for walking our children through this topic, with the goal of mitigating anxiety and promoting action and hope. Our children are the next line of defense, and as the incumbent generation of stewards for our planet, knowing how to have meaningful conversations with them about global warming and the impacts of climate change is more imperative than ever before.

While simple ideas such as reduce, reuse and recycle have been the go-to concepts for introducing our children to their role in the environment around them—and engaging them with a call to action—it is time for us to go deeper into teaching them the causes, consequences and potential solutions to protecting our climate. But where do you begin? While it may seem as daunting as climate change itself, focusing on simple, empowering and hopeful age-appropriate conversations is the best way to begin. Only you truly understand your child, so feel free to adjust these tips and guidelines based on your own child’s knowledge and sensitivity to these topics.

Keep it simple, basic and relatable.

While climate change is a macro issue, when it comes to your kids, keep it micro. Focus on your own household, neighborhood, and school first. Model eco-friendly behaviors at home, and take the time to explain WHY you are adopting these behaviors. Not only does this engage your child and give them ownership and accountability, but these behaviors create the perfect opportunity to reiterate the positive impact your child is already having on climate change. Habits such as recycling, eliminating single-use plastics and plastic bags, energy conservation in the home, composting and gardening are all great ways to get your child to participate and keep them engaged. Integrate interactive toys and learning games into your child’s play, such as Yowie, that are designed to teach and empower children about conservation in a fun, memorable, and age-appropriate way. There are even a number of children’s books available that can really help you build climate literacy together with your child.

Encourage them to take action and embrace personal responsibility.

One of the best ways to mitigate the anxiety many children have as they learn more about the severity of climate change is to keep them empowered and engaged. When they feel their personal behaviors are making an impact, they can feel a little more at ease about climate change. As parents, it is our job to recognize and reward these behaviors as they develop and become part of your lifest‌yle. It can be as simple as opting to walk or ride a bike to the park over driving, or taking public transportation. The opportunities to point out and recognize how their behaviors create a positive impact are all around us.

Talk about what it means to be a global citizen.

No one knows your child better than you, so when you think the time is right, you can expand the conversation to teach your child what it means to be a global citizen. Get them involved in the community, teach them about your local and state governments, and the roles they play when it comes to civic duty. Start talking with them about how the impacts they are making at home may seem small, but have a lasting, profound effect on our entire planet. Teach them about regions of the world, such as the Amazon, and other ecosystems that need protecting. Find their passion (for example, animals, the ocean, the rainforest, etc.), and encourage them to explore ways they would like to make an even bigger difference.

Keep the avenues for talking about climate change open.

When it comes to talking about climate change with her 10-year old daughter, science journalist Michelle Nijhuis recommends a similar approach to other challenging topics (sex education, as an example). “As a parent, I approach the subject of climate change much like I approach the subject of sex: While I answer all questions, without hesitation and in full, I make sure not to answer more questions than I’m asked.” By letting your child lead the conversation, you can make sure you are keeping the education level exactly where they are comfortable.

And while few of us see ourselves as experts on the topic, there are amazing resources available, such as those developed by NASA and PBS to partner with parents and families and guide us all on our journey towards climate literacy. NASA’s climate website for children is a great resource for educating children and their parents alike.

Cynthia Thayer is the Global Chief Marketing Officer of Yowie Group. She has over 25 years of marketing expertise in key areas including brand architecture development, market research, consumer packaged goods advertising across traditional and digital channels, retail and shopper marketing, licensing, toy design and new product development. 

 

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These Amazing Moms Are Sharing Just How Tough Moms Are

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

We’ve always known parents were tough, but the last year has shown everyone just how resilient they truly are! To celebrate the remarkable power of moms, we’ve teamed up with Once Upon a Farm, an organic children’s nutrition company co-founded by Jennifer Garner, for our A Better Story Starts Here Contest. We’ve already heard about some amazing moms—meet a few of them below!

Meet the remarkable moms who are the winners of our A Better Story Starts Here contest!

Jacqui Saldaña is an LA-based mom of two. Along with raising tiny humans, Jacqui is a blogger and recipe developer who writes about everything from Lemon Pancakes to teaching kids about bias.

 

Meet the remarkable moms who are the winners of our A Better Story Starts Here contest!

 

Malika Pham is a mom of three who uses her platform to speak candidly about her experiences as a Black Muslim woman and as a mother. “Motherhood is messy, challenging, exhausting, and a flat out trip,” says Yasmin.

 

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A post shared by Heather Brooker (@theheatherbrooker)

Heather Brooker is an actress/journalist/comedian/mom in Los Angeles. Like most moms, the pandemic has taken its toll on Brooker, but she’s chosen to see the silver linings: “While this past year has been beyond challenging, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she says.

Meet the remarkable moms who are the winners of our A Better Story Starts Here contest!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Leteshia (@mamaonawhim)

Atlanta-based mom of two Leteshia Weaver knows what it means to be tough as a mother. After facing milk protein allergies, eczema and the lack of sleep, she’s kept a can-do attitude. “Through all of that, I have only become stronger and I’m always ready for whatever life may throw my way!” she says.

 

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A post shared by Tara Rosa (@livingrosa)

Tara Rosa is a mom of four who has spent the last year navigating motherhood, distance learning and having her newborn spend time in the NICU. “Motherhood is both beautiful and really hard,” says Rosa.

Meet the remarkable moms who are the winners of our A Better Story Starts Here contest!

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Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle & More Team Up for the Girl Up 2020 Leadership Summit

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Girl Up, the gender equality initiative of the United Nations Foundation, is hosting its 2020 virtual leadership summit online on Jul. 13-15, 2020. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will kick off its annual leadership conference with a special message for young female leaders and gender equality activists around the world. Special guests and speakers include Meghan Markle, Nadia Murad and Chloe x Halle.

women standing near water

Mrs. Obama, a champion of girls’ education, will share a special message  on behalf of the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance, a program that seeks to empower adolescent girls around the world through education, enabling them to achieve their full potential and transform their families, communities, and countries. Girl Up and the Girls Opportunity Alliance have worked together in the past to promote grassroots and girl-led actions, and to mobilize their networks in support of girls’ education. Access to education is a human right, and girls’ access to quality education is essential to achieve gender equality and create an equitable world.

“We’re honored to have Mrs. Obama with us at our Summit this year. The impact she has made in this country, and around the world, is deeply inspiring and motivating to our girl leaders –she’s a role model for using your voice,” said Melissa Kilby, Executive Director of Girl Up.

This year’s Summit, presented by P&G, is themed “We Need To Talk,” pushing conversations about issues intersecting with gender equality, like representation in STEM and sports, access to education, and how to create solutions for gender-based violence.

Also joining Mrs. Obama as part of the Girl Up Leadership Summit speaker line-up:

Nadia Murad, 2018 Nobel Peace Laureate, UN Goodwill Ambassador, and Founder and President of Nadia’s Initiative

Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook and Founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org

Storm Reid, Actress and Activist

Dr. Tererai Trent, Global Humanitarian, Author, Scholar and Educator

Monique Coleman, Emmy Nominated Host, Actress, Champion for Young People

Liz Plank, Author, Activist and Journalist

Wade Davis, Thought Leader, Writer, Educator on Gender, Race, and Orientation Equality

More speakers will be announced in coming weeks. The in-person version of Girl Up’s flagship Leadership Summit in the nation’s capital has brought together more than 3,000 young activists to learn the issues and advocate Congress in recent years. Girl Up expects thousands more to join this year’s Summit in an online setting. Registration is free and is open until July 13, 2020.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: @thiszun from Pexels

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This Is What Happened When MSNBC’s Courtney Kube’s Son Interrupted a Live Broadcast

by Erica Loop

Work-life balance isn’t easy for any mama. When MSNBC’s Courtney Kube brought her kiddos to work with her, what happened next shows just how awesomely amazing this working mom is!

The national security correspondent was live on air when her son suddenly wandered into the picture. Even though Kube was in the middle of reporting on the recent Turkish airstrikes over Syria, she took the innocent intrusion in stride.

As the tot reached for his on-live-TV mommy, Kube smiled and said, “Excuse me, my kids are here.” The working mom added, “Live television!” Kube’s quick handling of the situation scored her plenty of praise on social media. One associate producer at NBC News tweeted:

MSNBC anchor Katy Tur added:

Kube’s network, MSNBC, pointed out:

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: MSNBC via YouTube

 

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