If there’s a silver lining to our new normal, it’s the creative ways people are spreading kindness. If you’ve chalked your walk, had a social-distancing dance party or stocked your neighborhood’s free little library, you know what we’re talking about. Now, families can keep the good vibes going at home with a free kindness curriculum developed by an Eastside parent. Find out how below.
Kindness in Return
Long before she was a mom, Camp Kindness Counts founder, Dhaarmika Coelho had an interesting experience riding on a train. She was reading a newspaper when the man sitting next to her tapped her shoulder. She assumed he wanted the paper, so she passed it off to him when she was done. The paper made its way from one passenger to the next, before making its way back to Coelho, much to her surprise. Her kindness had been (unexpectedly) returned.
That simple interaction is what got Coelho thinking, twelve years later, about how to raise kids who would spread kindness in their community. So she started a kindness camp in 2012, with 15 participants. At camp, kids volunteered with seniors and helped people who were homeless. They spent time at animal shelters too, and at the end of the week, the kids were beyond proud of their accomplishments and wanted more.
The Greater Good
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Coelho’s program has grown to include partnerships with local school districts, camps, parent workshops and family service days. It also led her to partner with University of California Berkely’s Greater Good Science Center to develop the Kind World Explorers Guidebooks. Part of the Families Building Communities of Compassion initiative, these guidebooks bring research-based practices to parents, with a focus on fostering specific character traits like gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, authenticity and flexibility, to name a few. The best part? You can download them to use at home for free (donations are greatly appreciated).
Kind World Explorers Guidebooks
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There are four Kind World Explorer Guidebooks, the first two of which (Harmony and Purpose), are currently available to download. Save them as PDFs or print them out, then add them to your new daily at-home routine. Each guidebook includes easy activities you and the kids can try together, along with discussion questions that guide your experiences. By breaking up the activities into three categories—My World, Your World and Our World—kids can trace the ripple effect of their good actions.
Pro tip: Start your day with a guidebook activity to set the tone and focus.
Kind World Passports
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After the kids have completed their guidebook activities, they can sit down with the Kind World Passport (also free to download) to reflect on what they’ve learned. The sticker book of good deeds, this helpful companion is the incentive that’ll keep your kids doing good, day after day, in home and out.
Maybe it’s because I’m pushing the half-century mark that every nuance of humanity explored in the first season of ““This Is Us”” resonates with me. Regardless of the why, every scenario filters through my veins in one way or another. And based on my conversations with countless family and friends, I’m not alone. The genius of the writing captivates across the board.
“This Is Us” captures the raw, uncut story of life: colorful, broken, beautiful, imperfect, miraculous, unpredictable, trying, refreshing, scary, magnificent, confusing, wonderful, traumatic, mesmerizing. All the brush strokes on the canvas of universal existence work towards creating a perfectly imperfect masterpiece.
Considering the state of our fallen world, the timing of a series bent towards respect for humankind in every sense of the word seems Holy ordained. Even if we lack first-hand exposure to certain walks of life, circumstances, or experiences, we’ve all been caught in the emotional crosshairs of differing perspectives, beliefs, judgments. Guaranteed. The show has an uncanny way of letting us know.
The producers of the show present real life with real people: experiencing life as a minority, supernatural twin connection, struggles with weight, ups and downs of marriage, homosexuality, forgiveness, drug addictions, miracle of childbirth, death of a parent, death of a child, the power of love, the anguish of fear, identity crisis, adoption, terminal illness, the minutia of blended families. And they address these common, everyday journeys with grace and dignity.
True empathy and love for another comes by way of taking the time to try and understand their innermost being. The knowing requires an open mind, free of judgment ― a lost art in today’s cliff-note culture where labels predispose the heart of a person. “This Is Us” accomplishes the task on our behalf with poignant character development. The examples in season one are endless. But here are a few of my favorite gems.
Randall’s father, William, tenderizes me each week. From the onset our emotions enter a tug-of-war between wanting to condemn him for abandoning his son and adore him for his humility and regret during his first encounter with his adult son. Then the writers of the show yank our heartstrings with William’s terminal prognosis.
Each week his gentle demeanor and kindness build, exposing a beautiful man who would have been an incredible father sooner had drugs not interfered with his life. But the brilliance of William’s character development, in my opinion, lies in the timing related to revealing his love relationship with another man. Had William been introduced as gay from the beginning, how many viewers would have allowed themselves to see him as a person in lieu of their bias? For those who define a person’s value based on sexual orientation, I hope the reverse order of exposing William’s homosexuality proves all people are worthy no matter who they love. William being gay does not negate any of the beautiful attributes of his soul.
The opposite approach of character progression was taken with Kevin. He’s gorgeous, ripped, and the lead role in a trashy sitcom called The Manny. First inclinations could lead us to believe Kevin is shallow, indifferent, obtuse. But we begin to realize his sound inner compass when he quits The Manny by way of a brazen rant over the sitcom’s empty premise. Still, Kevin shows signs of whininess and appears flighty despite his love and dedication to his twin sister, Kate.
Then on episode five the writers throw a curve ball and use Kevin to explain the entire premise behind “This Is Us”, including the genius of the title. While describing to his young nieces the meaning of a watercolor canvas he painted, Kevin unearths his profound self-awareness and higher consciousness understanding of the meaning of life.
Every main character in the show is likable in a unique way. Toby has our hearts with his quick wit and sly charm from word one. Jack slays us with his passion, transparency, salt-of-the earth tendencies. Kate moves us with her willingness to expose her real-life journey with courageous authenticity. As Anna Nalick would say, “She’s naked in front of a crowd. The script is her diary screaming out loud.” Literally. If we didn’t feel compassion for those struggling with weight before, but instead judged them as weak and undisciplined, this show better change us. If not, all isn’t well with our soul.
Randall’s keen awareness of his emotions and willingness to tackle life’s greatest challenges head-on keeps us honest and wanting more for him and ourselves. Beth exemplifies strength and deftness as both wife and mother, rooted in a deep love and desire to protect her family. Rebecca is a kaleidoscope of conflicting emotions. For a woman initially afraid and against having children, her genuine love for her kids proves being a mom was predestined in her DNA. Although her convictions about what’s right for her children appear somewhat skewed at times ― off the mark with Randall ― deep down she is trying her best, the most important gift any mother can offer her children.
The entire cast highlights a forgotten truth in today’s society: We haven’t a clue about the reality of any person traveling a life path different from our own unless we make a concerted effort to find out. Seeking to understand requires subjecting our ideas, perceptions, opinions, beliefs to honest scrutiny, i.e., humility and grace.
Failing to distinguish between what’s right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable, loving or hateful in our evaluation of humanity is the real tragedy swallowing up our culture. And “This Is Us” masters the art of weaving together individual lives to expose this plight.
Everyday life shows us what’s wrong with the world. “This Is Us” shows us what’s right. And with every drip of the IV we have an opportunity to heal our own brokenness, allow wisdom to dilute our ignorance, and build up courage to do our part in making the world a better place.
“All of life is a “coincidence of opposites” (St. Bonaventure), a collision of cross-purposes; we are all filled with contradictions needing to be reconciled. This is the precise burden and tug of all human existence.” ― Richard Rohr
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As many of you know, I started Red Tricycle when I was pregnant with my son, as a way to explore life through the (often smudged) lens of new parenthood. It was also a way to connect with other parents who were doing the same thing—having dance parties in the living room, pitching a tent in the backyard, planning fun weekend adventures—all on two hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Since then, an army of moms and dads just like you have helped build Red Tricycle into a leader in the parenting space, reaching 40 million parents every month.
Today, I’m thrilled to announce that Red Tricycle has been acquired byTinybeans, another beloved parenting brand built on the same values of trust, authenticity and focus on making the parenting journey easier.
The Tinybeans platform, also founded by entrepreneurs with young kids, offers parents a private space to share photos, milestones and other moments with their children amongst family and friends in a private social network. TheTinybeans x Red Tricycle partnership will offer many more benefits to you, including personalization many of you have long requested around kids ages and interests, and expanded geo capabilities and product and service recommendations.
As a thank you for being a Red Tricycle reader, we wanted to invite you to take theTinybeans app for a spin. You can download and sign up for Tinybeans here to receive a free, three-month premium trial (the code will be automatically applied). Or, if you want to share this offer with your family and friends, they can use this code when signing up to upgrade to a premium membership:RedTricycle3Months. This offer is valid through 12/31/2020 and is for new Tinybeans users only.
Tinybeans Group Limited (ASX: TNY) is a mobile and web-based technology platform that connects parents with the most trusted digital tools and resources on the planet to help every family thrive. Being Apple’s App of the Day in the U.S. in October 2019 puts Tinybeans in the elite company of best apps in the world!
About Red Tricycle Inc
Red Tricycle is a digital media company that inspires families to spend time together. Since 2010, Red Tricycle has been connecting families with awesome things to see, eat and do with their kids throughout the US
Classic Stills has partnered with Warner Bros. to bring fans a collection of movie stills and on-set photography from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The collection will feature 26 images in all and only 100 prints will be available of each image, making it a truly unique piece of memorabilia for fans to own.
Each print comes hand-framed with a Certificate of Authenticity. The images are currently available to purchase with prices starting at $149.
New collections from the other Harry Potter films will continue to be released in the same order as the films.
Sunglass Hut and Disney recently announced a completely cute collab—co-branded Ray-Ban Wayfarers featuring Mickey and friends Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto!
The sunglasses, which are available in adult and junior (kids) sizes, will launch in select Disney Parks retail locations starting Nov. 1. If you’re not traveling to Florida or California anytime soon, you can pick up a pair at Sunglass Hut locations following the Disneyland and Walt Disney World debut.
Disney Parks guests can buy their Mickey-themed Wayfarers at the Sunglass Icon kiosk in Disney California Adventure Park, the Sunglass Icon and kiosk in the Disneyland Downtown Disney District, the Sunglass Icon (West Side) in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs, Island Supply and Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom Park and Singapore Sal’s in Typhoon Lagoon.
Each pair of glasses comes with an exclusive authenticity card. Adult frames with polarized lenses will retail for $243 and the junior version (non-polarized frames only) sell for $103.
Disney Parks has just revealed a massive revamp to Epcot at Disney World and it includes an incredible new Moana attraction.
As the Disney Parks press release explains, Epcot will be redesigned with four neighborhoods which represent important aspects of the world and its people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. “These neighborhoods will be filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take guests to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, hands-on wonder and the magic of possibility.” The new attraction, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will find its home in the World Nature neighborhood.
photo: Courtesy of Disney
The new attraction is described as a “lush exploration trail” where guests will be able to interact with “magical, living water” just as Moana makes friends with the ocean in the film. The World Nature neighborhood is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the beauty of the natural world, so the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will also teach visitors about the importance of the natural water cycle.
No word yet when the new attraction will officially open, but guests will be able to get a look at all of the plans for the new Epcot when Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience in the Odyssey Events Pavilion starting Oct. 1, 2019.
Always dreamed of visiting Central Perk? Now you can build your own with the new LEGO Ideas Central Perk set.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Friends, LEGO is releasing a brand new set that allows brick builders of all ages to recreate the iconic coffee shop where Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Joey and Phoebe spent so many hours chatting over their java.
Designed to look like a TV set filming the series, the incredibly detailed cafe features the seating area with a couch, armchair and two chairs, as well as the coffee counter and Phoebe’s stage where she famously performed “Smelly Cat,” among other gems.
The set comes packed with seven new minifigures including Ross Geller, Rachel Green, Chandler Bing, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, Phoebe Buffay and Central Perk manager, Gunther.
There are also tons of accessories adding to the authenticity, like Joey’s pizza box and “man bag,” Rachel’s tray and coffee cup, Monica’s muffin and Phoebe’s guitar.
The new LEGO Ideas Central Perk set is priced at $59.99 and will be available in stores and online starting Sep. 1.
Barbie is stepping into yet another role, but this one is pretty recognizable to David Bowie fans. Mattel has just announced a Ziggy Stardust Barbie doll.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Space Oddity, Mattel is launching a limited edition David Bowie-themed Barbie. Of course, as fans will be quick to point out, Ziggy was actually manifested several years before Space Oddity, but as Bowie’s most iconic look it still makes perfect sense. Barbie takes on Ziggy’s famous glam-rock look, dressed in his metallic space suit and platform boots.
The Barbie David Bowie Doll is a Gold Label doll which means it will only be produced in limited quantities, and comes with a doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. The doll will sell for $50 and is being marketed as an “adult collectible,” but Bowie fans of any age are sure to want to add this double icon to their collection.
With the recent announcement of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ cable network it looks like the power couple is poised to take over the world—or at least Discovery’s DIY Network. Fans of the Fixer Upper stars, and Discovery DIY’s 52 million fans, can get in some serious Chip and Jo time starting in the summer of 2020!
Along with the entire library of HGTV’s Fixer Upper series, the Gaines’ new network will feature plenty of home, garden, food, wellness and design programming. Also look for shows the center on community and entrepreneurialism (because obviously the pair have that down to a science).
In a statement to PEOPLE, Magnolia spokesperson John Marsicano said, “We’re thrilled to officially announce a media joint venture with Discovery.” Marsicano also added, “Our goal for this multi-platform media company is to deliver a unique, inspiring and family-friendly content experience rooted in honesty and authenticity—the kind of programming that helps bring people together. We believe Discovery is the perfect partner for this joint venture and we are excited for what lies ahead!”
The Gaines’ will helm the new media venture, which includes content on the television channel itself and the TV Everywhere app, as Chief Creative Officers with current HGTV President Allison Page as president.
In a press statement the Gaines said, of their still yet-to-be-named new network, “Our intention with this network is to create and curate content that inspires, encourages, and helps to build bridges across our communities. We want honest, authentic programming that brings families together.” Now that’s something to look forward to!
I was set to fly to Sierra Leone, Senegal and Kenya for work when I discovered I was pregnant. When I told my boss, he said, “Well, then you can’t go to Sierra Leone. My brother had to be HVAC-ed out of there twice.” We considered switching my trip to the Philippines, but learned that the required vaccinations were too risky in my first trimester. I was grounded.
Before having children, I loved my work, especially the travel. Traveling to impoverished areas to start programs was my chance to work with and listen to people from where they were. The trips were invigorating and exhausting at the same time, because in-country I tried to squeeze out every minute I could with the locals, living, learning, and listening—but sometimes burning out.
My work demanded everything out of me—my time, my talents, and my passions. I was certainly driven—driven by my faith that I felt called me to work with those who need help, driven by my love for the countries and the people I visited, and driven by the satisfaction of seeing ideas for programs come to life in ways that I thought truly helped people.
Motherhood put a screeching halt to that drive. As a first time mother, my identity shifted dramatically, and it was jarring. Instead of being out there saving the world, I was at home keeping one tiny human alive, a tiny human that astounded me by how fiercely I loved him. In those first few months, I felt grateful to have that time just to bond with him, establish nursing and read him stories. Still, restlessness plagued me, and soon enough I felt the itch to work again, to use the parts of my self that had laid dormant for those few months adjusting to my new and seemingly all-encompassing role.
First, I tried jumping back into my jet-setting line of work. I flew to Jordan with my mother and my still nursing nine-month old in tow. I delivered training in the conference room, then ran to nurse my son on breaks in the hotel room. It was a memorable experience, but impossible to repeat when I had my second and third child. Traveling for vacation with children is hard enough; traveling overseas with an infant for work can be even more stressful—and costly.
I stepped away from work that required travel. In fact, for a short time I stepped away from work altogether.
And that was the best thing to happen to my career.
Privileged enough to be able to rely (with some budgeting) on my husband’s full time work and health insurance coverage, being home with my children and away from the overtime demands of my career gave me time to reflect. Instead of more demanding jobs, I began to work on short-term consultancies, mostly from home, until the opportunity arose to teach academic writing at a nearby community college.
This new challenge excited me, and I jumped into it with the same fervor I did my international development work. I then continued to adjunct work at four-year college, also teaching writing. As I balanced this with my consultancies, I also started to see a new identity emerge, an aspect of my personal interests that my whirlwind career had hidden—I started to see myself as a writer.
For years my writing had been limited to grant proposals, handbooks, training manuals, and case studies. Only occasionally did I delve out into essays and journal articles. With the time to step back from the relentless needs and priorities of my previous career, I could now come back to writing, something I always enjoyed doing.
Not only did I rediscover my love for writing, the young motherhood stage of my life allowed me to find my writing niche. I started blogging, trying out different themes and topics until a purpose to my writing emerged: helping people restore and build personal connections and relationships with one another. That purpose put together all the pieces of my life together thus far—the work with people in communities all over the world, the isolation I felt staying home with my children, the advocacy training I did with human rights advocates around the world, the conversations I was having on social media, the service I was doing at my local church—I could write about this with passion, authenticity, and credibility. And I would not have found this voice if not for my children.
My time with my young children is busy, and like it is for most mothers, physically and emotionally draining. Yet somehow this time also gave me the mental space my prior full-time career did not. As I reflected on what my kids were doing, saying, or teaching me, I thought about how my inner world connected to the outside world, and realized how much I had to share.
I have also increased my writing for my international work, consulting regularly for different organizations, glad to use my writing to make a difference in people’s lives. The passion I threw into my career before children paid dividends in my being able to construct my own consulting, teaching and writing career now. I’ve even been able to do some travel again, but on my own terms.
The stress of trying to balance attention to my family, work, and writing remains. Yet this transition has already bred new and exciting ideas about where I might go from here, as my children get older and I get more time to pursue my writing, my work and my interests. I have ideas bubbling in my head, a book slated for publication, and other projects simmering. These, along with my children’s chubby faces, are what drive me now.
Despite the prevailing narrative that motherhood can stall or even ruin careers, I know I am not the only mom who has seen motherhood enhance her career. I know many mothers whose transition to parenthood also led them away from soul-crushing jobs to exciting entrepreneurial endeavors or new and more meaningful career paths. Children are not a challenge to overcome as we advance in our careers. My story proves they can be the best thing to happen to our careers—and our lives.
Phoebe Farag Mikhail is an author, educator, and international development consultant. She has lived in New York, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom and Egypt and she and her husband love traveling with their three kids. She blogs at Being in Community and is the author of Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Essential Ways, forthcoming from Paraclete Press.