ML Interest Tag: profound

The Key to Raising Successful Kids & the Mistakes I See Parents Making

By Andie Huber

Photo: Anne Wojcicki

This is an adapted excerpt from “How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results,” by Esther Wojcicki published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, available now in hardback, and coming out in paperback August 2020.

Famous Mother, Famous Daughters

“It’s rather strange to be a “famous” parent and have your family profiled on the cover of magazines. I certainly don’t claim all the credit for their successes, but all three have turned out to be accomplished, caring, and capable people.

My daughter Susan is the CEO of YouTube, Janet is a professor of pediatrics, and Anne is the co-founder and CEO of 23andMe. They rose to the top of ultra-competitive, male-dominated professions.

Parents constantly ask me for advice. Through my decades of experience as a mother, grandmother, and educator, I’ve identified several fundamental values that help our kids achieve success.

One of these values is kindness, and it’s one that some parents fail to teach their kids.

Teach Your Kids to Care

I grew up believing it was my duty to contribute and make our community better. I still feel that way. If everyone just sits around and talks, nothing gets done. I was always a doer.

All of this influenced my daughters, not because I lectured to them about the importance of serving the community—but because I truly cared.

I tried to show them through my actions what they could achieve. I didn’t realize at the time the profound impact it has on children’s well-being, which has been confirmed by a number of interesting studies.
 

The Importance of Community

Teenagers who volunteer with younger children experience both decreased negative moods and cardiovascular risk, according to a 2013 study. Another study, from 2016, found that teenagers who performed volunteer work were significantly less likely to engage in illegal behaviors and also had fewer convictions and arrests between the ages of 24 and 34.

But how many of us think about this when it comes to parenting? How many of us take up causes and show our kids, through our own behavior, how to fight for our communities? How many children feel empowered to take on the biggest challenges of our time and find a way to contribute?

It’s sad to say, but I’ve noticed more and more kids completely focused on themselves. Where they want to go to college, vacations they want to take, things they want to buy. Sometimes it feels like we’re training a nation and a world of narcissists, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that helicopter parenting has played a big role in this.
 

The American Idea Is All Wrong

Kids are growing up feeling like they’re the center of the universe. As young adults, they’re not only lacking grit and independence; they’re wholly unprepared to take on causes that could make the world a better place.

They tend to focus on money because they think it will make them happy and fulfilled. It’s the American idea: Get rich, then do nothing. Sit on a beach. Go out for an expensive dinner. Go to Las Vegas. But these kinds of pursuits turn people into narcissists and thrill addicts.

There seems to be a number of them here in Silicon Valley, people who worry about themselves before anyone else. They don’t prioritize the good of the community, they don’t fight for social causes and they aren’t pursuing a life of meaning and purpose.

As a result, they often end up isolated and depressed. I’ve met lots of unhappy millionaires and even some unhappy billionaires. A lot of them probably started out as directionless kids.
 

Prioritize Service & Purpose

Why do you think that here in the U.S. we have an epidemic of opioid addiction, depression, and suicide? We don’t seem to have the right information about how to live well, how to take care of ourselves and others.

We’re chasing money and possessions. Not service, not purpose. If we have a purpose at all, it’s to make ourselves happy. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s this: You’re happiest—as well as most beneficial to society—when you’re doing things to help others.

Your family may have similar stories and a natural impulse to serve. You might know exactly how I felt as a college student convinced I could change the world. But what if you don’t? What if you were told to focus on personal success and don’t know where to start?

Well, I have good news: It’s not that hard. The main thing you need is the right attitude—toward yourself and your children. You can start small. Volunteer for one hour in your community. Go to a city council meeting. Research an issue that affects your neighborhood. At the very least, you can vote.

Everywhere there’s a problem to be solved, someone or some group to support and champion. It really is a way of being in the world, and when it comes to our kids, it pays to shape this perspective as early as possible.”

This is an adapted excerpt from “How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results,” by Esther Wojcicki published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt coming out in paperback August 2020. Copyright © 2019. Used by permission.

A lifest‌yle writer whose work can be seen in Red Tricycle, Money.com, Livestrong.com and Redbook. When she’s not checking out new events, museums, and restaurants to keep her and her kids entertained, she can be found wandering around flea markets and thrift stores looking for cool vintage finds.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Disney+ Releases a Special Look at the Film Version of “Hamilton”

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Don’t miss your shot! Disney+ has just given us a new exclusive look at Hamilton, the film of the original Broadway production. 

During the 2020 ESPY’s airing on ESPN and ESPN2, Disney+ debuted the trailer for Hamilton which will premiere on the streaming service on Jul. 3. 

The filmed version offers some of the best elements f live theater, film and streaming to bring this unforgettable performance to homes around the world.  Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater. This musical has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.

 Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, “Hamilton” is inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow and produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman serving as executive producers. Filming was produced by RadicalMedia. The 11-time-Tony Award-, GRAMMY Award-, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical stars: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Jonathan Groff as King George; Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Disney+ 

RELATED STORIES

“Hamilton” Is Going to Be a Movie with the Original Broadway Cast

John Krasinski Surprises Hamilton Superfan with a Cast Reunion

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” Movie Is Dropping Early & Heading Directly to Disney+

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Pier 1 Imports to Close All Stores Nationwide

by Jennifer Swartvagher

We need to find a new favorite place to buy scented candles, seasonal decor and wicker furniture. Pier 1 announced today that they would be permanently closing all of their locations. In a news release the retailer stated that they were not able to find a buyer after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. 

Robert Riesbeck, Pier 1’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer said, “We are grateful to our dedicated and hardworking associates, millions of customers and committed vendors who have collectively supported Pier 1 for decades. We deeply value our associates, customers, business partners and the communities in which we operate, and this is not the outcome we expected or hoped to achieve. This decision follows months of working to identify a buyer who would continue to operate our business going forward. Unfortunately, the challenging retail environment has been significantly compounded by the profound impact of COVID-19, hindering our ability to secure such a buyer and requiring us to wind down.”

Pier 1 is still accepting orders on its website and said it will “initiate store closing efforts and liquidation sales once store locations can reopen, in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines from local government and health officials.”

The company says it has approximately 541 U.S. stores and in the court filing says it plans to reopen some stores on or around May 22.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA 

RELATED STORIES

Target’s New Summer-Themed Succulents Add a Tropical Vibe to Your Space

Target’s Sun Squad Line Just Got a Summer Update

Target Has All the Waterslides You Need to Survive the Summer

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

How Does Hearsay Affect Your Child’s Beliefs? Science Has Answers

by Erica Loop

You’ve put enough quarters in the swear jar to suspect what your kiddo overhears has an impact, but now researchers have found a real connection between what parents say and what children believe.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University recently published a study that demonstrates the effect hearsay (what a child overhears other people saying) has.

The study, which was published in the journal Child Development, examined the influence adult speech had on 150 four- to nine-year-olds. A study facilitator either spoke indirectly, during a phone call, or directly to children about a fictional group of people called “Gearoos.” During the study, the facilitator made negative comments about the “Gearoos,” such as their food was disgusting or their clothing was strange.

After overhearing negative comments, 39 percent of the children said they wanted to be friends with the “Gearoos.” Only 21 percent of the children who heard direct negative speech wanted to befriend the “Gearoos.” In comparison, 67 percent of the children in the control group (who heard no negative comments) said they wanted to become friends with the fictional “Gearoos.”

So what does this study mean for your child? According to the study, researcher and assistant professor of psychology and human development Jonathon D. Lane said, “Overall, these findings carry profound implications, particularly as the United States and other nations become more polarized over issues related to diversity and inclusivity.”

The study researchers also pointed out, “By understanding how direct and indirect messages can shape children’s opinions and beliefs about people who are unfamiliar to them, ways to effectively communicate and inspire tolerance and respect may become increasingly clear.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Kaboompics via Pexels

 

RELATED STORIES

How Can Self-Talk Boost Math Scores? Science Has an Answer

Kids Who Can Manage Emotions Do Better In School, Study Finds

Why Do Babies Hiccup? It May Have to Do with Brain Development

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

The “Beverly Hills 90210” Reboot Won’t Come Back for a Second Season

by Erica Loop

Bye-bye Brenda. Fox recently announced the Beverly Hills 90210 reboot, BH90201, will not come back for a second season.

Last summer’s much-anticipated return of the ’90s fave brought original show stars Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley, Shannon Doherty, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris and Brian Austin Green back to the small screen. Even though the series was Fox’s highest-rated summer debut, it looks like BH90210 is the last time we’ll see the Peach Pit gang back together—at least on TV.

In a statement made to Entertainment Tonight, Fox said, “We are so proud to have reunited in a very special summer event one of the network’s legacy series and casts with 90210 fans across the country.” The statement continued, “Profound thanks to and respect for Brian, Gabrielle, Ian, Jason, Jennie, Shannen and Tori, who, along with the entire crew and everyone at Fox and CBS Television Studios, poured their hearts and souls into this truly inventive and nostalgic revival.”

90210′s David, actor Brian Austin Green, wrote on Instagram, “What a fun trip back. Thanks to the fans.” Green added, “When Fox picked up the show it was always billed as a summer event. Thanks to Fox we did 306 episodes of 90210 (9021bro can fact check that number) if the show gets picked up somewhere else we will talk about making more but thank you to all the fans that kept the dream alive and supported us for so long.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of 90210 Productions/FOX

 

RELATED STORIES

Shannen Doherty Joins the Reboot Cast & the OG’s of “90210” Are Back

“Beverly Hills, 90210” Is the Latest Show of Our Childhoods to Get a Reboot

Hilary Duff’s Original TV Fam Will Star in Disney+’s “Lizzie McGuire” Reboot

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

6 Habits for Parents to Foster Their Own Happy Days

By Marianna Sachse

We’ve all had days when we don’t feel like our best self. But on those great parenting days, what’s in place for you when things are going well? For me, it’s a connection, movement, creativity, and nature that keeps me grounded, productive, and happy. If you need to reset, here are six things to do that just may make the difference between an okay day and a great one.

1. Connect authentically with your kids, early in the day. Kids have such a natural joy for life that is so infectious. Spending as little as five minutes before the morning rush will allow that joy to rub off on you and be a touch-point for the rest of your day. Plus, kids need that connection. Experiencing it early in the day will help improve their day too (which is, frankly, better for everyone!) So stay in bed and read them a couple of books or get down on the floor and play. Even for just a few minutes helps.

2. Get moving early in the day. Whether it is a run, a bit of yoga, or just walking the dog, I start my day feeling better when I move my body early. I listen to my head and body to see what intensity of movement I need. Anxious or stressed? A run or something that gets my blood flowing is the best way to work through that stress. Tired or sore? A walk or some yoga will gently invigorate me.

3. Make something every day. I’ve made creativity central to my day job, but all too often we feel that if we aren’t good enough at something to make it our life’s focus then it isn’t worth pursuing. I disagree wholeheartedly: hobbies are important! They give our brains space to operate differently. And in a world with long-term projects, seeing something finished and accomplished has tremendous value. One year, I took an online gouache pattern design course, and it was one of the most joyful uses of time. I looked forward to it every day. While my art will likely never be in a gallery, it makes me happy and that happiness radiates out in my life.

4. Go outside. As a dog owner, I have an excuse to go out into nature frequently. Watching the seasons change, getting to see and know my neighbors, and just being present in the world brings me so much joy. But it is easy to do this and just roll through it, checking one thing quickly off a mile-long to-do list. I try to slow it down and take advantage of this time to see the small things that fill me with wonder and joy. If I’m having trouble doing that on my own, I listen to a meditation that I can do while I walk to foster that connection.

5. Lay hands. One of my dearest friends used to be a massage therapist. I remember her once telling me about the immense responsibility of that role. She said, “You don’t know if that person has experienced touch that day. And it is so rare to experience touch without intention.” This acknowledgment of the power of touch stayed with me. It is so important to give and receive touch frequently, daily if possible (I’m talking about non-sexual, consensual touch). Take time to give someone a solid hug, long enough that you can take a deep breath or two. It will help you feel so good!

6. Breathe. When was the last time you took a deep breath? Yes, meditation is all the rage, but for all of the health and well-being crazes you may read about, this one really is backed by science (as well as thousands of years of experience by millions of people). Meditation can lower stress levels when you are in a difficult situation, and even when things are going great it can help build resilience for difficult times. So even if long meditation sessions aren’t your thing (yet), finding a time to really breathe and pay attention to your body and surroundings will have a profound effect. If you are new to meditation, I highly recommend apps like Headspace that offer both guided meditations and education on how to meditate (even people with busy minds that they “can’t shut down” can do it!)

What helps you reset to be your best self and the best parent you can be? Once you know, you can then help your kids reset to be their best selves.

This post originally appeared on Authority Mag.

Marianna Sachse is the founder of Jackalo—a line of long-lasting and organic children’s clothes that accepts all of the used clothes back to be repaired and resold or responsibly recycled, reducing the environmental impact our kids' clothes have. She is a mother of two active kids and a maker.

 
Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Letting Go of Emotional Baggage to Become a Better Parent

By Dr. Bradley Nelson

Photo: Unsplash, @gcalebjones

Have you ever thought about mistakes your parents made when raising you and swore that you would not repeat them? Many parents do, and yet they find themselves reacting the same ways their parents did when family challenges arise.

The reasons for this may go beyond habits we pick up from the way our parents raised us. Most of us carry emotional baggage—what I call “trapped emotions”—from difficult or traumatic circumstances we have faced in our lives.

Everyone experiences strong, negative emotions from time to time. Sometimes, for reasons that we do not fully understand, emotions do not process completely. So instead of moving beyond an angry moment, or a temporary bout with grief or depression, this negative emotional energy can remain within the body, potentially causing significant physical and emotional stress and coloring our interactions with others.

Fortunately, it is possible to identify and release trapped emotions using The Emotion Code, a system we developed for this purpose. To do this, we ask a person a series of questions in conjunction with a simple form of muscle testing that allows us to get answers from the subconscious. This process allows us to:

  • Determine if an emotion was inherited or is a result of a person’s life experiences.
  • Discover the origin of an emotion, whether from a mother, father, grandparent, or even earlier generations.
  • Permanently release emotional baggage, wherever it came from, for improved wellness and relationships.

The Emotion Code allows us to determine more information about a trapped emotion, including when it occurred, what it was about, and if it was absorbed from someone else.

Because we are connected with each other, we are also vulnerable to the emotional energy of each other. This is particularly true in close family relationships. We can take on other people’s feelings sometimes, and that energy can become trapped in our bodies and end up affecting us.

A mother can be feeling bitterness, and her child might pick up some of that energy, or a friend might be going through a difficult episode, and you may absorb some of their emotional energy.

Trapped emotions can be created by circumstances that are quickly forgotten. Say, for example, that one day everything just seemed to go wrong. We can become pretty upset at times when things aren’t going our way. The intense emotions we may be feeling on an occasion like this may leave us with a trapped emotion or two. But a year later, you may be hard pressed to remember this event, particularly if you chose not to dwell on the bad experience.

If a number of years have gone by, the trapped emotion will still be there, but consciously recalling the event may now be very difficult if not impossible.

Whether you actually remember what occurred and what created your trapped emotion is not critical to the releasing of the emotional energy.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this process is that trapped emotions, once released, are gone forever. In the decades that I have been teaching the Emotion Code, I have never seen a single trapped emotion return after being released.

On the other hand, it is possible for people to have more than one occurrence of a particular trapped emotion. Therefore, you might release many trapped emotions of anger, but each emotion will be a separate and distinct energy, trapped during different emotional events in the past. It’s also possible to trap several distinctly different emotions during the same stressful event.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a specific problem, it’s important to determine if trapped emotions may be playing an unseen role. Discovering and releasing trapped emotions can make you a better parent. You can also use these techniques to help your children get rid of their own emotional baggage.

When trapped emotions are identified and released, people often experience a profound improvement in their lives and relationships, as they are able to finally be free from the burdens of the past.

 

 

Dr. Bradley Nelson
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Veteran holistic physician and author of The Emotion Code, Dr. Bradley Nelson is an expert in the emerging fields of Bioenergetic Medicine and Energy Psychology. He has certified thousands of practitioners worldwide in helping people overcome unresolved anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness and other negative emotions and the physical symptoms associated them.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Thoughts of a Motherless Mom on Mother’s Day

By Leigha Balchus

Photo: purchased via Lightstock

Thoughts of a Motherless Mom on Mother’s Day…

Superpowers:

Since you passed away, I’ve discovered I have a superpower, an ability that saves me when a sea of grief threatens to swallow me up whole. It’s simple, yet profound, like oxygen to lungs that burn for breath.

It was granted to me the day you died. And, although it never gets easy, it grows stronger with time and helps me survive in this world without you, when doing so feels impossible.

I have the power to shift, and I’ve mastered it…most days.

I can shift my mind to other things, my attention elsewhere. ANYWHERE. Except the thought that you’re gone, nowhere to be found on this earth. I’ll never hear your voice again or feel the warmth of your embrace this side of Heaven.

On any given normal day, I’m really good at shifting. But, on Mother’s Day, I find it nearly impossible. And, honestly, I dread it.

 

A Tsunami:

Reminders of you are EVERYWHERE. From the heart-wrenching, Mom commercials that leave me reeling, like this one from Gatorade a few years back, to the store ads and the card aisle…even strolling through HEB isn’t safe!!

I can’t escape the memories that flood my mind like a tsunami, emerging without warning, reminding me that no matter how hard I search for you, you’ll never be found. I’ll never buy another Mother’s Day card again.

HOW DO I DO THIS WITHOUT YOU?!!

Sadness engulfs me. I can hardly breathe as waves of grief crash relentlessly over me, knocking me down and sweeping me under again and again. Warm tears stream down my face.

Then suddenly I hear a voice in the distance….

“Mom, are you okay?”

…and in that moment I feel it. A shift. It’s happening.

A mother arises where a daughter once stood.

 

An Unexpected Rescue:

It turns out there’s a force even greater than the waves of grief that threaten to consume me right up. It’s the greatest superpower of all.

LOVE.

Love that comes from the ones who call ME Mom, who are here, right now, excited to celebrate with ME on Mother’s Day. As much as I long for days passed, I know what you’d say. It’s time to shift into the present, to soak up MY time of being celebrated as a mom and enjoy every minute of it before it’s gone. And, as always, you’d be right.

Waves calm. Deep breath. Now shift.

Although my soul will never stop aching to see you one last time or call you and hear your sweet voice, I will choose to take hold of this force that’s more powerful than grief. One you taught me well. I will choose to shift my gaze to what’s up ahead, rather than focusing on what’s behind. And, I will honor you by loving my children well.

So that one day, when it’s my turn to leave this earth behind, and they must face Mother’s Day without me, they will be able to shift, too. Not because they won’t miss me, but because they will have the very same power within them that I have today. A legacy of LOVE that you left behind. One that will be passed down for generations to come.

The love of a Mother is a powerful force to be reckoned with.

This post originally appeared on Midland Moms Blog.

Hi, I'm Leigha! I'm a mom of two who was raised by my grandparents. I'm a suvivor, an overcomer, and a chain breaker. I believe we all have the power within us to break free of our past and write a new story for our future. That's why I write.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Being Small: How I Help My Short Daughter Feel More Comfortable in Her Own Skin

By Lori Orlinsky

 

When my daughter Hayley was three, she came home and declared that day would be her last attending the preschool she loved so much. When I asked her why, tears began streaming down her face. She explained to me that the teachers hung up a growth chart in the classroom and placed a piece of tape next to the measurements to show the height of each child. While her friends landed at the top and middle of the chart, her name was at the very bottom, with no other names in sight.

“I’m the worst because I’m at the bottom,” she told me. “Everyone is taller and better than me.” Being 5-foot-1 on a very good day (with heels and volumized hair), I related to her predicament. Growing up, I was always the shortest kid in class, but it never seemed to bother me the way it affected her. Sure, I knew at an early age that I’d never be on the basketball team, but I relished in the little privileges I was afforded, like being front and center in a class photo.

“I don’t like being called a munchkin,” Hayley told me.

So rather than telling my strong-willed daughter that she should ignore these comments, I armed her with all of the things I could think of that gave her an advantage over her taller peers. For example, she is the last one to get wet when it rains and she can squeeze into the best hide-and-go-seek spots.

At that time, I began to look for some children’s books on the topic to provide Hayley with relatable characters that were story heroines. After scouring bookstores and Amazon, much to my surprise, no book on this topic existed.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 160,000 kids stay home from school each day to avoid being bullied. Research indicates that bullying behavior can start as early as age three, with girls facing a larger chance of teasing.  The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress believe that bullying has a real and profound psychological impact into adulthood. The saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me,” is totally untrue.  For the most part, physical damage from a fight heals quickly, but words can cause damage to a child’s self-concepts and identity.

I didn’t want Hayley to be another statistic. While I knew the comments made about her height were innocent and playful and even endearing at times, I worried that being labeled as short would cause her to lack self-esteem and self-confidence at a crucial time in her emotional and social development.

So, I began writing my own story for Hayley (at times on Post-It notes), not knowing what a meaningful undertaking it would prove to be for both of us. Initially, my vision was to produce a short bedtime read that would send shorter kids off to dreamland with a “short power” message. But as I began writing, I felt as though the undertones within the story were universal: everyone has their own, unique qualities that make them special. We shouldn’t encourage children to bury these qualities or to just “blend in.” Rather, they should be taught to embrace them.

I was so excited to show Hayley the multiple book drafts and she provided me with toddler-honest input on the story throughout the entire writing process. “This is really hard for me, Mommy… not that,” she’s say.  Sometimes, she even gave me a thumbs down.

A few weeks (and a lot of iced coffee and all-nighters) later, I had a completed manuscript and a book offer from a prominent publisher quickly followed.

On Dec. 21, 2018, which just so happened to be National Short Girls Appreciation Day (since it is the shortest day of the year), I proudly read Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All) to Hayley’s kindergarten class, with her sitting beside me, turning the pages. Not only was the story based on my experience raising her, but I also worked her personality into the book, capturing familiar bits of her in every page.  It was one of those surreal, once-in-a-lifetime moments that I will hold onto forever.

Although this book was a labor of love for Hayley, it also serves as my gift to the millions of kids who are different than what society deems “normal.” We are raising the next generation and in today’s day and age, it has never been more important to instill qualities of self-confidence and self-worth in our children, especially young girls.

Do you have a young child who is too short? Has hair too curly? Wants to mismatch their shoes daily? Talk to them about how to accept themselves, find their advantages and celebrate their differences. While Hayley measures about four inches below the growth curve for a child her age, she actually stands taller with the knowledge that she is valuable and deserving of life’s best offerings and opportunities.

Lori Orlinsky is a Chicago-based mom of two little ladies. Often times, life is messy, chaotic and complicated and while she has not yet mastered the art of peeing alone, she wouldn't trade this life for the world.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

How to Turn Your Kid into a Kindness Superhero (Yep, It’s a Thing)

By Jaclyn Lindsey & Melissa Burmester

Photo: Melissa Burmester

Did you know that the latest research shows that being kind increases happiness and well-being? Kindness can lead to increases in peer acceptance, and it’s a life-long skill that’s surprisingly easy to incorporate into your child’s routine.

Being a superhero is all about making the choice to use your powers for good when you see something you can change. When kids understand the power they have to make both themselves and others feel good, choosing kindness becomes so much more than just another rule to follow.

Play “I Spy Kindness”
Kindness is all around us if we start looking. Unexpected smiles. People helping strangers carry shopping bags. Someone who gives up their seat on the bus or train.

Make a game out of spotting acts of kindness, and before you know it, your child will be full of their own ideas to make a difference.

Save the (School) Day with a Kind Word
Words matter. What does your child have to say? Ask them to use their new powers of observation in the classroom to see if a friend, classmate, or teacher’s aide might enjoy a kind note—and if so, create one for them!

Your child’s note can be anything they want it to be, from a kind word on a piece of paper to a thank you to a teacher for their help.

Help Save the Planet by Picking Up Litter Together
Keep rubber gloves, trash bags and recycling bags in your car or travel bag and help your child take care of the earth—and make their world more beautiful.

Choose a corner, street, or playground that you as a family can help keep clean.

Demonstrate the Power of Small Acts for Big Problems
The next time your child asks a question about someone who is experiencing homelessness or about an issue on the news like immigration, do one small thing about it together as a family.

Help your child give gently used clothing to a shelter for families, make a donation, or volunteer together.

Add Gratitude to Your Evening Routine
Asking your child what they are grateful for can be an eye-opening (and profound) experience. Try asking your child before bedtime what made them happy that day.

Kindness.org Co-founder and Chief Strategist Melissa Burmester shares, “I’ve started doing this with my two-year-old and it’s become one of my favorite times of the day. Yesterday, she was grateful for sunshine, fig bars, and Grandma. The day before that it was puddles to jump in.”

Every act, no matter how small, makes a difference. (Cape optional.) Help your child engage their kindness superpowers today!

Jaclyn Lindsey & Melissa Burmester
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're moms and co-founders of kindness.org, a nonprofit with a bold mission: building a better world through education, storytelling and scientific research, in schools, workplaces and in our digital lives—so that more people have the opportunity to choose kindness every day.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement