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Kimberley Munley Hero who stopped Fort Hood shooter
I write this article as a parent sitting here thinking how we can talk to our kids about the insanity that recently happened at Fort Hood. How can we help our kids make sense of it when we ourselves cannot make sense of it?
Bad things happen, and there are bad people in the world. What is important is not to dwell on this, but dwell on how we, how good people react to such situations. While Fort Hood showed us some of the worst in people, it also showed us best in people, in us and in humanity. Lets talk to our kids about two of many heroes we are leaning about.
One such hero we are leaning about is Kimberly Munley, 34, mother of two girls. She was able to get there in just 4 minutes. She did not have time to think, just react. When she saw the shooter chasing an already wounded soldier she instantly fired. "He turned to her and charged, firing rapidly. She returned fire and fell to the ground to help protect herself," said Chuck Medley, director of Fort Hood's emergency services. Kimberly was able to hit the suspect, and end the worst shooting we have seen on a U.S. military base. However, in the process, she took a bullet in each leg and wrist.
To me a true hero is not someone who thinks about doing what is right, but one who simply does what is right without thinking! Kimberly is definitely one such hero. READ More on Talking to Your Kids about Fort Hood
I heard about this girl this morning and really had to sit back and think. Kayleigh Crimmins, a 6 year old who loves dogs so much she wanted to help keep the dogs of the Newport News, VA K-9 unit safe. So do you know what this incredible little girl did? She sold her toys on craigslist to raise money to buy 5 bullet-proof vests for these dogs. Consider that these vests can run more than $600! Kayleigh has made similar donations for K-9 forces in North Carolina and Maryland.
This is just another example of how kids impact the world around us and can make a difference!! We are so proud of you Kayleigh!!
You can view more information at: Wvec.com
by Stephanie Partridge
Great Family Experience: Hiking and Climbing together
For my son's 18th birthday, one of the presents I gave him was tickets to a concert featuring several of his favorite artists. For my daughter's 13th birthday, one of her presents was a local dog parade and Louisiana State University Veterinarian School open house. There have been many times that I have given my kids "experience gifts" instead of the traditional present. These gifts are more than new clothing or a new CD, they are creating memories. Kids can take photos or buy souvenirs to remember the event or experience, but the main present is the experience such as a concert or special show. Try one of these experience gifts for your child's next birthday or special occasion.
1. Concerts
Older kids love concerts. Before you choose a concert and purchase tickets, though, check out the band and fond out about as much of the show as possible to make sure that is appropriate for your child. For younger teens, you can go with them to the show. Older teens can usually do OK attending independently with a couple of friends. If you want to give them something to remember the event, purchase a souvenir t-shirt or some other item that they can keep and be reminded of their special day.
2. Play
A stage play is an excellent gift for the thespian in your family. If you are in an area that has local playhouses, you can easily find plays there just about any time. If plays tour to your city, you can find a good one that will be near you and take your child. Keep a program from the event and the ticket stub if you can. That way, they can have a keepsake from the event. The key with experience gifts is to get a keepsake to commemorate the event.
3. Touring Show
A touring show such as The Wiggles, Icecapades or a wrestling event can also be a great experience gift. Watch your newspapers and sign up for sites like Eventful and Ticketmaster to keep up with what shows are coming to your area. READ More on Giving More Experiences Instead of Toys
Why YOU are Never Too Young to Make a Difference!
The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes
Whether you are 10, 12, 15, 17, or any other age, you probably don't think adults are going to listen to you. Maybe you have a cause you are passionate about, but you don't think anyone will listen to what a kid or teen will have to say. You're wrong! You may be young, you may not have all the answers, but you are truly never to young to make a difference in this world. Take for instance a young girl, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, who was able to speak to the entire United Nations Assembly when it met in Brazil several years ago. At that point in time, she was only twelve years old, and what she would say there in front of leaders from all over the world would silence the entire world and make them think.
At the age of twelve, Severn had raised the money needed to travel to Brazil to attend the UN Assembly. From Canada, this was about 5,000 miles from home for her - a long way for a 12 year old to travel and it was a lot of money for a 12 year old to raise, but she did it. She was convinced that she had something worth saying that the leaders of the United Nations needed to hear, and she was determined to use her words in a powerful way. READ More on Kids CAN Make A Difference: The Girl Who Silenced the World
Filed under Green Living, News, Parenting by More4kids
Take a moment and think back to when you were a child.
- What kind of music did you listen to?
- Who were your favorite artists?
- How did their music shape you into the person you are today?
If you're like me, music plays a vital role in your life on a daily bases. We subconsciously allow the lyrics and melodies to our favorite tunes to root themselves in the back of our minds and shape the way we view the world around us.
Now think about your children and the music they listen to on a daily basis. If they attend school, think about the music they listen to when you are not there to supervise what gets played. Today's mainstream artists subject children to topics that may or may not be quite appropriate for them at a tender age; an age in which the choices they make will impact the kind of person they grow up to become. Our children will choose someone to follow and the demand for wholesome, uplifting music has never been greater.
The music I create is focused on accomplishing two things:
- Retelling my story and sharing with other people principles and lessons I've learned along the way.
- Impacting young ears in a positive way and teaching them that's it's cool to grow up to be strong men and women who live purpose driven lives - all the while showing kindness to others and making choices that will bring fulfillment and peace to their future.
I'm really excited about this new song we have released here at Mars Music entitled, "I Believe in You". I invite you to check it out and share it with anyone and everyone you know with children. Let's work together to help shape this next generation into powerful young men and women whose hearts are open to doing what's right and whose choices will lead them into greater success than we have seen in our own lives.
- Mars
Mars from Mars Music - Just launched their new video "I Believe in You"
Homeless Child in need
America is the greatest country in the world. I was born here, live here, and love it dearly. Our Statue of Liberty tells the world to ""Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Yet, there are people and children, right here in our country that are struggling… homeless… helpless… and in need. The economy over the last year has made things even worse, and even more desperate for some. And it is children who are homeless that need a voice, and need our help.
There is not a child in this world that asked to be born, yet there are 1.4 million of these blessings (homelesschildrenamerica.org) are walking the streets… sleeping in cardboard boxes and going without food. Hunger and poverty exists around the world. As Americans we have a big heart and try to help out wherever there is need. We have such a big heart sometimes we forget about some of our neighbors that may be suffering too. My heart breaks everytime I see or hear of a homeless family, and even though our family is struggling in this economy, I know there are people and children a lot worse off.
It is easy (as a society) to look at an adult that is down on their luck, possibly losing everything here in America and say that it is their own fault for where they are at. It happens every day, the person on the side of the street that is holding up a sign asking for food or money that you drive by with your windows rolled up looking the other way pretending not to see them. What do you say to the child that has nothing? I am not talking about not having an XBOX, but the essentials… clean clothes, warm food, a roof over their head.
Each and every year 1 out of every 50 kids will become homeless here in our wonderful country of America. That is on an average year; now add into that the very tough economic times our country is going through. Consider the number of parents that have or are losing their jobs… their homes… It can happen to any of us at any time. We can no longer just look at our own children and be thankful that it "isn't us," we need to do something now to help these kids. READ More on Homeless in America - Children in Need
Mom writing a letter to her child
by Stephanie Partridge
It started out as a simple project, write letters to the people I love. It ended up becoming a cherished heirloom for my children. I had a writing project and, after writing the article explaining the process, I wrote a few letters to include as examples. It was supposed to be very cut and dry, get in and get out then move on to the next project. But I could not move on. The words kept swirling in my head, tugging at me heart. I have lived with this need to write. It isn't as if I have a choice, there is something deep inside me that drives me. I have to write.
But something was moving inside me this time, something different. I sat down, pen in hand (yes, I still use a pen and paper for recording many of my thoughts) and began to write. At first they were thoughts, impressions. Soon, however, they became letters. They became letters to my children.
When I started, it was a rather generic letter that I could send to all three of my children. But as I wrote, the letters became unique for each child. It was as if they had taken on a life of their own. I first wrote to my daughter, Micah, a sweet, loving girl. She would do anything for you, never complaining. She is always smiling and likes to make others smile as well. She loves animals and is in a special program at school for animal sciences. She wants to be a veterinarian. READ More on Letters to your Child: A Gift of Love from the Heart
Mom helping daughter apply makeup
by Stephanie Partridge
I will never forget that day. My bright, beautiful 13 year old daughter bounced into my room and sidled up to me, unable to conceal that gleam in her eye. She could barely contain herself (she has always been a very happy, bubbly, smiley girl) as she whispered, "Mom, I want to start wearing makeup."
Screech!
My little girl was growing up.
Now granted, she had played dress up and "worn" makeup. But this was different. Now she wanted to wear makeup "for real." In a flash, her young life sped through my mind. I saw her, at this moment, playing with her dolls and the next wearing makeup. This led to a slippery slope (in my mind) of high heels, prom dresses and (gasp!) boys. It wasn't supposed to be like this! She was supposed to be my little girl forever! Of course, my imagination far exceeded the reality of the situation.
I stopped my racing, panicked mind, took a deep breath and smiled (a sickly smile, but a smile all the same). "Why do you want to wear makeup?" I asked, looking at her beautiful, peaches and cream complexion, wondering why in the world would she want to put makeup on that gorgeous face.
"I want to be beautiful like you." She replied simply, as if I should have already known that. READ More on When your Daughter wants to wear Makeup: Lessening the Trauma (for yourself!)
Parenting is all about communication. We are generally aware of what we say to our teens. We try to be positive, not use negative language, try to speak clearly so that there is no question about what you are trying to communicate to them. But did you ever think about what you don't say to your teen? Are there things that you aren't saying to your teen that they want or need to hear? "What do you wish your parents would say to you?" This was the provocative question posed on a recent website I visited: Words are Powerful: The Love Project.
The answers ranged from simple to complex, from funny to heartbreaking, but through it all, a pattern emerged. There are some consistent things that children not only want, but need to hear from their parents. Words are powerful, but the words we don't say can be just as powerful. Just because you think it does not mean that your child automatically knows it or doesn't need to hear it.
Have you said these ten things to your child recently?
1) I love you!
Of course you love your child, no doubt about it, but when was the last time you actually said it? Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we are doing in our jobs, in our personal lives, in our relationships that we forget to say the obvious but important things. Don't take it for granted that your child knows that you love him or her. Say it. Sometimes they just need to hear the words.
2) I am proud of you.
There are things about your child that make you proud. Maybe they have a gentle, giving heart or maybe they have an exceptional artistic ability. Find at least one thing in your child that you are proud of and let them know about it. When you talk about your child to others, what do you say? What elements about him or her do you mention, even brag about to others? If you find that you are only seeing the negative, then it is a good time to find something positive, something good. Then let them know about it. You might be surprised in the attitude change that a simple "I am proud of you" can bring.
3) I support you in the things you want to do in your life.
Your teen is not you. They have different likes and dislikes, they have different interests. To many teens, the feeling that they are not recognized as individuals is very real - and very frustrating. Maybe they grew up in a family of lawyers, but they want to be a writer. Maybe they feel drawn to a different religion or lifestyle. Maybe they grew up in a large family with lots of kids, but have chosen to only have one or two children when they "grow up" and start a family. Whatever the differences are, there is usually at least some anxiety involved when they tell you about it. As a loving, supportive parent, just saying "I support you in the things you want to do in your life" can make all the difference. READ More on Ten Things your Teen would like to Hear you say to Them
