Being an educator is hard work. Work doesn't always magically end when the school day ends. Often, "other duties & responsibilities as assigned" come in the form of meetings, late nights & impromptu conferences with parents defending our character. I can't tell you how many times people have commented (my husband included) that I am lucky to have the summer off. Trust me, educating the next generation and keeping up with them has nothing to do with … [Read more...]
Every Mother Has a Story to Tell: A Story About Race
Today on the blog I am welcoming Meghan Joy Yancy from Meghan Joy Today. She’s sharing her story about race. The Reality of Race & Skintone I was always so curious as to what they would look like. With the mixture of my husbands’ dark chocolate complexion and my German nearly translucent skin tone, the possibilities were endless of what our darling children would look like. This perfect and beautiful mixture of colors to create any number of … [Read more...]
When Being a Good Mom Hurts: Taking a Tough Look at Motherhood
Every mother has a story to tell. I'm excited to bring this series to the blog this month! I'm sharing this space with some amazing ladies and writers. They all have a unique story to share about motherhood. Lately, motherhood has been the most beautifully painful experience I've ever had. There are moments I'm riding on a wave of euphoria, and other moments wondering where I went wrong & why it hurts. I've heard it said that if parenting is not … [Read more...]
Why I’m jealous of the stay at home mom (but she’s still my best friend)
They tell you in school that if you pick a job you love, you’ll never work another day in your life. That’s mostly true, but with any job, you will face challenges that aren’t fun. I have worked in education for nearly 10 years. I love helping students and families. The kind of work I do can be very fulfilling most days. However, whenever I have a significant time off work (Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring Break), I go into full mommy mode. I have the … [Read more...]
Bring a Multicultural Festival to Your School: A Step by Step Guide
*I received these products free through a partnership with Oriental Trading Company. Even though the product I received was free, all opinions are solely mine.* Planning a multicultural festival is a great way highlight the cultural diversity of your community through music, dance, art, storytelling and more. Want to plan one at your school? Read below to find out how! Form a Multicultural Festival Committee The committee should be comprised of teachers, school … [Read more...]
Cross-Cultural Marriage: 6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Jumping In
Since I began my blogging journey, I’ve had people ask me what tips I would suggest for marrying someone outside of their race and/or culture. To that question, I would usually respond by telling them that they should have the same concerns with someone outside of their culture/race as the ones they would have with someone who looked similar to them. But the more I think about it, there are some things that should be considered. Here’s a comprehensive list for you: … [Read more...]
Communication Boost: How to Maximize Conversation With Your Child
Creating an environment that teaches our children to communicate can be difficult. As they get older, they start to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves. Instead of talking to their parents like they did as toddlers, they find friends to confide in. Moms can challenge this by showing their kids that their voice matters and they’re valuable. Here are a few things moms can do with their family to boost communication with their children. … [Read more...]
A Story of Hope for South Sudan’s 5th Birthday
This month, my oldest daughter will turn 5. She will have a themed birthday party, receive presents & have the love and support of her family. Her life is glamorous in comparison to many 5-year-olds in South Sudan. July 9, 2016 marks the 5th Anniversary of South Sudan, the world's youngest country. A country that is plagued by war and conflict. Many five-year-olds in South Sudan depend on the efforts of humanitarian workers, such as CARE workers, to … [Read more...]
How to Meet the Needs of Strong-Willed Children
Do I have a strong-willed child you ask? Believe me, if you are raising one, then you know. You know that simple tasks can have you in battle mode. There are times you just want to give up because it would be easier, but you don't because you refuse to raise a bratty child who will hate you later. There have been a myriad of books, articles and webinars about how to raise/deal with strong-willed children, but how many of them address what these kids need from … [Read more...]