Internationally recognized author & educator for professionals, parents, and kids
Being a Mom
The Agony of Victory and the Defeat of Healthy Communication
85513 years
Dealing with passive aggressive communication in your household? Check out my post on Psychology Today:
Is Empathy Enough? What Motivates You to Do Good?
2813 years
As a social worker, I’m all about empathy and the importance of teaching this “skill” to young kids. This NY Times article brings up some interesting points about the importance of empathy, while also pointing out that empathy alone is not nearly enough:
“If you want to make the world a better place, help people debate, understand, reform, revere and enact their codes. Accept that codes conflict.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/opinion/brooks-the-limits-of-empathy.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
Better Than You by Trudy Ludwig
32213 years
I first fell in love with Trudy Ludwig’s writing when I read My Secret Bully It was the perfect Read & Discuss student activity to include in my own book, Friendship and Other Weapons: Group Activities to Help Young Girls Aged 5-11 to Cope With Bullying. Since then, I’ve become a avid fan of Ludwig’s books for reading and sharing with kids–including my own daughters, ages 8 & 5.Yesterday afternoon, when our copy of her latest book, Better Than You arrived, we all cozied up on the sofa, eager for another good read. Indeed! Both of my kids are all too familiar with the “Jake-type:” the kid who has an incessant need to one-up everyone else. They both really related to the pufferfish analogy about kids who brag a lot and understood exactly what Ludwig means when she writes, “But when a kid acts like a pufferfish, he takes up so much space that he can also push friends away.” Brilliant. So simple, so clear, and so true.
As a Mom of kids who have been guilty of “puffing” a time or two themselves–particularly with each other–Better Than You was a great conversation starter and powerful reminder of how others perceive puffery and bragging. This book is a must read for kids and a must-share for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone living or working with kids.
In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and of a Very Loved Friend
16413 years
by signewhitson
in Being a Mom
15 months ago, a dear friend of mine–one of those fun, witty, down-to-earth, all around easy to love ladies–was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She has three awesome kids, close in age to my own, and a will to live like you can’t believe. I am talking serious, cry-just-thinking-about-it bravery and grace and poise and wisdom. God, I am so lucky to know her.
In updating her friends on her treatment, progress, and setbacks since her diagnosis, she has written the most beautiful, inspirational, and honest accounts. I keep every single one.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I asked her if I could share one of her most recent e-mails. She, of course, allowed (more…)