Clean Start Challenge

Clean Start Challenge: Our Community Event

I'm so excited to finally share the details from our Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge event to help boost self esteem in kids and educate parents about the dangers of bullying and cyber-bullying. Our event was a culmination of a 12 week program that I've embarked upon on behalf of Lifetime Moms and SC Johnson to help raise awareness to issues surrounding bullying while providing tips to parents and kids about how to boost self esteem.

Over the last three months, I've had the opportunity to interview incredible individuals - from authors, to parenting experts, to teen role models who are all making a difference by educating and inspiring children of all ages. Our event brought many of these individuals together for an evening where parents got the opportunity to have their questions answered by experts in the field of bullying prevention, while kids shared their own experiences while gaining important information about how they can become positive role models for one another.

We started the evening with Taryn Grimes Herbert, who instantly got everyone in a great mood as she instructed everyone to close their eyes and imagine what their dream life would be. As I looked across the room, I could see people smiling as their thoughts drifted away to faraway places and then raising their hands as they all admitted that they'd love to see their dreams fulfilled. From there, former Miss Teen New Jersey and Love Our Children USA National Ambassador Krysten Moore shared her story of battling a weight problem as a child and how she's made it her personal mission to offer support and advice for kids. "Unstoppable in Stilettos" author and marketing guru Lauren Ruotolo wowed the crowd with her incredible childhood story of growing up with the rare degenerative bone disorder McCune Albright Syndrome, and Dr. Jeff Gardere and Love Our Children USA founder Ross Ellis gave the parents great advice on how to protect kids from bullying online and on the playground. Additionally, representatives from Center Lane shared their insights about their organization and how it helps to provide a safe environment and support system for LGBT teens. Plus, we featured two amazing young women from the New Rochelle High School performing arts program who read stories of kids who have been victimized by their peers.

By the end of the night, Rabbi Beth Nichols read some inspiring quotes from kids ages 7-12 and the parents who attended the event who shared what they learned. Take a look:

From the kids...
"Tonight reminded me that....Bullying is WRONG to infinity and beyond."
"Tonight reminded me that bullying is horrible and never should happen."
"Tonight reminded me that just a simple smile can change someone's life."
"Tonight reminded me that...Life can still be hopeful even if you are bullied. Life will always be awesome!"
"Tonight reminded me that there isn't a limit to my dreams. I should never tolerate bullying."

From the parents...
"Tonight reminds me that my most important job is to help shape my children into the adults they shall become, and to provide them with the tools necessary in their encounters with those who would stand in their way."
If you'd like to see the video from our event, visit the Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge page and make sure you vote for Team Beth as we support Love Our Children USA and Stomp Out Bullying.

Plus, take a look at our slideshow from the event (thanks to Jennifer Parente for your amazing work!)

I'd like to thank our amazing speakers, Temple Israel of New Rochelle, Rabbi Beth Nichols and Linda Barat from the Kulanu committee for their incredible support and insight. And I couldn't had done it without the moms in our community who helped spread the word and came out to help that night - Jill Plein, Amy Ecker, Danielle Feigenbaum and Robin Maccabbee - thank you from the bottom of my heart! Plus, thank you to all the parents and children who took time out of their schedules to attend this incredibly special night. To check out our video from the event, visit the Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge and make sure you vote for Team Beth as we support Love Our Children USA and Stomp Out Bullying. The winning team will win $10,000 for their charity and you can enter to win valuable prizes too!

Posted in: Blog, Clean Start Challenge on 03/25/2011

Tips to Planning an Event

We are down to the wire for the Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge, and this week, we're offering tips on how to plan a community event in your area.

These days, parents and kids are spread so thin that it's tough to add one more thing to their breakneck schedules, but I'm hoping that they will make an exception for our bullying prevention event.

If you're planning an event in your community and are working hard to spread the word, then check out my post at Lifetime Moms which offers a step by step plan to garner exposure and attendance. From creating a partnership with a local media outlet or arranging for a TV anchor or radio host to moderate a panel, there are plenty of economical ways to spread the word! Plus, my coach for our event, Shaina, offers great tips on how to spearhead a community event on a tight budget.

On the flip side, if you're invited to an event that you believe would be worthwhile for yourself or your kids, put the date on the calendar and do your best to make time for it. While we can never predict if our kids will come down with a stomach flu the same night, you should try your best to participate in an inspiring experience for your entire family!

While you're over at Lifetime Moms, don't forget to vote for Team Beth! We've got two weeks left and the winner of the Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge will receive $10,000 towards their favorite charity (ours is Love Our Children USA and Stomp Out Bullying). Plus you can enter to win great prizes provided by SC Johnson. And check back next week when we share all the details from our community event!

Posted in: Clean Start Challenge on 03/16/2011

Bullying and the Disabled: Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge

This week's post for the Clean Start Challenge focused on the statistics we've gathered on our journey to helping kids boost self esteem. While I've personally experienced bullying firsthand as a child and then as a parent, what I learned is that children who are disabled are bullied 60 percent more than their peers.

Today, Ellen Seidman, the incredible writer and mom behind Love That Max, wrote a powerful post about why we need to be mindful of our words. Ellen pointed out that the word "retard" runs rampant in the online world. When Ellen attempted to call people out for using that derogatory word, a few took exception to her comments and many shot back with a nasty retort. Thankfully, others came back to support Ellen and even apologized for being so callous.

As the Internet allows many of us to hide behind virtual personas, those engaging in social media tend to hurl insults at one another with reckless abandon. What we fail to realize is that words can be incredibly painful and it's time we truly become mindful of what we say and write - especially when it comes to individuals with disabilities.

Check out my latest post at Lifetime Moms, where I share the details of a new study compiled by Ability Path called "Walk a Mile in their Shoes." Ability Path and the Special Olympics have teamed up to support children with disabilities who find themselves victimized by bullies. With "Glee" star Lauren Potter as their national spokesperson, Ability Path hopes to educate children and parents about the importance of looking out for kids with disabilities and treating them with kindness, dignity and respect.

I hope you'll take a moment to head over to Lifetime Moms and check out my latest post. And don't forget to vote for Team Beth as we hope to win $10,000 for Love Our Children USA. Plus, you can enter to win valuable prizes provided by SC Johnson.

Our big event is coming up and we're heading into the home stretch. Looking forward to an evening of inspiration and education as we support the efforts of Love Our Children USA and Stomp Out Bullying.

Posted in: Clean Start Challenge on 03/02/2011

Lifetime Clean Start Challenge - Week 7

We're into the second leg of the Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge and this week, we hit the road and met an inspiring mom, author and actress who helps kids become "bully proof" by boosting their self esteem at an early age. Taryn Grimes Herbert is the author of the "I've Got" Books interactive book series for children. Taryn's books have been created to help children ages 5 - 12 sort out their feelings in a fun and colorful way. They also provide an incredible tool for parents, counselors, and educators to use in everyday character-building.

Taryn is also columnist for New Rochelle's AOL Patch, where she frequently writes about topics surrounding bullying prevention.

Check out our interview on the Clean Start Challenge page at Lifetime Moms where Taryn shares highlights from her inspiring workshops and offers advice on how parents can help our kids navigate their young lives with a positive attitude. Taryn will also be appearing at our bullying prevention event on March 3rd. Can't wait!

Now it's your turn! Make sure you visit Lifetime Moms and vote for Team Beth! as we support Love Our Children USA and Stomp Out Bullying in our effort to raise $10,000 for this amazing organization! Plus, enter the Clean Start Challenge Sweepstakes and you could win a Grand Prize of $5,000 and more! Enter up to 5 times a day for your chance to win with prizes provided by SC Johnson.

Posted in: Clean Start Challenge, Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge on 02/17/2011

Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge - Week 3

Hope you've been following along with me during the Lifetime Moms Clean Start Challenge as my team continues on its mission to help boost kids' self esteem. This week, I got the chance to check in with my coach for the challenge, Shaina, who is the Food channel leader for Lifetime Moms and also hosts her own blog, Food For My Family.

Shaina gave me some great pointers on how I could jazz up my daughter's lunch by providing me with some healthy alternatives to her five day a week cream cheese on raisin bread sandwich. Plus, she also stresses the importance of family dinners - something we don't do that often, but need to as my kids get older and are pre-occupied with sports, homework, and electronic devices.

Check out my latest video at the Clean Start Challenge then vote for Team Beth as we support Love Our Children USA and Stomp Out Bullying. Plus, enter to win thousands of dollars in valuable prizes by SC Johnson! Then visit Shaina's channel and check out Food For My Family where Shaina offers tips for your brood to make a clean start in 2011! I know you may be doing a lot of jumping around, but trust me, you'll be glad you let your fingers do the clicking!

Posted in: Blog, Clean Start Challenge, Role Mommy Recommends on 01/18/2011