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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.
Subaru The Best Driving Commercial on TV
Just caught this amazing Subaru commercial and it totally hit home. If you’re worried about your teen driver, you won’t want to miss this…
The (D)ad List of Banned Dr. Seuss Books
In honor of the Late Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Role Daddy Eric Ruhalter pays tribute to some of his lesser known works, with the (D)ad List of Banned Dr. Seuss Books:
GREEN EGGS, HAM AND FUNNY CIGARETTES
THE CAT IN THE HAT COMES BACK TO SILENCE ANY WITNESSES
2 THINGS , 1 CUP
HOW THE GRINCH ACQUIRED ARMS-GRADE URANIUM
YERTLE THE TRANSGENDER TURTLE
AND TO THINK THAT I TURNED TRICKS ON MULBERRY STREET
HORTON SNIFFS SOME GLUE
MCELLIGOT’S POOL OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT WORKERS
THE STAR BELLY SNEETCHES RIOT IN PRISON AND OTHER STORIES
THIDWICK THE BIG HEARTED MOOSE’S PONZI SCHEME
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO RUNNING NUMBERS!
THE LORAX CAN’T LIVE WITHIN 500 FEET OF A SCHOOL
MARVIN K. MOONEY WILL YOU PLEASE TEXT A NAKED PICTURE OF YOURSELF?!
Eric Ruhalter lives in Morristown, New Jersey with his wife, Kara & 3 rambunctious children. Eric is the creator of The KidDicitonary – A Book of Words Parents Need To Describe Their Kids. For more of his wit and wisdom, except for wisdom, amuse yourself at www.TheKidDictionary.com.
March 3, 2011 – Voices of the Community: An Event for Parents & Kids
Voices of the Community: Parents, Students and Noted experts come together for a night of prevention on Thursday, March 3, 2011
Lifetime Moms Presents an Event to Promote Self Esteem in Kids
Voices of the Community: Parents, Students and Noted experts come together for a night of prevention on Thursday, March 3, 2011
Westchester to partner with STOMP Out Bullying™ and Love Our Children USA™ at a community forum to be held at Temple Israel New Rochelle
Event Open to the Public – Adults and Children ages 8+ Welcome
On Thursday, March 3 (6:30-8:30 pm), join members of the Westchester community for a forum and workshop, presented by Lifetime Moms, devoted to building self esteem in kids and bullying and cyber-bullying prevention. Students and parents will get the opportunity to connect with experts and hear from teen ambassadors who have become role models in their own communities by standing up to bullies and advocating on behalf of their peers. The evening will also feature powerful readings by students enrolled in the New Rochelle High School PAVE program. Beth Feldman, a member of Temple Israel, a Lifetime Moms channel leader and founder of RoleMommy.com, will moderate the event.
The STOMP Out Bullying™ community event is supported by the Kulanu and the religious school at Temple Israel of New Rochelle. The program will begin at 6:30 pm.
Speakers include:
Love Our Children USA and STOMP Out Bullying founder and Chief Executive Officer Ross Ellis
Psychologist and author Dr. Jeff Gardere
Krysten Moore National Youth Ambassador Love Our Children USA and STOMP Out Bullying (former Miss Teen International New Jersey)
“Unstoppable in Stilettos” author and motivational speaker, Lauren Ruotolo
Taryn Grimes Herbert, actress, television producer and author of a children’s book and activity series which focuses on boosting self esteem in kids.
James Stewart, Program Director of Center Lane LGBT Youth Center, Westchester’s only LGBT Youth Community Center.
Lisa deMauro, Youth Counselor, Center Lane LGBT Youth Center
Temple Israel of New Rochelle is located at 1000 Pinebrook Blvd., New Rochelle, NY 10804.
The event is being held in conjunction with Lifetime’s, Clean Start Challenge, hosted on LifetimeMoms.com. Three Lifetime Moms are helping their communities by building a school library, increasing children’s self-esteem and helping other moms start their own businesses. The 12-week challenge tracks the moms’ progress through weekly videos and asks America to vote for their favorite blogger and project. The winning mom will receive $10,000 – and the runners-up $2,500 – to donate to favorite charities including NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), First Book and Love Our Children USA.
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About STOMP Out Bullying™
STOMP Out Bullying™ – A national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens is a signature program of Love Our Children USA. It focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country.
About Love Our Children USA™
Love Our Children USA™ is the leading national nonprofit and ‘Go-To’ prevention organization fighting all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S. Since 1999, Love Our Children USA has broken ground in preventing violence against children and eliminating behaviors that keep them from reaching their full potential. Love Our Children USA teaches effective parenting solutions and fosters kid success by creating valuable programs that empower positive changes in parenting and family attitudes, bullying and cyberbullying prevention, Internet safety and school violence prevention through public education. The goal of Love Our Children USA is Keeping Children Safe® and strengthening families.
About Lifetime Networks
Lifetime Networks is a diverse, multi-media company, committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television®, Lifetime Movie Network®, Lifetime Real Women® and Lifetime Digital™ (which includes myLifetime.com, LMN.tv, Lifetime Games, Roiworld.com, DressUpChallenge.com, MothersClick.com and LifetimeMoms.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A&E Television Networks, LLC. A&E Television Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal.