A Shot (of kindness) In The Arm

this is required watching. you will be so happy you did.

i am the world's biggest fan of amy krouse rosenthal, author of amazing children's books, i'm sure you have a few on your shelf, (my favorite is "LITTLE HOOT"). she always has something very smart and meaningful to say... and do.

read more of her greatness here.

The Chill of the Spill

as if our planet weren't already in enough trouble, you and your children have seen the devastating effects of the gulf coast bp oil spill. there is much to be done to restore it to a healthy ecosystem.

here is an easy 1 minute activity to do:

log on to www.restorethegulf.com with your family. each of you can type in your name signing the petition to let president obama know that the entire country is counting on the government to fix this.

as they say on their site, "do it for the sandcastles, do it for the pelicans, do it for the oysters..."

the lesson: we ALL have a voice, and it has POWER. talk to your kids about the responsibility that comes with that power; standing up for what is right, what you believe and protecting those who can not protect themselves (in this case, the oysters).

Acme Library - Kids Make It Better

here is a fun book to do with your kids (or let them do it themselves).

a "write-in, draw-in journal", KIDS MAKE IT BETTER asks it's readers questions and gives them the space to fill in answers. questions like,

"how would you get people to stop fighting?"

"what would you do to help animals who have no place to sleep?"

"what would you do to get more people to share?"

it's a great thinking activity that is "others oriented" and perfect for summer; on a plane, in the car or sitting on the grass under a tree.

Whistleblower

i was really moved by the FALLING WHISTLES website. it's movie and mission are so powerful. help bring light to the DRC and the young boys who are forced to go to war before they can even hold up a weapon.

purchase a whistle for $30 and know that you are helping to fund a movement to start the conversation for change in the congo.

here is a link to "falling whistles"

the lesson: an interesting dialogue to start with your kids is how LUCKY we are to have been born in a place of freedom. pure luck. how can we help others who have not been as lucky?

***added bonus: you needed help training your dog AND your kids, this whistle may actually come in handy.

Acme Holiday - Trick or Gift

so your kid has their costume, they are thinking of nothing else but trick or treating this weekend, you've got your flashlight and all is good to go.

SO, since you will be going door to door ANYWAY, here is a very easy giving back project/ lesson.

i posted about this last year for halloween so here it is again:

UNICEF has raised over $140 million and saved god only knows how many teeth from cavities.

if you don't know this program, it's where kids ask neighbors for pennies in lieu of candy. money raised is then sent in to help support the very worthy programs in over 150 countries.

since our kids will be at carnivals, class parties and more, they won't, in any way, be deprived of candy this halloween. so trick or treating can become about something else. i am not above bribing my kids to trick of treat for UNICEF and i will buy them their favorite candies in return (is this the wrong message?).

get your boxes at participating IKEA, PIER ONE IMPORTS or HALLMARK stores or

download cute "wrapper" here and affix to any canister at home (i am using one that had bread crumbs).

lesson: we drink clean water, not all children do. unicef helps provide for the kids who need water, medicine, food and education.

***added bonus: not hopped up on sugar, they might get to bed on time after an already over-stimulating day.

here"s a link to read more about it: UNICEF.ORG

Horror Story

this is unbelievable! "the story of stuff" will really make you think about what you have, where it comes from, how it's made and where it goes. a serious wake up call for the world of recycling, global warming and consumerism. this 20 minute movie will change the way you shop. it will make you think about STUFF and educate you in a way that you probably had an inkling about, but leaves no room for doubt. i hope everyone gets a chance to watch this. see it first by yourself and then watch it with your kids.

see it here: storyofstuff.com

the lesson: does my family really need another _____? how will it effect our lives vs. how will it effect the world?

***added bonus: an easy way to be inspired to get on that budget.

You Are What You Eat

as if we don't already have enough on our plate (wink), i thought it would be nice to try revamping our family meals.

ORGANIC FOOD and why it's important:

children are 4 times more susceptible to pesticides and other toxins than adults. many approved chemicals were registered long before research linked them to cancer and other diseases.

when these chemicals are used in farming, they are not only ON the food, but they are in the air and the run off pollutes our water supply (which we will eventually intake as well).

in non organic farming, more energy is used to produce synthetic fertilizers than is used to till and harvest ALL of the farms in the U.S.

organic produce is far superior in nutrients and vitamins.

there are lots of political reasons like the fact that our taxes are paying for hazardous waste to clean up environmental damage caused by non organic farms BUT

one of the best reasons is because it TASTES SO MUCH BETTER!!!

i found this information and a ton more like it at mmmunch.

this amazing "wholesome nutritional" website (from 2 healthy moms) offers recipes, tips for picky eaters, pantry make-overs and cooking classes for parents. sign up on their website for "tasty tidbits". yummy.

BULLSEYE!

it often feels like i can go weeks, even months, without seeing the big picture. living in a myopic world of my family and the "to-do list", i forget about all the help needed in the world. AND to add insult to injury, i know i'm not alone when i fondly reference those regular, almost mindless, trips to target where very full shopping carts (sometimes two) of god only knows what are de riguer.

here we can solve both of those problems: make meaningful purchases at target AND help those who need it.

the TARGET HOUSE is a home like no other. it is affiliated with the st. jude's children's research hospital and accommodates thousands of families NOT on vacation. they have made a wish list of items that you can easily buy on target.com to help these children feel more comfortable during their treatments.

www.target.com/targethouse and scroll to the bottom to find "wish list"

although you still might need to go to target for toilet paper (and 5 dozen more random items), at least now you can cross off help others from your "to-do list" this week.

Soooo Sweet

the great american bake sale is an organization that helps you put on a (see if you can guess what i'm going to write next) bake sale!!! yay, you guessed right!

they send you a poster, give you the low down on sales, give you an email card to forward to friends and set up an account for you. sure, you could do all of this yourself, but somehow it seems so much more LEGIT.

TGABS (my acronym) gives all of the monies raised to a hunger relief organization in your neighborhood.  this morning my son and his "girlfriend", charlotte, made a whopping $33. if i may go one step further, i would like to recommend baking rice krispies treats - they are the EASIEST thing on the planet to make. melt butter, add mini marshmallows, add cereal, stir and pour - THE END.

here's a link for THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKE SALE

the lesson: basically it's "business school 101": make a product, market and advertise, sell and donate.

***added bonus: it's really fun, great to eat leftovers and who doesn't love sitting around begging people for a dollar.

Dear Mr President

well, he's been in office for only a few hours, but why not have your child write to President Obama? seriously, what are you waiting for?

kidthing.com has created the "dear mr president project" where kids are invited to draw and/ or write to our new commander in chief. what a great chance for families to sit down and talk about our hopes and dreams for the future.

the mail in deadline is postmarked by january 27th (one week from today). don't forget to sign the submission form so that your child's letter is eligible for the "dear mr president project book" which will be available to purchase in early february.

kidthing.com

the lesson: power is not only in the hands of adults, kids have to know that their voice counts. in a world where children mostly feel small, this can help them feel as though they are heard and can make a difference. 

***added bonus: it's OBAMA, baby!!! what more bonus is there?

Call to Service

our new first-lady-to-be is a girl after my own heart. she's a mom of two, supports her busy husband, has understated style and wants everyone to give back. come on, we're 2 peas in a pod!

this monday, january 19th is DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR day and MICHELLE OBAMA'S day to "call to service" the entire country.

the m.o. for M.O. is to get everyone to do ANY kind of community service on monday, (which is also a school holiday, so we'll be looking for things to do). the idea is to "renew america together, one community at a time. it will take ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose to get this country back on track. this national day of service is an important first step in our continuing commitment." 

this is an exciting project and one i hope you will consider doing with your families. to find local activities and to learn more about this national day of service, check out the website:

usaservice.org

if you can't find anything that speaks to you, please browse the acme sharing archives with over 70 ideas for community service projects to do with your kids.

***extra credit - i would LOVE to hear from you. please let me know how you spent the day, how it affected your kids and what did or didn't work in teaching them the most important aspect of humanity: SHARING.

Bake Sale

how about we pull together our kids and their friends to host an all american bake sale. yum. 

this is a fabulous site that gives you bake by bake instructions to throwing your own COOKIES FOR KIDS' CANCER sale.

it is so simple, click here to go to their site

at the very least, just go for it, put on a bake sale the way you do a lemonade stand and donate the money to them, but i like how they lay out the instructions and make you feel very much a part of something bigger and better than just you (i know, i am probably just speaking for myself).

the lesson: a delicious day of pigging out with friends can be so much more. there is information on the link above that will give you facts to use in talking with your kids about cancer. they should know the statistics and facts on medical breakthroughs (or, sadly, lack thereof).

***added bonus: more like added inches to my waist. added pounds to my scale. added cavities to my mouth.

Acme Library - 10 Things I Can Do...

a fun and graphic book for kids of all ages (mostly 8 and younger, in my humble opinion). touches on the basics we all know about helping the earth, but in a way that kids can get excited about - maybe because they have heard some of them before. i think it's a great gift.

to buy this book, see acme library on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme Library - One Hen

microfinance. this is a great way to introduce your kids (from a safe distance) to the needs in third world countries.

One Hen is a lovely book to help them grasp the idea. 

this is a true story and such an inspiration!

here's a link to kiva

here's a link to microplace

here's a link to village banking 

to buy this book, see acme library on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Acme Holiday - St. Partick's Day

not much "giving back" in the traditional st. patty's day activities of searching for a pot of gold or drinking shamrock shakes, so here's another thought. yes, it's drastic, yes, it's mostly for boys, and yes, most of you won't do it BUT, here goes...

the st. baldrick's day foundation organizes head shaving to raise awareness and funds for kids with cancer. your child can be a "shavee" to show their support for this cause. log onto the site to find the allocated barber in your neighborhood. before the buzz, go online for details and have your child solicit donations from family and friends. look, at least the weather is getting warmer.

the lesson: your child could have a deeper level of understanding for chemotherapy patients as they go through this process. it might touch them in a way neither of you could imagine and quite possibly send them on a quest to help find a cure in our lifetime. for example.

***added bonus: no more fighting about washing his hair.

here's the link to the st. baldrick's foundation