Tag self-determination

Kwanzaa: A Letter to My Nephew- Part I

Making mistakes is a part of learning and growing into adulthood.
Kwanzaa: A letter to my nephew. As you move forward into manhood, I guarantee that you will make mistakes. You NEED to make mistakes to grow. There is no way around that. Practice making better mistakes. Learn from the mistakes of others. Give yourself permission to mess up. Laugh at yourself every day. We are really not that important. Throw your anxiety to the wind. Those that are building their lives have little time to criticize. When you see a critic, feel compassion for them. They made a choice to spend their energy tearing down instead of building up. But remember, you are about the business of creating.

Rites of Passage or Bullying: Understanding the Fine Line

Explore the distinction between traditional rites of passage and bullying, using insights from a case study in Sayreville, NJ, to highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing power imbalances in youth activities.
What can we do about bullying as parents and elders in our communities and homes? Pay attention, ask questions, and go deeper. You are your child's first life of defense in keeping things balanced in our world. As parents, we need to pay attention to our children's body language and behavior. Are they sleeping more or less? Are they excited to go to practice and school? Do your children isolate? Are there new people in their lives? Do you know who their friends are and what they do today? Are you at practice and games to see what is going on and who they are associated with? Do you know trauma when you see it?