Teaching Little Ones about Civic Engagement

The following is a guest post by Latina mom, Monika Aldarondo. It's part of our Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 series.


I was raised to share my time, talent, and treasure with my community. I want to pass on those values. It is challenging to find ways to authentically engage in serving our community with little ones when all is well with the world, but this year, it is even harder.

That’s where connecting with organizations such as Community Impact Lab (CIL) is so helpful. The founder, Xouhoa Bowen, is a mom of young kids that has made it her mission to create opportunities for families to engage in meaningful ways to give back to our community.

My 5-year-old has been posing questions that frame our daily exploration. But last week, I posed a question: How can we share with our community? 

I knew that morning we would be spending the day participating in CIL’s school supply drive. I had posted about local school supply drives for the children of migrant workers. Xouhoa messaged me that she wanted to help. CIL had requested a list of supplies from the community for local schools. Xouhoa collected and distributed supplies from her home. Since the usual volunteer days of assembling supplies are not possible in the time of COVID-19, my son and I picked up the supplies from her porch. We brought them home to assemble into sets before driving them an hour to another group that was distributing supply-filled backpacks in San Jose and to migrant farmworker families in Salinas. 

As my son grows, I want him to witness us engaging in our community. Many of the families receiving these bags are doing the labor that allows us to stay safe and fed at home during the pandemic... and now during forest-fire-induced-smoky skies. 

Speaking of their contribution to our lives was step one. Taking actions that show how we depend on each other and must hold up our end of taking care of everyone in our community is critical. I don’t believe that a bag of supplies is equal to their contribution to us. But, we do try to find ways to give back despite the challenges of this time.

My son may not see or understand voter drives, giving to community fundraising campaigns, or calling elected officials that I engage in (yet). But he does understand that kids need supplies to create and learn. So we include him there. The rest he can witness by observing us, and we will include him more and more as he grows.

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Monika Aldarondo is a former arts educator, and current photographer and creative shape-shifter with Puerto Rican roots. She posts about her bilingual home/un-schooling journey on Instagram @librolovinmama. Her photography and creative projects can be found at laancla.com

How I Talk to My Teen about What is Happening in our Country

Last night, around midnight, I found my eldest teen sitting on the back steps of our house crying. When I opened the door and asked what was happening, she said, "I hate this country." She bawled in my arms and showed me all the outraged social media posts she had seen about what was happening and the innocent lives that were being tortured or lost. She was overwhelmed by the horror.

At first, I hugged her and told her, "It's okay." I was on automatic pilot trying to soothe her. She immediately said, "No! It's NOT okay!" And she was right.

I can't tell you how hard I prayed to have the right words for her.

So I told her, "You're right. It's not okay. And I'm really glad that you can see that."

We went on to talk about how our country was terribly broken right now. That it has been for a long time but that things have gotten worse in recent years. And people are angry and tired of being ignored.

People should be outraged. They should be livid that there is so much injustice, racism, and just plain evil in this world... and especially outraged that it is still happening in our country.

We talked about how looting is wrong, but their protests, anger, and emotions were totally justified.

We talked about George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. We talked about school shootings. We talked about children being separated from their parents and kept in cages or deported back to countries where they have no parents or families.

I talked about how all of this racism and hate wasn't new, but that it is now becoming visible to everyone and cannot be ignored.

I told her how proud I was of her for being upset and angry and just knowing how wrong it is to treat people so horribly. We talked about how God is not a respecter of persons and that we are ALL EQUAL in his sight. I told her how we are all the same no matter what we look like on the outside. And we are all precious and valuable.

My daughter kept whispering that it should be instinct not to kill a person. That pretty much broke my heart.

I talked about how no baby is born racist. That it is a learned characteristic. Learned from examples. And it comes from a lack of education and a lack of exposure to people of all different walks of life.

I told her that her generation actually gave me a lot of hope. Because young people today are finding their voices and they aren't afraid to use them. People like Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg, Greta Thunberg, Mala Yousafzai, Autumn Peltier, and so many others.

I think that just talking about it was very therapeutic for her. She calmed down and was able to control her tears. Knowing that her feelings were justified and that she wasn't alone in feeling them was really important to her. So was letting her know that I was proud of her outrage and her ability to see the absolute wrongness of the whole situation.

These difficult issues are just exacerbated by the pandemic. Which makes our journey as individuals, as families, as communities, and as a nation that much more difficult.

Don't be afraid to talk to your children. This is the perfect time to talk about the beliefs you hold to be good and true and right. Encourage your children to be brave in the face of adversity. To realize that they can be hurt for speaking the truth. But that ultimately staying true to ourselves and beliefs is worth it. And speaking up for those who are wronged, hurt, or worse is important otherwise we are guilty of the sin, too.

Silence is acceptance.

Silence is approval.

We are better than that.

Resources for Teaching Compassion

In an increasingly angry society where judgment and bullying is becoming more commonplace, lessons in compassion are desperately needed.

I saw this article in the Washington Post and it got me to thinking about how countries around the globe are implementing new classes for students to combat societal problems. For example, classes that teach children and adults how to recognize fake news and how to research for articles that state the truth. Or lessons for combatting bullying.

A few years ago, PBS KIDS launched a new show that focused on teaching preschoolers social-emotional skills. Daniel Tiger gives children tools to recognize and manage their emotions and their interactions with other people. The episodes help children find ways to deal with anger, disappointment, impatience, and more.

So, why aren't we teaching lessons about compassion?

I started researching resources and I've listed what I've found so far below. But I hope to keep adding to it as I find more. Message me if you know of a wonderful product or activity to help parents and educators teach about compassion for others.

Lesson Plans

• Character Education: Compassion {Lesson Plans and Activities} :: Haley O'Connor on TpT (K-2nd)
• What is Compassion? :: Tolerance.org (K - 2nd)
• 5 Compassion Lessons :: Lisa Morris on TpT (3rd-6th)
• Compassion Lesson about Homelessness :: Nordskog on TpT (4th-10th)

Articles

• Raising Includers: 5 Tips to Help Your Kids Be Kind and Compassionate :: PBS Parents
• 13 Ways to Raise a Caring and Compassionate Child :: Scholastic
• 5 Ways to Instill Compassion in Your Children :: Psychology Today
• Raising a Compassionate Child :: Parenting

Videos

• An Exercise in Self Compassion :: video and lesson plan from TedEd

Books

• Under the Lemon Moon by Edith Hope Fine 
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
• I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde
• Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassion by Gabi Garcia

Making Gift Giving Meaningful

Can you believe that November 1st is only a few days away? And you know what that means, right? The holiday shopping season is about to hit us in the face. Just today, I opened an email from a major electronics store and it was talking all about Black Friday deals. Ugh. To be clear, I don't think there's anything wrong with buying gifts. It's the pressure to get good deals that leaves a sour taste in my mouth because it takes the focus away from the very act of gift giving. The commercialism surrounding the holidays now almost ruins what true gift giving is all about.  

I said almost. Because there is something really special about getting together with familia y amigos and giving those loved ones gifts that have meaning. I hate the idea of just going down a list of people and getting them whatever gifts just so I can check them off. Where's the sincerity in that? So before you get anything to just check someone off your to-do list, I want to encourage you to take a moment to model thoughtful giving for your children, family, and community. Give them a gift that will last. One that shows that you thought carefully about them.

Last month, I took my children to Spain to meet my family. It was the first time my son had traveled outside of this country. More importantly, it was the first time that he had a chance to meet my dad, his abuelo. That trip is one that both of my children will carry with them for the rest of their lives. That time spent with family was extra special and a gift they will have forever in their hearts and memories.

The point is that experiences create the memories that bond us. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars taking your family on a far away trip. You can make magic happen close to home by taking loved ones on a local adventure, a music show, committing to an exercise routine together, or honing cooking skills together. Or even just setting up time for a special day with just the two of you. This can be inexpensive for your pocketbook and rich in meaning.

Of course, if you follow MommyMaestra, then you know that education is also a gift that lasts a lifetime. For the nenes in your life, ditch the electronics and meaningless toys. How about a set of blocks that get their creative juices flowing, science experiments they can do with friends, or Peter and the Wolf, the Nutcracker, and other classical pieces you loved as a child?

Handmade gifts are another way to express love and infuse them with meaning. Poems, artwork, crochet/knit, even baked goods are wonderful ways to show the recipient how much you care about them because all of them require TIME. You are investing in that relationship because it is important to you. So if your child has a special talent, now actually would be a good time to think about gift giving if said gift was handmade, required some time to make, and was from the heart.

Whatever their passion as a young learner, stoke those coals. Your gift to them will not only last a lifetime, but help them become thoughtful, considerate adults who positively influence their community!

Por Ellos, Sí Podemos Photo Series to Break Stereotypes & Inspire Latinos

A few days ago, a colleague in a Facebook group shared this Huffington Post article and I immediately knew you'd want to know about it. This photo series by photographer Eunique Jones Gibson is so sweet and inspiring, I wish it were a book! I would totally buy it.

While interacting with parents during her photo shoots for her "Because Of Them, We Can" photo series,  Gibson decided to expand her project and add Por Ellos, Sí Podemos. It launched last month at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. You do not want to miss this!

The bilingual website features dozens of influential Latinos and their quotes in moving photographs and videos starring...Latino children. I want to squeeze each and every one of them.

Inspired by her own two sons, Gibson says her goal is to break down stereotypes and boost children's self esteem...

Below are just two examples of their awesome content. I hope you'll head on over there with your children to see it all.

10 Tips for Raising Problem Solvers

I can't deny that for parents like me, who have chosen to send kids to traditional school, stepping into the classroom once in a while is super important in order to stay informed. After three visits to three classrooms for back-to-school nights, I learned so much! What seemed like endless parent informational meetings on my calendar this month, resulted in newly gained knowledge on how to help my boys do better in school.

This year, the theme seemed to be "Helping our students become problem solvers." I heard this at both schools over and over again. It left me intrigued. And because I love to share anything and everything I learn about education with Mommy Maestra readers, I asked a lot of questions on the topic of raising children to be problem solvers and I went around reading and doing my own research to find out more.

It makes sense that we consciously attempt to teach children to become problem solvers, and bravo to the fact that schools are realizing that we can't just have kids memorize information and take tests. Not only do we strive for our children to become independent and make wise decisions, but it also makes sense that we send them off to the world to help and contribute.

I have learned that there are some things parents can do at home to help support this brilliant idea.

1. Ask your child open-ended questions. This is key for critical thinking skills. Open-ended questions allow children to express themselves while giving details in an answer. Just ask a child how he would spend the day if he were a cat! See what he comes up with!

2. Ask your children questions that will lead to brainstorming with you. This is great for creative thinking skills. Just this weekend, we brainstormed ideas on what one can make with all the apples being picked this season. Pumpkins too! Children pull ideas from past experiences, what they already know, and always want to come up with their own suggestions.

3. Have your child come up with personal observations. I believe books are great for this exercise! When reading, always ask your child what they think is going to happen next in the story. Also, ask how they think a character in the book is feeling. If there is conflict or a problem in the story, ask your child for predictions on how things might end up.

4. Don't give your kids the answers. I know this is hard, but try to not to give answers to your child when you are asking an open-ended question, when you are asking for ideas while brainstorming or while asking questions while reading. If they don't answer, no worries! DO continue to ask but...perhaps not at that moment. I often end a conversation with my oldest by asking him a question fully aware he won't respond. When we break away, I know (or at least hope) he is going over that question in his head.

5. Provide lots of problem solving activities. Puzzles, books, and artwork are great problem solving activities. Putting on a show or a little play are great, too, because they have to figure out what they need for a performance, what props are necessary, and even try to come up with what will happen next.

6. Let children choose what they want to do. If a child would rather spend the majority of the time playing dress-up or putting train tracks together, let them go for it! Children learn through play and if they have the tools, they will be solving problems to meet their needs.

7. Let your child struggle. All parents will admit that sometimes it is easier to give in to children's requests and help them solve their problems. I spend a lot of time zipping up jackets and tying up laces because... it's easier. Be conscious of who it is easier for! Are you really helping your child by practically doing their homework yourself, or are you guiding along without directly answering their questions?

8. Let children experiment. I'm okay with my boys coming home with holes in their pants, dirty shirts and smudged faces. All of that means they were using their hands, doing something, and learning from their experiments outdoors. We failed at gardening this past season but the boys are already coming up with ideas on how to make it work next year!

9. Be okay with the fact that children will make mistakes. Not all questions will be answered correctly and not everything from art class will be a masterpiece. Children should feel safe when wrong. That means: no teasing, laughing, or shaming when given the wrong answers.

10. Ask your kids for help. My oldest is the greatest helper. I often ask him to help me with his little brothers. Whether it is having him play the role of referee when all three are playing together or when I ask him a question about dinosaurs because his siblings are asking. He feels valued when he helps me solve problems around the house. Helpful children are confident children and with that confidence, kids have no hesitation of trying to figure out complex situations.

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Betty Galvan, is writing "for smart and stylish moms" over

at MyFriendBettySays.com.

How to Raise Kind Boys: 5 Simple Tips

Living away from loved ones isn't easy! My boys only see our extended family a few times a year. During visits, they are usually polite, have good manners and behave appropriately. Nevertheless, I have asked teachers if my older sons are kind in school. I also pray and hope that they grow up to be nice guys. Kindness matters and unfortunately, we are living in a world where boys grow up hearing that they should "man up," always be aggressive, competitive, and strong. A lot of times we see young men who forget to hold the door for someone and some that are incredibly rude while socializing.

All children learn a huge proportion of appropriate behavior from their environment. Parents modeling kindness is key (than means no gossiping in front of the boys too!). We do have to be realistic though--no parent or teacher is perfect. We can focus and try to do these 5 simple things to help raise kind boys:

1) Let boys express their emotions. Yes, boys do cry. Boys also feel and can learn to read other people's emotions and reactions, too. Discussing literature or movies with boys and asking them questions about how they think a character might be feeling is a great way to start these types of conversations.

2) Have them take responsibility for their actions. They say boys will be boys. True. Nevertheless, if boys break things, bump someone too hard, or behave very disruptive in class, they should be aware of it. Boys should be taught to understand that if property was damaged, if someone was hurt or upset, they can make amends. Of course, boys can continue to be boys! How awesome will it be when they evolve into gentlemen as well?

3) Girls are special too. Boys are awesome but girls are amazing as well. We need to teach boys that girls are presidents and fantastic athletes: both smart and strong. Parents should avoid using phrases to their sons that belittle or are demeaning to the opposite sex. Moms can play a huge role here by expressing how she feels when boys say things like, "You run like a girl!"

4) Tell them to be kind. And then tell them again and again... "Be nice to the doggie." "Be gentle with Grandma." "Be kind to your friends."

5) Show them lots of love. I vow to continue to kiss my boys on the cheek and forehead even when they are embarrassed by me! I promise to cuddle as much as possible, to play their favorite games, and show them respect. I understand that although I may not be so kind all the time, I am conscious and sorry. We are all human just trying our very best!

If you have any more tips, please share in the comments below!

Image: Instagram @myfriendbetty 

Betty Galvan, is writing "for smart and stylish moms" over

at MyFriendBettySays.com

Making Chores Easier with Dyson DC65 & Best Buy {PRINTABLE}

This post is sponsored by Dyson and Best Buy and includes a review of the new Dyson DC65. 

Does your child have assigned chores at home? Mine do. Since we live on a small farm, my husband and I rely on their help with all the chores that need to be done around here.

But you don't have to live on a farm in order for your child to help out with the housework. And I find that by giving my kids daily duties that they are responsible for is a great way to teach them a sense of responsibility and to be neat and organized. Now I'm not saying my kids ARE neat and organized, BUT we're learning those skills every day through small assignments.

My kids are close enough in age that we trade chores back and forth every other day. So for example, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays my daughter feeds the chickens, prepares the table before meals, and folds up blankets, while my son empties the recycling containers, wipes off the table after meals, and cleans the stairs. Then on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays they switch. Once a week one of the kids dusts while the other one vacuums. And every evening the kids take turns bottle feeding the calves, or they do it together, my daughter feeding one little calf while my son feeds the other. During these cold winter months, they are also in charge of collecting sticks for kindling for our wood stove, and sometimes they stack wood after their Daddy finishes chopping it.

Anyway, I've put together a few blank bilingual chore charts for you to use, if you'd like to. They are handy for helping us to remember to do the little assignments and establish a sense of pride, I think, in knowing that they've contributed to the running of our household.

DOWNLOAD YOUR PRINTABLE CHORE CHART HERE

Because my son suffers from some serious allergies to mold and other allergens, I have to be mindful of what chores he can do and the tools he uses to do them.

That is why I'm really excited about the new Dyson DC65.

The Review

When we got the new Dyson DC65 Animal it was sort of like my fairy godmother granted my biggest wish: a deep cleaning vacuum that can handle the high amount of traffic and resulting debris that goes through my house and floors (small farm, remember?). From grimy dirt, leaves, twigs, pine needles, and even some stuff from the cow pen that we won't mention here, my carpet collects all sorts of stuff on a daily basis. 

My family think I'm a vacuuming maniac because I can frequently be seen lugging a heavy vacuum around the house several times a day. I may or may not have a glassy look in my eye when I do it. (I'm not OCD, I just am determined to try and have clean carpets.) My kids "vacuum" once a week, but our old one is a monster that's pretty heavy to push, especially on rugs. Instead, they prefer to vacuum the stairs with our little cordless Dyson Digital Slim. (And, okay, I've been using that amazing little cordless on the rest of the carpet lately instead of The Monster.)

Anyway, if your home is like mine, it has a combination of floors - some carpet, some hardwood, some tile, etc. Well, I was super excited when I found out the DC65 does them ALL.

Not only that but it is SO LIGHTWEIGHT that my kids can easily push it around. It makes this particular chore easier for them and its modern design delights my robot-loving children making vacuuming suddenly fun again. (Vacuuming is now accompanied by lots of R2-D2-type beeping going on.)

When I first saw the DC65, I was skeptical because compared to our old one, there just doesn't seem to be a whole lot to the vacuum. I mean, the box says it has twice the suction (180AW of suction, to be precise) of any other vacuum, so you would think it would be a gargantuan monster, pero no, it's smaller. But the new configuration of bristles dig deeper into carpets to remove more dirt. When I turned it on and started vacuuming for the first time, I listened with a sort of horrific fascination to all the stuff in my carpets and rugs getting SUCKED away. (My Tía Visi's voice echoed inside my head: "¡Ay! ¡Qué asco!")  AND I can use the long-reach telescopic wand to swish away all those telarañas that gather dust in the corners of my rooms. 

I also love that it has a tangle-free turbine. If you only knew how much time I've spent with a pair of scissors and needle-nose pliers trying to remove all the hair, thread, yarn, fabric strips, and even pipe cleaners that inevitably fall to the floor in this house only to get sucked up into the vacuum cleaner and wrapped around the turbine. But no more! Because the counter-rotating heads with brushes remove hair and dirt. The DC65 is built to survive 10 years, and for the price, it better last that long. And if it does? Then it is totally worth it.

But you know what the best part is? The remodeled airflows help remove more dirt, dust, and allergens. That's a big plus with me because of my son's allergies. He hasn't had any major coughing fits after using the vacuum. There's no bags I have to deal with, either. I just remove the bin from the vacuum, hold it over the trash bin and push a button.

The DC65 is currently only available at Best Buy stores across the country. You can buy the Multi-Floor for $499, or the Animal (comes w/ TFT and dusting brush) for $599, or the Animal Complete (comes with extra tools and Zorb plus TFT and dusting brush) for $649. And it comes in three colors: Platinum, Purple, and Fuchsia.

Disclaimer: I received this product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are strictly mine.

10-Year-Old Sebastien De La Cruz Sings National Anthem @ Game 3 of the NBA Finals

I've been a fan of 10-year-old Sebastien de la Cruz ever since I saw him singing his heart out on America's Got Talent last year. He won my heart instantly - and no doubt thousands of others - with his amazing voice, charm, and sincere face.

Last night, Sebastien took his turn singing the national anthem at game 3 of the NBA Finals in his hometown of San Antonio. Once again, his beautiful voice has moved me to tears. He seems to be embody the hope and possibility found within all of our children. A bright future where their talents are supported and applauded, and their amazing contributions are appreciated.

Even when the fears of the uneducated rears its ugly head, Sebastien responds with grace and confidence. I ask myself, would my kids respond in a similar fashion? Or would they be intimidated? Afraid? Too hurt to respond? Angry? Moments like this remind me to teach my kids to love and believe in themselves and their heritage.

Bravo, Sebastien. But more importantly, bravo to his parents.

And in case you missed his singing the national anthem, here you go! Sing it, M'ijo!

Book Review: Mom Goes to War, Mamá se va a la guerra

Mom Goes to War, Mamá se va a la guerra

written by Irene Aparici Martín
illustrated by Mónica Carretero

For every family that has ever had to battle cancer at some point in their history, this is a book that helps children to understand the experience in a less frightening way.

Mom Goes to War is about a queen who must explain to her two sons about her fight with breast cancer. In the story, she calls a the princes together and tells them about the rebellion happening in her body. She explains the many battles that she alone must fight, but emphasizes her need for an army of allies who will support and strengthen her. Children will learn about the human body, like the role of ganglions as watchtowers to announce the spread of the 'armed rebels,' or cancer cells. But there's no need to fear, because the General (a.k.a. doctor) has a plan of attack that he is putting into place to help defend the queen.

I love books that help children to understand real-life situations. This books is VERY well written and describes a woman's battle with breast cancer in such a way that children can understand the process with a minimal amount of fear. The illustrations enrich the text with soft watercolors that bring the whole story to life.

And do you know the best part? Mom Goes to War is published by the Spanish publisher, Cuento de Luz, and is available both in English or in Spanish. The English translation was done by Jon Brokenbrow and he does a great job.

A Gratitude Ritual



(Rickydavid/Flickr)


The following is a guest post by Carla Molina of the blog, All of Me Now.

Last year, I jumped on the Facebook bandwagon for 30 days of gratitude in November. Everyday I'd post the things I was grateful for and also what my two daughters gave thanks for before bed. It provided some heartfelt and funny posts.

An old friend commented; she told me I was doing such a beautiful thing for my daughters and teaching them an important lesson. Her words really made an impact. It made me wonder why we only ever gave thanks during the month of November. And so, I ventured into creating a daily gratitude ritual.

We tried different things - giving thanks during a meal, while making dinner, during bath time, in the car - but what everyone naturally gravitated toward was giving thanks at bedtime.

Every night after the girls are snug in their pajamas, I turn out the lights and light a small candle. We each take a turn giving thanks for three things then blow out the candle. Once we've all had a turn, I light the candle one last time and we each make a wish and blow out the candle together. Most recently, my oldest has added her own little touch and, as the candle goes out, she whispers, "Let our wish come true."

There are nights when we're so past their bedtime, I want to skip it so I can get some work done while they sleep. Other nights I simply forget to pull out the candle. But my girls never forget. Every night they ask for it. I think it's a wonderful way for them to go to bed with positive feelings in their hearts.

This year I skipped the 30 days of gratitude on Facebook. It's become a yearlong tradition. And while friends can no longer share in the things we give thanks for, I know our daily practice has a much greater impact on the hearts of my daughters.

How do you encourage your kids to practice gratitude?

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Carla Molina is a freelance writer whose work has appeared on Latina.com, SpanglishBaby, Tiki Tiki Blog and in the soon to be launched Vida Vibrante. A Jersey girl gone New England, Carla is a homeschooling mom passionate about raising her two daughters by example. When she's not taking in a movie or devouring a good book, you can find Carla directing and producing her local Listen To Your Mother show which hits the stage in May 2013. Keep up with Carla at her personal blog, All of Me Now.

A Healthy Self Image Begins at Home

© kmiragaya - Fotolia.com

How many of you have daughters? I have one. And she is smart and beautiful with a mind of her own. I look at her and wonder if I was ever as self-confident as she is now, determined to do great things, knowing she is fully capable of anything she puts her mind to.

But when I look at her, I also worry. I worry about how she will feel about herself in a few years when she enters high school and experiences being compared to others. When media and society begin throwing certain ideas her way, telling her she's not beautiful unless she looks a certain way or wears certain clothes. Whether it be another person or her own mind that takes measure and finds her lacking, I wonder if she will be strong enough to always feel beautiful and proud of herself.

I remember that it wasn't until I was in my late teens when I realized the value of inner beauty. I think it was when I overheard someone say that one of my best friends wasn't beautiful. I was outraged because, of course, I thought she was. But when I started thinking about it, I realized that maybe she wasn't what most people would consider beautiful on the outside, but to me she was lovely because of who she was as a person. I knew she was sweet and kind and joyful. And that inner beauty spilled over and out into her smile, her laugh, and gentle touch.

The reality is that outer beauty is subjective. It fades and changes as we grow. I remember my 'Buelita...actually, she was my great-grandmother on my mother's side. And she was truly one of the most beautiful women I've ever known in my life. She had gray hair, wrinkles, beauty marks, moles and age spots. She was round and huggable. And she is my lesson in life when it comes to beauty.

I tell her story to my daughter. I show her pictures. And I know that my daughter recognizes that beauty is what you make of it. I point out other people we know and ask her questions like, "Do you think [Insert Name Here] is beautiful? Why or why not?"

So it makes me really glad when I see companies tackling this issue, too. This weekend is the 3rd Annual Dove Self-Esteem Weekend. They kicked it off in New York with a silent march to Times Square, which perfectly represents all the noise and distractions that women - moms, grandmothers, tías, hermanas - have to break through to reach girls. "Let's Talk" is this year's theme, encouraging women to start the conversation with their girls.

For so many young girls, anxiety about their looks begins at an early age and affects their self-esteem. It holds them back from pursuing goals, friendships, opportunities, and dreams. According to Dove global research, 74% of girls (ages 10-17) feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful, but only 11% are comfortable using the word beautiful to describe themselves. How horribly sad is that??!?

Of course, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in a girl's self-esteem, but more than half of young girls around the world say their mother is their #1 role model. As a mother to one beautiful daughter, this reminds me to be mindful of the things I say. And I would encourage all of you to take time to start a conversation about beauty with your own daughters. And try to do it on a regular basis.

You can visit ViveMejor.com (Dove's Spanish site) to download free tools to motivate and inspire a girl in your life. Here it is in English. The Let's Talk Toolkit includes a discussion guide to help moms and mentors start a conversation on beauty and self-esteem. They have one-on-one activities for mothers and daughters (I LOVE THEM!!!), as well as classroom activities.

Let's help our girls develop a healthy self-esteem, valuing themselves because they know they are beautiful.

How do you develop your daughter's self-esteem? Please share your tips with us...

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Dove and Latina Blogger Connect. All opinions, though, are strictly mine.

2012 National Spanish Spelling Bee

I am super E-M-O-C-I-O-N-A-D-A to say that MommyMaestra is a sponsor of the 2nd Annual Santillana National Spanish Spelling Bee!

Hosted by the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in Albuquerque, this year's spelling bee will take place on July 21st.

Twenty students from across the country are participating in this year's event. The participants range from 4th through 8th grade. They will be representing their home states of California (1), Colorado (3), New Mexico (6), New York (2), Oregon (3), Texas (3), and Wisconsin (2). Students whose mother tongue is Spanish or who are learning the language are eligible to enter in the spelling bee.

(One of the participants is from my hometown of Fort Worth, Texas! WOOOT!!!)

I am SO excited for these kids! What a wonderful opportunity to show off their bilingualism, and gain confidence in their own self-worth. Bravo to the New Mexico Association for Bilingual Education (NMABE) and the Alliance for Multilingual Multicultural Education (AMME) for organizing this event and supporting bilingual education.

I watched the video below and was hooked. And you will, too. Madre mia! La señora who says, "Incorrecto!" had me biting my nails.

Perhaps I should have said that I am muy N-E-R-V-I-O-S-A for this year's participants!

Buena suerte to all of this year's participants!

Presentations and Vacations...

You haven't heard too much from me this week because all of our energy was focused on preparing for my daughter's 4-H presentation today. To be quite honest, we dragged our feet on this one. Once summer hit and we officially finished school, we've been enjoying the break. Which means that we procrastinated.

I almost decided to just pull her out of this year's event, but I'm so glad we didn't. This week involved a lot of work, made even more difficult by the arrival of 'Buelita (who is a wanted and much-loved distraction), as well as a summer camp here in town which my children attended each morning. Throw in our local library's official summer reading kick-off, and - well, you get the picture.

But I was proud, proud, proud this morning when she stood before the judges and gave a fantastic presentation, complete with 4 posters/boards on the topic: The Lives of Hummingbirds.

She spent hours the last couple of weeks typing up her notes, taking and printing pictures, coloring in range maps and flowers and hummingbirds, cutting out pictures and framing them, labeling her work and then gluing it all down. Finally, last night we had her practice her presentation in front of a bunch of my husband's co-workers (all of whom are bird people), and she passed the "test" with flying colors.

But the main reason I am so glad we did push forward and get it done in time, was the look on my daughter's face this afternoon when she received her ribbon from the District. Priceless.

My daughter is still in the "Cloverbud" class, whose members participate in a non-competetive version of the presentations (older kids compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd). So after their presentations, all the children receive a ribbon in recognition of her hard work. Bravo, m'ija!!

And although I know that many of you are waiting for me to discuss curricula, and share resources to maybe help you prepare for this next coming school year, my family and I are going to take some time off to celebrate. And so next week, MommyMaestra will be "Off on Vacation." I can't wait to tell you all about it.

I hope you all take the time to relax and enjoy each other this summer. Even small breaks are valuable moments of time in which we all can bond with our familias and re-energize before another school year.

What is your familia doing this summer just for fun?

Hasta pronto!

~xo

Monica

US Navy Names Ship After Hispanic Veteran and Activist, Cesar Chavez

There are so many Latinos - immigrants and non-immigrants - who have served our country faithfully and lovingly since the very beginning when our country was established. It is wonderful to see their memory being honored by the US Navy.


From the US Navy website:

Last week, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the selection of the USNS Cesar Chavez as the 14th Lewis and Clark class of dry cargo/ammunition ships. 

Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship honors the memory of Mexican-American civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. 

Chavez served in the Navy from 1944-1946 after which he became a leader in the American Labor Movement and a civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.

"Cesar Chavez inspired young Americans to do what is right and what is necessary to protect our freedoms and our country," said Mabus. "The Cesar Chavez will sail hundreds of thousands of miles and will bring support and assistance to thousands upon thousands of people. His example will live on in this great ship."

Designated T-AKE 14, Cesar Chavez is being built by General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. Eleven of the T-AKEs are slated to serve as combat logistics force (CLF) ships, and three are slated to be part of the maritime prepositioning force (MPF). Cesar Chavez will serve the CLF missions, helping the Navy maintain a worldwide forward presence by delivering ammunition, food, fuel and other dry cargo to U.S. and allied ships at sea.

"This proud ship will honor one American. But the story of my father's family is a lot like the story of so many other immigrants, especially Latinos," said Paul F. Chavez, son of the ship's namesake and president of Cesar Chavez Foundation. "They came to America seeking a better life. In so doing, they brought to their new land a fervent patriotism that has been demonstrated over and over again throughout the storied history of our nation. My dad was like many Latinos and African Americans from his generation who returned home in the years following World War II determined to see that the country for which they sacrificed lived up to its promise as a beacon to the nations of equality and freedom."

Cesar Chavez will be designated as a United States Naval Ship (USNS), and operated by the Navy's Military Sealift Command with a crew of civil service mariners (129 in CLF mode, 75 in MPF mode). For CLF missions, the T-AKEs' crews include a small detachment of sailors.

The ship is designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea and can carry two helicopters and their crews. The ship is 689 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 105 feet, displaces approximately 41,000 tons, and is capable of reaching a speed of 20 knots.

Do You Teach Your Children to Listen?

Photo by vagawi

How many of you watched tonight's State of the Union Address?

I did. Unfortunately, it was a little too late for my young children to stay up for - especially after an exciting day that included a field trip. But had they been a little bit older, I would have encouraged them to stay up late and watch.

Why? Because I am a firm believer in listening. Doesn't matter if you agree with the person speaking or not. How will you know if you agree or disagree with someone if you don't stop to listen? They might surprise you. You might find you have more in common than you thought. Or they may simply strengthen your convictions. You might find that you misunderstood them the first time - or that they misunderstood you!

Either way, communication is an invaluable tool in our society. Without it, we are lost.

This is something I want to teach my children. It is great to talk and stand up for what you believe in. (My kids don't have any trouble in this area.) But it is even more important to listen. We can learn so much in doing so. Listening can help us avoid misunderstandings. It can teach us something we didn't know. And if you listen right, you'll hear what isn't said.

Do you spend time teaching your children or students to listen?