Character Counts

Tomorrow morning our family will rise and arrive at school just a little early for a small award ceremony. My Kindergarten daughter is receiving a Character Counts award for Responsibility. Like many parents I am thinking, "My kid is responsible? and enough to get an award?" Actually as 6 year olds go she actually is pretty responsible!
Every month the whole school learns about a Character trait. Of course lessons are geared toward their specific grade level.

Oh so many studies support Character education, earlier today I heard it invoked on the radio as helping to deter cheating in high school students.

The highlight of the month is always the little morning gathering where 2 children from every class are recognized for displaying the trait of the month! And so we will hustle ourselves out the door, take pictures, applaud and hoot and holler for our responsible little girl!

The Challenge Begins...

... Or maybe it is just continuing? I sure know it's not come to an end!

Without too many details, for the first time since we began our realtionship with this school system, we have had a "holiday issue" at school. On a half day, hours of Christmas videos and stories! And its only December 9th!

And so my message to the school is this: "As an interfaith family it is extremely difficult to maintain balance this time of year."

Message received, teacher has apologized!

If you are shaking your head and just not getting why this is so hard for our family, maybe reading this blog post by my husband will help.

My Interfaith Family

When I met and fell in love with my dear sweet adorable husband I was not thinking clearly! When I accepted his proposal for marriage I was swept up in a summer of walks on the beach and day trips to museums. When we decided to have children I was drunk with the idea of tiny feet and hands and that magical smell that comes from baby heads.

Had I stopped to think, we might not have the wonderful family we have now. Had I read the countless books my mother in law sent, I might have gone running out the door. But, luckily, I let love lead the way.

My husband grew up in a culturally Jewish household, I grew up in a mostly Catholic one. This is not always an issue. The guilt factor, for example, is about even.

This time of year is full of challenges and compromise! When will we put up the tree? Does it interfere with Hanukkah? Who gets what presents when? Who will attend community functions that while labeled "Holiday" really mean "Christmas"? Who gets to answer the phone when an angry parent calls because one of our kids spilled the Santa beans?

Not to say that there are not benefits! There is never a question about where we need to spend Christmas. And as you may have guessed from the example above, we don't play the Santa game.

It is difficult though to make it through the season without bloodshed or tears. And we almost always have to explain to friends how we are approaching things and why.

Over the next couple of weeks I hope to write more about our family and how we tackled this difficult season! Maybe it will cut down on my personal tears!

Who doesn't love a good book?

Last night at a charity shopping event, a woman approached my table. She asked about Barefoot and even commented on how beautiful and wonderful the books were. And then she floored me! "I'm shopping fr my young grandchildren and no child wants a book for Christmas."

I was speechless! (truly an event in itself!) I did recover in time to say as she walked away..."well my kids love books as gifts and I give books all the time!"

So here's the thing, plenty of kids don't read or don't like to read or don't like books. I know that. Its not the way things are in my house but I know its there, its out there. I know that the right book can change that, too. Witness the Harry Potter, Series of Unfortunate Events and even Twilight phenomenons!

I still remember receiving books like Rebbecca of Sunnybrook Farm and the Wizard of Oz from my Godfather one Christmas and the joy of putting the exact Nancy Drew Mysteries I needed on my list to Santa. And today I know my Mother in Law will always give me a good book, no special occasion needed!

More than a few years ago, my dear husband was working for a company developing a digital reader, to read books on your laptop or a device not unlike the very hip Kindle. At the office holiday party the CEO asked me what I thought about the product as a teacher and I commented that I was somewhat addicted to "books." She asked me what about "books" did I like. It took me a while to answer, but after giving it some thought I said it was the feel, the weight, the texture of the pages as I turned them, the comfy feeling of falling asleep with one on my chest and the comfort of holding one as I walked to the coffee house. I love the smell of new ink, and old pages, I love the delicacy of a binding or the durability of a good one. Books are so much more than the words written inside to me. Books can at times be my best friend or biggest challenge, comfort or obsession, bring joy or empathy, enlighten or inspire.

Today I ask you to share your memories of books given, received or found as an adult or a child.

PBS Parents has gone Barefoot

Continuing on our theme of exciting partnerships, we’re thrilled to announce a brand new Barefoot Stallholder - PBS Parents! As you are probably aware, PBS Parents is an organization committed to providing valuable educational resources for parents and caregivers. The PBS Parents web site is a trusted resource for millions of people, and they receive 200,000 unique visitors each month. PBS shares our commitment to inspire a love of learning and foster the exploration and appreciation of our amazing and diverse world, and we are so excited to be working with them!

I find this to be a most exciting opportunity especially paired with news of the PBS Raising Readers initiative and interactive website!

I grew up on PBS, and my kids have been big fans! Its great to see the melding of 2 things I love!

OH and I almost forgot! Now through December 4th you can help Barefoot celebrate by receiving 20% off all online orders! WOW!