Meet Tristin and Tyler

Tristin and Tyler's Tales from the City" is a short-form series featuring twin brothers Tristin and Tyler who go on adventures in New York City, learn about interesting people, and do interesting things!  Watch an epsiode and then play along as Tristin and Tyler quiz YOU on key parts of the episode!
Visit http://www.tristinandtyler.com/

Black Comic Book Day

Last weekend we missed  Black Comic Book Day celebrated in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia Los Angeles and New York.  Fortunately, some good things have come out of this event.   The organizers of the event are now working to make their work more accessible to readers at venues across the country.  Comic books will be displayed at bookstores, museums  and black comic conventions this year. 

Jerry Craft, the creator of Mamas Boyz,  explains the positive role comic books have on young people,  “The only reason I, and most of my friends, read regularly was because of comic books, I still remember the excitement of running to the corner store and seeing the new issue of Spider-Man waiting for me. Reading comics helped build our vocabularies. Playing games pretending to be the Silver Surfer or the Incredible Hulk stimulated our imaginations,”  Who knew there are so many writers and artists creating super heroes and characters for African American youth.  Check out his website for more information  http://www.mamasboyz.com/blackcomicday/.

Here are a few special events:
Reggie Hudlin, writer for Marvel Comics will  be appearing today at the Golden Apple Comic February 23 from 6-9 pm. in Los Angeles to promote his Black Panther series, now on DVD
http://www.hudlinentertainment.com.

Kids Comic Con will be celebrated in New York city on April 16 so make a note and check out http://kidscomiccon.com/ for details.

Using Words that Empower Our Children

Maya Angelou in her interview on Oprah's Master Class explains how her mother's words empowered her.  After feeling rejection as a small child from her parents, she realized her mother was much better at relating to her as a young adult.  She said her mother's words gave her permission to be great.  Her mother would tell her she was wonderful and going to do something great.  Those words resounded with her throughout her life.

Give the children you know the gift of words.  Words that empower...

forthright      reasonable    loving     insightful    energetic  
uplifting     forthright     reasonable     loving     insightful                  
energetic        uplifting     honest        trusting         friendly                         
right on       deferential        positive         useful           observant   
sympathetic     aware     neat       cool         delightful        empathetic             
inspiring     zealous    clever         reliable       open        astute

funny        optimistic     free       organized  careful    honest           

North Paran Sharing Books with Young People

Looking for something special to do for Black History Month?  Give a gift of books to young people and also add to your child's book collection at North Paran.  This website is offering to donate a new book to a child in need for every book sold on site. This is an opportunity to put the principles of Kwanzaa to work by supporting Black businesses and helping the community. Check out their website at http://www.northparan.com.

Low-Income Parents Can Get Free Life Insurance for Their Kids' College Expenses

Just saw this article about Mass Mutual offering free life insurance to low income families. Check out Lynette Khalfani-Cox's column ...  

Low-Income Parents Can Get Free Life Insurance for Their Kids' College Expense   By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox on Jan 28th 2011 2:41PM  

Parents must meet a certain criteria to qualify for this insurance visit Mass Mutual's website for more information.   Here is a description of the program:

"LifeBridge^SM - Free Life Insurance Program
Our unique LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program provides $50,000 term life insurance policies free-of-charge to eligible parents or guardians. We pay the premiums, and our agents drive the program in their communities. If an insured parent or guardian dies during the 10-year term, a $50,000 benefit funds a trust¹ serviced by our trust company to pay eligible dependent children's educational expenses. Our goal is to give away $1 billion in coverage. As of May 31, 2009, we are halfway to our goal and have provided over a half billion dollars in free life insurance coverage across the country."

To learn more about the LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program or to apply for this coverage, call (800) 272-2216 or visit www.massmutual.com/lifebridge. 

Sesame Street: Patti Labelle Sings The Alphabet

Ten Ways to Love the Maple Sugar Child No. 1

Yonina with her uncle.

1. Use Words that Empower Our Children

Words are powerful and magical. The older I get the more I realize this. This is why I am on a word diet, trying to watch the things I say to the children. Too many things are said out of frustration, angst and ignorance.  So I try not to label our children but find words of empowerment and encouragement.

The other day we rolled into the Emergency Room with my two year old niece, Yonina who had a bad stomach bug.  The assistant nurse who greeted us was  pleasant enough while she escorted us to the room to wait for the doctor. When she returned, however, Nina was in the hospital gown sitting on my lap as I tried to comfort her and  hold a pan under her as she threw up.  She looked at the little child in my arms and quipped, "I see this one is a spoiled." I hate when strangers who don't know you try to slap labels on you.  She doesn't know me, and she doesn't  know Nina.  Nina is very independent and hardly stays in anyone's arms because she likes to go about her business. But I was not about to explain that to this sister, instead I told her, "She is two years old with a high fever and is throwing up every fifteen minutes and doesn't understand what is going on. I don't call that spoiled, I call that sick." She gave me a look and disappeared.  Thank God, I didn't see her any more.  When the doctor came, she realized right away it was serious.  Nina was extremely dehydrated and a few minutes away from being admitted into the hospital.

These days I make it a point to not accept other people's labels and negative descriptions of our children.  Also I make it a point to watch what I say about young people.  They need words to empower them and let them know they are loved and cherished. They need words that touch the essence of who they are.  If we don't tell them who will?

Years ago, at a parenting seminar I was given a list of positive adjective to describe your child. Here are a few adjectives. I will be listing more all month.  Do you have some positive adjectives to add?

supportive        kind     attentive    cooperative   stimulating             

perceptive         wise   warm      reassuring       encouraging        dependable

loyal     thoughtful     considerate    influential     affectionate       vital    

tactful     zestful      helpful      accepting   refreshing         inclusive     

valuable      sensitive   consistent   creative     curious      intuitive     gifted        

resourceful    leader          directive      tender        responsible   alive    steadfast