Bullying Ben: How Benjamin Franklin Overcame Bullying

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By Timothy Pina and Richard Paul

Many people remember Benjamin Franklin as the man who discovered electricity. But did you know that he was bullied as a child? Yes, Ben was bullied by his older brother James. So badly in fact, that when he left home he did not return.

Benjamin Franklin overcame bullying and went on to become so successful that he is remembered as one of the greatest inventors of all time and is one of America’s founding fathers. But how did he do it? This book is a fictional and inspirational story of how Ben was able to rise above the bullying and move on to accomplish many great things.

Although we do not know exactly how Ben overcame bullying, we do know how the story ends. It is our hope that this story will help children who are victims of bullying to understand that they are not alone. Many famous people were also bullied throughout history and it can be overcome.

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Follow Bullying Ben on Twitter!

Sports Parenting--Kids in Sports: Character Building in Youth Sports

Sports Parenting

What is JBM Thinks?

JBM THINKS Sports parenting is about YOU. You as a parent; you as a sports parent.

They want to help you be a parent that guides your child to get the most out of his sports experience.

Sports should be more than just a game. More than wins and losses. More than stats and scholarships.

Competition provides a perfect setting for character growth.

JBM Thinks offers sound advice and resources as a parent to help other parents with kids in sports.

 3 times a week she updates her site with new posts that will give you insights and information that can help you be a better sports parent.

5 Huge Lessons Your Child will Learn from Playing Sports
Will You Let Your Kids Dream Big Like Tim Tebow?
What to do when your child says “I Quit!”

Learn more at www.jbmthinks.com.

Is Your Child A Bully?

This is a fantastic short video that gets straight to the point with parents about the possibility about your child being a bully.

With all the talk of bullying prevention, what do you do if your child is the one that needs preventing? Parenting Expert Dr.  Michele Borba doles out some tough love for the bully's parents.

Brought to you by Kids In The House, a new website full of educational resources and advice for parents from experts. Follow them on Twitter and join them on Facebook.

DIY: Become a Maker

What a great new website and an exciting project for young people!

What is DIY for Kids, Tweens and Teens?

DIY is a community where young people become Makers. They discover new Skills, make projects in the real world, and share their work online to inspire and learn from each other.

DIY is an online community where kids can learn skills from topics varying from Biologist to Astronomer, to Film Maker and Web Designer.

They have traveled around the U.S. and filmed some of the most prolific makers showcasing their motivations for making and sharing projects, as well as awesome stuff that they've made.

They just released a new page on their site called DIY Stories...

Check it out: https://diy.org/stories

Check out their skills page and curriculum:  https://diy.org/skills

Find out more at www.diy.org and follow them on Twitter. 

I Stand For...(The Things I Value)

Papersalt has done it again!

Graduation is around the corner and no matter what age your child is, this is a perfect gift!

What values have you instilled in your child?

I have been a fan of Papersalt since I received their first book.  They make perfect gifts, especially for those that are hard to buy for---but more importantly for everyone.  Why?

Because every book has a message that stimulates, inspires, or even has a sense of humor. 

What do you stand for?

Encourage.....Words or acts that give someone hope, confidence or courage

Benevolence.... Doing something just to be nice;  helping others

Cooperation.....Working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit

Dignity.... Holding a proper sense of pride and self-respect

 Papersalt has their own Amazon page now!  Order today!!!

Visit their website at www.papersalt.com for more of their fantastic books and items.

PS:  I am passing this one out at our local Rotary and Rotaract!  It is perfect and what we stand for!  Service above self!  I love Papersalt!

The Challenge is On! Teen Online Safety Challenge by Microsoft

Every parent worries about their children both online and off.

Who are they talking to online?  Are they chatting with strangers?  What information are they sharing?  Does your teen or child know the boundaries?

Let’s face it, you can never be safe enough or secure enough–there is always something new to learn!
Encourage your teens to participate in The Safer Online Teen Challenge by Microsoft!

The Challenge is an interactive contest where teens can teach others how to manage their digital lifestyle by creating a song, video, skit or other original work. It’s a perfect way for teens to put their own spin on how they navigate digital safety.

Here’s how it works:

• Teens ages 13 to 18 (where applicable), select an online safety topic from either the Microsoft Safety & Security Center or the “Resources” tab of the Safer Online by Microsoft Facebook page.
• They create their work of art (using one of Microsoft’s five categories: skit/presentation, video, story/cartoon, song, survey) and submit their entry by April 12 on the Challenge website.
• Then, Microsoft’s Safer Online Facebook fans will vote to select the winners of each category. Microsoft will post the winning entries on their website and the winners will receive prizes like tablets, gaming systems and more.

Check out the prizes!

Is Your Child Being Bullied?

Signs your child is being bullied by Dr. Michele Borba:

What are some signs your child is being bullied according to Dr. Borba?

• Unexplained and reoccurring physical marks, cuts, bruises and scrapes
• Unexplained loss or damage of toys, school supplies, electronic items, clothing, lunches, or money
• Doesn’t want to go to school or other activities with peers
• Fears riding the school bus
• Afraid to be left alone: wants you there at dismissal, suddenly clingy
• Suddenly sullen, withdrawn, evasive; remarks about feeling lonely
• Marked changed in typical behavior or personality
• Appears sad, moody, angry, anxious or depressed and that mood lasts with no known cause
• Physical complaints; headaches, stomachaches, frequent visits the school nurse’s office
• Change in eating or sleeping; nightmares, cries self to sleep, bed wetting
• Begins bullying siblings or younger kids. Bullied children can sometimes flip their role and become the bully
• Waits to get home to use the bathroom. School and park bathrooms-because they are often not adult supervised-can be hot spots for bullying.
• Suddenly there are fewer friends or doesn’t want to be with the “regular group”
• Ravenous when he comes home. (Bullies can use extortion to steal a victim’s lunch money or lunch)
• Sudden drop in grades. Bullying can cause a child to have difficulty focusing and concentrating
• Blames self for problems; noticeable decline in self-esteem; feels “not good enough”
• Talks about feeling helpless or about suicide; runs away

Watch video above.

This is Abuse: Relationship Abuse

Spot the signs of when your relationship is abusive:

• Abuse in a relationship can happen to anyone.
• It's never ok.
• It can destroy your self-confidence, have a negative impact on your
  health and wellbeing and leave you feeling isolated and lonely. 

What is relationship abuse?

Abuse is not normal and never ok. If you are in a relationship with someone, you should feel loved, safe, respected and free to be yourself. There are different forms of abuse, which you can find out about here, but if your relationship leaves you feeling scared, intimidated or controlled, it’s possible you’re in an abusive relationship. Find out more about the issue, have your say and seek help here.

Small Voices Silenced

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By Sherrie Clark

Darryl and Sherrie Clark had never intended to become foster parents; they didn't think they could handle becoming attached to a child and then having to give her back. But they took a chance with their hearts and became foster-to adopt parents. Their lives changed forever. * * * They couldn't be happier when they learn they'll be adopting the two little girls they had been fostering. Then unexpectedly, everything changes. The Clarks race against time to save their foster children, who are "positioned" to become sacrificial lambs.

They're surprised to discover how the system silences the voices of the foster children. But it doesn't stop there. When they struggle to expose the deceit, manipulation, and corruption occurring within this powerful establishment, it silences their voices as well. In Small Voices Silenced, author Sherrie Clark reveals her family's experiences after being inducted into this secret society where even some of its members are unaware of its existence.

She shares her suspenseful journey into this unique world where laws designed to protect children are twisted, leading to further victimization of these same children. When this appalling practice is applied to their small foster girls, it shakes Darryl's and Sherrie's faith to the very core. Then they're given a second chance. But will it lead to another heartbreak, or will it be an answer to prayer?

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That's Not Cool

Your cell phone, IM, and online profile are all digital extensions of who you are. When someone you're with pressures or disrespects you in those places, that's not cool. That's Not Cool provides tools to help you draw your digital line about what is, or is not, okay in your relationships.

That's Not Cool is a national public education campaign that uses digital examples of controlling, pressuring, and threatening behavior to raise awareness about and prevent teen dating abuse. That's Not Cool is sponsored and co-created by Futures Without Violence (formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund), the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women, and the Advertising Council.

For more information on That’s Not Cool, get in touch with Futures Without Violence here.

Be Prepared Period

I recently discover a truly cool site for parents of daughter and young girls.  I think of how great this would have been when I was young!

Did you know that today girls are hitting puberty at a younger age than ever before?

A site about periods, you say? Is that really necessary? After all, isn’t that what parents and sex education classes are for?

The truth is that nothing can be further from the truth. 

In fact, for girls and their parents, no matter how loving and involved, ‘growing up’ can be a difficult, confusing albeit beautiful phase of life - that is often misunderstood and laced with silent shame. Especially when it comes to sexual development and periods.

So one intuitive and determined mother, finding herself in the midst of puberty with her own daughter decided to do something about it. She found it conflicting that there was nothing on the market that she could give to her daughter, to mark this special time in her life. So she created one, and she made a vow to go one-step further!

To also educate. 

To make resources for parents and girls readily available and easily accessible, as they SHOULD BE. To ease the transition so it becomes one of empowerment rather than shame – of celebration rather than confusion.

And most importantly, to spread the word, so that ALL girls and ALL parents could benefit from the truth about menstruation and puberty, which starts with the fact that it is 100% normal and completely natural. (And these days, starting earlier than ever)

Branching Out – How Be Prepared Period Has Grown –

What started out as a homegrown business to provide girls with a special gift that they could be given when they started their periods has turned into a full throttle platform to raise period awareness and ensure that girls and parents readily find the information and resources that they need, when they need it.

Since development, Be Prepared Period has added the following enhancements to their site, with many more planned in the future!

• Constant flow of new and accurate information for girls and parents throughout all pages of the website. With girls now experiencing puberty at younger ages than ever before, many parents and children are completely unprepared. The information on the site is compassionate, and designed for everyone involved.
• Specific areas for parents and other women to share their personal stories about puberty and menstruation, which can be the best way for young girls, women and parents to feel like they are not alone in their worries and struggles.
• The steady introduction of new products, many of which are organic, natural and eco friendly so parents, young girls and women can find the best products for them.
• Convenient monthly subscription offers for the delivery of feminine hygiene products which avoids ‘embarrassing’ trips to the store and ensures that all girls (of all ages) have what they need.
• Availability of gift certificates, which makes supplying a loved one with supplies discreet and easy.
• Blogs, Monthly Tweet Chats, Giveaways, and Savings all geared to empowerment and education.
• PeriodTalk, an online Question & Answer forum covering all period and puberty related topics.

Another extremely important aspect of Be Prepared Period’s growth and mission is to reach as many girls, women and parents as possible – on a global scale, so that nobody feels alone, anguished, or confused when it comes to menstruation.

In so many cultures around the world, menstruation is seen as a momentous and celebratory time, in which a young girl takes her first step across the bridge of womanhood.

Be Prepared Period is determined to bring that same sense of sanctity about puberty and menstruation to girls across the globe. We strive to work with like-minded individuals and organizations who believe in helping others. If you are one of them, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Most recently, we have partnered with You-ARE-Loved, a non-profit, which is helping to save the lives of girls around the world by raising awareness about Toxic Shock Syndrome. Through this alliance, monthly tweet chats have been launched which expand our ability to reach and educate parents and girls about everything they need to know to not just ‘get through’ this phase of life….but to blossom.

Learn more at http://www.bepreparedperiod.com/.d you know that today, girls are hitting puberty at a younger age than ever before? 

Did you know that today, girls are hitting puberty at a younger age than ever before?

PureSight Online Safety

What a fabulous website and resource to educate parents and youth about Internet safety!

PureSight:

Online Child and Youth Safety - the internet can be a dangerous place! Protect your kids from cyberbullying, sexting and other online dangers.

PureSight Technologies Ltd. was established in 1998 with the mission of providing a safe online environment for the world’s children. We aim to help parents protect their children in this world of technology by becoming involved in their online lives. We believe this involves education and information as well as software tools. 

Visit PureSight at http://www.puresight.com/ and join them on Facebook.

PureSight Owl provides the best available protection for your children from the possible hazards of Facebook, Instant Messaging and chat programs, first and foremost - the threat of cyberbullies. Our multi-layered approach provides the first evasion-proof, truly effective Social Networking protection!

Safety on Facebook:

PureSight helps you identify any suspicious contacts your kids may be associating with on Facebook, so you can protect your child from potential cyberbullies BEFORE they get a chance to harm your child! 

And much more..... click here.