Friday Four: Picking Your Hard

It’s no question that life can be hard! In a perfect world we could just wake up thin, with a stacked bank account in awesome health among a happy family answering to awesome friends. But that’s not the case. The truth is, you HAVE TO Work —- HARD. You have to pick which hard you want.

I told her to pick her hard. If she stays there and continue to do her best in each class, in spite of the fact that she’s not popular there with the students or teachers, she would graduate with a quality education and also come out with a skill set many lack today. And that’s awareness of ‘color braveness.’

https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=vJRoN5lTnYU&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoKtALHe3Y9Q%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded

One of my friends studied nonprofit management and African American studies. Today she works at a highly regarded women advocacy nonprofit that identifies and injustices for all colors. I don’t think she had an easy time during her college years, but I know that she is enjoying the fruits of her labor now.  I still wonder why would a white woman choose to  go that path, but obviously it was in her to be a source of refuge.

I maybe wrong but I see many adults today, take can not handle emotional pressures or extreme life challenges because they never had to face any growing up. I don’t want to be that mom. I want to provide a “Ring Pass Not”. A controlled study for better words. Right now, they feel isolated, ignored and degraded for 7 hours five days a week.

When they get home, they are so grateful to be among their family and back in their comfort zone. I loathe hearing the stories they share.  But I will send them both back the next day. Mostly because it’s two of them there and I know nothing will happen that I haven’t prepared them for already. They both are articulate and self empowered enough to report any significant abuse,have cell phones and know simple self defense moves.

 I believe that she will be a better person for it. Standing through diversity, educational, social and  challenges will give her the refinement she needs to handle larger obstacles in life. My husband noted “Do your work. So what if you are not popular with the other students or helped by the teachers there. You’ll be okay, as long as they don’t touch you.”

Life can be  hard.  When you read the press you only read the glamorous bits.  You read about Oprah Winfrey or the Williams tennis sisters, Shonda Rhimes, or the BET company,  .  But that’s a bit like reading about your state lottery winner and feeling bummed out because you haven’t won despite years of trying.  The reality is that most of you will never hit it BIG yet you’ll lead fulfilled and productive lives. But you have to get up every day and make an effort  EVERYDAY.

Pick your hard! If you fall along the way, get back up again! It’s NOT TOO LATE!

Have more brain candy before you leave- Read this!  This one here, I will share with my daughters. I want them to see more woman that look like them progressing.

Have A Great Weekend, Jabela, QC Supermom

THiS DAY IN HISTORY:

#NeverForget: Sept. 11 Marks 14th Anniversary of Terrorist Attacks in US

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airplanes and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Penn., resulting in 2,996 deaths.

I remember where I was. I had my baby daughters with me in East Charlotte in strip mall. I heard about it from the radio announcer & thought it was a joke. Some one mentioned that the attack might include Charlotte and I panicked.  I grabbed my daughters up in one arm and jumped back in the car away from the downtown area.

Wednesday Wow: Non Sugar-Coated ‘Back To School Pep Talk For Parents!

Back to School countdown is ON!!! Can you believe it? Summer has been fun and it’s always sad to say goodbye. 

We are going to have a great, progressive and measurable year. Your children will be well behaved and you will not stress over any extended time that they are away from you. How can I say this? It’s because that’s what we are claiming and planning for!

No More playing Patty cake! Get organized! Be prepared!

Lay the ground rules and stick to them.I  have used various strategies over the years to get the best results for my children. Here’s a video I shared on my Facebook page. It’s spreading like wild fire.Take a look  —–> Click Here <—— Also …….

• “Make sure you have the essentials you need for any kind of “emergency.”
• Give them chores. My 8-year-old can make his own lunch now, and my 5-year-old can buckle/unbuckle himself in his car seat. Think about how your kids can exhibit more independence (and simultaneously take some to-do’s off your list) this year.

Spend the week before school starts shifting from summer low gear to school year high gear.

• Tuck an encouraging note in their backpack.It makes a sweet suprise.
• Make sure they get enough rest. They’ll be less grouchy!
• They don’t need a entire NEW wardrobe to start school. Get 5 nice ones and build on that. Some of the best deals on clothing will come after the first day of school.
• Know who their friends are. No matter how often it changes. Keep thier numbers in your phone.

Water bottles should be stored in a side mesh pocket. Keeping the water bottle on the outside of the backpack will help eliminate damaged homework if the bottle springs a leak.

• Make it a memory.

Make a sign to announce their new grade level or write it in chalk on the driveway.

• Get Help– If your child is having difficulty with his or her homework, make an appointment with the teacher to discuss his or her difficulty. Check with the counselor and the teacher about tutors to get your child help if needed.
•  Visit The School-Walk or ride the route your child will take. Speak to your child about talking to strangers, and observe along the route any areas in which your child must exercise caution.

• Introduce Yourself to your child’s teacher. Ask the teacher the times he/she is available to talk to parents.

• Volunteer If time permits, offer to be a classroom parent or to organize other parents to help in the classroom or at the school. If you can’t make it to the classroom during school hours, ask if there are things you can do from home or on the weekends that would be helpful.

OKAY, claim it now!! Pray over your babies everyday…and expect the very best!! No excuses. Candy land is a board game. Playing Summer Patty cake! is over.