Just a reminder that No Name-Calling Week is coming up, Jan. 21-25. Go here  for suggestions for activities and also lesson plans to use. This link has dozens of ideas for your school.  Consider adapting some of them for use at home, work, or where groups of people gather.  If your school has recognized this event in past years, we would love to hear what you did!! 🙂 Hopefully focusing on this issue during that week will lead to positive changes that last all year. ♥ Thanks! ☮ ❤☺

Who would have thought that something as simple as believing in our youth can be so important. On the other hand it isn’t surprising at all.  One of my favorite people in the world, Mr. Rogers recognized this human need when he said “Whether we’re a preschooler or a young teen, a graduating college senior or a retired person, we human being all want to know that we’re acceptable, that our being alive somehow makes a difference in the lives of others.”  As adults we get so caught up with thinking everything is so complicated. We have given up on those “problem” kids often thinking they are beyond reach, beyond help. The author of this blog tells the story of one teen, who in answering a simple question “transformed her from a tough, hardened criminal to a frightened little girl.”