Parents Want to Know 101: 2021

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Celebrate Kwanzaa

By Sharon Rose

Celebrate Kwanzaa, December 26, 2020 - January 1, 2021!! Kwanzaa, is a cultural celebration whose purpose is to celebrate and honor the history, culture and traditions of African-American and African people. It is celebrated in the United States and around the world. Each day is done with ceremony and purpose for living. Celebrating Kwanzaa is a CHOICE that many parents want to know more about. Here is more about Kwanzaa, its meaning, and how you can go about celebrating it.

Kwanzaa and What to Celebrate Each Day:

December 26: "Umoja" — Unity December 27: "Kujichagulia" — Self-determination December 28: "Ujima" — Collective work and responsibility December 29: "Ujamaa" — Cooperative economics December 30: "Nia" — Purpose December 31: "Kuumba" — Creativity January 1: "Imani" — Faith. We encourage all cultures to learn more about Kwanzaa! Learning about other cultures brings value to "living," in our global society. Find out more about Kwanzaa and see how to have a joyous Kwanzaa celebration by going to our "sources."

Sources: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history http://www.africa.upenn.edu/K-12/Kwanzaa_What_16661.html

Sunday, September 12, 2021

Storytelling By Grandparents

By Sharon Rose

Storytelling by grandparents carries valuable life lessons and one's family history. When I was growing up one thing I took great joy in was sitting at my grandfather's feet as he told stories of his boyhood and of him as a young father and husband. With a touch of humor, he told stories of his childhood fears, challenges, triumphs, successes, and the good times. My grandfather's stories and seeing all that he had achieved in raising a family, being a good father, husband, and grandfather, gave me courage and hope for what is possible in life if you are persistent and keep a positive attitude. Grandparents' wisdom and memories should be passed down like an heirloom, and it is often young grandchildren who make the best listeners. Make a connection with grandparents. They are the keeper of dreams!

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Important Role of 'Dad' in a Child’s Life

By Sharon Rose

In his lifetime, any man can be capable of fathering a child, but what role in his child's life will cause that man to become a Dad. How special to be called, Dad. Let's look at the important role a Dad has in a child's life.

Children benefit emotionally and psychologically from the presence of an involved father, who fill the role of a Dad. Dads are so special! From birth, children of involved Dads are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident to explore their environment, and create more healthy social relationships with peers, as they grow into adolescence and young adulthood. They are also, less likely to get into trouble at home, school, or in the community. Babies who get a lot of affection and playful interaction from their Dads feel more secure. A Dad's playfulness with his children is more stimulating than the kind of playful activity mothers present. Rough housing with Dad can teach children how to react to aggressive impulses and physical contact without losing control of their emotions. Dads more so, encourage independence and a lack of fear of the world outside the home. Our Dads also encourage achievement and competition, while mothers are more likely to stress nurturing, both of which are important. The balance between the two is needed. A study of school-aged children found that children with involved Dads are less likely to experience depression, drug abuse, or display disruptive or delinquent behavior. Dads hold an important role in benefiting a child’s growth, development, and future that cannot, likely, be filled by anyone else. We are not saying that there are no children who did not have the benefit of having a Dad present in their lives, who do not succeed; there are. However, they can give testament to the rough road they and their mothers traveled to get there.

Another important role of Dad to his children is his behavior that is modeled when the children can observe a positive relationship between Mom and Dad. Children learn so much more from parents as role models than they do from what the parents say. When a son sees Dad showing respect to Mom, he learns from this modeling how to treat the women in his life. A daughter gains self-esteem, as a developing young woman should, and an expectation of how she should be treated by men in her life. This learning experience will carry over into their adolescence and adulthood. Happy Father's Day to all our Dads!! You play an important role in the lives of our children and in our families, and we celebrate you on this very special day!