The message here will move you. We had situations where we were told to quit. Despite everything, it made us stronger, determined and more successful. When we follow what we are passionate about, the possibilities are endles.

Moral of the story? Don’t let the words of one or two people intimidate or define you. Don’t give up. Never, ever give up. The only person who can tell you who or what you are, is yourself.

Book Covers from the award winning Bur Bur and Friend’s children’s book series: Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multicultural characters who educate kids about self-esteem, sports, outdoor exploration and active play though their experiences. (more…)

One of the most inspiring things we have ever seen. Simply amazing (more…)

Tune in to channel Minneapolis NBC affiliate Kare-11 on June 11th at 6:20am and 4:00pm to see Kakie Fitzsimmons, co-Author of the award winning Bur Bur and Friend’s children’s books, as she reads the fourth book in the series, “Anna Goes Hiking” to the kids from St. Vincent DePaul elementary school in Osseo, MN. “Anna Goes Hiking” is a recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards and iParenting Media Awards.

Below is a note about the annual event at the school from teacher, Brenna McDowell: (more…)

By Sarah Simons

Being female, I have always been curious about the inner workings of the male psyche. I’ve read stuff like Men are from Mars, and Wild at Heart, but never anything quite so bittersweet as Raising Cain, perhaps because the others are more about men, and this book is about boys. It is a comprehensive look at how boys in our society are often raised in a way that shorts them many of the emotional skills necessary to function well, and, gladly, gives suggestions for how to protect and enhance the emotional health of boys as they grow through adolescence into manhood. (more…)

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By JoAnne Pastel

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving of 2008 was the day we received a call from our daughter’s Pediatrician telling us that a blood test resulted in being positive for Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as NF1. She was 4 months at the time. As I listened on the phone, I was moved to tears and started feeling paralyzed with thoughts running through my mind. I started blaming myself, thinking; “What could I have done differently during my pregnancy? Did it happen because I am an older mother?” (more…)

Happy Mothers Day! Why God made mothers. Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house..
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men’s bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? (more…)

By Paula Huddy, Librarian, Blake Highcroft School, Wayzata, MN

Research shows that children who read during the summer do much better in school when it starts again in the fall. On the other hand, children who do not read between school years show significant loss in the fall. Studies show that having elementary-aged children read just four to five books during the summer can prevent this achievement loss. (more…)

2nd grade youth baseball first practice of the season. These coaches are great role models and should be acknowledged for their dedication. For those of us whose kids are in organized sports, reach out and say thanks to them for all they do. This is a perfect example of the values we hope kids get from our children’s book series.

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by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson Source: npr.org

Public education is among the many casualties of the war in Afghanistan, and those most affected are Afghan girls. But despite the threat of attacks by militants wielding acid or worse, many girls are refusing to give up their education, with some attending secret, in-home classes.

Listen to the story on NPR
Click here to read the full story: (more…)

Wait! There is more than meets the eye with this picture. For the past two weeks, my son’s little red remote control race car has been planted in the back window of my Saturn.

Here is the funny part:

Everytime I turn a corner, the car drives from one side of the car, across to the other and it makes a little whirling noise as the wheels are turning. I want it to stay there because I think it is funny. Someday, we are going to miss the simple moments like this. It is hard to believe my “little guy” is already 8 1/2 years old. The time has flown and I am doing everything in my power to stay present with him and for him, enjoying the ride all along.

Please share similar stories below!!
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When was the last time you went out of your way to do something nice for someone that you wouldn’t normally think to do? Thursday is National Pay it Forward Day and this year, we are going to celebrate it as a family. In this troubled economy where unemployment hovers around 8% people need good deeds more than ever. (more…)

This post is third of a series of three posts written by Sarah Simons, Doula and mother of 7 about her experience having a special needs child with autism

Many parents plan for their children’s extracurricular activities: our situation differs only in that many of Garret’s activities are prescribed because of his autism. It is as if extra layers are added to an already thick life. Sometimes it is very cumbersome, but important, so we adjust. (more…)

This post is second of a series of three posts written by Sarah Simons, Doula and mother of 7 about her experience having a special needs child with autism

I was relieved. I finally found a group of people who would “get me.” I listened to them share their stories of parenting children with disabilities, the stress it brought to their relationships, the exhaustion of relentless appointments and treatments, and the exhilaration of small gains achieved. I shared my own story of uncertainty, grief, and the joy of my boy who had to stroke my cheeks and say certain words at regular intervals to move cautiously through his day. It was here that both Garret and I felt welcomed and understood. Where he was just a child, not an enigma, not a behavior problem, not a case number, and I was just his mom, not an advocate, not an educator, not a threat. (more…)

This post is one of a series of three posts written by Sarah Simons, Doula and mother of 7 about her experience having a special needs child with autism

My son was born on New Year’s Eve, 2001. Weighing in at 11 pounds, 6 ounces, he was what my Uncle called a substantial baby. Alert, smiley, and full of chortling roly- polyness, Garret delighted us all with his antics. His development seemed normal, but as he approached his second birthday, I had a niggling of doubt. Words were few. His gaze seemed distant, his attention fixed on something beyond the rest of us. I rationalized about the fact that he was a boy, boys sometimes acquire language more slowly, preferring the sound effects of cars, trains, and elephants over commonplace words. I considered birth order, the youngest of six at that time, Garret really didn’t need to say anything when his siblings could anticipate and meet his every whim. (more…)