My friend sent me this link about how to talk to girls that has really got me thinking. I mean, I have four of them after all. I’ll formulate some thoughts about it when my mind is not mushy from a weekend of late nights/cleaning/playing/heat-enduring. I’d love to hear others’ thoughts about this topic.
I am guest-posting on this blog later this month. She is using all of September to have different people relate how they display family portraits. There are already some great ideas in there and I’m looking forward to more with the great line-up she has ready to go.
Speaking of the things we display on our walls, I have a friend who feels the same way about walls as I do: walls in our homes can be an incredible teaching tool. I’m careful to make sure most of what I put up is meaningful (see this post) and this guy actually creates meaningful things to put up. He is very talented and may even be able to custom design a family motto, etc. for you. Check out his site here.
I was sent this picture of Times Square through the grapevine:
When I showed my kids, thinking they would be ecstatic to see their mom up there larger than life, they looked at me very confused wondering why I’d be all jazzed up about a huge picture with my eyes closed and that crazy/weird expression on my face. The truth is that it’s a picture of the fraction of a second my face shows up on a mormon.org video clip. If you blink you just may miss it.
But hey, Times Square. Had to share.
Click here for the link to the actual video they came and did of our family.
Happy Labor Day!
That's the coolest thing ever! You're basically a celebrity….
How fantastic!
That's so cool Shawni!
very cool to be in times square! on a more random note…you answered questions I had about those lanterns from girl's camp, but i forgot to ask what color spray paint did they use? I'm thinking a light color like white or yellow? We're about to make those for Activity Days and I want to get them right. Thanks very much!
That is seriously awesome!! Congrats!
The article that you linked about how to talk to girls along with a couple of other things recently sparked a discussion between my husband and I. Our daughter is only 4 but I have decided that there are some specific things that we can do start doing now. I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this.
Mormons in Time Square! That's awesome! We've gotta get publicity somewhere, right?
Also, I am wondering {because I asked a while back but haven't seen an answer in your Q&A yet… yes, I'm impatient ;)} how do you keep your family {kids} safe knowing that anyone that comes across your blog will know their full names and could probably figure out schools and even your address?
Are you ever worried about the wrong person finding out all they can and then attempting to do something unthinkable? I would love to use real names on my blog but get nervous so I only use initials. I just feel that readers would have a better connection if I used real names. I don't know. Maybe I worry too much.
But I still think it's cool that you were in Times Square!
THAT IS AWESOME! You own it and be proud of yourself. When you think of all the reasons that someone might be seen on a billboard
(in the most well known spot for advertising in possibly the world nonetheless…) what got you on it is because of the example of motherhood that you are. If that isn't the best reason ever I don't know what is!
I saw you in one of those ads in a cab in NYC too.
Woohoo for Times Square! I would definitely squeal if it was me. 😉 Very cool!
The way I, and others, talk to my (four) girls is also a serious topic for me. I just read Cinderella Ate My Daughter (Peggy Orenstein), and while I don't agree with everything, I HIGHLY recommend to parents as a way to review how media affects our girls, of all ages. I'm also reading Mindset (Carol Dweck) right now which is awesome, for both males & females. I actually thought of your family with the "we do hard things" ethic.
That is so cool!
The real question is: Can you do a toe touch like Billy Elliot is doing above your head?
Love u!
That is so awesome! But I get your kids reaction; at that age I would have thought the same thing. Super cool. 🙂
What's the link for your morman message… would like to watch it!
Times Square, that IS awesome!!! I read this earlier and have been thinking about the article with the talking to girls thing. I think it is important as parents to offer both words of encouragment. They need to feel pretty AND smart. She is talking about when she meets children for the first time. I'm not in 100% agreement, but she does have a point that we need to emphasize more the reading and smarts and less our appearance.
I read Cinderella Ate My Daughter earlier this year. . . and have had "raising daughters" on my mind ever since. I posted the quotes I underlined from my reading on my blog:
http://mleballard.blogspot.com/2011/06/raising-daughters.html
I catch myself greeting girls (including my own daughters) by commenting on something to do with their appearance almost every day. . . But now I am very aware of it and am trying my best to find other ways to compliment them. (It's harder than you'd think!)
I didn't agree with everything in the book, but it has definitely shaped me as a mother. Funny. . . since it was recommended to me by my younger (bachelor) brother. Glad he listens to NPR!
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "Our role is not to keep the world at bay but to prepare our daughters so they can thrive within it. That involves staying close but not crowding them, standing firm in one's values while remaining flexible."
I acutally found your blog from your Mormon.org spot, and I've been enjoying following it ever since. Thanks for sharing!
Loved your "I am a Mormon" video! Very touching.
i found your blog through that mormon video, and i thoroughly enjoy it. We have a lot in common. 🙂
Hey Shawni – Just found your blog while reading Clover Lane—hey, I am super proud of you and all you are doing! Also, I love the blog about little Lucy. What a precious little girl. She reminds me a lot of Elle when she was taking dance with Kelsey back in the day. I also loved reading about her trying out for the volleyball team. She is such a beautiful girl! I can't believe our girls are getting so old. Anyway, so good to read about you and your family. Take care Shawni and maybe I'll run into ya at Costco again someday! ha ha
Tamara Chamberlain
I agree with emily ballard. My approach with my two girls is moderation in all things. They need to be reassured that they are beautiful – inside and out. They also need to be encouraged and reminded that they are capable – in whatever healthy, legal adventures they choose to throw themselves into. As with everything else in life: Find a balance and lead by example.
Love your Mormon.org!! You do a great job represent a remarkable LDS mother and wife! Thanks for your example!