Mr. President, Do It For The Kids!

Dear Mr. President, this is NOT a post about politics, bashing you in your position, nor a personal attack.  RATHER, this is a rallying cry for your help in being a role model for our kids! My three children understand the concept of the President of the United States of America.

They see your face everywhere.  They will grow up respecting your position of power; however, I don't know that I want them to grow up respecting your treatment of individuals, your lack of respectful discourse, and your rhetoric that seems angry and lashing out at people with name-calling.

We all can agree to disagree on a daily basis; however, it's how we disagree that is critical.  Demonstrating name-calling, bullying behavior, and simply speaking without listening aren't ways to debate and disagree.  I want my kids, and ALL kids to see in you a role model who leads with integrity, and talks to others in a way we want our kids to grow up talking to each other. YOU sir, are a role model and millions of eyes are on you.  It is NOT about what you say, as much as HOW you say it.  I implore you to consider each day HOW you are speaking to people as well as what you are saying.  Kids may not understand the politics and issues you discuss; however, they WILL see and hear the delivery method and messaging of how we treat each other from you.

I for one, cannot back nor respect a president who continues to model to our kids angry rhetoric, name-calling, and bullying behavior.  I can understand your disdain for the media, you are not the first president to feel that way.  I can handle the "fake news" stories and sometimes untruths you speak, as we as a society need to learn to distinguish fact from fiction.  I can attempt to shield my kids from the media; however, they should not have to be kept from seeing the leader of the country; I don't want them viewing you as a role model if you can't act respectful and civil towards other humans.

In closing, it is not about whether I'm a Republican or Democrat, whether I voted for/against you, or whether I agree with your policies.  Quite simply Mr. President, it's only about the way you talk to and at people that I care about related to being the role model our kids in this country need.

Fight for the Right Stuff!

On this past New Year's Eve afternoon, my parents were in a horrific car accident due to a truck running a red light.  My father had both lungs collapsed, ribs broken, pelvis fractured, lacerated spleen, etc.  He barely survived.  As the days went by, he worked to breath on his own, do his physical therapy, and fight to heal. He fought daily and gave 110%, fighting through the pain, and not giving up.  For 7 straight weeks he was in the hospital and rehabilitation facility.  Yesterday, he was released.  Seven weeks to the day of the accident.  As we walked out the doors of the rehabilitation center, our first stop was a restaurant for real food:).  

This was a celebration! He had won the fight and overcome numerous obstacles. Although not back to 100%, he was coming to home, sweet home.  

  As I reflected on his tenacity and fight, I realized he didn't take on negativity towards anyone, but    fought for himself to improve and get back his normal life and stayed focused on the right goals.

In the current climate we live in, it's so easy to fight for the wrong reasons.  It's so easy to blame, get angry, and get sucked into the negative vacuum. As educators, leaders, and role models for our kids, WHAT do we fight for?  Is it the right fight?  Do we give 110% to fight the fight, but it nots the right fight?  Do we fight respectfully, or do we fight negatively?  

I'm a proponent of being a disrupter, renegade, and innovator; but, we must do so for the right reasons, and in the right way.  I love that Bethany Hill says it best: "Fight for kids. It's about them, not the adults." Recently our new Secretary of Education was tweeted to follow positive Twitter accounts and hashtags such as #JoyfulLeaders.  The point was to focus on working with us, not against us.  KidsDeserveIt have the motto--fight for kids every day, THAT is a worthy fight!  Think about what you fight for, and what you should fight for, and get after it!~