Do Black Children and Families Really Matter?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Have you ever picked up a copy of one of the so-called leading parenting magazines and then threw it in the garbage because lo and behold you realized they weren't speaking to you as black parent and they definitely weren't speaking to you about how to better raise your black children?Yeah, I went through that when my girls were young and I naively thought I needed to read that parenting drivel in order to do every thing "right". I quickly realized that these magazines have absolutely no regard for me as a black mother and in turn they have no regard for my black children.
I have yet to figure this out completely because, heck, black parents purchase parenting magazines also and have enough disposable income to spend on all the crap they peddle in said publications. Plus, I know there have been some black women who have held editorial positions at some of these parenting publications, but these magazines have always remained the same. I can only imagine what weekly staff meetings looked like for these women. They were probably just looked past and if they did want to bring in an ethnic element -- no matter how tiny -- I'm sure it was quickly shot down. This rant is pretty much why I started Mommy Too! in the first place.
That said, it was great to read this post over at Our Kind of Parenting. It told me that, no, I wasn't crazy a few years ago for thinking parenting magazines don't give a hoot about their readers of color. And, incidentally, if you see children and mothers in these publications, you most likely only see them in the ads. So sad!
posted by Jennifer James @ Wednesday, January 31, 2007,
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Helping Black Children
Monday, January 29, 2007
Leonard Pitts Jr, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist in Miami, is asking for viable solutions to help black children and we want to start here.He's put out a call for viable, well thought out solutions that can help black children be better educated, live in less poverty, not be enmeshed in violence of all sorts, and overall lead productive lives. He wants to hear real solutions from readers and over the course of this year, he will write about and highlight the ones he thinks will, are and might work. Incidentally, his column runs in over 250 newspapers all over the country, so this idea can really affect real change and that's promising.
He featured the first solution today: the Harlem Children's Zone, "a 97-square-block network of schools, social services and teen outreach programs." From the article, the program seems to be working in the favor of black children and their families and other cities have plans to create their own zones for poor children and their families.
We'd like to know the solutions you think would help black children in this country better succeed instead of being on a fast track to incarceration and poverty. Leave your comments and we'll send a collective letter to Leonard Pitts Jr from the iBlackParenting Blog.
Labels: children, education, teens
posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, January 29, 2007,
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Upcoming Children's Book Reviews
Sunday, January 28, 2007
We received a nice shipment of spring titles from Candlewick Press on Friday. In the coming days I will be posting brief reviews for these books. I love Candlewick because they simply publish wonderful children's books. You can always count on them for well-illustrated, beautiful stories for your children.
Candlewick Press is turning 15 this year and are have exciting events to celebrate. We'll keep you abreast of the developments.
In the meantime, look out for upcoming titles that your children will really love.
Labels: books
posted by Jennifer James @ Sunday, January 28, 2007,
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Black Homeschooling
Friday, January 26, 2007
Homeschooling for black families seems to be gaining momentum all across the country. As these families steadily see their children failing and generally not learning in public schools, it's no wonder they're actively seeking educational alternatives. I wrote a rather lengthy article about black homeschooling in the Janaury/February 2007 issue of Mothering (
page 66). It's a great read for parents who are simply looking for additional information about homeschooling, or want to know what it's like for black families who educate their little ones at home. The managing editor of Mothering, Melisa Chianta, wrote in her editor's note:
While acceptance is a necessary philosophical tool for any parent, so is constructive action when necessary. Take Jennifer James, for instance. An African-American all too familiar with the public schools' shortchanging of black youth, she decided to take her children's education into her own hands. In "Homeschooling for Black Families" (page 66), James, founder of the National African-American Homeschoolers Alliance, describes why a growing number of African-American parents are starting to do the same.Are you a black homeschooler? Why did you decide to educate your children at home?
Labels: education
posted by Jennifer James @ Friday, January 26, 2007,
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Asthma Treatments for Children: Inhaled Steroids are Best
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
If your child has asthma, a new study from the NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, says inhaled steroids are best. According to the study:
However, in 1998, a study noted that Black Teens With Severe Asthma Are Three Times More Likely Than White Teens To Be Steroid Resistant. Steroid resistance may be a result of genetic factors inherent in the blacks.Studying 285 children ages 6 -- 14 years, researchers in the Childhood Asthma
Research and Education Network of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI) found that after 48 weeks, inhaled corticosteroids are the most
effective initial daily therapy for children with mild to moderate persistent
asthma. They also found no significant adverse growth effects among any of the
medicines studied.
Have any insights to offer. Does your child have asthma. What has worked best for them? Have you found any alternative, natural remedies to asthma?
posted by Jennifer James @ Wednesday, January 24, 2007,
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Moms: Get this for Your Growing Girls!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Where were you when you first got your period? I was in the fifth grade when "my little friend" made her first visit. During art class I had to get up to choose my supplies and when I came back to my seat, I saw blood EVERYWHERE! What horror! I was so embarrassed because well, blood was covering my whole backside, but I lived through it. I would have, however, loved to have had this great product from Dot Girl's First Period Kit.For you moms whose girls are quickly approaching puberty, Dot Girl, is your answer! Inside this handle carrying case, your growing little woman will find...
a 12-page booklet with answers to common questions; The Dot Girl™'s Period Calendar, a simple way for a girl to track her periods; Reusable Dot Girl™ Warm Pad, a heating pad handy for soothing cramps; feminine protection samples and hand wipes.Now, moms, how cool is that? Your daughter may get caught off guard when her "little friend" arrives, but thanks to Dot Girl, she'll be well-prepared.
Labels: puberty
posted by Jennifer James @ Tuesday, January 23, 2007,
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Best Black Children's Books of 2006
Monday, January 22, 2007
We're proud to post all of the Coretta Scott King awards, announced today in Seattle. Please help support our blog and buy these titles from us. We hope you and your children enjoy reading time with these gems.
King Author Book:Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
King Author Honor Book: The Road to Paris Nikki Grimes
King Illustrator Book: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
King Illustrator Honor Books
Coretta Scott King/ John Steptoe New Talent Award: Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones
Labels: books, Coretta Scott King Awards
posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, January 22, 2007,
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Coreta Scott King Book Awards Announced Today
The American Library Association (ALA) will announce the winners of the 2007 Coretta Scott King Book Awards during its Youth Media Awards announcement on January 22 at 7:45 a.m. PT during its Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, January 19-24. The awards serve as a national resource for
educators, librarians and parents who want to provide youth with the very
best in African American children's literature.
"There was a time when it was extremely difficulty, or impossible toWe'll post the results as soon as they are announced.
find children's books with positive African American characters or historic
themes," said Coretta Scott King Book Award Chair Fran Ware. "The Award provides an opportunity for black authors and illustrators to promote African
American culture to mass audiences. It serves as a window into African American
culture, and identifies excellence in children's literature for readers
of all ages especially those looking for books that address the trials and joys of
African Americans."
Labels: books
posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, January 22, 2007,
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14 Ways to Show Love for Your Child
Friday, January 12, 2007
The American Academy of Pediatrics released 14 tips for parents illutrating how to show more love to your child. Most of these we're sure you already know, but it's always nice to hear useful recommendations again and again.
1. Use plenty of positive words with your child. Try to avoid using sarcasm with your child. They often don’t understand it, and if they do, it creates a negative interaction.
2. Respond promptly and lovingly to your child's physical and emotional needs and banish put-downs from your parenting vocabulary.
3. Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public. Use words like "I'm sorry," "please," and "thank you."
4. When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, cuddle, pat, secret sign or other gesture of affection he favors and talk with him about his feelings.
5. Use non-violent forms of discipline. Parents should institute both rewards and restrictions many years before adolescence to help prevent trouble during the teenage years. Allowing children of any age to constantly break important rules without being disciplined only encourages more rule violations.
6. Make plans to spend time alone with your young child or teen doing something she enjoys.
7. Mark family game nights on your calendar so the entire family can be together. Put a different family member's name under each date, and have that person choose which game will be played that evening.
8. Owning a pet can make children, especially those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, feel better by stimulating physical activity, enhancing their overall attitude, and offering constant companionship.
9. One of the best ways to familiarize your child with good food choices is to encourage him to cook with you. Let him get involved in the entire process, from planning the menus to shopping for ingredients to the actual food preparation and its serving.
10. As your child grows up, she'll spend most of her time developing and refining a variety of skills and abilities in all areas of her life. You should help her as much as possible by encouraging her and providing the equipment and instruction she needs.
11. Your child's health depends significantly on the care and guidance you offer during his early years. By taking your child to the doctor regularly for consultations, keeping him safe from accidents, providing a nutritious diet, and encouraging exercise throughout childhood, you help protect and strengthen his body.
12. Help your child foster positive relationships with friends, siblings and members of the community.
13. One of your most important gifts as a parent is to help your child develop self-esteem. Your child needs your steady support and encouragement to discover his strengths. He needs you to believe in him as he learns to believe in himself. Loving him, spending time with him, listening to him and praising his accomplishments are all part of this process.
14.Don't forget to say, "I love you" to children of all ages!
2. Respond promptly and lovingly to your child's physical and emotional needs and banish put-downs from your parenting vocabulary.
3. Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public. Use words like "I'm sorry," "please," and "thank you."
4. When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, cuddle, pat, secret sign or other gesture of affection he favors and talk with him about his feelings.
5. Use non-violent forms of discipline. Parents should institute both rewards and restrictions many years before adolescence to help prevent trouble during the teenage years. Allowing children of any age to constantly break important rules without being disciplined only encourages more rule violations.
6. Make plans to spend time alone with your young child or teen doing something she enjoys.
7. Mark family game nights on your calendar so the entire family can be together. Put a different family member's name under each date, and have that person choose which game will be played that evening.
8. Owning a pet can make children, especially those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, feel better by stimulating physical activity, enhancing their overall attitude, and offering constant companionship.
9. One of the best ways to familiarize your child with good food choices is to encourage him to cook with you. Let him get involved in the entire process, from planning the menus to shopping for ingredients to the actual food preparation and its serving.
10. As your child grows up, she'll spend most of her time developing and refining a variety of skills and abilities in all areas of her life. You should help her as much as possible by encouraging her and providing the equipment and instruction she needs.
11. Your child's health depends significantly on the care and guidance you offer during his early years. By taking your child to the doctor regularly for consultations, keeping him safe from accidents, providing a nutritious diet, and encouraging exercise throughout childhood, you help protect and strengthen his body.
12. Help your child foster positive relationships with friends, siblings and members of the community.
13. One of your most important gifts as a parent is to help your child develop self-esteem. Your child needs your steady support and encouragement to discover his strengths. He needs you to believe in him as he learns to believe in himself. Loving him, spending time with him, listening to him and praising his accomplishments are all part of this process.
14.Don't forget to say, "I love you" to children of all ages!
Do you use any of these tips on a regular basis? Which ones? Do you think any of these are just way off base? We'd love to hear your thoughts.
posted by Jennifer James @ Friday, January 12, 2007,
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