Archive for August 2013

Fighting the Urge to Rush In And Fix Recess for My First Grader

Yesterday my first grader came out of school with her shoulders slumped and her head down. “How was your day?” I asked. She lifted her hand and gestured so-so.  This is a kid who is usually bouncing with enthusiasm about every last activity in her life, so I figured something specific was bugging her. She... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 29, 2013 at 1:52 pm • 

Generation Bullied 2.0 Book Review

Generation Bullied 2.0 Book Review
As an advocate for bullying prevention, intervention, and reconciliation, I am always seeking out new tools to use when I work with educators, parents and kids.  The most helpful resources combine research with practical recommendations for how to implement change.  This is exactly the approach taken in the excellent new academic book, Generation Bullied 2.0,... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 22, 2013 at 1:22 pm • 

Adoption Retrospective: Aren't You Worried That Birthmother Is Smoking During Pregnancy?

It has been ten years since we began our adoption journey.  In honor of the passing of time, I will be publishing one post each month in 2013 that reflects on our lives in 2003 August 2003 We take several weekend trips to M’s town to spend time with her and make preparations for the... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 19, 2013 at 12:12 pm • 
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Nerdist Produces Video Highlighting End-Bullying Events at San Diego Comic Con

Last month, the AntiBullying Coalition held the first-ever End Bullying events at San Diego Comic-Con.  Nerdist put together this terrific brief video highlighting what happened and why.  Enjoy! Thank you again to our fantastic panelists and our partners!  To learn more, please visit www.antibullyingcoalition.com. Check out Carrie’s award-winning book. It features chapters on bullying, conflict... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 14, 2013 at 9:10 am • 

Brave Girls Want Equality. Let's Make It Happen.

Brave Girls Want Equality. Let's Make It Happen.
It was the first day of summer camp.  The counselor gave the children white tented cards.  “Write your name and your favorite thing – what’s most important to you– on the name cards,” she instructed. Six-year-old Annie Rose carefully wrote her name.  Underneath it, she drew a picture of two smiling little girls, one with... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 13, 2013 at 11:07 am • 

How Much Stage Makeup Should Little Girls Wear?

This week, my 6-yr-old daughter skated in her first ice exhibition.  Usually, she insists on doing her own hair and picking her own clothes, so it was a major victory when she agreed to let me comb down her spiky bangs (the result of giving herself a unique haircut two months ago) and smooth her... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 7, 2013 at 1:34 pm • 
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Stop telling kids that being bullied will make them stronger. It’s not true, and here is why.

Stop telling kids that being bullied will make them stronger. It’s not true, and here is why.
Human beings are hard-wired to belong.  We are social beings and we derive happiness from positive interactions with other living creatures, especially people.  What happens when we are rejected?  We experience very real psychological and physical symptoms of pain, such as anxiety, depression, stomach aches, sleeplessness, headaches and panic attacks. I have noticed a continuing... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 6, 2013 at 10:02 am • 

Star Wars Fan Cruelly Targeted By Teens While Volunteering at Charity Event for Make-A-Wish

Star Wars Fan Cruelly Targeted By Teens While Volunteering at Charity Event for Make-A-Wish
It was the eve of San Diego Comic-Con, and retired naval officer Chris Cecil was doing what he loves best: dressing up as a Stormtrooper for the 501st Legion and volunteering at a charity event. Cecil was working the final leg of the Course of the Force event on Tuesday, July 16. The Course of... Read more »
By Carrie Goldman,
August 4, 2013 at 4:15 pm •