the
Spring 2017
Featuring
#MomNation, 2017 National Conference When Your Child has Food Allergies Raising Children in the Digital Age
Published by American Mothers, Inc.ÂŽ
| About American Mothers Inc.®
Letter From the President Dear Members, I find it hard to believe my term serving as your National President is nearing the end. I would like to take the opportunity in my last letter in the magazine to thank everyone for the hard work and support during my tenure. I am grateful to the AMI board of directors and staff for their dedication and tireless spirit. I would also like to thank the members in leadership roles: state officers, area coordinators and our amazing members. I will always cherish my time as your National President. To our members who volunteer their time to support the many AMI local initiatives, I especially thank you. It’s been so rewarding to see all the wonderful things you are doing in your communities and with your families. AMI has been working hard, on your behalf, with national programming that continues to serve mothers in our country and around the world. We’ve meet with national and world leaders this year and shared our ongoing missions; including the Fifth Grade Essay Contest, Legacy Projects, Honoring Programs, and Education Programs, which have focused on educating moms on the importance of how to spot human trafficking. American Mother’s scope has become far-reaching with a significant expansion of our virtual #MomNation communications network, allowing AMI’s voice to reach hundreds of thousands more mothers than ever before! Finally, we are currently planning the 82nd Annual National Conference in Washington, DC April 23 – 25, 2017. This year’s conference activities include providing mothers a chance to visit the Senators on Capitol Hill, hear from experts in spiritual wellness, foster parenting and learning from our fellow moms as we discuss how to be the best mothers we can be, while we continue to celebrate our legacy of honoring mothers. We also plan to honor AMI history at this event with our second annual Legacy Tea where we recognize our past honorees, longtime members and welcome a new group of amazing moms with our Mother of Achievement and Mother of the Year honors. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your National President and I invite you personally to join me at this year’s AMI Annual Conference to be held in Washington, DC. — Dianne Dain Callister, National President American Mothers, Inc.®
Table of 5 6 8 2
contents
Association News Nebraska Moms Making a Difference
Profiles in Leadership Sherri Zirker
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Mom Strong God’s Masterpieces
In the Trenches When Your Child Has Food Allergies
In the Trenches Traveling With Children Around the World
The American Mother Magazine
18 20 22
In the Trenches Raising Children in the Digital Age
Global Perspective The World of Non-Paid Work
Serve AMI Global Coalition
American Mothers Inc.® |
About Us American Mothers, Inc.® is committed to valuing mothers through service and education and has been MomStrong since 1935. As the official sponsor of Mother’s Day and the Mother of the Year®, American Mothers continues the legacy of celebrating motherhood. Honoring the mission of the organization’s founders and leaders Sara Delano Roose-velt, Mamie Eisenhower, JC Penney, and Norman Vincent Peale, American Mothers is dedicated to improving the lives of mothers and children in the US and around the world. Each year American Mothers honors motherhood by naming the National Mother of the Year® and hosting the Mom to Mom Conference. As an NGO centered at the United Nations and leader of the Global Motherhood Coalition, American Mothers organizes annual panel discussions and participates in high level meetings focused on addressing global struggles for mothers and children. By bringing mothers together from across the country, American Mothers organizes maternal energy for positive change. Many outstanding individuals throughout the US have been honored by AMI including Phyllis Marriott, Congresswoman “Lindy” Boggs, Golda Meir, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Kathie Lee Gifford, Alison Sweeney, Robin McGraw and Elizabeth Smart. After 82 years we are still MomStrong!
Connect With Us! Our Mission
To champion women by honoring, educating and serving mothers at home, at work and in the world.
Our Vision
To be a nationally recognized and respected voice on issues impacting mothers.
Our Values
• An abiding respect for mothers and their role in society. • A desire for collaboration between mothers in service for the common good. • A heart of compassion for issues and challenges facing mothers around the globe. • An acknowledgement of diversity among mothers and their individual choices. • A recognition of the power of a mother’s inner strength. • A commitment to honor mothers for their leadership and service at home, at work and in the world.
Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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| American Mothers Inc.®
Letter from the Director Hello Mom!
American Mothers, Inc.®
Executive Director: Andrea Ball Chief Operating Officer: Connell Branan Membership: Jacquie Ball info@americanmothers.org Advisory Council: Arlo Sorenson, Chairman Cathy Keating, Co-Chairman Governor Bill Anoatubby Secretary Henry Cisneros Executive Committee Dianne Dain Callister, President Carrie Leonard Lela Sullivan Joyce Stevens Sheila Monke Yolanda Perez Dorothy DeVore Stephanie Rogers Tara Trobaugh Carol Willey Ashley Gann Maria Amalbert Board Members Joan Braitsch Patty Payne Deanne Taylor Genevieve Champana Sabrina Wisher Deb Stanaland JaLynn Prince Kim Hoey Stevenson Betsy Opyt Meg Ille Jennifer Oliver Darcy Ure Edie Roodman Gerre Schwert Michelle Wall
As we embrace 2017, we also welcome a new chapter in our organization’s growth. People from all around the country have been recognizing the special mothers with our honoring programs, children have been participating in the 5th Grade Essay Contest and it is so exciting to see people “liking us” on social media and being part of the virtual #MomNation.
org with your pledge today or visit AmericanMothers.org to donate.
Before I close, I’d like to thank each of your for being a part of American Mothers, for attending the AMI Conference and bringing your expertise to our gathering. You, as a mother and a member of this great organization, have the vision, the knowledge, and vision to help us pave our way into the future. We cannot accomplish what we do without your support. Throughout this year, I ask you to stay engaged, positive and help us continue to shape the future of American Mothers. If you have not already I’m delighted to report that the renewed your membership for 2017, #MomNation has come out to support visit our website or contact the office our fundraising efforts! Thank You, at info@americanmothers.org and we Thank You, Thank You! We are curwill process it for you. rently working on several initiatives to help support our programs, including Finally, on behalf of American grant writing and our legacy giving ef- Mothers, thanks for being a great mom! forts. You can read more about these on page xxx. We have also launched Campaign 500! This fundraising Sincerely, effort asks each of you to consider Andrea Ball giving a donation to American Mothers before Annual Conference to help American Mothers Executive Director offset the expenses of our Honor programs. Our goal is to reach the equivalent of 100 $500 tax deductible donations by this year’s conference. We are on our way, thanks to your generous efforts and now only need 93 contributions to meet our goal! Please email info@americanmothers.
The American Mother Magazine Editor Connell Branan
Contributors Andrea Ball Cassie Beltran Callister Nadine Milham Dawn Nolan Lori Cash Richards Design & Layout Kalico Design | Frederick, MD 240-446-9765 www.kalicodesign.com
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On the Cover: Nadine Milham from Utah and her son, Jonah, visit New York City. Photo by Sophia Shay Photography
The American Mother Magazine
Association News |
Nebraska Moms Making a Difference Nebraska mothers care about the safety of all children and it is evidenced in their passion and support for efforts to combat human trafficking not only in their state but region as well. The Nebraska Mothers Association held a screening of the movie SOLD at the Marian High School Preforming Arts Center. Over 300 people attended to watch the movie which was followed by a panel discussion with experts on the topic of trafficking. These experts included a former FBI agent, a survivor, a member of the Human Trafficking Coalition, a forensic sexual assault nurse and representative from the Attorney General’s office. Proceeds from the event went to the Coalition on Human Trafficking, an organization who the Nebraska Mothers Association has partnered with for the past two years. Most recently, the Nebraska mothers plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force, the Coalition on Human Trafficking, and the Ne-braska Truckers Association, to advocate and assist in the ongoing fight to end trafficking in the State of Nebraska. As mothers, they feel they can lend a helping hand in many amazing ways. Through community outreach, promoting programs that raise awareness about the issue and by supporting the first responders statewide (legal, law enforcement, medical and social services), these Nebraska moms will make a difference in combating human trafficking in their state and our nation.
Published by American Mothers, Inc.ÂŽ
Did you know‌ Instances of Human Trafficking are reported in all 50 states annually. Human sex trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide. The average human is sold into slavery for less than $100. 85% of all trafficking takes place in hotels and motels, truck stops, restaurants and casinos. American Mothers has educational resources on how to spot human trafficking. You may request free brochures to distribute in your community by visiting AmericanMothers.org or email info@americanmothers.org.
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| Profiles in Leadership
Sherri Zirker, 2016 Lifetime
Achievement Award Winner
American Mothers is committed to telling more stories about the multitude of incredible moms and members of the organization who are making a positive impact in their community.
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Meet Sherri Zirker, the 2016 American Mothers Lifetime Achievement Award Winner! Sherri Magnusson Zirker is no stranger to American Mothers. If you have ever attended an American Mothers National Conference, chances are you have met Sherri or been greeted by her enthusiastic demeanor and friendly smile.
Volunteer & Mentor
Sherri was first introduced to American Mothers in 1974 when her mother was named the Washington Mother of the Year ÂŽ. Sherri was subsequently selected as the Washington State Young Mother the following year, and named the
National Young Honor Mother to represent the Young Mothers from the Western United States. Despite the early recognition, American Mothers has remained a big part of Sherri’s life for forty-one years. Sherri has served on AMI state boards in Washington, Arizona, and Utah, and loved working with the Mother of the Year and (then) Young Mothers program to develop chapters and state organizations. Sherri has served on the National Board in numerous capacities, but while a member of the Education Committee, she wrote over one hundred lessons for the Young Mother
The American Mother Magazine
Profiles in Leadership | program that were printed in each publication of the American Mother Magazine. Recognizing the need for young mothers to share best practices and learn from other mothers, Sherri’s lessons focused on relevant topics such as emotional health, self esteem, service, and stress, and were helpful to young mothers as they met each month in neighborhood groups across the country.
Author & Educator
Sherri holds a degree in education and taught school, presented lectures, and wrote numerous articles for magazines and newspapers, most notably her long running newspaper column “Recipe for a Happy Family.” She most notably wrote a chapter in The Joy of Being a Woman as well as co-authored, Learning: A Shared Experience Between Parent and Child with her sister Bette Doxey and Parent and Teen: Teamed for Success
with her husband Ronald J. Zirker. It should come as no surprise that Sherri always made her publications available to young moms to assist them in their monthly discussions.
Wife, Mother & Cheerleader
Sherri married Ronald J. Zirker, Ed.D, a School Psychologist. They spent nearly 49 years serving together until his passing in 2009. They are the proud parents of 5 children, 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. They also cared for 17 foster children. In 1971, the Zirker family was recognized as Washington’s “All-American Family of the Year.” One of Sherri’s greatest strengths is her ability to talk with people and make them feel special and loved. She has a genuine concern for others. Once Sherri knows you, she becomes your cheerleader and champion.
2016 Thompson Gift Recipient Gladeeh Begaye Gladeeh Begaye was awarded the Barbara Thompson Gift for her service to the Navajo nation through her two organizations Reservations Bound and Hearts and Hands in Action. The organizations will receive $1,000 on behalf of Gladeeh. When Gladeeh was a young woman and went back to visit her family on the reservation, she began to recognize how difficult their living circumstances were. They had no electricity, little food, and no heat. She also realized that her nieces and nephews were not in school. When she asked them why, they told her that they had no shoes and couldn’t walk to the school bus over a mile away, then ride two hours to the closest school. She knew she had to do something to help her family and her people. She created Reservations Bound and has worked with local Utah organizations for over 40 years to provide basic needs and hope to the people on the reservations. Several times each year Gladeeh organizes semi-truck loads of clothing, housewares, hygiene items, and back-to-school items. In early December she gathers coats, Christmas gifts, books, more shoes, and anything else she can to take to the people of all ages on the reservation. Although she organizes the project and transportation herself, she has inspired hundreds of volunteers that gather, sort, clean, pack, and deliver these items. Gladeeh pictured right
We applaud Gladeeh for the service she has provided to fill the needs of the Navajo people. We also recognize the example she has been to those who know her. She has helped many catch the vision of giving and doing it with an open heart and hand. The Barbara Thompson Gift is awarded to a deserving person or organization for the service they render to others. Judge Ralph Thompson (Oklahoma) created this recognition in honor of his wife Barbara who was the 1995 National Mother of the Year. For more information on this award, go to americanmothers.org/us-programs.
Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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Carry
Traveling with
Do you dream of traveling and allowing your family to experience the world? Some American Mothers have done this with their families and know the ins and outs of traveling with their kids to far flung destinations. Once you have your passports in hand, a world of learning is only a few hours away and you’ll never forget the memories you make. Children take away so many lessons from seeing the world and these tips and tricks will make your “tot travel” stress free and fabulous.
Fasten Your Seatbelts!
Many airlines will not assign seats in advance or will charge extra to be seated together. We suggest that you select a carrier that allows you to choose your seats when you book, so your kids aren’t separated from you and you aren’t juggling seats on the day of departure. On departure day, keep passports accessible and leave LOTS of extra time at the airport. Consider “tattooing” your child for the trip…use a sharpie marker to write your name and your mobile number with the country code on their forearm. If they should get separated from you, practice with them what they should do. Find a police officer and show them their arm.
Show Me the Money!
Notify your credit card companies before you leave. Banks are very careful about fraud and may freeze your card if you are making purchases that aren’t normal for you and unfreezing your account from a foreign country will be a lot harder than just calling your bank before departure. Also, take more than one credit or debit card. Cards work differently in foreign countries, so having a backup is best. Avoid the currency exchange and withdraw cash in the local currency at any larger airport. For more remote destinations, assume you may not be able to use your credit cards and plan your cash accordingly in advance. When possible, prepay your hotel in advance in US dollars.
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Check Your List Twice!
Make a list of your must have items. An extra change of clothing for each child and you, toothbrushes and medicine, baby wipes, snacks and a small first aid kit should all be in your carry-on bag. Over the counter medication will be different in other countries, so plan ahead to have the medicine your child may need with you, just in case. While it is safe in many destinations, consider using bottled water to avoid tummy trouble on vacation.
Travel Light!
A recommended packing list for a one week trip to a moderate climate includes the following items for each family member. Two pairs of jeans, one pair of shorts, one pair of black pants, one pair of athletic pants, an optional dress or skirt for the ladies, one swim suit with a cover up, 8 shirts of varied style that can be mixed and matched, 8 pairs of underwear, 8 pairs of socks (as it’s always good to have an extra), one pair of sandals/ flip flops, one pair of tennis shoes (or walking shoes) and a jacket. Add your toiletries, chargers, a travel plug adapter and you are ready to go! You can always do laundry, if needed onsite, but it’s important to remember that many foreign areas have stairs to public transportation, so pack light! Let each child bring two toys that are packable in their own small backpack. Something they play with often and something stuffed, as being in a strange place is easier when snuggling up with their favorite bear, plus it can double as a pillow on the plane. The American Mother Magazine
There’s an App for That!
When traveling abroad, download the subway maps of foreign cities in advance to your phone, as well as, a language translator. Learn the important words (water, how much does that cost, a few favorite foods, restroom, please and thank you) in the native language of the country you are visiting. Add an international data plan to your phone which gives you access to the internet and unlimited texting to your home. Always connect to Wi-Fi at your hotel and wait to upload photos to social media when you are at your hotel.
Sleep Well and Snack!
Everyone has a plan for beating jet lag but when traveling to the east (backward in time) consider an overnight flight and upon arrival, go to bed and sleep until noon. Then you wake refreshed and ready to explore after lunch! Many people forget that if you keep a very strict schedule at home, meal times can be way off as well in a new time zone. If your child usually eats a big breakfast and lunch but a small dinner at home, this can translate into some strange appetite patterns. Be prepared with snacks! If you travel west (or forward in time) expect that your child will be up very early and plan your sleep schedule to accommodate this for the first couple of days.
What to Do? What to Do?
Have a plan for the day but keep it flexible! Plan to “sojourn” through a city but leave your hotel each day with some
On Kids
In the Trenches |
Children Around the World By Andrea Ball
plans so you don’t waste time. A fun tip is to use a “travel scavenger hunt” book to explore. A great version of this type of travel book is the Mission: (insert city name) by Catherine Aragon. They are available online, fun for kids and adults to do and allow you to learn a lot about your destination. Using a hop on/off bus in a larger city can also be a great way to see the sites. For a flat fee you can cover a lot of ground. Most hotels can suggest a bus company, many have language translated tours at each stop and most have discounted pricing for children. A final suggestion, let your children have fun, but don’t spend too much time doing what you can do at home. Eat new food, shop in new stores and experience new cultures.
Say Cheese!
Allow each child to have one souvenir to remember each destination, but consider giving each child a small camera so they can take their own photos. Afterward, making a travel scrapbook is a great way to remember fun times with the family. As a parent, take lots and lots of photos and don’t forget selfies so you are in them too! You can always weed out the bad ones later. If you are using a cell phone camera, take a charged battery backup with you each day to recharge your phone, if needed, while sightseeing.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Traveling with children can mean some of the rules get turned upside down but focus on the important stuff. Take an interest in what interests them and try to plan things that engage the entire family. Keep safety in mind, but while you might be tempted to be the No! No! No! Mom after a long day in a strange place, try to take a deep breath and realize this could be a once in a lifetime experience so heading to the top of the Eiffel Tower might be a long wait, but it’s worth it. Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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| Association News
Giving Back to American Mothers with
Legacy Giving
Just as a mothers’ love is everlasting, the American Mothers Legacy Giving Program provides members and friends with an opportunity to participate in a lasting legacy that ensures a voice for 85 million mothers in America into the future about issues which are of greatest significance to moms. By making a long term financial commitment to American Mothers, the endowment portfolio of American Mothers will continue to grow and support the organization. The AMI Endowment is a portfolio of professionally managed accounts, which fund the programs of the organization. Established in 1957 with two Honors & Memorial donations, the American Mothers Endowment grew from $96,200.64 in 1983 to over $1 million in 2012. Lifetime memberships, major gifts, and Honors & Memorial donations to American Mothers are deposited into the AMI endowment to help ensure an indefinite commitment to honoring and supporting mothers. Long term sustained growth of this portfolio is vital to the future.
Legacy Giving is for anyone with a generous spirit as gifts of every size are celebrated, honored and appreciated. Your gift will enrich the lives of mothers in countless ways and will undoubtedly bring a personal sense of joy and fulfilment to you. There are many options to choose from when you are considering a planned gift to American Mothers Legacy Giving Program.
Management of Legacy Gifts Contributions to American Mothers, Inc. are professionally managed and are placed into one of the following funds based upon donor designations. • The Endowment Fund is managed with the objective of preserving capital with growth potential. Income from this fund is supports American Mothers programming.
• Designated Funds specifically target a particular outreach of interest to you. Either a major gift to generate ongoing funds without invading the underlying donation, or one-time “pass through” In 2016, Past National President, Joan donation for immediate support for Braistch, chaired a Legacy Giving a unique opportunity, your donation committee and established national criteria benefits mothers and children across to grow the endowment and provide the country and beyond our borders. important financial strength for American Mothers programs that will continue to honor mothers and support international outreach programs to ensure that mothers and children will be supported for Legacy Gifts: There are a number of ways generations to come.
You can name American Mothers, Inc. (AMI) in your will, trust or beneficiary designations. You can also make lifetime donations at any time. Gifts can be open ended or directed to specific funds. American Mothers has also established a Legacy Giving Guild in order to recognize and thank our members and friends who have remembered American Mothers in their planned giving. The program is intended to foster and extend the culture of giving and to remember those whose prior gifts have enabled us to honor and support mothers across the country and around the world. If you have already included American Mothers, Inc. in your estate planning and would like to be added as a member of the Legacy Giving Guild, please contact the American Mothers national office at info@americanmothers.org or call us at 877-242-4264. Members will receive updates and be honored annually at a Legacy Giving event during the National Convention and on our website. Sharing our strong support of Motherhood through gifts and donation ensures that mothers for decades to come can reach out to each other in communities, states, and around the world.
Planned Giving Options*
Join Us… We invite you to join us in growing the American Mothers Endowment and make a one-time or an ongoing commitment to support Motherhood. Legacy Giving is not reserved solely for those with great financial wealth. Giving a small amount each year as a perpetual gift or remembering American Mothers in your estate planning is a wonderful way to show your lifelong commitment to motherhood.
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you can make a gift to American Mothers and benefit from both current tax benefits and estate tax savings.
Gifts Made through Your Will: In making a bequest to American Mothers, you may: designate a specific amount; designate a percentage; or designate specific stocks or other securities. Life Insurance: Life insurance no longer needed for your family’s security may be redirected to American Mothers, providing a current tax deduction for the cash value of the policy.
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Retirement Benefits: You may designate American Mothers as a beneficiary of your retirement plan and significantly reduce your estate and income taxes. What Can You Do if You Are Interested in Making a Charitable Gift to American Mothers? If you want to consider other giving options or would like more information on the options mentioned here, please contact the national office at info@americanmothers.org *We urge our donors to work closely with their professional advisors to determine the most advantageous charitable estate plan for them.
Mom Strong |
God’s Masterpieces By Lori Cash Richards I’m looking at the visioning board I did a couple of years ago when I knew it was time to write. Before beginning my first book about what it was like living abroad on 9/11, I created this writer’s collage. There’s a wonderful book by Lucia Capacchione called Visioning. I carefully followed her guidance while creating this collage, this visioning board that she calls “a kind of storyboard or blueprint of the life you want to create, a wish map.” She wrote, “Visioning is a process for creating the life you want. It is a method for finding the dream that lives in your heart and translating it into the world of three dimensions.” In my writer’s collage, I included a picture of a man who’s wading through flood
waters that reach all the way up to his chin. High above his head, he’s holding notebooks filled with papers. I remember gluing him onto the page because when I saw him, I became consciously aware of a dream that I had been holding in my heart for many years. I dreamed of one day writing something that would be worth saving. That’s what I love about Capacchione’s visioning process. It’s not just about what we think we want. It’s also about bypassing our rational minds and allowing our hearts to make themselves known. As we glue onto the page images and words that resonate and that cause our hearts to pound, we have an inner experience of animation and excitement.
“Visioning is a process for creating the life you want. It is a method for finding the dream that lives in your heart and translating it into the world of three dimensions.”
Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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| Mom Strong Capacchione writes, “In visioning, we are reshaping the images of our heads to catch up with the vision in our hearts. When we stop concentrating on our outer situation and pay attention to our inner vision, we create the world as we wish it to be. And we participate in divine creation. This is how the Creator works through us if we will allow it.” Writer Martha Beck has been one of my heroes for many years. I’ve read most of her books, and I always flip to her article first in O Magazine to read what she’s written. It’s always good. On this writer’s collage, right here next to me, there’s a quote from Martha Beck that I cut out of O Magazine, “Real power is usually unspectacular, a simple setting aside of fear that allows the free flow of love. But it changes everything.” I participated in a workshop recently based on the book The Artist’s Way. It was written by another one of my heroes, Julia Cameron. I hadn’t done any art in many years aside from my collages. Yet when Helen Bradley, my inspiring instructor, put materials in front of me, I created something. I set aside any fear that came up and focused instead on
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what she placed before me. My curiosity about what might get created carried me right on through to the other side. Helen taught me how to create what wanted to come into form by asking questions of my art like, “What do you need from me? How can I serve you?” Then once whatever wanted to be created came into form, Helen taught me to ask it, “Who are you? And what message do you have to share with me?” This possibility had never occurred to me before—to ask my art what it needed from me, how I could serve it. I wonder if that’s what the universe does. Perhaps the universe asks us all day every day, “What do you need from me? How can I serve you?” Imagine the universe wanting to give us what we need, to serve us. Once my own creation started to take form, I wanted to serve it, I wanted it to have everything it needed. And what about the universe asking us the questions, “Who are you? What message do you have to share with me today?” Answering those questions certainly gives the universe a lot of information about us and who and what
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we believe ourselves to be. I’ve asked the universe these very same questions for years. But it didn’t occur to me until Helen’s workshop that the universe might be asking them of me, too, as a child of creation, as God’s art, as one of His seven billion masterpieces. My mentor and Chief Education Officer at the University of Santa Monica, Dr. Mary Hulnick, designed a very simple, very sweet, guided meditation that supports the setting aside of fear and the free flow of love by seeing through the eyes of the soul. It also very clearly answers the question that the universe may be asking, “Who are you?” This meditation offers such a beautiful way of answering that question that with Mary’s permission, I’ve included it. Mary says a sentence then invites those listening to repeat the sentence. As we repeat these sentences, we give ourselves and the universe a whole lot of information about us and about who and what we believe ourselves to be, opening the door for all kinds of new possibilities to emerge.
Mom Strong |
A Meditation of the Soul Who am I? Who am I?
And I am learning from this experience. And I am learning from this experience.
I am a center of pure loving awareness. I am a center of pure loving awareness. I have a body and I am more than my body. I have a body and I am more than my body. I have a mind and I am more than my mind. I have a mind and I am more than my mind. I have emotions and I am more than my emotions. I have emotions and I am more than my emotions.
I am learning that my true nature is loving. I am learning that my true nature is loving. Who am I? Who am I? I am a center of pure loving awareness. I am a center of pure loving awareness. And I am always at peace. And I am always at peace.
I observe how my body, mind and emotions experience the gift of life. I observe how my body, mind and emotions experience the gift of life.
As centers of pure loving awareness, it makes perfect sense that love flows freely through the universe and into us, God’s masterpieces. Aligning with who we truly are and setting aside our fears connects us to that eternal well-spring of loving, our true nature, where we are always at peace. And what Capacchione writes about visioning also serves our natural state of wellness, “Let me remind you that the whole idea of mistakes is a myth. There is no such thing. There is no right way or wrong way to do any of this work.” When we look through soul-centered eyes or the lens of the spiritual
consciousness, we see that life is all about learning. Setting aside any misunderstandings or fears about the mistakes we think we made in the past or the ones we might make in the future is a step into real power. By allowing the universe to serve us as children of creation, as God’s art and as God’s masterpieces, we become more and more aware of the truth of who and what we are, centers of pure loving awareness. That’s a step into real power, a setting aside of fear that allows the free flow of love. And, like Martha Beck said, that changes everything.
“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.” —Dalai Lama XIV Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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| In the Trenches
When Your Child Has
Food Allergies‌
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The American Mother Magazine
By Dawn Nolan
In the Trenches |
Being a military wife and an entrepreneur can be stressful, but it wasn’t until Michelle Whyte’s son, Jah, was born that life as she and her husband, Melake, knew it, changed forever. “He’s a really unique kid,” Michelle said. At just three months old, Jah started having issues with dry, dark skin that would crack and bleed. “Initially, it wasn’t too concerning,” Michelle remembered. “I had childhood eczema.” A pediatrician, however, believed that Jah’s symptoms could be caused by an intolerance to lactose. “So, we put him on a soy formula,” Michelle said. As it turned out, Jah was equally allergic to both milk and soy. “That’s when all the testing really began,” Michelle said. It was determined that Jah is allergic to six—wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and eggs—of the top eight food aller-
gens. However, the family also stays away from shell-fish, too, because of the high probability of cross-contamination. “He’s outgrown the soy allergy,” Michelle said. But, in addition to his allergies, Jah also has asthma and eczema. “The trifecta,” Michelle added. At their Northern Virginia home, Michelle has learned that the best way for she and Melake to enjoy certain foods (she’s from the South, after all) while also keeping Jah safe is to have the kitchen streamlined. “We keep separate products, pans and some appliances, like the toaster,” Michelle described. “He has Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
a shelf for his things in the pantry, fridge, and freezer. It’s been a journey. We joke that he is the most expensive child on the planet. He almost has to have his own grocery budget.” And while they may not have changed their diets entirely, Jah has had a significant effect on the way his parents eat. “We’ve cut out a lot of bread and other foods,” Michelle said. “We certainly don’t eat as poorly as we would have otherwise.” We have transitioned in the way that we cook and bake.” In some instances, that includes using chickpeas or another alternative instead of dairy or eggs.
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| In the Trenches
Facts from the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) Organization: • Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies. • 1 in 13 children (under 18 years of age) are affected. • The economic cost of children’s food allergies is nearly $25 billion per year. • According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011. • Eight foods account for 90 percent of all reactions: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Even trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a reaction. • Every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency department—that is more than 200,000 emergency department visits per year. • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported that food allergies result in more than 300,000 ambulatory-care visits a year among children under the age of 18. Food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting. • Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are at the highest risk of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. • Individuals with food allergies who also have asthma may be at increased risk for severe/fatal food allergy reactions. • Children with food allergy are 2-4 times more likely to have other related conditions such as asthma and other allergies, compared with children who do not have food allergies. • Your risk of having food allergies is higher if you have a parent who suffers from any type of allergic disease (asthma, eczema, food allergies, or environmental allergies such as hay fever). • Food allergies may be a trigger for or associated with other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.
“I can always tell if we got the recipe right, if I’ll eat it because I know the difference in taste and texture,” Michelle said. 16
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While Jah’s food allergies can still be difficult to manage, Michelle does admit that the addition of resources has made life easier. “There are so many more options now,” she said. And while she can tell the difference, Jah cannot. “This is normal for him,” she said. “My heart bleeds for parents that have to experience their child having a firsttime reaction and having to take a food away. We can look at our situation as a blessing because it has always been a part of his life.” Yet, despite being extremely careful, mistakes—like the time Michelle used regular milk when making Jah’s breakfast—do happen. “We usually don’t keep two milks in the house because he’s anaphylactic, but I had a craving for Lucky Charms,” Michelle recalled. “In 12 years we haven’t had many emergencies, but any reaction feels like the worst mistake you could ever make.” Fortunately, Jah recovered, and the experience also gave Michelle some clarity on how ill-equipped people and places are to deal with this kind of situation. “We have to manage multiple food allergies,” Michelle explained. “Even hospitals are not fully prepared to feed my child. This is our world, and there needs to be more advocacy.” Keeping Jah included and safe at school remains a daily struggle. “It’s the hardest, Michelle said. “Food is used frequently to teach, celebrate and reward students. He has to bring his lunch every day. He can’t go through the lines. So, if anything happens to his lunch, there is no Plan B. I do my best to keep my schedule flexible, so if there’s a popcorn party or birthday cupcake, I can bring something for him so he’s not left out during the school day.” When Jah was in elementary school, Michelle became very involved—volunteering in the cafeteria and working with the school nurse to educate others. “We’ve done a food allergy show-andtell-styled presentation during lunch for students,” she said. “The principal even decided to include it as part of the backto-school night so that parents can learn more. Students are being excluded, and we’re trying to change the culture little by little.”
In the Trenches | It also takes a little extra planning when the Whytes go to a restaurant. Frequently, Jah has to bring his own food. “If I don’t read it, he doesn’t eat it,” Michelle said. Sometimes, the restaurants are more accommodating and will prepare a special allergen-free dish or go over the menu and its list of ingredients. “It’s nice that some places are recogniz-ing that their patrons with medical conditions are people, too,” Michelle said. “It’s not something you can help. It’s life or death, and sometimes, it comes in small packages [children].” Traveling requires the most preparation for this family. They have to always be sure to have access to Jah’s epipen and inhaler. “We went to Hawaii last year and the first stop was to find the nearest grocery store”, Michelle shared. “Jah’s allergies determine which hotels we’ll stay in. We need to have a mini fridge and microwave, at minimum, to pre-pare his food. We’re learning how to make It work.” As Jah has gotten older, Michelle has continued to research the subject of food allergies, and she often speaks out on the topic to community groups. “It’s my life,” she said. “All of the decisions we make are based around Jah. His feelings of being left out are valid. This is a medical condition that a lot of times is easily dismissed. We try to keep him as included as possible, to live as normal as possible, but also help him understand that this his life… making him one of a kind.”
“We have to manage multiple food allergies,” Michelle explained. “Even hospitals are not fully prepared to feed my child. This is our world, and there needs to be more advocacy.”
About Michelle
Michelle Whyte loves to celebrate all of life’s special moments as owner of Ambiance Special Events, a wedding & special event coordination and design boutique. When she’s not on the hunt for the most delicious donut shops in the country...or the best sea-food; she spends her time creating awareness opportunities for students with Food Allergies in public schools, teaching manners/etiquette to local Girl Scouts Troops or chipping away at a Crossfit WOD, for pizzazz. Michelle bleeds Tiger Blue and volunteers as an Out-Of-Town Club Coordinator for the University of Memphis’ DC Alumni Chapter. This Tennessee Girl and proud military spouse currently calls Northern Virginia home.
Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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| In the Trenches
Raising Children
In the Digital Age By Cassie Callister
We are living in a rapidly changing digital environment. Over 500,000 inventions are patented in the United States each year, most of them in the technology sector. Life is becoming incredibly fast paced, with almost everyone, regardless of age or financial status, being connected to the global network through access to mobile devices. As Americans rave about the benefits of mobile technology making life significantly easier, we are simultaneously turning a blind eye to it’s negative effects on those being raised in the digital age. The people being most effected by advancing technology are America’s youth. A recent study from Influence Central, a marketing company known for its research into children and technology, found that the average child owns their first smartphone at around 10.3 years of age and their first social media account by 11. Due to the vast nature of
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the internet and it’s accessibility, parents and caregivers are becoming increasingly concerned about the time children should be allowed to spend on their devices and what they should be allowed to have access to online. Before smartphones, kids spent most of their time outside, using their imaginations, rid-ing bikes or playing games.
In the Trenches |
“According to a study done in 2010 by the Kaiser Foundation, children spend over 7.5 hours per day on entertainment technology.” There was no need for costly equipment or heavy parental supervision. In the digital age, we are seeing children being incapable of entertaining themselves and instead relying on the constant stimulation from technological entertainment, whether that be television, smart phones or tablet usage. According to a study done in 2010 by the Kaiser Foundation, children spend over 7.5 hours per day on entertainment technology. This means that instead of playing outside with friends, socializing and exercising their creativity, children are enveloping themselves in the isolated world of mobile devices and television. Through the excessive use and time spent on technology, kids are being limited socially and developmentally. Although many parents may argue that there are educational applications available to their children, reviews by a variety of educational foundations reveal that said applications are generally of poor quality, target rote skills rather than critical thinking skills, and have no concrete evidence suggesting that they aid in children’s development. Unfortunately, while staring at a screen for an extended period of time, children’s sensory and motor development is hindered by a bombardment of sensory
information and a lack of physical body movement. This developmental hindering also causes a delay in achieving childhood milestones such as literacy and the self regulation and attention skills necessary for a successful future in school. While the psychological and social aspects of technology overuse by children are only beginning to be explored, the physical effects of technology are extremely prevalent. Childhood obesity, diabetes, coordination disorders, autism, anxiety and sleeping disorders are running rampant among our youth populations and increasing along with our use of technology. Without proper monitoring by parents and caregivers about how much time children can spend on mo-bile devices, the frequency of these disorders will only increase. Not only is the excess usage of mobile technology unhealthy for children, but so is it’s unmonitored usage. Although most technology is given to children for communication purposes, without parental controls, children are able to access anything and everything on their mobile devices. Children are naturally curious, leading them to click on or search things
before they are capable of understanding what said things are and how they relate to the morals their parents have instilled upon them. The premature exposure of children to the sex and violence found on the internet is directly linked to depression, anxiety and other disorders. In order to avoid the negative effects of this exposure, parents should monitor their children’s technological use and establish open lines of communication between themselves and their children should an encounter occur. Technological advances have changed the way we as Americans are able to parent future generations. Seeing as though these advances will only continue, we must be steadfast in our desire to monitor their effects on youth populations. While technology has improved our lives in many positive ways, in order to mediate it’s negative effects and protect our children’s social, developmental and educational futures, we must establish boundaries of technological usage and children’s accessibility to the internet.
About The Author
Cassie Callister is a progressive individual passionate about women’s issues, education, creativity and communication. She is currently attending university in Utah to study Communications and hopes to further her education and obtain a masters degree in the same field. Cassie’s passion for language and learning has led her to be a dedicated writer and literature enthusiast, something she wishes to instill in her future children. After working diligently in the social media and design sectors of communications for five years, she wishes to devote her time to exploring women’s issues and writing about how to improve the lives of women worldwide.
Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
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| In the Trenches
The World of
Non-Paid Work
By Nadine Milham
When I was ten years old my father was dying and I was his caregiver. I was not allowed to speak about the care I provided for my father because of the custody dispute my parents were in the midst of. I was alone with him the whole day; caring for him became the only thing that I did. I would help with his medication and help him get to and from the bathroom. I assisted him with his eating. I shopped for groceries. I did everything for him. I felt alone and burdened with responsibility beyond my years. My grandparents helped as much as they could but the majority of the responsibility was mine. I remember leaving at the end of the summer and knowing he was going to die. I felt like I had failed. That feeling has never left me. My grandparents helped as much as they could but the majority of the responsibility was mine. I remember leaving at the end of the summer and knowing he was going to die. I felt like I had failed. That feeling has never left me. Caring for my father was my first experience in providing non-paid work. I was a young mother trying to figure out my role. I balanced the needs of a newborn with the
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demands of a toddler and other children. Later, I served as the primary caregiver of my 98 year old Granny while she was aged and in the final stages of cancer. I fought with the medical insurance establishment on her behalf to get her the best care possible. In these times I have felt very much alone and under-appreciated. None of these responsibilities came with a paycheck, or a best practices guide The American Mother Magazine
and they certainly never came with paid leave or other formal benefits. Even though the work I performed was not tied to standard monetary compensation, to those I served it was the most important service in the world. They needed me. They depended on me for everything including feeding and cleaning themselves. They could not provide for those very basic human needs on their
In the Trenches | own. They needed assistance. They needed me. The work I performed had value even though I was not paid. This value should be accounted for in the scope of our understanding. It is a substantial part of the global workforce. What it adds to the world economy is incomprehensible. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to travel to Africa, South America, Europe and all over North America. Throughout my travels, I observed that hardworking and dedicated individ-uals everywhere are of a common theme. From the high rise buildings of Manhattan to the Ma-sai Mara of Kenya people all want one thing. They want something better for the next genera-tion than they themselves had. How can we achieve this? One problem that must be solved is to assign value to the non-paid work being done by people throughout the world. You’ve probably heard the saying, “a mother’s work is never done”. Unfortunately, this work is not typically factored into the world economy nor do we really have com-prehensive data on the subject. This is what we plan to change. We are creating a way to quantify the data to give it meaning and value. This could change the way the world is managed, cared for and ultimately what the future will look like for our children. American Mother’s Incorporated has been asked to partner with other Non Governmental Organizations at the United Nations to create an App. The purpose of this App will be to gather data from around the world related to individuals’ non-paid work. The motivation is to gain deep insight into the amount of time people spend performing non-paid work. The impact that non-paid workers have on each of our lives is profound. The purpose of the App is to collect hard evidence to support a narrative that we already believe. This evidence will help educate leadership throughout the world in the advancement of non-paid workers issues. It will help illuminate with hard data the amount of work that is being done. The magnitude of labor that is being undervalued, which we know to be of value, will be given a voice. In the App the user will register by logging in via some popular authentication
provider. This will provide a user ID with which to associate collected data. (All user’s data will remain private.) The App will attempt to track the user’s activities throughout the day over 20 minute time check-in intervals during waking hours. When no current work is being tracked by the app, a check-in notification will appear which the user can tap on to enter the App. Once in the App, the user can begin tracking new non-paid work from a list of job categories. Interaction with the App will be brief by design. The user will select the current task with the minimum of touches and may then background the App. There will be different categories for what tasks are being completed. For example: Household Chores, Child or Senior Care, Driving, Paying Bills, Assisting with homework or schooling, and so on. Rough locational data will be collected automatically via the device’s Published by American Mothers, Inc.®
location services or en-tered manually by the user. Gender, age and other demographic info will be collected as applicable. Data will be collected and stored to cloud based web service. The App will be localized and made available in as many locals as possible. The hope is that by quantifying this data we will be able to define the scope of non-paid work that is being done throughout the world. We know as mothers and humanitarians that our work and services are underappreciated. The hope is that by bringing attention to the value of the work of mothering and caregiving, we will enhance its positive outcomes and effect the next generation. As mothers, our greatest purpose is to make the world better for the ones that come after us. That is what we all want to see; a better, more inclusive world and improved standard of living for all.
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| Serve
American Mothers Global Coalition American Mothers, Inc. is leading a global coalition focused on improving the lives of mothers and families to promote intergenerational solidarity around the world.
American Mothers and the United Nations Commission
on the Status of Women
Through the collaborative efforts of international organizations and communities, the Global Motherhood Coalition offers a comprehensive approach to research, services, and action with the mission of promoting best practices in motherhood and improving the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.
Connect With Us!
American Mothers is a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. American Mothers is excited to again host a panel(s) discussion during the 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, taking place in March 2017. The panel will focus on issues impacting mothers worldwide. Look for more information on our web site about the event.
American Mothers Ambassador Program Calling all past honorees! American Mothers invites all former award recipients to join us in Washington DC for our Annual Conference and Legacy Tea! If you are a former honoree and wish to participate, please send an email to president@americanmothers.org and let us know. We hope to see you there!
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#MomNation | “Fantastic Event! Great, Great Job!” – Pam Kanaly, 2015 National Mother of Achievement
2016 National #MomStrong Conference
“The Moms Night Out event was so laid back and helped create bonds with other women that will last a lifetime!” – Laurie Visser, SD Mother of the Year
“Thank you for such a wonderful event. I have never felt so honored in my life.” – Renee Hawkes, UT Mother of the Year
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Join us April 23-25, 2017
at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC 2017 American Mothers Annual Conference Visit www.americanmothers.org for event details!
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