Kids Nation Magazine - Edition 15 January/February 2017

jan/feb 2017

valentine's day printable + story + more

integrity TIPS and articles

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photo: melissa hicks photography

from the editor Dear Kids Nation readers, Happy New Year 2017! I hope you all had a great time with your loved ones during the holiday season.

Recently, I came across this quote by Warren Buffet: "Look for 3 things in a person intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don't have the last one, don't even bother with the first two."

Integrity is such a rare commodity in today’s society. I believe that it is something that we need to cultivate in our hearts and in the hearts of our children.

We’re privileged to have William C. Pollard (USA) and Claire Rogers (Australia) sharing their tips for building integrity in children.

I also love Dr. Tim Elmore’s article “Icebergs and Ice cubes” on page 8, where he shares four action steps we can take with our kids to cultivate a robust character.

Carey Casey imparts great values he has learnt from the movie “When the game stands tall”.

Furthermore, don’t forget to check out Andreja Vucajnk’s Valentine’s day printable, Ellen Stumbo’s article about unconditional love, and Desi Trisnawati’s avocado cupcakes recipe.

xo, Mia

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8. leadersHiP: icebergs anD ice cUbes

22. PrintaBle: Valentine's Day color by nUmber

14. tiPs: bUilDing integrity in chilDren

24. sPecial needs: ShE DoESn’T want me to loVe her back

18. FatHerHood: stanD tall anD coach your kIDS’ ChArACTEr

28. cooK: aVocaDo cUpcakes

kids nation is a bi-monthly magazine, dedicated to empowering kids around the world. it is published by mos Design creative (www.mosdesign.com.au).

35. sUBscriBe

front coVer: jamie t. (australia)

copyright Š kids nation magazine. all rights reserved. reproducing without permission is prohibited. copyright of articles and photos remain with the individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission.

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this edition’s contributors:

MIA SETYAWAN AUSTRALIA EDITOR & FOUNDER of KIDS NATION MAG kidsnationmag.com Mia is a mother of two boys and a business owner from Australia. She owns an award winning graphic design studio and print + stationery online shop. She also writes a lifestyle blog and volunteers at a local children program.

ELLEN STUMBO UNITED STATES WRITER & FOUNDER OF DISABILITY MATTERS ELLENSTUMBO.COM Ellen Stumbo writes and speaks with gritty honesty and openness. Ellen’s writing has appeared on Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia and the Huffington Post. Ellen blogs at ellenstumbo.com and you can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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dr. Tim Elmore united states founder & president of growing leaders growingleaders. com Tim is an international speaker, founder and president of Growing Leaders, an organization equipping today's young people to become the leaders of tomorrow. He is best-selling author of more than 30 books, including Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future and the Habitudes® series.

Desi Trisnawati INDONESIA food artist & chef consultant inspirational-chef. com Desi is the winner of Masterchef Indonesia 2012 and the first female Masterchef Indonesia. She is the author of 20 Fun Recipes of Strong Heart and creator of the Indonesia's first culinary board game Cooking with Inspirational Chef Desi.

this edition’s contributors:

c. william pollard UNITED STATES chairman Fairwyn Investment Company Bill Pollard is Chairman of Fairwyn Investment Company and served in the leadership of The ServiceMaster Company for over 25 years. He has served on numerous Boards and is the author of several books. Mr. Pollard has received many awards, including being named as one of Corporate America’s Outstanding Directors. andreja vuČajnk slovenia founder of itsy bitsy fun www.itsybitsyfun. com Andreja is the creator of Itsy Bitsy Fun, a website that provides tons of free resources for kids such as educational worksheets, games, activities and craft projects.

Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

claire rogers australia ceo of world vision australia www.worldvision. com.au Prior to World Vision Australia new CEO Claire Rogers headed ANZ Australia’s digital banking team. Claire is currently a member of the Australia Council for International Development Board and has been Chair of Ridley Theological College for the past 8 years.

CAREY CASEY UNITED STATES CEO OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR FATHERING (NCF) FATHERS.COM Carey Casey is Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering (NCF), a dynamic communicator and a compassionate ambassador. Carey serves on the White House Task Force on Fatherhood and Healthy Families.

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photo: Rolf Johansson

leadership

Icebergs and Ice Cubes by: dr. Tim Elmore

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An iceberg has been used over and over again by instructors to illustrate hidden realities.

We often talk about the “tip of the iceberg.”

This means there’s a larger amount of unseen substance than what’s visible. It’s an analogy.

The iceberg is one of our most popular images when we teach leadership to students.

Why? It has everything to do with integrity.

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believe the ten percent that lies above the water line of an iceberg represents our skills. They’re visible. Everyone can see them. But, they’re only the tip of our influence. The 90 percent that lies beneath the surface represents our character.

And it’s always what is below the surface that sinks the ship.

Consider the Titanic for a moment. That tragic shipwreck that killed hundreds of people on board wasn’t due to the tip of the iceberg. It was that massive amount of ice that was invisible, below the surface. The same is true about most failures in life. I don’t know anyone who’s ruined their life because of a “technique” flaw. I do, however, know several people who’ve ruined their career or their marriage or their friendships due to a character flaw.

When we teach our children about developing their character, (whether they’re six or sixteen), we cultivate substance beneath the surface. It can’t be seen, but in the long run it will surely impact the substance and direction of their lives—invisible but important. The fact is, the majority of our influence lies in qualities beneath the surface.

My guess is—you’re a parent who wants to raise your children to be people with integrity. You want them to live by values, to be honest and ethical and to build a solid reputation. It’s a noble goal, but one that’s not easy to achieve today.

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photo: IRODORI

Why Is Integrity so Challenging to Develop?

Becoming a person of integrity is difficult because our society places so much emphasis on what we can see. Our talent. Our Instagram profile. Our selfies. Our appearance. It’s almost always about our image, not our integrity. If our kids display any special gifts or leadership qualities, it can be doubly hard. Consider these four statements:

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Their talent has the potential to carry them further than their character can sustain them. Without direction, their gift can mold them into someone they don’t intend to become. They’ll be tempted to use their gifts to go places their character isn’t robust enough to guide them or keep them aligned with good ethics.

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Trouble comes when their integrity doesn’t keep pace with the momentum created by their intelligence. Sometimes our intelligence is much stronger than our character. Our moral intelligence isn’t solid enough to give us clarity to make good choices. Smart kids can rationalize almost any misbehavior or poor decision.

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There is no correlation between giftedness and maturity. It’s easy to assume that a talented athlete, student council member or performer must be a mature leader. Not true. A person can have great gifts … and be the most immature person in the world. Unfortunately, they can still have influence. We must help our kids see the difference.

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Their commitment to integrity can be easily eroded by their love of progress.

If a student lacks integrity, it doesn’t mean they’re an inherently bad person. It may mean they’re leaders and this aptitude pushes them forward. Leaders want to make progress! When we love progress too much we can compromise our commitment to integrity.

In addition, we live in a day of pluralism and tolerance, where we’ve taught our children to value and accept all points of view. This is a good thing. Unfortunately, this can leave kids fuzzy.

The unintended consequence can be that kids fail to develop the ability to discern right from wrong. They don’t want to be judgmental, so they withdraw from making even moral judgments. This inability will be conspicuous as they begin their careers.

It will be downright dangerous as they assume leadership roles as adults.

What Can You Do? Let me suggest a handful of action steps you can take with your kids:

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Make a list of values.

One of the two greatest goals you can model and teach to your children is to help them create a list of 4-6 words that describe the person they hope to become as adults. Call it a list of personal core values. Then, help them find ways to live up to those values weekly.

Challenge them to add value to others daily.

In addition to living by values, give them perspective on adding value to others. Help them to perform one act every day that adds value to someone else. Try doing it yourself. Living by values and adding value are what will make your kids one day valuable to their teams at work.

Make it a game to do what you disdain.

Challenge each member of the family to choose something every week that they don’t like to do, but agree to do it daily anyway. It may be a chore around the house, like taking out the garbage. Keep score on both parents and kids. This creates a habit of doing what’s right—even when it’s not fun.

Do dinner check ups on integrity.

At dinner, talk about a weekly opportunity each family member had to practice something that displayed integrity — when no one was watching.

Celebrate anonymous acts of character. Affirm any growth in each person.

These simple acts can begin to cultivate a robust character in kids — they begin to grow below the surface. Solid. Stable. Steady. Like an iceberg.

Interestingly, there is such a thing as an iceberg that has very little substance below the surface. Those icebergs are called “whistlers.” They have nothing more underwater than what you see above the water. They’re like a floating ice cube. Do you know how you can identify a “whistler?”

They consistently make noise as they drift. Let’s raise our kids to have substance below the surface.

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photo: Ben Kerckx

"the majority of our influence lies in qualities beneath the surface." dr. Tim Elmore

I wanted to share some exciting news - the release of a new book called, Marching Off the Map. It’s all about pioneering new territory our students desperately need us to explore to prepare them for the future. In short, it’s all about change. I just wanted to whet your appetite on the topic. Look for the book on our site in Spring of 2017.

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12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid

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tips

building integrity in children COMPILED BY: MIA SETYAWAN

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photo: WORLD VISION AUSTRALIA

“setting the right example.”

— claire rogers

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’ve always believed that building integrity in children is a process that occurs naturally particularly if you are setting the right example.

On a recent trip to Colombia I had the opportunity to visit a World Vision project that has been training young teenagers to show their peers how to advocate on issues that affect their communities.

It is a great example of how children when empowered can be both thoughtful and show leadership on issues that matter to them. So talk to your children, give them the opportunity to express their views, listen and learn from you and each other. claire rogers australia ceo of world vision australia www.worldvision.com.au

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photo: Delta One Leadership Institute

"In my leadership of people, I always looked for people of integrity – people who could be trusted in their care and service of others."

— c. william pollard

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he dictionary defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”

Integrity also refers to being whole or complete.

A person with integrity can be trusted.

In my leadership of people, I always looked for people of integrity – people who could be trusted in their care and service of others.

Some people think that everything is relative and there is no truth. So they don’t search for truth. When we don’t search, we don’t learn, and our minds become closed.

But in my experience, the search for truth is what allows us to confront life's difficulties with the reassurance that our starting point never changes and provides reason and hope. My starting point is my faith in God and His son Jesus Christ. It is why I seek to be a person of integrity.

c. william pollard UNITED STATES chairman Fairwyn Investment Company

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schools, we need you! we'd love to partner with schools around the world. please express your interest via email: hello@kidsnationmag.com and we will email you more information.

photo: Pexels

fatherhood

Stand Tall and Coach Your Kids’ Character by: carey casey 18

Click on the picture to watch the speech

Responsibility. Commitment. Forgiveness. Leadership. Brotherhood.

And yes, a good dose of football thrown in. I’m describing some key ideas from the movie, When the Game Stands Tall. It is certainly a great football movie, but it’s so much more.

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his movie is based on the true story of De La Salle High School’s football program, which won 151 games in a row — the longest winning streak in sports history.

But unlike a lot of sports movies, the focus is what happens after the winning streak is over, and how the coaches and players deal with all the questions and adversities.

What really impressed me is how Coach Ladouceur focuses on the young men’s character even more than their performance on the field. He is very much aware that winning football games really isn’t “winning” if the players aren’t also developing as young men. That’s demonstrated in the clip above from the film.

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photo: Unsplash

More than the final score, the coach’s focus is more on his players supporting each other, playing together, being selfless, handling challenges, and sacrificing for the cause.

It just so happens that those virtues very often lead to winning on the field. As fathers, coaching is one of the key fundamentals of Championship Fathering, according to our research.

My challenge for you today is: Are you being intentional about coaching your children to be people of strong character?

A coach organizes daily practices with purposeful activities to help each player grow while shaping his team into a cohesive, wellprepared unit. He identifies the gifts and strengths of each player, and areas where they might need extra training. He sets each player up for success.

Have you given some real thought and effort to nurturing your kids in a similar way?

One great question to ask yourself is: How can I help prepare my child for life? Maybe there are lessons you learned the hard way — about money, relationships, or work ethic, or faith. Find a way to share a nugget or two of wisdom with your kids.

Here’s another one to ask yourself to keep you motivated: A few years from now, when someone stops you on the street and says, “I know your son” or “I know your daughter,” how do you want them to finish that sentence?

I would challenge you to think about your legacy every day. What lasting or even eternal values are you investing in your children today?

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Like a good coach, use teachable moments when real life is happening to briefly draw your child’s attention to a larger lesson or virtue that’s in front of you. How are you coaching your kids in these areas, dad?

See the action points on next page for more practical ideas.

Action points for dads on the journey

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Starts with your own modeling of integrity Teaching your kids character starts with your own modeling of integrity. Be above reproach in your daily transactions and always tell the truth.

View your child’s mistake or minor crisis as a priceless opportunity for him or her to learn.

Instead of staying in your chair and telling him what to do from across the room, get up and calmly devote some time and energy to engaging your child helping to make the learning happen.

How do you want your kids to remember you?

As a hard worker? A humorous dad? A fix-it man?

Write down those qualities and then do something every day to build that legacy.

When a teachable moment comes along, keep your “teaching” short and simple.

Point out a life truth that is readily apparent, and trust that your child will grasp it for future use.

Be teachable yourself.

Willing to learn from others and willing to admit that you don’t have all the answers.

The National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com) is a national nonprofit organization that offers innovative tools and resources that inspire and equip fathers to be more involved with their children in order to give each child a better future and to create a positive fathering legacy.

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photo: itsy bitsy fun

PRINTABLE

Valentine's Day Color by Number BY: andreja vuÄŒajnk Let's color this special day with these Valentine's Day color by numbers "worksheets". Your kids can enjoy these at home by themselves (they are a great way to practice their numbers) or they can use these as Valentine's Day cards and give them out. this printable pack includes: 1 page a white bunny holding a heart garland. 1 page a heart to color.

1 page with a teddy bear and hearts. 1 page with a word LOVE. click here to download the printable

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Worksheets

File Folder Games

Coloring Pages

Printable Masks

Printable Board Games

Fun Facts for Kids

www.itsybitsyfun.com CHECK OUT ANDREJA'S LATEST "EASY PEASY ALPHABET COLORING BOOK"

photo: ellen stumbo

special needs

She Doesn’t Want Me To Love Her Back BY: ellen stumbo

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She walks to me and covers my mouth, a clear sign I’m not supposed to speak to her. “Mom. I luh you.” She waits a second, then she puts down her hand. “Thank you.” I say. “Hug?” She says, then hugs me tight, she lingers for a moment. “Kiss it.” She says, and she grabs my face with both hands and brings it to hers, kissing me gently. I want to tell her I love her too, but she doesn’t want to hear that. She’s not looking for my love or affirmation, she is simply wanting to show her love, for me.

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t took me a while to recognize how to receive her love. Every time my daughter told me she loved me, I said, “I love you too.” Which was often met with a decisive, “No, mom!” or a, “Stop it!.” Because the only thing she wanted to hear was, “Thank you.”

Thanks to her, I have learned that sometimes you just need to receive the love. It is not about loving back, but letting someone love you, completely.

And I realize how often I need that affirmation. When I tell my husband or my girls that I love them, I like to hear it back.

I wait, craving for their words that express love back. I want to know that they feel the same way, that it’s mutual, that we’re okay.

Yet my daughter looks for no affirmation, she only looks for expressing what she feels.

She gives this precious gift of love expecting nothing in return, wanting nothing in return.

Her love is so pure. She loves so well.

And I remember the day, when she was just a toddler, with clumsy steps and not enough hair on her head. A man walked in to church and she ran a wobbly run to him – as she did every time she saw him – and wrapped her little chubby arms around his neck.

He was struggling, trying to piece together his broken life, and sometimes he smelled and wore dirty and torn clothes, his hair a greasy mess, a face that had not been shaved for days.

Most of us kept our distance, except my daughter. And that day he scooped her up, and I was thinking about how she would need a bath when we got home when I noticed he was crying. I saw the tears as he closed his eyes tight and said, “She makes me feel so loved.”

And I wondered, in that moment, if the arms of my daughter were the arms of Jesus, reminding this man that he was indeed loved. Oh so loved!

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photo: ellen stumbo

And perhaps I know how he felt because she has done that for me too, she has been a vessel of God’s love poured out to me. My little girl, showing me each day how to love. How God loves. When she was born with Down syndrome, I foolishly thought of her as broken, yet I quickly recognized that I was the broken one. So broken.

I thought I knew how to love, but here she is, showing me each day that love is a gift given without expecting anything in return. And it is not about whether other people love you, but about how you love.

And she covers me with this unconditional love, reminding me that God loves me the same way. So I let her love me. This daughter of mine, she loves with no restrains. “I love you Nichole.” I say.

“Tenk you mom!” She says.

And I smile. I love her fiercely, and what a joy to know that she rejoices in my love too.

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for the love of children, home & celebrations

www.mossyjojo.etsy.com

photo: Desi trisnawati

cook

avocado cupcakes by: Desi trisnawati

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ingredients: 300 gr ripe avocado, mashed 100 gr low-protein flour 150 gr granulated sugar 200gr unsalted butter 4 eggs 1 tsp baking powder 1 gr salt garnish: whipping cream and walnuts

metHod: 1. preheat oven to 170c. grease a cupcake pan using butter.

2. beat the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. add the rest of the cake ingredients.

3. pour mixture into the prepared pan. bake for 20 mins or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. allow to cool completely before garnishing the cake with fresh cream and walnut.

for more recipes, follow Desi on facebook, twitter and instagram 29

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Living Intentionally Many special needs parents struggle with the everyday demands in life and feel as if they are merely surviving.

I created a strategy to help you organize the little things in life so you can move towards thriving!

Join this e-course and learn how to live intentionally.

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