Urban Views Weekly October 28, 2015 by Urban Views Weekly

October 28, 2015

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Bellevue teacher receives national recognition for ‘Promising Practices’ in character education Anne-Shirelle emulated. Harris, a school “It has been counselor a joy to at Bellevue witness the Elementary interactions School, has between the been named students a 2015 and the recipient of volunteers,” Character.org’s said Harris. National and “Over the International past 11 Promising years I have Practices in witnessed the Character evolution of a Education program that Anne-Shirelle Harris award. Harris not only helps was recognized during the 22nd Annual students develop a love and appreciation National Forum of Character Education, for literature but also gives them a sense held October 15-17 in Atlanta, Georgia. of who they are and what they can be.” Bellevue Elementary School was one of 235 schools, districts and youth-serving organizations from across the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, Columbia and the United Kingdom to be recognized for winning character education practices that encourage the ethical, social and academic growth of students in grades K-12. Harris, who has served as a professional school counselor for 14 years, oversees the 100 Black Men Read program held each February in recognition of Black History Month. The annual program is designed to foster a love of reading in students and provide a model for character development. Throughout the month, black male volunteers read to students and lead discussions on values exhibited in the books and practical examples of how those values can be

Character.org sponsors the annual program to showcase innovative best practices that are having an impact across the nation and abroad. Character. org encourages educators with similar needs to learn from and replicate these successful initiatives. “These great ideas really highlight the creative efforts of outstanding teachers across the world,” said Dr. Dave Keller, program director. “It’s great to recognize what’s going well in the classroom. These practices represent practical, effective ways to develop empathy, conflict resolution skills and good citizenship.” For more information about the Promising Practices award program, visit character.org.

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Urban Views Weekly | October 28, 2015

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Can you afford to apply for a large grant? Big money attracts big dreams. Imagine what your organization could do with a large sum of money. Large could be $25,000, or it could be $25 million. It all depends on your operating budget. Whether you say “yes” to big money, or turn down an opportunity can impact your organization – and community – for years to come. Learn three questions to ask before making a decision. When you are approached to apply for a large grant, it can feel as if your nonprofit has won the lottery. Maybe you’re a grassroots program, a national advocacy organization, or a college or university. In most cases, the response is the same: you are excited and begin to evaluate how your programs fit into the grant guidelines. If the proposed grant could cover multiple years, your team may feel the heavens have opened. Maybe, and maybe not. The first pivotal question to ask when considering a major grant is whether or not it is in line with your mission, goals and strategic plan. You can contort your nonprofit and change your direction to secure the funding. But what will that do

Letter To The Editor

to your organization? If the grant funding is for services outside of your program, why are you changing your priorities? There are legitimate reasons to change, but make sure yours is a conscious decision. Our general recommendation: don’t chase money that takes you off course. If you accept funds that are not in line with the core work of your nonprofit, you can put your organization at risk. You may find that the time and money required for grant management, reporting and evaluation are not covered in grant funding. Paying for these can become an additional – unfunded – expense. Second, have you planned for the end of the grant – even as you prepare to apply for funds? For example, have you considered how you will replace the funds once a grant ends? Will the new grant-funded program/ service/advocacy become part of your long-range planning or business plan? If not, what will happen to those you serve? Third, do you have the information you need to carefully continues on page 5

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Urban Views Weekly | October 28, 2015

ViewPoints

Why is the GOP So “Infatuated” by Dr. Ben? The Pet Negro Syndrome is a phenomenon where whites determine to “set their affections” upon certain “types” of black people to the exclusion of other “types” of black people. Since first establishing the institution of chattel slavery in the colonies, the practice of separating the good negroes from the bad, the house slaves from the field slaves, the light-skinned from the dark-skinned has an historic reality that continues to exist to this day. One might want to reframe or redefine the practice as more akin to a “class thing” than a race thing in these contemporary times, but the reality of how it manifests itself is still very much demonstrated along racial and color lines. The term Pet Negro was first used by author Zora Neale Hurston, “And every white man shall be allowed to pet himself a Negro. Yea, he shall take a black man unto ’himself to pet and to cherish, and this same Negro shall be perfect in his sight. Nor shall hatred among the races of men, nor conditions of strife in the walled cities, cause his pride and pleasure in his own Negro to wane.”

By Dr. T

themselves from who they are and where they came from while, simultaneously, assuaging white guilt by validating the “American Dream” and the age old premise that in America, anybody can “make it” if they try.

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.

Founder and Artistic Director The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor Virginia Commonwealth University

The politics of Pet Negroes demand that they go through all sorts of intellectual and moral contortions to make sure they stay on the good side of the White Over-class. As long as they maintain this well-established and historic connection with their white folks, Pet Negroes do very well in the marketplace and that’s the bottom line. Most whites, who are either too lazy or too scared to personally engage or actually connect with the lives of black folks for themselves, can conveniently depend upon their Pet Negro to provide them with personalized services that, simultaneously, excuse them from guilt and shame and validate their flawed morality and situational ethics with regard to their white privilege and latent white supremacist tendencies.

The GOP, and in particular white evangelicals, have invested their The Republican Party, and in particular, the evangelical wing time and treasure in Dr. Ben Carson, and they are now reaping the DrT@Margins2theCenter.com of the GOP have chosen Dr. Ben Carson as their “Pet Negro.” benefit of what they have sown in all of its glory! Ultimately, they www.theconciliationproject.org No matter where the Republican Party used to be, the party will not choose Dr. Ben as their nominee for President of the United of Lincoln and the Emancipation, where it is now has little States, but they will have laid their sacrifices at the altar and made to do with embracing equality and inclusion and more to do with reclamation of their peace with the absolute disrespect and vitriolic racism with which they met the “states rights” and BIG money. Many people of color look around the GOP and have presidency of the Pet Negro of the opposition party, President Barack Hussein Obama. to ask themselves, “What the hell am I doing with these people?” However, given the The truth about pets is that their very survival is determined by the will and whim reality of changing demographics in the electorate of the USA, there’s a growing of their benevolent masters. Dr. Ben will be taking a backseat once his usefulness has tolerance among whites for blacks that share their conservative values. Negroes such been realized. Pets do not last forever. When they get old or worn…. they get put as these have to compensate for the fact that they are not white by sounding more down and another “pet” is chosen. ultra-conservative than the whites they serve. In order to be invited “in”, they have to be more “white” than whites themselves. It’s absolute insanity. They must distance Up Next Week: National Native American Heritage Month

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll Democratic presidential frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was grilled for hours before the House Select Committee investigating the 2012 Benghazi attack in Libya that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

What’s Your Take? Did Hillary Clinton’s testimony help or hinder her chances of being President of the United States?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2 p.m. on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

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Urban Views Weekly | October 28, 2015

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By Janeal Downs

“Pushed: Bullies & Bystanders” works to create a safe place for children Fat, stupid or gay. These are just a few examples of words that accompany bullying, a phenomenon that is all too real and hurtful to children. “They seem like playful harmless teasing, but in fact they’re mean and hurtful,” Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates said about the negative effects of bullying. “Kids can go into major depression or even retaliation mode.” Pettiford-Wates is the director and facilitator for the collectively authored play and workshop of the Anti-Bullying Coalition (ABC) play, Pushed: Bullies & Bystanders. With this play they hope to bring awareness to the effects of bullying.

positive feedback from students, teachers, parents and administrators.

Before they go to the schools, administrators are advised regarding the strong language in the plays such as name calling and topics on sexuality or gender identity. While many teachers want the workshop to be for everyone in the school, because of the content, Pettiford-Wates said administrators limit the program to 8th grade or above. The workshops start off with the play which lasts about 30 minutes. The five cast members are all in their (L-R) Madeline Lovegrove, Becky Granger & Mahlon Raoufi 20s, giving them a closer relationship to the young The play is collaboration with the Conciliation Project and the Firehouse Theatre. teens. After the play, there is a 40 to 50 minute workshop where they first discuss the Planning began about five years ago when members of the Conciliation Project and play as a group. Then, everyone is broken down into gender specific groups where they the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) teamed up to talk about the can speak freely away from teachers or administrators. “Afterwards when they talk epidemic of bullying at schools. “It’s not something that’s they say yeah I’ve been a bully, or I’ve been a bystander,” a new thing. It’s something that was happening when Pettiford-Wates said. “And some people say yeah I’ve I was in school (and) when my mother was in school,” been bullied before.” Through the workshop they are able Pettiford-Wates said. “But it seemed like somewhere to realize and even define bullying. around six or seven years ago there was a spike in not only incidents of bullying, but the type of outcomes.” She encourages members of the community to With an increase in teen and young adult suicides, understand that bullying is a climate that involves escalations of violence and even school shootings by everyone. “There are teachers that bully their students. students who felt ostracized and bullied, they wanted to There are students that bully their teachers. There are do something about it. teachers who bully each other. There are parents who bully their kids,” Pettiford-Wates said. “It is not going The group began by talking about their own experiences. to take care of itself… (Children) are the future and if Experiences that had caused some to harm themselves, they don’t have a safe place to learn, then they don’t have isolate themselves, lose their sense of individuality and a future.” Pettiford-Wates hopes to make the project more. For many it was so bad, Pettiford-Wates explained, a regular part of Richmond Public Schools perhaps that going to school felt like a chore, rather than being in October, which is Domestic Violence and Bullying L-R (Back) Andrew Reid, Mahlon Raoufi, Becky Grangsomething they enjoyed. Through these stories, they Month. The Firehouse Theatre wrote a grant in order to er (Front) Debbie Crabbe, Madeline Lovegrove created topical and timely vignettes that could be used to bring the project to the school systems, but there is more connect with kids. Within the last 15 months, these ideas have been honed into a pilot funding needed to keep the project going. To learn more about the project or to program for Richmond Public Schools at Martin Luther King Middle School, different donate, visit the Conciliation Project at www.theconciliationproject.org. Parents and Boys and Girls clubs, Church Hill Activities & Tutoring (CHAT) and other locations. community members can also team up with schools to write grants for these types of Pettiford-Wates said these workshops through the commonwealth have received programs at their schools. From Fundraising page 2

construct a budget for the proposed work? Will grant funds cover current programs, or will you need to expand programming or launch a new program? Will you need to hire additional people? If yes, where will you find the talent you need? How will you retain current and new hires during the life of the grant? What will happen if staff leave your organization? How will you replace them? www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Take time to make wise decisions for your organization’s sustainability. Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Keeping kids safe onli Bullying Gone Digital One of the biggest challenges facing teens and kids online is cyberbullying, which is exactly what it sounds like: the playground and hallway social troubles now in cyberspace. Unlike school children as recent as a decade ago, children face all kinds of new bullying and taunting issues that can be hard for adults to understand. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers some basic tips that can help avoid or deal with cyberbullying issues. • Don’t respond to and don’t forward cyberbullying messages.

Report cyberbullying When cyberbullying involves these activities, it is considered a crime and should be reported to law enforcement: threats of violence, child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos, taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy, stalking and hate crimes. Though it may seem “less real” because it’s online, cyberbullying is absolutely a real-world problem. It can cause major social issues for teens and lead to depression and anxiety. Serious threats can also manifest into real physical attacks. Be aware of issues in school Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related to in-person bullying. The school can use the information to help inform prevention and response strategies. In many states, schools are required to address cyberbullying in their anti-bullying policy. Some state laws also cover off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment. Make Rules, Stick to Them The Internet represents an exciting landscape for kids and teens, with the opportunities to make new friends and explore new things. But, it also comes with some inherent dangers. Start early with your kids, and set boundaries at a young age. With those boundaries, keep a constant line of communication open. As your child continues to grow up (and as technology changes), keep talking. The online and social media landscape is always evolving, and as that happens, the rules might sometimes need to change.

• Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails and text messages. Use this evidence to report cyberbullying to web and cell phone service providers. Block the person who is cyberbullying. • Report cyberbullying to online service providers. Cyberbullying often violates the terms of service established by social media sites and Internet service providers. Review their terms and conditions or rights and responsibilities sections. These describe content that is and is not appropriate. Visit social media safety centers to learn how to block users and change settings to control who can contact you. Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing the terms of service. 6

Urban Views Weekly | October 28, 2015

Some basic rules When it comes to safely using the Internet, Scholastic, known for publishing educational materials for schools, teachers, parents and children, recommends a few helpful tips: • Limit usage. Permit your child free online time for a set amount of time (such as 30 minutes) right after school to chat with friends, play games or visit social networking sites. But, make it a rule that family time starts with dinner. • Keep kids in sight, and have them use the computer (or tablet or phone) in a centrally located area. A child is less likely to browse questionable content if they know a parent or sibling might walk by at any second. This makes it easier to monitor activity. • Do your homework. Check browser history to know where your child goes online, and check the sites regularly. Use security tools and privacy

features — whether offered by your browser or Internet service provider, or purchased separately — for extra protection. • Set a code of conduct and time limits. Keeping kids safe means setting guidelines about suitable language, content and behavior. While it’s important to direct your child to suitable websites, it’s even more valuable to help them recognize the redeeming qualities of those sites and what makes them appropriate. Know the Landscape From Xanga and Friendster to Twitter and Snapchat, the social media landscape has changed tremendously over the past decade. That can create a challenge when it comes to knowing how your kids are interacting with others online.

ine - make it a priority By Bernard Freeman

If you don’t understand the virtual playground in which your child is spending time, it can be hard to effectively parent and create boundaries. Ask your kids what they use

Talk to your children about which networks they use and the sites they visit. Make an effort to understand how they work and who your children are communicating with on a daily basis. The Internet represents a whole new world of social options. Knowledge is power, so make sure you know where your kids are spending their time.

Mobile: Where it all Happens One of the biggest changes in the past few years is the proliferation of mobile devices among teens and children, and the new social networks to go along with them.

From services that are connected to geographic locations (such as campus- or school-specific apps), and apps such as SnapChat that delete messages after they’re sent (which can make it extremely hard for parents to monitor), the Internet landscape is changing rapidly — and mobile is at the forefront. Talk to your kids, monitor their phones It’s likely your teens will know about these apps long before a parent will, and it’s amazing how quickly widespread adoption can happen by word of mouth among kids. Since mobile can be so hard to monitor, the best line of defense is an open and honest relationship with your child about the dangers of these tools and how they can be used responsibly. Set boundaries, and make them very clear. Make it clear their use will be monitored, and make the difference between “monitoring” and “spying” very clear. Let your kids know you’ll be checking in on them, and what’s expected of them. Keep an eye out for unfamiliar apps, and ask your child to explain them to you if needed. Consider limiting mobile time For many kids and teens, mobile phones have replaced the desktop or laptop computer as the primary communication tool. To that end, parents may want to consider setting boundaries for when and how much mobile phones can be used, and which apps are allowed. Cell phones are amazing communication tools, but like anything else, they should be used in moderation. Careful What You Share All it takes is a few moments on Google, and a few more skimming over social media sites, to realize a wealth of private information about you or your teen can be just a few clicks away. The reason? We share it. From locations, to shopping and food habits, to our weekly schedule, we have become a culture that shares a ton of information online. But having grown up in a world with prevalent technology and social media, many kids and teens may not understand what is and isn’t safe to share. Talk to your kids about the potential threats. The National Children’s Advocacy Center offers a few tips to keep kids safe: The basics • Never post personal information, such as a cell phone number, home number, home address or your location on any social networking site or through mobile apps such as Snapchat or Instagram. • Never meet in person with anyone first met on the Internet. Tell your kids that if someone asks to meet, they should tell you right away. Stress that people may not always be who they claim to be online.

• Talk to your children about sharing pictures online, and make clear guidelines about what is and isn’t appropriate. Also, be careful of revealing potential locations in photos (such as a home address displayed in the background). Nothing is truly private • Remind kids that everything can be saved and captured via screen grab, so they should be extremely careful what they post or say — even in seemingly private chat conversations with friends. • Teach your children to be vigilant about who they are friends with and follow online. If they’re a nuisance, or often post or share inappropriate content, remove them. • Never, under any circumstance, should your child share their password with anyone other than a parent or guardian. • Research how the privacy settings of the various social networking sites used by your children work. Make sure they’re set at a level your family feels safe and comfortable with. Parental Controls Some tech-savvy kids can get around software tools aimed at giving parents control over their Internet access — but there are some steps you can take to make it much harder for children to gain such access. According to Parenting.com, everything from browser tools to third-party safety programs can be a major ally for parents looking out for the safety of their children Keep tabs on the history It’s hard to keep anything hidden these days, and all browsers come with cache and history settings that keep a detailed history of which sites have been visited. Use those tools, and let your children know you’re keeping tabs on the data. Plus, even if they do erase their history, the gap in usage time should be fairly obvious to alert a parent that something has been hidden. Funny now but not later Social media networks such as Facebook represent a fantastic tool to share family photos and keep distant friends and relatives up to date on your life. But, it’s important to remember who you share that information with and how. A funny picture of your toddler might seem innocuous now, but think ahead 5-10 years. Will your daughter still think that silly picture needs to be public once she’s old enough to establish her own social media presence? By posting the photo, you’re making that decision for her. That’s not to say you shouldn’t share photos of your children, but it’s important to think about the long-term effects. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

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The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Planning an Eco-Friendly Home Renovation Plenty of people are now putting the sun, wind and water to work to cut their energy bill. Should you join them? Before any shift to renewable energy technology, you’ve got to do some very individualized research and, above all, work the numbers. Solar energy seems to be getting the most attention. You might have heard recent news reports about solar energy’s sliding costs and rising support in Washington. A recent White House report noted that the average cost of a solar electric system has dropped by 50 percent since 2010 and that federal agencies are working to make it easier for lower-income taxpayers to borrow up to $25,000 for solar and energy efficient home improvements.

local evaluation of options is essential. Do you really understand the technology? There is no doubt that technology is always evolving, and this is one of the reasons why solar and other renewable energy options are becoming cheaper. However, falling costs are one thing, but you need to fully understand what you’re buying so you can hire the best people to install it and service the system over time. For the basics, a good place to start is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy.gov site’s renewable energy section. Should you buy, lease or borrow? One of the drivers behind the recent growth in solar is a new generation of vendors who provide one-stop shopping, installation and billing for systems at little or no initial cost. These vendors facilitate both purchase by loan and lease options. As convenient as this option might be, watch for inflation clauses, fees and penalties that could drive you above what you’re paying for conventional, utility-produced electricity.

And many are rushing to do installations by the current yearend 2016 expiration date for the 30 percent federal consumer energy efficiency tax credits covering solar energy systems, small wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps. How should you evaluate the cost of a renewable energy project? Consider these questions first: Could incremental energy-saving projects be more practical? Start with baby steps. Before you decide on an expensive solar or other renewables project, see if smaller changes around the home could save money. You can improve the performance of heating and air conditioning systems and seal air leaks from windows, doors and other areas of the home. A do-it-yourself or professional energy audit might be a good first step in detecting energy waste. What’s going on locally? When it comes to renewable energy, geography matters, and not just for tax breaks and credits for systems. Generally, weather, temperature, wind and sun exposure measurements matter when you’re choosing a particular project. For example, the Solar Energy Industries Association reports that solar installations are more common on the East and West Coasts, mainly because sun exposure is greater on the coasts than in the center of the country. State and local organizations dealing with renewables can offer guidance to cost, effectiveness, installation and many other issues you’ll need to evaluate. A

How will it affect resale? There’s a fair amount of debate as to whether green home improvements actually boost home prices. Also, many real estate experts have mixed opinions about how prospective buyers feel about purchasing a home with existing renewable energy equipment that’s either been bought or leased. Should I involve my financial and tax advisors? Whether you plan to buy, borrow or lease a system or do intermediary energy improvements around the home, talking to a qualified financial or tax advisor isn’t just worthwhile, it’s essential. It is also a good idea to speak with your homeowners’ insurance agent to see if your project will affect your coverage. Bottom line: Want to save money while saving the planet? Do your homework and make sure an investment in renewable energy works for you. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney.

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StatePoint

When Sibling Rivalry Goes Too Far: Dealing with Sibling Bullying Bullying outside the home makes headlines daily, but sibling bullying can happen under one’s own roof, and can be misperceived as normal, say experts. “Sibling rivalry and sibling abuse are two separate things,” says Pam Franklin, author of “My Five Sisters,” a memoir of the author’s challenging childhood. “Mental health issues are both at the root of these problems, and can also perpetuate them.” Franklin, who was psychologically and physically abused by her mentally ill older sister, has turned her story into a unique exploration of how dangerous sibling abuse can become if not addressed. She feels her story could help others and is offering insights to those attempting to identify whether behaviors they have witnessed are normal or problematic: • While all siblings are inclined to bicker or compete, a supreme imbalance of power that threatens the mental or physical safety of a particular child is not acceptable and should be addressed. Observe your children and ask other responsible parties, such as babysitters and relatives, for feedback on what they’ve seen or heard. • Keep in mind that many children won’t normally share problems occurring at home, fearing retribution from abusers or possessing anxiety that no one will believe them. Many such children become masters at hiding their feelings. Don’t ignore signs. Pursue the matter until you discover the truth. Even if there are no visible issues, regularly talking to your children about their thoughts and feelings is fundamental.

listing of behaviors can help healthcare professionals make a proper diagnosis. For example, Franklin’s sister and tormenter suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, (DID, previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder). Affecting only 0.01 to one percent of the population, DID is a severe form of dissociation characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that have power over a person’s behavior and can be accompanied by mood swings, sleep disorders, panic attacks, compulsions and psychoticlike symptoms. • Some mental health disorders are much more common than DID and can also have larger ramifications. In fact, 10 percent of the population today takes antidepressants and many more have undiagnosed issues. If you have concerns, talk to your child’s pediatrician about next steps. Without treatment, gaining control of a condition is difficult or even impossible • Don’t let your family’s financial situation be a deterrent towards getting needed help. Counseling services are available at every price point and some clinics have a sliding scale pay structure based on income. For victims and abusers alike, treatment is one of the only paths towards leading a functional, healthy life. More information can be found at www.PamFranklin-author.com. Kids will be kids, but that doesn’t mean everything that occurs between them is harmless. Take conflicts between siblings as seriously as you would between your child and his or her classmates.

• Write down troubling symptoms to share with your child’s doctor or therapist. A

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How to Guide

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How to Choose Youth Bedroom Furniture Choosing a bedroom set for your child may seem easy, but you will want to make sure you are keeping your child’s preferences in mind, too. Young people view their bedrooms as their sanctuaries. These rooms are private spaces where they can let loose and be themselves. The room should reflect your child’s personality and interests. After all, they will be spending many hours there.

child may not want cartoon images on his bedroom set. Purchasing solid, timeless pieces will help you save money in the long run. Make a list of items you will need. This list will help

Whenever possible, use your child’s favorite color for the room. Ask if they prefer cartoon characters. Involving your child can become a fantastic learning experience and bring you closer together.

New or Used Purchasing gently used furniture can save you lots of money. Most parents figure their children will grow out of the furniture anyway, so there is no need to spend a lot of money on a bedroom set.

Here are some factors to remember before shopping for youth bedroom furniture.

The good news is that it is possible to find high quality used furniture. Look for second-hand furniture at yard sales, online auction sites, flea markets, local newspapers and consignment stores. With a little research and time, you will find the perfect set for your child’s bedroom.

Consider Age and Budget Your child’s age will guide your choices, especially with regards to safety. Younger children are more susceptible to injuries due to poorly made furniture. They may also need special safety features. You may also want to look ahead on how the furniture will grow with your child. An older

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Matching Colors and Textures Bedroom furniture for children comes in a variety of shapes, colors, materials and sizes.

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Wooden pieces are elegant, but they can also be expensive. Keep in mind that small children will likely scratch and damage wood furniture. Some parents prefer well-built, metal pieces.

Choosing youth furniture should be done with care and consideration. Picking the wrong furniture can end up costing you more money in the long run. It may also create problems between you and your child when they have to spend time in a room where they feel uncomfortable.

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Using these tips should help you find the perfect bedroom collection for your child. If you take the time to make the right choices now, you probably won’t have to shop again in just a few short years.

NOTICE The LEGACY Newspaper has the intention to petition the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond AND of the City of Newport News Circuit Court for authority to publish legal notices pursuit to VA Code 8.01-324. Contact 804-644-1550 for more information. Follow us! Urban Views Weekly | October 28, 2015

Urban Views Weekly | October 28, 2015