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A Fresh Start
By Maria Macfarlane

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."  Barack Obama

All of us can take the resolve and promise of the recent historic events in Washington and translate them into reminders of how we can incorporate a reformed dialogue into our daily lives.  As enlightened parents, could it be time to listen more closely, try another method or see things in a different light?  Being a family is a joint venture, with each member having a vested interest in the household's successes.  Everyone should have a voice.  Compassion, understanding and open-mindedness can go a long way in building bridges and mending fences. 

America has been given a fresh start. The ushering in of a new president has evoked an overwhelming sense of optimism and a massive outpouring of hope from around the world.  A shift is happening.  A transformation from the inside out is afoot.  We have all been inspired and called to action.  The common man has been mobilized and challenged to mold himself into a better citizen and, in turn, help change the world.

The people have been invited to participate in the co-creation of a new era... to shed old habits and unhealthy attitudes.  Making informed decisions and embracing innovative ideas, a definite shift in mindset can be felt.  A new conversation has begun; one that combines pragmatic problem solving with qualitative discourse.  Hope springs eternal and the possibilities are endless.  The ability of one man to elicit passion and inspire idealism has raised the consciousness of a powerful country.  The theme of his message is simple. Galvanize the people to do great things.  He has asked a nation to meet a formidable challenge with cooperation, sincerity and hard work.  Following Obama's eloquent directive from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, we can all attempt to do our part to fulfill his noble vision of the future, keeping in mind that the family is the cornerstone of our society and change begins at home.

Do Your Eyes Light Up?
By Maria Macfarlane

It takes courage to step out and make your mark on the world. In
an egocentric society of narcissistic bravado (check out MTV) and
falsely inflated egos (à la American Idol), parents tread a fine line.
How do we build our children's self-confidence and, at the same time,
teach them how to be realistic about their expectations?

Competition is a fact of life for our kids. Everyone is grappling for
the brass ring, trying to jockey for a position on the crowded
ladder of success. It's common to have to lobby for admittance to
an exclusive preschool, jump through hoops to qualify for the rep
team or undergo nerve-wracking auditions to play in the school band.
The pressures of "making it" and "following your star" can be a daunting
force in a child's life. Without perseverance, hard work and lots of luck
even the most talented person is not guaranteed success.

But…somewhere between that initial seed of inspiration and the
ambitious leap of faith to pursue one's dreams the question arises,
"What makes me so special?" When children wonder, "Who am I to
think I can do this," they must draw upon inner strength and security
that has taken you, their parent, many years to nurture.

Maya Angelou asks, "How do you react when your child enters the
room? Do your eyes light up?" All children need to feel special, in
their own right, apart from their accomplishments and accolades.
In our daily routine it is often easy for family members to take each other
for granted. We should never forget how important it is for our
unconditional love to shine through and be seen…every day.
Yes, we can facilitate the attainment of their goals by driving them
to practices, cheering from the stands and proudly extolling their
talents. But what signals do our kids receive from us during the course
of an average day? How negative is our message to them when they
aggravate us or misbehave?

Whether it's a reassuring smile, an affectionate nudge or a big ol' hug,
by openly acknowledging the joy that our children bring into our lives,
we are visibly affirming our love for them. We have the power to
infuse our children with the belief that they can face the challenges that lie
ahead regardless of how pragmatic or grandiose their aspirations may be.
They have so much potential. Even the smallest gesture of approval can do
wonders to validate their sense of self worth. Whether it is in a lab, a boardroom
or on Broadway the world is their stage. So tell them they are special today!
Let them see it in your eyes when they walk through the door!

Let your encouragement inspire them and your love be their stepping-stone
to greatness.