GAALS+PAALS

I am super excited to bring your kids a fun project that also relieves anxiety and enhances emotional development.

DESIGN YOUR OWN KIDS FACE MASK:
Set Includes:
- 1 kids size mask (2 layers / 100% cotton / adjustable straps)
- 1 stencil sheet
- 5 washable markers

Here's the best part - wash it and kids can design again!
OR use your own permanent fabric markers and kids can make it as a gift for others.

(1) kit = $15
(2) kits = $25
(3) kits = $30

Email me at [email protected] to place your order

* must pick up at my home in Manhasset (near Plandome train station)

All women must read this NON POLITICAL story about what it means to have a woman in the Whitehouse. Things you’ll nod your head to, others that’s shock you (or make you laugh), and of course things you likely never thought about. All of what you read will make you realize how different women’s lives are than men’s. Perhaps these differences are what will make any woman in a top positions in the Whitehouse so successful at her job (again, I’m not talking about Kamala, I’m talking about any woman at that level)!

CAN’T ACCESS THE ARTICLE DUE TO THE PAYWALL? Just Google the title and usually you can get a link that’ll let you right in.

Perspective | Kamala Harris knows things no vice president has ever known Men in power might sympathize with women’s issues, but Kamala Harris knows them by heart.

I might just win the most annoying mom award and I'm okay with it.

Each year, I find strategic times - holidays, special occasions and transitions - to ask my family to answer thought provoking questions like, "What are your hopes and dreams for the school year?" Even though my questions spark giggles, interesting facial expressions and/or comments like, “here we go again,” I honestly don't care that I'm annoying. My questions prompt thoughtful and meaningful responses from my family. They give me a glimpse inside their heads (and their hearts). And I believe that this exercise leads to positive outcomes.

This time of year is my favorite because I usually get away with asking my family two questions that require them to look into the future and set goals since there are two occasions - the start of school and the Jewish new year.

However, given 2020 has been a dramatically different and difficult year, I switched things up. I decided not to ask about the future, which seems likely to improve, and instead use the opportunity to reflect by asking only one question that required everyone to reframe the negative into a positive.

“What's one good thing that came out of the pandemic?”

This year, I posed the question at our holiday dinner with close friends and their children. It was truly beautiful to watch everyone actively listen to each other's heartfelt responses. And after each person's turn, kids and adults were inspired to share their perspectives and validate one another's feelings. The engaging and meaningful conversation set a pleasant tone for the evening, and hopefully for days (even months) to come.

Reframing our thinking to look for the good in situations is a vital skill. In trivial or everyday situations where things don't work out as we would have liked, it's beneficial to train yourself to see the positive BEFORE the negative, or at least to look at things as a whole - the good and the bad. (By no means am I saying we should avoid seeing and/or feeling bad emotions. It's imperative to our mental well-being that we allow ourselves to experience all feelings. And of course there are plenty of times where it's appropriate to first focus on the negative, like the pandemic and tragedies.) Putting things in perspective can prevent us from dwelling too long or being too hard on ourselves. It helps us emotionally and mentally, while boosting our self-esteem and confidence (which leads to all sorts of positive things). Seeing the positive can lead to a mindset shift that enables us lead happy, enjoyable and productive lives.

How can you instill a positive outlook and growth mindset?

Click to go to the website to get the tools you need to practice how to Look for the Good with your family.

>> Download this FREE pdf, "Look for the Good Activity Book," for children ages 4 to 8, written by my dear friend and GAALS leader, Aimee Fox. I am honored to share it with you and am so proud of her efforts to support the development of children's emotional well-being.

>> Check out this list of books for kids of all ages that promote positivity, happiness and an overall growth mindset.

>> Listen to Jason Mraz's latest song, "Look for the Good," to get in the mood.

>> Read my top 10 positive outcomes of Covid-19. Then ask your children what good things resulted from the major life change they experienced starting in mid March. There are so many, starting with us as individuals and a community, to looking at the greater impact it has had on our country, the world and the planet. You might be surprised by how insightful they are.

Good luck looking for the good!

Look for the Good - Starting with 10 Positive Outcomes of the Pandemic - GAALS: Girls Athletics And Life Skills℠ I might just win the most annoying mom award and I’m okay with it. Each year, I find strategic times – holidays, special occasions and transitions – to ask my family to answer thought provoking questions like, “What three things would change about yourself?” Even […]

It’s about time!!!

Two female coaches and a female official make NFL history by being on the field at the same time For the first time in the NFL's history, three women were on the gridiron Sunday in an official capacity during a regular-season game.

Our children are on their screens now more than ever. Knowing how this affects them will help you determine how best to guide and support your child.

Landmark on Main Street and GAALS + PAALS
are proud to presents SCREENAGERS: THE NEXT CHAPTER, a film that examines the science behind teen's emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and what can be done to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.

August 13th at 7:30p, followed by what is sure to be an interesting and timely virtual Q&A with me, Michael J. Hynes and Stacey Lessans.

Register here for this FREE event:

ONLINE Movie and Q & A - SCREENAGERS NEXT CHAPTER- Presented By Landmark On Main Street Join us for an online interactive community movie screening and discussion! We will use the movie "Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills For Stress Resilience" as a starting point for a livestreaming, interactive discussion about how we help teens build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxie...

How many times have you said (or heard) that things just aren’t like what they were when we were kids, marveling at the fact that we went outside for hours without our parents knowing exactly where we were, who we were with or what we were doing.

Well, one good thing to come out of this pandemic is that we are allowing (even pushing) our kids to get off their screens and get outside to play.

The difference? You can give them more independence and freedom, while also having peace of mind by using today’s technology. (To be clear, I’m not advocating for this, just sharing information)

“Parents of young kids have been buying Relay cellular walkie-talkies and Gabb Wireless phones, which have no browser, app store or games.

Verizon’s GizmoWatch 2 enables parents to include up to 10 contacts that kids can text or call with the press of a button. There are several prewritten text messages kids can send to them, such as “I’m at school” and “When are you picking me up?”

Through the GizmoHub app on their Apple or Android phone, parents can track their kids’ location and set up “geo-fences” to trigger alerts when their kids go out of bounds.”

Raising a Free-Range Child in 2020? Try a Smartwatch After decades of declining independence for children, parents are discovering a possible future in which tech serves as a tool for more freedom—and more time outside, away from their devices.

“While adults often have a lot to teach young people about the world and how it works, those of us raising adolescents should not assume that we are the resident experts on racism. In many cases young people are not only opposed to racism, but they have embraced the call to work actively against it. Indeed, as many parents have already discovered, our teenagers are often more adept at recognizing and challenging bigotry than we are.”

LETS LISTEN & LEARN

Talking With Your Teen About Anti-Racism? Be Ready to Listen Many of today’s teenagers have a keener understanding of what constitutes racism than their predecessors, based on what they have learned both in school and online.

Fathers greatly influence who we are and the way they treat their children influence what they look for in their relationships. Thank you for taking on such an important role and showing us the way.

In honor of all Black lives, we encourage you to educate yourself on Black history and culture, and take action to advance liberation efforts for the Black community.

Let’s start helping our kids develop the social and emotional skills that are vital to their lives, especially as they transition back to school this fall.

Virtual camps Gaals+paals https://www.gaalsusa.com/girls-programs-camps/

Teens Are Growing Depressed and Disconnected From School, Student Survey Finds Feelings of depression, unhappiness, and disconnection are rising among America's youth as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, according to a survey of 3,300 teenagers.

🆕 Virtual Camps: Coed Preschool + Girls in Elem School -

🆕 Virtual Camps: Coed Preschool + Girls in Elem School

“The abrupt switch to remote learning wiped out academic gains for many students in America, and widened racial and economic gaps. Catching up in the fall won’t be easy.”

Research Shows Students Falling Months Behind During Virus Disruptions The abrupt switch to remote learning wiped out academic gains for many students in America, and widened racial and economic gaps. Catching up in the fall won’t be easy.