Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id eB1HPu904628; Fri, 1 Dec 2000 12:26:06 -0500 (EST) Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 12:26:06 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <FB342847711ADA479F79750C2A27A6D902D97148@exchange.towson.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Pitcher, Sharon" <spitcher@towson.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:3283] RE: holidays X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Status: O Content-Length: 4751 Lines: 105 I just had to comment on this letter from Margo. Not only was this beautiful but extremely important for family literacy facilitators and teachers to think about. When I was facilitating family literacy programs, I began to realize that many of the moms in my programs were very stressed when the holidays came because they put all of their emphasis on money. I began doing a workshop during this time every year called, Making Family Memories, because I felt it was very important that the moms thought about creating family traditions that centered around literacy activities (making cards, doing craft activities, cooking with recipies, etc.) and discussing values rather than spending money as TV ads encourage. In helping to lead them to think about meaningful activities to do with their children, many of them shared that the holiday time that year became so special to them no matter whether they were spending it alone, in a homeless shelters, or any other of many situations which I am sure you all hear in family literacy programs. I am now teaching in a graduate reading program at a university and am doing a workshop this week for our Student Reading Association on ways teachers can help to bring these literacy activities to their classrooms and send them home with families. A colleague shared with me that this was exclusive of children from other cultures. We had a very meaningful discussion about this since she was Jewish and her children often felt left out in schools. It was during this discussion that I realized how important this "Making Family Memories" workshop was to me. I explained that all of the activities that I suggest can be done by all families and many different types of holidays can be included but that it was very important at this time when special holidays important to many of our cultures are being commercialized that we help children and families experience the value of making it or experiencing it instead of buying it. When you examine the literacy interactions and values shared in these activities, we cannot let them go by the wayside. Thank you, Margo, for sharing your experiences. I am printing out your letter to share at our teacher workshop this week. Sharon Pitcher -----Original Message----- From: Margo Waddell To: Multiple recipients of list Sent: 12/1/2000 11:42 AM Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:3282] RE: holidays When my children were at home, and I was a single parent, stress ran high in our house approaching and during the holidays. Most of the stress was related to my knowing that the children would leave Christmas eve on an airplane to Canada and not return until the New Year eve bubbles were flat. I realized eventually that they suffered from the same stress that I did in a different way. They were sad that their mom and dad were not only divorced, but could not stand to be in the same room with each other. I tell you all this so you might understand the list of stress busters we developed to survive until we were together again. We started right after Thanksgiving making and mailing Christmas cards to everyone we knew we would not see during the holidays. Our lists were different and it gave us a chance to talk about the people on the list and what we wanted them to know about our lives this year. We usually had a new address to share too, because we moved often. Second we made Christmas cookies together every weekend. It gave us lots of time to be together, laugh, discuss things, and express our creativity in design, or not, depending on our day. These were the gifts we gave. Packed up in little bundles or tins that I collected all year at garage sales. The children would carry their cookies to Canada, and I would take or send some to my friends and family here in the United States. We also read the Christmas story from the Bible and set up a small crèche scene to help us remember why people celebrate Christmas. The children always added something special that they made. I worked every Christmas day for others so they could be with their families, knowing how much that would mean to them. It helped me get through those years. Now, I enjoy a family holiday every year with one of my children and their family. I still make cards and cookies to give and enjoy. May your holiday be blessed this year and your new year grand! Best wishes, Margo Waddell NCFL > -----Original Message----- > From: nifl-family@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-family@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of > MEYER@clopton.k12.mo.us > Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 12:07 PM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:3276] holidays > > > Does anyone have ideas or sources for giving parents ideas about > "Living through the stressful holidays with children"? > > B. >
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