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Raising Girls

GoldieBlox, Raising girls, sponsored, engineering

When I was a little girl, I was raised that little girls did “girl things” like play with baby dolls and Barbie dolls. Boys played with Legos and Lincoln logs. Girls were pretty and boys were dirty. Boys got to have all the fun while all I got to do was chores and play with toys that taught me how to be a “young lady“. Enter easy bake ovens, play houses, baby dolls who cried and needed their diapers changed. But it doesn’t have to be that way and I’ve partnered with GoldieBlox to change that.

 

When I tried to climb trees or build forts, I was promptly told that those things were not very “ladylike.” It’s damn hard to climb trees in skirts. Don’t get me wrong; I loved doing all those things but maybe I would have liked to play with the Legos or built something with Lincoln logs? The point is this; I didn’t even know what an Engineer did until I was in college at Purdue University…dating an Engineer. So how could I have ever chosen to be an engineer when no one thought it was worth the bother to teach little girls to be anything more than princesses, mothers and maids until now. Enter GoldieBlox.

 

We live in a world where men grossly outnumber women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Girls lose interest in these subjects as early as age 8, GoldieBlox is determined to change the equation. Construction toys develop an early interest in these subjects, but for over a hundred years, they’ve been considered “boys’ toys”. By designing a construction toy from the female perspective, GoldieBlox disrupts the pink aisle and inspires the future generation of female engineers.

 

Debbie Sterling, a female engineer from Stanford University, was always bothered by how few women are in the engineering field. The numbers are definitely skewed in the engineering field. So, Debbie did something about it. She started a toy company in 2012 called GoldieBlox to get little girls to love engineering as much as she does.

 

The mission of GoldieBlox is to create fun toys that develop spatial skills and teach basic engineering principles. Girls like to read and boys like to build. Put spatial plus verbal together, story and construction and that’s how GoldieBlox was born. GoldieBlox is a book and a construction toy combined, starring Goldie the girl inventor and her motley crew of friends who go on adventures and solve problems by building simple machines. As girls read along they get to build what Goldie builds using their own tool kit. At the beginning of every GoldieBlox story, they introduce some basic engineering vocabulary with a basic “Bill of Materials.” The pieces you get with GoldieBlox are based on the Seven Simple Machines (wheel and axis, lever, pulley, etc.) These are the basic building blocks of every physical thing. Once you learn these simple machines, you can’t see your world the same way again, because you understand how things are built.

 

No longer are we teaching our girls that they have to stand by looking pretty while fetching cold drinks for the man folks. Nope, we are teaching our girls that they can put on a pair of cute jeans and work-boots and go build it themselves. By designing construction toys from the female perspective, GoldieBlox will be more appealing to a broader audience of children and parents who previously considered engineering a job for boys. Engineers solve some of the biggest challenges our society faces. They are critical to the world economy, earn higher salaries and have greater job security. And they are 89% male. There’s more to girls than just pink and fluff.  We can be anything we want to be in this world. We are bigger than the pink aisle. Our dreams and skills can’t be contained.

 

 

One of the most critical skills we can teach our girls is confidence and perseverance. By giving girls confidence and exposure to words, when they see and hear these words later in life, they won’t be as intimidated, because they will already understand the concepts!

 

GoldieBlox teaches girls not to give up. Goldie never gives up and always tries again at making something.  I love that message and I saw it come to fruition when my own girls were playing with their Goldieblox and the Parade Float and the Dunk Tank. I also love watching the confidence they have in building new things, not just what the instructions say. Thanks to GoldieBlox both of my girls have began to ask if they can join the schools robotics team. My husband is an engineer so this thrills him. I know what a turning point this is in history, so it pleases me too.

I am also giving away a GoldieBlox Parade Float and one Dunk Tank toy to one lucky reader. Easy to enter, simply follow me on Instagram and leave me your instagram account name in the comments.  Ends 7/29 at midnight. Open to U.S. and Canadian readers. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do you get your girls to keep an interest in STEM?

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skinny, vanity, weight loss,

My daughters, they saw an Instagram video of a friend’s little girl lip syncing Kiesza’s Hideaway. It was the first time they’d ever heard the song. They were instantly obsessed and being my children, of course they never do anything to scale. They had to take it and run away with it. After making several Instagram videos, they decided it was time to pull out the big guns and they entered my office with costumes and demanded that I record them. What did I expect from the kids who did a toy version of the Harlem Shake. What can I say, the whole family is a little silly.  Every last one of them has a silly streak a mile wide. Who am I to deny them this? Besides, aren’t these the moments that memories are made of?

I’ll hideaway with these girls any day of the week!

My girls rock and they make me proud when they just do their do! They have no qualms about anything, they always just dance like no one is watching. I hope that never changes. These are the moments of bliss that motherhood is peppered with; these are the moments that make it all worth it.

What moment makes it all worth it for you?

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stanford health, raising girls, girl power, sponsored

I have been finding that the extraordinary moments in motherhood are the ordinary moments of childhood. There is magic in the laughter and giggles of my girls, there are infinite possibilities in the wonder of first steps and words and discovering the world with fresh eyes is like accomplishing the impossible. Watching my girls grow and be in the world, reminds me daily that I am blessed to have happy and healthy children. It’s apparent how amazing they are in everything from how they dance like no one is watching to listening to them fantasy play but no where is the magic more apparent to me than when I watch them love and interact with one another. THAT is extraordinary.

I have two daughters who are 2 years and 2 months apart in age. They are best friends and fiercest of allies. Sometimes they are arch nemesis, depending on the day or the hour but the one thing that remains the same is that even when they don’t very much like one another, they constantly and abidingly love one another as they love themselves. It is one of the purest and most beautiful things that I have ever witnessed.

fierce

I grew up with 6 brothers and sisters and they are my closest and dearest friends as adults but I remember there being a lot of bickering and annoying going on when we were growing up. I had my siblings but then I had friends and at the time, I was closer to my friends but not my girls, from the beginning it has been a “together forever, best friends till the end situation.” They do everything together and they like it. I think there is comfort in having their sister by their side, a security in knowing that someone always has their back no matter what life may throw at them. I have intentionally fostered this relationship because I never want them to lose that feeling. They should always know that whatever happens between them as they grow old, boys will come and go, clothes can be replaced, dents in cars can be buffed out but a sister’s love is unconditional and unending.

From the day we brought Gabs home, Bella has adored her. Always trying to protect and shield her from the hurts of the world and Gabs has always reciprocated by wanting to be just like her sister, even when she can’t stand the sight of her, she wants to be right beside her. It’s a perfect and beautiful relationship and I think it’s made them both better versions of themselves, one trying to be a good example and the other trying to measure up. The first time they were separated, when Bella started school, Gabs fell on the ground and sobbed as if someone had stolen her best friend because in her world that is exactly what had happened. When we picked Bella up from school that day, Gabs ran to her and hugged her as if she were welcoming her back from many years away at war. It solidified the relationship. My heart was full and happy because I know that they have one another.

heroes

This has born several occasions throughout their short lives where one has put herself in the line of fire to protect her sister. They remind me of those old couples you see on the boardwalk at age 95, still walking hand in hand loving one another more than they did the day they met. They are truly best friends. I look forward to the years of sharing the special moments together like weddings, babies and all the success that live throws at them. But I am glad they have one another for the not so great moments of life too like heartbreak, long nights with colicky babies, health scares and ultimately the death of their father and I.

My children are extraordinary because they are fierce in their love for one another and they are one another’s best friends and biggest cheerleaders ( aside from their father and I that is) but there are some things that you can only share with a sister and for those things, I am thankful they share this amazing bond.

love mommy

I made this video #myextraordinarykid highlighting some of the extraordinary things about my girls. Your kid is extraordinary too. Show them how much you enjoy every moment together by creating a special video of your own!

The moments that count I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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explaining racism to a child, grandpa, racism, family, love

Imagine explaining racism to a child when they learned about it for the first time when someone was making fun of their grandfather from another country. Kids are born perfect, accepting and loving. I wish we could just keep them that way forever. But the world comes in and

My daughters are pretty freaking amazing. I know we all think that about our kids but my girls have very big hearts and they are very loving and sweet. Don’t get me wrong, they have their moments when they can be complete terrors but not cleaning their rooms and fighting with one another aside, they are good girls. They both leave me random sticky notes and drawn portraits of the two of us that tell me that they love me and that I am the BEST MOM! Which, let’s be honest is nice to hear every once in a while amid all the heat of the moment, “I hate YOU”s. So, it makes me go full on mama bear if anyone ever hurts them.

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Gabs

 

I love the way you cup my face and kiss me when you are trying to make a sincere apology
I love the way you summons me from across the house only to tell me “Mommy! Close the doah , Me need PIRACY” when you’re taking a poop
I love the way you still say “Me” versus”I”. I really don’t care what anyone thinks. I wouldn’t mind if you said it your whole life through
I love that you are sarcastic at 3-years-old. Not jaded, just so above and over it all.
I love your unapologetic attitude.
I love your sense of style; rain boots ( the more colorful the better) a hooded pullover and a pair of bootie shorts on any given day of the year and about 13 hair clips and a couple self made crooked pony tails with about a handful of flavored chap stick to polish your look.
I love the way no matter what happens to you, its always your sisters fault..even if she isn’t even here!
I love the way you bite your lip just before you fall asleep ( just like Mommy did does)
I love the way when we first had you, you strongly resembled a sumo wrestler ( I wasn’t quite sure you were ours except for the fact you never left my room) but now you are a long, lean version of my little kid self.

 

I love the way when we get back from dropping Bella off from school, you wrap your legs and arms around me tight and always want me to carry you in like a little monkey from the car. I adore it!
I love the way when you are falling asleep, just before you completely crash, you move your lips in some imaginary conversation and practice your Karate kid crane style.
It’s also pretty funny that you like to sleep with your feet by your sister’s head..I’m pretty sure you do that on purpose to be an asshole but it is really cute to watch.
I love the way you run to your sister and give her the world’s biggest squeeze when we pick her up from school. Every drop off is like sending her off to war and every pick up is like she made it home in one piece.
I love that you want to do everything your sister does, even if you are too little.
I love your fearlessness and bravery.
I love that I am your “Mommy” and no one else seems quite good enough to you.
I love the way you randomly shake your bootie and try to get your sister to do the same.
I love that you announce to everyone…”I Faaahhhhh-ted!”
I love the way you always put your shoes on the wrong foot, the first time!
I love that when you are really tired you say ” Me want my Daddy!”
I love the way you air kiss me from across any room, no matter where we are or who is listening
There is so much about you that I love that I could write a book about it. You are my sunshine.

 

Bella

 

I love your big giant heart.
I love that you love big and do everything in a big way.
I love your flamboyance ( Satine from Moulin Rouge as a Birthday party theme at 5?)
I love your willingness and openness to new experiences and people.
I love how you came into this world and made me a better person for all time.
I love the way you always want to be all girlied up!
I love the way you say say “Shua” for “Sure”.
I love that you are timid but so brave.
I love that you befriend the little guy just so they won’t be alone.
I love that you are so unaware of your beauty.

 

I love your passion for life.
I love the way you walk around the house with my high heels and purses pretending to be me ; it makes me feel like I am someone worth being!
I love the way you snuggle with me, even though you are probably starting to think I am a dork:)
I love the way you say my name like I am the most important person in the world.
I love that to you I am the most important person in the world.
I love the way you think about what you say ” My Mom is way cuter than me!” (OMG..complete lie but so sweet of her to say. Even more, I love that she believes it!)
I love that you made me a Mommy and let me have the honor of knowing you.
I love the way your Daddy is your rock.
I love that you tell me I am your best friend ( I pray that never changes)
I love the way you light up when you dance ballet.
I love the way you watch over your sister.
I love that although you may not look like me exactly, you have my personality to a t!
I love that when I get excited about something that’s going on in my life, you get it and join right in on the celebration.
I love the way you hold my hand when I walk you to school.

 

 

I love the way you talk in your sleep about the things of the day.
I love our “Peace out/I love  you” sign.
I love the crazy songs we make up and sing together.
I love the way you harmonize and sing with your uncle while he plays the guitar or piano; I love the way you accompany your Grandpa when he plays Happy Birthday at all family birthday parties.
I love the way you draw pictures of you and I together holding hands.
I love all the girly things we do together; manis/pedis/facials, slumber party/ pizza night.
I love the way you are so blissfully unmarred by the world and exist in pure naivete.
I love that when you get hurt and I ask if you are going to live , you always answer ” Just always only with you Mommy!”
I love that you tell me that I am the best Mommy in the world.
I love how when you do something cute or crazy, you immediately ask “Are you going to BLOG about this?”
I love that when we have been separated ,for any amount of time, you run and scream my name and hug my neck like I’m returning home from a lon
g journey and nothing has ever made you happier!
I love how you look so sweet and peaceful when you sleep and I can still see that baby they first placed into my arms.
You are my heart. I love you to the moon and back 27 million times!



My Girls,How do I love thee? There are infinite reasons to count!

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