Category: Beyond The Brochure

Clearing Off The Sports Trophy Shelf

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At a trophy ceremony where every team member gets a trophy. Happiness!
At an early ceremony where every team member got a trophy. That smile. Happiness!

My son came home recently and announced he wanted to get rid of all his “participation” trophies. Those are the trophies he got for being on a team, whether or not they won, whether or not they played well, whether or not everyone showed up. From the moment he hit the field in his first T-Ball game, he hasn’t stopped playing. His love of sports is part of who he his. But, after about six years of trophies that collected on his shelf he wanted to clear the space for the trophies his teams won. He got a trash bag, gathered them up and dumped them.

Participation trophies in the trash. It was time.
Participation trophies in the trash. It was time.

Now, at almost 11, my son understands what it takes to win a soccer or basketball championship. It doesn’t come easy, but when it happens its a big deal. So, the trophies he kept are from his team’s championships. It’s a smaller bunch, but one that has immense meaning to him.

Merit trophies. Hard-fought club team tournament championships.
Merit trophies. Hard-fought soccer club team tournament championships.

Standing next to Coach Freddy (Pacific Elite Basketball), my son knows how hard the team worked to win the championship.

Proud moment!
Proud moment! With Coach Freddy (Pacific Elite) a few months ago.
Anaheim Cup Champs
Anaheim Cup Soccer Champs

What’s Not In My “About The Author” Section

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Medium

Whenever I read my go-to blogs, I like to know more about the writers. I always browse the “About The Author” section first. It’s usually brief and factual, occasionally funny. There’s nothing funny about this piece that was accepted for submission on the uber-popular writer’s site, Medium. It is, however, an essential part of my “About The Author” section. It’s just that it won’t fit in my brief bio on this blog. –Christina

 

Click on As She Lay Dying: How A Hippie Chose To Die on Medium

 

An earlier version of this piece was an Editor’s Pick on Open Salon

Preschool Playdates: Not Just For Kids

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Elizabeth Street Logo

Some could argue preschool playdates are more for us moms. Here’s my latest post for Elizabeth Street. –Christina

 

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Differences Between Progressive and Traditional Schools (Part 6)

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The Answer Can Be Found In The Test

Progressive School Test
Progressive School Test
Traditional School Test
Traditional School Test

 

Let’s be social! Like Beyond The Brochure on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter. Are you more the email type? Get our posts in your in box by subscribing (enter your email in the “subscribe” box on the right sidebar of the blog. Or, buy the Second Edition of our book at Amazon.com or your local bookstores! 

Wordless Wednesday: Actress/Mom Viola Davis’ Campaign to End Child Hunger

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Viola Davis partners with Safeway,
Viola Davis (The Help) is one of my favorite actresses. Her personal story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.  She grew up in extreme poverty, eating out of trash cans, hungry all the time. She put aside the shame associated with growing up poor to join with HungerIs.Org, a partnership between The Safeway Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation, to prevent childhood hunger.
Meeting Viola Davis. Yes, I was nervous! With my friend Candi Schreuders.
Meeting Viola Davis. Yes, I was nervous! With my friend Candi Schreuders. Her inspiration is contagious–my family made a small donation to HungerIs –contribution levels start at $10. Every dollar counts.
With some of my favorite writers/social media ladies, Sarah Maizes and Ashley Faucet at the event. This is social media at its best, truly.
With some of my favorite writers/social media ladies, Sarah Maizes and Ashley Faucet at the event. This is social media at its best, truly.
The MOMS w:Viola Davis
Super women! Melissa Musen Gerstein and Denise Albert (The MOMS) with Viola Davis. The MOMS hosted a lovely, intimate event at the Hotel Sofitel’s Rivera 31. #HungerIsMamarazzi. Photo: The Moms

We know that Beyond The Brochure readers are caring, compassionate moms and dads. Please take a minute to visit HungerIs.org to see how you can help. Every dollar counts. Every voice helps. Thank you–Christina

 

This post was not sponsored or compensated.