Stop the cycle of Bullying

I receive tidbits of information via my email in box, and about a week ago I received a note saying that the week of January 24-28 is No Name-Calling Week. This is to encourage schools and other institutions, programs, etc., to talk with children and teach them that bullying is not acceptable, but to also talk about other issues, such as self-esteem. I have learned that bullying can happen in many forms, from the obvious, such as being taunted, teased, and physically hurt. But there are other forms of bullying, such as being intentionally excluded from an activity or group of people. There's also another side of bullying: the silent witness. Children who witness another child being bullied should make the situation known to an adult so that the issue can be dealt with immediately.
Interestingly, parents don't want to do anything about bullying if their child is the one causing the problems. Last year I spoke to the mother of an older child who had been taunting his younger brother, and my son as well, who is 8. Long story short, she didn't want to hear anything about it, basically thought it was none of my business, and decided that my son couldn't play with his friend, the younger brother. Sigh.. is all I can say to that. My older son, who is 17, also had issues with a boy who was taunting him when they were in middle school. Sad to say, I didn't find out about this until it had gone on for 3 weeks. The issue was finally dealt with, but unfortunately, this bully decided to take his frustrations out on a much younger boy at a school playground one day.
Although this may not seem like a "Story Time Adventures" program, I'm making it one. Our community is taking part in a no-bullying program with three schools in Hollister, Ca., where I live. They are Cerra Vista Elementary School, Sunny Slope, and San Juan School. I am doing a program for Story Time Adventures about bullying, reading books such as 'The Recess Queen,' by Alexis O'Neill. The story is about Mean Jean, the reigning Recess Queen, and how she rules the playground, until another child at the school finds a way to become Jean's friend and how Jean becomes much nicer. There are also other books that are about bullying, such as Don't Be a Bully, Billy, by Phil Roxbee Cox; and Kevin Henkes book, "Chrysanthemum," which tells the story of a young girl who is teased by classmates because her name is so different.
I will be presenting my "No Name-Calling" program at the YMCA after school program in Hollister, but I'm available to do presentations throughout the area as well. Even if your school isn't doing a program for that week, pick up some books and read them to your children about the bullying issue, and have a frank discussion with him or her. Reading can always be fun, but you can also throw in a lesson or two!
Happy Reading!
Julie Engelhardt
Jengelha@aol.com

No Name-Calling Week, Jan 24-28

Even though I receive a fair share of junk mail in my email in box, there are times when a gem or two slips through that gives me an idea of what would make an excellent program for Story Time Adventures.

The week of Jan 24-28 is No Name-Calling Week. Essentially, this is a week where we work with kids to empower them to stand up to bullies, but to also teach kids that bullying isn't cool.

My next Story Time Adventures program will be fousing on that, reading books that deal with name-calling, bullying, etc., but to also talk with kids to find out if they've ever been bullied, and what to do if they are bullied at school, or even at home.

Scouts.. this is a perfect program for your groups, whether it's boy or girl scouts, cubs, Brownies.. you name it.

Let me know what you think.. and if you'd be interested in a program.

Thanks!
Julie Engelhardt
Jengelha@aol.com

A Whole New Year

The latter part of 2010 was quite interesting. Story Time Adventures took a whole new twist since I was able to bring in quite a bit of business as Mrs. Claus. It was such a delight dressing as Santa's 'better half' and reading Christmas stories to children. I appeared at the YMCA after school program, at Anubee Children's Boutique in San Jose, CA; for the Girls Scouts--it was a great deal of fun. But, I may have been 'caught' a few times during my sessions. Girls who still believe in Santa and the magic of the North Pole did recognize me, and some parents had to do some quick thinking as to why Mrs. Engelhardt was dressed as Mrs. Claus.

I had the most fun as Mrs. Claus when I appeared for home visits. One was for a friend who had 'won' a story time adventure program from me. She originally wanted it for one of her son's birthdays, but he decided he didn't want a story teller. I still wanted to give her her prize, so I suggested bringing Mrs. Claus in. She did, during a play group over the holidays, and it was delightful. The kids ranged in age from about 3 or 4 year old, to second grade. After her home I went to a day care and performed there. The last performance of the season was for a home visit for a delightful 3 year old girl. She was so wonderful. Everything has been great, yet, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to having my picture taken so many times.

I'm also pleased with publicity I've received this past year. OCFamily.com, a parenting magazine based in Orange County, California, did an article about me. Kristen Schott, the writer, did a magnificent job, and I am indebted to her for her kind words and brilliant prose.

I was also interviewed for a local cable program called Arts 101. They did a five minute interview with me about Story Time Adventures, then they let me read on camera, one of my favorite books called Bubble Path Pirates.

But, with a new year stretching ahead of me, I have new opportunities in the works. In February, I will be presenting at a showcase for performers. This allows peformers to display their wares to librarians, in hopes of getting hired. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will happen and I will gain some work that way.

I'm just thrilled with the support I've received and how many new friends I've made through this.

If you want to see more, go to www.storytimeadventures.wetpaint.com. I hope to hear from you!
Julie Engelhardt

Mrs. Claus is keeping busy!

More reading fun with the Girl Scouts this week. They were a delightful group of girls, and they even invited me to be a part of their cookie exchange. Yum, yum! This has been such a fun season, and I hope I'll be able to do more next year!

The Season is Coming to a Close...

Story Time Adventures during the holiday season has been a great deal of fun. I really can't put it any other way. It does sound simplistic, but that's the way I feel about my venture. It's been a great creative outlet for me, allowing me to tap into my inner child, but to also share the importance of reading to children.

I'm also thrilled (ego check, here!) with the interest from certain people about my business. Articles have appeared on AOL, in the Pinnacle Newspaper (Hollister, Ca), on OCFamily.com, and I was interviewed for an article for Bay Area Parent that will run in February, and I'll be interviewed by CMAP, a local cable access channel for Gavilan College in Gilroy, California.

My blog may not be fancy, but at least it gives me a chance to talk about what I'm doing and what I love. If it brings in more business, that's an added bonus. If not, then that's okay, too!

I'm still available for calls from Mrs. Claus and visits, too! Jengelha@aol.com.

Interviewed by America On Line (AOL)

About a week ago I was contacted by business writer Gwen Parkes who was interested in doing an article about me and my business, Story Time Adventures. But her main interest was in my seasonal aspect, writing letters from Santa, making calls to children 'from' Mrs. Claus, and this year, appearing as Mrs. Claus at schools, parties, homes--anywhere.
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/12/01/holiday-jobs-for-stay-at-home-moms/. It was quite exciting being interviewed by Gwen, but a little different, because as a professional freelance writer, I'm used to doing the interviewing. The great thing was, though, I began receiving email from AOL users who wanted me to write letters to their children. One woman is from Buffalo, NY!

On Saturday, December 4, I had the opportunity to visit two special places as Mrs. Claus. One was Chamberlain's Children's Center, which is a group home for kids, and the other was Emmaus House, a shelter for abused women. There were about 12 kids at the Children's Home, and they were certainly full of questions! They wanted to know where the sleigh was, one girl wanted to come back to the North Pole with me, another wanted to know if Santa had a mom and dad. Wow.. some tough questions. I need to bone up on answers! But it was fun. I read stories to the kids, then when we were finished, I went around the room and asked them what they wanted for Christmas.

At first they were rather shy, and only told me they wanted one thing. But as the room began to 'warm up,' and they heard the other kids' wishes, they began to pipe up and pepper me with more requests.

The shelter was a different story. Only one woman and her daughter were there, but it was a very delightful experience. The little girl was six, and she and her mom and I were escorted to a 'quiet room' where I was able to read to both of them and have a one-on-one audience with the little girl. She was shy, but not so much that she wouldn't talk with me. The mom seemed in good spirits, so I was glad that I could share some time with them. I read about five books and asked the little girl questions about what she wanted for Christmas. The kids at the Center all wanted electronics like iPods, lap top computers, and video game systems. This little girl said she wanted a doll house and some warm winter clothes.

I so wish I were in a position to help her and her mom this Christmas.

If there's anyone out there who reads this, and you'd like to donate something to the kids at the women's shelter, that would really be a blessing. I know that my story times aren't something tangible, but I hope it leaves the kids, and adults, with some type of happy memory! Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

Sometimes you never know where your thoughts will take you. On Tuesday I was interviewed by AOL writer Gwen Parkes regarding my seasonal business.. Santa Letters, Mrs. Claus Visits, and Mrs. Claus calls. She spoke to me on the phone for about an hour, which was great! I'm thrilled that people are taking an interest in what I do. It's tough trying to be an entrepreneur, but on the other hand, it's very exciting. At 48, I never thought I'd try something new--that what I'm doing is for younger people. But you can't give up--you have to try. I know that some day something is going to finally pop and it will be great!

But.. the reason Ms. Parkes got in touch with me is because I'd responded to an article she'd written on AOL, told her about my business, and she got in touch with me. This is amazing.

Thanks to all who have been supporters, backers, and friends throughout all of this. Some of my supporters are people who I've known for many years, and many of you are new friends, which I truly appreciate. There are even people I've never met in person, but who've been there for me via email. I am thankful for all of you.

Love,
Julie