Entering the Next Chapter

I wrote this poem based on what my daughter was experiencing being a biracial child in Ferguson, MO. She feels stuck. We are trying to form open communication to help her with her feelings. All of this is written off of what she has told me when we were talking, so while the format is mine the feelings are all hers.  STUCK All I see is black and white, literally and figuratively, And I forget to see all those in between. What does that make me? Stuck I see blacks angry at the whites for mistreatment, And whites unable to understand the pain. What does that make me? Stuck I have been exposed to so much hate, And have to pretend to be brave for my sisters. What does that make me? Stuck I was only a little girl with big dreams, Now I don’t know who I am supposed to be. What does that make me? Stuck I feel like a black girl in a white community, And like a white girl in a black community. What does that make me? Stuck Ferguson is the city I love, and a place that I fear.

I was just at a dear friends house for BBQ. I noticed that my friend was trying to let Eb walk on her own but was scared that she might fall. Just a week ago I was feeling that way.  I loved this picture. Even though it is so simple, it says so so much. You can see the anxiousness in my friend hands trying to safe guard Eb. You can also see how oblivious Eb is to my friend.  I think one of the toughest things a parent does it finding the balance protecting their child and enabling their child to be independent. I don't think this can be learned once. I notice that I face this particular struggle often. It begins as they are infants. You want to let them walk on their own, but you don't want them to fall. I remember following Abbie around and holding her up as she walked. When a friend told me that it is not only ok to let Abbie fall, but it is actually beneficial. She needed to learn how to take a tumble and how to hold her balance. As they grow they learn new skills an

Milk and Soap Experiment: What you need: Bowls, Milk, Cotton Swabs, Liquid Dish Detergent, and Food Dye. What you do: Put a little milk in each bowl. Help the children put about six drops of food coloring in their bowl of milk.  (You can mix colors for fun conversation.) Have them dip the end  of the cotton swab in liquid dish detergent. ( Wipe off excess) Place the end in the milk bowl. ( The colors do this strange design, they can pick pu the end and place back in different parts of the bowl. ) This was a fun project to try. By having multiple cotton swabs available they can keep trying it. I would suggest this for 7 yrs plus.  One of the children was younger and wasn't able to listen to directions. Baking Soda & Vinegar: What you will need: Baking Soda, Vinegar, Food Coloring, and Bowls.    What you do: Put 1/4 cup of baking soda in the bowl. ( Have them shake the bowl slightly to make the bottom evenly coated. )   Put a lot of food colo