Diligent Joy

Are you the parent of a baby-preschooler? UCUCC is hosting a webinar TONIGHT with Birds+Bees+Kids Amy Lang. It’s an important webinar on bodies and boundaries! Though the church is hosting it, it’s not a faith based webinar. All are welcome! Thursday, 8pm Pacific Time. Cost is $12
Here’s the link to sign up!

The Birds & Bees for Parents of Little Kids: Bodies & Boundaries Hosted by University Congregational United Church of Christ

Today's fruit of the spirit--joy. What do you feel joyful about?

Latest article re the s*x ed bill in WA

S*x ed bill: Fact or fiction | Federal Way Mirror If we can provide this education for those who need it, it is our responsibility to do so — in our schools, in our churches and anywhere else we can promote respect and inclusion.

#BelieveSurvivors | Federal Way Mirror Less than 8 percent of all s*xual assault reports are false.

Great new resource:

S*xual Assault Help for Students of All Ages | AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org Understanding s*xual assault is the first step toward stopping it. Here’s what students, parents and educators need to know about how to help.

Great info for parents!!

We get it, it can be challenging to figure out how to start a conversation with your kids about s*x ed. We're here to help! Here are some conversation starters recommended by educator Deborah Roffman of Talk2MeFirst. Deborah is the amazing educator we partnered with for our Parent Playlist (https://goo.gl/yyX2DS). If you are a parent of kids ages 4-9, definitely check out the Parent Playlist videos!

This.

When we talk about "consent" or "consent education," we often talk about in the context of a s*xual relationship. However, it's important that we talk about--and practice--consent in everyday interactions. --CAF

Important and wise:

"If your child marches to a different beat, a different drummer, you might just have to go along with that music. Help them achieve what's important to them." -- Sonia Sotomayor

For an empowering picture book about the value of being true to yourself regardless of what others think, we highly recommend "Spaghetti in A Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are" for ages 3 to 8 at https://www.amightygirl.com/spaghetti-in-a-hot-dog-bun

For an excellent book for pre-teen girls on staying true to yourself even in the midst of social pressure, check out "A Smart Girl's Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets: Staying True To Yourself In Changing Times," for ages 9 to 12 at https://www.amightygirl.com/drama-rumors-secrets

For more books for children and teens starring Mighty Girls that celebrate the value of expressing your uniqueness, visit our “Individuality” book section at http://amgrl.co/2FGHqae

To introduce children to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor, check out "Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/sonia-sotomayor) and “Sonia Sotomayor: I’ll Be The Judge Of That!” for age 7 to 10 (https://www.amightygirl.com/broke-the-rules-sonia-sotomayor)

And, for adult readers interested in learning more about this trailblazer, we also recommend Sotomayor's memoir, "My Beloved World," at http://amzn.to/1OnEEXs

Thought-provoking article about how School dress codes contribute to a culture of silence around s*xual harassment of girls and women.

Perspective | What school dress codes have to do with Harvey Weinstein If girls are being told they are distracting and unprofessional, they learn boys who crossed a line would not be held responsible.