Month: February 2018

High School Senior Game Needs Re-branding In Today’s Climate

On By JenniferOzgurIn bullying, Parenting, School2 Comments

Senior AssassinYou learn something new every day.  For me, I discovered a high school  game that’s apparently been around since the 80s, but somehow slipped past my radar until now.  I discovered it when I overheard student taking about today because they are preparing for the big kickoff next week.

Senior Assassin is a cross between ultimate tag and skirmish using mainly water guns.  Ever player gets some other play they must “kill.”  If I get killed, I’m out.  But if I kill my target, I must then take on their target.  Players keep getting eliminated until the surviving player is dubbed the winner.  Many times, participants must pay to enter the game and the winner gets the pot.

Sometimes, other rules are added, such as you are immune if you are wearing underwear, or with a freshman.

It’s especially popular as a final-year tradition to keep Senioritis at bay, come March-June.

I asked the students if it’s really wise to keep up with this game, given what happened earlier this month in Parkland, Florida.  I could see them struggle to connect the dots between this recent tragedy and this long-standing tradition.  But to me, it was very clear.

While I understand the game’s appeal, I think it would be in very bad taste to continue a prolonged violent-themed role-playing game.

While I’m not out to steal anybody’s joy, (the seniors have been waiting for over three years since they were incoming freshman), I think they should at least change the name, eliminating all reference to shooting and guns.  It’s insensitive and disrespectful to the victims and their families.

What do you think?  Am I being to sensitive?

Please comment below.

#153Promise

 

 

 

Four Verbs of L.O.V.E. Introduction

On By JenniferOzgurIn empathy, Love, Parenting, Relationships, ValidationLeave a comment

baby feet loveA little proactive measures can insure that we stay connected to our family members.  I’ve come up with an acronym I call “The Four Verbs of L.O.V.E.” to help people improve their relationships.  I use them with my own children and educate other parents about them during my lecture series and workshops.

I came up with the concept when my daughter was just a baby and I was kissing her… a lot.  I did the math, and I figured that if I kissed her 153 times a day from birth until she turned eighteen, she’d have received over one million kisses.  I found it incredibly inspiring to realize that it was possible for me to perform anything a million times- let alone showering my daughter with affection.  I spent some time wordsmithing my findings into a poem, and “One Million Kisses: The Promise of 153” was born.

Determined to make an impact, I began to research the science behind kissing and quickly discovered how closely connected it is to cognitive function.  The findings led me to expand my learning to child development, and eventually, I created a parenting program based around the concept of the “153 Promise.”  I continue to develop my program with evidence-based research, neuroscience, and trauma-informed techniques.

Over the next few posts, I’m going to delve into each verb and discuss how to fully embrace the action in order to connect with your child in a meaningful way.

I’m very excited to begin writing about “The Four Verbs of L.O.V.E.”  It is my hope that they will help families stay close and healthy.

Can you guess the first verb of L.O.V.E.?

#153Promise

 

“Selfie Kid” Needs Some Empathy

On By JenniferOzgurIn bullying, empathy, Parenting, Relationships, SchoolLeave a comment

superbowl selfieYou’re thirteen.  You’re at the Super Bowl.  And then… it happens.  Your life becomes an instant meme.

Monday morning in home room at my school, more students were talking about Ryan McKenna than the Eagles’ victory.  And we are a Philadelphia suburb.

Being the curious type, I went online and started looking up social media’s reactions to this teenager’s brush with JT’s stardom.  I was horrified.

I’m not going to repeat any specific comments I read, but it makes me sick to think some people have no qualms criticizing Ryan’s actions during the halftime show.  He was filming the concert.  What happened was spontaneous.  And it was live.

Why people feel the need to jump onto this bullying bandwagon of some boy is beyond me.  These people need a lesson in empathy.  How would THEY feel if they or their child were scrutinized the way Ryan has been judged?  He didn’t do anything wrong.  Why do they feel entitled to mock him as if he had no feelings?

Right now, he’s most likely still in shock.  But eventually, he and his parent may start to take in all the cruel insinuations and false conclusions about the nature of this boy, and the content of his character.

All over a selfie.

If there’s anything good that can come of this sorry display, it can be a lesson in self esteem and resilience.  This flash-in-the -pan moment of fame could either destroy or define his trajectory. If Ryan McKenna can rise above the taunts and hate, he’ll forever live an abundant life.  And therein lies the blessing.

I have a #153Promise for you.  When you have a moment with your children, talk to them about Ryan and the entire world’s reaction to his selfie.  Then, relate it to your own family.  How will your own kids respond when they are met with the negativity of others?  If they are able to rise above and not give audience to the bullies, your children will remain confident and happy.

And to those who have felt the need to hope on that train of bullying, ask yourself, “what is going on inside my own  heart that I feel the need to put someone else down and ruin their good fortune?”

And to Ryan’s family, I offer my most sincere support and kindness.

-Kisses! XxXx

 

Featured

The Dawn of a New Day: The Blog Returns!

On By JenniferOzgurIn Parenting, Relationships, School, WritingLeave a comment

sunrise-1239727__340I had taken off a year from my blog to pursue other projects during a professional sabbatical during the 2016-2017 school calendar.  That experience alone could be its own book.  However, loooong story short, I very much miss my blogging about my 153Promise initiative, so I’m back!

I think I’ll begin catching you up by sharing with you all the articles I wrote for a local educational publication.  They very graciously have given me permission to repost the content on 153Promise.

But before I do that, I feel the need to write something else that’s very current in the news.  Stay tuned…

I’m going to make it MY #153Promise to write at least once a week.

It feels so good to be back!

Kisses! XxXx