Do Something! A Handbook For Young Activists

   

Painted on her wall

To Write Love On Her Arms April 2010
with Nathan Kress

NoH8

Sharing a passion for various movements has been a family affair in my house. My husband and I have brought awareness in many ways to our children, and they, in turn have taken it upon themselves to support what they believe in(see photos).

Listen up! You don't have to be a rock star or president or even have your driver's license to change the world. (This is the first line of the Do Something book)

Author Nancy Lublin along with Co-Authors Vanessa Martir and Julia Steers bring this interactive book to any child/tween/teen who would like to help change the world. This easy to use book enables the reader to fill in the answers to various questions by writing in the book itself, and then gives them step by step directions to find out what their "Thing" is, how to "Rock" their thing, and complete it.


My own children have looked at the book, and are excited to choose their next cause/movement or as Nancy calls it, their next thing.

I had the pleasure of doing a quick Q&A via email with Nancy this week.

Me- Why did you write Do Something?

Nancy- All three of us felt really strongly that younger kids are amazing too. They are super-creative and passionate--but largely overlooked. We wrote this for them.

Me- Why is it important to get tweens & teens involved? 

Nancy- It's good for them because being an active citizen gives them a sense of achievement, chance to learn, lead, etc. But it's also good for the world around them! Kids come up with amazing, innovative solutions. 

Me- What do you think the kids will get out of volunteering? 

Nancy- A life-long commitment to being an active citizen.

Me- Do you have children that are participating?

Nancy- My 5 year old daughter is responsible for refilling our re-usable water bottles, recycling all paper, and turning off all the light-switches. She takes this responsibility very seriously!

Me- Do you have a powerful catch phrase to get kids involved? 

Nancy- F-U-N!

Me- You founded Dress for Success at 23, is there anything else you'd like to share about your life? 

Nancy- I've always had a strong sense of right and wrong, and being active. In pre-school, a boy declared "Purple is a boy color! No girls can use the purple." I crawled under the table with magenta, lavender, lilac, mauve,aubergine and screamed "I've got the purple." (I apparently ran around the room with them in my clenched fists over my head too.) So i think I've always been this way...

Me- You said this book is like a cookbook of social change. Can you explain? 

Nancy- Vanessa and Julia were the ones who insisted that each project be broken down into small details including how much time something would take and what supplies were needed, so that it would be really practical.

Me- How does it make you feel when you hear about teens or families that volunteer? 

Nancy- Hopeful!

Me- What is your most memorable volunteering experience? 

Nancy- I still dream about Dress for Success almost every night...
 

For more information please see the website: www.dosomething.org

You can find the book at all major bookstores, online at Amazon, Workman.com, and Indie Bound. Please check your local mom and pop bookstores. We are here to help make a difference, and you can start with your local independent shops.

Disclaimer~ I was not paid to promote this book. I did however receive a copy of the book, and my family will use it for many years to come.

National Missing Children's Day

Image by trawin via Flickr

Are you prepared as a parent if your child went missing? Is your child prepared? Have you ever talked to your child(ren) about strangers or being abducted? Have you used a child safety kit yet?


If you answer NO to any of these questions it is time to do all of them now. It only takes a split second for a child to say or do the wrong thing. Go onto the internet and chat with some stranger online or on the telephone. Or they may do nothing at all and it be another situation.


I have been an avid follower with the Polly Klaas Foundation since my daughter did a project with them about five years ago. I've learned many ways to teach my children what to look for, but not to scare them.


We have also kept our safety kits up to date(fingerprints, hair & DNA samples). 


Keep your child(ren) safe and be prepared because one day you may need the help of a group like Polly Klaas. Read the story behind this organization, and order a free safety kit if you need them. Don't wait do it now.  http://www.pollyklaas.org/