A New Baby Elephant is Born

Every day is a miracle, but a baby elephant's birth is exceptional. With their smooth skin and gentle demeanor, these creatures are nothing short of majestic. From the first moments, after they emerge from their mother's womb, they show signs of life that mark them as unique among the animal kingdom. 

The process 

It begins with the mother elephant entering labor. First, she often lets out loud calls to signal that she's ready to deliver her precious cargo. Then, as contractions increase, her little one begins its journey into the world. 

Once the baby is born, it is pretty weak and needs to be supported by its mother and other members of its herd. During this time, the baby depends on its mother for nourishment and protection from predators. It takes several days for the calf to stand independently and gain enough strength to walk around. 

As it ages, it continues to receive instruction from its elders—primarily on navigating its vast environment. Elephants can inhabit up to 18 square miles of land when they mature! The calf also begins learning some behaviors necessary for survival, including understanding danger signs and communication techniques adults use in their herds. 

It's amazing how much learning goes into making an elephant survive and thrive in the wild. But, before long, their strong bond with family serves them well as they enter adulthood—ready to face any challenge that comes their way with courage and grace worthy of such noble animals.

The birth of Tumeleng

The entire herd gathered around her to offer protection and support. A cohort of mighty bull elephants trailed Jabari, the father, to warmly welcome the newborn. Ayanna, the matriarch, used her trunk and feet to nudge the delicate baby girl to her feet. The other herd females assisted in caring for the calf and helped it learn essential skills such as feeding, walking, and socializing with other herd members. Tumeleng was almost as tall as a yardstick and weighed nearly 250 pounds.

Truly, the birth of a baby elephant is a miracle. It is a beautiful sight to witness as each herd member works together to help protect and nurture one of their own.

A Lesson from Jabari the Elephant

Jabari, a ten-foot-tall, six-ton bull elephant, is standing very still, guarding his family herd. It's the night of an important event—the birth of a calf into the small family herd. Jabari has been waiting for two years, as he is the baby's father. 

As you see, Jabari is a testament to the strength and love in the animal kingdom. He is standing guard, protecting the new life brought into his family. His strength and courage are an inspiration to us all.

And that's why we can all learn a lesson from Jabari. Let's stand guard and protect the things that matter most to us, whether our families, communities, or planet. 

For example:

- We can safeguard our families by creating a safe and secure home environment, monitoring our children's online activities, and teaching them how to stay safe in various situations. We can also support our family members during challenging times, show them love and affection, and prioritize spending quality time with them. 

- We can protect our community and planet by adopting eco-friendly habits, such as recycling, reducing our carbon footprint, and conserving resources. We can also support environmental initiatives, such as planting trees, cleaning litter, and advocating for sustainable policies—and educating others about the importance of protecting our planet and inspiring them to take action.

Standing guard and protecting what matters most is essential.

First, it helps ensure the safety and well-being of ourselves and those we care about. When we are vigilant and proactive in protecting what is important to us, we can prevent harm, minimize risk, and promote security.

Furthermore, doing so is essential for preserving our values and way of life. Our families, communities, and planet are all interconnected and interdependent, contributing to our quality of life. By safeguarding them, we ensure that they continue to thrive and grow and that we can enjoy their benefits for years. We are laying the foundation for a world where everyone can flourish and where we can all live in peace and harmony. 

It is a duty that we all share and one that we should take seriously. So, just like Jabari, let's show strength, courage, and love as we work to protect the things that matter most to us.

Teach Your Kids How to Have Hope

Growing up means dealing with various situations that are not always pleasant. In my book, "Molly the Trolley And Bud," Molly becomes increasingly worried when Bud is no longer around. Sometimes at night, she cries to sleep and worries that she'll be sent to the scrap yard because she's no longer "useful" to the people around her.

In a way, Molly felt hopeless. That is until Bud returned and ensured Molly would never have to worry about her future.

One important lesson we can all learn from this book is the concept of hope. Hope is a belief that things will get better. Holding on to hope is what someone does when they feel like they're in a dark place. When people have hope, they become empowered to stay strong and work through difficult situations.

Teaching this lesson is incredibly useful for kids because the world is not always kind. While it's natural to protect children from the harshness of reality, this can backfire because it doesn't give them the strength or the courage to keep going, even when things are fruitless. As much as we would love our children to stay as happy as possible, we would be doing a disservice to their future if we do not teach them how to handle their distressing emotions positively.

Here are some practical ways to teach your child hope:

1. Let them be upset.

While it may seem counterintuitive to let them wail and be angry, allowing your child to feel their emotions teaches them vulnerability and emotional honesty. After they have expressed their feelings in a healthy way, ask them about their emotions and coach them into sharing them with you. That way, your child will understand the importance of verbalizing their feelings and healthily working through them.

2. Instill them in believing that bad things will come to pass.

A few stories have characters facing difficulties. One example is when Molly the Trolley finally meets Bud again after months and years of his departure. When the two friends reunited, Molly was overjoyed because the dark period in her life had come to pass.

In life, sometimes bad things happen, but that will not always be the case. Teach your little one that these moments are necessary because it helps us appreciate good things when it comes.

3. Give them something to look forward to.

Molly held on to the hope of seeing her best friend again. This hope gives her the strength to keep going even when things seem dark and sad.

You can give your child something to look forward to. Think of a reward or an event your child would like (like a day at the park or the movies after a stressful day). Once the difficult period has come and gone, they'll find it much better to appreciate the reward once they receive it!

4. Read them stories with happy endings.

Aside from "Molly the Trolley and Bud," other stories you can read to your little ones are "Cinderella," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," "Aladdin," and even the Tale of Job in the Bible. Many of these characters had faced insurmountable odds before they reached their happy endings.

Reading to them stories of people overcoming their struggles will empower them to keep on going even when things are difficult.

Bottomline: Many people find it easy to give into despair when they have nothing to look forward to. As early as possible, we should teach our children to have hope so they can grow up to be courageous people with mental fortitude.

Why Picture Books Are Best for Kids

Reading is an essential skill that can benefit anyone, especially children. However, certain books are more effective than others when teaching the essentials of reading.

Here are some reasons why picture books are best for children starting from the age of three:

1. It introduces the child to reading.

The best way to get your child to start reading is to introduce them to a book made specifically for them. Fairytales, fables, parables, and short stories are fantastic for kids because they are brief, easy to follow, and have compelling messages.

Once children appreciate the art of reading, they'll eventually learn to appreciate longer forms of text and stories as they grow older!

2. It teaches them how to visualize characters.

Storybooks often come with colorful pictures depicting the story's setting and characters. This handy addition helps children visualize the characters, giving them room to appreciate art and be creative.

Artwork in the picture book also enhances the story's message and the character's emotions, thus teaching your child how to visualize abstract concepts like emotions and thoughts.

Experts say that reading can also improve your creativity in two ways. One way is that reading teaches you how to learn from others' experiences in a safe environment and apply this lesson in real-life situations. The second one is that reading itself enhances different areas of your brain, encouraging it to exercise creativity!

3. It encourages discussions about the story and its lessons.

Many stories come with a moral lesson. Moral lessons are messages that teach the reader what they can apply in real life or similar situations. Picture books help your child engage in these stories, thus creating an avenue for you and your little one to discuss lessons, characters, and whatever tickles their imagination.

Another skill that reading teaches is the lesson of empathy. When a child understands a person's emotions and feelings, they become kinder and more willing to help. This skill strengthens their social skills while teaching them what to expect and do in different types of relationships.

Bottomline: Reading is a life skill that can benefit anyone's growth while also creating connections. When a child learns to read, they will find worlds and concepts they never thought were possible.

When introducing your child to books and stories, pick appropriate stories that will grab their attention and develop their creative thinking skills! Check out my list of incredible books for your little ones here.

Essential Friendship Skills to Teach to Your Children

Children who reach preschool age tend to socialize with children their age. This life stage is crucial for social development when children socialize in preschool or with family and relatives.

In my book, "Molly The Trolley And Bud," we learn of the incredible friendship between Molly the Trolley and Bud, the Human. Molly and Bud would spend time together every Saturday by traveling around the town. After Molly dropped off Bud's dad at the farmer's market, Bud stayed behind and rode until the end of her route. In a way, their friendship remains strong because they like spending time together.

However, there are other ways to teach your children how to create long and healthy friendships. Learning these "friendship skills" can help your little ones expand their social circle. Here are some essential friendship skills to teach your children:

1. Teach your child how to say hello.

The first step of any friendship is introducing yourself to a new person. This step helps teach your child to introduce themselves while also inviting someone to play with them. As a rule of thumb, kids can use this handy starter phrase:

"Hi, my name is ___. Would you like to play with me on the swings?"

This starter is excellent because it gives the other child a chance to say yes or no. If the child says yes, keep a close watch on them. If they said no, you could teach your child to handle rejection graciously by saying. "Okay, that's fine. Have a great day." Remember to praise your child for putting themselves out there!

The Importance of Teaching Your Child to Keep Promises

Do you remember the first promise you made? For many, it was a time when they were young, and they would make a "pinkie promise" with their friend. First, they'd say something they'd do, link pinkies, and agree to keep their word for as long as possible.

Promises are important because they are the foundation of any relationship. Teaching your little ones the concept of a promise helps teach them the importance of promises. Here are some reasons why it's essential to stick to our word:

1. It builds trust.

Keeping a promise creates trust between two people.

For example, a parent promises their child they can have dessert after finishing all their vegetables. If the child agrees and follows through with their promise, they'll learn the value of keeping your word and sticking to it. They'll also learn to trust their parents when they keep their word. This sense of trust creates a more substantial relationship that will eventually carry out through the years as your child grows.

2. It creates respect.

Keeping a promise is not only necessary to create trust, but it also creates respect. Children who perform well on their part of the promise expect reassurance or reward for their excellent behavior. If the parent doesn't follow through with their part, this creates dissonance within the child's mind.

"If mommy won't keep her promise, why should I keep mine?"

In a worst-case scenario, children who do not trust their parents to follow through with their word often lose the respect of their little ones as they grow older. This instance can lead to rocky relationships, which can be challenging to mend.

3. It shows integrity.

Integrity is the value of being morally upright. It means doing the right thing without expecting praise and recognition.

While children expect praise and recognition, they'll learn that their actions don't always yield instant results over time. Nevertheless, teaching children to keep their word at an early age gives them an early start on the concept of integrity. When a child understands the impact of their words and actions, they become more mindful, empathetic, compassionate, and honorable as they grow older.

In my book, "Molly the Trolley and Bud," Molly was worried that Bud wouldn't keep her promise. Bud had to leave his town and move to the city as he grew older. However, before he left, he told Molly he would return for her. Months and years passed, and Molly, who wasn't sure if Bud would return, felt scared and abandoned.

In a way, breaking your promise can also hurt someone's heart.

Fortunately, Bud came back, and when he did, Molly was overjoyed. This instance happens when a friend keeps their word and follows through with it to the end. Ever since his return, their friendship then becomes stronger than ever.

Bottomline: Keeping a promise requires action and a strong will. When you teach your little ones the value of keeping their word, they become honorable adults in the future.

However, most children respond better to adults who also maintain their word. Hence, as a rule, remember also to keep your word and follow through with actions. That way, your child will also respect and follow your good behavior.

The Link Between Love and Sacrifice

Many stories in the media often depict love as an incredible experience. From fairytales to romcoms, nothing gives you happiness more than finding the love of your life.

While true, we must understand that many love stories often require sacrifice. Whether it's Princess Wendelyn looking for a rare pearl necklace to give to the magical hag—there is no doubt that the course of love never runs smooth. For the modern audience, it could be something like a romantic comedy heroine having to sacrifice her dreams for the greater good. Whatever the reason, many sacrifices often go unnoticed—that's what makes love all the sweeter and more painful.

Nevertheless, love requires sacrifice. However, there are limits you have to understand. One is that you should never sacrifice your dignity and self-respect. If the person is an ideal partner, he should never ask you to beg, plead, or throw away your self-respect to appease his ego. Ideally, it would help if you didn't ask them to do the same.

Another is that you should never sacrifice your peace of mind. While arguments and fights happen, living in constant fear that your partner may blow up could cause you more harm than good. Fearing your partner's reaction isn't normal; if anything, it's a red flag.

Lastly, it would be best never to sacrifice your hopes and dreams. While some goals are indeed not realistic, there are some things you should have in a relationship. Some examples include expecting a loving relationship, having a respectful dynamic, and eventually growing old together. If your partner can't even respect that, perhaps you're better off seeking happiness elsewhere.

Of course, these are just some instances of things you shouldn't sacrifice so lightly. Depending on your set of values, I'm sure there are plenty of other conditions you would want your ideal partner to respect. Just remember to respect their wishes as well.

by Ryke Leigh Douglas