Seattle Mariners’ Post

Every parent gets frustrated when their kids take things (and them) for granted. They fail to appreciate all they have. And they’re right. But here’s the problem: most of us don’t know how to teach our kids to be grateful, so we end up simply telling them over and over that they should be. This doesn’t work. Gratitude comes from focusing on what we have, not what we don’t. Teaching this requires action—not just words. Years ago, my son, husband, and I traveled with Food for the Hungry to Bolivia, where we met people living in huts who shared what little they had with pride and joy. We saw their gardens and their fish ponds—simple things that made them feel like they’d won the lottery. It changed us. What makes kids grateful? Experiencing the struggles of others and seeing joy on the faces of those who have less. To teach this, take your kids to serve those in need—whether at Habitat for Humanity, a soup kitchen, or a memory care facility. Gratitude is learned through action, not words. P.S. Looking for extra support this holiday season? My Black Friday Special on Parent Coaching is live! Through Dec. 6, new clients receive $75 off a session. Contact alexie@meekerparenting.com to book.

Bring a Little Holiday Magic to Someone in Need The holidays are near and here, and for many of us, it’s a time filled with joy and giving. But for some families, it can be a tough season. That’s why I’m so inspired by the United States Postal Service Operation Santa program, which has been spreading holiday cheer for over 100 years. Here’s how it works: kids and families in need write letters to Santa, sharing their wishes. These letters are then made available for anyone to adopt. You can choose a letter, fulfill the request, and make someone’s holiday brighter. It’s such a simple but powerful way to give back! Visit the website: uspsoperationsanta.com Read through letters sent to Santa and find one that speaks to you. Send your gift and make someone’s holiday wishes come true. It doesn’t take much to make a big impact. A warm coat, a favorite toy, or even just knowing someone cares can mean the world to a child or family this time of year. This program is a reminder of how much good we can do when we show up for each other. If you’re able, I encourage you to check it out—and share with anyone else who might want to join in. Let’s make this season a little brighter for those who need it most. 💫 #OperationSanta #HolidayGiving #SpreadJoy #CommunityKindness

Greetings all. I need your help today. 💙 I'm on the Board of Directors of Loaves and Fishes Ministry, Inc., a Triangle non-profit that has been empowering under-resourced K-12 youth and their families for over 40 years. We accomplish this through out-of-school programming using a long-term, relationally-based, holistic approach to development that involves enrichment of the mind, body, and spirit. We strategically collaborate with schools, non-profits, and other community organizations to provide critical support to the youth and families we serve. One of the programs that our families participate in each year is the Pride for Parents Store -- a "pop-up" Christmas Store offering a hand UP instead of a hand OUT -- allowing families to make their own gift selections, instilling pride in paying for the gifts they select at very reduced prices, while enjoying the love, fellowship, and community of our volunteers. Through the kindness of donors, we have been able to stock the store each year with a variety of different toys, bikes, games, and books for all age groups. This year, however, we’re facing a unique challenge. Recently, we suffered the theft of a storage trailer, and with it, all the toys and presents we had carefully saved from previous years. This loss has left us with a much larger need for donations as we approach the holidays. We need your help in replenishing our inventory so we can continue to provide affordable and meaningful gifts for families. We've made it simple by creating online gift registries which you can conveniently shop and have the gifts sent directly to the registry address. My personal goal is to EMPTY THE AMAZON LIST before our store opens on December 10th. To date, 43 out of 729 items have been purchased. I'm leading by example by purchasing 5 items from the list. I need your help with the rest. My network is deep and kind, and I know I can count on you. If you make a purchase, please drop me a message in the comments (or a private DM if you wish to remain anonymous). I just want to know who to thank. 🤗 Note: During checkout, be sure to select the registry address under the shipping option to ensure proper delivery. Please join me and the Board in making this season brighter for those we serve. Together, we can transform this setback into an opportunity to spread even more holiday joy. www.lafchildren.org www.pfpwake.org Joe Burmester vielka Gabriel Kevoni Polanco Duncan Jennings Hans Linnartz

Day #23 of Shawna's Holiday Countdown After Action Review at the North Pole! Even Santa and his elves know the importance of continuous improvement, learning from each Christmas season, and performing an After Action Review. 🎅 Assess Effectiveness: First, they review the sleigh's flight plan and delivery schedule. Did Santa hit every chimney on time? Did they achieve their objectives? Were there any challenges? 🎅 Identify Gaps: Next, they pinpoint where toy production or gift wrapping fell behind to avoid future delays in the workshop. Did they need more resources? A templated process to follow? 🎅 Document Successes: They celebrate the wins and document what went well, like this year's record-breaking process for mounting up the reindeer and improving their departure time. 🎅 Build Resilience: They also review the plan to make it agile and flexible, developing strategies for unexpected challenges, such as reindeer training mishaps, elf strikes, or weather-related sleigh detours. 🎅 Rebuild Trust: Santa works to ensure families know he's listening if things don't go as planned. After a last-minute gift mix-up, some kids felt forgotten. Through personalized letters and magical visits, he's restoring belief in the North Pole's commitment to holiday joy for all, working to rebuild the lost trust. As often as Santa has made deliveries on Christmas Eve, he knows there's always room for improvement to make the season even better next year! We could all learn a thing or two from Santa. #HolidayCountdown #CrisisCommunications #AAR #CrisisManagement

I enjoy Miller's musings. . . . it made me think - why? My thought: Spoiled kids are, in part, a result of not being raised with the values of responsibility & accountability. . . We see it all around us; "gi'me more, more, more". More things, more privilege, more demands - & consequentially, a lack of respect, less caring for others, less kindness, less accountability for one's actions. What spoils kids is a lack of balance. If they have more, they need to BE more -- to keep life in perspective. It needs to flow in both directions. Example: If they park that new sports car on the lawn & break the sprinkler, then then need to learn to grab the shovel & fix it & not just leave that to Dad or the sprinkler repair man while they focus on some form of self indulgence, such as self aggrandizing social media. Entitled children tend to have a universal commonality: they are not held accountable for their actions. They expect others to clean up the "messes" they make. It starts with small things . . . & over time that pervasive attitude becomes a way of life. Do you ever notice the commonality of politics & raising kids? The goal should be, better values make for a better society. Teach them correct principles - & raise them to govern themselves.

WARNING: Get your tissues ready because you will need them. As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, which is a time when we focus on gratitude and outwardly express our thankfulness, I want to share an example of why the work our teachers do matters. Oftentimes they have students who are challenging and who other teachers give up on, but there is always that one teacher who refuses to give up on that student. This video is about one of those teachers. At a time when public education is being demeaned and teachers perform a thankless job, it is important to show how their work matters, especially when they do not give up on students who may have given up on themselves. As a school communicator, I will always advocate and highlight the thankless work of teachers and other educators because the work they do truly makes a difference and shapes the future of our communities. So, as you are preparing for Thanksgiving and share everything you are grateful for in your life, please be sure to thank a teacher or someone who works in education. Happy Thanksgiving!

Corollary: If you as a recruiter do not find a candidate as a fit, Refer them to a position in your network where they might fit.

Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. experience food insecurity? For kids that rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’ve joined the Albertsons Companies Foundation in a groundbreaking coalition to tackle summer hunger through the USDA’s new Summer EBT program. Partnering with @FeedingAmerica, @FRACtweets, @GiftCardBank, @HungerFreeUSA, @mRelief_form, @nokidhungry, and @PHAnews we’re reaching over 200 foodbanks, 300 school districts, and 1,500 organizations. Eligible families can get $120 per child for groceries. Check if you qualify at SummerEBT.org.

How generous and thoughtful. Please help if you can

99% of people do not know this, but this is the best post you will ever read about Santa Claus 🤩 When you give joy, you get it back twofold. Only Santa knows 😁 Let's find out why👇 The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, which has been around since 1937, is the oldest place in the world where people can train to be Santa Claus. Located in Midland, Michigan, this school is all about keeping Santa's traditions alive and sharing the history of the jolly figure. It offers resources for students to step into the role of Santa and Mrs. Claus, helping them spread the Christmas cheer wherever they go. The school’s mission focuses on giving thorough training in a bunch of areas that make being Santa a special experience. Check them out 👇 ● Performance Skills. Students work on how to truly embody Santa, perfecting his voice, gestures, and overall presence. ● Costuming and Appearance. There’s advice on nailing that classic Santa look, from the red suit to keeping a neat beard. ● Communication with Children. Training covers how to interact with kids of all ages, handle their questions and listen to their wishes in a way that feels genuine. ● Media Training. With digital media being such a big deal now, there’s instruction on how to portray Santa in different media formats. ● Business Aspects. For those thinking about making Santa a profession, the school shares tips on the business side, like marketing and setting up appearances. The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School has a long history and has played a key role in shaping how we think of Santa today. A big thanks to the founder, Charles W. Howard, a well-known Santa himself who wanted to enhance the quality of Santa performances. Now, the school carries on that mission, bringing in students from all over who are excited to share the joy and authenticity of being Santa Claus. Remember, if you are not a Santa you can never be like Santa 🎅 Sources: 🌍 www.santaclausschool.com Great Big Story ✒️ White King Media Victory Okeke 🔊 #SantaClausSchool #CharlesWHowardSchool #BecomingSanta #ChristmasSpirit 🎄 #SantaTraining #HolidayMagic ✨ #ChristmasLegends #SpreadingJoy #AuthenticSanta #SantaForHire #KeepChristmasClassic #HolidayHeroes