Unicorn Awareness Month - and others that should exist!

It seems there is an awareness day or month for pretty much everything. Some are serious and draw attention to "real" issues like almost every type of cancer, autism, child abuse, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. On the other hand, some are just ridiculous. October alone is National Caramel month, Sarcastic Awareness Month, and Squirrel Awareness Month. March, the month that also includes my birthday, is National Noodle Month, National Umbrella Month, and National On-Hold Month. 

Really?!?! 

Yes, really - I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

Perhaps the most ridiculous one of all is December. You see, this month is Awareness of Awareness Months Month. Don't believe me? Well, click HERE and you'll see. After all, if it's on the internet it must be true, right? 

Despite the fact that there are a multitude of Awareness Days and Months, sane and insane, I think there are still a few that could be added.

Picky Eaters Awareness Month - During this month, there would be multitudes of information about picky eaters and sympathy for those of us who must feed the picky eaters on a regard basis without losing our minds. All school lunches served during this month would consist of pizza, tacos, spaghetti, and/or chicken nuggets to give the lunch packers a break, too!

Blogging Appreciation Month- Blogging has changed the way people interact and get information, even for those who are not bloggers. I bet your Facebook feed is full of links to thought-provoking blog posts. Blogging is what has led some people to fame and fortune (i.e. Red Drummond, Pioneer Woman). However, those of us who do blog know that it truly is a labor of love and most of us don't gain any fame or fortune from it. 

Parents of Teenagers Unite Month - My oldest turned 13 four months ago. I'm losing my mind and I've got 5 more years plus two more daughters to go. Solidarity, people!!!!!! Pretty sure it's the only way I will come out alive.


Maybe we could make November, Let's Not Skip From Halloween Directly to Christmas Month and actually take time to celebrate the beauty of fall and be thankful for all our blessings.  

Now, perhaps my brain is still on Thanksgiving vacation, but after these four, I was stumped. Everything I thought of - Chocolate Appreciation Month, Coffee Appreciation Month, Piazza Appreciation Day - already exists. So, I did what any loving mother would do - I asked my kids what Appreciation Months they would create. Their answers were pretty good! 

Megan would institute:

Unicorn Appreciation Month - Because everyone loves unicorns, right??
via GIPHY

Scented Candle Appreciation Month - If my two oldest girls had enough money, they would open up their own Yankee Candle store and be in seventh Heaven! 

TV Appreciation Month - This one is pretty self-explanatory, I suppose.

Homework Awareness Month - She says the purpose of this one is to make teachers aware of the stress and frustration homework creates for kids. 

Emily would create:

Red Velvet Cake Appreciation Month - I'm not really sure where her obsession with red velvet began, but for a very long time, she has loved red velvet cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc.  (Want to know something a little freaky? Emily's middle name is Margaret after David's aunt who passed away shortly before we found out we were pregnant for the third time. Emily says Aunt Marg is her guardian angel and always mentions her on the day that would be Aunt Marg's birthday even when the rest of us forget. The freaky part? Aunt Marg LOVED red velvet cake a requested on her birthday every year!) :::Cue the Twilight Zone Theme Song:::

Minion Appreciation Day - The girl loves those Minions! (They are pretty cute and funny!) 

via GIPHY

Unicorn Appreciation Day. It really should be a thing! #TuesdayTen @TheGoldenSpoons @MamaRabia

So, what special Appreciation/Awareness Months would you create?

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- December 8- is Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day so tell us about 10 days you would like to relive, 10 days you hope you NEVER relive, 10 things you hope to see in the future - you get the idea!
- December 15 - is National Cat Herders' Day. Herding cats would be very frustrating, so we want to know what is frustrating you! Vent a little! :-) (For a better explanation, go HERE.) - December 22 and 29, we'll take some time off for the holidays. 
- Starting in January 2016, #TuesdayTen will only happen once a month on the first Tuesday. More details to come! 

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An InLinkz Link-up

Child Abuse Awareness Month

I rarely watch the news and, last week, I was reminded why. One morning, as I got myself ready for the day, I had the news on in the background. In the short amount of time I was listening, I heard nothing but stories of violence and despair. Far too many of those stories told horrible tales of mistreated children. 

One story was about a mother who murdered two of her four children and then put the deceased bodies in a freezer in her home. Another story was about a family who left their nine year old daughter locked alone in a cold garage while they went away, forced her to sleep on a cot that was way to small for her, and didn't give her enough to eat. Yet another story involved a mother becoming intoxicated at a restaurant and swinging her baby in the carrier. Fortunately, customers and employees called 911 and prevented her from getting into a car with the infant. 

While these stories may seem extreme, the sad fact is that child abuse is much more common than many of us realize. According to childhelp.org, there are 3 million reports involving more than 6 million children every year in the US. Six million children. Child abuse happens in your city and mine; in your kids' schools and my kids' schools; in rich neighborhoods, low income neighborhoods, and quite possibly even your neighborhood.  

I saw the effects of child abuse when I was a teacher. Within weeks of my first day on the job as a brand new teacher, I had to call social services because I suspected one of my students was being abused. The child never returned to my classroom. In another case that turned out to be one that forever changed my own life, I watched as the spirit of an energetic little girl faded away as the result of the abuse and neglect she endure in her young life. I had the social worker on speed dial. 

The truth is, parenting is hard. It is a, sometimes, overwhelming mix of complicated emotions. There is absolutely no one who can bring me as much pride and joy AND as much anger and frustration as my own children. Sometimes is is hard to remain calm, but I cannot imagine intentionally harming them - EVER - no matter how exasperated I might be.

Sadly, though, that is not the case for many, many children.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. I share this with you not because I want to bring you down, but because most of the time, the children who are victims of abuse cannot speak up for themselves. It is up to those of us around them to be the voices of the children when their own voice are silenced. 

Tweet This: Abused children can't speak for themselves. We must be their voices. #ChildAbuseAwareness #1Word @TheGoldenSpoons http://ctt.ec/yUd93+

If you suspect a child you know is being abused - verbally, physically or sexually - please report it. (In fact, in some states, anyone who suspects abuse is required by law to report it.) You can report abuse by calling the Childhelp National Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). For an alphabetical list of organizations and phone numbers where you can report abuse in each state, click HERE. You may have the chance to keep a child from further suffering at the hands of his/her abuser.

If you are a parent or caregiver and you find yourself pushed to the brink of becoming an abuser yourself, please get help before it's too late. Seek local counseling or call the National Parent Helpline for support at 1-855-4A-PARENT.

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This post was part of the One Word Blog Linkup hosted by, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyholic, Marica of Blogitudes, and me! This week, the word prompt choices were Confused and Wonderful. If you would like to join the linkup you can find more information HERE, sign up for weekly emails HERE, and/or join our Facebook group HERE. Every Friday, two prompts are emailed. Choose one and write a post using that word as inspiration. Linkup up any time between 6:00am EST on Wednesday-9:00pm EST on Thursdays on any of the host sites.

An InLinkz Link-up