In Dr. Seuss’ last work, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” he brilliantly captured the challenges of growing up. The timeless message pulls at a parent’s heartstrings because it speaks to the inevitability of life’s struggles and disappointments.

 

By Annette McLoughlin

 

In Dr. Seuss’ last work, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” he brilliantly captured the challenges of growing up. The timeless message pulls at a parent’s heartstrings because it speaks to the inevitability of life’s struggles and disappointments.

 

”I’m sorry to say so

But, sadly it’s true

That Bang-ups and Hang-ups

Can happen to you.” 

 

As a parent, you don’t want to imagine being unable to shield your children from harm and heartache forever. But no matter how well you think you’ve prepared them for the real world, they’re not going to be ready for everything life throws their way.

 

Which is why we all instinctively and passionately try so hard to give our children a solid foundation that covers all the bases. We teach them right from wrong and build their self-esteem. We give them the best education possible and start strapping on helmets and lacing up cleats practically as soon as they can walk. We show them the importance of civic participation through community service. We engage them in the arts and nature and teach them personal and financial responsibilities. Despite all of this and especially because of the rapid changes in technology, our best efforts may not be enough to give them the emotional resources and framework they need to communicate effectively, make good choices, and navigate the future in the most productive way.

 

“Out there things can happen and frequently do

To people as brainy and footsy as you.”

 

While we no longer have Dr. Seuss to guide us with his whimsical optimism, Rye is fortunate to have a pair of education experts, Claire Neary and Mary George, dedicated to the challenge of making sure our children have the right set of interpersonal skills to wade strongly and confidently through life’s tougher stretches.

 

The two Rye moms draw from deep academic and professional experiences to provide families with a dynamic program of personal development called Kids Empowered. Neary MS Ed, C.S.W., received her graduate education at Columbia University and Banks Street College of Education. She began her career at Family Services of Westchester creating and running a program for at risk youth. George, MA, received her graduate education at Columbia University and began her career in education in Hong Kong, where she directed the teaching of technology and integrated it into the curriculum at a private school. 

 

The Kids Empowered concept began in 1990 when Claire’s mother, Meg MacKay (also of Rye), pitched it to The Ursuline School. Called The Personal Development Education Program, it is still a part of the core curriculum there and taught twice a week to every middle school student. It has evolved to include peer leadership and mediation programs run by juniors and seniors, and mother/daughter and transition workshops.

 

For a number of years, Claire and Mary worked alongside Meg teaching the program at Ursuline. Before Meg succumbed to cancer, she guided them in the development and incorporation of the core content with the intent of offering it to the general public.

 

Neary says, “We have dedicated professionals to teach our children academics, music, sports, etc. It makes perfect sense to do the same with what is a fundamental set of skills that will affect them in every aspect of their lives. The Kids Empowered program offers children the skills to empower themselves within their community, to make their lives socially, academically, and personally successful.”

 

Last year the duo began offering classes and workshops to address the paramount issues in every child and teenager’s life: self-esteem, feelings, friendship, conflict resolution, teasing and bullying, decision-making, and responsibility. Participants are taught to “understand behaviors (their own and others) and to assume control over their feelings and actions in order to make responsible decisions, communicate effectively and to behave in ways which will lead them to socially acceptable planned goals.”

 

This semester, George and Neary are teaching after-school programs at Resurrection, Midland, and Milton schools. For more information, visit KidsEmpoweredNY.com or email kidsempowered@gmail.com.

 

“You’re off to Great Places

Today is your day!

Your Mountain is Waiting

So … get on your way!”