by John Michaelson, Minnesota News Connection Litchfield Independent Review
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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Today is "Global Hug Your Kids Day," and parents across the state and around the world are being encouraged to grab onto their children and let them know they are loved.
It's important to focus on the social and emotional needs of small children, according to Ann McCully, executive director of the Minnesota Childcare Resource and Referral Network.
"With all of the talk of making sure that kids have math skills and reading skills, we get so caught up in that and I think we forget to step back and think about the importance of just the basic security and love and support," McCully said.
Michelle Nichols, a former BusinessWeek columnist, started the observance in 2008 on the 10th anniversary of the July 1998 death of her 8-year-old son, Mark - just 11 days after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Nichols says she doesn't want anyone faced with a similar loss to regret not hugging their child enough - and is convinced that hugs can strengthen children and families.
"Life is tough out there, both for the parents and for the kids, and hugs are a physical way of putting your love into action."
Children's advocates say the brunt of the nation's current economic and budget difficulties is being borne more often by children. They say children not only need hugs, but also better policy decisions that show the community cares for them, too.
It's easy to observe the day, Nichols said, but harder to do it every day. Her organization has a website with a "30-Day Hug Challenge" as a motivator. Here's her technique:
"Take that kid and give him a big ol' hug, and tell him, 'I love you! And you matter to me! And you rock my world. I want you to know, no matter what else happens today, you matter to me!'"
Parents also are urged to hug their spouses or partners.
More information is online at 30dayhugchallenge.com and hugyourkidstoday.com.
From publicnewsservice.org on July 18, 2011. Published online and in newspapers across the U.S., including New York City; Boise, ID; Seattle, WA;
NEW YORK - Today is "Global Hug Your Kids Day." Michelle Nichols, a former Businessweek magazine columnist, started Global Hug Your Kids Day on the 10th anniversary of the death of her 8-year-old son, Mark, just 11 days after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. She does not want anyone faced with a similar loss to regret not having hugged their child enough.
Moreover, Nichols is convinced that hugs can strengthen kids - and families.
"Life is tough out there, both for the parents and for the kids. Hugs are a physical way of putting your love into action."
Childrens' advocates say the brunt of the current economic and budget difficulties facing the U.S. is being borne more often by children. They say kids need not only hugs, but better policy decisions that show the community cares for them, too.
Sarah Walzer, CEO of the New York-based Parent-Child Home Program, likes the idea of Global Hug Your Kids Day, but says policymakers need to embrace kids in more ways than one.
"Probably everybody in our government at every level needs to be thinking a little bit more about the children in this country and the children who need to be hugged. Because, unfortunately, all of the budget crises at every level of government are really harming children."
Nichols says it's easy to observe the day, but harder to do it every day, and her organization has a website with a "30-Day Hug Challenge" as a motivator. Here's her technique:
"Take that kid and give him a big ol' hug. Tell him, 'I love you! And you matter to me! And you rock my world. I want you to know no matter what else happens today, you matter to me!'"
Nichols says her nonprofit organization changed its name last year from "National" to "Global" Hug Your Kids Day because she sees it as a kind of peace movement.
"This message of hugging your kids, when you think about it, should be on a global scale, because people of every country - even Afghanistan and Africa and China, places of conflict or places that we don't really understand - they love their kids just as deeply as we here in America do."
Parents are also urged to hug their spouse or partner on Global Hug Your Kids Day.
More information is available at www.HugYourKidsToday.com and www.30DayHugChallenge.com.
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From Westborough, MA Patch on July 18
http://westborough.patch.com/articles/5-things-you-need-to-know-today-july-18-12
5 Things You Need to Know Today: July 18 by MaryJo Kurtz
1. Alanon holds a weekly meeting every Tuesday ...
2. Today is Global Hug Your Kids Day. Give your kids an extra snug to celebrate! This day is recognized annually on the third Monday in July.
3. ...
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From Pueblo, CO Chieftan, on
July 18, 2011. Column: MONDAY MEDLEY
