Mama Obama & Daddy Donald: Growing Myself Up (www.healwritenow.com)

Gail Kennedy posted:

Cissy, you did it again. You put down words to my thoughts far better than I was thinking them.  I listened to her speech with my daughter and had an important and at times difficult discussion with her about sexism in this country and how things have, and have not, changed since I was her age.  I was very glad to hear they had a discussion about Michelle Obama's speech in her high school civics class.  And my daughter's response was that they ALL want Michelle to run for President! She is a national treasure - something to be proud of in these troubling times.

Gail:

You are the best! I LOVE the image of you and your daughter watching and talking and also that so many in her class want Michelle Obama to run for President. I admire her leadership so much. If she's talking these topics it certainly leads the way for us parents talking to our kids! I have to admit I love hearing of how other mothers talk about sexism and sexual violence and these tough issues that are so hard to tackle. There's so much that's depressing happening politically but the silence breaking that's happening on such a massive level - that's progress. Cissy

Jill:

You wrote:

Without this "adult in the room," ACEs can be crazy making! Because even though I know, on an intellectual level, that the traumatizing events of my childhood were out of my control, there’s a 7-year-old girl who resides in the deep recesses of my 52-year-old brain who tells a different story, and try as I might, I can’t quite shake her off."

This is poignant and funny and could be on the Parenting with ACEs home page. So much of this parenting with is ALSO inner parenting ourselves while parenting little people. And maybe, sometimes WHILE parenting little people, realizing how little we were when we were kids who felt ancient. And figuring out how to support parents sooner so they can parent themselves and their own children with less shame and guilt, more compassion and competence and much more community. 

Thank you for commenting and being part of this community!!!
Cissy

Cissy, you did it again. You put down words to my thoughts far better than I was thinking them.  I listened to her speech with my daughter and had an important and at times difficult discussion with her about sexism in this country and how things have, and have not, changed since I was her age.  I was very glad to hear they had a discussion about Michelle Obama's speech in her high school civics class.  And my daughter's response was that they ALL want Michelle to run for President! She is a national treasure - something to be proud of in these troubling times.

Cissy: Thank you for writing this. It’s hard not to devalue yourself when you grow up in an environment in which you never feel safe and, as Cynthia wrote, there’s no adult in the room to stand up and say this is not right!

Without this "adult in the room," ACEs can be crazy making! Because even though I know, on an intellectual level, that the traumatizing events of my childhood were out of my control, there’s a 7-year-old girl who resides in the deep recesses of my 52-year-old brain who tells a different story, and try as I might, I can’t quite shake her off.

So thank you, Cissy, for sharing your experiences. It is indeed how we all heal.

Cynthia:

Yes. Yes. Yes! You wrote:

"It was like the adult in the room who finally stood up and said, "No. This is not right!" While growing up and living with ACES, there was NO adult in my room that stood up for fairness, honesty and what's right. Just the daily insanity and silence that was deafening. "

It's so true. It's why good parenting is so important not only to prevent bad stuff but also to help put it in context when that can't happen. Thank you for that comment. I think so many of us were healed and mothered by that speech even if we are older than Michelle Obama.

Healing together... Cissy

Cissy, You. Are. Amazing. ❤️ 

I watched Michelle live on CNN that morning and was captured by both her words and passion she delivered her message with. I could not look away. She so clearly and beautifully stated what the entire country (and the world) needed to hear. Thank God she did. It was like the adult in the room who finally stood up and said, "No. This is not right!" While growing up and living with ACES, there was NO adult in my room that stood up for fairness, honesty and what's right. Just the daily insanity and silence that was deafening. 

So thank you Michelle from the bottom of my ❤️ for your words. Keep talking to us! And thank you Cissy for sharing your story. As we say in my program, your experience, strength and hope. It's how we all heal. 

Robert Olcott posted:

I'd like to publicly Thank our First Lady for explaining why 'Locker Room Talk' is not appropriate for the Public Forum, nor is it "Presidential Behavior". Thank You for making this announcement in New Hampshire, so the rest of the world knows that some people in America have not only 'self-respect', but respect for others.

It must have been amazing for anyone present and listening to her words live. It was a monumental and necessary speech. My daughter said: "Too bad she isn't running for President." I think a lot of us feel that way. 

Deborah Bock posted:

I found Michelle Obama's speech deeply moving.  Your story adds another layer of depth to the issue.  Thank you for having the courage to share your story.  

Deborah: 

It was so moving and she is such an incredible leader and role model and truth teller! Cissy

I found Michelle Obama's speech deeply moving.  Your story adds another layer of depth to the issue.  Thank you for having the courage to share your story.  

Thank you, Cissy, for bravely sharing this story.  You validate so many thoughts many women, including myself, have been discussing recently.  Thank you.  Thank you! 

I'd like to publicly Thank our First Lady for explaining why 'Locker Room Talk' is not appropriate for the Public Forum, nor is it "Presidential Behavior". Thank You for making this announcement in New Hampshire, so the rest of the world knows that some people in America have not only 'self-respect', but respect for others.