EDUC 6766 Advocacy Messages

I have never actually visited the Ad Council's website, and am so glad I did! The ideas out there are SO inspiring! It's hard to pick only a few but here they are:

This one has nothing to do with children necessary (except that children and adults alike can benefit greatly from caring for animals) but if there are animal lovers reading this, then you'll appreciate it :)
The Shelter Pet Project Campaign uses the slogan #StartAStoryAdopt. There's a picture of pets who are now all over social media- Toast Meets World, Keyboard Cat, and Hamilton Pug. Social media and the internet itself has pictures and stories about these pets and their unique relationships with their adoptive human parents. The main objective for Shelter Pet Project Campaign is to spread awareness about the need for shelter and rescue pets to be adopted, and the hope that people will make it their first priority when considering getting a pet.
I think their message is great! It's a call to action, which is the effective way to frame an advocacy message. I also feel that coming from a comical and endearing angle adds lightness and welcomes people in more. I know other campaigns that show the horrors and sadness of some shelter pets. It's devastating and definitely a reality. It works to touch hearts and increase empathy for sure. I feel that adding this lightness, though, takes a lot of pressure off the audience, and creates an excitement and wonderment, which is a great way to mobilize!

AdoptUSKids.org used a similar approach in their initiative to find families for the thousands of teenagers in foster care. They used the message "you don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent." Apparently, their latest ads have been using the widely renowned parenting books What To Expect When You're Expecting to spread comical tutorials and guides to raising a teenager. This strategy is similar to the Shelter Pet Project Campaign in that it uses what I'll call, endearing comedy or endearing lightheartedness. The idea of adoption is quite overwhelming, especially when considering an almost fully grown child who has gone through very trying times in their young lives. Just like the Pet Project, they steered clear of the heart-wrenching messages and showed a softer more fun side. By using laughter, people are freer to envision their lives with a teen and wonder about all the greatness and love that can be had in that experience. I am tired of all the negative messages concerning teenagers and teenagehood in general. Let's change that narrative, please.
I am grateful to have drawn this connection between the two ads because I can really see the power in this message strategy. It's so honest and hopeful, and I am interested in considering this angle when coming up with new Advocacy messages myself.

Fatherhood.gov really touches me. I've been seeing the billboard ads all over Portland lately titled, #DadJokesRule with pictures of kids and their dads. I think this society, historically, has hurt a lot of people with its ideas about gender and gender roles. I've heard many people wish they had more connected fathers, and many fathers wish they could connect more. This initiative is just so beautiful. Through a simple societal inside joke like the idea of "dad jokes" paired with pictures of happy fathers and kids, the message is being sent that dad's matter, you matter, you make a difference. This touches me on a personal level and it's warming. Again, endearing humor is utilized. I also learned that it's important to consider audience. All of these ads have the ability to touch and be understood by a wide and diverse audience, which is amazing. It's so interesting to be researching advertising trends!

My Own Capacity

The issues impacting young children and their families that fuel my passion are Children's Rights and accessibility and quality of parent education. I am a supporter of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and would like to be involved in changing the U.S.'s stance against joining. As for quality parent education, my whole world changed when a particular parenting group and philosophy was revealed to me. I believe there is power in visibility and accessibility, and these two aspects give parents a Choice they didn't have before. Before I had particular knowledge, I didn't have the choice to either embrace or disregard it, and that makes ALL the difference.

The resources I have at my disposal that will benefit my advocacy efforts are my connections to parenting groups and information, the resources I have compiled through my graduate studies, and the knowledge I am slowly attaining through researching public policy and government in general.

I hope beyond hope to continue to grow as an effective advocate and professional throughout my lifetime! The more I learn, research, and expose myself to experiences and information, the more I'll continue to grow and that means everything to me. Specifically, I'd like to grow in confidence, This means being confident in my own knowledge and worth, as well as being confident that I am appropriately educated and can stand up for others effectively.

EDUC 6765 Parent, Family, and Community Engagement

The one success story that I found touching was by Ashley Hawkins, reflecting on her childhood at Head Start. Not everyone has fond memories of early childhood programs, and it was really sweet to hear about her and her mom's appreciation of their experience. I especially loved her emphasis on adults encouraging play, and how she pays tribute to her success and happiness as an adult to the growth of her imagination and dreams. This hits me right in the heart. I am a huge advocate of the power of play and the child's right to play. There is magnificent value in early childhood professionals, the public, policy makers, and government officials hearing this, seeing this, and knowing this. A true understanding of the child's mind and play-centered living and learning would change the entire field!
I also found it sweet that her mom worked as a teacher when she attended. There seems to be a popular mindset that a child grows best outside of the home and family. I am a proponent of swinging the view in a different direction. There shouldn't, I believe, be a separation between family and a child's life outside the home. Professionals who understand and treat children and their families as a whole unit really empower families, create stronger partnerships with parents, and help sustain and build a life for that child that doesn't include separateness, but embodies wholeness, fullness, and oneness of identity :)

EDUC 6766 My Role as an Advocate

Motivation?

• I have had strong opinions about certain parenting practices and just a high interest in parenting and children in general since before I reached adulthood. I'd have to say, however, that I really felt the advocacy fire when I became pregnant with my son. I went on such a life-altering journey since becoming a mother. I've learned information I never knew existed, and I am so passionate about creating more awareness for other families.

Advocacy at the micro and macro levels?

• First of all, I think it's important not to overlook the micro level advocacy work. The way I was first introduced to a lot of information I now cherish about children and parenting is because of one person advocating to me. That being said, as a global community, I believe we have a duty to do more than take care of "our own". The micro level can change a life, the macro level can change the world.

What does it take to be a community leader?

• An early childhood community leader needs A LOT of passion. This is definitely not a job you get into because of the money. It's a lot of hard work. You need a good amount of perseverance and patience. The passion, perseverance, and patience of advocates in this field is how so many children and families are now living with the benefits, and how future children and families will hopefully live with more benefits!

Resources?

• Money... funding and human manpower.

Tactics or strategies to mobilize others?

• The most effective leaders have amazing communication and collaboration skills. They are able to share their hearts so openly and clearly that people stop and listen.

Advice?

• Do it! Push aside any fear of failure and just do it, please. I mean, be responsible of course! But definitely take risks. And you don't need to do it alone. Actually, you can't do it alone. First and foremost, form a collective. Relationships are key. But even if you truly feel a truth in your heart and you're having a hard time finding partnerships, then hold tight to that truth, and the right people will come. Goodluck!

• 
  

EDUC 6765 Quality

Public opinion through the years sure is a roller-coaster. The ebb and flow of mindsets, viewpoints, policies, practices, and everything else surrounding children and families in society is wildly fascinating. The issue closest to my heart is the general opinion and treatment of children in our society. I dearly hope public opinion changes to a stronger belief system in respecting and cherishing our most vulnerable humans.

• I hope parenting practices become gentler and more connected.
• I hope adults can become more supportive and helpful of each other. 
• I envision family leave from work being provided willingly.
• I wish for all kids to be provided equal access to opportunities in life. May they pick and choose to their hearts' content, but may the options and availability be forever within their rights to grasp.

EDUC 6766 Messages for Families

I can think of a few examples of people who have touched my life through advocating for me and for other families, but I am deciding to take a moment to reflect on what it looks like to advocate on a smaller, quieter scale.
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I suffered from postpartum depression. I was exhausted trying to simultaneously survive, heal myself, take care of my baby, and educate myself on topics that were all new and overwhelming. In the midst of the chaos, I received a short email from an acquaintance. We had chatted about being moms briefly before, nothing too very deep, but she took the time one night to send me an online flyer to a parenting class that she had attended years ago. There wasn't any moralizing, pushing, preaching, or pressure of any kind. Just a simple offer and smile. I looked at it, read about the program, its history, and the people involved and became intrigued. I attended the class, and that night I consider one of the launching points for where I am today as a mother. I learned information from that group I had never heard before in my life, and it felt good and right to me, and I made My Choice to stay involved with them.
One little resource offering and smile gave me permission to Choose. I appreciate thinking about this act and what it implies about my life as an advocate. There are so many different advocacy hats we can wear. I want to go out on the streets and march and shout. I want to collaborate with great minds and write up policy proposals. I want to work with organizations I believe in to reach the masses. I want to hold hands with those who ask for help. I also want to quietly smile and share with those who don't ask. They may choose it, they may not, but at least that Choice has been revealed, and that is everything.

EDUC 6765 Why Advocacy?

Advocates are people who stand up for, speak for, and work to enhance the lives of others who are not able—or not yet able—to speak for themselves. Advocacy is often highly visible and plays out on the national or international stage. But just as often, advocacy is quiet and personal and is immediately noticed by only those most affected. (Kieff, 2009, p. ix)

Vision and Passion

Why am I an Advocate? Because it's written on my heart. That's the simplest answer. Since I was very young I have felt a strong sense of duty towards protecting and supporting women. This probably came from both my mother's feminist messages turning my head, and my own innate curiosity and passion. My name is a version of the name Alexander, which means "Protector of mankind". My mom used to tell me that my name, Alexandria, means "Protector of womankind". I have since evolved my definition to "Protector". I like thinking of myself as a warrior. I hold this as a precious part of my identity. Warrior, Healer, Mother... Advocate.

My journey as a children's advocate unfolded over time. Through my journey through childhood and adolescence, I wasn't ok with how I was sometimes treated, or how my friends were treated, within the framework of family, school, and the world. As I grew older through adulthood, educated myself on many subjects, had more experiences, and then became a mother myself- my heart exploded. I had certain experiences through my pregnancy, birthing, and post birth that I now know are not ok. I didn't have enough knowledge then, but now I know and I want to empower all mothers and families to have more choice and knowledge. As a mother I have seen and heard current views and perspectives on children that are not ok. I know I am probably preaching to the choir, since you are all advocates and lovers of this career field. I am thrilled to be in this community, no matter how temporary, and to be influenced by all of your voices and ideas. With each class, with each discussion post, I am transformed in some way by hearing you.

The Early Childhood field, in particular, needs strong advocates. Children, I believe, are the most silenced and unheard demographic. They virtually have no voice. They are the most vulnerable of us all. They rely on adults for everything- they need our protection, they need to be respected, and they deserve rights. Families deserve accessibility to ALL information. People deserve to know their rights, options, and most up-to-date information. When I was a new mother I was exhausted going through all the information that I didn't even know existed. It was overwhelming and it was hard to find proper support. Since this is the world today, nothing will change unless we change it. That is how it works. People need to connect, collaborate, enlighten, and yell very very loudly :)

Goals

• To learn from and be enlightened by each of my cohort's and professor's wisdom, experience, and vision.
• To dig deeper into my vision for advocating for Children's Rights and parent empowerment, so I can go into the world with specific purpose and intention.
• To research as much as possible about current initiatives in the world right now.