by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Sep 5, 2018
How to safeguard children while encouraging them to respect their faith. Steps for spiritual leaders and families to keep children safe from the new book “Doing Right by Our Kids.” Recently, a minister gave a passionate address to his whole congregation, “There is a lot of upsetting news that can be confusing for a Christian. I just want to be clear about where we stand in our church. Children should never be hurt, here or anyplace else. It is unacceptable to harm children. If you see anything that concerns you, you must take action…”
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Nov 10, 2016
I am sending love to each and every one of you who is feeling sad and upset about the outcome of our election because you fear the results of having a US president who has said and done so many harmful things in the past and during this campaign.
And I am also sending love to each of you who is feeling relieved and glad, because even though you might deeply dislike some of the behaviors of our president elect, you truly believe he was a better choice for president.
No matter who had won the presidential election, there would have been millions of people in the US and other countries who would have felt very scared and very sad and millions of others who would have felt very relieved and very glad.
No matter what your political beliefs, here are five things you can do to further values that bring people together rather than tearing them apart and to support people, especially children and teens, who are feeling deeply upset by this election:
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Oct 6, 2016
“Creepy Clowns. Crazy clowns. Scary Clowns.” People hiding behind masks to scare or hurt others is not new. Here are some recommendations from Kidpower about how to prepare kids to make safe choices and to support them in feeling confident instead of scared.
by Dr. Amy Tiemann | May 27, 2014
My grief about Elliot Rodger’s Santa Barbara killing rampage takes me to an almost wordless place. But I think it’s important to find my voice and try to address it.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Apr 26, 2014
What does it take to protect child entertainers from abuse? Many of us enjoy seeing child entertainers, and many of them love the work they do. But, if their success comes at the cost of abuse by someone in power, the price is too high.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Apr 16, 2013
15-year-old Audrie Potts from Saratoga, California, took her life after expressing her despair online about being sexually assaulted and cyberbullied. Her parents only found these messages when searching for reasons after her death. According to some estimates, teens spend half their lives online. These electronic worlds are too dangerous for our kids to live in without the knowledge and guidance of the adults who love them.
Too many times, adults don’t discover online messages about cyberbullying, parties with heavy drinking, or warning signs of despair or violence until after something terrible has happened, when the opportunity to take protective action is gone.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Nov 7, 2012
The only place I could get Internet access was on the window ledge over the bathtub of my son’s apartment, I thought you’d enjoy this photo of my impromptu office.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Oct 17, 2012
Adults worry about how to talk with children when a tragedy happens, and this is when our kids need our guidance more than ever. We can offer that guidance by making thoughtful choices about the words we say, the feelings we express, and the ways we cope with our own adult-level feelings.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Jul 24, 2012
The NCAA’s penalties for the Penn State’s football program send a clear message from the national level that child safety should be put ahead football, winning, and hero worship. The message that the well-being of kids is more important than sports is revolutionary. By moving through this hard situation, Penn State Football, and the University as a whole, can develop a reputation of true excellence built on a foundation of integrity, courage, and safety.
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director | Jul 9, 2012
Make sure your kids are prepared to avoid and escape from danger on the way to school, a friend’s house, the store, or anytime they go out without adult protection. Download a free one-page “Kidpower Safety Checklist for Parents” about how to prepare kids and assess to ensure they are ready to recognize potential danger and make safe choices immediately.
