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If you have children at home ― or know someone who does, I think you will appreciate learning how nine-year-old Emily stopped a fight between her younger siblings by coaching them to use their Kidpower boundaries.
Months into lockdown, remote work, and distance learning with three kids, Jessica was in yet another Zoom meeting when Avery and Riley, ages 6 and 7, began shoving and chasing each other behind her.
They were beginning to get out of hand.
Just as Jessica was about to turn off her mic and camera to redirect the kids, nine-year-old Emily strode into the room and said, clearly and calmly, “Avery. Riley. Look at me. What about your Kidpower? Remember what we learned?”
The younger siblings, surprised, stopped ― and stared back at Emily.
Jessica, too, found herself suddenly focused on her daughter ― who was using her Kidpower skills to take charge in their very own living room!
“This is where you set boundaries,” Emily said firmly and kindly. “Remember? Riley, show your fence.”
Emily put her own hands up to show a Kidpower Boundary Fence. Riley copied.
“Look at Avery.” Riley did.
“Say, ‘Stop. I need space.’” Riley copied, not only Emily’s words, but also her big sister’s assertive tone.
Avery was glaring back and forth between them, unsure of what to do next ― but Emily was very SURE: “Avery, this is where you say ‘OK, I’ll stop’ ― because I know you want Riley to respect your boundaries, too.”
Avery did ― and then everyone relaxed and found another game to play.
Jessica wrote to us, “Seeing my kids use these powerful skills they learned from 
Kidpower at such a young age makes me feel confident that they are better prepared to have healthier, happier relationships for years to come. I am grateful!”
Throughout the pandemic, grateful parents have been reaching out to share how Kidpower is helping their families get through tough times in tight spaces ― and still keep their relationships safe and strong.
Our goal is that every child, every family, every PERSON, everywhere, knows how to set boundaries, respect boundaries, and teach boundaries. With your support, we can provide the opportunity to learn these essential skills for people in YOUR community ― and around the world!
We have exciting news. We reached our $25,000 match from Giving Tuesday early last week and THEN an amazing long-time donor was inspired to offer a new challenge grant of up to $100,000 for all new gifts received between December 22nd-31st.
This new challenge will enable Kidpower to help millions more children and people around the world. Please give as generously as you can.
Published: December 28, 2020 | Last Updated:
Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director
Kidpower Founder and Executive Irene van der Zande is a master at teaching safety through stories and practices and at inspiring others to do the same. Her child protection and personal safety expertise has been featured by USA Today, CNN, Today Moms, the LA Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Publications include: cartoon-illustrated Kidpower Safety Comics and Kidpower Teaching Books curriculum; Bullying: What Adults Need to Know and Do to Keep Kids Safe; the Relationship Safety Skills Handbook for Teens and Adults; Earliest Teachable Moment: Personal Safety for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; The Kidpower Book for Caring Adults: Personal Safety, Self-Protection, Confidence, and Advocacy for Young People, and the Amazon Best Seller Doing Right by Our Kids: Protecting Child Safety at All Levels.