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FAMILY EDUCATION COMMUNITY

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mosaicfamilymagazine.comLIKE US RUN BEHIND US

Holiday Blues

The Joys and FinancialChallenges of Parenting

Shan Wagner’s Multi Language Talents

Mompreneurs

Kultural Korner

Bullying

Events

We are ready for YOU at Northchase Learning Center!

Hours of Operation: 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Owned and Operated by Texas Certified Teachers14400 W. Sylvanfield Drive

Houston, Texas 77014281-440-4916

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2012

Nina Jordan is a sophomore at The Woodlands College Park High School. She is an Honor Roll student who has lettered in Academics. Perfect attendance has earned her recognition in the N.E.A.T. Club (Never Ever Absent or Tardy). Nina plays clarinet in the Mighty Cavalier Marching Band.

WINTER

PARENT toPARENT Am I a social Misfit?

4 From the Editor

Holiday Blues

Bullying

In the Streets

Mompreneurs

The Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenting

Kultural Korner

Shan Wagner’s Multi Language Talents

6

8

10

13

14

16

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From the EDITOR

Family, welcome to our final issue of the year.

Talk about growing pains. We launched to thunderous applause during the Houston Children’s Festival in March and we didn’t even have our first issue printed and now here we are, four issues later.

This issue marks the end of 2012 but also the beginning of 2013 which we are even more excited about.

With every phone call and introduction, we are closer to making sure Mosaic Family Magazine becomes a household name. We have covered topics on self esteem, bullying, books, mentoring black boys, throwback parenting and more. Additionally, we have attended many events around the city to talk about the magazine, sign people up and pass out copies of a publication we know the community can be proud of.

Although we are busy building what we hope will be an outstanding resource guide and magazine for the greater Houston area we are not too busy to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year! Tracey Hawthorne WashPUBLISHER

PublisherTracey Hawthorne Wash

Assistant to the PublisherTonya Cooksey

Project/EditorialCoordinatorVicki S. Wilson

Editor/ProofreaderMaia Shelby

SalesEugene HawthorneMichael Berkely

DesignAxiom 28

1919 Decatur Street • Houston, Texas 77007 • 713-678-0311Mosaic Family Magazine is published by FD&L Group Inc. Mosaic Family Magazine is a free publication. Mosaic Family Magazine is © 2012

by FD&L Group Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written express permission is prohibited.

21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED21,000 FELONS ARRESTED · 29,000 CRIMES SOLVED · $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY RECOVERED · $8 MILLION IN CASH REWARDS890 MURDERS SOLVED · 2,100 BURGLARIES SOLVED · 3,800 ROBBERIES SOLVED · $129 MILLION IN NARCOTICS RECOVERED72 GUNS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,500 SCHOOL CRIMES SOLVED · 230 WEAPONS FROM SCHOOLS · 1,000 SCHOOL DRUG CASES SOLVED

GIVE NOW. LIVE SAFE.WWW.CRIME-STOPPERS.ORG

Crime Stoppers is a (c)(() nonprofit corporaaon and your contribuaon is tax-deducable.P.O. Box , Houston, TX - | - - -- | info@crime-stoppers.org

LEARN SAFEWE PROTECT YOUR

SCHOOLS.

,,,,,, ARRESTS

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,,,S, BURGLARIES SOLVED

D,D MURDERS SOLVED

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PLAY SAFEWE PROTECT YOUR

CHILDREN.

WORK SAFEWE PROTECT YOUR

BUSINESS.

BE SAFEWE PROTECT YOURNEIGHBORHOODS.

HOLIDAYBLUES “Blue Decorations on my Christmas Tree” ~B.B. King

Many people suffer from the blues around the holidays. Ho, Ho, Ho becomes Ho, Ho-hum. It

could be based on the weather, a seasonal suffering from lack of sunlight. Or maybe its due to an habitual emotional rut we have dug so deep, we can’t even see how to get out. There could be hope to shake those holiday blues. There is a school of thought that we can take responsibility for our own moods. Consider this. We can avoid the woes of the season by being proactive. Could it be that we really decide our own moods? Here are some ideas, actions you can undertake to thwart the holiday blues.

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ~Dalai Lama

On Your Own

Pray or Meditate

Allow yourself to feel sad or troubling emotions. Cry it out, it’s cleansing. Then move on

Practice Yoga or do any kind of Exercise

Take a Nap

Social Endeavors

Get away from social media and Get with a REAL person IN Person

Share a bottle of water, tea or wine and conversation

Give! Volunteer your time or donate to someone less fortunate

Let Go

Do something Really nice, Anonymously

Put in a favorite CD and Sing LOUDLY and even Dance around the room

Get in your car and just DRIVE, destination unknown

We all have some ability to affect our own happiness. Make a conscious decision that your mood is your decision. We can control our environment. We can choose to be in places that boost happiness, with people that make us happy. According to author Dr. Tom G. Stevens, the first step in choosing to be happy is Choosing to be Happy. At this time of year when we all consider our new year’s aspirations, we could put value on our state of mind. What a significant miracle could occur if we chose to make personal growth and our own happiness a real and attainable goal. This is a resolution that will have a positive effect on every aspect of your life.

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” ~Bobby McFerren

6 MosaicFamilyMagazine.com

Recent bullying statistics reveal that bullying is a crime that is not going away anytime soon. There

are about 160,000 children that miss school every day out of fear of being bullied. Bullying statistics also report an increase in cyberbullying activities.

Facts and figures also show cyberbullying becoming more and more rampant in school and after school among teens and children. Social networking has provided an entirely new environment for bullying to take place with an estimated 2.7 million students being bullied each year.

New statistics revealed about one in seven students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade is either a bully or has been a victim of bullying. Sometimes a teen or child who has been bullied eventually becomes the bully as a way to retaliate.

In fact, revenge for bullying is one of the strongest motivations for school shootings, according to recent bullying statistics. A reported 61 percent of students said they believe students shoot others at school because they have been victims of physical violence at home or at school.

According to various bullying studies, many teens and children act out violently on their peers through acts of bullying because they are abused at home.

Bullycide statistics:Suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of 14. Bullycide is a term used to describe suicide as the result of bullying. New bullying statistics 2010 are reporting that there is a strong connection between bullying, being bullied and suicide, according to a new study from the Yale School of Medicine. Suicide rates are continuing to grow among adolescents, and have grown more than 50 percent in the past 30 years. Bullying can include various types of behavior from physical attacks, to destroying one’s personal property or clothing, verbal abuse, starting rumors, name calling, verbal attacks online as well as other forms of cyberbullying. For teens and children who feel they are being bullied, it is important to address the matter with a parent or teacher right away.

National Bullying Statistics• Over half, about 56 percent, of all students have witnesses a bullying crime take place while at school.• A reported 15 percent of all students who don’t show up for school report it to being out of fear of being bullied while at school.

• There are about 71 percent of students that report bullying as an on-going problem.• Along that same vein, about one out of every 10 students drops out or changes schools because of repeated bullying.• One out of every 20 students has seen a student with a gun at school.• Some of the top years for bullying include 4th through 8th graders in which 90 percent were reported as victims of some kind of bullying.• Other recent bullying statistics reveal that 54 percent of students reported that

witnessing physical abuse at home can lead to violence in school. • Among students of all ages, homicide perpetrators were found to be twice as likely as homicide victims to have been bullied previously by their peers. There are about 282,000 students that are reportedly attacked in high schools throughout the nation each month.

8 MosaicFamilyMagazine.com

BULLYINGSTATISTICSMOSAIC NEWSWIRE

FAMILY EDUCATION COMMUNITY

> > >

SUMMER RESOURCE GUIDE mymosaicmagazine.com

Camps and

Summer Activities

for all ages and

special needs

PARENTINGSUMMER RESOURCES

COLLEGE

NUTRITION

Family Events for the Holidays

Each issue “In the Streets” features a monthly calendar of activities for your family. Due to the volume of holiday activities, we have just a few ideas to share with your loved ones this holiday season.

Woodlands Winter Wonderland November 17, 2012 through January 21, 2013From Dusk until 11p.m.

Enjoy a walk along the fantasyland of magical, lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels, and snowmen.

FREE ADMISSION.

Location -Northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Drive Surrounds perimeter of The Woodlands Ice Rink

Ice Skating Discovery GreenNovember 17, 2012 - January 27, 2013

With more than 350,000 visitors enjoying the experience of outdoor ice skating in Downtown Houston the past three years, The Ice at Discovery Green will open on Saturday, November 17 and continue through January 27, 2013.

Admission$12 includes skate rental and tax. Skating time is limited to 1.5 hours. A portion of all ticket sales goes to support Discovery Green’s free year-round programming.

Celebrate Kwanzaa at Shape Community CenterDecember 26 - January 1 www.shape.org

3903 Almeda RoadHouston, Texas 77004713-521-0629

Houston Zoo Lights6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m (last admission at 9:00 p.m.)Zoo Lights Days

Zoo Lights is open every night from November 23 through January 5 except for December 24. The Zoo is closed during the day on Christmas Day, but join us for Zoo Lights that night!

PricesMembers - $8 Non-members – $10 Get $1 off your ticket when you purchase online! Free admission for kids under age 2.

IN THE STREETSDECEMBER

10 MosaicFamilyMagazine.com

Dental Tips

Proper Hydration

KULTURAL KORNERMentoring Boys

The Mosaic Family Book Club

FAMILY EDUCATION COMMUNITY

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FREEmosaicfamilymagazine.com

FREE

FAMILY EDUCATION COMMUNITY

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mosaicfamilymagazine.comLIKE US RUN BEHIND US

Fun Thanksgiving

Statistics

The Joys and Financial

Challenges of Parenting

Shan Wagner’s Multi

Language Talents

Mompreneurs

Kultural Korner

Bullying

Events

mosaicfamilymagazine.com

Call 713.678.0311Email: sales@mosaicfamilymagazine.comSales Representative Wanted!

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BEING socially challenged when it comes to socializing with the parents of your children’s friends is a very common

occurrence. Not all of your kids’ friends will have parents that you will want to be friends with. So.... What happens when your child makes friends with someone and you really don’t like the parents? Are you obligated to socialize with them or even to let your child continue the friendship? It’s hard to know where to draw the line when it comes to making friends with other parents.

We ask ourselves:

• What is it about those parents that rub us the wrong way? • Could the issue be that those parents have different rules at their house than you have at yours?• Are their views on certain social issues different from yours? (i.e - religion, politics, gay rights)• Is your social calendar full with the friends you already have and you feel you just don’t have room for any more activities?

• Do you have trust issues? You don’t trust others outside of your current social circle. Whatever the reason it seems that our kids are often the ones to lose out when their parents don’t get along. Is there a good solution to the problem of dealing with parents you don’t get along with. Ask yourself, can you put up with someone for the sake of your kids, or is it really too much to ask.

A “mompreneur” is defined as a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of

mom and the role of entrepreneur.

But in our community, the word may be new but it has been the base of most of our families.

There is a mompreneur in most families. From the bootleg hair salon and braid studio, Mary Kay or Avon Rep, cleaning business or cake baker there is a mompreneur on every corner. However mompreneurs is not such a new phenomenon. It is though, widely recognized now with the launch of websites and magazines to address the growing needs of moms trying to grow a business.

In this economy it is necessary to consider as many options necessary to earn more income.

Coming up with a business idea is the easy part. Strategizing, planning and executing the business idea is the hard part. Here are few tips for starting your journey as a mompreneur.

1) Research your business idea to see if you have the qualifications and finances for your venture.2) Reach out to business development organizations to assist you with free training and resources for growing you business (UH Small Business Development Department, Houston

Minority Supplier Diversity Council, etc.)3) See an accountant or tax professional to discuss your business entity -Should you be a sole proprietor, corporation, LLC - there are consequences for not paying attention to this part. So start out how you want to end up!4) Get your assumed name certificate (DBA) ASAP!!! You will need that to start you business bank account.5) Open a small business banking account - Talk with a business banker, a deposit of $100 and your DBA are usually all you need for most banks.

6) Start networking - Check the Houston Chronicle’s Business section, some of the larger churches in the area, look for industry “meet ups” that are posted on the internet and any other ways to get out and promote your business.7) Also, don’t take social media for granted - it is as a very inexpensive way to announce to the world that you are in business.

Being a mompreneur may be the best boost for you and your family. Remember to work hard but make time to play hard with your family!

12 MosaicFamilyMagazine.com

PARENTTOPARENT MOMPRENEURSTurning Talents Into ProfitsAm I A Social Misfit?

BEING

By Earlicia Monroe

By Sam Eugene

Colleen Banks 713-561-8132colleen_banks@wealthdevelopmentstrategies.com

Children are special. There’s nothing like them. They can be our sweetest blessing, as well as our biggest frus-

tration. Most of all, however, they are our greatest responsibility, as well as our most important--and expensive--commitment.

Whether you are a first-time parent or a veteran of refereeing sibling squabbles and who-put-the-empty-milk-carton-back-in-the-fridge inquisitions, parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Our children give us gifts only a parent can understand--from sticky-finger hugs to “Can I come?” pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. We raise them with a clear goal that we secretly dread will actually take

place--that someday they will be grown, independent, ready to move out into the world on their own, and our work will be over. As our children travel this long and never-dull road from infancy to adult-hood, we nurture them, worry about them, scold them, love them.Most of all, we try to protect them. We want them to grow up in a stable world, one in which they are physically safe, emo-tionally nurtured, and financially secure. Still, meeting expenses can be a challenge.

How expensive is raising a child?The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that the average nationwide cost of raising one child from cradle to college entrance at age 18 ranges

from $163,440 to $377,040 depending on income. (Source: Expenditures on Children by Families, 2010) Then, when they turn 18, add in college expenses, and your financial outlay can get even worse. How much worse? According to the College Board, for the 2011/2012 school year, the average cost of one year at a four-year public college is $21,447 (for in-state students), while the average cost for one year at a four-year private college is $42,224. Even if those numbers don’t go up (and they have increased each year for decades), that would come to $85,788 for a four-year degree at a public college, and $168,896 at a private university. Oh, and don’t forget graduate school.

The bottom line: Children are expensive! Between raising them and educating them and making sure they get a good, strong start in life, one thing is obvious when it comes to children--they are a major responsibility. Fortunately, as long as we remain alive and healthy, we manage to somehow meet these expenses. It’s part of what parenthood is all about.

Have you taken steps to protect them?But here’s a question you need to con-sider: What would happen to them if something happened to you? No, it’s not the kind of question we like to dwell on. But these matters are important. This is why many financial professionals recom-mend that, above and beyond the day-to-day efforts to provide for their children, parents should take specific steps to help protect their financial well-being.Review your life insurance coverageLife insurance is one of the most effec-tive ways to protect your family from the uncertainty of premature death. Life insurance can help assure that a preselect-ed amount of money will be on hand to replace your income and help your family

members--your children and your spouse--maintain their standard of living. With life insurance, you can select an amount that will help your family meet living expenses, pay the mortgage, and even provide a college fund for your children. Best of all, life insurance proceeds are generally not taxable as income.

Purchase disability income insuranceIf you become disabled and unable to work, disability income insurance can pay benefits--a specific percentage of your in-come--so you can continue meeting your financial obligations until you are back on your feet. What about Social Security? If you do become permanently and totally disabled and are unable to do work of any kind, you may be eligible for benefits, but qualifying isn’t easy. For more flexible and comprehensive protection, consider buy-ing disability income insurance.

Start building a college fund nowCollege costs may seem daunting (and they are expected to continue increasing), but you have about 18 years before your newborn will be a college freshman. By starting today, you can help your children become debt-free college grads. The secret is to save a little each month, take advantage of compound interest, and have a sum waiting for you when your child is ready for college.

THEJOYSANDFINANCIALCHALLENGESOFPARENTING

MosaicFamilyMagazine.com 15

Your Financial Advisor for Today, Tomorrow and Beyond

• Cash Management

• Insurance• Retirement Planning

• College Funding

Registered Representative of securities and Investment Advisory services offered through Horner, Townsend & Kent, (HTK), a Registered Investment Advisor Member FINRA/SPIC. Wealth Development Strategies, LP is independent of HTK. Wealth Development Strategies and its affiliates are independent of HTK.

Shan Wagner’s Multi Language Talents

PRINCIPLE ONE: Seeking Harmony and TogethernessUnity/Umoja Building and fostering harmonious, positive, and warm, relationships and attachments in the family, school, neighborhood, and large national community

PRINCIPLE TWO: Directing Our Own Lives and Course of ActionSelf-Determination/Kujichagulia Defining and shaping our own interests, priorities, and image, and grounding our thoughts, practices, rituals, and celebrations in our own history and culture

PRINCIPLETHREE: Caring For Each Other’s Well-BeingCollective Work and Responsibility/Ujima Investing collectively in our family’s and community’s well-being, and working in mutual beneficial way to create the best conditions and possibilities of life for everyone

PRINCIPLE FOUR: Sharing Wealth and Resources

Cooperative Economic/Ujamaa Sharing and pooling our financial resources and goods and services for the common benefit of family and community participants with the goal of building and sustaining cooperative economic enterprises

PRINCIPLE FIVE: Nation BuildingPurpose/Nia Fulfilling our duty and obligation to contribute to the high and morally serious purpose of nation-building, i.e. , the quest to recover and restore our people to their traditional greatness

PRINCIPLE SIX: Continuous Improvement and PerfectionCreativity/Kuumba Working diligently to continuously enhance our families, neighborhoods and people

PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Belief in Ourselves and the Promise of TomorrowFaith/Imani Trusting and believing with our heart and mind in ourselves, our parents, our teachers, and our leaders and our capacity as a people to make a better world

7 PRINCIPLES OF KWANZAA

16 MosaicFamilyMagazine.com MosaicFamilyMagazine.com 17

KULTURALKORNER READINGWRITING&A-RYTHM-ATIC

1. When did you first develop your interest in foreign language?In seventh grade, I had no idea that my life would change forever when I entered my first foreign language class. It was the elegance, fluency, and passion of Mrs. Van Hooser - my first French teacher- that actu-ally ignited my interest in foreign language.

2. Is there a learning difference between children and adults? Yes and no. Although exposure to a foreign language is beneficial for children, the age of a learner is secondary to factors such as motivation, dedication, and determination. Most importantly, the quality of instruction and frequency of interaction with native speakers matter most.To the astonishment of many, I did not learn Spanish until I was twenty-one years old. By the age of twenty-three, I was teaching both French and Spanish, lan-guages learned nine years apart.

3. When do you feel is the best time to introduce foreign language to your child?Ideally, exposure to music and literature (regardless of the language) is beneficial when the child develops in the womb. But once it is born, the rate at which a child un-derstands a foreign language will depend on how often he is exposed to it, even if he does not speak it.

4. Is your family fluent in other languages? Yes. I have siblings who are fluent in Ara-bic and Urdu. Relatives by marriage speak Japanese and Tagalog. My nine-year-old daughter is developing both oral and read-ing proficiency in Spanish, and my pre-lit-erate two-year-old son is spoken to in both Spanish and English. It is my wish that they both become trilingual, at least.

5. In what additional languages are you interested in becoming fluent?I want to learn both Vietnamese and Ar-abic with fluency. But I am somewhat of dilettante who enjoys employing expres-sions in Tagalog, Russian, Arabic, Yoruba, Yiddish, Igbo, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It is amazing how greeting or thanking people in their native tongues can brighten their days. It is a sign of cultural sensitivity and love for all mankind.

6. What is ahead for you in your business venture?Presenting seminars, delivering speeches, and developing material are my passions. I am also poised to devote my energy to developing my subscription-based learn-ing website- www.shanwag.info-which will be both affordable and interactive. I also dream of having my own learning-based show for youth and teaching at the univer-sity level.

Shenedria Wagner is an educator, motivational speaker and the owner of Comuniquemos,Inc. She consults educational institutions in language, training and provides classes to make learning foreign language fun and increase comprehension. Look for her summer camps and workshops “Reading, Writing, A-Rythm-Atic.”

Mosaic Family Magazine, talked with Mrs. Wagner to learn more about tips families could use to introduce foreign language into their home.