Month: November 2016

Minute Mentor: Filmmaker and Educator Chad Quinn

Minute Mentor provides a space for real people to tell their stories so if you or your little one is in search of mentorship on how to achieve their dreams, you can look no further than right here! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing someone that looks like you achieving similar goals.

Minute Mentor is a series of posts profiling real people achieving their dreams. It began with the simple idea that “seeing is being.”  When cofounders Rick and Faye’s oldest son was born, it was clear he was musically inclined. He was playing piano by ear at age 4 and neither of them ever even picked up an instrument! When Faye remembered an old neighbor who had gone on to become a Julliard trained musician, she immediately reached out to him and said, “What do we do?”  He patiently answered all of her questions on how best to nurture her budding musician.

Minute Mentor provides a space for real people to tell their stories so if you or your little one is in search of mentorship on how to achieve their dreams, you can look no further than right here! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing someone that looks like you achieving similar goals.

If you have any questions or comments for the featured guest, leave a comment, and we will do our best to bring it to their attention! Happy imagining!

fullsizerender-4

Name: Chad Quinn

Age: 36

Occupation: Filmaker/Assistant Dean of Public Charter School

Career Level:

  • Entry
  • Mid-level
  • Executive
  • Entrepreneur
  • Retired

How hard do you work? 

  • Lots of Leisure Time
  • Typical 40-50hr Workweek
  • More than Average
  • I never stop working

Lifestyle/Income: 

  • Side Hustle/Didn’t Quit My Day Job
  • Getting By
  • My bills are Paid with Some Room for Fun
  • You get a car! You get a car!

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you currently reside?

[I was] born in North Carolina, raised in Jersey. I went to Temple University and obtained a degree in Marketing and Business Law.  I then went on to further my studies at Howard University School of Law. I’ve spent 12+ years in corporate America working for multiple Fortune 500 companies as a consultant and research analyst. But with all my work and studies, I’ve always wanted to make films.

 What kind of student were you?

Hmmm…somewhat troublesome. School came really easy for me.  [I] had mostly AP courses, so I would get in trouble for running my mouth and causing issues because I knew I was going to pass regardless. Then one day a teacher shared with me that although I was doing fine, my behavior was really affecting those I considered friends, that changed my perspective and helped me be more of a leader.

“I overcame adversity due to my willingness to continue to push through regardless of the obstacle. There is not one successful person on earth who’s done it all alone. I developed a very trustworthy and supportive team to help guide my career. From family to friends, I owe them so much credit for my success.”

Describe your current job/jobs.

I work with high school students (grades 9-12) on all types of issues relating to academic and behavioral performance. I’m also a filmmaker. I write constantly. I have multiple films that are now hitting the film festival circuit and a few projects I’ll be pitching to networks in the coming months.

What education level is required for your job? Tests? Certificates? Years of School?

Advanced degree to be a Dean of Admissions. Film, none, just a serious work ethic and dedication to the craft.

 Did you have a mentor/mentors? How did you meet?

On the film side, somewhat. We met during the shooting of one of my earlier projects and have been working closely ever since. She’s taught me a lot about the film industry, both from an artistic and business perspective.  

How did you get your current job?

Working my way up the ranks. I honestly come back to God’s favor. I started at the bottom of the totem pole with no prior experience in education and continued to foster relationships with both staff and students. Eventually, opportunities arose for me to move up in this field.

Do you find your work fulfilling?

Very. I couldn’t happier with both areas of my work. They provide me an opportunity to make tangible impacts to our society.

Did you always know you wanted to pursue your current career path?

I always knew I wanted to be an educator in some capacity. As far as filmmaking, I’ve been writing short stories since my early teen years. Watching a movie, from the opening credits/music, to trailers, everything about making movies just always fascinated me.

 What, if any, setbacks have you faced? How did you overcome them to accomplish your goals?

My setbacks are no different than those in other disciplines; rejection, lack of opportunity, discrimination, lack of support, lack of experience, etc. I overcame adversity due to my willingness to continue to push through regardless of the obstacle. There is not one successful person on earth who’s done it all alone. I developed a very trustworthy and supportive team to help guide my career. From family to friends, I owe them so much credit for my success.

“…the first and only person you need to sell your idea, dream, or whatever to, is yourself. Because there are many lonely and dark days to the path of success, if you don’t truly believe in what you’re trying to accomplish, then you won’t.”

What advice would you give a parent of a child/young adult interested in pursuing a job in your field? What advice would you give them on pursuing any career goal?

Don’t just say what you want to do, create a plan and then go out and execute. And this holds true with most things in life, if not all. Belief in yourself is the key. It sounds cliché, but the first and only person you need to sell your idea, dream, or whatever to, is yourself. Because there are many lonely and dark days to the path of success, if you don’t truly believe in what you’re trying to accomplish, then you won’t.

Anything you would like to add?

Be on the lookout for a few films I have slated for screenings in multiple cities within the next few months, Perceptions, #Trending and Mixed. To find out more specifically about Perceptions you can follow us at http://perceptionsmovie.com/. Additionally, I have a movie, Sex, Politics, Race and Religion, due to come out with TVOne next year.

Check out the trailer for Chad’s upcoming movie Perceptions here.

***

About The Author

Faye McCray is anMcCray_AuthorPhoto (1) attorney by day and writer all the time. Her work has been featured on My Brown Baby, AfroPunk, AfroNews, For Harriet, Madame Noire, Black Girl Nerds, Black and Married with Kids, and other popular publications.  Faye also has a number of short stories and a full length novel available for purchase on Amazon.  Most importantly, Faye is a proud wife and mother to three beautiful and talented young boys who she is fiercely passionate about raising. You can find Faye on Twitter @fayewrites and on the web at fayemccray.com.

Minute Mentor: Social Worker and Motivational Speaker Shameeka Mattis-Pinard

Minute Mentor provides a space for real people to tell their stories so if you or your little one is in search of mentorship on how to achieve their dreams, you can look no further than right here! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing someone that looks like you achieving similar goals.

Minute Mentor is a series of posts profiling real people achieving their dreams. It began with the simple idea that “seeing is being.”  When cofounders Rick and Faye’s oldest son was born, it was clear he was musically inclined. He was playing piano by ear at age 4 and neither of them ever even picked up an instrument! When Faye remembered an old neighbor who had gone on to become a Julliard trained musician, she immediately reached out to him and said, “What do we do?”  He patiently answered all of her questions on how best to nurture her budding musician.

Minute Mentor provides a space for real people to tell their stories so if you or your little one is in search of mentorship on how to achieve their dreams, you can look no further than right here! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing someone that looks like you achieving similar goals.

If you have any questions or comments for the featured guest, leave a comment, and we will do our best to bring it to their attention! Happy imagining!

shameeka

Name: Shameeka Mattis-Pinard, LMSW

Age: 35

Occupation: Social Worker

Education: Master’s Social Work ’05 University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor’s Degree (English & Sociology) ’03 SUNY Binghamton

Career Level:

  • Entry
  • Mid-level
  • Executive
  • Entrepreneur
  • Retired

How hard do you work? 

  • Lots of Leisure Time
  • Typical 40-50hr Workweek
  • More than Average
  • I never stop working

Lifestyle/Income: 

  • Side Hustle/Didn’t Quit My Day Job
  • Getting By
  • My bills are Paid with Some Room for Fun
  • You get a car! You get a car!

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from?

I’m from Fort Greene, Brooklyn.  I was raised in the Ingersoll House i.e. “the projects.”  I currently reside in NYC. I’m a creative music lover, married and love my puppy.

What kind of student were you?

Since I can remember, I was an A student when I applied myself, but an A-/B+ student when I procrastinated or didn’t study well, which was often.  I was always curious, questioning, intrigued by learning, a strong writer, and creative.  I was rowdy and talkative, but astute.  So, [I was] a cool brainiac that would fight or flip at the drop of a dime, but whom teachers loved and scolded equally.  I also made friends with everyone and have some of those friendships to this day.

I was a rough kid with a sharp mind and even sharper mouth, but I believed I could be successful because [my] mentors were my daily examples.

Describe your current job/jobs.

I’m the Director of Programs for a victim service and alternative to incarceration program based in restorative justice in NYC for young adults who commit violent crime.  Responsible parties get a chance to make amends with the people they hurt and instead of going to prison, they remain free without felonies on their records if they complete the program.  I supervise the counselors, develop anti-violence curriculum, interface with the courts, set organizational policies, and build community partnerships.  I’m also a motivational speaker, educator and writer.

What education level is required for your job? Tests? Certificates? Years of School?

A master’s is required for my position.  College graduates from the associate to bachelor level are employed where I work.  However, having a Master of Social Work degree enabled me to make more decisions, have great autonomy, supervise anyone, have leverage and get paid very well.

Did you have a mentor/mentors? How did you meet?

To this day, I’m still in contact with my mentors and close to many of them.  Since I was age 3 or 4, I had mostly Black women in my life that helped me discover myself, love myself, aim high and never settle.  I was a rough kid with a sharp mind and even sharper mouth, but I believed I could be successful because these mentors were my daily examples.  I met most mentors in school, but a few connected with me when I attended church and recreational activities.

How did you get your current job?

I worked in criminal justice in Philadelphia after finishing graduate school, grew tired of those particular jobs and wanted to move back to NYC, particularly to Brooklyn, where I knew my field had innovative opportunities.  I also knew I deserved more money and had talents to expand upon, so I spoke to friends & former professors that encouraged me to consider a prominent criminal justice advocacy and research agency.  When I received an interview, I researched the agency and program, brought my A-game, and the rest is history.  I began my job the day after I helped to elect President Obama to his first term, so that helped it feel extra special.  Talk about a fresh start!

It’s difficult but life-changing work, so I surround myself with people who are good at what they do and who push me to be great.

Is your job family-friendly?

Yes, it is.  Plenty of children are welcome and other family members too.  I’ve even been able to bring my dog to work.

Do you find your work fulfilling?

It is fulfilling, but not just because I get to work with incredible young adults, or because of the impact I’m able to make in their lives.  It’s fulfilling because I aim to do my best, ask for and accept feedback, hold myself to the same standards I request of others, including my clients, and I have fun along the way whenever possible.  It’s difficult but life-changing work, so I surround myself with people who are good at what they do and who push me to be great.  I work hard, so my social network of family and friends helps me stay balanced.

Did you always know you wanted to pursue your current career path?

I was naturally drawn to justice work, teaching and counseling as a kid, but I also like to help solve difficult issues.  So I was convinced I would pursue many careers, but social work just seemed portable and full of options by the time I was a junior in college.  I genuinely liked its principles.  So far, I’m not disappointed in the choices I made and path I took.  I stay open to all opportunities because I have many skills and know how to make connections with anyone.

To all my young people, think of the problems you want to solve, not what you want to be or do.  Have fun, learn how to communicate effectively, and remember that you are limitless.

What, if any, setbacks have you faced? How did you overcome them to accomplish your goals?

I used to fight daily as a kid.  Then I argued all the time because I always thought I was right and didn’t know my worth or appreciate other’s differences.  I developed a healthy self-esteem in spite of my poverty as a young black girl and I channeled my talents through academics and sports, surrounding myself with people who encouraged me to shine.  I learned how to be humble.  I was the first person in my family to graduate college and that was huge because both my parents were functionally illiterate and didn’t finish high school.  However, my mom died right after I graduated from college, and I grieved her absence a long time before learning to accept that death is a part of life.  It [was] then [that] I remembered the gifts she instilled in me and understood how they would never leave me.  I don’t forget the people who helped me and the gifts God gave me to share with the world.  I am diligent about asking for help from those closest to me when needed and I keep it real no matter where I go.

What advice would you give a parent of a child/young adult interested in pursuing a job in your field? What advice would you give them on pursuing any career goal?

Don’t push your children to do ANYTHING.  Be patient.  Encourage their curiosity, support their uniqueness and praise them for incremental efforts and success.  Your child is not one size fits all.  Also, your children are not carbon copies of you because they were born as whole people with dreams and purpose.  To all my young people, think of the problems you want to solve, not what you want to be or do.  Have fun, learn how to communicate effectively, and remember that you are limitless.  Don’t rush to grow up.  Have authentic relationships with yourself and others and be honest with yourself always.   Surround yourself with people who are doing productive things because you gain motivation from their success and it generates your own.

***

About The Author

Faye McCray is anMcCray_AuthorPhoto (1) attorney by day and writer all the time. Her work has been featured on My Brown Baby, AfroPunk, AfroNews, For Harriet, Madame Noire, Black Girl Nerds, Black and Married with Kids, and other popular publications.  Faye also has a number of short stories and a full length novel available for purchase on Amazon.  Most importantly, Faye is a proud wife and mother to three beautiful and talented young boys who she is fiercely passionate about raising. You can find Faye on Twitter @fayewrites and on the web at fayemccray.com.

Minute Mentor: Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Walters

Minute Mentor provides a space for real people to tell their stories so if you or your little one is in search of mentorship on how to achieve their dreams, you can look no further than right here! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing someone that looks like you achieving similar goals.

Minute Mentor is a series of posts profiling real people achieving their dreams. It began with the simple idea that “seeing is being.”  When cofounders Rick and Faye’s oldest son was born, it was clear he was musically inclined. He was playing piano by ear at age 4 and neither of them ever even picked up an instrument! When Faye remembered an old neighbor who had gone on to become a Julliard trained musician, she immediately reached out to him and said, “What do we do?”  He patiently answered all of her questions on how best to nurture her budding musician.

Minute Mentor provides a space for real people to tell their stories so if you or your little one is in search of mentorship on how to achieve their dreams, you can look no further than right here! Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing someone that looks like you achieving similar goals.

If you have any questions or comments for the featured guest, leave a comment, and we will do our best to bring it to their attention! Happy imagining!

image1

Name: Dr. Walters

Age Category: 25-40

Occupation: Physician

Education: Bachelors degree; Masters degree; Medical degree

Career Level:

  • Entry
  • Mid-level
  • Executive
  • Entrepreneur
  • Retired

How hard do you work? 

  • Lots of Leisure Time
  • Typical 40-50hr Workweek
  • More than Average
  • I never stop working

Lifestyle/Income: 

  • Side Hustle/Didn’t Quit My Day Job
  • Getting By
  • My bills are Paid with Some Room for Fun
  • You get a car! You get a car!

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from?

I hail from the beautiful island of Jamaica and grew up in New York City, land of opportunity

What kind of student were you?

I have always loved school. I was the type of student who would cry if there was a snow day, and I was unable to attend. I loved school for two reasons: 1) I truly enjoyed learning and 2) I wanted to spend time with my friends. My motivation to work hard in school was mainly to see the look of pride on my parent’s faces.

Describe your current job/jobs:

I am an Internal Medicine doctor. As an Internal Medicine doctor, I treat sick people ages 18 and older. My day consists of admitting patients to the hospital and then taking care of them throughout their stay in the hospital. I work with a comprehensive health care team that includes, but not limited to nurses, dieticians, physical therapists, case managers, and other physicians to provide the best care possible to bring about healing.

What education level is required for your job? Tests? Certificates? Years of School?

A Bachelor’s Degree of any type (as long as prerequisite classes for medical school are taken), Medical school (4 yrs) and an Internal Medicine Residency program (3 yrs).

It’s not often one has a childhood dream that comes to fruition. This has been a long and ardous journey. With the changes in healthcare and the typical work place politics, when I walk into a patient’s room and see their gratitude for my service and sometimes their happiness that I simply just listened to them, it reminds me of why I chose to be a doctor in the first place: to provide excellent health care with compassion.

Did you have a mentor/mentors? How did you meet?

I have had mentors along the way at each juncture of my educational journey. The most consistent and salient mentor that I have has been my husband. He has had spent numerous years working in higher education and has had much experience with the graduate school process. He has been not only my biggest cheerleader but has also helped me to figure out the steps necessary to each stage of my journey. Whatever he did not know, he would look it up or find someone who could help answer questions. That type of dedication makes him an ideal mentor. One does not have to have the same experiences you are seeking, but if they are committed to your success, then it is an ideal mentor-mentee partnership.

How did you get your current job?

I was recruited by a headhunter.

Is your job family-friendly?

Yes, I typically work 12 hours days, but being a team in marriage makes it more than manageable.

Do you find your work fulfilling?

Extremely! It’s not often one has a childhood dream that comes to fruition. This has been a long and ardous journey. With the changes in healthcare and the typical work place politics, when I walk into a patient’s room and see their gratitude for my service and sometimes their happiness that I simply just listened to them, it reminds me of why I chose to be a doctor in the first place: to provide excellent health care with compassion.

Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor?

Yes, I have known since I was in probably in the 2nd grade. I was inspired by Bill Cosby’s character, Cliff Huxtable, on the Cosby show. At that time, up until my 1st year of medical school, I was set on being an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, which is a type of doctor who delivered babies and took care of women’s reproductive health. I quickly realized that I wanted a broader scope of practice, which led me to the practice of internal medicine.

 What, if any, setbacks have you faced? How did you overcome them to accomplish your goals?

I think of it more so as challenges that encouraged me to change habits that were not beneficial to my success. I had to improve study habits; dedicating more time to researching my interests, being flexible about things that were out of my control; and most importantly, actively speaking words of faith and encouragement to myself. Most of my “setbacks” were due to unproductive and false worrying about my own intelligence and abilities.

You are enough and worthy. If you want to become a doctor and provide excellent compassionate care, then stay the course. It is a long journey, and there are many other fields/jobs that have a much more truncated path but if this is your dream, then find mentors and resources to make your dream a reality.

What advice would you give a parent of a child/young adult interested in pursuing a job in your field? What advice would you give them on pursuing any career goal?

You are enough and worthy. If you want to become a doctor and provide excellent compassionate care, then stay the course. It is a long journey, and there are many other fields/jobs that have a much more truncated path but if this is your dream, then find mentors and resources to make your dream a reality.

Any journey that you choose is never taken alone. Be grateful and acknowledge those that have supported you throughout. They are invaluable and necessary.

***

About The Author

Faye McCray is anMcCray_AuthorPhoto (1) attorney by day and writer all the time. Her work has been featured on My Brown Baby, AfroPunk, AfroNews, For Harriet, Madame Noire, Black Girl Nerds, Black and Married with Kids, and other popular publications.  Faye also has a number of short stories and a full length novel available for purchase on Amazon.  Most importantly, Faye is a proud wife and mother to three beautiful and talented young boys who she is fiercely passionate about raising. You can find Faye on Twitter @fayewrites and on the web at fayemccray.com.

Teaching Your Children About The 2016 Election

As media coverage has gotten more and more hostile and divisive, I find it incredibly difficult to expose my children to positive election news coverage that informs them of the choices before the American public. Here are a few kid-friendly sites I have found that make it easier to teach our children about the 2016 Presidential Election and the election process.

This week, the 4th and 5th grade classes in my sons’ elementary school held a mock presidential election.  In the weeks leading up to the election, the students were encouraged to educate themselves on the candidates running for office so they would make informed decisions when casting their votes. As media coverage has gotten more and more hostile and divisive, I find it incredibly difficult to expose my children to positive election news coverage that informs them of the choices before the American public.  However, when my son came home from school after he voted and asked me if Trump “hated babies,” I knew I needed to take affirmative steps to get him informed! Here are a few kid-friendly sites I have found that make it easier to teach our children about the 2016 Presidential Election and the election process.

vote

1. Kids.gov

Kids.gov is the “official kids’ portal for the U.S. government.” It is divided into four categories: Kids (Grades K-5), Teens (Grades 6-8), Teachers and Parents.  It also has a link to their YouTube Channel which currently features a video on how votes are counted in an election. The site features games, videos and interactive worksheets explaining the workings of the government.

Truth be told, the site is pretty no frills and not all that exciting. However, it is extremely informative. It was a great refresher for me and also gave me the tools to teach the basics of U.S. government to my children in a way that they understand.  The site does not discuss the candidates but it does include links to learn about your individual state.

2. Scholastic News 

Yes, this is the Scholastic of your childhood. Scholastic is a publisher of thousands of books and educational materials for school age children.

I like the Scholastic site. So did my kids. Visually, the site is appealing.  It includes an election countdown, results of a student Scholastic vote, and stories by kid reporters, including the latest election news.  The site also includes candidate profiles and lessons on the election process.  Scholastic is unique because it is the only site I came across that provided information on Jill Stein and Gary Johnson, the Green Party and Libertarian Party nominees, respectively.

3. TIME for Kids

TIME for Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine sponsored by Time, Inc.  It is very similar to the Scholastic site.  It also features an opportunity for kids to vote, stories by kids reporters and candidate profiles.  I like the profiles on Time better because they are more detailed.  For that reason, they may be more appropriate for older children.

Although they don’t address the more controversial issues of the election, there are a few articles on TIME for Kids that tackle difficult topics that your children may have questions about like, “How possible is a Rigged Election?”  The article is a fact-based discussion of voter fraud but it does mention Trump’s allegations of election tampering.  I appreciate that Time doesn’t “dumb down” the election coverage which makes it a great spring board for discussing the election with your child/children.

4. PBSKids.org You Choose 2016

We are big fans of PBS Kids website in our house.  The site has games and activities featuring your favorite characters from the television network.  Their 2016 Campaign Coverage does not disappoint.

While it isn’t as comprehensive as TIME for Kids or Scholastic, it is a great resource for younger children.  It’s simple interface and lively music made it attractive to my six year old almost immediately.  It includes a section called Meet the Candidates which features basic information about the Democratic and Republican nominees.  It also features a number of videos with a kid reporter named Presley who explains the basics of government and the election process.  Kids can also create campaign posters and trading cards with past U.S. Presidents and their spouses.

***

About The Author

Faye McCray is anMcCray_AuthorPhoto (1) attorney by day and writer all the time. Her work has been featured on My Brown Baby, AfroPunk, AfroNews, For Harriet, Madame Noire, Black Girl Nerds, Black and Married with Kids, and other popular publications.  Faye also has a number of short stories and a full length novel available for purchase on Amazon.  Most importantly, Faye is a proud wife and mother to three beautiful and talented young boys who she is fiercely passionate about raising. You can find Faye on Twitter @fayewrites and on the web at fayemccray.com.

Staying Connected When Your Family is Far Away

If, like me, staying connected to long distance family and friends is important to you, here are a few tips for maintaining a family connection even when you are miles apart.

Growing up, the majority of my extended family lived within a ten mile radius of my childhood home in southeast Queens.  In the late 1950s, after a brief stay in Manhattan, my grandfather and grandmother settled in St. Albans, Queens after leaving North Carolina along with millions of other Black people fleeing the segregated South during the Great Migration.  My grandmother died before I was born.  However, my grandfather stayed in the house he raised his daughters in until his death in 2010.  My mother and her sisters stayed close, and raised their families in the surrounding areas in Queens and Long Island.  As kids, almost every Sunday, we gathered at my grandfather’s house to eat his food and run wild in his house.  There was never a shortage of sitters or playmates.  Looking back, it was a fact of my life I just took for granted.  When I left home for college, I couldn’t have anticipated that I was leaving that time of my life in the past.

To my surprise, the typical American only lives eighteen miles from their mother with close to 20% only living a couple of hours away.  However, those with college and professional degrees are more likely to live father away due to the pursuit of job opportunities.  This was true for me.  After college, I moved to D.C. for law school and ultimately met and married my husband. We chose to stay because the job opportunities and cost of living were more amenable to the lifestyle we wanted to live than my hometown in New York.   While we are fortunate to live close to my husband’s family, most of my family is still several hours away.  When we had children, I knew I’d have to improvise to give my children the same strong sense of family I had when growing up in Queens.   If, like me, staying connected to long distance family and friends is important to you, here are a few tips for maintaining a family connection even when you are miles apart.

1. Video Chat

Skype, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangout, Apple’s FaceTime, Tango and other apps make it easier than ever to have face-to-face time with long distance friends and family.  While this seems like the most obvious choice, setting objectives, like story time, for these face-to-face calls  can make them even more special.  My children love to show their grandmother artwork they’ve created or share other milestones they wouldn’t be able to share on a voice call.

2. Pen Pals

When I was a kid, my father used to travel a great deal, and he would send me postcards from his destinations. It used to make me feel so special to get mail “like a grown up.”  Similarly, my kids LOVE getting mail.  Every so often, their karate school sends encouragement postcards and when birthday time rolls around, they love to check our mailbox for birthday cards.

If your long distance relative is willing, a great way to stay connected is to allow your kids to send handwritten letters.  It can be even more fun if your child has a cousin or child relative who is also writing age because they can write each other.  You can find great kids stationary on Amazon that allow your children to create personalized notes.  Writing can also be more intimate which allows your child to develop a special bond with their long distance relative.

afro_american_children_sweet_girl

3. Recordable Storybooks

Recordable storybooks allow a friend or relative to record themselves reading a story book for your child. Hallmark has a line that you can purchase in the store or on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  They are great because your child can listen to them any time they want and as much as they want.

4. Blogging/Social Media

When I had my eldest son, I was totally smitten.  Like most new moms, all I wanted to do was talk about him and take pictures of him.  When he was about three months old, I started a blog through Blogger doing just that.  Initially, the blog was intended just for friends and family, but after awhile I caught the attention of other mommy bloggers and developed a community.  Either way, it was a great way to stay to connected with long distance friends and family on my little one’s milestones and my journey as a mom.  Now, blogs can be password protected so they allow you to choose your audience.  If you aren’t interested in writing, social media can be another way to share updates and photos with family and friends.  Just make sure you are aware of privacy practices and standards and be sure not to share sensitive or personal information.

If you aren’t interested in sharing on the web, email based sites like Dropbox, Snapfish and Shutterfly allow you to send images online to specific people.  My best friend has never posted a picture of her daughter online but she regularly sends photos to friends and family via Dropbox, email and text message.

What about you, family? How do you stay connected with long distance family and friends?

***

About The Author

Faye McCray is anMcCray_AuthorPhoto (1) attorney by day and writer all the time. Her work has been featured on My Brown Baby, AfroPunk, AfroNews, For Harriet, Madame Noire, Black Girl Nerds, Black and Married with Kids, and other popular publications.  Faye also has a number of short stories and a full length novel available for purchase on Amazon.  Most importantly, Faye is a proud wife and mother to three beautiful and talented young boys who she is fiercely passionate about raising. You can find Faye on Twitter @fayewrites and on the web at fayemccray.com.