Let's Hear It For Family

Hello all you members of the With Jess™ family!

I hope this newsletter finds you happy, healthy and taking action!

As many of you know I offer a lot of self-disclosure in my works. My books and articles are full of personal stories about my true-life experiences and the reactions and interactions of my family members. Because I write and speak so candidly about my own family, it inspires people to share with me stories of their families - both triumphant moments (like beating breast cancer) or tragic moments (losing a husband way too soon). I also get a lot of e mails from young mothers who are desperately trying to figure out how to create a family dynamic that works for them. Or teenagers who are surviving some tough family drama whether it be divorce or abuse or worse. I hear from fathers who are worried about their daughter's plummeting self-esteem or mother's who have realized that by making peace with their bodies, it frees their children to do the same.

Family doesn't only have to be defined by a biological relationship, either. Many people share with me the wonderful communities they have created for themselves either through churches, temples, yoga studios, or meditation groups -- all of them a family. Think about what other families you belong to? Work, school, book clubs, in all of these places we can play out family dynamics we grew up with. Do we shrink away from sharing our opinions as an adult because you were silenced as a child? Or do you fight with your co-workers the way you would with a sibling? Family dynamics are human dynamics and they are around us all the time -- so today is an opportunity to think about all the communities and families you belong to and what your role is in each of them. And if you find you need to clear things up in those family circles, take action, because in the end, we all need to have a family around us - whether we are born into one or create one later in life.

We are featuring an extraordinary book selection this month from author Rachel Gathercole. Rachel and I went to high school together and she has since gone on to write eloquent and poignant pieces about home schooling and alternative routes for education our children. She is a proud and beautiful mother who has a different and I feel valuable point of view on mothering and parenting outside the box. Please check out her book!

Another dynamo I am blessed to have in my life is Krista Vance, our featured Actionist this month. Krista can be a valuable resource for anyone out there wanting to learn more about Autism. Her children have inspired Krista and her husband James to dedicate their time and energy to this cause and she has an amazing success story to share. Make sure you check her out on our web site as well!

And last but not least...we have added three new Team Jess members to our family: Josh Shipp and Becca Tieder and Kelly Addington. Josh is a motivational speaker who dishes on dating, peer pressure, and more! He is youthful, hilarious, and comes at it from personal experience. And Becca and Kelly are dynamic experts on sexual assault, awareness, prevention and sexual empowerment. They have co-founded the national campaign to end violence called: Unite For Change. These women rock - check them out and our other fabulous Team Jess members all here to offer you additional resource, guidance, and inspiration.

As always, I am blessed to have you in my family. Thanks for your support!!

Love and light,
Jess

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With Jess and Ugly Betty Give Away Contest Winner

We here at With Jess are pleased to announce the winner of the With Jess and Ugly Betty give away contest...Eva Soto!!

Here is Eva's winning entry to our question: What have you learned about yourself from watching the TV show Ugly Betty?...

I am a 36 year old first generation Mexican-American. I have fought the same battles Betty Suarez has in her show & I identify so much with her struggles, her hopes & her fears.
In watching Ugly Betty, I have learned that my story is that of so many other women out there & that we need to unite and help the next generations of "Betty's". Watching the show makes me want to do more for the young women, especially the Hispanic young women. I want to let them know that they to CAN have the dream job and the success,that no matter where you come from or what you look like...that dream CAN be yours.

Thanks, Jess, you to are an inspiration to all.

Eva Soto

Congratulations again Eva and thanks for taking the time to enter!

The Well Adjusted Child
The Social Benefits of Homeschooling

-Rachel Gathercole

The freedom to be herself.
The security of knowing he is supported and important.
The confidence to stand up to peer pressure and do what feels right.
The preparation to face the real world, adulthood, and citizenship.
The closeness with parents and siblings that will support and stay with her throughout her life. The skills to resolve conflicts, maintain healthy relationships, and succeed in college and beyond. The genuine independence that only a strong sense of security can foster.

Just a few of the many important social benefits kids have experienced through homeschooling.  Surprised? 

When it comes to homeschooling, “What about socialization?” is the single most controversial, commonly-asked question.

But good news! Parents don’t have to choose between a better education and a better social experience for their kids. Through homeschooling, you can have both— but only if you have the information you need to make an informed choice.  The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling will give you the information you need and tell you how. 

Filled with the voices and real-life experiences of many homeschoolers, The Well Adjusted Child demonstrates, in clear, simple terms, that socialization is an advantage of home schooling.  It offers parents an open-house tour of what homeschooling—especially the widely misimagined homeschooling social life--really entails, along with much-needed insight and analysis into how this life can benefit your kids socially.

It is a complete, readable look at the realities of homeschool socialization and the benefits it has to offer--an enjoyable, informative read that offers the possibility of a more rewarding life for you and your kids.

If you have ever asked:
How can I provide my child with the best education available to him?

How can I maintain a close, healthy relationship with my child as she grows up?

How can I best fortify my child to stand up against peer pressure and be himself?

Can I homeschool and also meet my child’s social needs?

How can homeschooled kids learn to deal with others?

How can a homeschooled child be exposed to diversity?

Are homeschooling parents “stuck at home”?

Don’t kids need to be exposed to bullies?

How can a child become prepared to function in a mass society without mass schooling?

Can we do better for our kids than what we have been doing so far?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling is for you!

Order your copy of this great book at Amazon.com or Mapletreepublishing.com.

For more information on Rachel and her book check out www.rachelgathercole.com.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

- Dr. Leo Buscaglia Ph.D, author of a number of New York Times best selling inspirational books.

Connecting with Jess!

What's on Jess's mind...
Are you curious about what's on Jess's mind lately? Be sure to read Jess's Blog to find out!

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest blogger on Jess's blog, please send your blog entry along with a 2 sentence bio about the writer to info@withjess.com.

** The topics are open - just keep in mind the goal of the site and Jess's work is to promote conversation and action**

Jess is so 21st Century...
Check out Jess's My Space page to read her blog, send her a comment, and connect with other amazing people making a difference in the world!

Jess has some advice for you...
Log on to www.mary-kateandashley.com to read Jess's advice in the "Real Girls, Real Advice" column. Jess has joined forces with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, as the syndicated advice columnist for their web site.

Actionist™ Wear!

Remember to check out our online store! You can express your Actionism with t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers and there is much more to come. Click here to check it out!

Book Jess in 2007!

Book Jess for your upcoming events in 2007 now and receive $500.00 off the total cost of program fees. Send your email to rebecca@withjess.com to find out what dates are still available.

1. Someone who motivates and inspires people to take action in their everyday lives.

2. Someone of any age, race, class, and gender who wants to walk their talk out in the world and lead by example.

3. Someone willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their lives and in the world at large.

Our Featured Actionist™ this month is...

Krista Vance

Who is Krista Vance?

Part girl, part woman, a wife and a rockin’ mom with two sets of twins.  Yes, as in four, altogether, two at a time.  “Oh, my goodness!” is right!  But, make no mistake - it is awesome, definitely awesome!  You might guess, and I can confirm it, that I have been completely consumed by my children these past nine years, because, of course, I completely adore them.  But, I will tell you about my angels in just a moment. 

I became a mother after being graced with my first set of twins, Jack and Jamie.  Everything seemed perfect until Jamie was diagnosed at 18 months old with autism.  This rocked my world!  The doctors suggested that I learn to accept his diagnosis as incurable.  But it wasn’t in my nature to accept limitations, especially when those limitations offered no hope and no alternatives.  My background led me to first question the nature of the problem.  My mother raised all of us with an advanced knowledge of nutrition and its influence on the functioning of the body and mind.  I began with this foundation while pursuing additional resources to research biomedical and alternative treatments.  I believe there is an undeniable connection between the body and the mind and I knew the secret to Jamie’s healing was concealed within this connection.

All those things they tell you about never giving up are true.  I am living proof of it.  I believed that I could help bring Jamie back from autism. My pursuit was relentless, no distance was too far to travel, and no stone was left unturned.  I exhausted myself, sacrificed my health and taxed my marriage as I drove on in search of the answer.   And through a bit of trial and error, I orchestrated the different treatments, supplements, and nutrition that freed Jamie from his illness.

Yeah, you read that right.  I completely recovered my son from autism…what an incredible ride it was.  And I’m not done yet.  In fact, I’m just getting started!  I am the creator of healingautism.com a website that shares Jamie’s story.  I am also in the process of writing the book version of Jamie’s recovery.  I felt compelled to tell about Jamie because an incredible woman who recovered her son from autism twenty years earlier originally inspired me.  I believed that if I could help even one person, my story would be worth telling.
           
In addition, our organization, Healing Autism, is in the process of establishing a foundation to fund protocols of biomedical and alternative medicine for families of autistic children who need financial support.  Through my website healingautism.com, I also continue discussions with other parents of autistic children, detailing Jamie’s healing, directing them to the appropriate doctors, and nurturing their “second wind”. I support Autism Research Institute and the DAN protocol.  My articles have been published in Organic Family Magazine, Alternative Medicine Magazine, and The Well-Being Journal.  All this, and I still have time for tennis and shopping. 

Yes, I’ve had more drama than I ever could have hoped for.  And, I might have been a little crazy but I still wanted another child.  In fact, make that a double.  Another set of angels!  Gabriella and Sofia touched my life three years ago, right when I thought life couldn’t get any better.
Recently, I have invested my time in ongoing research for stem cell therapies as my next adventure leads me to recovering Gabriella from cerebral palsy. 

Every morning I wake up and acknowledge that I get a choice about how I will feel today.  And everyday, I am filled with love and gratitude for my children and my husband.  I can’t help but giggle and laugh out loud, realizing just how lucky I am.

To learn more about Krista and her incredible work please go to www.healingautism.com

Wanna be empowered with great ways to take action in your everyday life?

Ways to Take Action

1. If you’re at a loss for new words that make you feel positive, try writing down a wish list of traits you admire in others. 

2. This one’s simple but true:  Remember that everyday actions and relationships cause a ripple effect out in the world, so practice being kind, and ask someone else to pass it on

3. Assess your own belief system.  Discover if you’re taking on others’ viewpoints or giving yourself an opportunity to craft you won.  Try writing down an opinion inventory, which can be broad and basic, silly or deep:  what are your thoughts on friendship, political issues, or even doing the laundry?  You may be amazed to discover that you have different opinions than your parents or friends do.

Small steps of action can make a great change!

Also, be sure to check out the Ways to Take Action section of our web site.