‘Tis the Season Silent Auction

Our annual fundraiser is a bit late this year due to… everything. It has morphed from our usual in person extravaganza to an online silent auction. And although we can’t be together, we are thrilled to share the details of the event:

WHO:  Recess + Community

WHAT: Tis the Season Silent auction.  We’re raising money to sustain Recess Collective, a nonprofit space designed to support families with young children.  

WHEN:  We will be holding the silent auction 12/15 - 12/20. 

WHY:  

• We’re all at home, art provides inspiration

• Art is a great gift for friends and family you won’t be seeing this year due to the pandemic

• Art and creativity are essential to staying healthy and sane

HOW:  Once the auction begins, Log into  32auctions.com/recesscollective.  Bid. Bidding will start on Dec 15.  AND will end at 7pm on 12/20.  

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The days, weeks and months of closure are beginning to bring uncertainty around how / when we can gather again. And how safe gathering, play, and community will look going forward.

We have an idea for a mobile concept. A Recess on wheels. But to make it a reality, we need your help.

Mark your calendar! Our Silent Auction will be Dec 15- Dec 20. You’ll find some incredible items to bid on. Items that will make great gifts and some that are too good to not buy for yourself.

We are so grateful to all of those who have donated items. And we can’t wait to launch this event!

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Estate Planning for New Parents

Taking care of our children is one of the most satisfying and rewarding things we will ever do, and it is hard to imagine a world where they are growing up without us, or where our spouse is suddenly a single parent with insufficient resources.

You might be surprised to learn that you already have an estate plan – the California default estate plan. Your minor children will be placed where it is “necessary and convenient” until a formal guardianship proceeding is held. Your assets will be liquidated through probate and held in trust for your minor children, who will receive cash when they are 18 years old.  If you are suddenly unable to care for yourself or take care of your own financial affairs, your family, including your spouse, may have to go to court to get permission to make financial and health care decisions for you.

With a personalized estate plan that includes a revocable or “living” trust, you decide when your children receive their inheritance.  You can protect them from receiving money when it might do more harm than good (divorce, litigation, addiction). A trust can also keep your family out of probate court – where everything (your assets, your debts, your heirs) is made public and the process is time consuming and expensive.

With a personalized guardianship nomination designation, you can provide a vision for your children’s future by providing the guardians with instructions on where you would like your children to live, what type of education is important to you, and who you want to have in, and out, of your children’s lives. You can even specify a spiritual advisor or ask the guardians to take your children to see the Giants play at least once a year.

You don't need to be "ready" to do an estate plan. You don't need to have your ducks in a row or your finances in order. You don't even need "an estate".

You only need to be willing to face the task head on and start. I can help you figure out the rest.  I hope you will attend my workshop at Recess.

I provide highly personalized estate planning services to families with young children. In addition to my workshop on estate planning fundamentals and guardianship nomination for families, I will have information on low cost estate planning options, tips on choosing the right estate planning attorney for your family, and I will bring my notary materials in case anyone would like to have statutory durable powers of attorney or advance health care directives notarized. Email me if you would like the forms – patricia@defontelaw.com

More information at: www.defontelaw.com

On the verge?

Pandemic parenting is no joke. But let’s be honest…parenting anytime can be trying.

Are your kids constantly pushing your buttons? Looking for answers before you completely lose your mind?

We are thrilled to bring you this workshop led by a Neuroscientist and an infant mental health expert, from Fly Little Dragon. Here, you can learn concrete tools & simple steps to take in everyday life that will make parenting easier.

Do you want to:
Stop yelling?
Create clear limits AND follow through with them?
Stop feeling frustrated by your children?

Are your children:
Not listening to you?
Not helping out?
Acting out?
Pushing your buttons?

Join us if you could use some practical tools for easier parenting, based on neuroscience…

& use code RECESS to save 20%.  

https://flylittledragon.com/video-positive-parenting-and-neuroscience/  
***USE CODE RECESS to SAVE 20%***

Offline Activities and Learning for Young Children

Supporting your child's development through uncertainties

This year has been heavy. First, the coronavirus outbreak changed many things about our daily lives. And, then, as a society, we are waking up to the fact that our system is broken when it comes to the health, safety and well-being of Black, Brown, and Native people.

Through these uncertain times, our young children are still learning, growing, and developing every day. You can support your child’s healthy development by setting aside few minutes to learn some simple, free activities that can make a difference (and they may even help relieve your stress!).

Read more

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Helpful Resources for supporting development during this time

Books! Check out our online portal at bookshop.org.

• Also, hop over to 4 Booklists for Kids and Communities That Embrace Race

  1. ​Books that inspire resilience in kids of color​​

  2. Books that encourage kids of all colors to be inclusive and empathetic 

  3. Books that support kids to think critically about racial inequity

  4. Books that animate kids (and their adults!) to be racial justice advocates for all kids

Printables are a great way to keep your children engaged without a screen involved.

• A selection of crafts & coloring Sheets with diverse characters

• Lets Grow Kids activity Packet

Screen free fun from the museum of Oakland

Art Ideas. Art Bar has an amazing Kids in Quarantine series with week by week activities. Check out the creative series and pick and choose projects that work for your child (and you!).

Talk with family and friends via video chat or phone. This is a great way to connect children with other adults (and give you a short break!). Grandparents

If talking live isn’t an option, write emails or old-fashioned letters to friends and family. Encourage children to ask questions of their grandparents and other adults.

Make encouraging posters and signs and put them in your windows to support your neighbors. This can also be a fun craft project to do with children!

Go outside and say hello to neighbors, friends, people passing by. Just make sure to keep at least 6 feet away from anyone who doesn’t live with you.

• Article: Coronavirus (COVID-19): physical distancing and family wellbeing (Raising Children Network)

• Article: Keeping Classroom Connections Alive (Harvard Graduate School of Education)

• Article: Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Child Trends)