Becoming Confident

Some people are born shy, very shy. But others are born fearless and full of confidence. Good friends support you when you need it, and that can always make you more confident. But sometimes if there is no friend around to help. When those hard and lonely times come, tell your self all of these things:

• Your an amazing person! Don't let an audience or a bully make you think otherwise!
• You can do anything if you try your hardest!
• Even if you don't win or get a standing ovation, the best thing is that you tried your hardest and that's the most you can ask for!
• You have family and friends who, even if they aren't here right now, support you with all their heart!

So shut out that voice who is telling you you can't do or it you'll make a fool of yourself and refresh your brain with positive thoughts that will make you and your peers happy and confident! Winning or losing isn't your game, your confidence and happiness is!

Fightin' Friends:(

What do you do when you get into a fight with your BFF? Well today I am going to give you some tips on how to handle a fight, how to avoid a fight, and how to end a fight!

• Don't give your friend the silent treatment- Without communication, how will you ever solve the problem?
• LISTEN! This is probably the most important. Don't say what you want to say and ignore your friend because maybe you are wrong.
• Try to compromise- If you want to go to the park but your friend would rather go to a movie, suggest if you could maybe go to a movie in the park!
• Don't ask other people to take sides in the argument. It's best just to keep it between the one you are fighting with

And guys, remember BFF's can't stay angry forever, right? When you make up, you'll think that the fight you had was the silliest thing ever! But sometimes, even the silliest thing can be made into a really big deal if you don't handle it right!
Have a good day!:):)

New Faces and Old

Making new friends can be challenging and keeping old friends is even harder. Sometimes you'll get into fights over silly or serious things that can break up your friendship forever. When you and your friend are in a fight I suggest that you talk to your friend instead of the silent treatment. You don't even know why she's upset do you? And does she know why you are? NOPE!!! You have to talk it out together and try to understand him/her. Next time your best friend from since preschool gets into a fight with you remember what you have read.

And now you all may want to know hats a good strategy for meeting new people and getting to know them and maybe even become their friend is. The best place to go and make new friends is a new activity. Take a cooking class, sign up for a sports team, audition for a play, or join an art club. Do something you will enjoy because most likely the people around will like some of the same things you do. Once you're in a friendly and comfortable environment, look for someone who is alone, because you will be less nervous and they are likely to also need a friend. After you find someone you want to talk to, the rest is simple: Say "Hello my name is....." and THAT'S how it all starts. Just keep the conversations going and try to meet up with him/her other places. Soon you've got a friendship you both will treasure!

Happy Friendships,

KATE CHALLENGE: Start a new activity, or one where there is new people to meet, and make a new friend. Or you can also call an old friend of yours that you don't get to talk to often. Try to remember all the good times you had together and how much you missed talking to her!

Party TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do I throw a party most everyone will enjoy? The answers are here! Throwing a party can be so much fun, but also a lot of work. You are responsible for what goes on during the party, and make sure it gets cleaned up. The best way to throw a party is to include everyone, make it safe, and make sure you have time for everyone invited. Here are some tips:

• Invite people you trust. Don't invite people you think will cause trouble.






• Have a theme. If you stick to it, most likely things wont get to off topic






• Include everyone. Don't leave anyone out of the fun






• Make sure your guest will enjoy the party. Consider their personalities and opinions, make sure they wont be offended or bored

Stick to these simple tips and you'll all enjoy the party! Make sure that there are also refreshments so the guests don't get thirsty or hungry.

Happy PARTYING!

KATE CHALLENGE: Throw a party or a sleepover with a few of your friends. Follow the tips, and at the end of the party, review the guests. If most of them liked it, you get this challenge!!!! Good luck to ALL!!!!!!!!!!

Been awhile... Here's some advice for you!:)

It has been along while, hope you all enjoyed the Christmas vacation! I received this comment from strings of fun:

Dear Kate,
I am still having problems with my mom and sister what do I do? They blocked me from face book and i can't even go to basketball or mutual. Every time i do something that is not Right I get yelled at by my mom. I just wish that she could see how truely sorry i am and that she could also see that i am giving this UTVA program 110% not then is it to much to ask for? Please, Please Help me. I don't know what to do and i am stressed out because of finals and i just feel like giving up right now. What do you think that i should do? Need help right away

I understand what you are going through completely. A lot of stress and your family is some how against you. The best thing to do is instead of keeping these problems inside of you is to tell your family. Tell your mom how you are feeling, that your upset she is seems angry with you when you try your best. They'll understand if you just talk to them at a nice quiet time, try not to yell at each other. I sometimes have these things with my mom too, I know its hard. Just go and talk to your mom and tell her what you are thinking and feeling. She'll understand:)

Thanksgiving Contest!

Well, here is this month's contest! Here is our prompt:

Esther is having her first thanksgiving with her husband! She is having a big feast with her husband, her family, and her husband's family. Esther is not sure what she should serve and what she should put on the table. Create a thanksgiving dinner that you believe would be lovely! Explain with details!

So, write what you think it should look like. Obviously a turkey, maybe marigolds and salt and pepper shakers for decorations, you decide! Have fun with it, and use your imagination!

Parents will be Parents

Hey Kate,


What do you do about protecting privacy from a parent? Why do I get yelled at by my mom when i fail a quiz or a test? Please tell me what to do about it and how i can do better.Lilly





Lilly, Your mom is just trying to make sure that you end up with a good future! She wants to see if you are doing okay! Parents need to make sure that you are doing okay in school, and your social life. And there should be nothing that you should be embarrassed about to have your mom know. She's your MOM! If you ever need help or have a problem, tell her. If you don't, she will see you are having a hard time, so she will want to see whats going on. She is not trying to be nosy she just wants you happy and have a good future!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Freedom of Speech

Afraid to speak? Scared to let your words be heard? Don't worry about what is going to happen, just let what you have to say be heard. No matter what situation. If there is some one making you or a friend feel bad or a teacher being unfair to you and your grades, tell them you don't like the way you are being treated. If you are still not confident enough, tell a trusted parent. You are a human, and you deserve the same respect as any one else. Next time you get an unfair grade, or some one pushes you down, TELL SOME ONE! If they are your trusting adult, they will help you overcome it! They'll be with you to the end.

Two BFF's?

When you switch schools or move or get moved into a new class the first thing you'll do is look for a friend. Yeah, you already have a great best friend but you never see her and now you spend time with your new BFF. You think that you can only have one friend, which one will you choose?
Well, your all wrong! You can have as many best friends as you want! If they don't like that then they aren't your real friends! You can make new friends and still be friends with your old ones! And you know what is also okay? Your best friend having other friends! Shes a person to, and you have more than one friend!

Keep those friends,

Grrr.............mean teachers!!

Sometimes in life we meet people who we just don't like or they just don't like you. It's especially hard when it's a teacher. The thing is you can't yell at them or ignore them or not talk to them. So try your best and not do anything to make them yell at you. Try and write them a card or make cookies for them(say good bye to the best cookie person ever here). If that doesn't work, just tell a parent and may be they can talk to your teacher. Otherwise, try and stand it for awhile. May they just stop.

Friend bully!

Do you have a friend bully? Well, a friend bully is a friend of yours who is a bully to others, and sometimes, even you. Friend bully's can bully you into bullying people too. Friend bully's can be a big problem. You may really like your friend, even if they bully you, but you probably hate bullying. So your torn between the two. You think if you stand up to your friend they might bully you, so you go on his or her side. This can make a bully stronger. You have to stand up for whats right. So if you have a bully friend, next time they try and harm you or someone else, stand up to them. Each person who stands up deletes one bully group!

True friends?

You probably have many friends. But are they all your friends true? There may be some girl that is so ''popular'' or whatever that you think is your friend. But she is not one of your true friend. She is always surrounded by others and your not really involved. It's okay to be nice to her and have her as a friend, but stick to the people closer to you. This girl could be trouble if you tell her any thing personal. Try and stay close to the ones you really trust. True friends are comforting, and to have a lot of them is great!

A sad thing grows

A divorce is a very sad thing that can hurt your heart as much as your parents. But the divorce is no ones fault! Not you or your siblings, its just when your parents don't want to be together any more. These things have many reasons, maybe one is receiving abuse, or they argue at the slightest thing and get angry with each other. But don't worry, there are other kids suffering this and you don't have to be depressed! I know that the people you love the most are separating, but they don't have to separate from you! So don't be so sad, surround your life with good friends and have fun! Remember, your not the only one!

SIBLINGS!!!!!!!!!!

Siblings. Just saying it makes me want to shout! They may get on your nerves, and they get at a point were you would like to do whatever you threaten to do. STAY CALM! Don't start yelling at them or hitting them. That will make them cry, and that will have them remembering what you did for a VERY long time and you'll feel very guilty. So just try and ignore them. If that is to hard just STOP! then think ''should i stay here and get into a fight or should i go read a good book?'' you'll probably answer read a book or watch TV or what ever. If THAT doesn't work, go and talk to the one that is getting on your nerves an d tell them that you would rather play with them than fight. Most likely that sibling is going to stop and just be your friend!