Take a look at our July newsletter!
A Fourth of July Musical for All
HOW MY SON RAMI BECAME OBSESSED WITH ‘HAMILTON’
July 2021
Last year, one of the highlights of my summer was the day that Disney released “Hamilton” on Disney+. For a long time, I was determined to see the play in person, but when the whole world shut down due to COVID-19, I thought, “Well, why not spoil it for myself?” I was watching it on TV when I noticed that my then-7-year-old son, Rami, had snuck into the room behind me. At first, I was uncomfortable with the idea of him watching. As you probably know, “Hamilton” tells the story of the Founding Fathers through rap and hip-hop. I worried the content might not be appropriate for Rami. The characters rap about infidelity, use curse words, and even mention sex. But then I realized I could use this as a teaching moment. Instead of sending Rami away, I invited him to watch with me. I explained the history to him and made sure he focused on the bigger lessons the play taught about independence, fighting for your rights, and having high standards for your life. The underlying message of “Hamilton’’ is that you can always do more and be more, and that really resonated with Rami. “Hamilton” became his thing. Ever since, he’s been obsessed with the American Revolution and the stories of Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and
George Washington! We went down the rabbit hole together, watching historical documentaries about the Revolutionary War (PBS has a great series called “The American Experience”), reading books about the Founding Fathers, and even exploring a Scholastic encyclopedia for kids about the American Revolution. It has been really fun to see Rami discover himself through “Hamilton” and the character of Hamilton specifically. He sleeps with a Hamilton pillow and considers the Founding Father a role model. Hamilton was a relentlessly hard worker and went after the things he wanted with his entire heart. When Rami is feeling fed up with his schoolwork and says, “I give up!” all I have to do is ask, “Do you think Hamilton would have quit that quickly?” and he’ll put his nose back to the grindstone. My daughter Hanna doesn’t “get” “Hamilton” the same way Rami does, but she loves the music. When I explained the plot to her, she got really excited about the idea of the U.S. breaking away from Great Britain and decided King George was a funny, crazy man. Today, our whole family listens to the “Hamilton” soundtrack on long car rides and sings along with every word. Looking back, I’m glad I agreed to let Rami watch “Hamilton” with me. If you have young kids and were worried about the play being inappropriate, I’d suggest giving it a try with them this Fourth of July. As long as you talk them through it and help them focus on the history, you’ll be able to share the lessons of our Founding Fathers in a safe, fun way that might inspire them.
AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com 678-203-9893
“When Rami is feeling fed up with his schoolwork and says, ‘I give up!’ all I have to do is ask, ‘Do you think Hamilton would have quit that quickly?’ and he’ll put his nose back to the grindstone.”
–Sara Khaki 678-203-9893
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Don’t Miss These Valuable Events! JOIN US FOR DIVORCE SUPPORT OR TO LEARN ABOUT ADOPTING AS AN LGBTQ+ COUPLE
Kathleen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Couples Therapist, Certified Discernment Counselor, Collaborative Divorce Coach, Child Specialist and Registered Divorce Mediator, and the founder and CEO of Family Solutions Counseling, LLC. She can help you navigate anger, bitterness, sadness, and grief to find your happily ever after. Visit the website above to sign up and join us from the comfort of your home! LGBTQ+ ADOPTION (COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR) When: Tuesday, July 27, at 7 p.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/ Our-Seminars/ Adopting a child is a challenge for every couple and individual, but those in the LGBTQ+ community face special hurdles. Just last month, for example, the U.S.
Supreme Court ruled that a Catholic agency in Philadelphia
Our complimentary divorce support groups and seminars are available online! Register for these upcoming events to gain knowledge, resources, and emotional support that will help you feel empowered while you go through major life changes. HAPPILY EVER AFTER DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING (VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP) When: Thursday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/Happily- Ever-After-Divorce-Support-Group/ So, you’re getting divorced — now what? If answering that question feels impossible and overwhelming, you might benefit from our Happily Ever After Divorce Support Group. At these monthly virtual meetings, therapist Kathleen Shack helps people going through divorce and custody battles let go of the questions that keep them up at night and move forward.
could bar same- sex couples from becoming foster parents. That said, it is possible to adopt
as a member of the queer community and find your happily ever after with your family. In this month’s complimentary webinar, ADLG Managing Partner Shawna Woods will walk you through the process and help you increase your odds of a “yes.” To learn more about the webinar, head to the link above. Here at ADLG, we’re not letting COVID-19 slow us down. Sign up for these virtual events to get the information and support you need without leaving home.
Are the Cartoons Your Kids Watch Actually Made for Kids?
With the many streaming platforms out there, kids have access to a more diverse array of content than ever before. That being said, parents need to be extra vigilant about which shows and videos are captivating their children’s attention, particularly when it comes to cartoons. Cartoons on their own aren’t bad for kids. In fact, enjoying them in moderation can have myriad benefits for a child’s development. They can bring laughter and relieve stress, engage a child’s imagination, help them develop their language skills, and teach them about topics ranging from mathematics to social skills. The best cartoons can be bright, colorful, funny stories that help children learn and grow. That said, though, not all cartoons are for kids, nor do they teach good lessons. Many cartoon characters encourage violence and speaking rudely to teachers and other authority figures. Additionally, with adult animation becoming more popular in recent years, many of the cartoons available on TV, streaming services, and YouTube are explicitly not for children.
So, how can parents make sure the cartoons their kids are watching are safe, wholesome, and educational?
In recent years, as YouTube has continued to amass countless hours of video content — much of it geared toward children — they’ve developed YouTube Kids, their streaming site for children under the age of 13. This site isn’t airtight, however, and disturbing content can sometimes slip through the cracks. Parents might also find value in sticking to certain channels or streaming services, such as PBS Kids, Nick Jr., or Disney+. There are also organizations like the Parents and Television Media Council, whose website, ParentsTV.org, can help parents determine which cartoons are okay for their kids to watch. Ultimately, the best way to ensure cartoons are safe is to watch with your kids. After all, this turns a solitary activity into one where parents can learn, laugh, and bond with their children.
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Grow Your Own Sprouts! Want to Save Money and Improve Your Diet?
You’ve probably crunched down on a mouthful of bean sprouts in a sandwich or stir-fry, but those delicate white stalks are just one part of the massive, super- healthy sprout family. Almost any seed, bean, nut, or grain can be sprouted, including black beans, broccoli, sunflower seeds, and quinoa! Sprouts offer tons of health benefits, including essential vitamins and minerals, digestion-easing fiber, and age-fighting antioxidants. Sprouts will level up your diet, but they can be expensive and come in non- recyclable plastic containers. To get the benefits without the hit to the wallet or the planet, grow your own with this handy five-step guide. 1. Decide how many types of sprouts you’d like to grow. Then buy your seeds at a local garden center or online at TrueLeafMarket.com or SproutPeople.org. 2. Purchase a seed-sprouting jar kit OR a corresponding number of quart- sized glass canning jars, wide-mouthed canning rings, and stainless-steel sprouting screens (these will replace the metal jar lids). If you have jars and rings at home, use those and save another buck.
3. Add 3 tablespoons of sprouting seeds and 2 cups of water to the bottom of each clean jar. Screw on the lids and sprouting screens, then swirl the seeds, pour out the water, and replace it with another 2–4 cups of water. Leave the jars on the counter to soak overnight. (These measurements may vary from seed to seed. Check your seed packaging or ask your local gardening store for guidance.) 4. In the morning, dump out the water and repeat Step 3. Then, place each jar upside down or at an angle (in a bowl or on a stand) and leave it there to fully drain. Toss your sprouts and start over if they start to smell rancid or turn brown.
5. Repeat Step 4 several times a day for 3–5 days, until your seeds sprout. Then, dry the sprouts and store them in the fridge.
When it’s time to eat your homegrown sprouts, be careful! Seeds can be contaminated with bacteria, so The Cleveland Clinic recommends boiling, roasting, or steaming your sprouts, just in case. To learn more about growing your own sprouts, pick up “The Sprout Book,” “The Sprouting Book,” or “Homegrown Sprouts” at your local library.
Concierge Partner’s Corner
What Our Clients Are Saying!
Adoption Advice & Guidance
Adopting a child is one of the most generous and exciting choices you can make, but the process is far from simple. According to the National Adoption Foundation, welcoming a child into your family can take anywhere from six months to seven years! If you’re considering adopting and feel overwhelmed by the time, costs, and paperwork, you may want to enlist the help of Adoption Advice & Guidance . AAG is a nonprofit consulting service that matches adopters with children in need in record time.
“I can’t say enough about the professionalism, responsiveness, and support I received from this firm. My experience from start to finish was outstanding. I always felt comfortable knowing Jeanette, Trish, or another member of their team were there to speak with me if needed and always were quick to reply to emails. This firm kept its commitment to see the process to the end without any hidden fees. You truly are a class act, and for the first time in a very long time, I believe there is a Happily Ever After! “Thank you again, and please feel free to share my comments with any prospective clients — I highly
“Although we are not an adoption agency, working with AAG gives you advantages over others trying to adopt,” the organization writes. “Our clients are offered more opportunities to adopt, usually within a short time period of only 3–12 months.” AAG is run by an adopted child, and their team has helped parents achieve their dreams of adoption for more than 20 years. To book a free mini-consultation, visit AdoptionAdviceAndGuidance.com or call 404-680-7212 .
recommend this firm. “Make it a Great Day!” – Mark M.
P.S. If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community and interested in adopting, we have a webinar coming up just for you! Read more about that on Page 2.
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When thinking about extreme and deadly weather, most people conjure up images of massive tornadoes in the Midwest or hurricanes and flooding in the Southeast. But you might be surprised to learn that the deadliest extreme weather event is excessive heat. In fact, according to a study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), heat causes more deaths each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined . Since 2020 was the second warmest year on record and all the other years in the top 10 have occurred since 2005, it’s time to wise up about heat-related illnesses. HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND RISK FACTORS According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat- related illnesses are caused by “exposure to extreme heat where the body becomes unable to properly cool, resulting in a rapid rise in body temperature.” There are several kinds of heat-related illnesses. The least severe are heat rashes, sunburn, and heat cramps, and the most serious are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While anyone can experience these illnesses if they overexert themselves in hot weather, some groups are more at risk than others, including: • Children under the age of 4 and adults over the age of 65 • People with preexisting medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease • People who are overweight • People taking certain kinds of medication • Individuals who are intoxicated or drink excessively EDUCATE YOURSELF ON HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES STAY COOL THIS SUMMER
SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke have many of the same symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and passing out. But other symptoms help differentiate the two. Heat stroke victims will have hot, red skin that may be dry or damp, and they’ll likely have a fast, strong pulse. By contrast, victims of heat exhaustion will have cold, pale, and clammy skin and a fast but weak pulse. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring professional medical attention immediately. You should also seek medical help for anyone exhibiting the above symptoms who is also throwing up or whose symptoms are getting worse or last longer than one hour. For a complete list of symptoms and treatment for all heat-related illnesses, visit CDC.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html . Stay cool this summer and prevent heat-related illnesses by seeking shade or staying indoors on hot days, avoiding exerting yourself in the heat, and drinking plenty of water!
The Secret to Boosting Your Self-Confidence SARA’S TOP TIP FOR FEELING GOOD
According to the New York Post, a survey of 2,000 people found that a whopping 59% of us have problems with self-confidence. All kinds of things can lead to insecurity, like body image issues, going through a divorce, or spending too much time comparing ourselves to others on social media. It can be tempting to try cosmetic fixes for self-confidence, but in our experience, feeling good in your skin starts from the inside out.
can count on myself,” Sara says. “That’s where confidence comes from. It’s the idea that ‘I can count on me,’ whether I’m counting on myself to wake up on time, eat healthy, go for a walk, or stand up for myself if someone says something hurtful. Every time you make a commitment and take action on it, you strengthen that muscle, your confidence, and your sense of self.”
Most of us have to learn this practice as adults, because as kids, we were taught to look for affirmation and validation from others. It started with our parents telling us we were special and then moving on to our partners and spouses calling us beautiful or handsome. This external validation is what makes self- confidence all about appearance. But you can change the narrative!
“No one is born self-confident,” says ADLG founder Sara Khaki. “I think self-confidence is a muscle like any other muscle in your
body. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. And you exercise it by taking action.”
Sara defines self-confidence as a sense of security and comfort with yourself, and to achieve it, you have to start by living up to your own expectations. That means if you promise yourself something, you can build your confidence by following through with it!
This summer, if you need a self- confidence boost, try Sara’s strategy of building trust with yourself like a muscle. Commit to wearing that swimsuit, going to the gym, or setting a boundary with your ex. Then, follow through. You may be surprised just how
“If I say I’m going to wake up at 6 a.m. and I actually wake up at 6 a.m., that reconfirms in my mind that I
strong your self-love grows!
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