I couldn’t have better news to share: Say Yes to No conversations continue to spread throughout the state. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening:

• The Moorhead School District is launching a community-wide book read next week. They are spreading the word using all available media, including television. The community got so involved in Moorhead that neighboring Fargo, ND is joining in the conversation.
• The Eden Prairie School District is sponsoring a Say Yes to No kickoff next Tuesday, Feb. 19th, 7pm, at Pax Christi with a follow up parent discussion night on April 10 at Oak Point Intermediate School. 
• Parent Say Yes to No conversations are continuing in Shakopee at Shakopee Junior High School, Tues. Feb. 19th at 7pm, with Shakopee Junior High School Principal Chris Lindholm, This event is open to all parents and community members.

These conversations are powerful and they are so important. One mom stood up at a recent Say Yes to No event and said that the biggest impact for her was to see that she was not alone. She said that she tries to say “no” with her kids, but she always feels she is the only one. As she looked around the room filled with 700 people, she said “I can see now that I’m not alone.”

Our kids need us to reach out and begin these conversations with each other. Kids need parents to parent and that’s too hard a job to do alone.