Saber Hacer

Our Blog

By Michele Ruiz, President, Saber Hacer
11-25-2008 21:50:41
Filed under: Loretta Sanchez

Comments (0)

Write Things Down

The Saber Hacer blog gives me an opportunity to write down and share a few of the wonderful insights that I gain by speaking to so many experts on so many subjects. Writing things down is just one of the tips for success that Loretta Sanchez shares with Saber Hacer visitors on our Secrets of Success channel.

Now, she and her sister Linda, the first two sisters to ever serve in Congress together, have written down their favorite stories of their successful journeys in a new book “Dream in Color: How the Sanchez Sisters Are Making History in Congress." Regardless of your party affiliation, you’ll find wisdom and warmth in the personal and professional stories shared by the Sanchez sisters. Theirs is not a Republican or a Democratic story. It’s a very American story, which like many American stories, is told from the proud perspective of children raised by Spanish speaking immigrant parents.

Linda and Loretta are just two of six Sanchez brothers and sisters. Loretta tells us that both her father and her mother had high expectations for their boys and their girls. All six of the Sanchez children went to college. Their parents gave them a solid foundation from which to forge their own paths and accomplish their own goals. You won’t want to miss hearing from Loretta herself as she shares the secrets of her success on the Saber Hacer Secrets of Success Channel. Here’s a sneak preview of what you will learn:

Make education a top priority
Visualize what you want in life. Don’t just say it. See it.
Write things down. Studies of successful people concur that those who write down their plans and goals are much more likely to see those dreams become reality.
It’s OK to ask for help. I’ve blogged about that before and I couldn’t agree more.
Work hard. Achievement comes to those who put in the effort.
Persistence pays off. As Loretta says “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again” isn’t just a clever quote. It’s an important lesson to learn.

Loretta’s learnings have led to her success. Latinas and non-Latinas alike look up to her and her sister Linda as role models. Like many accomplished individuals, the Sanchez sisters say they have their parents to thank.

Is there a lesson your parents taught you about leadership that you can share with the Saber Hacer community? How about a lesson that you learned later in life as a result of your persistence, hard work and experience? Do you have a friend or family member who you look up to? Let them know Saber Hacer is interested in finding out more about their vision and philosophies for success. You don’t have to be a Congresswoman, a CEO or a Celebrity to be a role model for others. All you have to do is make a contribution of know-how. Take a minute and write down your words of wisdom and inspiration. Be sure to share them with others. It’s easy. You can start right here at Saber Hacer.

By Michele Ruiz, President, Saber Hacer
08-28-2008 23:22:59
Filed under: parenting advice experts how-to latinos hispanic education howto child-rearing

Comments (0)

Just Tell Me What to Say

Imagine if you had a script with all the right words to discuss sensitive or tough subjects with your kids? Sound good? Especially when the topic is sex! That’s why on the Resources page of Saber Hacer (in the Parenting section) you’ll find a link to Betsy Brown Braun’s book Just Tell Me What To Say. This book, full of tips and scripts, helps parents explain the world to growing children. I know Betsy and her wealth of expertise over the years has been a great help to me in my own role as a mom. And I like sharing with you useful resources because that’s part of helping each other out – especially when it helps with difficult situations.

My friends and I have shared some very amusing stories about the questions our children have asked. Particularly about sex. But honestly, we all know it’s no laughing matter. Our parenting experts emphasize that from tots through teens, the better informed your child is about issues like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, the greater their ability to make solid decisions and avoid mishaps. Of course, the information should always be provided in an “age appropriate” manner. A first grader is not ready to have the same conversation as a seventh grader. Nor is it necessary. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t provide the first-grader with some age-appropriate information to help them grasp very basic subjects – because one thing is for sure – they’re going to ask! Easy to understand information delivered early will prepare them to build on those subjects as they grow older.

In the Latino community, teenage pregnancy has reached epic proportions. Studies state that Latinas are twice as likely to be pregnant before the age of 20 when compared to the national average. Latinas also have the highest teen pregnancy and birth rate when compared to all other ethnic groups in the country. In part, this is due to the cultural beliefs that suggest the subject of sex is “taboo.” Parents often believe that speaking to a child about sex will awaken their interest in sex, but experts want parents to understand that the opposite is true. The information they hear from their parents can help them think things through more clearly. It can serve to protect them from getting wrong or poor information from friends who may not share your values. And if you think they’re just rolling their eyes and not listening - Think again. Kids who don’t ask are still interested. Experts have found that their body language may say they’re ignoring you but they are like sponges - their listening skills are usually engaged and kids really will absorb and reflect upon what their parents say.

The Parenting Channel on www.SaberHacer.com is chock full of valuable guidance from experts who work with families and with individuals of all ages. There is undoubtedly a tip or some piece of expert guidance that can play a valuable role when a tough talk moment might get you tongue-tied. Or, perhaps it’s a friend or relative who might benefit from our English or Spanish language content. It’s easy to share Saber Hacer with friends and relatives. Just send them to www.SaberHacer.com.

Saber Hacer is so grateful to the wonderfully caring experts who share their wisdom on videos like Signs Your Child is Depressed or How To Talk to Adolescents About Sex, as well as another challenging topic When Children Refuse to Go To School. We hope you’ll take advantage of the unique opportunity to have these experts in your very own home, via Saber Hacer, day or night in English or in Spanish. I have no doubt, the next time your little one starts a sentence with “Mommy, why do…?” or “Dad, how do…?” you’ll feel prepared.

Michele Ruiz

P.S. Do you have a story about discussing difficult topics with your kids? Go ahead and comment to this blog - Share your stories, tips and resources right here – consider this your blog and let’s keep helping each other out.

By Michele Ruiz, President, Saber Hacer
08-06-2008 18:08:59
Filed under: parenting children reading

Comments (0)

Have You Read to Your Child Today?

One of the things that I hear most often from parents across the country is that they are juggling so many things they simply don’t have time to read to their kids. Sitting a child in front of a video or a TV set has taken the place of opening up a book and spending some quality time together. Even the bedtime story has become harder and harder to fit into hectic schedules.

Sound familiar? I’ll admit that my interviews with experts for our Saber Hacer Parenting Channel really made me think. After all, I wouldn’t let my kids go to bed without brushing their teeth, but as I got busier and busier, I was letting entire days go by without reading to them. When it comes to healthy development, reading to kids is one of the most important things a parent can do. We are shaping their minds, developing their thinking skills, and helping prepare them for academic success. All that, just by taking time out to spend together and share some stories!

Did you know that…

Reading to a child in Spanish is just as effective as reading to a child in English.
Books aren’t the only way to have a valuable parent-child reading experience. You and your child can read magazines, newspapers, religious materials, letters, and even comic books. According to experts, comic books are particularly good as they are often written very well and at fourth or fifth grade reading levels.
Even parents that don’t have strong reading skills can help their kids through storytelling. Tell your child a story. Studies have shown that the more words a child hears the better they tend to do in school.

Saber Hacer expert Magaly LaVanDenz PHD, Bilingual Education of Loyola Marymount University, in our segment “How to help your child read” encourages parents to think about keeping books and other reading materials around the house. “The number of books and reading materials in a home directly correlates to academic achievement and better grades,” she shares.

At local libraries and even at book stores, you can spend hours with all sorts of books without spending any money at all. Find stories and subjects that your child enjoys and make the whole experience fun. There are even free community storytelling events that might be an option in your neighborhood. So nothing should hold you and your child back. Not time. Not money. Not your own likes or dislikes about reading. Just 20 minutes a day can make a world of difference.

I remember my son begging me to read the Harry Potter books to him when he was just in Kindergarten. Of course he was too young to read these books on his own so I would read them aloud. As I read, I could see how much he loved the imagery the words conveyed. Our time spent reading Harry Potter together resulted in some very special moments. Now my son is 12 and, from time to time, he will still ask me to read with him in the evenings. Our reading time together, which began when he was a baby with books like Pollita Chiquita, is now more about connecting and spending special time together. As a soon-to-be 7th grader, he’s reading books like “The Outsiders” which is a classic story about a teenage boy’s struggles. Reading it together serves as a launching point for us to talk about what’s going on in his life as an adolescent.

Reading to your children has many benefits. Some measurable, some priceless. I hope Saber Hacer can inspire you or a parent you know to make reading a priority at home. Feel free to send me your reading tips and favorite stories about reading with your kids. I love hearing from our Saber Hacer community.

Michele Ruiz

P.S. Don’t forget to share Saber Hacer with family and friends. You never know what piece of expert advice will make a positive difference in someone’s life. Help pass the “know-how now” spirit of empowerment along! Thanks.

By Michele Ruiz, President, Saber Hacer
07-15-2008 17:51:16
Filed under: education

Comments (0)

Reflecting on Independence

While watching some stunning July 4th fireworks, I got to thinking about independence. The meaning of independence can vary from person to person. For some it’s freedom. For others, it’s the ability to act without limitations being imposed. Sometimes the desire for independence leads us to believe that we should figure out everything for ourselves. We hesitate to ask others for information, ideas, or for help. In both my professional and personal life, I’ve come to realize that asking is really an important part of independence. A simple question or request can move your plans and dreams forward faster than you might imagine. You’ll be amazed how many people will welcome your questions and gladly contribute to your success.

When I was a teenager, my mother knew that college was the road to independence for my sister and myself. She was always telling me that I needed to go to college. Only she didn’t have enough experience or information to tell me how to make college a reality. She was a single parent and worked very hard to give my sister and I as much as she could. We knew she didn’t have the money to send us to college, nor the ability to help us navigate the system. But she never wavered. “You have to go to college” was one of her most important messages. I knew what the expectation was, but I also knew I had to figure out the whole college thing myself. I had what seemed like a million questions. How to apply? Where could I get the money I needed? Who could help me achieve my goal? I began a journey that included asking everyone I could think of for a piece of information, a piece of advice, a piece of the puzzle. If someone didn’t have an answer, I always asked if they knew someone who might. Little by little, I got my answers and the assistance I needed to make the path to college clear and achievable.

Saber Hacer Reflecting on Independence

That’s just one of the many reasons that I’ve put so much personal dedication into the Education Channel on www.SaberHacer.com. I want to connect you, your kids, family members or friends with experts who have the kind of information and ideas that you can really put to use. You’ll find scholarship, loan and grant information dedicated to helping young Latinos. There’s even a segment on college success in spite of limited English language skills. Nothing should hold you back. Nothing. As our expert, College Counselor Rosanna Carosa says to students who tell her they don’t have the money, “You just apply, and worry about the money after. We’ll figure out something.” And that “something” is the scholarship and financial aid program that is out there for you. It’s the kind of guidance and information that Rosanna and other experts share with you at www.SaberHacer.com, because with a little know-how anything is possible.

A college education is one of life’s greatest equalizers. I’ve seen how it can change a family’s legacy for generations. When one family member makes it to college they become a role model for others. They inspire. We hope that one day the Saber Hacer Education Channel will have a positive influence on you or someone in your family by helping to make college and many other dreams come true. Independence is something we all treasure and it’s best achieved when we work together.

P.S. As I mentioned, I believe in asking – so now I’m asking you for your feedback. We want to make Saber Hacer the best bilingual online community for everyone that needs a little know-how now. We want you to visit us often and share Saber Hacer with your friends and relatives. Saber Hacer is your community. So tell us how we’re doing? Are we giving you the information you need? Is it presented in a way that’s helpful? What are we missing? What would you like to see more of? We really do want to know. So feel free to contact us with your comments, ideas and your own stories of achievement. Thank you for helping us here at www.SaberHacer.com.

By Michele Ruiz, President, Saber Hacer
04-21-2008 21:53:16
Filed under: us blog

Comments (0)

Here we go!

Welcome to SaberHacer.com, an online resource and evolving community created specifically for Latinos. All Latinos – Spanish speaking, Bilingual, and English Speaking.

The idea for Saber Hacer™ grew out of my days in broadcast news. As a former TV reporter and anchor, I know how to find experts and get access to the right kind of information on any topic. And I know that having the right kind of information is powerful – and sometimes life changing.

We’ve set out to get you connected – really connected with experts – who give advice and critical information on topics in Education, Parenting, Immigration and Citizenship, and Personal Finance. And soon, we’ll be adding new channels in health, entrepreneurship, and careers, plus others that are in the pipeline. We bust a few myths, tackle some sensitive topics, and lay out the best advice available. And always in a way that's easy to follow and put to use. And sometimes it’s getting the “inside story” – literally. Wouldn’t it be great to know what to expect from that all important interview when applying for U.S. Citizenship? Well, we'll take you behind the scenes and into an interview in our segment Citizenship Interview and Oath Ceremony. Our stories take on subjects that are important to the dynamic and diverse Latino community – so in addition to getting valuable information for yourself, you can learn and share things that might help family members and friends. We’re even talking about topics that people have a hard time asking about – how to avoid being scammed, how to recognize child abuse, and how to get ahead in college with limited English language skills.

One of our goals is to get you “hooked up” so make sure you visit our Resources section where you’ll find links and referrals to other organizations, government agencies, and people aligned with our videos.

Actor, producer, and director Eduardo Verástegui with producer Cristina Aceves.

In our Secrets of Success Channel, Breast Cancer Survivor Monica Olmos, Actor, Producer, Director Eduardo Verástegui (pictured here with Saber Hacer producer Cristina Aceves), and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez are a few of the inspiring people who share their secrets of success with you.

Launching Saber Hacer means we're just at the beginning. There's so much more to come and we look forward to your becoming part of the Saber Hacer community. Please contact us and let us know what kind of information and features you want us to incorporate into SaberHacer.com. And if you like what you see or what we’re about, please share SaberHacer.com with a friend or family member. Spread the word and help us in our mission to educate, to inspire, to empower. Enjoy!

Michele

SYNDICATION

RSS 2.0

Get from Knowing to Doing in no time!