For all the sweet little children and their parents, all the teachers, all their loved ones, for every person affected by the horror of Sandy Hook, I feel the only way to truly honor those who have passed in this tragedy is by making a difference.

To keep the “monsters” away, we have to stop creating them. The only way we can do that is by being invested in our youth and in mental health.

Have you ever seen a happy and kind bully?

If children are taught to love themselves, they will feel better about life, about their neighbor, and about the world around them. Unfortunately, some children don’t have parents who care enough about them. Some children are born with a mental disorder or due to trauma develop some issues. There can be many reasons a child is sad, angry or doesn’t fit in. So many of us think it’s not our problem until a child with unattended problems becomes an enraged adult.

I am creating the:

LOOKING IN THE MIRROR CHALLENGE for SANDY HOOK

There are seven special books. Each one has one single letter I wrote and initialed in red, in back of the book. Together, the letters spell I LOVE ME (also the words in the last page of the story). During the year, a panel will choose one letter from an individual, a school, a book club, a team, an office, etc. describing how they made a difference by making sure every child knows he/she is special and/or every child has the best opportunity to receive the tools they need to grow up happy.

 The challenge can be accomplished by:

• Making a difference in one child’s life who truly needs help

• Coming up with a solution so every child is aware of self-love like every child is aware of brushing their teeth in the morning

• Finding a way to improve health coverage for mental health for all – no matter your financial circumstance for those who didn’t have this opportunity.

• Creating a bill which makes it mandatory for children to receive psychological exams as well as annual physical exams – perhaps parents too!

• Any other way you can think of to create permanent change

All entries are due by December 31^st. Mail to: Looking in the Mirror, P.O. Box 2192, Huntington, CT 06484

Each Valentine’s Day the story of the winner with the most change provoking act or accomplishment will be read in honor of the children and teachers who died on December 14, 2012. The first book with the letter “I” will be given out next year, February 14, 2014.

Let’s see which state, school, person, etc. wins the most letters and makes Valentine’s Day a day of love for Sandy Hook. It gives us seven years to come up with a solution or solutions and make real change. Let’s truly honor those who suffered at Sandy Hook.

NOTHING WOULD MAKE ME HAPPIER THAN FOR A SOLUTION OR ALL THE SOLUTIONS TO BE PUT INTO PLACE BY NEXT VALENTINE’S DAY. I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE OUT ALL SEVEN BOOKS NEXT YEAR!!!

Let Valentine’s Day be the day we love all children a little more by asking:

• How have I been as a parent this year?

• Do I take the time to ask my child about their day? Are they happy?

• Is there a child I know who may need my help and I’ve just been ignoring the issue?

• Is there anyway I can volunteer my time to help in the field of mental health or bring awareness to the problem?

• Is there a parent who is overwhelmed and could use some help?

• Do I think the child next door is being neglected or abused?
  Additional prizes and awards may be announced To purchase a copy of “Looking in the Mirror” go to www.jeanninemarieauthor.com.  A percentage of all purchases go to charities supporting the well-being of children. It is my hope I will eventually be able to give free books to all children in need.