Making dinner is a great way to connect with your child. Have him or her plan and prepare the meal within a certain budget. Teachable moments are everywhere. Be There.

Watch this video and see if you can find the “Be There” moment, when the parent chooses to take an everyday situation and turn it into a teachable moment with their child.  This simple act of connecting daily will help your child at school.
Click here to play video	"Kitchen Science"
Click here to play video	"Invest in Time"
Click here to play video	"Keeping Cool"
We hope you’ll use this story as an inspiration, or idea-generator, to find more Be There moments with your child. Think about your own stories…you’re to have some.  You might even submit your story to our web site and we’ll share it with other parents.

Be There is a research-based, multimedia campaign that inspires parents and community members to become more involved in their children's education.

Ordinary moments become extraordinary when adults relate to their children during the daily routines of life. Teachable moments are everywhere.

Research proves that parent involvement has a significant impact on student success. it only takes a small increase in parent input to see measurable results in student output!

Visit www.bethere.org for more information

TLDSB "Be There" Stories

Share your stories, learn from others
Tell us how you were there. Tell us how taking a moment to connect with your child taught you something; send a photo, share a drawing or write to us with the every day stories that mean something. If you have a story to share please send it to "Be There."

Your Stories
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Kayla and I had a family dog named Korah. When Kayla was five, Korah became very ill with stomach cancer and had to be put down. We picked up Korah from the vet and brought her home for one last night.  I was visibly upset and crying about the fate of our dog. Kayla asked me why I was crying, and I responded that I was sad that Korah was sick and I was going to miss her. I could then see Kayla sitting on the couch, pondering some thoughts. Kayla then asked if we could have a birthday party for Korah. Confused, I asked why would we do that?. Kayla responded that everyone is always happy and smiling at birthday parties, so we should have one for Korah to make everyone happy. I took a moment to consider her idea and then agreed. We went to the stores, picked up birthday hats, candles and a cake. The rest of the family was sure to “be there” for Kayla and I by attending the birthday dinner and party. Kayla was right, everyone was laughing and smiling that night.

Kayla was “there” for me and made me remember to celebrate life and enjoy every moment that we have. Because of Kayla, I will always have great memories about the last night with our family pet.

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"Sometimes I make things happen with my kids and sometimes I watch things happen. Either way I'm there. I never want to wonder, 'what happened?' when it come to my kids.
Be there - To feel your newborn’s breath against your neck while she sleeps
Be there - To witness her first smile, first step,first pee on the potty
Be there - To smell her hair fresh out of the tub
And rub your thumb across her perfect skin.
Be there - To see her off to school, waving and smiling
Be there - To listen when she talks of mean girls who won’t let her slide on the ice or when she wonders why. Why?
Be there - To make perfect chignons and watch her land her double pirouette
Be there - To help and to hold when she needs it
Be there - To share, to laugh, to cry, to wait, to wonder, to cheer, to guide, to nurture, to stay and snuggle a while.
Be there - To pray, holding hands, holding hearts and
And be thankful for the memories."
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"As a working mother, I am always striving to Be There for my family.  I have come to realize that the moments that mean the most to my family are the little moments where work, media and others don't interfere with our time together as a family.  I found this out because of a beautiful gift I received for Christmas.  My 10 year old daughter wrote me a letter for Christmas to thank me for the things that she felt made me a good Mommy.  Here are some of the things she said:
-I like when we talk about our day at the dinner table.
-I like when you read to me in bed every night.
-I like when we talk in the car.
-I like when you help me with my homework.
-I like when we go for a walk in the woods.
-I like when we play board games
This simple letter from my daughter has taught me the importance of finding time for these family moments.  It is easy to fill the moments in our day.  It is essential for me to Be There to make these family moments meaningful."
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“I have realized that as a father with four children, to “Be There” goes beyond organized activities.   From coaching sports to transporting our children to various other activities, we are involved in their lives.   What I have learned though is that to “Be There” is more than just coaching or involving your kids in group activities. To “Be There” is to respond when your 11 year old asks you every night to tuck him in, or when your girls want you to listen to them read before bed.  It is being there when your 14 year old is stuck on a science question that you really don’t have any idea how to help him with.  Being there is pretending to be a funny character that always makes the girls laugh before bed.   While I love the organized activities it is the little ‘one on one’ events that occur on a daily basis that give our children the confidence and strength to succeed in all of the other activities in their day."