We all learned the story of Columbus discovering American in grade school. But in addition to that famous voyage there is another, lesser known –story about Columbus. We can use the story of Columbus's successes and monumental failures to help our kid learn to evaluate people and events based on facts. Learn more about Columbus's story here.

Worldwide, September seems to have three themes: going back to school, the beginning harvest/autumn festivals and families. From Grandparents Day in the United States to Sukkot in Judaism celebrating families is universal. Find out how you can incorporate some global traditions as you celebrate your family this month.

June was a great month for controversy: immigration, recalled products from China and the Supreme Court's ruling that race can't be considered when assigning kids to a school. It's the racism trifecta!

Who knew that giving Dad a tie on Father's Day was giving him a piece of history! Find out what your dad has in common with Chinese Emperor Shih Huan Ti and Roman Emperor Trajan.

1. To reinforce its independence from European traditions
2. To distance the holiday from the Chicago Haymarket riot in 1886
3. Grover Cleveland preferred the September weather to May in Washington, DC.
4. To be contrarian

April couldn't end quickly enough this year.

Between the horrific events at Virginia Tech, and the controversy over Don Imus's remarks, racism and violence hit us square in the face.

Distance brings perspective and insights that are difficult to see in the heat of the moment. Clearly, Don Imus's comments about the women on the Rutgers University basketball team were reprehensible. Equally disturbing is the fact that this is not the first time that Imus has danced on the dark side of respect-but this time he stepped way over the line.

Join millions of Americans who will be turning off their TVs for a week starting April 23, 2007!

There are hundreds, if not thousands of reasons that we should limit how much television our kids watch. For example:

• The CDC estimates the 27% of all Americans are obese and the incidence of obesity in children has skyrocketed from 4% in 1965 to 15% in 2003-and climbing
• On average, children in the US will spend more time in front of the television (1,023 hours) than in school this year (900 hours).
• 40% of American families eat dinner with the television on.
• By the age of 18, American children will see more than 200,000 acts of violence and 16,000 murders.
• Television cements stereotypes by presenting distorted and inaccurate views of people, cultures and traditions.

Still not convinced that you should be turning off your TV in April? Check out www.tvturnoff.org for some more scary statistics!

If you decide to turn off your television for the week and want to prevent your kids' inevitable "I'm bored" whine you should have some alternative activities up your sleeve.

Five fun and easy ways to incorporate multicultural activities into your family.

April is International Multicultural Communications Month.

If multicultural communication seem difficult to you-you are not alone! And as human beings we tend to steer clear of things that we find difficult or uncomfortable. Differences in languages, backgrounds, customs et al may make us feel challenged-as in "how do I do it" and hesitant-as in "how do I do it right." But, you might find that once you start learning about other peoples and traditions you enjoy it. So, give yourself a chance-spring is a great time to begin.

To help you, we have put together some simple ideas that you and your children can enjoy-and will provide all of you with a new understanding and respect for all kinds of people.

Recently, as I was about to begin yet another diatribe with my daughter about respect, I had the presence of mind to ask her if she knew what respect meant. Interestingly enough, she didn't.

On February 14, people all over the world celebrate Valentine's Day. While the historical descriptions of Valentine's Day differ, many historians believe the first Valentine's Day began on 249, CE-the day on which St. Valentine died. Others trace the beginning of Valentine's Day to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, while others link it to an old English belief that birds choose their mates on February 14th. Still others believe that when St. Valentine was jailed his friends tossed loving and supportive notes into the window of his cell. (Does this tale explain why people exchange messages on Valentine's Day?)

Today is January 22nd and my usual New Year's Resolutions-lose weight, get to the gym, and to start my tomato plants from seed have already fallen by the wayside. But for 2007, I resolve to answer my daughter's questions about race, culture, adoption and other thorny issues with as many facts as I can.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful role model in my daughter's pediatrician, Dr. Jane Aronson, who has been doing just that ever since my daughter was too young to comprehend what Dr. Jane was saying.

Dr. Jane and my daughter have a materially different relationship than I ever had with my pediatrician-or any other physician for that matter. Every year, prior to her annual visit with Dr. Jane, my daughter prepares a list of questions. They range from the medical to the metaphysical. The same list of questions might include a question like "why do men have nipples if they don't need them to feed babies," to" is my Grandpa Charlie in heaven." Dr. Jane answers all of Noelle's questions calmly and succinctly-sticking to what she knows to be fact and offering her opinion-and identifying at such-elsewhere. Since it seemed so easy for her, I decided to follow her lead.

The Present of Presence: and three other 'must have' gifts for your children this holiday season!