Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Ruby Who? + wonderful giveaway


I first met Hailey Bartholomew when I interviewed her for a magazine article. She spoke to me about her Gratitude Project - a simple yet inspiring way to practice gratitude in the everyday. Hailey is a mother and talented photographer and filmmaker. She has two young, gorgeous girls and knows all too well the pressure placed on our kids these days. There's just no denying that our children are growing up in a much bigger place - challenged by the bright, bold adult world that seems to lure them in at such a young age.

Hailey's concern about her daughters' wishes to want to be like someone else inspired her to make Ruby Who? She has achieved international success and the film has been welcomed with open arms by teachers across Australia. With the help of teachers and psychologists she has just completed an educational kit that is available to parents and schools.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her and I've posted her answers below. I truly believe that this is a DVD that needs to be seen by us and by all our children. A national family movie night, I say!

Hailey has kindly offered to give one of you a copy of Ruby Who? along with some stickers and "I Like To Be Me" badges.

Please leave a comment below and if you would like to spread this very positive word I encourage you to write a post about it...if you do so you can leave another comment and go in the draw twice.

Jodi: What inspired you to make Ruby Who?

Hailey: I was desperately trying to explain to my eldest (6 yrs at the time) about how always wishing for what other people have will make you unhappy. I thought about how it makes me feel when thinking about what I want or wish for, or when I look at others and wish I looked like them. It was like I would get heavy and less able to be myself. So I took these feelings and tried to turn them into pictures to explain to my girls.

Jodi: What is it about?

Hailey: Ruby Who? is the sweet story of a little girl's adventure in rediscovering her identity. Ruby wishes for so many things and dreams of being like others. So much so, she nearly forgets how to just be herself.

Jodi: How have children responded to it?

Hailey: We have shown the film in preschools, schools and loads of film festivals around the world. I have been delighted by the feedback! Little kids and big kids have been able to see that even though Ruby gets all she wishes for, she is no happier. I love the conversations this film and the work-packs have opened up. We have had parents tell us that their kids have realized they don't like who they are! This is terribly sad, but also really important to discover this when they are little - so us parents and teachers we can work together to create happy healthy teens! As parents sometimes it is hard to explain or really bring home a concept like self-esteem - or how what we think really affects how we feel.

Jodi: How has it educated and inspired parents?

Hailey: We have only just released the packs to parents. Previously schools and educators have used the film in classes and lectures but now we have built resources that even parents can tap into. From our trial run we have had fantastic feedback from parents saying how much their kids enjoyed the film - watching it over and over for days. They've enjoyed amazing conversations that spring from the film and packs. From 5yr olds discussing how what they want and need are two different things, to a 12 year old listing all the things she wishes for - only to realize that maybe she doesn't really want all that after all! Realizing maybe she is happy with who she is! Even taking time to discuss and realize these things is so beautiful.

Jodi: You have recently collaborated with teachers and psychologists to create an educational kit to accompany the DVD. What do you hope will come of these resources?

Hailey: We hope these will increase discussion between kids and adults. That spending time wanting, versus being grateful for what you already have, really will affect how you feel and what you think of yourself. I hope that teachers and parents will use the tools we created to better know where their kids are at with their thinking on these issues, and also help us all to be aware that gratefulness is a powerful tool!

Jodi: From your perspective as a mother, how has it changed the way you parent your girls?

Hailey: I find anything that spurs creative discussion with my children is an amazing gift! Creating Ruby Who? was so important for me and my children. Both girls were in the film and played a big part in creating it... Ruby really is a mix of both my girls!

The wonderful thing about all this is I was able to put into pictures what I feel happens to us when we 'want want want'... instead of enjoying what we have! This goes for me as an adult as well as my daughters - we all do this! ;) I love finding ways to explain things to my girls in pictures rather than words. Words are overused. Making the film and packs has bought many beautiful discussions with my children. All I need to say is "Ruby Who" and my kids know exactly what I mean... or as the case maybe... they say to me... "Mum... Ruby WHO!?!!!!" and I remember perhaps I do not need another camera to be happy!! ;)

Jodi: What can parents do to ensure their children stay kids for as long as possible?

Hailey: Unfortunately I am not any expert on this. However, I feel like we all need to stay kids a little longer! I hope we all can remember whether we are big grown-up kids or little kids, that life is so precious and we should all spend as much time as possible enjoying what we have, now. Enjoy being YOU - totally and fully yourself! Stop worrying about needing to be taller, thinner, smarter, cuter or have the latest shoes... If we can teach this to our kids while they're young, maybe it will be something they can take into adult life and spread around!! ;)


17 comments:

  1. I was recently sent some information regarding this film from a friend who works in child development. I think it is a brilliant topic - something that really needs to be addressed. Aspirational living is so toxic - and yet can be so hard to combat.

    My almost 3 year old really responds to emotions/experiences/issues books. If she can relate an unfamiliar or challenging experiences back to something she has read; if we can engage on something difficult through books - her coping mechanisms seem to markedly improve. (Though she is only little so her coping is still that of a little person, but better for the reference point, if you know what I mean?)

    Great topic. Thanks for the food for thought.

    ReplyDelete
  2. as usual Jodi, such a wonderful post. As I have come to find in my practice so many adults have this as a veneer over their life as well. As a parent I have awakened to the fact how I might be transferring/projecting these emotions on to my son. I , he and him are good enough as we are. even if others think we are complete dags.
    can't wait to see the movie. my niece is a Ruby, a 15 year old who is struggling a bit as she transitions to her own womenhood. art and drama can be so instructive
    xxx jill

    ReplyDelete
  3. great post jodie. and what an amazing idea for a dvd. things i've often thought about for the future with rosie. xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. My six ( going on sixteen ) year old would truly benefit from seeing something like this - as would my two boys .... She has really begun to find the 'keeping up with the jones's' thing challenging at school. Thank you for sharing this with me. I will definately be looking out for it..

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Hailey and everything she does! She inspires me in so many ways and I am so proud of her. I am really excited to see this film getting the exposure it deserves! Shine on, you crazy diamond!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This film sounds great, I hadn't heard of it before. i would love to watch it with my daughter :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow Jodi...so wonderful to find something tangible on this subject out there. With a six year old girl in our house this is something this Mama has been struggling with knowing how to address...and yes sooner rather than later. I love the sound of this film...well done to the talented filmmaker and Mum...and thanks to you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh please...this is so very special.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It looks and sounds amazing - what a brilliant idea. So topical, and I think making it in this format helps kids to see other smalls in the same boat - so they can imagine themselves in that role.. Hope that makes sense.

    Awesome. And I LOVE that's it's an Australian project. Very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for another great post. And thanks for reminding me about this fabulous Woman.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have heard of this!! I am a primary school teacher myself, and mother of one and one on the way.
    I would love to see this and have a copy for myself and to take into various schools I work in around the central coast.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a great giveaway, please count me in! Happy Xmas

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm so interested to see this! It looks wonderful. I'm so glad there is such talented people in our world that can put something like this together.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to receive this. What a fantastic film. Thank you for introducing this to us :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. such a wonderful message...a wonderful topic. count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great interview Jodie. I look forward to seeing this film and learning as much as I can in preparation for the future. xo m.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jodi, Thanks. I am going to look this up. I am always looking for ways to introduce these kind of themes to the Girl Guides, although my unit gets a lot of positive self image talk and activity. We let it all hang out and I know I have kids in my unit bullied at school and our unit is a bully-free zone and everyone makes sure there is no negative talk. Everyone. It's great to see the older girls, who can be bitchy at school, say "it's not on", in their own ways, and be supportive to their Guiding sisters. Makes my heart swell.

    ReplyDelete