4/21/2018 0 Comments See Something? Say Something!What are your thoughts on the alleged charges against actress, Allison Mack?We must do everything we can to protect ourselves and our children from human traffickers. There's some helpful tips in the video as well as the links below. Article described in video - Protect Yourself and Children from Becoming Victims of Human Trafficking: https://www.more.com/lifestyle/protec... For tips and help, visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/ Here is the article stating the FBI's rescue of 84 minors that I speak of in the video: http://www.wowt.com/content/news/FBI-helps-rescue-84-children-from-sex-trafficking-451500493.html IF YOU SEE SOMETHING,
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Jadin Bell - 15 years old Tyler Clementi - 18 years old William Arthur Gibbs - 12 years old Ryan Patrick Halligan - 13 years old Ashawnty Davis - 10 years old Jamie Hubley - 15 years old Megan Meier - 13 years old Emilie Olsen - 13 years old Rehtaeh Parsons - 17 years old Audrie Pott - 15 years old | Phoebe Prince - 15 years old Nicola Ann Raphael - 15 years old Jamey Rodemeyer - 14 years old Amanda Todd - 15 years old Sladjana Vidovic - 16 years old Kenneth Weishuhn - 14 years old Dawn-Marie Wesley - 14 years old Kelly Yeomans - 13 years old Mallory Grossman - 12 years old |
*Not a complete list... and it keeps growing.*
Let your classroom, girl scout troop or after-school program benefit from Mamma Z's Anti-bullying Presentations! Here is a sneak peek at how she keeps children's attention with important subject matter in a way that is easy for them to understand. Her fun, interactive demonstrations and discussions open up difficult topics such as being happy with yourself, being kind to others and bullying.
Introduction to Mamma Z &
Zombie Squirts Book Reading
The presentation begins with an introduction to how Mamma Z started creating children's books and kept doing what made her happy - ART! She then goes into reading the first Zombie Squirts book to the group, with a few helping hands, of course.
Choose Your Words Wisely
Here, she starts the anti-bully discussion and adds a demonstration featuring her little friend, Eggert! This activity explains how we need to choose our words wisely because you can't take it back once it's said. It also shows how words can hurt someone on the inside.
Anti-Bully Pledge Poster
The next activity is the Anti-Bully Pledge with the Zombie Squirts! Here we fill in the zombie outline with positive words that we can say to other people to help lift them up. Then all the children sign the poster to make their pledge and hang it up for all to see! If time allows, the kids make their own NO BULLY posters to hang for their schools!
Take-Home FUN!
Of course there's goodie take-home bags for the children containing coloring sheets, stickers, bookmarks and erasers! Not to mention a 20% off coupon for books at our online store! ;) http://www.zombiesquirts.com/zombie-s...
THANK YOU!!!
SPECIAL THANKS to the Roots & Shoots after-school program at College View Heights Elementary and Girl Scout Troop 40006, both in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Thank you for having us! To book a presentation with Mamma Z within the Omaha/Lincoln/Council Bluffs area, contact [email protected]!
~ Mamma Z
~ Mamma Z
1/22/2018 1 Comment
#MYCAUSEMYCLEATS - NFL & Zombies??
Video Message from Mamma Z
In this video Mamma Z breaks down her inspiration behind the cleats and you can also watch the WHOLE drawing and coloring process from start to finish!! (In super fast forward, of course, we couldn't make a 4 hour long video!)
The Story Behind the Cleats...
The Zombie Squirts are dedicated to eliminating bullying and offer resources and tips to help kids around the world understand the importance of acceptance and love! I, Mamma Z, really wanted to add to the movement in the best way that fits my passion!
The Inspiration...
Alex Collins of the Baltimore Ravens was the original inspiration behind creating my own cleats for the #mycausemycleats movement!
The Tweet That Started it All...
Alex Collins had received a shout out on twitter from Carl Tubbs' Mother, Joanne Tubbs.
Alex Collins' Response...
This was by far the best response this mother could have gotten to tell her son. Not only is it inspiring, it's from one of the best football players in the game! He didn't HAVE to do a shout out or say anything AT ALL...but he did and that's what makes him such a special person.
He truly inspired me to get all the materials together and make these cleats for the #mycausemycleats movement!
He truly inspired me to get all the materials together and make these cleats for the #mycausemycleats movement!
...All the NFL Players Against Bullying
Once I heard about Alex Collins and his amazing story with Carl... I started researching the NFL Bullying Campaigns and players that also are trying to fight the bullying movement!
I found this blog post :
I found this blog post :
I found out that there was a WHOLE bunch of NFL players making the stand against bullying and had custom cleats made to endorse the movement!
- Blair Walsh
- Deone Buccannon
- Carlos Dunlap
- Randall Telfer
- Tyrone Crawford
- Mike Daniels
- Tyler Higbee
- Kerry Wynn
- Jonotthan Harrison
Straight to the Drawing Board!
4 hours and 5 markers later... my creation had been finished!
The Finished Product...
Let's Start With The Left Cleat...
I started on the left Cleat and just allowed myself to be expressive without a lot of restrictions. I knew I wanted a bunch of bright colors and words that inspire me in my fight against bullying.
- No Bullying
- Be Buddy...Not a Bully!
- Speak Up
- Say No To Hate
- Words Do Hurt
- Show Love
- #mycausemycleats
- Love
- Stop The Hate
Now The Right Cleat...
My Goals....
The goal is to get the attention of the NFL, Nike, Alex Collins and the other NFL Players that endorse Anti-Bullying Cleats!
1/19/2018 0 Comments
Star Wars Fan Art Winner UPDATE!
Awww... what a great picture of Izaac with his new fan art poster!
His grandmother and giveaway winner, Nicole, reads the Zombie Squirts books to him often as he loves to look for Captain Crawly! Thank you, Nicole, for supporting the Zombie Squirts' anti-bullying message and sharing our children's books with your family!
~ Mamma Z
His grandmother and giveaway winner, Nicole, reads the Zombie Squirts books to him often as he loves to look for Captain Crawly! Thank you, Nicole, for supporting the Zombie Squirts' anti-bullying message and sharing our children's books with your family!
~ Mamma Z
1/1/2018 0 Comments
GIVEAWAY WINNER IS...
We'd like to thank everyone who registered! Be on the lookout for MORE upcoming giveaways and announcements! And please keep sharing our anti-bullying message to friends and family!
Many who know me, know I am a HUGE Star Wars fan. This parody poster is a result of a desire to write a story about the Zombie Squirts gang dressing up as Star Wars characters to watch a movie premiere. However, I fear that now Star Wars is owned by Disney, I may get my pants sued if I sell a book using the likes of their property. So, I decided to make this instead.
I hope to someday bring the story to fruition as possibly a freebee comic strip short or something of that nature. To put it in a nutshell, a couple of the Squirts girls get told they can't wear certain costumes because they're not the right gender. As you can see in the poster above, Lily is Bobba Fett and Annie is Darth Vader. In the short story, it is explained that you can dress up as whomever you want! It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl, if it makes you happy, do it! I, as a child, ALWAYS wanted to dress up as Darth Vader or the Incredible Hulk for Halloween but my mom wouldn't let me... I had to wear my dance costumes that made me look like a princess or Uncle Sam.
I was not pleased. LOL
I think it's important to let children express themselves freely without consequences of being shamed by parents, siblings, friends, etc. Confidence is built by self-expression so we can't keep shaming and taking it away from others. Confidence builds self-esteem, which can help counteract any bullying directed towards them, plus help other victims by standing up to the bullying as it's happening. Bring kids UP, not down.
~ Mamma Z
I hope to someday bring the story to fruition as possibly a freebee comic strip short or something of that nature. To put it in a nutshell, a couple of the Squirts girls get told they can't wear certain costumes because they're not the right gender. As you can see in the poster above, Lily is Bobba Fett and Annie is Darth Vader. In the short story, it is explained that you can dress up as whomever you want! It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl, if it makes you happy, do it! I, as a child, ALWAYS wanted to dress up as Darth Vader or the Incredible Hulk for Halloween but my mom wouldn't let me... I had to wear my dance costumes that made me look like a princess or Uncle Sam.
I was not pleased. LOL
I think it's important to let children express themselves freely without consequences of being shamed by parents, siblings, friends, etc. Confidence is built by self-expression so we can't keep shaming and taking it away from others. Confidence builds self-esteem, which can help counteract any bullying directed towards them, plus help other victims by standing up to the bullying as it's happening. Bring kids UP, not down.
~ Mamma Z
Q: Where did you get the inspiration for Zombie Squirts?
A: I was asked by my Job to create some custom stickers that were zombie-themed for children! I happily obliged. I came up with the Zombie Squirts and purchased the rights to them, I had an amazing idea for a children's book series.
Q: Who were the first Zombie Squirts?
Q: What is the first book about?
A: So, the first book is about the foreign exchange student coming to a new school. She gets teased because she looks different. The Zombie Squirts come to her rescue! They teach children that your qualities make you special...they make you who you are. |
Q: Are the stories based on personal experience?
A: Some of the stories are based on my own life. When I was younger, I moved from Chicago to North Dakota. I did not know anybody and I got made fun of and teased a little bit. But there were people who came to my rescue and made things great for me!
Q: Why Children's Books and Why the Anti-Bullying Theme?
A: I wanted to keep going with the Zombies and their character's personas going forward. I loved the idea that these zombie kids were all different and how they could teach each other the importance of acceptance. Hating on people is not acceptable. It is "learned". We are not born to hate.
I wanted to have something available for young kids, because I truly feel that the younger kids learn about what bullying is and the effects it causes...the better chance we have of eliminating it!
I wanted to have something available for young kids, because I truly feel that the younger kids learn about what bullying is and the effects it causes...the better chance we have of eliminating it!
Q: Have you met any kids that would benefit reading your books?
A: I was at a Zombie-Walk not too long ago and I met this young boy, he was maybe 9-10 years old. He absolutely loved the books and everything, his grandma came up and took me aside. She told me that he had been bullied so badly at school that he hasn't wanted to leave his house or do anything. This is not OK! We need to get rid of the hate, kid's are dying because of this. |
Q: What is the general response from parents?
Q: Last thoughts...?
A: I know when you are young...you think it's the end of the world when somebody hates you or if they call you names. But, ITS NOT! Those people aren't going to count after school...if you don't want them to!
Howdy Folks! To celebrate the new #StarWars movie, we decided to have a #GIVEAWAY!! What do you get when you #draw adorable #zombie #kids as #darthvader, #lukeskywalker, #hansolo, #bobbafett, #C3PO, #PrincessLeia, and #Yoda?? A #kickass #fanart #poster, that's what! And we're GIVING ONE AWAY!! Go to the following link to register for your chance to win this numbered (16/24) and autographed, 18"x18" poster board print created by yours truly!
REGISTER HERE!!
http://www.zombiesquirts.com/star-wars-giveaway.html
One winner will be announced #newyearsday! Good luck!!
~ Mamma Z
REGISTER HERE!!
http://www.zombiesquirts.com/star-wars-giveaway.html
One winner will be announced #newyearsday! Good luck!!
~ Mamma Z
12/23/2017 0 Comments
Poem by Chris Lynch - "Being Bullied"
We wanted to share with you a poem written by a fan and friend of the Zombie Squirts! Thank you, Chris, for sharing your love for writing and your passion for anti-bullying!
BEING BULLIED
What is it like to be bullied
First, your heart gets hurt to the point of being broken
Your tears build up to the point of over flowing
Your mind begins to think that you're worthless
This is what being bullied is like
There are times you want to run and hide
Maybe something even worse like taking your life
I know what it is like cause, I was bullied myself
The feeling is something that will take time to heal
Not all people are out to hurt you
In fact, there are people out there who can heal you
At times I know you want to get back at whoever
Revenge, my friend, is never the answer
Show the bully and others love and kindness
The bully has been bullied themselves
They know not what they do
Everyone is different that is OK
That is what makes this world so fun to live in
So, to all the bullies out there stop what you do
You can do something that can really hurt someone
To all the people who have been bullied
Cheer up, there are people out there who love you
Chris Lynch aka Sir Poet
11-2-17
4:38pm
First, your heart gets hurt to the point of being broken
Your tears build up to the point of over flowing
Your mind begins to think that you're worthless
This is what being bullied is like
There are times you want to run and hide
Maybe something even worse like taking your life
I know what it is like cause, I was bullied myself
The feeling is something that will take time to heal
Not all people are out to hurt you
In fact, there are people out there who can heal you
At times I know you want to get back at whoever
Revenge, my friend, is never the answer
Show the bully and others love and kindness
The bully has been bullied themselves
They know not what they do
Everyone is different that is OK
That is what makes this world so fun to live in
So, to all the bullies out there stop what you do
You can do something that can really hurt someone
To all the people who have been bullied
Cheer up, there are people out there who love you
Chris Lynch aka Sir Poet
11-2-17
4:38pm
12/22/2017 1 Comment
My kid is the bully...What do I do?
Parent's Worst Realization....
As a parent, you take special pride in your children, after all, they are your offspring. They are an extension of yourself in many ways, so anything they do or not do is a direct reflection of you as a parent in the eyes of society. When your kid is a model of perfection, it brings a prideful tear to your eye..
BUT... What happens when you get the news...
YOUR kid is the school bully.
**screeching halt** **record scratch** **crickets chirp**
This can be a difficult pill to swallow right away. But, NO NOT WORRY! This is something that you can easily address and give them the proper guidance on how to correct the behavior and show them why it's important that we make sure everyone is treated equally and respectfully
**screeching halt** **record scratch** **crickets chirp**
This can be a difficult pill to swallow right away. But, NO NOT WORRY! This is something that you can easily address and give them the proper guidance on how to correct the behavior and show them why it's important that we make sure everyone is treated equally and respectfully
Common Misconception...
First Thing: Your Kid is NOT Evil |
It is a common misconception that if a kid is a bully, that they may be "evil" or just mean at heart. This is not always the case! Some kids have a hard time expressing themselves, or feel as though they cannot be heard, so they take their aggression out in other ways.
Pull them aside and tell them they are OK! A kid could be very upset about something at school and has not come forward with it, or maybe they feel singled out in some way. So, always make sure when you talk to them about this, not to make them feel even more singled out or afraid. You want to open the discussion of bullying with them where they feel safe and can open up about what is going on. |
Get Involved with the School
This one may be tricky because of guidelines that schools have in place. But, the best thing you can do is keep in constant communication with them. Things to look for include:
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Schools should be a Bully-Free Zone |
Help Them to Understand
Do your children know the effects of bullying? When I ask this question, parents always say, "Yeah, they know. We have talked about it before!"
I'll stop most of them right there and clarify what I mean by the question. Just because you "told" them or "talked to them" about bullying, does not mean they fully UNDERSTAND what bullying is and why it can be harmful to other children. Because, if they DID fully understand it, they would not be doing it.
Tell them about the 4 types of bullying:
I'll stop most of them right there and clarify what I mean by the question. Just because you "told" them or "talked to them" about bullying, does not mean they fully UNDERSTAND what bullying is and why it can be harmful to other children. Because, if they DID fully understand it, they would not be doing it.
Tell them about the 4 types of bullying:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Cyber
- Social
Just because they were bullied, doesn't make it right to bully others
Don't Allow Them to Play the Victim Card
Playing the victim is the easiest way out for bullies. It makes them feel that how they reacted in the situation was completely justified. It also communicates an opinion that they are not responsible for their actions.
Nip It In the Bud Allowing victim-thinking to take hold in your kids will leave them open to a barrage of problems going forward in life. They’ll find it hard to change and grow. Kids who play the victim card get accustomed to that way of thinking and end up not living a well productive and beneficial lifestyle. Let them know that it is not okay to bully even if they themselves have suffered at the hands of bullies before. |
Why does your kid bully?
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Show Them That They Always Have A Choice
Bullying doesn’t happen because the victim encouraged it. The bullies need to know this! It is your duty and obligation as a parent to help them realize that the choice they made was wrong and ended up hurting the true victim.
Even in group and peer pressure scenarios, the choice is theirs to make. Tell them it is better to dissociate from such groups that make you do “bad things” to others than be part of it. That IS a choice they do have.
Even in group and peer pressure scenarios, the choice is theirs to make. Tell them it is better to dissociate from such groups that make you do “bad things” to others than be part of it. That IS a choice they do have.
Parent's have their own form of justice |
Make Sure that the Punishment Fits the Crime
Sometimes your kid bullies out of habit and cannot help it. In those cases, the damage done needs to be reversed and they need to be punished for the bullying that they’ve done. This acts as a negative reinforcement and will help them let go of the behavior of bullies to adopt a better approach to dealing with problems.
For Example: If you find that they write hurtful comments a gaming forum, maybe the best way to deal with this is to take away their gaming privileges for the week, but make sure theyunderstand WHY you did this. You aren't trying to be the "mean" parent...but a parent that wants to raise someone who is respectful and respected. |
Teach Them How They Can Make It better
Maybe the reason why your kid took the approach that most bullies do is that they do not fully understand the importance of empathy. Developing this trait is extremely important in our society. Next time your kid bullies someone and you have a talk with them, tell them how they made the victim feel. This will encourage them to develop empathy for others. Sometimes a simple "sorry" may not be enough. You may have to take it a step further:
- Write out an apology letter to the victim
- Give the victim a peace offering gift
LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Only $9.99 Paperback of Amazon!
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"Mamma Z"
Mamma Z is the Author and Illustrator of the Children's Book Series "Zombie Squirts." She is on a mission to eliminate bullying!
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