Bananas Blog
2022 Family, Friends, and Neighbor Conference Takeaway
What We Learned from โBridging the Gapโ Last summer, BANANAS was asked by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation to create a virtual conference for the Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregiver community. It was important to BANANAS to create an event for the FFNs...
BANANAS 2022 Motherโs Day Campaign
Give a Gift That Says "Thank You for Everything!" Donate Now Why is Motherโs Day So Special? Our mothers and mother-figures have shined the past couple of years. In addition to their daily responsibilities, mothers were tasked with defining what a โnew normalโ looks...
Male Early Child Care Professionals Matter!
Written by Sharon Shi We need more men to break the stereotype of the female-dominated child care industry in todayโs gender equity world. From the Hechinger Report, males total only 3% of early childhood educators (1). In our society and history, we have these very...
Part 2: From Domestic Violence to Homelessness: Motherhood Survival
Sandra left in the middle of the night because she knew it was what she had to do. Again. Her husband was very intoxicated this time, having attended a holiday party, now snoring heavily and would not wake easily. She gathered the children swiftly - her 4-year-old son...
Attitudes of Gratitude
Do you remember reading the back of cereal boxes, playing with empty boxes, and banging on pots and pans? Whatever happened to the enjoyment of the little things? The holidays are vastly approaching and we have the opportunity to be intentional about defining what we...
Tell me early educators, what is your math story?
Think back to when you were nine years old.ย You are sitting in your 4th-grade class and your teacher announces it is time for a timed multiplication test. What is your reaction? Do you get a rush of excitement over the thrill of a timed brain rush, or do your palms...
Part 1: The Many Faces of Homelessness: Mothers & Children
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in your car parenting your children, day in and day out because you have nowhere else to live? This is a devastating reality for many families in the Bay Area due to their homelessness or housing insecurity. Here at...
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KYM JOHNSONโS REFLECTION ONย FISCAL YEARย 2020-2021
Gratitude and grace - these are the sentiments that I have held this past year. We entered the 2020-2021 year shell-shocked. Four months into the pandemic, BANANAS was in triage mode. As an organization, our focus was on stemming the crisis our families and child care...
The Fall Challenge for School-Age Parents by Heather Lang-Heaven
So many parents didnโt think we would be here again: our kids back in school with a remote setup looking similar to how we wrapped up last Spring! The pandemic lasting longer than originally thought has meant distance learning has kicked off again for Bay Area kids...
Having Fun with Your Kids During the Holidays by Heather Lang-Heaven
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, but it can also be a challenging moment for parents, providers, and the children in their care. It is very easy to become consumed with endless activities, extra tasks at home, and mismanaged schedules. However, it is a...
