The Words Children Carry

When we place our children in classes, sports, or creative programs, we’re not just signing them up for skill-building—we’re entrusting their hearts and minds to the adults in the room.

Recently, I enrolled my daughter in a ballet program. Within her very first class, she noticed something I believe we cannot ignore: the way words were being used. While she was treated kindly, another child was met with harsh, negative reinforcement. Phrases like “Stop messing up—you’re making it harder for everyone!” and even “I’m going to kill you if you don’t do this correctly!” were directed at a student who was simply learning.

My daughter, who has been raised to understand the power of words, immediately recognized the harm in this approach. Instead of joining the silence, she walked over to that child and offered encouragement: “I think you’re doing great.” That child’s grateful response said it all—words can wound, but they can also heal.

Here’s the truth: the words we use with children don’t just vanish after class ends. They become the voices children hear inside their heads—sometimes for the rest of their lives. If those voices are shaming, belittling, or threatening, we teach children to be their own harshest critics. If those voices are affirming and kind, we teach children to believe in themselves and to keep going, even when something feels hard.

Teachers, coaches, and mentors are shaping far more than technique. They are shaping how children talk to themselves, how they see their own potential, and whether they feel safe to grow. The stakes are far higher than a perfect turnout or flawless performance.

We must move away from fear-based, negative strategies and embrace positive reinforcement. Not because it’s “softer,” but because it’s more effective. Children thrive in environments where kindness fuels discipline, and respect fuels growth.

If we truly want to raise resilient, confident, emotionally intelligent young people, then we need to examine not just what we are teaching them, but how. Words are never just words. They are tools—and sometimes weapons—that can shape a child’s self-belief for life.

Empowering Our Children

Preparing Our Children for Life's Challenges: The Power of Guidance and Support

Every parent, grandparent, teacher, or guardian carries a heartfelt wish: that the children they love will grow into confident, kind, and resilient adults. Yet, as much as we long to shield our little ones from life’s hardships, we know that challenges and tough times are inevitable. Our true role isn’t to remove every obstacle, but to lovingly prepare our children so they can meet life’s twists and turns with courage and confidence.

Why Guidance and Support Matter

Children grow not just in size, but in spirit, wisdom, and strength. Each new experience—joyful or difficult—shapes who they become. When we offer guidance and support, we help them build the emotional intelligence and character they’ll need to thrive, even when we aren’t there to protect them.

Facing Challenges: A Necessary Part of Growth

It can be so tempting to step in and fix every problem. But every scraped knee, every tough conversation, and every disappointment is a learning opportunity. By acknowledging their struggles and gently guiding them through, we teach our children:

• Resilience: How to bounce back from setbacks

• Confidence: To trust themselves, even when things are hard

• Honesty: To speak up, even about difficult topics

• Kindness: To treat others with empathy, even in adversity

• Uniqueness: To celebrate what makes them different

The Role of Intentional Parenting

Intentional parenting means being present and proactive. It’s about creating space for open, honest conversations—especially about the tough stuff. Our stories and life lessons don’t just entertain; they open doors for meaningful dialogue that helps children process their feelings and understand the world.

By nurturing these conversations, we ensure that our children:

• Know how to seek help and communicate their needs

• Are equipped to handle peer pressure and stand up for themselves

• Feel celebrated for who they are, not pressured to fit in

Empowering Children Through Storytelling

At Elle Grey Stories, we believe in the transformative power of stories. Each book is lovingly crafted to speak directly to children, making big topics feel approachable and engaging. Our rhyming narratives and lovable characters invite children to see themselves in the stories, sparking conversations that might not happen otherwise.

Why This Matters

When children feel empowered by the knowledge they’ve gained, they’re better prepared for whatever life brings. Parents, too, can rest easier knowing they’ve equipped their children with the tools to make wise, compassionate choices.

Don’t Wait: Give Your Child the Gift of Confidence

Every day is a new chance to prepare your child for the world. By investing in their emotional growth and opening up honest conversations, you’re giving them the greatest gift: the ability to navigate life with confidence and grace.

Purchase the Elle Grey Stories today. Don’t let your child miss out on a single life lesson—these stories could make all the difference, now and for years to come.

Stories to help our children grow and feel confident in the world, especially when we can’t always be there. Let’s prepare them for life’s challenges, together.

Parents-We Are Not Just Storytellers, We Are The ULTIMATE STORY CREATORS!

We are moms and dads but we are also, among many things, chefs, boo-boo fixers, nose wipers, sunscreen appliers, and story tellers. We tell our kids bedtime stories on some, most, or all nights and they have a favorite story they love to read over and over. But what we may be failing to realize is that every day we are actually the ultimate story creators . We have been writing the most important story without ever putting a pen to paper (or typing on a keyboard!)

Think about it, as adults, we all have our own story; childhood stories that had a profound impact on us and developed who we came to be as people, as individuals, partners, and eventually as the parents we are today. There were moments in those hours, in those days, that comprised the years of our lives up to where we are now. And we’ve shared those childhood stories that shaped and molded us with those we love and trust. Those childhood stories were, in great abundance, shaped by the decisions our parents made, or in some cases, decisions they didn’t make. Their decisions created circumstances that affected our lives; moments that we now look back on with maybe fondness, sadness, happiness, or anger. They laid the foundation for so much of our lives; they ultimately created our stories. And these past moments have greatly shaped the decisions we now make as adults and as parents.

We must do our best to remember this for the sake of our kids today and every day after. We are laying the foundation of their story right now, every day. The words we use, the decisions we make, what we teach, what we don’t teach, the stress we carry that they feel, the seemingly simple moments that matter more than we realize-these will all someday be the story of their life that will shape and mold the person they will become; as individuals, as partners, and someday parents. They will someday be grown like us and will share their story with those they love and trust. They will perhaps cry tears of joy or sadness as they reflect on the days that are happening right now.

Take a moment and think about your story…Do you think it could have been different if your parents, during your childhood, had been more aware of the fact that each day they were writing your story?

Let us be aware and be present of the story we are creating every day for our kids. Let’s be the best chefs, boo-boo fixers, nose wipers, sunscreen appliers, and storytellers, but most importantly, let us be fantastic story creators! Let us be mindful of the story we are writing every day for them, so that when the day comes, they share their story - it’s an amazing one, one we are proud to hear them tell. Let’s make it so amazing that, in fact, they want to someday give their kids one just like it!

Hello February! We LOVE That You’re Here!

🌸

February—The Month of Love, Kindness, and Friendships

As parents, one of our most significant responsibilities is teaching our children how to love and show kindness. And often, the best way for them to learn is not just through our words, but through experiences.

To celebrate February—the month of love—the Elle Grey Stories Team has put together a list of fun, meaningful ways you and your children can spread kindness to others (and to themselves, too!).

💕 Acts of Kindness to Try This Month

1. Kindness Rocks
Pick up a bag of river rocks (or gather some from your yard). Have your children paint them with bright colors and uplifting designs. Once dry, leave them around your city—at playgrounds, gyms, baseball fields, or even outside stores—for others to find.

2. Bake Cookies for a Neighbor
Is there someone in your neighborhood you don’t know well? Bake them cookies with your kids, then knock on their door and deliver them. A small gesture that can spark big connections!

3. Pay It Forward at Starbucks
Go through the drive-thru and surprise the person behind you by buying their order. Make it fun for your kids—have them describe the car behind you or listen closely for the order being placed.

4. Donate Toys
Encourage your children to go through their old toys and select ones they no longer play with. Together, donate them to a church, preschool, women’s shelter, or foster care program. Take a moment to talk about where the toys are going and who they may help.

5. Snacks for Helpers
Bring snacks or baked goods to your local Fire Department, Police Station, or First Responders to show your appreciation.

6. Fill Parking Meters
Find meters that are about to expire and let your children add coins. Explain what they’re doing—it’s a great chance to teach about helping others in unexpected ways.

7. Adopt a Soldier Overseas
Write letters, draw pictures, or put together a Valentine’s Day care package to send to soldiers serving far from home.

8. Volunteer Together
Find a local charity or community event where your family can give their time. Even small acts of service make a big impact.

9. Donate Books
Choose a few books and donate them to your local library, school, doctor’s office, or shelter. Encourage your kids to imagine how happy another child will be to read the book they’ve given.

Make February the month of teaching your child how to show love and kindness to the world, all while having fun in the process! Oh, and don’t forget to remind your kids to show themselves a lot of love, too!

Let's Celebrate Kindness!

Kindness comes in many different forms and what better time to share it than at the holidays! As Christmas approaches, it’s an excellent time to remind our children of this value. Decorations are going up, holiday music is everywhere, and increased traffic and holiday travel seems to bring out the best in everyone…Don’t agree with that last one? Me either…

I did venture out of the house on Black Friday just to grab some lunch and while out I saw almost two accidents and one man get out of his car just to yell at someone simply because he felt they didn’t move their car quick enough. My daughter was with me and luckily didn’t notice any of it but I certainly did. It reminded me very quickly that this is the world she and all of our children live in. The only way to make it better is to start with ourselves and our homes as kindness starts in the heart and can spread like nothing else.

It can be easy to focus on the negativity around us but what would happen if we used that energy to fuel the change this world needs? If instead we responded with kindness, or just did random acts of kindness for the sake of brightening someone’s day-do you think it could make a difference? I do! And while this time of year is a great time to remind our kids of the importance of kind acts, it doesn’t ever have to stop just because the holidays will be over. Let’s keep the kindness flowing, the love growing, let’s make a difference in the world! And that difference starts with one person simply being kind to just one other person…

SOME IDEAS TO SHOW KINDNESS

LEAVE SOME LOVE-Paint a rock or lots of rocks with hearts or loving messages and leave one on your neighbors porch or around your neighborhood or even at a playground your child loves.

SEND A LOVE NOTE-Have your child write a card to someone they love and mail it to them, maybe include a hand drawn picture.

GRATEFUL CHALLENGE-Each night when you put your child to bed, share with one another what you are grateful for and challenge your child to come up with a longer grateful list than you! Take turns naming each grateful. When you can get your child to focus on what they are grateful each night, you start to shift their focus to the positive elements in their life and that shift will carry into their everyday thoughts.

Life Is In The Moments, And Those Moments Are Our Life

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My four-year-old daughter recently asked me if everyone had a dog.

When I replied, “No, some people have a bird, a cat, a lizard, or even a bunny as a pet. And some people have no pets at all,” she looked puzzled. So I went on to explain that every family is different—different houses, different rules, different pets, and even different experiences.

This new idea seemed to intrigue her. The notion that other children lived differently than she did was fascinating, though she quickly moved on to other questions (as young kids often do).

🐾 A Lesson in Kindness

The very next day, she had a not-so-great experience at the kids’ club in our local gym. A little boy had pulled her hair. With all the seriousness in the world, she told me, “Since he was not nice, I am not going to be nice to him!”

As her mom, my first instinct was to ask, “Where is this boy?” (I’ll admit, not quite as calmly as I said it out loud!) She pointed, and I saw a young, energetic boy not much older than her. He wasn’t behaving aggressively with anyone else, so I took a breath, calmed myself, and knelt down beside her.

I knew that how I handled this moment would matter. It wasn’t just about this boy or this incident—it was about teaching her how to handle future conflicts.

When I asked why she thought he pulled her hair, she replied, “Because I was in his way, and he wanted me to move.”

So I said, “Remember honey, every family has different rules and different experiences. While your experience just now wasn’t happy, it doesn’t need to ruin your whole day. What he did was unkind, but that doesn’t mean you need to be unkind. You can’t control his choices, but you can control yourself. If he’s unwilling to be kind, then keep your distance and play in another area.”

I braced myself for a rebuttal—but instead she smiled and said, “Ok, you’re right. I don’t need to be mean to him just because he was mean to me. I can just be me. I’ll just play over here.” And off she went, happy again.

🌟 Small Conversations, Big Lessons

Watching her walk away, I realized this moment had gone smoothly because of the conversation we’d had the day before—about families, pets, and how experiences differ.

What seemed like a fleeting, simple question—“Does everyone have a dog?”—had actually been the groundwork for a much bigger lesson.

I believe that as parents, we need to be mindful that every moment can be a chance to learn. Even the smallest, most ordinary questions can shape who our children become: how they think, how they love, how they handle conflict.

The key is to keep the conversation going. Keep listening—really listening—to their questions, their worries, and their stories. Remind yourself that you were little once, too. Be the support you needed at their age. Be the encourager, the believer, the one who listens without judgment.

No one knows them better—because in many ways, you were them once upon a time.

The Halloween Switch Witch

Halloween is just right around the corner and it’s the best time of year with the crispness in the air, the creativity coming to life, and pumpkin spice everything! And if your child is anything like mine, the opportunity to dress up and leave the house looking like a butterfly dinosaur makes it the best day of the year! But what about the candy; the never-ending cascading flow of sugary treats? For my house, this terrifically spooky night presents a bit of a challenge because my daughter and I both have an allergy to sugar. When I tell people this they cringe at first and then jokingly say, “Actually, that’s a great allergy to have!” I wish this were true, but truly it’s quite difficult as there is sugar in just about everything available to eat. And of course, Halloween night is all about sugar!

Nonetheless, my daughter Avelle and I have found a way to enjoy Halloween despite our allergy. We get dressed up and go out to collect as much candy as we can, in fact, the more we collect the better. Then at the end of the night, we give a few pieces to her Daddy, but the remaining treasure trove of candy is off to the Switch Witch!

If you don’t know all about the Switch Witch, there’s a cute book that can introduce her to your family that you can find on Amazon. But in the meantime, the short story of the Switch Witch is she needs the candy collected by children this one special night of the year to power the Witch City. There are lots of Switch Witches that live in this city but only one travels to your house on Halloween night to collect the collected sweets. And to show her gratitude to the lovely and generous child willing to share their hard-earned candy so the Witch City can stay warm throughout the upcoming year, she bestows a sweet gift in place of the sugary filled treats.

The Switch Witch was introduced to our family years ago and I am so very grateful for her to have entered our life. In fact, Avelle is already planning for her visit and has decided to paint her a picture to leave along with her Halloween candy. She will leave the candy by her bedroom door in just a couple nights from now and will excitedly wake up to see what the Switch Witch left in place of that sweet candy bag. I’m pretty sure she’s hoping for a unicorn, so a little stuffed animal might be in order.

Maybe you also have a little one allergic to sugar or maybe you just want to limit the sugar intake, consider introducing the Switch Witch to your family. She’s quite fun and knowing she’ll be flying on her crooked broomstick for such a special visit is pretty spooktacular!

The Switch Witch

You can purchase your Switch Witch Story Here

If Being Different Is What Makes Us Unique—We Have More In Common With Others Than We May Think!

As parents, we strive to make sure we express to our children how unique they are, and how that uniqueness makes them so very special. And it does! Those special curls, the cute dimples, the lovely freckles, the way she gets the hiccups every time she laughs too hard, whatever it might be, our kids are so very unique! And teaching them this simple truth is so important for their self-esteem and their self-love. Not to mention the fact that if they really see and love their uniqueness, they are far less likely to be bullied, peer pressured, or fall into the trap the brand marketers love to set which says, “You’re only special if you buy, wear, or use OUR product!”

But owning one’s uniqueness doesn’t always come easy, and our children learn more sometimes by watching how we treat ourselves and others, then what we tell them about themselves. How many of you have had your child come to you and say they are going to work as they get in their pretend car, in their pretend work clothes, carrying their pretend briefcase? My daughter did this to me one day as I was making her breakfast and when I asked her why she was walking on her tiptoes, she told me she was wearing her high heels! She had been watching…All those days I went to the office, in my office clothes and high heels, carrying my briefcase, she watched!

Imagine what they are seeing if we aren’t good to ourselves in the mirror, even once. Or if we were to say negative things about others…Let’s say you see someone you know and they cut their hair very short. What if in front of your child, you said, “Wow, her hair does not look good like that at all!” Your child has just witnessed you criticizing someone else and will likely practice that behavior on others, or perhaps worse, they will begin to question what you dislike or what they shouldn’t like about themselves. This can all happen from one seemingly simple “harmless” statement. Kids are smart, and they know the quickest way to learn about their world is by the people closest to them, so they emulate. And why not— “grown-ups know it all and if a grown-up is doing it-it must be the way it’s done.”

So, while we are busy teaching our child how wonderful it is that they are unique and special, in the same breath, all that teaching can be undone if we were to criticize ourselves or others. Why? Because how we can we say our child is so very special because they are different, if we then criticize others for being different?!

This is why I believe that when we teach our children how wonderful it is that they are different and there is no one else like them, we should also teach them that everyone deserves the same respect. As parents, we want others to accept our children as they are, their beautiful, unique selves, and we want our children to celebrate and appreciate their own uniqueness. But then, shouldn’t we all be willing to do that same thing for everyone? After all, everyone is someone’s child!

“So if being different is what makes us unique, we have more in common with others than we may think!” The Elle Grey Story, UNIQUE

"BE NICE TO OTHERS AND THEY'LL BE NICE TO YOU...." REALLY?

🌟 Teaching Kindness Without Losing Self-Respect

“Be nice to others and they’ll be nice to you.”

It’s a common statement we’ve all been taught as kids. I remember hearing it countless times from adults in my life. But as a child (and even later in my twenties), it often left me feeling confused or even unworthy. I would share and share, yet not receive the same kindness back. I would go out of my way to be kind, only to be left broken-hearted.

Here’s the truth: Being kind to others does not guarantee kindness in return. And to teach our children that it does may be setting them up for disappointment.

I don’t want my kids to be kind only with the hope that others will be kind back. I want them to be kind because they are kind—because it’s the right thing to do, for themselves and for the world. And I want them to carry self-respect alongside their kindness, so it becomes part of their foundation throughout life.

💛 Why Kindness Alone Isn’t Enough

As parents, we walk a fine line. Of course, we want our kids to be kind—but we also don’t want their kindness to be taken advantage of. Teaching kindness without teaching boundaries risks raising children who allow others to misuse their good hearts.

The world, as we know as adults, isn’t always kind back. Our children can’t fully see that yet, but it’s our job to prepare them for what they’ll face.

Kindness should never mean allowing someone else to manipulate or diminish who we are. And it should never mean ignoring self-respect.

🌈 A Better Way to Teach the Lesson

So maybe it’s time to update that old saying. Instead of:
“Be nice to others and they’ll be nice to you,”

What if we taught our children this:
“Be nice to others and you’ll find MOST OF THEM will be nice to you.” And we should go even further to say, “But sometimes, you’ll just need to walk away. And that’s OK my darling, because your sunshine can just be saved for someone else on another day!”

This shift does three important things:

1. Teaches our kids to be kind.

2. Prepares them that not everyone will return kindness.

3. Empowers them to walk away from unkindness with dignity.

It’s taken me years (and a lot of heartache) to learn this lesson myself. Looking back, there are so many friendships and relationships I could have spared myself if I’d known when to walk away.

🌟 Raising Kind, Confident Kids

I believe it’s important for our children to be kind—but also to recognize there are limits to the unkindness they should accept. At the heart of this lesson is self-respect.

If we can start this conversation early with our children—teaching them that kindness is powerful, but boundaries are essential—just imagine the strong, compassionate, confident adults they will become.

The Elle Grey Story, KINDNESS is coming soon!

Learning to Share with WORDS

This story was contributed by Dorian Lopez, loving mother to the incredibly adorable young man below. They are early readers of The Elle Grey Story, WORDS. Here is the story of what her and her son experienced after reading it!

Have you ever wondered, "When will my child ever start sharing?" I've been asking myself this question for quite some time now, and to be honest, I was beginning to think it would never happen.  No matter how many different methods we've tried with our four year old, nothing seemed to work! 

I know age plays a factor because he does very well with other children his age, however, the one he seems to have the hardest time sharing with is his two year old cousin. My son is tremendously kind, up until it's time to share one of his toys with him.  He then becomes a little hulk that seems to only be able to say, "This is mine! Go away!" or something along those lines.  Do you remember how I thought he would never learn to share?

Well, he hasn't mastered the art of sharing just yet, but it definitely has been improving ever since we started reading one of the most heartfelt children's stories out there. We started reading The Elle Grey Story, WORDS on a Friday night right before bedtime. My son and I both genuinely fell in love with the message and the story itself.  He listened without interrupting and I could tell he was understanding the message and could relate to the story.  We discussed the book and I once again reminded him that words can be hurtful and that we should choose kind words when we talk to other people and ourselves. 

The next morning, we met my sister for brunch and while we were waiting to be seated my nephew began to cry wanting the toy my son had. I explained to my nephew (like I always do) that he could take a turn once his cousin was done playing with it. He's two years old, so the crying continued.  To my surprise my little guy stood up, went up to his younger cousin, hugged him and in a chocked voice told him to not cry anymore and handed over his toy.  I was in shock, to say the least.  I was speechless, so I just watched.  After we were seated, I realized that my son had just shared one of his favorite toys without me telling him to do so.  After I told him how proud of him I was, I asked him what had made him want to do something so hard as sharing his favorite toy. His simple response was, " I don't want to make people sad. I want to be just like Patty Panda in WORDS. I'm sorry for not sharing before, mommy!" And at that moment my heart sank. I knew that had been hard for him, but I was so glad he did it. 

We've been reading WORDS every morning and night before bedtime and he's doing so much better with sharing and using nicer words. I'm so happy a children's book was able to help him understand, not just the importance of sharing, but also taught him how words can be very hurtful and to be kind, not just to others, but also to ourselves.  This book is a new favorite in our house!

Thank you so much Elle, for a beautifully written and illustrated children's book with a very important message!

Dorian L.

Dorian is an Instagram friend of @ellegreystories. You can find her @dori_fer

Back to School and the Power of Words

When I was a kid, I dreaded going back to school. I loved to learn, but I didn’t “fit in.” I had very few friends and always seemed to stand out. Truthfully, it was my own doing—I never wanted to be a part of the groups where kids would gather to gossip about others as they walked by. That entire culture of unkindness, where it was considered “cool” to tear others down, never sat right with me.

I disliked the idea that school was less about learning and more about being socially accepted—or else your life felt miserable. I just wanted to learn, because I loved learning. But in between classes, there was always drama. So, I stayed to myself. Even at lunch, I skipped the cafeteria and went to the library, where I’d read until the bell rang.

Really, that’s how my school years unfolded: class, alone, class, library, class, alone, class, home. I couldn’t wait to be finished with the system, because I believed the world outside would be different.

But my thinking wasn’t completely right. So much of our world still operates this way—people being unkind and believing it makes them stronger, smarter, or cooler. And sadly, our children see and hear this every day as they grow up.

The good news is that things are shifting. Today, there’s a movement that wasn’t there when I was young—promoting kindness, raising awareness about the damage of hurtful words, angry voices, and unkind actions. You can see it in uplifting campaigns, videos shared on social media, and conversations happening in schools and communities.

✍️ Why I Wrote WORDS

I simply asked myself the question….

What are the most important things I need my daughter to know if I’m not here to teach them myself?

The very first story I wrote—before the other thirty-eight—was WORDS. I needed her to understand the power of her words, her voice, and her actions. Too often, I had seen people disregard all three, unaware (or unconcerned) about the hurt they caused.

I felt that if she could understand the difference between positivity and negativity—and that we each have the power to choose—she would learn to choose her words wisely. She would know when to walk away from unkindness and be less likely to absorb that negativity.

💛 Why This Matters for Parents

I believe this lesson is important for all of us as parents. None of us want the words of others to wound our children. And while we can’t protect them from pain completely, we can talk about it. And when we do, we give them tools to lessen the hurt.

As a child, I had to learn this lesson on my own. There were no discussions about kindness or the power of words. I just knew I didn’t “fit in.” I was kind, and that made me an outcast—uncool, socially unacceptable.

It’s time to change that culture. Not just in our schools, but in our communities and our world.

🌈 The Culture of Kindness

Kindness is powerful. And the words we use are one of the biggest ways we show it. Every child is born kind—it’s our job to nurture that natural gift, to let it flourish, to help it shine.

We may not be able to change every heart or brighten every soul, but we can help keep our children’s hearts and minds filled with kindness. If we do that, we’ll make their world brighter—and in turn, the whole world a better place.

The Elle Grey Story, MONSTERS - BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and our kids need all the power they can get!

I was five years old when the first and worst Monster, I would ever face, entered my life.  He was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive my whole life, but it wasn't until I was fifteen that he attempted a sexual assault. This man was my step-father and he had waited ten years to plan his attack. Ten years of my life, ten years of being there everyday attempting to build a bond with me.  I was a very intuitive, strong-willed and stubborn little girl and these things are probably what saved my life.

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I loved and longed for my real father my whole life and so every attempt my step-father made to have me call him, "Dad" I rejected.  I remember being only six years old when he told me that I should now call him Dad, and I flatly said, "But, you're not my dad." My life went down hill from that very moment. Constant abuse ensued from that day on, but I refused to allow it to break me, even as young as six years old, I was able to decide for myself that I would NOT be broken!

The day he attempted a sexual assault on me when I was only fifteen years old, still such a baby...I had to muster all of my courage, all of my strength to defeat this man, this Monster that was so much bigger and stronger than me. While he hadn't managed to break me over that decade, this man had definitely taken his toll on me with his verbal, emotional and physical abuse (all of us can only take so much before things start to settle in our skin and stay with us.) 

I say Monsters use tricks and they really do! He tried to bribe me, he tried to make me stay still and stay quiet, and when all else failed, he threatened my life.  And as time stood still for all of these tricks, I immediately snapped time back in place and I ran. I ran for my life, through my house; a house that I'd lived in for ten years and yet the hallway seemed a hundred times longer than it was, the doorway had definitely been moved and was in the wrong spot, and darkness was everywhere. I  refused to look behind me for fear he was right on my heels and would grab me by my hair and pull me down to the ground. (Something he would do often.)  I ran for my mother, sleeping in her bedroom, praying I'd make it in time, thinking I may never see her again if he caught up with me. It's amazing what adrenaline can do to your body and mind.

I was my own hero that day, and I've continued to be my own hero throughout my life.  This experience prepared me for the additional five Monsters I've faced since that fateful day. Every Monster has looked different, but they've all tried the same tricks and they've all had the same motive-TO DO HARM TO SOMEONE SMALLER AND WEAKER THAN THEM. I felt as though I at least had the knowledge to recognize a Monster very quickly, being around one your entire childhood gives you that, but I was lacking the strength to physically fight for my life, if I didn't have the opportunity to run. When I was twenty-one years old, I made a point to become stronger. I bought myself a gym membership and worked to make myself as strong as I could.  

At only five years old, I knew something was off with my step-father, I sensed it. The day my mother married him, she asked me if I was excited and I said, "No, don't marry him." I was too young to explain why I felt this way, I just knew I did. Our kids can sense danger, they can almost always sense a Monster even before we do, but we have to be willing to listen. I wrote the story, MONSTERS to open this dialogue with our kids in a really empowering way so that they will talk to us should they see or feel something amiss. I want to help our kids at least have the knowledge to protect themselves; to be their own hero, because someday, they may have to be. 

What are the Elle Grey Stories?

What are the Elle Grey Stories,
And what are they all about?
Well, they’re really quite different—
There are a few reasons they stand out!

You’ll find Elle Grey Stories
Are fun and funny too,
But more importantly, they teach great lessons—
Ones that will be important to you.

Some teach values like honesty,
Loyalty, and appreciation…
And goodness knows, we need more of those
In every single nation!

There are stories on emotions—
Frustration, anger, and sadness.
And we all know when those three mix,
It can feel a little like madness!

There are stories about protection,
To help our kids stay aware,
Of dangers in their world—like fire,
Deep water, or old rickety stairs.

Then, there are the Growing Stories—
Special ones that truly stand out.
Like the story Monsters,
Which could save lives, we have no doubt!

So we promise Elle Grey Stories
Are different, right from the start.
Perhaps because each one came
From the very bottom of a mother’s heart.

They were written for her little girl,
But then she chose to share
Each story with the whole wide world,
To show just how much she cares.

So please tell your friends,
Tell everyone you know…
Elle Grey Stories are coming,
With wonderful lessons in tow!

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The Elle Grey Story, RESET - Helping Our Kids BEFORE They Have One Of Those Things We Lovingly Refer To As A "MELT DOWN"!

The first time

my daughter really ever had a melt down was when she was about two and half years old. Of course, she had been upset before and visibly frustrated many many times before this day, but this was a full MELT DOWN day! 

🌟 Why I Wrote RESET

I knew my daughter was tired. We were just heading up for her nap, and all was good… until I asked her to use the potty before climbing into bed. Suddenly, we were in full meltdown mode! Tears, screams, and dramatic flops to the ground.

I stood there thinking, “What is going on?!”

I sat her down and gently asked, “Honey, what’s wrong?” She looked at me with tear-streaked cheeks and the most sympathetic, pleading eyes and said, “I don’t know!”

And she really didn’t know.

This child always has an answer for everything—but in this moment, she couldn’t find one. And worse, I realized the fact that I even asked her what was wrong worried her more. To her, if I didn’t know, and she didn’t know, how was she ever going to feel better?

That’s when I jumped into action. I explained that she was just tired, and that sometimes, when there’s so much happening around us, being tired makes it hard to process it all.

She understood. She nodded her head, relieved. Because for her, if there was a reason, there was hope—she wouldn’t feel this way forever.

I tucked her in and told her she needed a reset. The best way this time was to get some rest. As she lay down, she whispered, “I’ll feel better after my nap? I can reset?”

“Yes,” I nodded, kissed her forehead, and told her I loved her.

✍️ From a Hard Moment to a Story

The story RESET was born from this very moment. I knew I wasn’t the only parent watching their child struggle with big feelings they couldn’t name. I wanted to create something that would help children understand what’s happening inside them—and give them tools to handle it.

Even as young as two-and-a-half, kids can process so much if we take the time to explain. Now, every time my daughter feels herself getting tired or short-tempered, she can recognize it. She’ll even tell me on her own: “Mommy, I think I need a little reset.”

That one change has spared her—and me—so many meltdowns. Because while as parents we may joke about “the dreaded meltdown,” for our kids it’s truly scary. It feels like being completely out of control. But with a reset, they don’t have to go down that dark, unsettling rabbit hole of emotions.

🌈 How RESET Helps

This story gently walks kids through:

• How to recognize when they need a reset

• How to communicate it to grown-ups

• Different ways to reset (because sleep isn’t always the answer)

• Key words kids can use to quickly tell us what they need

And the best part? Grown-ups can use them too!

“And if your parents know the magic words,
They can use them too.
This way, you know what it means,
When they say one of them to you.
Because EVERYONE, now and then, needs a do-over or reset.
We ALL have moments when we seem to come apart because we’re upset!”
— Elle Grey

Sticks & Stones

We've all heard the saying, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." In reality, nothing can be further from the truth, especially to our young and impressionable children. 

From your child's interactions within playgroups to the words you speak to them and others, the words that catch the ear of little ones can impact them for a lifetime. This is precisely why Elle Grey created the story, WORDS. 

WORDS is an excellent reminder for both children and adults alike to remember that speaking harshly to others will hurt the people around us. Thoughtless words thrown out in frustration or anger will most certainly hurt the people we should be talking to with love and patience. 

The truth is, words are the greatest tool to either build up those around you or tear them down. Cultivating a home and environment where your child hears and speaks positivity and mindfulness of others' feelings begins with you as a parent, grandparent, or family member. Mastering the art of communication is no easy feat, but with practice...you'll start to attract positivity all around you. 

Wouldn't you want your child to be surrounded by positive influences and friends? It all begins with the way they speak and the tone they communicate with. The story “WORDS” is the perfect example for children to grasp this concept and apply it in their lives. It's relevant with easy-to-understand concepts that apply to their lives now, and will remain a lesson that they can take with them well into their adult years.  

MY DAUGHTER, AVELLE-THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES

My daughter, Avelle (uh-vel), is the inspiration behind every Elle Grey Story. She's why they started and the reason new ones will be written! You see, I have two boys; one just days from eighteen and another, just shy of twenty-one. But when my daughter was only four months old, I feared I may have the same number of years with her, so I wanted to be sure I could leave something behind for her that her dad could use to teach her all the things that were important to me. I wanted her to feel like her mom was still there with her, loving her through these words left behind for her.

I originally wrote sixteen stories but am now up to thirty-nine. I've written so much...Stories on values that would shape her character, stories to guide her and even more to protect her. Once the original sixteen were written, I read them to her dad, and he insisted that I share all of them! This was a very scary thought to me at first because each story had been written with this intense amount of love and for such personal reasons, that the idea of sharing them left me feeling very scared. But he was right...These stories could help start important conversations with children and their parents all over the world and some could even potentially save lives. That thought was amazing to me, so I swallowed any vulnerability I felt and released the fear with the hope that these stories would make a real difference in the world!

Avelle is turning three today, and I've spent all this time getting these stories meant only for her, ready to share with the world. These stories are real and honest, meant to help her through challenges I knew someday she'd someday face...Now they can do that for every child!

Not a single word was changed from the way I wrote them for her and now the time is near!  This is the start of changing the world! And while I am feeling some vulnerability and a little fear; after all, I am bearing my heart and soul to the whole world with these stories, I would do it all again knowing that even ONE child beyond my own could be affected, guided and protected with even ONE story!

So, Happy Birthday my darling girl, thank you for inspiring me every day!  I knew you coming into this world would completely change our lives, but there's no way I could have ever imagined just how much!  I love you...more than you'll ever know! 

THE ELLE GREY STORIES ARE QUICKLY COMING 'ROUND!

We just wanted to let you know, Elle Grey Stories has officially broken ground!
We’re well on our way and the stories are quickly coming 'round!
We’ll keep you posted on our progress with each step we take.
There are so many stories, in fact, we’ve reached thirty-eight!
We know what you’re thinking, and you’re so right, thirty-eight is a lot…
And with that many stories, a lot of work we’ve still got!
But we are writing and sketching… and we must admit, laughing as each one’s grown…
Each story is important and sincere, but they’re also funny, so they tickle our funny bone!
We can’t wait to share them, so we’ll work night and day.
And we promise to keep you posted all along the way!

-Elle Grey

THE STORY OF THE GUY SHOWING THE WORLD THE HEART OF THE STORIES-Q&A with Emio Tomeoni, Creative Director and Videographer of our Kickstarter video

You can find the continuation of the Instagram story here, along with Emio's Q&A

Continuation of the story on Instagram:

 I'd like to introduce you all to Emio Tomeoni. He is the creative director and videographer of the Elle Grey Stories Kickstarter video. He is a husband and a "dada"! Over five years ago, I had worked with him (through my husband's business) and personally seen his  work.  It was truly beautiful... Just amazing! Fast forward years later, and the Elle Grey Stories are only five months old and I thought of Emio. Knowing someday I'd need to do a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign video, I knew he'd be the one I would need-he'd be perfect! But the stories were just babies then, and I was no where near ready.  I thought of someday reaching out. But fear came with those thoughts...My budget would be tight, what if he couldn't do it? What if he was too busy and couldn't do it... So many, "what-if's" consumed me... He was just that good! I worked on the stories and waited until I was ready... Years passed, then the day came to reach out! 

I reached out through Facebook because I didn't have an email or phone number.  After all, I had only spent a day with him and my husband/family then never saw him again.  He might not even remember me.  So, I messaged him on pins and needles...no response! I waited a day and tried again. He responded! Yes, at least I had opened the door. Now to show him this was a wonderful project, one only he could help me to show the world, one that I could never afford his normal rate....uugghhh! I had to pray he could find his own passion about it once I shared the backstory and showed him the actual stories, ALL OF THEM! I needed him to understand the power of these stories and for him to want to be the one to help me bring them to the world...I had to let him come to that decision on his own.  I was very upfront about not being able to afford his rate and that I would have to be creative with his compensation. He was worth every penny, I just didn't have it right now. ( But this is really the reason for Kickstarter, to help us bring this project to life and that takes support from people that share the passion of it!) I shared with him my thoughts, then sent him all the stories that were ready.  Then I waited...nervously...he was the only one to have ever read all the stories, other than my husband. I kept checking for a text or an email but nothing! I must have checked 15 times in one day! (Looking back, I can laugh at myself now!) Then it came, his response! HE WAS IN! HE COULDN'T WAIT TO START! HE LOVED THE STORIES AND WANTED TO BE THE ONE TO TELL THE WORLD ALL ABOUT THEM! (I think I jumped up and sank a little at the same time...there was intense joy and immense relief all at once.) I knew he was the only one that could really tell the true story of the Elle Grey Stories.  He has a way through his lens to truly show you someone's heart. I'd never seen any other videographer do that before or since. And since every Elle Grey Story comes from the heart, that was exactly what I needed! I remembered that night, when the stories were only five months old and I remembered how I thought he was the one I had to have help me! I thought of all the fears I faced then and I thought, "IT'S HAPPENING! IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!"

I really feel like everything that I've done and been through in life has prepared me for today.  And meeting Emio five years ago, is just one of those perfect examples of this.  I can't wait for you all to see the Elle Grey Stories Kickstarter video! I actually haven't seen it myself yet...we only filmed it this past weekend.  He's creating it now and I have no doubt he will capture the heart; every tear drop, every late night, the countless hours and every ounce of love that's been poured into the Elle Grey Stories! 

Thank you Emio! I'm more grateful than I can possibly explain!

Here is some Q&A with Emio, himself!

Hi everyone, I'm Emio.  Here are some fun facts to start with...

• When my wife and I worked at a small TV station in Topeka, Kansas we would sometimes have to bring our infant son into the studio while Mom anchored the show and I ran the cameras with him strapped to my chest.
• In 2013, I  created a simple little home video for my wife about a afternoon with my son. Now it have more than 35 million views on Youtube.
• I am a die hard Golden State Warriors basketball fan.
• Growing up, my dad had a friend who owned goats, and every summer my sister and I would go out and herd goats. One year we even brought a baby goat home as a pet.

 Q&A

What do you do for fun?

I take advantage of every opportunity to play with our two boys, not just as a way to spend quality time together, but so I can play with some of my favorite toys, especially Legos and Playdoh.

I have a Youtube channel where I produce sports related stories

I enjoy playing and making music.

 Tell us about your decision to work with Elle Grey and her mission... Was there something that drew you to this project?

One of the reasons I left the corporate world and started my own video production company, was to have the final say on who I worked with. I wanted to collaborate with people who shared the passion and motivation I had to tell great stories and make good products. Elle Grey is basically the ideal person I could have hoped to work with because of her passion, care and legit interest in telling great stories.

 We understand that by filming the Kickstarter campaign video, you’ve been able to see only what Elle Grey herself has seen up to this point; original words, concepts, sketches and all of the stories. What can you share with us about the Elle Grey Stories, now that you’ve seen behind the scenes?

That it’s as genuine as advertised, it's not a contrived marketing strategy to pull at people's heart strings. This project came from a pure place and has maintained that core through all the steps of this process.

We understand you and your wife have two sons, who are six and two years old.  What story(ies) are you most excited about for your children to read, and why?

For the older one, I’m excited to share the JUDGEMENT and WORDS stories, as I believe those are as relevant as ever for his stage in life. And with the two year old, well, I’m sure he’ll want to do whatever his brother is doing, cause all he wants is to be next to him.

When you did the filming for the Kickstarter video, we understand all filming was done in Elle Grey’s home. What can you tell us about her?

She has a loving home, and lives the life she’s trying to share with the world.

THE STORY OF THE GIRL HELPING TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE STORIES-Q&A with Brittany McAnally

Hello everyone! My name is Brittany, and I work with Elle Grey to help her get the word out about these wonderful stories! I thought I'd share a few fun facts before we get to the Q&A. I'm an open book really!

• I grew up in the same house my entire life, my first move was to college! 
• I never really had a "real" boyfriend till my husband... I always wanted to have sons (crazy I know, I'm just a "boy" mom)
• We've been to 12 countries and 38 States! My husband is in the military so we have moved a lot!
• I have a brother who is 15 months younger than me. 
• I have a degree in Exercise Science and hate exercising... I'm very adventurous though, I love the outdoors. I'm also very competitive and actually really athletic.
• I had the highest grade 3 years in a row for the best written essay in high school. (It was kinda like a TCAP test but in the form of an essay for advanced English) However, I'm a horrible writer... I'm not exactly sure how I did that!
• Growing up I told everyone I wanted to be a Botanist, my mom was SHOCKED when I didn't actually go to school for plants! HA
• Oh, and I don't have a favorite color... I think all colors are pretty and I just can't pick one so I always say the rainbow is my favorite!

Q&A with Brittany

What do you do for fun?

I LOVE traveling, photography and blogging! I’ve actually been to 12 countries within the last six months with my two kiddos and husband!

Tell us about working with Elle Grey and her mission.

My job at Elle Grey Stories is to help spread the word of her stories and what they represent! It’s actually a really easy job, because when I believe in something with all my heart, telling people about it just becomes natural. I can honestly say that I LOVE my job, and I’ll hang with Elle Grey Stories for as long as Elle will have me!

What story are you most excited about for kids to read, which one do you think will have the biggest impact?

Hmmm.... that’s a hard question because I think all the books will have a great impact on everyone! However, what I can tell you, is I’m most EXCITED about the book titled "Protection While Moving". You see, my children are Army brats, and with my husband’s career we have moved every year of our marriage and every year of our children’s lives! We’re currently approaching eight years of marriage with a move in December making it eight moves in eight years! Crazy right? Needless to say,  I need a book to prep my boys on moving. You’d think they’d be professionals, however, they act like rookies every year!

What do you like most about Elle Grey Stories?

I don’t like, I LOVE that these books are like a one-stop shop for every issue we face as parents! I love the idea of having a second voice saying the EXACT same things I tell my children everyday. I also LOVE the fact that every book, every character, and every book cover has a story! Elle put a TON of work and love into these stories and you can tell when you read them.

What is it about Elle Grey Stories that you feel makes them stand apart from other children’s books?

I have seen once a week, since working with Elle Grey, a post on Facebook from friends looking for a book to help teach their children something that one of The Elle Grey Stories covers. These books are literally the place you can go for any issue you might run into as a parent, or even books to help reinforce behaviors you’ve already taught them. There’s just nothing available to this extent and I think it’s wonderful that these books are going to help shape the future of our world through our children.

What can you tell us about Elle Grey? What have you learned about her since working with her?

Oh, this is an easy question! Elle Grey is very down to earth, I remember during my interview thinking...this lady is awesome! She’s so easy to talk to, she’s very personable, and she puts up with all my cheesy jokes! (Seriously, you guys I have the worst jokes, and she’ll always laugh at them! haha)

She’s very passionate about her books, and her children, and it shows through her words. I believe you know you’re in the right field if you wake up in the morning excited to go to work! I believe with all my heart that Elle has found her calling, and loves waking up to the idea of sharing her stories with the world!!

THE STORY OF THE GIRL THAT DRAWS THE STORIES-Q&A with Nastasia Degas

Hello everyone! I'm Nastasia Degas, the Illustrator of The Elle Grey Stories. I thought I would share a few fun facts about myself before getting into the Q&A. So here we go!

• I am 27 years old, but some people think that I am 17.
• My dream car is a SMART car, its look like my characters style.
• I'm a minions toy collector, I have 34 so far
• I love to hang small toys on my backpacks
• My cat, Krunia, loves salted green olives!

Q&A with Nastasia

When did you start drawing, how old were you?

I started drawing when I was 20 years old

 

Did you ever take art classes?

No, my husband taught me at home!

 

What do you do for fun?

Try to create new healthy food recipes that no one has before. 

 

What was your favorite story to illustrate?

My favorite story to illustrate was "Stealing"
 

Tell us about working with Elle Grey and her mission with these stories...

Elle Grey opened for me a new door to participate in enriching children with vital information that no one has addressed with them before in such a way.

 

Which story are you most excited about for kids to read, which one do you think will have the largest impact? 

The story, "Monsters", because of its serious and very important theme for children.

 

What do you most like about illustrating the Elle Grey Stories?

Elle Grey Stories deals with issues that touch the everyday lives of children. This is my favorite part!