Between my nieces, nephews and my own son, I'm surrounded by kids seeking an education from preschool all the way to high school. While each child has a different learning environment, all "my" kids needs to feel confident in their learning ability.


I'm sure many families feel the same as I do. But how can we support and encourage our kids while they learn?

To get some advice I turned to LEGO Education's president, Esben Jørgensen, who I met during a new product launch event. More on that later. But during that event, I learned that Esben has a strong belief in building confidence in students.

As an expert in STEAM education and a parent himself to two sons, he has found ways to help parents understood how to build confidence in their children this school year.

And here are Esben "Tips to Help Kids Build Confidence in Learning"

1. Stay connected and involved

This looks different for every family, but there are many ways parents can be involved in their child’s learning. Whether you volunteer and help out, attend PTA meetings or ask your child open-ended questions about what they’re learning, parent engagement can play a key role in supporting learning inside and outside the classroom.

While it’s easy to focus on the grade or result, it’s important to help kids feel confident regardless of the outcome, knowing they will be equipped with the skills they need for lifelong success.

2. Help them find the freedom in failure

Failure is essential to learning – without failure no one would ever learn what doesn’t work to know what does. The idea of “failing fast” to innovate has become popular in the business world, but in education we often still hear failure as a negative word – in fact, 47% of students avoid subjects where they have failed before.

Yet 90% of teachers agree that students need to learn to fail to become more confident and succeed in school. Confidence is having the belief in your ability to learn, to accomplish something with what you know. It’s being comfortable trying something you’ve never done before without worrying about a right answer.

Make sure you’re teaching your kids it’s okay to not get it right the first time. Try sharing an experience with your student of a time you failed and how your confidence helped you overcome a challenge.

3. Sign up for STEAM and robotics teams

Similar to team sports, after-school STEAM or robotic programs can be a great way to help students build confidence and camaraderie, while also developing their skills for the jobs of the future. There are various STEAM and robotics teams around the world that give kids from kindergarten through high school the opportunity to work in teams, learn to code and even compete in national competitions.

With a real-world STEAM problem to solve, these after-school programs teach technical and academic skills, as well as critical soft skills that kids will need throughout their lives. Find a program near you or get involved and start your own team as a coach or mentor.

4. Get them hands-on

Over 90% of teachers agree that hands-on learning builds students’ confidence and encourages them to learn new things, and students say they tend to remember topics longer when they learn through hands-on projects. Yet few schools make time for it regularly.

Use your voice to advocate for more hands-on learning in your child’s school. With a variety of hands-on learning solutions and lesson plans that are designed and aligned with standards, your student can get the best of both.

5. Don’t be a fixer for everything

When kids face a roadblock, such as a math problem they can’t solve, parents naturally want to jump in and find a solution. Only 57% of parents globally say they let their child fail before intervening.

Instead, use these moments to help them develop real-world skills such as creative thinking and effective communications, in addition to new academic skills. These are crucial learning that will follow them beyond childhood and set them up for lifelong success.


I hope these tips help you find various ways to build confidence in your kids so they can enjoy learning.

To learn more about LEGO Education, visit - www.education.lego.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/LEGOEducationOfficial
Twitter - www.twitter.com/LEGO_Education
Instagram - www.instagram.com/legoeducation

Between my nieces, nephews and my own son, I'm surrounded by kids seeking an education from preschool all the way to high school. While ...

Each year planning a child's birthday party becomes a mission. Who to invite. What party theme to have. Birthday cake, cupcakes or something else?! But planning the party doesn't have to be a daunting task.


Planning a child's birthday party can be a family fun and bonding moment. To help families with their party planning, I'm sharing these six tips to keep the party fun and engaging all afternoon.


Note: This post was written in partnership with CityHUNT. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Think about the Guest List

The guest list is a crucial part of planning a birthday party, especially for a kid. Is there be someone your child must have at his or her party? Is there anyone in their class that he or she doesn’t get along with that should be avoided?

Decide if you’ll invite the entire classroom, only girls or only boys, or keep the party strictly to close friends and family. Either way, you want to ensure that the people are child wants there is
there.

Incorporate Creative Games

Be creative when planning a child’s birthday party. Almost anything can get turned into a fun and exciting game. You don’t have to go overboard. However, you should have a decent list of games and activities to do with the party, just in case they start to get bored.

One game idea worth considering is a scavenger hunt. It’s a great way to keep kids busy for quite a while. Plus, it forces them to use their minds a bit as they solve for clues. You can create a scavenger hunt yourself, or hire companies like CityHUNT to do the work for you.

Have Tasty Snacks Available

The kids will likely get hungry throughout the party, especially if it is scheduled during the lunch or dinner hour. You’ll want to have tasty snacks available at all times. Simple finger food is a good way to go. Remember, it’s a kid’s birthday party, so you don’t need an elaborate three-course dinner.

Keep in mind any food allergies some guests may have. Ask them on the invite to mention any allergies that you should know. That way, when you come up with your food list, you can be mindful to avoid any allergens.

Don’t Forget the Party Favors

For a child’s birthday party, you’ll want to have party favors. They are a way of thanking the guests for coming and bringing presents. Party favors can be just about anything, so get creative with your ideas.

Have a Plan, but Be Flexible

You’ll want to have a plan of how the day should go. However, you’re dealing with kids, which means you’ll need to be somewhat flexible. Don’t create an itinerary that’s set in stone. Instead, leave room for spontaneous events and keep in mind that all activities may not go as planned.

Relax and Enjoy the Party

Even though you’ve planned the party for your child, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy yourself, too. Remember to relax throughout the day. A stressed adult will only end up stressing the children and set a bad vibe in the room.

To learn more, visit - www.cityhunt.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/RealcityHUNT
Twitter - www.twitter.com/realcityHUNT

Each year planning a child's birthday party becomes a mission. Who to invite. What party theme to have. Birthday cake, cupcakes or somet...

For children summer is a carefree time to spend outside enjoying the beautiful weather and fun activities. But according to the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrown away Children (NISMART), 41% of abductions occur during the summer months of June, July and August.


So before sending your child to the park or pool with friends, make sure they know these 4 tips from Krav Maga Worldwide about what to do if a stranger approaches them.

It starts with open conversations.

It’s important to teach children while they are young about what do if a stranger approaches them or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way. Young children may be confused about the concept of a stranger in general and who is or isn’t one. Parents should emphasize that a stranger is just someone the child doesn’t know and not necessarily a good or bad person.

It can also be helpful if parents ask their child about their day on a daily basis to help ensure that nothing suspicious occurred. Even if a child does not directly say a stranger approached them, parents should be able to pick up on body language and verbal cues that something is off base.

Fight Back.

Sign children up for intro self-defense classes specifically for kids and dealing with situations that can arise for their age group. These classes often teach children body language and verbal skills that can help deter potential attackers as well physical skills.

Unfortunately, there is a very real possibility that a child may be in a situation that they can’t defuse or walk away from. Having a foundation of physical skills is vital for the child to be able to protect themselves when push literally comes to shove.

Emergency planning.

If a child will be left alone during the day, create and practice an emergency plan with them so they are aware of what to do in case someone comes to the door or tries to break in.

Leave written instructions and important phone numbers on the fridge or counter and continuously practice safety skills with the child, which can help them become second nature and the child will know what to do on the spot.

Make a plan and keep kids busy.

Parents can set up a schedule with their child so that they know where they are supposed to be at what time and with who. If parents are friendly with neighbors, touch base with them and ask if they can keep an eye out on the child if they play outside often. Inform your child that they are trusted adults that they can go to if an uncomfortable situation arises.

Parents can also tap into what the child’s interests are and sign them up for classes or programs that involve something that they love to do, such as art classes or sports programs. These programs and activities tend to be supervised by trained adults that can help keep the child safe.

For more information, call 800.572.8624 and visit www.kravmaga.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/KravMagaWorldwideInc
Twitter - www.twitter.com/KMWKravMaga
Instagram - www.instagram.com/krav_maga_worldwide

For children summer is a carefree time to spend outside enjoying the beautiful weather and fun activities. But according to the National Inc...

The tween years are an ideal time to speak with your child about sweat and odors, as well as introducing the habit of wearing deodorant. But how? One of the most challenging conversations for parents is about body developments that seem to occur overnight, especially body odor.




Below is a guest post with some tips from Kathryn Holdforth, mother of two and founder of JK Naturals, for approaching this sensitive subject with your children and deciding on the right deodorant for them to use.

Talking to Your Tween about Body Odor:

• Be proactive and respectful. - This is a discussion your tween or teen needs to hear from someone who has their best interest at heart and not their peers or teachers at school. How you talk to your child about body odor will depend a lot on your relationship/knowing your child.
  
  If your child is used to you being direct, telling them they need a shower and to use deodorant can do the trick. However, if your child is more sensitive or easily embarrassed, choose your words carefully. Parents can act subtly by leaving a deodorant on their bathroom counter or opening up the conversation during a shopping trip while picking up deodorant for themselves. How you approach the subject will depend on your child and his/her personality.

• Explain the changes and reassure them it is normal. - It is important that parents take the time to explain to their children about the different changes that are and will be taking place with their body. There are a ton of helpful books and websites that can help assist parents with this difficult and sometimes uncomfortable talk.
  
  Throw in a personal experience in the discussion so that your child knows this is a common situation that everyone will have to go through at some age. 

• Tips, tricks and tools. - Explain how taking baths or showers every day can help keep bacteria off their body, which will help reduce body odor. Sometimes just knowing there is a purpose to washing can help encourage them to not cut corners in the shower.
  
  Introduce clean personal care products, like deodorant that eliminates body odor when used regularly. Or better yet, allow them to choose one for themselves following the guidelines below.

Why is choosing the right deodorant important?

Some of the most common ingredients found in deodorant and antiperspirant such as aluminum, parabens (a preservative) or synthetic ingredients including fragrance oils are known toxins and can be harmful to your tween’s body.

What to look for when choosing a deodorant:

• Check the label. Ignore what it says on the front of the label, this is all marketing to get you to buy it. Instead, read the ingredient deck on the back of the label, that’s where the truth lies.

• Look for clean ingredients. Products that contain organic and 100% natural ingredients are ideal. Avoid products that contain a lot of synthetic chemicals, colorants or fragrances. These ingredients can get into your bloodstream and a large number of them are considered ‘hormone disruptors’.

• Buy deodorants and not antiperspirants. Deodorants do not contain aluminum, which is a controversial ingredient that may have many negative effects on one’s health. Its job is to stop the body from sweating, a function that is necessary to eliminate toxins and cool the body down. Clean deodorants, on the other hand, simply stop odor-causing bacteria.

• Trial and error. Sometimes the first couple of deodorants your children try might not work out for them for various reasons such as the scent or allergic reactions. Remind them to keep an open mind and not get frustrated while searching for the right deodorant. Once you are able to find the golden ticket, buy a couple of them to keep on hand as well as stashing them in gym or sports bags.

For more information on the how bodies change and what causes body odor, visit - www.jknaturals.com/blogs

The tween years are an ideal time to speak with your child about sweat and odors, as well as introducing the habit of wearing deodorant. But...

Did you know that September is National Better Breakfast month? I sure didn't. But like many families, having a bowl of cereal is one of the ways my family starts our day before heading out.


Note: I received product sample for review purpose. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

After receiving a few of Barbara’s, maker of wholesome snacks & cereals, products, we made sure to add them to our breakfast routine.

My son enjoyed a bowl of peanut butter-puffins cereal, which was a nice mix of sweet from the peanut butter and healthy from the corn and whole grain oats.


On the back of the box kids can enjoy Puffin trivia, project ideas and ways kids can earn rewards while learning. As a parent I liked that little extra.


As for me, I'm looking forward to a bowl of Barbara’s multigrain-spoonfuls cereal, which will help me get in some fiber along with multigrain (wheat, corn and oats).

Having breakfast should be a part of more families routines but based on a nationwide survey done by Barbara’s, 95% of parents say their children eat cereal for breakfast on school days and one in five children go without breakfast at least once per week.

To help more families be more consistent, Barbara’s has partnered with Frances Largeman-Roth - RDN, nutrition expert, mom of 3 and author of Eating in Color - to created 5 better breakfast tips:

1. Breakfast Time over Screen Time – Mornings are hectic, especially at the beginning of the school year, before everyone has settled into their schedules. Make it clear to your kids that breakfast time needs to come before they turn on the TV or play with their phone. 
2. Better Breakfasts – Barbara’s Breakfast Survey revealed that juice and cereal are the most common breakfast foods on school days: 71% of children drink fruit juice and 95% of children eat cereal. Clearly, kids love juice and cereal but you can still help them make better choices. For example, 100% fruit juice rather than “drinks” or “blends” and lower sugar cereals like Barbara’s Puffins, which are also packed with whole grains. 
3. Add Color! – Studies show that kids like food that’s colorful, so take the opportunity to fit in an extra serving of antioxidant and vitamin C-rich fruit--and tempt their taste buds--by offering brightly colored berries, diced apple and melon, or sliced grapes and kiwi fruit on the breakfast table. 
4. Streamline Set Up – Having a sit-down breakfast is much more doable if you do a little prep in advance. Set up the breakfast table the night before: Clear clutter, and set out bowls, spoons, and napkins. Then all you need to do in the morning is serve the food! 
5. Always Have Backup! – There are some days when you just have to grab and go! Being prepared with a healthy back up option is smart. I like to make extra whole grain pancakes on the weekend and freeze them for a rainy day.

I hope these tips helps your family get into a better breakfast routine.

To learn more about Barbara’s, visit - www.barbaras.com

Did you know that September is National Better Breakfast month? I sure didn't. But like many families, having a bowl of cereal is one of...

Thinking of sending your child to camp this summer? Then read this step-by-step guide featuring a detailed list of items parents should look for, from the type of camp, to accreditation, to important questions every parent should ask.


These insight into choosing the best summer camp for your child has been put together by Daniel Hammond, Camp Director at Pali Adventures, which offers 21 specialty camps kids can choose from in Running Springs, CA.

STEP 1 – Accreditation

Narrow your search immediately by choosing a camp that is accredited by the American Camp Association. This is absolutely essential - even if this is the ONLY step you take, you can rest assured that your camper will be in a safe place!

The ACA Standards provide a benchmark of over 250 rules, guidelines and regulations primarily focused on the health and safety of your child, to provide them with the best possible summer camp experience.

STEP 2 – Type of Camp. Here are the key choices you will need to make:

• Coed, Girls only, or Boys only? - A single-gender camp can allow campers to feel more relaxed about their social interactions, and remove the distraction of having the opposite gender around. However, a coed camp provides a safe place to learn crucial social skills in a supervised environment. Boys and girls can learn how to relate to and interact with each other in an unstructured, yet controlled social setting. I have seen the coed camp experience set kids up with social skills that have served them very well as they grow up.

• Local Day Camp, or full Residential Sleepaway Camp? - The youngest campers, usually about 7 or 8 years old, benefit most from a day camp where they can return home every night. However, as soon as they are ready for an overnight camp (usually a full year before YOU are ready to send them), it is time to let them attend one!
  
  A residential summer camp provides children a much fuller camp experience than a day camp. The soft skills learned while being away from home at a young age will travel with the child throughout his or her life. The independence gained will help carry a child through difficult adolescent experiences.

STEP 3 – Camp Focus and Activities.

Make sure the camp provides the activities than meet your child’s wants, needs, and interests. Here are some things to think about when reviewing a camp’s website or brochures:

• Is your child interested in a specific activity, and does the camp provide it?

• Does the camp provide free choice of activities, or are they cabin based?

• Are certain activities mandatory?

• Does the camp offer a wide range and variety of activities or a narrow specialty program? Are you looking for specific skills to be learned in the summer (film editing, soccer, tennis, golf lessons, etc) or a more well-rounded camp experience?

STEP 4 – Camp Specifics.

Take the next step in narrowing down your search by taking into consideration:

• Session Dates: Does the camp offer dates that are convenient to you? Does it offer the length of session you think is best for your child?
• Cost of the Programs: What does the Camp price include? Are there extra fees for any activities at camp? What value is the camp offering for your money?
• Location. (We love California because there is rarely a rainy day at camp!)
• Special needs: Does the camp provide for any special needs your child has (Dietary, learning disabilities, ADD, physical disabilities)

STEP 5 – Investigate.

You’ve narrowed it down to just a few camps that meet all your criteria. Now it’s time to go deeper. Do your research!

• Visit the camp. This is the absolute best way to find out what a camp is all about. Most camps have open houses in the spring, or are happy to give you a site tour at your convenience. Ideally, visit the year before you are thinking of sending your child to camp.

• Ask Around. Is there anyone in your area who has been a camper there? If not, can you find any testimonials from past campers on the website or reviews elsewhere online?

• Is it possible to speak with the Camp Director? If the Camp Director can’t take the time to spend a few minutes or even an hour with you talking about their camp – don’t send your child there! As a camp professional for over 20 years, I find it strange when a parent apologizes to me for asking too many questions about my camp. There is no such thing! As a parent you have every right to know the answers.

STEP 6 – Ask Those Questions!

Assuming the Camp Director IS available to speak with you, here are some great topics to ask them about. This is by no means a complete list, but it will certainly get them talking! You will have your own specific questions relating to your child and their needs.

• STAFFING: What percentage of returning staff does the camp have? What is the average age of the staff? What is the PROGRAM staff to camper ratio (do not count maintenance, house-keeping, kitchen staff) How long is the staff training? What is covered in staff training? How do I know that my child is being cared for in the cabin? Where do the staff members come from? Who conducts the interviews? What is the screening process? What is the director's age and background? How long has the director run this camp?

• CAMPERS: What percentage of campers return each year? What type of camper attends the camp? Why do campers choose this camp? What is the policy on bullying? What is the average age of the campers? How many campers of my child’s age will there be? When do girls and boys interact? What is the supervision between girls and boys? Did the camp send any campers home the previous year? For what reason?

• FACILITY/PROGRAM: What are the sleeping arrangements? What toilet and shower facilities exist? How does the camp insure the safety and security of its campers? Is the camp a gated community? What do the campers do during inclement weather? Does the camp have a pool? Pond? Lake? Are there waiting lists for some activities? How exactly does the program work? What is a typical day? How do campers choose their programs (if picking an elective program)? How is the food? Is there a sample menu? What does the camp do if your child is a picky eater? Do the campers sit by cabin at meals or wherever they want? Do you survey campers and parents after the summer?

• EMERGENCY: What medical staff does the camp have on-site? Are all of the staff trained and certified in CPR/First Aid? Where is the closest hospital? How far is the nearest EMS service? What is the camp’s policy on contacting parents if a camper is unwell? What accidents occurred last summer? How did you deal with that situation?

• PARENTAL CONCERN: Who can I call to check on my child? When are the phones at camp answered? What happens in an emergency? Can I call someone 24/7? Can I send or receive emails from my child? Is my child allowed to call me? Can they have a cell phone? Do you post photos during my child’s stay?

STEP 7 – Choose a Camp!

At this point you have done your research, talked to the camp directors, and maybe even seen the camps for yourself. You have a pretty good feeling about which camp looks and feels right for your child, and you know it will be safe because it is ACA accredited.

Go with your instinct. Then send your kid to camp and give them the best summer of their life!


Special thanks for Daniel Hammond for sharing these tips.

To learn more about Pali Adventures, visit - www.paliadventures.com

Thinking of sending your child to camp this summer? Then read this step-by-step guide featuring a detailed list of items parents should look...

Are you a parent thinking about enrolling your child in summer camp? Knowing which camp would be a good fit can be a hard decision to make.


You might worry about the camp’s reputation, if it encompasses activities that interest your children and most importantly if the experience will help your child grow and learn new skills.

The Camping and Education Foundation has created the following tips to help parents compare camps and select the right one for their child.

• Match Age with Activity – Look for a camp that will challenge your child as he or she grows and that offers varying levels of activities. Children can start off as campers, they can learn new skills as they get older and eventually take on a leadership role as a camp counselor.

• Stretch Boundaries – A camp that offers activities that pique your child’s interest should be considered when researching options, but avoid choosing a camp that does not give your child a chance to try new things and learn. A well-balanced camp experience should be a top priority, one where children have the freedom to do what they enjoy and the chance to branch outside of their comfort zone.

• Disconnect from Technology – It is a well-known fact that children spend too much time staring at screens today. Many summer camps do not allow children to bring cell phones or have access to computers and video games while at camp. While at first children can feel isolated, by the end of camp they will have had free time to enjoy nature, discover them selves and make new friends without the influence of technology.

• Consider Nutrition – Mystery meat, pizza and nachos are called to mind when many people think about stereotypical camp food. But, many camps offer healthy meal choices filled with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Plus, if your child has a special diet do not be surprised that you can find summer camps that cater to gluten-free and other allergy/special dietary requirements.

• Talk to Alumni – Quality summer camps will have dozens of parents and children willing to sing its praises. As part of your research process, ask camp directors if there are parents in your area you can speak with to learn more about what they thought of the camp and their children’s experience.

• Start with a Test Drive – If you or your child is nervous about heading to summer camp for the first time, test the waters. Sign up for a short session to start and if your child enjoys the experience, plan for a longer, more immersing experience next summer.

About The Camping and Education Foundation

The Camping and Education Foundation’s mission is to develop young men and women in body and spirit through wilderness experiences that celebrate a love of the outdoors.

For more information, visit: www.campingedu.org

Are you a parent thinking about enrolling your child in summer camp? Knowing which camp would be a good fit can be a hard decision to make. ...

As a digital family, we download apps all the time. But I check all apps downloaded to my son's mobile devices to make sure they're safe. While many kids app looks age appropriate and harmless, sadly predators can find ways to infiltrate and exploit them.


As parents it's important to check our child’s devices including their smartphone, computer and tablet on a regular basis to make sure no inappropriate content is being sent to them.

There are also other steps parents need to take to safeguard their children.

One common mistake parents make is allowing their children to create a username that incorporates their name, information about their age and location or interests. These small pieces of data are enough for a predator to start piecing together a profile of a child and give predators tools that can be used to find more information to manipulate kids.

By following these 5 simple guidelines, parents can help make sure online predators are not targeting their children.

1. Stop Kids from Duplicating Usernames – Just like recycling a password is a bad idea kids should not use the same username to log into different online accounts. Having one common username across accounts just makes it easier for criminals to search for and find details about a child’s life.


2. Keep Personal Details Private – If an app or website requires kids to fill out a profile do not let them enter personally identifying details like their full name, birthdate, age or address. If they cannot use a site without supplying these details either supply a false answer to the questions or do not allow your child to use that site/app.


3. Email Addresses and Usernames Do Not Mix – Linking a username with an email address can simplify a predator’s search for personal information. Using trial and error a criminal can add common email providers to a username, run a search and pull up social media accounts and any other sites where an email address was used to create a profile.


4. Create Unique Email Addresses for Each App/Site – Some email providers including Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo allow users to alter their email address into infinite number of disposable addresses.
   
   
   For example if your child’s email address is shauntips@gmail.com and he/she wants to sign up for a new gaming site you can alter his/her email address just for that site by adding an identifier to it such as shauntips+ABCGamingFun@gmail.com.
   
   
   This keeps your child’s actual email address private and can help stop criminals from being able to track online history simply by searching for an email address.


5. Stay Vigilant – Regularly checking what apps your child is using and what websites are being visited is the first line of defense. If anything looks suspicious or if you are unsure what something is, ask your child. If he/she cannot explain to your satisfaction what the app is then delete it and block it.

About SNDR

SNDR™ is a new app that combines all the ways you already communicate into a single platform. You can text, email, share files and use social media all from one app. And, every message is encrypted and completely secure.

For more information about protecting your security and privacy online, visit: www.sndr.com

As a digital family, we download apps all the time. But I check all apps downloaded to my son's mobile devices to make sure they're ...

Is your house safe? In honor of Poison Prevention Week (March 20 – 26th) it’s a good idea to take a step back and make sure cabinets are child proofed and all potential hazardous items are out of harm’s way.


According to a Safe Kids report, a child goes to the emergency room for accidental medicine poisoning every eight minutes! In 2013, Poison centers across the country received 2.2 million calls (AAPCC).


Need a little help to get started? Safety 1st’s has shared these 5 Tips for Keeping kids out of harm’s way


Hazards in the Kitchen:

Cabinets and drawers contain many hazards, such as cleaning supplies, plastic bags, breakable and sharp objects can be a choking hazard. Be sure to lock all cabinets and drawers to keep your child away from the contents. The OutSmart Slide Lock, Flex Lock, and Multi-Use Lock are great options for keeping little ones out of cabinets and drawers they shouldn’t be in.

If possible, try and move all cleaning supplies, including dishwasher detergent, to a locked closet or a cabinet that is up high and out of your child's reach.

What to look for in the bathroom:

Keep cabinets and drawers locked to prevent children from accessing medications, toothpaste, perfumes, lotions, deodorant, mouthwash, even dipper rash cream etc - all of which can be dangerous if ingested. In the tub, keep soaps and shampoos out of your child's reach.

Invest in a toilet lock. Children can drown in one inch of water. It’s also a good idea to keep doors to bathrooms closed.

Beyond the medicine cabinet:

Make sure you safely dispose of any unneeded or expired medications. Medicine often looks like candy and it only take a second for a child to pop it in his or her mouth. In 67 percent of emergency room visits for medicine poisoning, the medicine was left within reach of the child, such as in a purse, on a counter, or under a sofa cushion (Safe Kids).

Other areas of concern:

Exploring is great but some adventures should not be taken without the supervision of a parent. The OutSmart Knob Covers help keep on-foot explorers from wandering into unwanted areas, such as the laundry room. If there is not a door for the laundry room make sure you have a gate up. Children have been known to climb in front loader washers and dryers and get stuck inside.

Need help?

Save the toll-free Poison Help line number on your phone or put it on the refrigerator: 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Help line is not just for emergencies, you can call with questions about how to take or give medicine, concerns about plants, chemicals, carbon monoxide, bites, stings and more.



The new Safety 1st OutSmart home safety line was developed to help prevent your child from getting into something they shouldn’t!

OutSmart products feature a non-functional “decoy” button that is designed to redirect your child’s attention from trying to get into the cabinet or opening a door. The actual activation buttons are hidden under a smooth surface that requires a two-finger squeeze-to-open.

For more home safety help, try Safety 1st’s new Home Safety calculator - www.safety1sthomesafety.com/make-my-home-safe/


Ready to make tackle Poison Prevention and make your home safe? Then enter this giveaway to win Safety 1st’s OutSmart Home Safety products.

ENTER TO WIN THIS GIVEAWAY!

• (1) Safety 1st’s OutSmart Home Safety Prize: Multi-Use Lock, Slide Lock, and Flex Lock

WAYS TO ENTER:

Entries must be made on or before 11:59 p.m. March 28, 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Winner will be selected by random.org. Giveaway entry must be completed before extra entries will count. Winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of the U.S. with a valid street address.

Is your house safe? In honor of Poison Prevention Week (March 20 – 26th) it’s a good idea to take a step back and make sure cabinets are ch...

There's nothing like a child's excitement about wearing a new outfit for the first day of school. But what happens when parents take out the new outfit, put it on their child and there's static cling?!


To help parents (and kids) avoid dealing with static on the first day of school, The Downy Ball team has provided these simple tips and tricks to help reduce static cling.

Tips for getting rid of static cling

1. A great tool to get rid of static cling is the Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus spray. It has over 101 uses and one of them is eliminating static cling. Not only will you remove static charges from your clothes but they will be left with a fresh scent.
2. Place a safety pin on the inner hem of clothing to dispel any static charge, instead of shocking you, the charge will go to the pin.
3. Place a damp towel or cloth inside dryer and dry at lowest heat setting. The clothing will not become as dry and susceptible to static.
4. Take clothes out of the dryer before they are completely dry, allowing them to air dry the rest of the way will better prevent static, due to the reduction of heat and friction between clothing.
5. Instead of wearing rubber-soled shoes, wear leather-soled shoes to help prevent static because it is a non-conducting material.
6. Use Aluminum foil balls in the dryer, the foil will pick up any charge from the clothing while in the dryer.
7. Spray fine mist of distilled water on clothing after it comes out of the dryer, it will kill any static that is clinging to the clothing.
8. Slip clothes with static charge through a metal hanger, just like the safety pin and aluminum foil, the metal hanger will pick up any charge that is in your clothing.
9. If you have static cling on clothes you are already wearing, place a think layer of moisturizing lotion on your skin underneath your clothes. The moisture from the lotion will counteract the dryness of the clothing.

Surprisingly, many people don’t know what the actual purpose of fabric softener is. Most think it is just to make our clothes soft and wearable but it is also to help prevent static cling. But sometimes, softener can use extra help to kill that static.

No more waiting for the rinse cycle. No more cleaning out the dispenser. With the Downy Ball, fabric softener is automatically released during the rinse cycle. To enjoy the convenience of Downy Ball just pour the Downy fabric softener of choice up to the right fill line in the Downy bottle cap, pour into the ball, seal it, and drop it in at the start of the wash on top of fabrics. Downy Ball will release the softener on its own, making laundry less complicated.

There's nothing like a child's excitement about wearing a new outfit for the first day of school. But what happens when parents take...

Being afraid of the dark is something all children struggle with. For some children they learn to face their fears and lights out time means a restful night. But other kids might need a bit more help.


For families with children having a hard time, they can use these 10 helpful tips with children who have a fear of the dark, written by Colorado author Chad Cramer in connection with Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 3-9).

1. Engage with your child: A firefighter never faced real fire prior to having sufficient training away from the hot zone. Don’t wait till fear strikes before you engage in conversations about fear with your child. Assume that your children will deal with at least one major fear or several growing up so start planning now. What does fear look like in your child? What brings out fearful emotions in them? Finally, how does your child respond when confronted with fear?
   
2. Identify the triggers: Every child is different and the same goes to how they respond to circumstances and even their own imagination. Does the television in your house spur frightful thoughts, does the tension in your home create undo anxiety in your child or did your child have a traumatic experience that you haven’t made sure that your child is dealing with properly? The better you know your child, the better you can help them through these challenges.
   
3. Deal with fear properly: The old saying is true that kids will do what you do, not what you say. If you struggle with fear yourself and fail to deal with it properly, more than likely your kids will follow suit. Get some help, identify the triggers and engage a friend or a spouse to help you stay courageous. Your kids will learn more from how you deal with fear than they will reading ten books about it.
   
4. Declare war on fear: Fear is one of the most destructive emotions your child can give into. Fear keeps people back when they should be moving forward, fear destroys relationships, it hampers personal growth and it can lead people down enslaved paths of destructive emotions. Don’t allow fear to take root in your family. Rid it wherever it claims land in your household and your children will be that much better for it.
   
5. Rearrange the room: Often times a simple rearrangement can mean all the difference to a child struggling with the shadows and strange sounds of a dark night. Cutting branches away from the window, getting darker shades, closing the closet, facing the bed away from the moonlight are just a few practical ideas.
   
6. Enjoy the night: There are thousands of nighttime wonders to fascinate a child rather than simply being afraid of it. Our world has so much beauty that we often take for granted what darkness actually reveals. We tend to think in terms of what darkness hides, but that reality is that darkness opens up a whole new world of glowing insects, nocturnal animals, shooting stars and the wonderful moonlight glow. Take time to introduce your child to a few of these so they can gain appreciation for the night instead of only being afraid of it.
   
7. Find a hero: Find someone that your children can esteem because of their bravery. We all face fear in our lives, but not all people are courageous. Read examples of men and women who have done brave things despite their fears and remind your children of such stories. Even children can rise to bravery and courage when faced with an example to live up to.
   
8. Slow down: Many parents are so busy dealing with their own problems that they fail to see that their children are going through the same, if not a myriad of their own struggles. Don’t just assume they’ll work it out, slow your life down to see the details. A well said conversation at the right time can make all the difference and give your child the strength to take on bigger challenges throughout life.
   
9. Speak to their identity: Don’t make light of your child’s fear and put them down for it, but rather focus on times that they are strong. When you say things like “Wow, that was brave,” or “I noticed how strong you were;” you’ve just given your children an upgrade on their armor and they’re ready to meet the next big challenge in their life. Children have enough chiseling at their confidence outside their home, the last thing they need is an unsupportive parent.
   
10. Don’t give up: Our kids are some of the greatest investments we have in life, therefore the effort is worth the payoff. Kids often go through cycles of fear as they face different challenges in life and their imagination grows stronger with age. This typically isn’t a one night deal where you’ve conquered fear and it will never rear its ugly head again. Learn to keep watch on important milestones that your child is approaching as new fears or old resurrected ones like to visit again.

Chad is also sharing information about this book “Lights Out!: Helping Your Kids Overcome Their Fear of the Dark,” a unique guide for parents of children who struggle with fear when the lights go out.

Packed with examples from the lives of his children and also his own childhood, “Lights Out!” challenges this prevalent fear of the dark through Scripture and fear-busting activities for parents and children to complete together.

For more information, visit www.chadcramer.com

Being afraid of the dark is something all children struggle with. For some children they learn to face their fears and lights out time means...

Intel® Security, in partnership with Discovery Education, has just launched Think Before You Link, an initiative designed to teach children how to make safe, smart decisions online.


Children rely on the internet for everything from schoolwork to connecting with friends. But do they really know how to protect themselves from cyberbullying, viruses, and other unsafe online habits?

The Intel Security Digital Safety Program provides interactive resources to equip parents with the information they need to inform their kids how to stay aware, secure, and kind online.

Below you’ll find 7 tips for parents to share with kids s well as this FAQ’s from parents.

1. Use friends-only settings: Make sure all posts and profiles on social networking sites are set to be viewed by “close friends” only.
2. Update passwords: Replace all old passwords with new complex ones and keep them private
3. You can’t take it back: The Internet is forever, so instruct your kids to be careful about what they post.
4. Keep devices in the open: Computers, smartphones, and online games should be in high traffic areas.
5. Disable geotagging: Prevent the storage of location based data on smartphones and cameras.
6. Actively participate: Know more about your kids’ online networks and games. Work together to review friends lists and manage privacy settings
7. Cyberbullying: Here’s what to say to your kids: Don’t do it. Don’t forward it. Don’t respond to it. Tell your children to stop and block all correspondence and inform a trusted adult immediately if it happens to them

To learn more, visit - www.thinkbeforeyoulinkinschool.com

Intel® Security, in partnership with Discovery Education, has just launched Think Before You Link, an initiative designed to teach children ...

Do you plan on getting most of your holiday shopping done online? I admit it's easy and convenient to shop using your computer or mobile device. But while online shopping you have to be care to avoid many potential security issues including the risk of connecting to insecure Wi-Fi, device loss or theft and the need to bank on-the-go.


To help keep you protected, Kaspersky Lab recommends these 8 tips and security measures to prepare you and your device’s while shopping online this holiday:

1. Use extra caution while connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. Avoid using any unprotected network, as all your Internet traffic can be relatively easily intercepted by a criminal connected to the same hotspot.
2. If you must conduct online banking while traveling, it’s best to use a cellular network or a VPN
3. Install a security solution such as Kaspersky Internet Security for Android which has remote locking capabilities in case the device becomes lost or stolen
4. Don’t fall for phishing: that holiday deal could be too good to be true. It’s better to enter the website address manually then click on a link.
5. Pick one card for online shopping: it’s easier to check for suspicious activity and you can set a low credit limit.
6. Prevent password stealing: use complex passwords on shopping sites. Combine letters, numbers and special characters.
7. Update your computer software: before you shop, install the latest operating system and application updates.
8. Install a trusted Internet security solution: use Kaspersky Internet Security 2015 to stay protected against the latest threats.

These are just a few tips, to see more check out Kaspersky full list of 12 holiday shopping tips infographic.


Kaspersky hopes these tips will help keep shop safer this holiday shopping season. But just in case they generous provided this giveaway for Kaspersky Internet Security 2015.

Kaspersky Internet Security delivers premium PC protection from all Internet threats.

• Real-time Internet protection against all viruses and online threats
• Secures online banking and shopping with unique Safe Money technology
• Safeguards your digital identity and privacy
• Identifies suspicious and phishing websites
• Prevents spying via unauthorized access to your webcam
• Alerts you to dangerous public Wi-Fi networks
• Helps you keep your children safe and responsible online

To learn more about Kaspersky, visit - www.kaspersky.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/KasperskyLabAmericas
Twitter - www.twitter.com/kaspersky

Do you plan on getting most of your holiday shopping done online? I admit it's easy and convenient to shop using your computer or mobile...

Hopefully by now you've started “spring cleaning” your home area and included your devices. I know many people don't really think they need to clean up their PC or laptop but even those areas need your attention.

Wondering what to do to get your PC or Laptop running a bit smooth and cleaning?


Here are (7) digital house-keeping tips from Kaspersky Lab that can keep your PC and personal info secure and running smoothly.

After each tip, Kaspersky PURE 3.0 shows how it can perform these tips at the push of a button. Kaspersky PURE software includes much more than just anti-virus protection...it comes loaded with free tools that can keep your identity from being stolen and your bank accounts secure.

1. Back. It. Up. - You can put your documents, photos, music and more in an online storage locker, so in case of emergency or if your computer is stolen or damaged, you can access your info from anywhere. A free service like DropBox is a good option. Another option is to make copies onto a physical hard-drive, like a USB thumb drive.
   
   Kaspersky PURE 3.0 is integrated with DropBox for online storage, and lets you automatically backup files to an online storage or physical storage device.
2. Get rid of programs you don’t use - All those old programs you never use (game, photo viewers, etc.) still take up disc space and slow your overall system down, especially if they run in the background at start up. Outdated programs can also be an open door for cybercriminals to easily gain access to your computer. Uninstall the programs you don’t want, and make sure you install software updates when prompted.
   
   Advanced security software, like Kaspersky PURE 3.0, will actually monitor programs on your machine that are out of date, and will make sure these programs aren’t exploited by the bad guys.
3. Clean your desktop: - Your desktop gets cluttered up over time from downloads, but you should have very few programs that permanently live there – the more that are there, the higher the burden on your system. Look at your desktop and pare down to the bare essentials; get rid of the things you don’t need, or place documents and other applications into appropriate folders elsewhere in your system.
   
   
4. Fine-Tune your Web Browser - Programs like Chrome, FireFox, or Internet Explorer can store a lot of personal information, like your passwords, email addresses, and a history of websites you’ve visited. In the “Settings” menu for Chrome, under the Privacy menu, you should un-check boxes that offer to save passwords and other autofill information, and you should push the “Clear Browsing Data” every few weeks to limit the amount of personal info being saved in your web browser. Similar tips for Internet Explorer: under “Internet Options” in the “General” tab, check the box that says “Delete Browsing History on Exit.”
   
   Kaspersky PURE 3.0 will analyze the settings on your Internet Explorer, and make changes to the information storage settings to keep you safer online. 
5. Pick new passwords - All the sticky-notes on your desk with passwords written down isn’t just messy, it’s unsafe. Update your old passwords to new ones, and remember to make them long and complex. Don’t use any word found in the dictionary or any names, like pets or relatives. Mix up letters, numerals and non-alphanumeric symbols. That can be a lot to remember, so you might want to use a password manager, which is a digital vault on your computer that keeps track of all your logins for online accounts (email, bank accounts, social networks, etc). This way you can change your login information to include strong passwords and not have to worry about remembering them.
   
   Kaspersky PURE 3.0 comes with a built-in password manager that will automatically enter your passwords when they’re needed…that’s faster AND safer. The password manager can even suggest strong passwords when you create new accounts, and can save all your passwords to a USB drive so you can take your login information with you and use it on any computer. 
6. Before you Throw Out your Old Computer - If you’re taking the ultimate clean-up step of buying a new computer, don’t just throw your old one next to the curb. Even if you try to delete all the files on your old computer, skilled crooks can easily grab your old machine and find all your personal details, bank accounts, passwords, and more. That’s the same reason why you should throw paper bills in a shredder…so use a specialized data-shredding program to make sure your old machine isn’t harvested to steal your identity.
   
   Kaspersky PURE 3.0 includes a free file-shredder that makes sure your data stays permanently deleted.
7. Literally clean your computer - It gets dirty over time, so get rid of the dust and crumbs and grease and general nastiness that builds up over the months. A compressed air canister and a monitor-appropriate cloth will be essential tools.

To learn more about Kaspersky products, visit - www.kaspersky.com

Hopefully by now you've started “spring cleaning” your home area and included your devices. I know many people don't really think th...

Last year I moved two times. One of it was unexpected and the other a short move across town. Now this year I plan on doing a bigger move out of state. More on that later.

But as someone who has moved so much recently, I'm loving these 10 "Moving" Gift Ideas from Unpakt, a new, instant pricing application to help find and book reputable moving companies online.

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Someone Whos Moving

1. Personalized Items - You probably would not believe the diverse selection of items you can have personalized these days. Popular ideas include a doormat, wood sign, wine cask, clock, apron, coasters, kitchen chalkboard, and cutting board.


2. Grocery Gift Card - No one has to tell you how expensive moving is. Most people max their budget with barely any money left over to live on until their next pay day. A grocery gift card will be something they may actually need.


3. Online Movie Subscription Service - Who doesn't love movies? Streaming media has become the norm for many people, and there is certainly no shortage of services available. Some of the top recommended picks include Hulu Plus, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and Vudu.



4. Cozy Throw - A house can never have too many warm throw blankets. Unless you are sure of their color palette, theme, or patterns being used in their décor it is best to stick with a solid neutral color. If you know they are playing it safe with neutrals, opt for a bold color to give them a bit of contrast they might not realize that they need.


5. Toolbox - Every home needs a toolbox. You do not have to buy anything extravagant, but they should have the basics. If they purchased a fixer-upper you might even consider buying an empty toolbox and a gift card to a hardware store, so they can fill it with the tools they want.



6. Hammocks - Every home deserves a hammock. The
   y do not need two perfectly placed trees to hang it from either. There are portable hammocks made to take camping or to the beach that has their own stand.
7. Herb Garden Set - If you are shopping for someone who appreciates the healing properties and healthy effects of herbs then a small herb garden set will be the perfect gift.


8. Emergency Kit - Most people wait until the power goes out or there is a natural disaster to start thinking about emergency preparation. Besides, a new renter or homeowner has so many other things that need to be bought before they begin splurging on these items. Purchase a small emergency kit or put one together yourself. Include flashlights, batteries, solar-powered phone charger, hand-crank light and radio, hand and body warmers, compact folding one-burner stove with a few cans of fuel, and a first aid kit. Hopefully it will inspire them to add to it.



9. Unique Kitchen Items - There are a number of things that the individual would probably love for their kitchen, but that does not mean they will be squeezed in the budget in the near future. Purchase something they probably would not spend money on. A few ideas include a stovetop popcorn popper, old-fashioned single-serving milkshake maker, sushi set, electric kettle, flavor-diffusing pitcher, cheeseboard and toolset, vegetable spiraler, unique glassware or even a layer cake slicing kit.


10. Spice Rack - If the individual loves to cook, or is extra excited about having their own kitchen to tackle some recipes, a nice spice rack will be a great idea. If you do this, do be sure to buy a quality rack with fresh spices, or purchase empty, go to a spice store and fill them all yourself.

Last year I moved two times. One of it was unexpected and the other a short move across town. Now this year I plan on doing a bigger move o...

Parents all over America are struggling with sleepless nights and tired children this summer. But Michele Berman, creator of the ZAZOO KiDS photo clock, shares 4 tips on how to maintain your children positive sleeping habits during the hectic summer months.


4 Tips to Maintain Good Sleeping Habits for Kids

1. Let car rides coincide with nap time - If you have more than one summer activity planned, then plan your commute strategically around nap time. While kids should usually be encouraged to sleep in beds rather than cars, there are times when it can be good to let them slip in short naps whenever they can. Even fifteen minutes could give your young child the boost he needs to make it through the evening activity.
2. Maintain the bedtime routine, no matter the time - Be sure to let your kids go through their usual bedtime routine, even if it is late: teeth, hair, books, whatever it may be. This sends the signal to their bodies and minds that it is time to stop having fun and start resting, making the transition easier for everyone.
3. Missed naps shouldn't always be made up - If your child stays up late and sleeps in the next morning, you might catch them heading towards a nap later in the day than you would like. Consider preventing the special late nap, tempting though it may be, to ensure a return to regular bedtime that night.
4. Limit sugar, especially at night - This probably goes without saying, but the more sugar kids have, the harder they will find it to settle down and fall asleep. For treats in the late afternoon and evening, consider more natural sugars like watermelons and blueberries.

Another useful tool to help your child get into good sleeping habits is the Zazoo Photo Clock that has nighttime and naptime settings. The Zazoo Photo Clock shows young children if its daytime or nighttime before they can even tell time. It can be personalize with images of the child. Other multimedia features include traditional alarm clock, rotating picture frame, music and video to ensure years of use.

To learn more, visit www.zazookids.com

Parents all over America are struggling with sleepless nights and tired children this summer. But Michele Berman, creator of the ZAZOO KiDS ...

With the summer break almost here, parents are looking for ways to combat the upcoming summer brain drain. According to research from the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, students typically lose one to two months of reading and math skills during the summer break.



To help parents, VTech, makers of age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children, has these smart tips to help promote summer learning fun.

"Children's brains develop at a remarkable pace and don't take a break just because school is out," said Dr. Lise Eliot, parenting author and expert in child and brain development. "To help their children continue to thrive over the summer months, parents should offer fun experiences that encourage learning and exploration, and, allow them to expand their knowledge."

Here are 6 smart tips to help combat Summer Brain Drain and promote summer learning fun:

1. Utilize learning toys – Learning toys are a great way to help children stay mentally sharp during vacations, while also allowing them to explore and have fun. Look for toys like VTech's InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet, one of the first children's learning based tablets with Wi-Fi. This tablet features a secure wireless connection to VTech's comprehensive app store, the Learning Lodge™, where children can easily browse a variety of the highest-quality educational content to help prevent Summer Brain Drain, create a wish list and send the list right to their parents' e-mail.
   
   If parents choose to approve the wish list, the purchases are sent wirelessly, directly to the InnoTab 2S. The entire InnoTab range of products opens up a world of age-appropriate educational content across the widest variety of curriculums, from downloads to software cartridges, combining innovative technology with a developmental learning tool that grows with a child and makes learning fun.
2. Read, read, read! – The benefits of reading to children are enormous, including helping language and speech development, expanding their vocabulary and building a lifetime love of reading. Children who read more perform better in school, so parents should absolutely continue reading to their children during the summer months. Visit the local library often and let children choose books that interest them or consider using e-books on InnoTab 2S as a fun alternative.
   
   The highlighted words help children intuitively follow along. By the end of the year, the Learning Lodge will have over 90 e-books and deluxe e-books, split into age-appropriate levels. Starting at $2.99, the e-books include popular titles such as "The Princess and The Pea" (ages 5-8), "Jack and the Beanstalk" (ages 4-7) and "The Ugly Duckling" (ages 3-6). Available for $14.99, the range of deluxe e-books, with added features such as reading games, animated characters and interactive scenes, includes children's favorite characters such as "Disney Fairies Tinkerbell" (ages 5-8), "Cars 2" (4-7) and "Winnie the Pooh" (ages 3-6).
3. Look for teachable moments – Our daily lives are filled with opportunities to teach our children. Following a new recipe for dinner? Let your child help read and measure the ingredients. Balancing your checkbook? Let your child put their math skills to use. Going on a road trip? Let your child look for specific signs along the way and follow along on a map. Then extend the fun at home by downloading new apps that teach similar skills, such as "Globe", "Treasure Hunt" and "Key to the Map," onto the InnoTab 2S via the Learning Lodge.
4. Plan educational outings – You don't have to plan an extravagant vacation to teach a child about culture and customs. Museums and local historical societies can teach children about history, dinosaurs and art. A local zoo or aquarium can teach children about new animals, and educational apps can reinforce what they've learned, such as those featuring Dora the Explorer, who is often on an adventure learning about and rescuing animals with her cousin Diego. You can often find free summer concerts that can expose your child to new styles of music and dance as well. Continue the musical education on InnoTab 2S with the MP3 player and KidiJamz music albums full of fun, preschool songs, found on the Learning Lodge.
5. Consider a summer program – There are camps and summer programs for nearly every interest. If your child enjoys acting, look for a Shakespeare Theater camp. If your child likes homemade experiments, look for a science camp. For a child who needs more help in school, look for a summer learning program, which has been proven to raise school performances. Local libraries also often have free summer programs that appeal to a variety of interests. Once home, download relevant content from the Learning Lodge, including science titles such as "World of Science," "Bugsby's Space Adventure" and "Sesame Street's Fairy Tale Science Fair."
6. Encourage savings – Saving money is a great way to put children's math skills to use. Let children count the coins in their piggy bank. Show them how much they will need for something they are saving for and if they're old enough, teach them how to create a budget to reach their goal. Let them clip coupons with you and put the money saved into their piggy bank. Playing "store" with your child and using coins or pretend money is another great way to utilize math skills.
   
   There are 32 dedicated math learning games on VTech's Learning Lodge, including "Cab Tab" and "Checkout Stand" which specifically teach kids about counting money. There are also math games for those as young as age 3, including the ever-popular "Hide N Beak" and "Ant Harvest." Kids can even improve their math skills while playing with games with their favorite characters through VTech's exclusive range of software cartridges such as "Team Umizoomi", "Disney/Pixar Brave" and "Disney Minnie."

The Learning Lodge currently features more than 350 educational games, e-books, music and videos developed specifically for each child's unique stage of development, as well as with their age and interests, with content expanding to offer a robust library of more than 600 titles by the end of the year.

The broad library of subjects includes reading, math, social studies, science, creativity, problem solving and so much more! The Learning Lodge also includes videos from children's favorite characters, such as Mike the Knight, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer, Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina, Sesame Street and more. Children can explore this content, pick their favorites, create a wish list and even send the list right to their parents' e-mail.

Parents can also track their child's progress through the online progress log, offer encouragement and share in their pride when kids reach new learning milestones.

For more information about the complete VTech product range, visit www.vtechkids.com

With the summer break almost here, parents are looking for ways to combat the upcoming summer brain drain. According to research from the Ce...

With data suggesting that nearly 80% of all new-year’s resolutions are broken by the end of January each year, Balance Bar has teamed with Amber Rosenberg, a certified life coach and Balance Bar’s official Resolutions Guru, to share helpful tips and ideas for setting successful resolutions for 2013.

"Each year I hear that people's top resolutions include losing weight, getting fit and finding more organization," said Amber Rosenberg . "These are great goals, but the key for lasting success is setting them the right way – with a balanced approach."

1. Focus on the Positive - One reason new year’s resolutions fall short is they tend to stress the negative. Often people focus on what they want to get rid of in their lives. Instead, it helps to think clearly about what you want to create in your life. For example, instead of just losing weight, think about creating health. Or instead of eliminating debt, think about creating abundance. This is a more empowering place to start from. Make a list of what no longer serves you in your life and then flip those items on their head to discover the positive benefit.


2. Remember the “Why” - To help keep you motivated when the going gets tough, it helps to remember why you set out to achieve your goal in the first place. For example, if you want to create health in your life, what will be the benefit of this? Having more energy to play with your kids? Feeling better and looking better? Feeling more confident?


3. Make Self-Care a Priority - If you really want to make changes in your life, it’s imperative to take care of yourself and manage your stress. Start by making sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating the right foods. An easy way to know you’re getting the right nutrition is to keep Balance Bars in your purse, car or desk to have on hand when you need a healthy, energetic boost. I love the Balance Bar® Bare line which is trail mix inspired and comes in great flavors like Blueberry Acai. I also highly recommend creating what I call a daily renewal ritual to help you manage stress. A daily renewal ritual is an activity that allows you to slow down your thinking brain (which can be caught up in fear, doubt, worry and guilt) and truly be in the moment. It allows you to recharge your battery so you can be more present and energetic throughout the rest of your day. Examples include meditation, yoga, journaling, prayer, yoga, nature walks, listening to music, etc. Start with 10 minutes/day and notice all the great benefits you receive (including how this helps you achieve your goals).


4. Reflection - Review your measurement tool (discussed in our first entry) at the end of each week. If you’ve achieved all your goals for the week, great! If you haven’t reached your goals, all is not lost. This is a valuable time for reflection. What did you learn by not reaching your goals? What was the benefit


5. Celebrate Your Successes - Congratulations on a job well done! One of the most important parts of working through your resolutions is rewarding yourself when you’ve succeeded. Be sure to choose a reward at the beginning of the year and decide on when/how often you’ll cash in on that reward. As you’re working on developing new habits at the beginning of the year, I recommend weekly rewards for at least the first month. Then, as the year progresses, you can move to monthly rewards. The trick is to be sure to follow-through with rewarding yourself. You’ve worked hard and you deserve it.

Asking fans to share how they will be approaching their resolutions, Balance Bar will also be hosting its "Outlast Your New Year's Resolutions" Facebook contest to win a personal coaching session with Amber along with a great prize package featuring Balance Bar products and items to help consumers achieve healthy balance in the coming year.

The contest runs January 1 – 18 and will include helpful tips from Amber. A live, two-hour Twitter chat with Amber and Balance Bar on January 9 at 1:30 PM EST/10:30 AM PST will also help kick off 2013.

For more information about the Balance Bar "Outlast Your New Year's Resolutions" contest and Amber Rosenberg , visit www.balance.com

With data suggesting that nearly 80% of all new-year’s resolutions are broken by the end of January each year, Balance Bar has teamed with A...

Are you thinking of adding a pet to your family this holiday (or sometime next year)? If so then I hope you consider adopting from your local ASPCA instead of a pet store or puppy mill. I recently attended the ASPCA and Mom Central tour event at the ASPCA Adoption Center to learn more about the benefits of pet adoption.


Note: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the ASPCA. I attended an informational breakfast and received a gift bag and promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

In full disclosure I use to volunteer at the ASPCA in my early 20's and remember the organization offered so much in terms of adoption, followup pet care and activism against animal cruelty. Since that time I'm sure the organization has grown in many different ways and I was excited to speak to some of the ASPCA staff. Ok I was also excited to see and get to pet some of the animals, but that was a bonus.


The tour started with a presentation from ASPCA staff who discussed responsible pet adoption, young children and pets, and why not to adopt a puppy at a pet store. Sadly, many pet stores support the puppy mill industry.

Puppy mills treat dogs like products, not living beings, and usually house them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, socialization, or even food and water.

To learn more about the pet store and puppy mill connection, visit www.nopetstorepuppies.com

After the presentation, the group toured the ASPCA Adoption Center and met some of the pets available for adoption.


We started our tour in the cat section.....


Then we toured the dog section.....

During both tours we learned about how the ASPCA cares for the animals from receiving to adoption and beyond. Each animal has a data sheet that details their history, socialization and any special needs like medication or needs to be in a single animal households (or multi animal since some like to be together). This helps potential adopters know if the animal is a good fit for their family lifestyle.


Before ending our tour, the kids in group received a treat. They learned how to ask permission before touching a dog and the proper way to pet them. It's important to teach children to respect an animals space. The ASPCA offers pet behavior tips and information on bringing new pets into the family.

So if your a family interested in adopting a pet this holiday, check out all that ASPCA has to offer in support, resources and lovable available pets looking for a home at the adoption center. As a bonus for the holiday, use this special code: HappyHOWLidays and receive 10% off the adoption fee

Happy Holiday!

To learn more about the ASPCA adoption center, visit - www.aspca.org/adopt
ASPCA on Facebook - www.facebook.com/aspca
ASPCA on Twitter - www.twitter.com/ASPCA

Are you thinking of adding a pet to your family this holiday (or sometime next year)? If so then I hope you consider adopting from your loca...

Are you and your car ready for winter? International Carwash Association (ICA), through its "Wash With WaterSavers" consumer awareness campaign, is committed to promoting the importance of using eco-friendly carwashes that use less fresh water and return clean water back into the environment.


Please Note: I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips for getting your car ready for winter. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

To help you get better prepared, ICA created these 5 Tips for Getting Your Car Ready For Winter:

1. Wash and wax your car at a professional car wash – It may seem counter-intuitive to get your car nice and shiny for what’s often the sloppiest season, but a thorough wash can remove harmful compounds that may cause damage when mixed with sand and road salt. Experts from the International Carwash Association also recommend a coat of wax for an extra layer of protection from the elements.
   
   Professional car washes can also save up to 20 percent of the amount of water you’d use by washing your car at home. They do this by treating and reusing their water, rather than releasing toxic chemicals and grime into the storm drains, which can often occur with pavement washing. Check out www.washwithwatersavers.com to see how professional car washes save water and help prevent pollution.
2. Check fluids – Check your coolant to make sure you have enough, as you’ll be left without heat if you don’t. Consult your owner’s manual to find the correct blend if you need to add more. It’s never a bad idea to keep extra coolant in your trunk in case of an emergency. Don’t forget about extra wiper fluid, either. It’s not expensive, so stock up!
3. Winter emergency kit – In addition to stocking your car with a scraper and brush, it’s a good idea to include a few provisions in case you get stranded in snowy and cold conditions. Pack extra blankets, hats and gloves, high-energy snacks like granola bars, drinking water and a first-aid kit. We have created an exclusive Winter Emergency Kit for you and one of your blog readers.
4. Test your battery – The next time you have the car in for an oil change, ask the mechanic to test your battery to make sure it can provide enough starting power once the temperature plummets.
5. Check your wipers – When sloppy weather hits, you’ll want to make sure you have strong wiper blades to see through the elements. Checking your wiper blades for wear and replacing them if needed can prevent huge visibility headaches once snow and sleet arrive.

Are you and your car ready for winter? International Carwash Association (ICA), through its "Wash With WaterSavers" consumer aware...