Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts

Monday, July 16, 2012

Half Way There! Easy ways you can #WaveforChange - Small Effort, HUGE Impact!



I have always had the ability to 'write', I loved creating poetry, short stories and being all around creative as a child. Thankfully my mom was smart and fostered my creativity, unfortunately my guidance counselor at school....well  not so much. He told me writing wasn't a 'real' job, pursue an education that gives you a 'trade' in the end, because that 'trade' is how you'll earn your living.

Needless to say I came home that day with the wind totally knocked out of my sails. My mom picked up on it and asked me why I was so sullen, and when I told her why she was fit to be tied that anyone in the eductional system would so easily try to dash a young person's dreams, and not just any young person, HER daughter! She had experienced something very similar by her favorite art teacher when she was young so she understood how I felt.

She spent years making up for that counselor's mistake by nurturing my creative side at every given opportunity. And finally in High School an amazing teacher who taught Creative Writing, 'got me'. He got my style, liked my writing and totally encouraged me (Huge shout out to Mr. McKinnon!). He taught me my writing was my power. And took me straight to the guidance counselor's office to find all the essay writing contests they knew of for scholarship funding, and with both of their help and a lot of nights spent writing, I wrote the essay that got me accepted into 3 different Universities, and landed me a multitude of Scholarship Funding.

I went on to become to the first College Graduate in my family. And I did find creative ways to make a living writing (starting with articles in a variety of newspapers, time spent as a film critic for a well known local paper, and as a newswriter for a local cable news television station!).

My education impacted my life in more ways than one, earning power, career potential, work ethics and even in emotional ways like self-esteem and pride.

But for every student with the courage to stand up to a devastating 'no', or a 'you can't make in that profession, pick another'; there are students who don't ever tell their families about it and remain silent and worse still, take it to heart and believe it may be true!

When I started Ascending Butterfly it was to share affirmations of empowerment, to encourage, to inspire. And when I was first approached by brands, I wanted something 'better', I wanted to work with brands doing Social Good, making a difference, giving back. And somewhere along the line, I got known for doing so. And now I get more giveback initiatives and campaigns in my inbox than I can possibly cover. I of course wish I had the time to cover them all, but the chance to make a difference to help support education, students and their dreams is one I just had to share!


About:

Neutrogena®, the #1 dermatologist-recommended skin care brand, launched Wave for Change® in 2009 and has benefited disaster relief & environmental charities around the world, as well as provided hope for kids through education. The campaign has raised almost half a million dollars in almost three years and has facilitated scholarships, school uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies to children from unprivileged communities.

Ways to Give Back:

JUST WATCH:

Just by watching the video below, Neutrogena® Wave for Change® will donate $1 to GlobalGiving to support U.S. educational organizations such as: Knowledge is Power ProgramPara Los Ninos, and Education Through Music. (As The Official #TwitterPartyDJ you know I love any program that fosters the love of music and education!)




OR SHOP:

An additional $1 will be donated to GlobalGiving with each participating Neutrogena product you purchase.
Visit the Neutrogena® Wave for Change® site or their Facebook page to activate the purchased products with one quick click!

And:

Here's an even bigger win/win, you can join @LBConnect for a Twitter Party on July 25th, 2012 from 9pm-10:30 pm EST. I am NOT hosting or co-hosting this party, so if you have any questions, please visit the twitter page we linked to above!

Super easy right? I hope you will join me in the Neutrogena 'Wave for Change'. If you haven't already done so, GO watch that video, seriously like NOW! :)


˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Neutrogena® Wave for Change® through Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are my own. Questions about Ascending Butterfly's Disclosure Policy? See HERE for more information.

Monday, February 20, 2012

When to call the Pediatrician!

Ascending Butterfly's Kids Corner, Guest Article Contributed by the experts at Kiddie Academy


How many times have you retrieved your pediatrician's phone number from your rolodex, only to stare at your phone wondering: Should I call, or shouldn't I? No one wants to pester the doctor needlessly or halt the day's plans for no good reason. On the other hand, a call to the doctor can put your mind at ease and prevent a child's illness from escalating to something more severe.

If you are on the fence about whether or not to call your pediatrician, you may want to consider the following guidelines, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to help you make an informed decision.

When a fever warrants a call to the pediatrician


The seriousness of a fever depends largely on the age of the child and how high the fever is. The AAP urges parents to call their pediatrician if a child is:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two months or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Three to six months of age and has a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or greater.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Older than six months with a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) or higher.
Miscellaneous symptoms that warrant a call to the doctor
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A sore throat that makes it difficult to swallow, or that lasts for more than two days
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - An earache that wakes a child from sleep or interferes with daily activity because of associated pain, or that lasts for more than a day or two
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A cough that is nonstop, interferes with normal activity (sleeping or physical activity), is accompanied by wheezing, or that persists for several days
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - An unexplained rash
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Behavior counts
A fever doesn't always tell the whole story. Nor do other tangible symptoms like a sore throat. Experts inform us that our children's behavior is often the best barometer of how well, or bad, they feel. So, if your child has a fever but maintains a hearty appetite and activity level close to normal, that generally means there's less to worry about than when a fever is accompanied by other worrisome, but perhaps less tangible, symptoms—like extreme lethargy or fussiness.
The bottom line is this: You know your child best—how active, happy, or fussy she typically is. Any dramatic changes in behavior—for example, complete loss of appetite in a child who's typically a good eater—should serve as a red flag.


Do you have additional tips to share? Have you ever avoided the doctor and then found out your child really needed medical attention?

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®. The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB as well as Twitter @KiddieAcademy for additional information.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

5 Helpful Tips to Rearing Responsible Children! Ascending Butterfly's Kids Corner Guest Post by @kiddieacademy

Ascending Butterfly's Kids Corner, Guest Article Contributed by the experts at Kiddie Academy


 
When you're making your children's meals, doing their laundry and helping them get dressed in the morning, do you ever stop and think: How will my children ever become responsible, self-sufficient adults? It—a sense of responsibility, that is—happens to most everybody, eventually. As a parent, you can assist in your child’s long road to independence.

Here are some ways how:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Refrain from doing everything for your child. Yes it's quicker and often easier to do it your self, but at some point it's time to let her do things on her own. Start small, let her know you're there for support, and ready to assist—especially if frustration sets in. Gradually, you'll witness an increasingly independent and responsible child.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Involve children in care of pets. Lots of children share a special bond with their pets, so it follows that they might be more willing to take on responsibility that involves their care—feeding the cat, for instance—than, say, taking out the trash. So when you're getting your child started on the road to responsibility, think about chores that connect to his pets or other passions.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Equate responsibility with being “grown up.” Rather than presenting the act of cleaning up toys, putting clothes in drawers and helping around the house in other ways as chores, frame the tasks in a way that makes your child feel like a “big kid.” This tactic can be particularly effective if the child has a younger sibling and likes to be recognized for being able to do things that the younger sibling isn't “big enough to do yet.”

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Practice what you preach. When your child sees you hang up your coat every day, it will feel natural for her to do it too. The same goes for putting dirty dishes in the sink and replacing the cap on the toothpaste. Lead by example.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Read about it. Reading about other kids who act responsibility can reinforce the lesson you’re trying to instill in your own child. These are a few book choices that illustrate the importance of responsibility: Caring for My Things, by Jane Moncure; I Have a Pet, by Shari Halpern; and The Shepard Boy, by Kristine Franklin.

Do you have additional tips to share? How do you foster your child's independence while helping them to be more responsible?

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®. The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB as well as Twitter @KiddieAcademy for additional information.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Where Compassion Begins!



Compassion

We all think we know just how important compassion really is and many of us even think of ourselves as compassionate. But for the most part it's not until your sick and in need of human kindess and compassion that you learn how compassionate (or NOT) the people around you are.

It is believed that we undergo hard times just to learn how to be more compassionate after someone else befalls the same fate. With my recent health scare and horrific hospital stay I quickly learned how compassionate and in some cases what a lack of compassion the people around me exhibited. Oddly enough sometimes during times of stress or illness you will find complete strangers show you more kindness and compassion than people you love and trust.

How can we turn this around? You cannot change someone's true nature, but if you are a parent, you have a shot at raising a compassionate human being, one who shows kindess to others when it's needed most.

Raising Compassionate Children

Compassion is one of those character traits that some children seem to possess in abundance right from the beginning, while others appear to have a woefully short supply of it. There's the tiny tot who runs right over to his friend when he falls, places an arm around that friend's shoulder, and inquires: "Are you okay?" Meanwhile, his peers gawk awkwardly, or continue about their business.

If it's not in your child's nature to be the compassionate one, know that this is completely normal. Many young children simply don't know how to express compassion, or are not tuned in to others' feelings. But you can introduce your child to the significance of compassion and how to express it. Here are some concrete ways how.

Nurture the idea of our connectedness to communities. All children live in a community and spend time daily with a community of peers, whether in a child care or school setting. Talk with your child about how important these communities are to us, what we get out of them, and how we can give back to them, e.g., taking part in 'stream clean up days' or similar community-wide events. The dynamic and reciprocal relationship that exists among healthy communities and their members represents an expression of compassion.

Assign to your child the responsibility of caring for something. Start with a small but significant task. If you have a pet, you can make its daily feeding your child's responsibility. Make sure your child understands the importance of what she's doing, and how this other being relies on her assistance.

Provide your children with the vocabulary of compassion. You're at the playground and the little boy swinging next to your son tumbles to the ground. This is an opportunity for you to say to your child: "Let's make sure that little boy is okay. Why don't we ask him if he is hurt, and if he needs some help." The first few times this happens, your child may just watch as you talk. But over time, he may find the courage to approach another child in need, and he'll know what to say.

Nurture your child's compassionate "niche." Some kids who see an injured bird on the sidewalk have an overwhelming urge to nurse it back to health. Others might walk right by the bird, but be the first to reach their friend who has taken a spill. Encourage your child's compassion in whatever form you find it. There's no one way, or right way, to show it.

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®. The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB as well as Twitter @KiddieAcademy for additional information.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Laughter - It REALLY is the Best Medicine, and Then Some!



Did you know that babies begin to laugh when they're just 12 weeks old, and that the typical 4 year old laughs several hundred times a day? While we may take humor for granted, we shouldn't. Because by the time we're adults, we're only laughing a handful of times a day. That means we're missing out on the incredible benefits of laughter.

It's no joke. The experts, including those at the Department of Health and Human Services, tell us that having a sense of humor is good for a child’s mental and physical well-being. Just look at this laundry list of benefits we can glean from laughter:

· Relieves stress
· Loosens muscles
· Lowers blood pressure and may lower hormones that create stress and weaken immunity
· Helps move blood to our heart and lungs, boosting energy
· Triggers a point in the brain that helps us feel pleasure and want to have that same feeling
· Eases depression
· Strengthens immune system

For children, laughter offers not just these immediate benefits. Having a sense of humor also allows children to maintain a youthful, positive outlook on life. It's something they can turn to as a coping mechanism during challenging times. Humor also can help children develop social skills and maintain emotional and physical health. Last, but not least, laughing just plain feels good.

So, how can you encourage your child to develop and appreciate a sense of humor and the laughter that follows? Try the following strategies to get the giggling going in your home.

Make them laugh: Tickle your baby's tummy. Play hide-and-go seek with your toddler. Tell your 5 and 6 year olds funny jokes. Finding opportunities in everyday life to laugh with your children will make your home a happier place now, and will plant the seed of laughter in your children forever.

Be a good role model: Sure, our lives get weightier as adults, and we may not find as much to laugh about. But you won't raise laughing children if you're wearing a frown much of the time. If you can find the humor in everyday life and let your children see it, you'll help create a home environment that feels safe, comfortable and fun.

Add time for fun: Kids get so over-scheduled with activities during the day that we often forget they need time to just veg out and have fun too!

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®. The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB as well as Twitter @KiddieAcademy for additional information.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Not So Wordless Wednesday {Photos} - Disney Store Share the Magic Top 10 Toys Celeb Studded Holiday Event!



I had the pleasure of attending a Holiday themed Top 10 Toys event at my local Disney Store, where there were quite a few celebs and their little ones in attendance. We got to enjoy shopping, holiday story time in the Disney Store Theatre and one-on-one photos with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their holiday attire!

Disney Store’s holiday theme this year is “Share the Magic” and for every Mickey and Minnie holiday plush sold from October 31-Dec. 11, Disney Store will make a $1 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Here are some photos from the event (the watermarked ones are mine, the photos not watermarked were provided by Disney and all rights are reserved, photos used with permission):

Actress Kelly Rutherford and her lovely daughter Helena @Disney Store all rights reserved
Animators Collection - Aren't these little princesses totally adorable?

 
Disney Animator Mark Henn at The Disney Store in New York City

$1 from every sale of the Mickey and Minnie Plush will go to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation

The Muppets will definitely be hot holiday toys this year with the movie out in theatres!

Kidada for Disney Store Wish-a-Little Jasmine Figure with Charm Necklace


Vinylmation Villains 2 and Jingle Smells Vinylmation

LaLa Anthony with her son Kiyan (We were right near each other during storytelling, I wonder if I'll appear on her show?)


Alex McCord with son

Daya Vaidya with family, Mickey and Minnie

This beautiful Fairy was suspended in mid air, you know I love all things with wings and zoomed in to get this great shot!

Actress Kelly Rutherford, daughter Helena with Minnie and Mickey Mouse in Holiday Attire

Baby Pocahantas from the Animators Collection

Check out this Disney Princesses Collection - I SO WANT THIS!

Rapunzel Doll

Ascending Butterfly (left), Mama Butterfly (right) - center with Minnie and Mickey Mouse


˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure Info: I was invited to the Disney Store Share the Magic Event as a member of the digital press. This is NOT a sponsored post. Attendees were given gift bags.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Always be a leader of good! {Quote + Teaser}


@2011 StinkyKids


Today's Quote: “Always be a leader of good”. ~StinkyKids*

I have a super busy day ahead, but just thought I'd give you a teaser, I selected Today's Quote for a reason which I will reveal very soon! (Hint: Always check our twitter streams @Tracy_Iglesias and @Ascending1 for same day event recaps and feedback, remember sometimes things get posted on our Twitter or Facebook pages that may not make it here so it's good to follow us through all channels so you don't miss stuff!)

We have some kids themed stuff coming up very soon and some holiday buying guide suggestions for the little ones!

*A portion of StinkyKids profits goes towards bringing smiles to cancer patients through Booksbearsbonnets.org (You know just how much Ascending Butterfly loves 'shopping with conscience' and give back shopping opps!)

TGIF Butterflies!

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Curious George Celebrates Mothers Day, Moms Celebrating Moms May 5th Twitter Party and MORE!



Do you remember your favorite book as a child? The one you would have your parents read to you at Bedtime?

I had three particular favorites that I never tired of, Curious George, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Ferdinand The Bull. My mom would have to read those to me over and over and I loved the silly voices she would put on for each character she read.

I am not yet a Mom (or actually even ready to consider Motherhood yet!), but I am an Aunt and a GodMother, and I of course shared my love for my favorite books with each of my nieces, nephews and Godchildren when they were born.

One of my nephews really took to Curious George the way I did at his age, and it became his favorite book for everyone to read to him. He shares many traits with Curious George actually, adventurous, helpful, sweet, and naturally curious!

I recently received a screening party package that contained tons of Curious George Fun, and while he is way too old for it now, my teen Nephew and my younger Nieces and Nephews came over to enjoy a screening of  Curious George "Mother's Day Surprise!' premiering Friday, May 6th on PBS Kids (check local listings for airings in your broadcast area HERE). I love that I didn't even have to twist his arm (being his favorite 'Titi' (Aunt) definitely has its advantages!).



In this special episode, which you can catch on May 6th, Curious George and his new friend Marco, decide to host a Dia De La Madres (Mother's Day) celebration for Marco's Mom as a surprise! George decides to help Marco throw a surprise party for his mom and enlists the help of Marco's Sister and the Man with the Yellow Hat to help prepare some of Marco's Mom's favorite foods and a Pinata.

On May 5th, another episode that features George's new friend Marco will air called 'George's Home Run', where Marco tries to hit his first Little League Home Run while George plays Scorekeeper.



The episodes end with a small featurette of real children learning to apply the lessons in the episode to their own life, which was a big hit with my nieces and nephews!

I only wish George had met Marco when I was little or better still when my teen Nephew who shares my love for George was still young! I remember having Pinatas at my birthday parties!

MOMS CELEBRATING MOMS TWITTER PARTY



Title: MOMS CELEBRATING MOMS, brought to you by Curious George

Date: Thursday, May 5th

Time: 1pm EST/10am PST

Handle: #CuriousGeorgeMoms

Prizes: Three winners will pamper themselves with a $100 gift certificate from Aveda.com

Co-hosts: @Ohmariana, @mamalatina, @thoughtsofamomy, @Tracy_Iglesias. Moderated by @lbconnect, with special guest @DorotheaGillim, Executive Producer at WGBH.

To be eligible to win, you must join the party, be sure to RSVP for it HERE, follow the hosts listed above, and participate during the hour with an original tweet (RT´s not eligible) using the #CuriousGeorgeMoms hashtag and answer the Giveaway questions.

A random winner will be chosen amongst those who answered correctly. Open only to residents of the United States. Void where prohibited. Rules can be found HERE

Visit PBSKIDS.org/CuriousGeorge for showtimes, games, printables and videos.

You can connect with Curious George on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/curiousgeorge

Thanks to Curious George’s national corporate sponsors Chuck E. Cheese’s and Rainforest Cafe.

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙