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TwitterIt is all bitter sweet…
I should be so excited that summer is right around the corner, right? Well I’m not. It is that time of year again where school is coming to an end, and I am filled with so many different emotions. My kids will bring home all their books and past artwork (some of which I have never seen!), some will be recycled while most will be put away in our memory boxes. To me, the beginning of the school year always signals a fresh new start, a new year with the anticipation of new memories that I will ultimately cut and paste into my children’s school albums. It is the end of the school year that I have a problem with.
The end of the year signals another year gone by too quickly, children growing up and me wondering if I should have volunteered more or why I missed that class performance. Time has slipped by too quickly yet again and I find myself wondering where the year went! Tears flow from regret, from sadness, from happiness, and from how blessed I feel to be a mom to two such awesome kids. Yes, I am the mom picking up her children on the last day of school with tears flowing down her cheeks while the kids are shrieking for joy and wondering why I am crying. It is all bitter sweet.
Meet April’s Customer of the Month!
Congratulations to Charlene Peterson for being April’s Customer Of The Month! Thank you Charlene for being such a loyal Lovable Labels customer. Please help us congratulate Charlene for being our Customer Of The Month!
Who will be our Customer of the Month for May? Stay tuned!
Don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan Page to be informed of our latest special offers and promos!
How to Love your Tween
I remember when my children were little, and the warnings that I used to hear from other Moms to enjoy that time because they would “grow up so fast”. When you are in the midst of constant feedings, diaper changes, and waking up a 100 times in the middle of the night, it is hard to believe that this phase in your life will actually ever end.
I am here to tell you that it does end, and that time really does go by so quickly!
Fast forward 10 years and these days I am greeted with dangly arms and legs from my daughter, and I have to settle for a stiff upper-torso type of embrace from my oldest son. Let’s not forget the “Oh Mom!” or the “Good”, “Fine” – limited conversation I get these days.
Moms know it’s never been a tougher time to be the parent of a tween or teenager. Cell phones and Facebook. Slammed doors and mood swings. Somehow, your sweet little child has changed into a baffling bunch of hormones that you barely recognize. You love your teen but worry about being the Mom you need to be. They are growing up and I realize that although I love my children even more than the day they were born, the “way” I show them my love has to change.
Here are just a few ideas on how to love your tweens and teens:
1. Say “YES!” A lot!
2. Tell them that their feelings are Okay
3. Set boundaries that keep them safe
4. Discuss their dreams or what scares them
5. Laugh at their jokes
6. Tell them how terrific they are
7. Create a tradition with them and keep it
8. Show up at their games and events
9. Listen to their favourite music with them
10. Keep the promises you make
11. Clip pictures and articles, or email them links of things that interest them
12. Ask for their opinion
13. Follow them when they lead
14. Do what they like to do
15. Let them solve most of their problems on their own
16. Tell them how proud you are of them
17. Be flexible
18. Let them make mistakes
19. Expect their best; don’t expect perfection
20. Love them, no matter what!
“Make a fresh start this Spring!” Contest – Winners Announced!
We are thrilled at the response and all the tips and suggestions we received for this contest! We want to thank everyone who submitted an entry. We are pleased to announce the 5 winners:
- Janet R.
- Angie M.
- Tammy B.
- Tanya
- Patricia
Congratulations! Each winner receives a pack of Toy Bin Labels from Lovable Labels!
Winners were selected by random draw. An email notification has been sent to each of the winners and they will have 48 hours to respond.
Emotional Energy: Are You An “Innie” or An “Outie”? Take the quiz to find out your personal energy type.
We all know the boundless energy our children have each and every day, and if we don’t have similar energy levels ourselves, it’s not long before we’re running ragged trying to keep up. While most people tend to think this kind of energy comes from physical stamina, research shows that 70% of our overall energy level comes from emotional energy—how positive, engaged, resilient and happy we feel.
While there certainly are one-size-fits-all strategies for increasing emotional energy, one of the most powerful ways we can boost this feel-good fuel as parents is by understanding personal energy types—the unique way we derive emotional energy from the world…
According to psychological theory, there are two ways people prefer to get emotional energy—either by engaging in the outer world of people and activities or by engaging in their inner world of ideas and experiences. Those who are more outward-focused are “outies”—they get their energy by being with other people and by engaging in a lot of activity. When outies have time alone or do not have the opportunity to interact with others, they can get quite irritable and restless because they quickly run out of steam.
“Innies,” on the other hand, tend to prefer time alone or with one or two special people. They benefit from reflecting on thoughts and ideas and need time alone to recharge their batteries. Too many external demands and a lot of social interaction (especially with those who are not close friends) can overwhelm innies and drain their emotional energy.
Whether you’re an innie or an outie is very much like right- and left-handedness—there isn’t a right or wrong preference. Life just tends to go more smoothly and efficiently when you can engage in your preferred way of doing things. In this way, knowing your emotional energy type will go a long way in helping you understand and manage your energy levels on an regular basis. To determine your personal energy type, respond to each of the following questions…
For each statement, select the preference that reflects “the real you.” Which would be your first choice based on what feels most comfortable to you, not what you think you should be or want to be?
- Do you consider yourself:
- a good listener
- a good conversationalist
- At a social gathering, do you tend to:
- interact with a few friends
- interact with many, even strangers
- When volunteering at your child’s school, do you prefer:
- a position where you can do your own thing
- working on a committee
- Do you find being on-the-go a lot with your kids:
- exhausting
- energizing
- On a Friday night, would you prefer to:
- spend time with your family
- invite friends and neighbors over
- Do you prefer to solve a problem by:
- thinking it through yourself first
- talking it through with someone else
- Your ideal way to unwind at the end of a long day is:
- a bubble bath and a good book
- going out with some friends
Count how many (a) statements and how many (b) statements you selected in total. If you chose more (a) statements, you are an “innie” and tend to get your energy from internal sources. If you chose more (b) statements, you are an “outie” who gets your energy from external sources.
Once you have determined your personal energy type, you can better understand your reactions to your children and begin building a “match” into your schedule. If you are an innie, for example, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed and drained when being around your children for extended periods of time. You likely get upset when your children vie for your attention, hang onto you, stick their face in yours—you need your space! It’s important, then, to let your family know that you need your space and to find alone time for yourself where you can unwind and recharge. Go for a walk, take a 10-minute time-out to have a cup of tea before picking up your kids from daycare, have a bubble bath—even if it means the laundry doesn’t get put away or you’re eating soup and grilled cheese for dinner!
If you’re an outie, on the other hand, you likely find it very taxing to be at home isolated with your children for extended periods of time. As much as you love being with your children, you need adult stimulation and interaction! Be sure to go on outings with other Moms, chat on the phone with a friend instead of emptying the dishwasher, plan a night out with some friends or other couples. Whatever you need to do—connect with others and re-energize.
As you begin to recognize the differences between innies and outies, it will become much easier to accept and respect your personal type, as well as those of others—including your children. You can replenish your emotional energy more readily; you’ll feel far less guilty about your own needs; and you’ll be able to maintain higher energy levels for the things that matter most.
Dr. Kelly Pryde is a parenting and self-development expert and the founder of DreamKids. A speaker, author and mother of two, Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and offers today’s Moms inspiring and practical ideas for living with more energy, inner wisdom, purpose, love and joy. You can visit Kelly on the web at www.drkellypryde.com
Make a fresh start this Spring!
Spring is here and it’s time to open the windows wide and let the fresh air in while the winter blahs go out! Spring also means organizing all that stuff that accumulated in your house! Lovable Labels carries a wide range of “Household Labels” that can help you get organized! Here are our Top Ten must-have labels:
Home Office Labels: Give your personal files an organized look! These labels are pre-printed so there is no need to write or print on them! They provide a great solution to help separate important documents, papers, receipts and much more. File label categories include: Credit Cards, Banking, Education, Travel, Pets, Extra Curricular Activities, Medical and many more!
Wire Tags: Control cord chaos and confusion with Wire Tags! Simply wrap around the wire to quickly identify a cable or wire with these colorful and useful tags!
Toy Bin Labels: Keep toys and art supplies from turning into clutter with these organizing labels. Little ones who may not know how to read can still help tidy-up by using the toy symbols on the labels to put away toys in the corresponding bins!
Pantry Labels: There is no excuse for confusing sugar with salt now! Organize your pantry easily with these handy labels.
Crafty Mom Labels: Great for the crafty mom who wants to get all her craft supplies organized. Simply stick these labels to your craft bins/containers and with one easy step your materials and even your unfinished projects are organized and neat!
Date It Labels: Ever wonder what’s in those food containers in your freezer or when you put them there? With our new “Date it!” Labels you’ll never have to guess! Our bright and colorful “Date It!” Labels are made to be written on over and over and are completely safe to use in the fridge/freezer, microwave or dishwasher. Great for labelling home-made baby foods, Tupperware, baby bottles, food containers, etc. and comes with a write-on/wipe-off special marker.
Book Worm Labels: Lend out books to friends and family with the peace of mind that they will be returned to you. Book Worms also make a child’s book really special, and they are a fun way of personalizing a gift book too!
Return Address Labels: Give your letters and envelopes a special touch with these Return Address Labels! These Designer Address Labels add a punch of color to your white envelopes and save you time!
Outdoor Bin Labels: Keep your recycling and outdoor bins organized and add curb appeal with our new jumbo Outdoor Bin Labels. A new and fun way to keep track of your bins and stop them from getting mixed up with your neighbors!
Slimline Labels: From Tupperware to electronics, tag all your items to avoid loosing them.
An organized space gives us a sense of peace and tranquility and time to do those things you really enjoy!
We would love to hear your best Spring Cleaning Tips! Post your tips here and you may be one of five lucky winners to receive a set of Toy Bin Labels!
Open to Canadian and US residents age 18 or older. Winners selection will be conducted by random drawing from all eligible entries on or about April 16, 2012. Five winners will receive a free set of Toy Bin Labels (ARV $13.95 each). Winners will be announced on our blog on or about April 16, 2012 and winners will have 48 hours to respond by email. No purchase necessary. Prize cannot be redeemed for cash value. If you have any questions please contact us at contest@lovablelabels.ca
Sesame Street leads the way!
I grew up watching Sesame Street and although it was a long time ago (I won’t share exactly how long) it seems Sesame Street is becoming more popular every year! Sesame Street continues to rank as the #1 TV/Cartoon program among moms with preschoolers. Sesame Street won 3 Kidscreen awards and also ranks in the top 5 for total audience per telecast, ahead of Dinosaur Train, Super Why!, Dora the Explorer and Jack and the Never Land Pirates. Elmo is the #1 favorite TV/cartoon character of moms with preschoolers. Not only is Elmo leading the pack, but a remarkable six of the top ten favorites are from Sesame Street:
• Elmo • Cookie Monster • Ernie • Snuffy • Count • Big Bird
We currently carry three Sesame Street titles; Sesame Street Let’s Count, My Day on Sesame Street, and Sesame Street ABC and Me. From the moment your child opens one of our books, the magical adventure begins. Imagine the joy of a child as he or she flips through the pages of a colorful personalized book and sees his or her name woven into the storyline. Our personalized concept encourages children to read and makes learning fun because they are the stars of the stories! Each hardcover book is lavishly illustrated in color & contains thoughtfully written stories to convey the best positive, wholesome messages. The books become a valuable teaching tool enhancing your child’s self esteem and promoting reading skills. Each book includes the child’s name on every page and even mentions up to three friends & their hometown in its text. They make a great addition to your child’s collection of books or to give as a gift that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Click here to view all our personalized book titles: http://www.lovablelabels.ca/book.aspx
Stay tuned for more great product spotlights coming weekly!
Meet Our March Customer of the Month!
Congratulations to Annette Giles for being our March Customer Of The Month! Thank you Annette for being such a loyal Lovable Labels customer. Please help us congratulate Annette for being our Customer Of The Month!
Who will be our April Customer of the Month? Stay tuned!
Don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan Page to be informed of our latest special offers and promos!
Finding the Perfect Camp!
When school lets out for the summer, many parents struggle with ideas to keep their children occupied. Summer camps give parents a place to send their children so they can continue to learn and grow through the summer and stay busy too! I have had the opportunity to attend several camp expos over the years and it gave me a great deal of insight into this very issue that I also face with my own children every summer.
Before deciding on a camp for your kids this summer, here are 5 tips on how to find a summer camp that meets not only the needs of your child, but also those of your family:
#1-Determine what type of summer camp you need:
Summer Camps fall into three major categories: traditional/residential camps, day camps, and specialty camps. Are you looking for a day camp your child can attend everyday during your working hours, or would you prefer a residential camp where they are away from home for a few nights or even weeks at a time? Would you prefer they attend a specialty camp where they learn a skill such as swimming, computers or art? The biggest mistake parents can make is to send a child to a camp that the parent wants them to experience, not the child. It is important to involve your child in the selection process by discussing with them what types of summer camps would interest them, and use this information as the basis for beginning your camp search.
#2-Determine a budget:
It is important that you determine in advance how much of your budget you are willing to allocate towards the summer camp experience for your child. If cost is of concern for your family, you may not want to send your child to a month-long residential summer camp because they can be quite expensive as you are paying for their room and food in addition to the camp experience. Tip: There are some camps that offer financial assistance if your family meets certain income requirements.
#3-Attend local Camp Fairs:
Camp Fairs provide one-stop shopping for camps. Camp Fairs are usually held in schools, community centers, or even hotels, usually in late winter or early spring. Camps will be putting their best foot forward to impress you. Use this time to see which one offers what you and your child need and want most in a camp. At the information booths at a Camp Fair, you can browse the displays, pick up literature, and talk to camp representatives. Here are some links to help you find Camp Fairs in your area:
USA: http://www.acacamps.org/campfair/
Canada: http://www.ontariocamps.ca/parents_calendar
#4-Ask for recommendations from friends:
What better way to get insight on a certain camp then from friends who have already experienced it?! Getting first hand feedback from a friend is valuable in helping you make that right decision!
#5-Plan in advance and get organized:
Regardless of whether you choose a summer day camp or a residential summer camp, you need to make sure you are very organized. For example, if your child will be attending a residential camp, make sure you plan for not only their physical needs when they are away from you, but also their emotional needs. Make a list of things they will need to take along with them (way ahead of the trip!) such as special clothes, comfort items, special cards, letters, and care packages from you. Above all, label everything. Lovable Labels offers the “Ultimate Camp Pack” which has over 150 labels for only $44.95. These labels are colorful, durable and best of all they are perfect for labeling all that camp gear from shoes to toiletries and clothing. Finally, make an emergency contact list for the summer camp coordinators, as well as one for yourself. Know the phone number and address of the camp, the names of the camp coordinators, and try to get the coordinator’s personal cell phone numbers as well.
Here are some useful links to help you find that perfect camp for your little ones:
USA: ACA website (http://find.acacamps.org/index.php)
Canada: OCA website (http://www.ontariocamps.ca/search/
Its Camp Season so be sure to visit our blog for more tips on how to get you and your child ready for camp time! We will feature tips on packing, how to help your child with separation anxiety and even camp safety! Check back with us soon!
Meet Our February Customer of the Month!
Congratulations to Nadine Pyatt for being our February Customer Of The Month! Thank you Nadine for being such a loyal Lovable Labels customer. Please help us congratulate Nadine for being our Customer Of The Month!
Who will be our March Customer of the Month? Stay tuned!
Don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan Page to be informed of our latest special offers and promos!