Our Friend Mila had an opportunity to check out the one of the fijit friends from Mattel and videotaped her session. These interactive, talking robots are a perfect gift for tween Girls. Take a look at what these wee fijits can do!!

Visit the fijit friends website here by copying and pasting the link into your browser! www.fijitfriends.com

Back To School – Surviving or Thriving?

Most of us flip into survival mode when it comes to back to school. Whomever decided that back to school had to be this pressure cooker of must do’s, must haves, and must follows MUST give their heads a shake! We are inclined as parents to overspend, over think and over parent this time of year!

As a Life Coach, my job is to make Life Transitions a little easier for those shifting on their paths – no difference whether it’s kiddos or parents.  Here are just a few things you can do to make this transition easier on you, the kiddos and the transition back to school.

Build the Kiddo into the Process of Back to School: Our Kiddo-Kittens are smart and know a lot more than we give them credit for so use their skills, talents and abilities to aid in the transition. Here are just a few things you can do that can make the world of difference in your back to school.

“Foodies” need to get involved in the menu planning, snack planning and lunch building (they can also assess whether or not you require new supplies insofar as lunch bags, container requirements, ice packs, etc..

“Fashionistas” can help create the back to school wardrobe requirements for each of the kiddos based on the latest styles. Have them look for ideas, work with budgets to create the back to school looks based on the personality of each of the siblings.

“Organizers/Schedulers” can create just that the schedule for the family members – have them fill in P. A. days, holidays, extra-curricular activities and remind the family of upcoming commitments.  Organizers can help the Family purge items no longer required, recycle and reuse school supplies and get the Family homework space ready to rock and roll come September.

Parents oversee this process, assign the household budget for back to school (and YES Mom and Dad we DO need a financial budget for back to school!!). Empowering your children in the back to school transition time allows them to feel part of this process, builds self-esteem, and gives them something to focus on OTHER than the emotional transition back to school.  We have isolated only a few of the roles Kids can participate in. Send us other ideas and let us know how it works out for you; we LOVE hearing from You!

p.s. Don’t forget to include your Toddlers and Preschoolers – they make GREAT Assistants and NEED to feel important too as part of the Family

Yeah, yeah I know!! “It’s about time Laurel! Where is your blog Laurel? What do you mean you don’t have a blog?” One of my BIGGEST hurdles??  What to call this “puppy” AND since I am a Twitter Nut and am FOREVER giggling and snorting on there… ta da – the name of my Blog – wheee!! First post coming soon…..