Family, Member Contributions
I have to say, the marketing team behind the Lowe’s Build and Grow is beyond brilliant.
It’s a marketing concept that is guaranteed to bring people in droves to their stores all over the country at least twice a month. For parents like me who are looking for free and inexpensive activities for my 1 and 4 year old, this is something you can’t beat it.
It’s free free free, did I mention free?
But back to why it’s so brilliant…when you walk into a Lowe’s, whether its for a free event or not, you are most likely going to buy SOMETHING. Lowe’s knows that everyone, including YOU, has probably put off the extra trip out to their store to buy a little spare part to cover the sharp edge of the screw sticking out of the table, or gunk in a tube that will repair that dreaded hole in your drywall, or anything else that doesn’t justify one trip to the store….unless you are already at the store to take your kids to a fun and free event.
Still, its a small price to pay for a few hours of fun and a finished project our little growing builders can feel proud of.
How does it work? Visit www.lowesbuildandgrow.com to get your little builder registered- although if you forget to register, and they aren’t overcrowded, you can do it once you get there. Your little builder will get a starter kit, complete with an adorable builder’s apron, protective goggles and a hammer. In addition, you’ll receive all the materials you need to assist your little builder in building themselves a workable toy.
Together we’ve built tic tac toe game boards, mini baseball stadiums and basketball hoops, robot transforming race cars, and a pocket change bank.
On Sept 25, 10am, Lowes will be celebrating “Safety Saturday”, a nationwide campaign to educate parents and children on the importance of child safety. Every Lowes across the country and Canada will be participating in the event. The build and grow project? A red fire truck complete with a working siren. We had a ball building ours this afternoon- and look, its even safe for a 16 month old!
Family, Member Contributions
I admit that sometimes I am a hypocrite.
Along with that mea culpa is the acknowledgment that I am far from perfect…and while I strive every day to improve myself a little more, perfection is simply not the goal.
Yesterday was a perfect example of my hypocrisy: While writing for my weekly column in Tidbits magazine, I let my frustration get the better of me and yelled at my kids for interrupting me while I was attempting to work.
The ironic hypocrisy is that I was writing a column about how important it is not to attempt to work when you should be parenting, which may very well result in lost concentration, unnecessary yelling, and the resentment of everyone involved.
I was so caught up in my determination to get my task completed that I nearly failed to see the paradox…which borders on amusing.
Perhaps admitting to you now that I am an imperfect mother, full of hypocrisy makes me less of a liar, but the truth is, I am no different than you.
Before you take offense, let me re-phrase. As parents, we do the best we can- and for that we shall be commended. Every day that we are alive is a new opportunity to learn and grow, slip and fall, and get back up again.
I have good days and bad. I am capable of extreme laughter as well as misplaced crankiness. I feel guilt and shame just as often as I feel pride and joy. If there is any lesson in life that keeps presenting itself to us over and over again- it is that the world is constantly balancing itself out.
Everywhere we look there is yin and yang. I am comforted by thoughts such as these, as I hope for you to be. After all, how would we know what a good day is without having a bad day to compare it to?
Hypocrisy is not so bad. It is merely a catalyst for our sincerity. At least, that is how I am justifying my imperfection at the moment.
![A Passion for Freedom]()
Julianne Wish
Julianne Alvarez-Wish is the new Director of Communications for OMM. In addition to working behind the scenes to promote OMM and you, she also works with legislators and the national and state levels as advocate for parents in business. She will be writing a column for OMM, entitled Wishful Thinking, in which she will bring you items of importance from a legislative, business and parental perspective. She looks forward to serving you and your comments and suggestions.
Part I – What’s at Stake: As parents, there are many things in life we are passionate about – our children, our spouses, our families, etc. The political landscape of today has brought another passion to the forefront for me: Freedom. Continue reading here.
Part II – The Excesses of Democracy – The Framing (Federal) Convention’s record proves that by dcrying the ‘excesses of democracy’ the Framers were not opposing a popular type of government for the United States – their whole purpose was to create a sound system of this type. To contend to the contrary is to falsify history – which not only maligns the Framers but also the spirit of the Free Man in America – all those people of that period who were grateful for the Constitution. The Constitution provided, under the Republic it created, liberties protected against abuse by all possible violators, including the Majority. Continue reading here.
Part III – Our Form of Government – With regard to the Republican form of government (that of a Republic) Madison wrote in The Federalist:
“As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust: So there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form. Were the pictures which have been drawn by the political jealousy of some among us faithful likenesses of the human character, the influence would be that there is no sufficient virtue among men for self government; and that nothing less than the chains of despotism can restrain them from destroying and devouring one another.” Continue reading here.
Part IV – Doing Your Part – There are many political organizations online that offer free newsletters to keep you informed. Simply search online for liberal newsletters or conservative newsletters…or liberal or conservative political organizations. There are a plethora of them. Continue reading here.
![A Passion for Freedom]()
Member Contributions
Whether you are looking for a valuable resource that supports making a change in your life, or you just feel like browsing around and laughing at some relatable mom and dad anecdotes, this blog was created for you and parents everywhere.
We are parents who are contributing to a vibrant change in the choices we make as consumers, and we appreciate the value of purchasing from parents who have chosen to stay at home.
Visit Our Milk Money for more information.
![A Passion for Freedom]()
Community, Member Contributions
A change in lifestyle is a big deal. Heck, just changing jobs is a challenge! Going from a career to a home based business or being a stay-at-home parent can be quite stressful. For many, the change is a no-brainer. But for others, a little patience is in order. If you’re finding the transition tough, here are a few guidelines to help you move through the changes and actually derive benefit from the experience.
1. Have compassion for yourself. Avoid berating yourself for decisions or choices. The past is behind you. Let it go. All there is is NOW.
2. Slow your life down. Taking a few things off your plate will free up the energy to redesign your lifestyle. Delegate responsibilities and ask for help from loved ones.
3. Journal your feelings and/or appoint a confidant you feel you can be open with and who won’t judge you. Don’t allow the judgments of others define who you are. You have a right to choose, and that includes the choice to continue working if you want to.
4. If you decide to take the leap, join a support group designed for stay-at-home parents. There are also plenty of books on the market. Once you leave your job, your circle of friends may shift a little. Make a point not to isolate as you acclimate.
Remember change is personal, and don’t allow other people’s urging to “get over it” interfere with your process.
Are you contemplating a change of lifestyle? Would you like support? Please email me privately at successmadesimple.jc@gmail.com and I’ll sign you up for Two Months FREE Membership to my monthly Mama Come Home! teleclasses.
Judith Cassis,C.Ht. is a Personal Development Consultant with 26 years experience. Known as “The Bounce-Back Coach”, she works with people who are “bouncing back” from failure, loss or tragedy. Judith is co-owner of a small newspaper,Tidbits of Santa Clarita Valley, www.tidbitsscv.com a family business she and her husband, Lee Cadena run with their sons. Through a monthly teleseries, Mama Come Home, Judith supports mothers in staying home or returning home to raise their children.
![A Passion for Freedom]()
Julianne Wish, Member Contributions
by Julianne Alvarez-Wish
In the ‘good ole days’ kids used to be able to play outside and walk places with very little to fear. I certainly did as a child. I would go out to play after school and had to be home by a certain time as did my friends. There was little adult supervision.
The same cannot be said of today’s environment unfortunately. In the blink of an eye, children, young adults, women and even young men are kidnapped, attacked and worse. Also, there are children in school suffering from being bullied.
We do all we can as parents to ensure the safety of our families and nothing should substitute for that. However, adding good tools to our ‘toolbox’ for caring for our families is a terrific idea and I’m all for adding security and some peace of mind.
One such idea is the line of ISafe Bags. The ISafe Bags were created by a Chicago entrepreneur. He heard about a woman who was attacked by four men. The story upset him so much he decided to do something about it to help protect people from attacks.
In full disclosure, I did receive an ISafe Bag at no cost to review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are fully my own and in no way influenced by the receipt of the bag.
ISafe Bags look like regular back packs, laptop backpacks, or laptop messenger bags. They come in an array of colors that will please children and adults alike. I reviewed the pink laptop messenger bag. My laptop fit in the bag easily as did a bunch of other things I carry with it. It’s functional, pretty, light, durable and well-constructed. It has lots of pockets for storage and even has a handy removable key ring. I love it!
Hiding in each of these bags is an alarm system with a strobe light. The alarm is quite loud and the strobe light is very bright…they will easily attract help to whoever set off the alarm. Another great feature is that the alarm and strobe light system are very light, only adding 1/2 pound to the weight of the bag so you won’t get tired carrying it around.
ISafe Bags are easy to activate and deactivate. ISafe Bags also have a replacement policy. When your bag gets worn out, you can purchase a pre-wired bag from ISafe Bags at a fraction of the cost of the original. Simply insert the alarm system into the new bag and you are all set!
The ISafe Bags web site is full of useful information from who should use the bags, common uses, to alarm system operating instructions. There is a link for personal safety tips for women and children. The web site will also feature a video on how to hook up the replacement bag to your alarm system.
The line of ISafe Bags are a terrific way to add some security and peace of mind to life using an ordinary item many use daily…what’s not to like! I highly recommend them!
Julianne Alvarez-Wish is a military wife, mother, business owner, professional writer, blogger and legislative advocate. She is the Director of Communications for Our Milk Money, the Colorado State Leader for the National Association for Moms in Business and the owner of Buy By Mom and Buy By Mom Blog. She is the Colorado Springs Stay-at-Home Mom Examiner for Examiner.com. She also blogs at Wishful Thinking. Her passion, purpose and goal is to help parents work from home so they can be home with their children.
Recent Comments