Thursday, October 6, 2011

Let me help your child become a global citzen (because I'm just not busy enough)

I may be officially crazy now. 

I mean, you've read the bio.  I've already got two full-time jobs (mom and communications).  Den leadership, church activities, and Jazzercise class manager.

But what is it that they say?  When you want something done, give it to a busy person.  Well, if you're looking for a busy person, I am the busiest.

Sooooo.....I am now officially launching my own home-based business, too. 

Welcome to (drum roll, please)

Little Passports!

I am now officially an agent for Little Passports, the global adventure for kids.  Here's some more info:

You want to give your child the world. Now you can with Little Passports! This award-winning subscription service for kids is your child’s ticket to global adventure.

Take your child on a tour of Italy’s famous food, use your new “dig kit” to discover Egypt’s rich archeology, and dive into the warm, sparkling waters of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, all without leaving your home!

Inspire a love and understanding of the world as your child learns about a country's geography, history, culture, and language in a fun and memorable way. Personal mail, souvenirs from all over the world, family activities, and online games: imagination is limitless with Little Passports!

How It Works
Every month, our characters Sam and Sofia travel to a new country and send your child a package! During your first month with Little Passports, your child’s adventure begins with an Explorer Kit that includes:


  • A fun travel suitcase
  • An introductory letter from Sofia and Sam
  •  A world wall map
  • Your child’s very own travel passport
  • Colorful stickers
  • An activity sheet
  • A boarding pass

The Adventure Continues
In each following month, your child receives another package from Sam and Sofia with new goodies to collect in the travel suitcase. Each monthly adventure package includes:
  • A letter from Sam and Sofia
  • A fun souvenir
  • An activity sheet
  • A country photo
  • A passport stamp 
  • A map marker
  • A suitcase sticker
  • A collectible boarding pass to access more online games and activities
I didn't just find this out there in the sea of possible home-based businesses.  I'm an actual customer.  Dylan, my very own little explorer, has been receiving Little Passports packages for more than a year now. So, yes, I'm busy, but this is something I believe in.

Kits start as low as $10.95 per month, with several packages available.  Want to learn more?  Contact me at drummeyd@gmail.com and like me at www.facebook.com/NOLALittlePassports.  I look forward to sharing the world with you and your kids!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Preparing for tomorrow

Dylan regularly brings home a flyer from school put out by The Parent Institute.  It has advice on strategies to start the year off right, building a strong bond with your child's teacher, and setting routines to start the day off right.  I'm sure it's mildly helpful for parents of normal/neuro-typical kids.

For me, it's almost laughable. 

Take the article on routines to start the day.  Here's the advice:

Avoid "morning madness" by establishing evening routines.  Your child should:

  1. Choose clothes for the next day.
  2. Have his lunch and backpack ready to go.
  3. Set an alarm clock.  Make sure your child will have plenty of time in the morning.
  4. Stick to a regular bedtime.
At least #1 is easy.  Dylan wears a uniform so there's not too much to that.

But moving on to #2, things become more complicated.  Have lunch and backpack ready to go.  How can the backpack be ready to go if homework's not done?  Do I have him stay up late to pack his lunch?  Who, exactly, does that benefit since he's at his most distractable by bedtime?  Or do I push off homework so he can pack his lunch, which makes him even more distracted for homework.

"Make sure your child will have plenty of time in the morning."  Define plenty of time. Dylan has nearly 90 minutes yet I am still often nagging him to get out the darn door.

Stick to a regular bedtime.  Okay, we more or less do this, even if homework is not done.  Even if bath has not happened.  

What gets me is that the information on these brightly colored fliers make it all sound so easy.  If only.  Every day feels like a battle, even when things are going well.  Yes, we try to stick to routines.  Yes, we try to prepare.  But everyday seems to have its own very unique challenge, different from the day before, different from last week.  We get through, but it's not so easyIt's an abstract dance played out on a skating rink.