Building better behavior--- social, & emotional skills

Now that my daughter is 4, I'm really starting to see the personality differences between her and my son. Likewise, my son's behaviors have changed since his sister was born. Little things that have escalated over the years, and I'm sure we never noticed because of the gradual change. Lately, it seems, these bahviors have come to a rolling boil. Maybe it's because of his age, but it could also be because he's competing with a new an opposing personality in the house.

Before his sister came along, Andrew was quiet, well behaved, and relatively obedient. Sure, we had our tantrums, and the occasional outburst, but he was a really good kid. He still is a good kid... but he has started to challenge us quite a bit. Listening and obeying are a challenge now. His school work has really begun to suffer, and his recognition of us as the adults if often questionable.

When Madison was born, Andrew was excited to have a sibling. He loved to hold her, and helped every chance he got. As she began to grow, he enjoyed playing with her, and teaching her. He really was a proud big brother! Then, Madison turned 3. She hit the terrible twos a little late, and it seems, they stuck around for a very long time. Madison began to develop her own personality. By the time she turned 4, she had become a strong willed, feisty little girl--- A very independent and outspoken girl.

Unfortunately, the terrible three's, and Madison's new found persona, didn't mesh well with Andrew. He became quite irritable, and started to act out. Again, this could be his age, he's 12 and starting to develop himself... However, I think his little sister plays a big part in his obstinance.

My husband and I have been actively working to improve both our childrens' behavior, in home and at school. Madison can be a real terror at home, but is an absolute angel at school. Andrew is defiant at home, as well as at school. We've tried reasoning with them, reward systems, and also punishments. Nothing seems to work. Although, Madison does seem to do better with a reward system. None of the above seem to have an effect on Andrew.

The only things that we've found that have an impact on both children's behavior, are EQtainment products. EQtainment is a Parents’ Choice Recommended Award winning company that makes games, books, apps, and a show that are geared specifically toward improving children's emotional intelligence, social skills, and behavior.

EQtainment

"EQtainment’s products help kids develop self-awareness, manners, problem solving, empathy, responsibility, grit and more."

Q's Race to the Top
If your child likes to play games, this is a great product to invest in. It's an interactive boardgame, that allows kids to explore feelings, communication, manners, social skills, creative thinking, balance, and coordination --- All while helping Q the monkey race to the top of his tree house! This board game is designed for children ages 3 and up, and is packed full of fun activities and questions that help the kids "race to the top".

We invited some friends over to play Q's Race to the Top. The kids loved it! The questions and activities were a lot of fun, and everyone had a really good time racing to the top. Plus, the kids behaved remarkably well while playing!

The boardgame includes:

• 150 fun question and action cards 
• The first storybook, Q’s Wild Ride 
• 4 colorful Q The Monkey figurines 
• 1 big green dice 
• Gameboard featuring the tree house Q built!

Q's Race to the Top
On-The-Go Pack
This on-the-go pack is similar to the boardgame, minus the pieces and game board. It's a travel pack that includes 3 sets of cards (90 cards total, each containing fun questions or actions. The cards come in a convenient carrying tin, and are perfect for travel, road trips, etc. This is a fun way for kids to practice their reading and listening skills, while still promoting positive social & behavioral skills.

Madison and I enjoy playing this while we are out and about running errands. Usually I read the cards, and she responds. Sometimes both kids are in the car, and Andrew plays along. It's a great way to pass the time in the car, and keeps the kids engaged --- and learning!

Q Time Buddy
If your little one needs to work on developing their focus and attention, this is the perfect product! The Q Time Buddy is a super soft plush monkey, with a weighted bottom. The purpose for the Q Time Buddy, is to allow your child to relax. By laying on their back, and resting Q on their tummy, children can be calm and control their emotions. Breathing deep & slowly, they can focus on Q as he rises and falls with their breaths. It's calming, comforting, and a great way to settle restless preschoolers!

The Q Time Buddy has proven to be wildly successful with my rambunctious 4 year old!!! When she's throwing a tantrum, or on one of her tirades, I settle her down with Q. The deep breathing calms her, and Q focuses her. After a few minutes, she's like a whole different child! 

Q's Coloring Book
This isn't your ordinary coloring book. It's pages feature different social environments, situations, and activities that really make your child think! 

Madison and I like to discuss the different scenarios, and what we would do if we were Q the monkey. It's a great way to get kids thinking about actions and behaviors--- while they enjoy coloring the pages.

Q Wunder App
This app is amazing!
When you first run the app, you're asked to fill out a quick multiple choice quiz. The purpose for the quiz is to assess your child's social and emotional skills. After finishing the quiz, the app determines what actives would be best to improve these skills. EQtainment is the first company to develop a measurement tool like this, and it's absolutely brilliant!

The app features a Kids Zone, Parents Corner, and Progress Report--- You can choose to let you child enter the Kids Zone to explore and play, or check out the Parents Corner where you can watch helpful parenting videos. The Progress Report tracks your child's progress, and shows you how far they've come since starting the app. There's also an option to retake the quiz, or shop at the EQtainment site. 

If you have multiple children accessing the app, that's fine! You can add each child individually, and they will have their own profile tailored to their needs. When accessing the Children's Zone, just select the which child is using the app, and it will automatically adjust & track for that child. 

You can download and install the app directly through iTunes or Google Play stores on your phone or tablet by searching for "Q Wunder" or "EQtainment". The app does require a subscription to play. Subscriptions are $7.99 per month, and can be cancelled at any time. Plus, EQtainment offers a free 30 day trial subscription--- You can check the app out before paying the monthly subscription fee.

Want to see more?
Check out this video tour.

Q Wunder Video

As you can see, EQtainment offers so many exciting products that kids not only love, but learn from. My children have grown so much, both socially & emotionally, from our experience using the Q Wunder app and games. Thsee methods are a game changer, and I highly recommend them to anyone who is seeking to make a positive impact on their children’s behavior. 

Throw out the sticker charts, and check out all that EQtainment has to offer!

Products received complimentary, for testing & review purposes.

Relax with a great book!

Summer is a great time to catch up on some light reading. In fact, there's nothing better on a hot day than to take a mental day trip in a good book! Since books are readily available on mobile devices, you can take them anywhere... Heading to the beach or lounging by the pool for the day? Enjoy a good book while you soak up the summer sun!

This summer I joined the Random House monthly mystery book Chatterbox, via House Party, and had the awesome opportunity to read some new mysteries at no cost. Typically, I choose lengthy books. You know, the wordy, extra heady ones. However, it's often nice to dive into a quick who-done-it, and that's exactly the type of books that I perused while the kids were out of school.

My Random House mysteries included:

• Mug Shot: A Java Jive Mystery, by Caroline Fardig 
• Death at a Fixer-Upper: A Home Sweet Home Mystery, by Sarah T. Hobart
• Maggie Dove: A Mystery, by Susan Breen
• All These Perfect Strangers, by Aoife Clifford
• The Crêpes of Wrath: A Pancake House Mystery, by Sarah Fox

"Mug Shot", takes place in a small town, where the main character is the owner of a local coffee shop. It starts strong, and sucks you in. Unfortunately, I felt the book fell flat in the middle. The suspense died, and the plot unfolded quickly. It was a quick read with interesting characters, but it left me wishing it had kept its momentum. Since it was a decent book, and I liked the storyline, I give it 4/5 stars. I do wish there was a bit more detail, and maybe a surprise ending. For me, the culprit was way too obvious.

"Death at a Fixer Upper", is a book about a realtor who moves to a new town and tries to sell the unsellable. It's a murder mystery that's riddled with twists, turns, and a brief romance. It's a relatively short book, but it packs a punch! For a murder mystery, it's relatively lighthearted, and was a welcomed change to my usual deep-dark reads. I give this book 5/5 stars. It's well written, has a great plot, is chock full of descriptive details, and left me wanting more Home Sweet Home mysteries!

"Maggie Dove", is a book that I loved, then liked. It starts strong with amazing, relatable characters. Everything is well detailed, and you can really picture the town, homes, and individual characters. The plot has many changes that keep you guessing, and each pages unfolds more mystery. Maggie Dove, the main character, is an older woman with neighbor troubles. When the neighbor is murdered, this Sunday school teacher becomes a grade A detective. She's quick witted, and sharp as a tack! Unfortunately, I'm torn between 4/5 stars, and 5/5 stars for this book. Let's call it 4.5/5! It's a good read, but the end comes quickly. That's my only qualm with it--- It goes from detailed and slow paced to a quick unravel and it's done. It left me wishing there had been a few more pages!

"All These Perfect Strangers", was a book I was able to get into, even with its flaws. There's a HUGE lack of descriptive detail, and background. Plus, it's based in the UK, and uses verbiage that switches frequently between street talk and proper English. Unfortunately, this can become a bit confusing. However, I enjoyed the story, until the end. It's a college town mystery, with lots of twists. Just when you think you know who-done-it, you're wrong. It's very heady for a short novel, and often switches between the present and the main character's recollection of a fragmented past. The biggest let down is the end. It goes from an "ah-ha!" moment, to "what just happened... I don't get it". This book left me confused, and I give it a generous 3/5 stars.

"The Crepes of Wrath", was the last book that I read, and I really enjoyed it. It's well thought, and I found myself quickly sucked in. Luckily, it's not thousands of pages, or I'd never have been able to put it down! The sleepy seaside town that it takes place in reminded me of my town, and the locals and shops were nostalgic for me. The details, location, and characters, coupled with a true murder mystery plot, turned this book into a real page turner for me! It's definitely worth a 5 star rating!

All of these books could easily be enjoyed by adults, and young adults alike. With the exception of "All These Perfect Strangers". I personally don't feel it's appropriate for the younger crowd. There's a lot of partying, suggestive situations, and some brief sexual encounters in the book. No, its not at all like 50 Shades, but I'm not sure I'd want my kids reading it.

So, what are you waiting for?! Check out some new books this summer! Random House has tons of new books, of all genre's. Feel free to add your book selections in the comments. Or if you read the books I've mentioned above, let me know what you thought of them! 

Books provided complimentary, to read and review. 

Give the gift of imagination!

Studio Fun International is a great way to bring age appropriate, educational books into your home. They offer a variety of book genres, as well as books bundled with toys & crafting items. Plus, they feature an ASPCA series, called "ASPCA Kids". These particular books are special because 4%-5% of the purchase price of every Pet Rescue club book goes directly to the ASPCA® so they can continue their mission of helping the helpless! This is called " Read a book, save a life." It's a great way to get your child interested in humanitarian causes.

The publisher's currently partnering with Studio Fun International include:

ASPCA

Disney

DreamWorks

Sesame Street

Fisher Price

Barbie

Nickelodeon

Marvel Entertainment

DC Comics

Hasbro

Studio Fun International also operates overseas. They offer books to 40 different countries! What an awesome way to get kids interested in books--- Right?!? All of the products offered are geared toward children from age 2 to 12, and each brand offers their own unique books and products.
Books can be purchased through the Studio Fun International website, and sent anywhere in the United States. They would make awesome gifts, as you can choose the perfect books for each child! It's like sending a reading care package!

My children received a complimentary reading care package, to test and review. The care package included 5 different ASPCA Kids books, as well as a Star Wars arts & crafts book, and a young reader book about animals. The books are awesome!
My daughter is obsessed with animals, and she really loves for us to read the animal rescue stories from the ASPCA Kids books to her. My son is more into Star Wars, so the crafting book was spot on for him. Both kids have spent countless hours enjoying their Studio Fun International books.

This has been such a wonderful experience. One that this mama highly recommends!

For more info, or to purchase books, click the logo below to visit the 

Studio Fun International website.

 

Children's books by Dan Jackson

This book is a great for teaching young children shape and memory skills! It takes traditional shape memorization outside of the box, and makes it creative and fun. My daughter and I had a lot of fun guessing at animal shapes, and playing quick memory games with the shapes in the book. It definitely made silhouette recognization so much more fun for my daughter (she's 3). Her favorite part was pointing out the different parts of each animal, then guessing which animal it was, based on those parts. For example, she would notice the long neck on the silhouette and the long legs that make it very tall, and use her memory to guess which animal it was. Every time she got it right, she was so proud of herself. It was amazing to watch her have so much fun learning!

Animals Silhouette (Animals) Brain developer books (Bedtime story) 

Activity book (Animals) Ages 4 - 9

My youngest, Madison, is a serious animal lover. So it came as no surprise to me that she was super interested in learning all about different animals, and I was happy to oblige! We had a lot of fun learning all about how different animals drink. It was especially fun when we paused to try and mimic each animal. Madison thoroughly enjoyed pretending she was an elephant and a lion. This book offers a great opportunity to teach young children about animals, and to have fun doing it!

 Drinking Animals (Animals Habitats) Marine Life (Preschool) 1st grade (ebook for kids)

This product was received complimentary, for testing and review purposes. The above statements are my own honest opinion of the product.

Dead Scary: The Ghost who refused to leave

Dead Scary: The Ghost Who Wouldn't Leave, is an eerily adventurous book about a struggle between the human and spirit world. The main characters, Adam and Edward, meet under strange circumstances--- Edward is a ghost, and Adam has the gift of being able to see and interact with the spirit world! Unfortunately, Adam's family has inherited the home where Edward haunts, and Edward is none too thrilled about this! He plots and plans ways to get the family out, and is unsuccessful. Determined, he decides to rally together the earthly spirit world, and wage war on the family. Adam is left to defend his family and his home, in an epic, and haunting, battle. 

This book is wonderfully written, and carefully places the reader right into the action! Once you start reading it, you'll find it very hard to stop! 

I received this book as a gift, to read and review, and I highly recommend it! It's well suited for children ages 8+. My 10 year old thoroughly enjoyed reading Dead Scary: The Ghost Who Wouldn't Leave! 

Book Categories:

Ghost stories for kids 9 – 12
Adventure books for kids 9 – 12
Ghost children
Children’s books for kindle ages 9-12

Dead Scary: The Ghost who refused to leave

Green Smoothies & Vegetarian Recipes

I've always known that fruit and veggies were good for you, but I didn't know just how good... Or that they had some seriously awesome healing and detoxification properties. I didn't know all about fruits and veggies until I read this book; Green Smoothies the Weight Loss & Detox Secret. This book is chock full of information on the health benefits of different fruits and vegetables. Plus, it contains a vast amount of recipes for health smoothies, made with fresh fruits & vegetables. I love that the recipes are all super simple, and explain the benefits the smoothie offers. I also really like that each recipe contains serving size and fat + calorie counts. This is so helpful for someone who's watching what they eat! I received this EBook complementary, for review purposes. I have tried the smoothies in the book, and my favorite is the pumpkin smoothie! It's absolutely delicious! 

Green Smoothies: The Weight Loss & Detox Secret: 50 Recipes for a Healthy Diet (Special Diet Cookbooks & Vegetarian Recipes Collection Book 3)

Quick. Easy. Meat free. This cookbook is full of amazing vegetarian recipes that will inspire anyone to eat a little healthier! As I read through the different dishes, my mouth began to water. I never knew some of these foods were possible! They sound amazing and taste even better! I've had a chance to make a few of the items featured in this cookbook, and so far I am thoroughly impressed with what I've tried. I received this book complimentary through a promotional event, to read and review, and I am so glad I did! My family is eating healthier and enjoying it --- all thanks to this cookbook!

Vegetarian Quick & Easy - Under 15 Minutes: (100 Simple Natural Food Recipes) (Weight Maintenance & Low Fat Lifestyle) (Vegetarian Weight Loss) (Special ... & Vegetarian Recipes Collection Book 2)