Find your ZING!

Hi Friends -

I love it when the simple act of going to the movies with your kids, brings about more than one lesson. Such was the case with our rain day choice, ""Hotel Transylvania."

In the movie, we learn about feeling that spark - or *zing* that was once felt between the Vampire parents and now between their 118 y/o daughter, Mavis and the human, Johnny. Of couse, we all have stories of the *zing* we felt with our partners, but I can save that for another day. However, I will say, literally there was a spark on the first time my husband and I went on a group outing together. I won't say it was a date... because it wasn't. It was a group of us racing Big Wheels- see I told you it was a story for another day.

The *zing* made me think about following anything that sparks life for you! When you feel that excitement.... in love, career, adventure. To paraphrase the movie, "you only feel that zing once." And for me, the *zing* is the thing! To me, the *zing* has been my love with my husband, which created the love for our kiddos - and when our family felt complete... but the *zing* I feel passionate about is our network markering career with SendOutCards. Where else can you be your own boss and create your own legacy? Where else do you control your schedule and income? We are blessed and it is so exciting to now see others on our team succeed.

So if you read this - whethere on our CardsAndMohr team, searching for a company or already affiliated with another company, I encourage you to go find your ZING. What do you have to lose? You may just end up changing your life by following that feeling... that what-if.

Shoot for the moon!

Hugs, Danielle

"Dates" with Your Kids

It's been a long time since grad school and I would never consider myself a parenting "expert," but I do want to take a moment to share a couple of ideas. 

If your is like our  house, it is busy - no matter how many children you have... there are school, events, extra-cirriculars, meals, shopping, playdates, doctor appointments and the list goes on and on. Sometimes, you may find it hard to slow down and just "be" with your child in that moment. There are two ideas I'd like to share that make a difference in our house.

(1) Stagger Bedtimes

(2) Take Your Child on a Date

Let me write some details. We have three kiddos (3-6-9 y/o) and bedtime for Mom/Dad takes about an hour a half - you might be thinking, what? Basically each night, each kiddo gets about 30 minutes with Mom and/or Dad. The preschooler starts first - it's bath, then 1:1 time - it varies: snuggles, TV time, reading, quiet game... things to get ready for bed. When he offiically goes to bed, it's one book, prayer, and hugs/kisses.  Then our 1st grader gets his solo time, followed by our 3rd grader.

I LOVE these quiet times - the focus is all on that child. It allows us to return to anything touched on at dinner (that'll be another entry), relax, chat about school, subjects, friends - make small talk and address anything that comes up or use it as a teaching lesson while they are young. The boys each have their favorite things to do and it varies - I love it because even as fast as my 3rd grader wants to grow up, he still wants his time with Mom/Dad.

It is my hope to always keep the lines of communication open - for big or small concerns. Even if I get the 'oh mom' plus a sigh, I'll joke about that I always hope he'll come to me for any questions. The boys really love it because instead of having to 'fight' to get a word in or feel like someone stole their thunder at an announcement, the focus is all them.  And the boys are respectfuly to each other during their bedtime snuggles/routines - even if one of the big boys comes in for a question while I'm with the preschooler, I say (and my son hears me say) "That will have to wait, I'm spending my time with L. I'll help you once he is in bed."

Another great way to give your child that special one-on-one time, is to "date your child." HA! Not the "date - date," which the kids laugh about; however, you do want to make a point to do something special with each child.  Something specific to that child - their likes, their personalities, their dream.  We've done everything to sushi (ok, sushi rolls - but not bad for a 9 year old) taking them to basketball game to movies to bike rides to ice cream to arcade places to Legoland Discovery Center to playing at the park, feeding the ducks, and each kiddo gets a solo trip to San Antonio with Daddy when in Kinder or 1st grade to experience that for themselves.

The "date" doesn't have to be elaborate - it's about the quality of time. And you might find out a lot more about school, friends, concerns, fears, ideas and much more than in the one question "how was school today?"

Always wishing you the best in all of life's adventures -

From one momma to another, Danielle