The WM Parenting Connection

By Michael Horvath, Pseudo-Dad Stepparenting

I opened the door and stepped inside the house. Immediately she came to me, looking up at me with her big brown eyes. I could tell that although we hardly knew each other she had already fallen for me. I could tell not only by the way she looked at me adoringly, but by her body language as well. Without speaking a word I could tell she craved my touch. Her excitement was evident as it pulsed through her now trembling body. "I'm yours for the taking, if you'll have me", was the message she was giving off. I couldn't resist her female charms. So despite my oath that I would not get involved with her, I did just what I promised not to do. I let her get to me. With that, I reached down and scratched her behind the ears. Big mistake.

I am not a little dog kind of guy. I like them large. The bigger the better. But here was Tyler's little toy poodle, all 5 pounds soaking wet, accepting me into their family as well. What was I supposed to do?

When it was decided that Tyler was going to live with her dad through her high school years, Djuanna had started to line up a couple families that would adopt "Kisses". She had one all set when I stepped in. But this little dog had already been adopted once, by Tyler, when her original owner didn't want her. Djuanna never claimed the dog as her own and with Tyler's "new" family already having a dog, taking Kisses with her was not an option.

Nobody can say that I don't have a heart. I couldn't let Ty lose her dog. I knew how much she carried that little sh.., um pooch around and how much she would miss her when she came back to be with us for summers and holidays. I couldn't let Kisses have to get used to a whole new family again. To see how she followed Tyler around and the bond they have... I just couldn't let her go.

So one day after Djuanna and Tyler moved in I was out in the front yard with Kisses when the neighbor saw me and asked if I had gotten a new dog. "No," I explained, "It's actually Tyler's dog. I'm just spent an hour grooming her and since I gave her a bath too I thought she might dry off outside a little bit. She's a good dog and follows Breaker (my rottie) and I around when I walk them. She getting used to her new home, I actually just bought her a little bed for her crate. I just wish she would do her business a bit faster when I'm trying to get out of the house to go to work. That reminds me, I need to go buy some more dog food." As I'm speaking I see my neighbor get this big grin on her face. "Ugh. Yeah," I said, "I guess I do have new dog". bleh

So the morale of the story for you new or soon to be stepparents is this, when you take on someone's else's child as your own you'll take on more than you bargained for, even with your eyes wide open. Until you actually all move in together you won't get the full picture. Watch yourself or you will have a new "stepdog" too. Or maybe even more than just a dog!

Stepparenting Gone To The Dogs

By Daniel Lee, Single Parenting

Trust is a touchy subject when it comes to your teen. I believe that every parent should trust their child to a degree. However, that being said you also must be vigilant with your child. To be a teen must be just the hardest thing in the world. To be stuck in a spot where you are not quite a child, and yet not an adult. Trust though as my mother used to tell me is tricky with children.

Here is a story, and by the end of it I feel that I did the right thing. One day I went over to my ex-wife's house to see my children. When I knocked on my fourteen year old daughter's bedroom door to see if she was awake, I was shocked at what I saw. In bed laying with her was a boy. Come to find out later her ex boyfriend spent the night. I immediately went into the yelling at the boy, and of course my daughter mode.

I shouted for my ex to come to the room, and proceeded to ask her what was going on that this seemed to be an allowed action in her home. Her reply was one that shocked me, "Well I trust my daughter, and if you loved her you would too". Well needless to say I advised her calmly as I could that I do trust my daughter, but teens cannot be laying in bed together. As my daughter stood there crying, I did start to hurt in my heart for her. I took her aside, and explained that it is not a matter of trust, but rather a responsible parent doing the responsible thing.

Trust is something every child needs from their parent. That being said do not confuse trust with what you know as a parent can happen to a child. I do trust my daughter, but also know that even adults can fall prey to the other sex. I know that teen girls are confused, and strive to be loved. While the boy teen has hormones that rage out of control. The old lines of, "but don't you love me", "I love you", and the like with boys are just that lines.

Teen years are very confusing for a child, and as a parent you need to be here to see them through it. I explained to my ex that trust is good to give her, but it is not taking trust away to be protective of her being in a situation she has no place being in. So I guess bottom line of the story is this:

Trust your child yes, but remember they are just that children. Be a good parent, and protect your child. Protect them not just from the world, but also themselves. As adults you have a great advantage over a child, and that is you have been there already. Always remember you are the best line of defense your child has, and they need you to be vigilant of their needs.

To Trust, Or Not To Trust

By Angela Atkinson
Family Dynamics

"Regardless of how much patience we have, we would prefer never to use any of it." ~James T. O'Brien

If your kids are like mine, they each have a special built in talent that allows them to pick the toughest moment of the day to have a melt-down. And don't forget that amazingly accurate parent button pushing finger they've each got.

Every parent can recall a time when they've lost their cool with their kids. Whether they yell or scream or throw things, they almost always feel guilty afterward.

And, according to James Lehman, MSW, it doesn't work anyway.

"Simply put," Lehman says, "if parents have problems with their child’s behavior and all they have in their parental tool kit are bigger hammers, the kids are going to develop bigger nails."

If you find yourself feeling stressed or anxious, you may be more likely to lose your cool. Try these coping strategies to change your mind and change your ways, both for your kids and for yourself.

Quit taking it personally. Even though it may feel like your child broke your vase or missed his curfew to spite you, you know logically that's not the case. The fact is, he probably wasn't even thinking about you when he made the mistake--if he were, he may have made better choices. Take your child's behavior for what it is--and remember that it's not a personal attack on you.

Count to ten. Sounds simple, but if you feel yourself getting angry, simply breathe slowly, counting ten breaths before you speak or react. Even a few seconds of forethought can prevent an anger outburst.

Look in the mirror. Remember that kids live what they learn, and according to Dr. Kathie Teets Grimm, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan, "Kids learn coping skills from their parents. A child needs a parent who is in control and nurturing."

Take a break. In some cases, it may be better to separate yourself from your child for a moment or two so that you can collect yourself. While this isn't always possible with babies and toddlers, you can send older kids to their rooms for a few minutes while you figure things out.

If you do lose control, don't be afraid to apologize. Your child is a person too, and admitting your mistake is the best thing you can do. Then, move on. Don't beat yourself up or focus on your mistake. Instead, start over and make it a point to do better next time.


Image Credit: Gabriella Fabbri

Parent Tips: Keep Your Cool in the Heat of a Meltdown

Spring Time Activities

Facilitating "The Launch" ~ Teenagers Learn to Work

By Denise Bertacchi, Stay at Home Mom

The “cause” I’d like to introduce to our readers this week is close to my heart: scouts. The Boy Scouts of America turn 100 years old this year, and that’s one hundred years of helping little boys grow into responsible men.

According to the Boy Scout Law, a scout strives to be:

• Trustworthy, 
• Loyal, 
• Helpful, 
• Friendly, 
• Courteous, 
• Kind, 
• Obedient, 
• Cheerful, 
• Thrifty, 
• Brave, 
• Clean, 
• and Reverent. 

From an outsider’s perspective, Boy Scouts might just look like a bunch of geeks and goody-two-shoes who do a lot of camping. But there’s a lot more to it than that. A well run scout troop is a boy led troop, one where the adults stick to the background and allow the boys to run the show. This teaches them responsibility in small doses. Merit badge projects encourage boys to explore their interests, see what they’re good at and what might make for interesting career possibilities. Camping teaches them how to survive in the real world without mommy looking out for them—a kid that can pack his own camp gear and cook over a fire will be more ready to leave the nest when it’s time. High adventure trips show boys that there’s more to life than Xboxes and texting. Performing service projects shows boys that it can feel good to help others.

Boy Scouts have had a rough time in the media lately, and it’s partially because any large organization that has such lofty goals is going to attract attention when there’s a scandal. But consider this, in the 100 years that Boy Scouts have been in America, more than 100 million boys have gone through the program. I can’t find a hard number, but the BSA honored it’s 100-million member back in 2000. Over two million scouts have made it to the highest rank of Eagle, with 52,000 young men earning the award in 2008!

If you want to know more interesting facts about Boy Scouts, check out the BSA website here. Want to read about some interesting Eagle Scouts? Check out this article from Forbes.

Causes and Charities: Boy Scouts of America

By Stacey Celaya - Family Health Expert

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

Causes & Charities: The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

By Michael Horvath, Stepparenting

Causes & Charities: Florence Crittenton Programs

By Angela Atkinson

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.~Chinese Proverb

Heifer International is an worldwide charity organization that doesn't just throw money at the problems in the world. Instead, the organization works with impoverished communities to help them learn to be independent and self-sufficient, and to help end hunger and poverty among the people. Heifer accomplishes this by providing appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and other communities around the world.

One thing many Americans complain about is charities that are all about helping OTHER countries, but which ignore the people who need help in our own back yard. One reason we're highlighting Heifer International today is that not only does the organization reach out to those who need help in other parts of the world, but they also help needy folks right here in the USA.

Yet another reason we love this organization is that while the founder was a Christian teacher, the organization embraces and encourages participation from people of all faiths and walks of life.

In fact, Heifer's Faith Heritage Statement reads in part, "Heifer International was founded in 1944 by Church of the Brethren educator Dan West. His vision of a worldwide program to end hunger and poverty was born of his Christian faith. From the beginning, this vision has encompassed all spiritual paths and all people who understood that to serve God, we serve our brothers and sisters. Today, Heifer is comprised of people of many faiths working together around the world to realize its vision."

And, even better, Heifer International is all about paying it forward. The organization asks the people it helps to "pass on the gift" by giving their animals' offspring to other families in need.

Here's a rundown of the group's mission:

Heifer's Mission to End Hunger

Heifer envisions…
A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.

Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.

Heifer's strategy is…
To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.

Heifer’s History
This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and
hope.

We spoke with Polly McWilliams, pastor of Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Weldon Springs, Missouri, and a supporter of the organization. She says that it's a worthwhile cause that kids and adults alike can get behind since everyone understands what it means to be hungry.

"Part of the beauty of it is that all faiths can work together in an ecumenical, covenantal kind of fashion. It's a way of helping others pay it forward--we offer help and blessings to people in need, and they pay it forward by helping someone else. It's like contagious helping," she says. "For me, as a UCC pastor, it's actually living out Jesus' charge to feed his lambs."

How You Can Get Involved

You can get help Heifer International in a number of ways, and you can even choose specifically where your gifts are used. Learn more about how you can donate on the website. The organization even offers study tours, which are "specialized expeditions through spectacular geography and unique ecosystems to visit remote villages and isolated peoples." Plus, tour participants are given an insider's look into the lives of the people the organization helps.

Causes & Charities Week: Helping Others Help Themselves

By Angela Atkinson

Growing up, I watched my father treat my mother like an absolute queen. Sure, they had tense moments on occasion just like any other couple, but I never saw Dad treat Mom disrespectfully. He rarely even raised his voice, and we all knew that he'd never raise his hand--and it wasn't just because we were sure that Mom, all five feet of her, could hold her own against his six foot five inch frame. It was because he loved her, he respected her, and because husbands and wives in healthy relationships treat each other with love and respect.


My parents did something else right too--they taught me that I should never expect or accept being physically abused in my relationships. And so, as I got older and started dating, that became one of my relationship "deal breakers." In my mind, if a man were to hit me, I would have no choice but to leave.


And, though my relationships haven't been perfect, I am 35 years old today and happily married to my One (who, by the way, may complain a little too often at times, but who has never, ever raised his hand to hit me.) In fact, none of my relationships involved domestic abuse, probably thanks to the simple fact that I was taught not to expect or accept it.


Let's Talk Statistics

Did you know that one in every three women will experience some form of domestic violence during her lifetime? And, according to a 2002 report from Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, "Battering is the major cause of injury to women ages 14 to 45, causing more injury than auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined."


Not only that, but domestic violence between intimate partners is blind to social, economic, religious or cultural status--though new research finds that young women who live in poverty are more likely to be victims of domestic abuse than other women.


And if that's not enough for you, domestic violence costs you money. Healthcare costs for domestic violence victims looms at more than four billion dollars each year--and costs the victims themselves nearly 2 billion dollars indirectly in the form of lost or missed work days. According to the Centers for Disease Control, domestic violence costs victims nearly 8 million days of "paid work." This is equivalent to more than 32,000 full time jobs--and close to 6 million days of "household productivity" are lost each year by victims of relationship abuse.


So why do some people find themselves in abusive relationships? And what can you do to help your children avoid such a fate?


Growing Up Negative

I believe that many people end up in abusive relationships because they don't believe that they deserve anything better. As kids, we're fed all kinds of messages about who we are and what we're worth. These messages come from our parents and other adult family members, our teachers, our peers and siblings--even from television and the media.


When the messages coming from the most significant people in a child's life are mostly positive and supportive, children learn to believe that they're worth being treated with respect. But when children hear that they're bad, worthless, lazy, stupid--they begin to internalize those messages and believe them to be true. 


Mom & Dad Beat On Each Other

When kids grow up in abusive homes, they start to think that's the norm. And whether they become abusers themselves or they find themselves being abused by their romantic partners as they get older, you can bet that it happens because they think it's normal or acceptable--at least on some level. Even if they're logically aware that physical abuse isn't ok, they may not take action to change the situation because no one ever showed them how.


Stop the Cycle: Talk the Talk

Research shows that parents, especially same-sex parents, have the most significant influence over children and the development of their self-perception. So, in general, girls tend to internalize their mothers' voices a little more, while boys tend to lean towards their fathers' voices--though both parents and many other people will ultimately affect the self-perceptions of all kids, regardless of sex.


So, while we can't control the voices our children hear outside of our own homes, we can think before we speak. This doesn't mean that we can't reprimand them for poor behavior, but we must remember the long-term damage a hastily spoken phrase can do before we unleash the word vomit that sometimes comes when we're frustrated.


For example, if your child gets a bad grade at school, you might say, "I know that you're intelligent and capable of doing better than this, so I expect you to do better," instead of, "If you weren't so lazy, maybe you'd get better grades." You get the idea.



Stop the Cycle: Walk the Walk

As a parent, you can teach your kids about respect by showing them respect. If you're married or in a relationship, treat one another respectfully--especially when the kids are in earshot. Don't assume because a child is young that she doesn't understand what's happening. Even when they're babies, children "get" more than you think.


Don't encourage violence. While I feel that self-defense may be necessary for kids (especially in the case of school bullies and the like) I think that parents need to teach their kids to use their words to communicate their feelings, not their fists. When parents can't verbalize their frustrations and deal with them in a mature fashion, whether with their romantic partners or with their children, kids learn that the appropriate response to stress and anger is to physically strike out.


Bottom line: If you show your children that violence is an acceptable form of self expression, they will often internalize that behavior and become an abuser or a victim of abuse.



What to Do If You're In An Abusive Relationship

If you or someone you know are being abused at home or in your relationship, the first thing you should know is that YOU DESERVE BETTER. How do I know this? Because every single human life has value--yours is no exception. Because NO ONE deserves to live in fear.


Get yourself some help. If you're in immediate danger, call 911. If you need help getting out of a dangerous situation, call The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence's national hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, or find the Coalition nearest you.


The NCADV offers many services to help battered women, men and children escape from domestic abuse situations, including:

 Crisis Intervention:

    * crisis intervention services
    * crisis hot lines
    * shelters or other emergency residential
    * facilities
    * medical services
    * transportation networks
    * laws that allow either
    * victims or perpetrators to be removed from the home

Emotional Support:

    * self-help support groups
    * assertiveness training
    * self-esteem and confidence-building
    * sessions
    * parenting skills courses

Advocacy and Legal Assistance:

    * access to and custody of children
    * property matters
    * financial support
    * restraining orders
    * public assistance benefits
    * help with immigration status

Other Supportive Services:

    * housing and safe accommodations
    * child care
    * access to community services

How You Can Help

If you want to help the NCADV make a difference in the lives of families just like yours, you can visit the website to donate to the cause. Learn more about the NCADV and its mission statement, principles of unity and ultimate goals on the website.

Causes & Charities Week: Ending the Cycle of Domestic Violence

Causes & Charities Week: Missing and Exploited Children

By Shari Downhill, Teens & Tweens

Donors Choose ~ www.donorschoose.org

Donors Choose ~ Ground Level Educational Philanthropy

By Denise Bertacchi, Stay at Home Moms

Coupon savvy stay at home moms can "clip" their supermarket budget without getting inky fingers from a traditional Sunday paper. How? Internet coupons!

Web coupons have grown up, becoming more secure and therefore more acceptable at your local grocery store. They’re easy to find, easy to clip and very easy to use. If you need help squeezing the most value from your coupon craze, there are plenty of blogger mommies online to help you out—all for free.

One of the better known coupon queens is Stephanie Nelson, a mom who’s turned coupon clipping into a well paying gig. She’s written books, has a website and regularly appears on national TV. She’s devised a system for clipping coupons that she claims can save a family of four $6,000 a year. You can check out her system here at Coupon Mom—and membership is free.

Nelson’s site has 2.3 million members, and there's even more moms who follow the same kind of coupon system. My personal favorite is hometown blogger StlMommy, who does a local version of Nelson’s program. Do a Goggle search and I’ll bet you can find a coupon diva in your area too!

So what’s the coupon system? The basic idea is to collect multiple coupons of things you use then wait for the item to go on sale before shopping. Some coupon fanatics like to buy several copies of the Sunday paper to stock up on coupons, but you can also print extra web coupons to do the same thing. Hardcore coupon clippers stock up big time when they find a sweet deal.

Although anyone can do this method on their own, joining a site like Coupon Mom makes it easier because they do the research for you. Coupon Mom has a staff that monitors 43 different chains, while my local coupon queen just watches out for local stores. You just need to check their list before heading out with coupons in hand.

If filing and sorting coupons seems like too much work—and it does take a bit of time—you can still benefit from some of their wisdom:

• Internet coupons are super easy to use! Coupon.com is one of the bigger and better sites to find printable internet coupons. You can scroll through their list, click the ones you want and print them out. RedPlum and SmartSource also have great coupons--and are also both providers of newspaper circular coupons, so you can trust them.
• Combine manufacturer coupons with store coupons to get really big savings. Again, if you follow Coupon Mom, StlMommy or another blogger, they will help you spot the deals. Target, Walgreens and CVS all offer coupons online.
• Sign up for MORE coupons through manufacturer’s websites. Sure, you bound to get more “junk” email, but you’ll also be allowing them to send you coupons! If you let them put you on their mailing list you’ll even get coupon booklets through the mail.
• Swap coupons with your family and friends. This is really great if you have babies—you can ask your extended family to keep an eye out for diaper coupons or swap formula coupons with play group pals. 
• Finally, speak out. If you get a faulty product or you have a serious question on an item, call the 1-800 customer hotline printed on the product. Not only are you giving the manufacturer valuable feedback, but they might just reward your efforts with some cool coupons. I’ve received free soda, egg rolls, macaroni and bug spray by voicing my concerts over punctured cans, iffy looking food and a dateless can of bug repellant. It may not always work your way, but calling customer service if pretty painless. Just make sure your question or complaint is legit, and have the product handy—they’ll want codes off the product to follow up on your question.

Click Your Way to Supermarket Savings

By Stacey Celaya - Family Health Expert

Salt N' Pepa made it a hit in 1991 and parents have been struggling with the concept since Adam and Eve. Talking to our kids about sex is not an easy thing. For decades it was thought that the only way to keep kids from having sex was to pretend that it didn't exist. These days we know the opposite is true. Kids armed with the reliable information and an open line of communication with their parents are less likely to experiment and try to figure it out on their own.

I remember the day that my Mom sat me down to "have the talk"...it had to have been one of the worst moments of my life. Mostly because I was uncomfortable and my Mom was uncomfortable. My Mom was raised in a European home where sex was not discussed. It was an uncomfortable topic for her growing up and so when it came to talking to my sister and myself she wanted to do better then my Oma (my Grandma) did with her and that meant that she sat us down and attempted to tell us all about the birds and the bees. Because we were both uncomfortable with the topic and because it wasn't really talked about until that moment when I was 13 years old I never felt that I could ask questions or talk about things that teenagers go through with my Mom even though I had great parents.

When I had my oldest daughter I made up my mind almost from the day I found out I was pregnant that I was going to talk to my kids - about EVERYTHING. I wanted to make sure that they knew that they could talk to me about anything and everything without feeling embarrassed or like they would be judged.

I started talking to my girls about sex when they were about 7 and 8 years old and they came home talking about Britney Spears and something they heard on the playground. I knew then that the only real and true information about sex and sexuality they would hear would come from me. I was not going to let them learn about all the wrong things from other kids during recess.

The way I see things is that I cannot be with my children every moment of every day their whole entire lives. There are going to be times when they have to make choices and decisions that are difficult. We raise our kids with morals and values but we all know that sometimes teenagers momentarily forget those things when confronted with peer pressure and hormones.

While I cannot control every thing my kids do I can make sure that they armed with the best information possible to help them make smart, safe choices.

I know how hard it can be to talk about these things particularly if you have not been raised in an environment that spoke freely about sex, love, intimacy and sexuality. Here are some tips that might make it easier:

• Speak to your children in a developmentally appropriate way. Answer their questions in a way that they can understand. 
• Keep your sense of humor. I used to drop words like "penis, vagina, sex" randomly during conversations with my daughter Sarah. She was so embarrassed by those words that I wanted to make them commonplace for her. It became a game and we would both end up laughing. She learned to get over her embarrassment; her mother is a nursing student so I guess she figured it wasn't going to stop any time soon!
• Kids need to understand that they have to take responsibility for their actions and their decisions and that actions have consequences - break those down for them as well. I actually pulled out one of my nursing textbooks and showed them what sexually transmitted infections look like. 
• Encourage your kids to talk to you and to ask questions. And no matter the question don't act appalled that they have asked you. Don't give them reason to think twice the next time they have a question. 
• Recognize teachable situations. These can be great opportunities to start a conversation about a topic that may feel difficult. 
• LISTEN to your children and their reactions. Ask them if you have answered there questions or if they have any more questions. This lets them know that your door is always open. 
• Don't forget your children that are the opposite sex from you. Gone are the days when it was up to Dad to give "the talk" to the boys and Mom to the girls. As a single Mom I couldn't wait for my son's Dad to talk to him hoping that he would get to it in time. I had to grab the bull by the horns and do it myself. And you know what? My 13 year old has no problem talking to me about anything girl related and it is a great feeling.

The key to overcoming the feeling of being uncomfortable discussing sex, love and sexuality with your kids is simply by being open and available to your kids. The more you talk about it the easier it will get. Maybe dropping the word "vagina" into random conversation or pulling out pictures of a herpes infected genitalia is not your idea of open communication and that is fine. Do whatever feels comfortable to you - just do it. Your kids will thank you for it . Not to mention that they will be smarter, more prepared for the assault of false information out there all the while armed with the truth.

"Let's Talk About Sex Baby, Let's Talk About You and Me..."

By Michael Horvath, Stepparenting

Rituals & Traditions

By Daniel Lee, Single Parenting


These are just a few pointers to get you started down the road. Remember parenting is a journey you will hopefully go through for the rest of your life. There is no "well they are adults now, they are on their own." No-one will fault you for mistakes harder than you will, but don't be too hard on yourself.

1. Forgive even when you cannot Forget.
Let go of grudges you may hold against your child’s other parent,who is absent from BOTH of your lives.

2. Make the most of what you have.
Even if you do not have a lot of money, you do have your child and your love and your time to give to him or her. Just remember not everything you want to do with your children cost money. A nice walk or even a day at the local park is free.

3. Be the best parent YOU can be.
Just remember parenting is hard work, and all you can ask from yourself is do your best. Don't beat yourself up over things you can't control, and remember the children are a gift.

4. Be consistent.
Every home needs rules, but just remember to try to set realistic rules and stand by the discipline if they are broken. Showing a child there are consequences for their actions is very important.

I realize this is not a long read for a blog today, but some topics don't need to be long to have an impact. Hopefully you just realize single parent or not there are others who are here for support.

Single Parent Pointers

By Angela Atkinson
Family Dynamics Expert

So, being the avid blogger I am, I'm sometimes lucky enough to receive samples of different products that people want me to try out and review. Several weeks ago, I received an email asking if I'd like to check out some flowers.

Well, I love flowers just as much as the next girl, so of course I was thrilled to accept the opportunity. (And, let's be honest, getting flowers delivered to your door feels great, no matter who sent them!) So when two bouquets from Mrs. Bloom's Direct showed up on my front porch a couple weeks ago, I was grinning from ear to ear.

When I first pulled them out of the box, they looked a little exotic. While they were lovely, I just thought they were "okay" looking. I am not a flower expert and can't identify all of the different types of flowers that were included, but there were several varieties of lilies, some daisies, orchids, mums and a whole lot of other beautiful and fragrant kinds included. Several of the flowers were actually buds that hadn't yet bloomed. Still, they smelled great and I had no complaints. I trimmed the stems as instructed on the tag, put them in a large vase and added the flower food packets that came along with each bouquet. Then I placed them on the dining room table for the family to enjoy.

Something Special

These, my friends, were no ordinary bouquets of flowers. As the days passed, more and more flowers seemed to appear in my vase. As the flowers bloomed, it was almost like someone came in and rearranged them when I wasn't looking!  And the more they bloomed, the more amazing they smelled. Their fresh and exotic scent filled the whole dining room--and not in that overpowering, icky kind of way. My house (in the heart of the Midwest) smelled like a tropical island or something; it was wonderful.

Overall, the entire bouquets lasted a full two weeks. At the end of that time, I took out the flowers that were wilted or dying and moved the remaining flowers into a smaller vase. And what do you know? Those lasted almost two more weeks.

After such a surprisingly great experience, I obviously can't say enough good things about Mrs. Bloom's Direct.

Now, I'll bet you're wondering how you can get your hands on these fabulously fragrant and beautiful flowers. And trust me, this is the best part. You can buy them from your own kids, or maybe the kids down the street. Mrs. Bloom's Direct sponsors fundraisers for schools, church groups and more. I'll tell you what...I couldn't help but buy one of these bouquets from any kid who came to my door to sell them. And they're reasonably priced! Plus, they certainly won't add inches to your hips like SOME school fundraiser items can...

Check out this information about Mrs. Bloom's Direct as a fundraiser!

What is it?

Mrs. Bloom’s Direct offers the only national fresh-cut flower fundraising program that delivers beautiful blooms in bulk directly from growers to anywhere in the United States. With farm partners located around the world, Mrs. Bloom’s is a unique and colorful alternative for schools, corporations, religious organizations and other non-profit groups interested in raising funds.

Mrs. Bloom’s website is extremely easy to use, and enables an administrator to implement a program in just a few minutes. With a satisfaction guarantee to boot, Mrs. Bloom’s Direct leaves customers assured they will receive the freshest, longest-lasting flowers available at prices substantially lower than the average florist.

Where is it?

Mrs. Bloom’s fundraising programs are online at www.mrsblooms.com/fundraising. The company can be contacted via email (fundraising@mrsblooms.com), phone (888-579-3668 or 914-345-1700) or fax (914-345-3125). The main office is located at 175 Clearbrook Rd. in Elmsford, New York.

How much is it? 

Mrs. Bloom’s Direct is an economical option for fundraising. For just $15* including FedEx priority shipping, Mrs. Bloom’s fundraisers can generate the same profit as common chocolate sales by selling fewer units:

Product        Selling Price per Unit        Units Sold                  Profit
Chocolate        $1.00                                1,000                    $500
Roses              $20.00*                             100                       $500

Mrs. Bloom's accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover, as well as eCheck.

What else?

Mrs. Bloom's offers advice on their site for consumers to keep their flowers fresh. For extra long-lasting flowers, trim the stems and add fresh water every two days.

*Mrs. Bloom’s charges $15 and allows each administrator to set their own selling price. Everything above the $15 goes to the organization raising funds.

Mrs. Bloom's Direct: A new kind of fundraiser