Nanny to Mommy

I am a Netflix #StreamTeam Member and receive complimentary products as such. Further disclosure below.

I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam and received complimentary products to share this post. All opinions are my own.

Families. We’ve all got one, but these days they’re starting to look less like The Cleavers and gone are the days of the white picket fence. My family was hardly picture perfect growing up. My parents were divorced and I had a hard time getting along with either step-parent. It was just my brother, me, and my half-sister that were there for each other. And then I met my husband's family. They look pretty picture perfect in every way, including taking me in and treating me like one of their own. We fight, but we would do anything for each other and that's really what it's all about. 

Grace and Frankie, Netflix's new funny and fearless original comedy featuring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston, is a perfect example of how today’s families can shift, rearrange and blend in unexpected ways. When Grace and Frankie’s husbands leave them after 20 years of marriage - to be with each other - the women find themselves facing a change that they never expected, but they shift their perspective to get through it together with the support of their new blended family and, of course, a sense of humor.

I received complimentary products to share this post. All opinions are my own.

 

I lie to my kids. There I said it. Feels good to have that weight lifted off my chest.
If you don't have kids, or thinking about having kids, or a new parent and you are sitting there reading this and thinking, "I'm NEVER going to lie to my children." Never say never, my dear friend. Because you will one day. And when you first do it, you may not even think that's it's a lie. And then you think, well it didn't hurt anyone. A white lie is still a lie.
I lie to my kids and have no shame in doing so.

 

Things I lie to my kids about:

1. Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, & The Tooth Fairy. We also do Elf on The Shelf. We use theses tactics to get our kids to clean their room, be "good" at the grocery store, and other little things. I have fond memories of the first three I mentioned and I want to continue that tradition with my children. Just because we have been using the same lie so long, doesn't make it the truth.

2. "That toy is broken". When I really took out the batteries because it wouldn't stop making noises randomly in the middle of the night, freaking me out, and thinking someone was breaking in.

3. "You ate the last cookie yesterday." I really are the last cookie. Sorry, kid. But let's avoid a meltdown as much as possible.

Let’s face it, we all lie. White lies make life easier for us (the park is closed today) or make our kids happy (Santa Claus is coming!). Young kids make up stories as they learn the difference between fact and fiction, while older kids sometimes lie to cover for each other or to keep themselves out of trouble. I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team and Netflix has put together a list of kid-friendly titles related to lying and honesty for you that can help.

This post is in partnership because I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam.

 

If you've had a chance to check out Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix, you know that the three main characters have something in common: resilience. Despite their circumstances, Kimmy, Tituss and "Jaqueline" were all able to reinvent themselves in one way or another to make it in NYC.

 

Movies and TV can show kids that just because you may be quiet and shy today, that doesn't mean you can't be Superman tomorrow. Check out this month's list of titles to help kids see a new side of themselves, even if it's not permanent - after all, you can do anything for 10 seconds. (Thanks for the wise words, Kimmy.)

 

My daughter LOVES My Little Pony. Yes I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam, but she has been enjoying all things MLP on the awesome streaming service long before I was a member. I know I have mentioned more than once of her MLP passion. We recently had the opportunity to review "My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic: Adventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders" coming to DVD 2/24 and although she had seen all of these episodes (and loved them), it is so nice to have a copy on DVD in case we are ever without internet.


Make sure to click the image below to download a free coloring sheet!

I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team and receive complimentary products as such. All opinions are my own.

"The world’s greatest feline fighter, lover and milk connoisseur is back in this original series filled with daring adventures, great boots, and laugh-out-loud fun! The entire family will be entranced by Puss’ fantastical CG world filled with new characters, exotic locations and mystical tales that make up the stuff of legends. There’s nothing that can get in this celebrated swashbuckling kitty’s way…except maybe a hairball."

 

My daughter loves this show. We don't have a cat and she has never seen the Shrek movies, but she thinks this show is hilarious. And Netflix has some great suggestions to stream if you have a four-legged friend you love plus a craft and recipe too!

I received a complimentary prize pack from Click Communications to share this post. All opinions are my own.

My husband loves Star Wars and Phineas and Ferb. Yes, he thinks Phineas and Ferb are HILARIOUS and encourages our 4 year old to watch it whenever he is forced to watch kid shows. And I love that Phineas and Ferb did a Star Wars episode. So in honor of the Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars DVD release out NOW, I have these fun activity sheets to share with you and your little Jedi knights!

 

 

During this time of year what better to do than curl up on the couch with a festive movie? And with Netflix you don't have to leave your house to enjoy these classics. You can just stream from up to any FOUR devices! Also make sure to keep an eye out on the blog for a Netflix sponsored giveaway coming very soon. So snuggle up with a few holiday favorites...

I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam. I received complimentary items to share this post, but all opinions are my own.

Holiday season is just around the corner, but it's not the nation's favorite food holiday that has us day dreaming about mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. This month we're all about Friendsgiving, a popular take on Thanksgiving when friends come together to celebrate good food and great company.

Whether you're planning a Friendsgiving feast or sticking to your traditional Thanksgiving routine, show your kids why friends are worth being thankful with picks from Netflix. Explore lessons about friendship from a few of the greatest duos, including Rory and Lorelai, Charlotte and Wilbur, and Bob and Larry, whose all-new Netflix original, "VeggieTales in the House," starts streaming Nov. 26.

I was recently invited to be a part of the Netflix Stream Team, which I'm very excited about! Netflix is a service that allows you to stream movies and television shows for a low monthly subscription fee. You can stream on your wireless device, smart TV, and some Blu-ray and DVD players, as well as game consoles, like Wii and XBOX. Each month I'll write about a different selected "theme" and include recipes and crafts for fun with the entire family.

This is my first month and this month's theme is "Mini Milestones".