Since we got the Sweet Pea 3 MP3, my son has been bringing it to bed with him each night as he gets to listen to songs as well as bed time stories which I had downloaded from the web. Nothing beats the bonding time when you read bedtime stories to your child but at times when we are too tired, these audio stories are a great help.

Here are two great sites which I would like to recommend for FREE children audio stories:

1. www.storynory.com – they have fairy tales, educational stories as well as junior stories
2. www.thestoryhome.com – my favourite as they have original stories that you can’t find elsewhere. I even like the presentation of the site itself – very welcoming to the eyes of a child

If you know of other similar sites, please feel free to share them here.

If you have often worried whether your child is safe while buckled up with the car seatbelt and riding in his booster seat, your worries are not unfounded. Children in booster seats are actually at risk of injury and death due to seatbelt slack (looseness). A loose seatbelt allows a child in a booster seat to bounce around, rock, tip, slide, and even fall over during normal vehicle maneuvering, which can result in injuries.

That’s the reason why I’m using the SeatSnug to ease my worry. With the SeatSnug, I can lightly tighten the lap belt around my five year old child’s hips while she rides comfortably in a vehicle. Thus,  preventing seatbelt slack and eliminates bouncing, rocking, tipping, falling over, submarining, and ejection.  Best of all, my child does not complain as it also improves stability and comfort.

SeatSnug incorporates the unique race track proven, crash tested, and patented CG-Lock®, which received The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval as a unique car safety device that stabilizes children in booster seats to increase child safety and comfort. SeatSnug is a CG-Lock technology product designed specifically for children, to provide peace of mind to Moms and Grandmoms, while they drive children around.

BUY IT : Retailing at $34.95 per unit, SeatSnug is definitely a worthy buy to give you a peace of mind! You can also visit www.seatsnug.com/videos/how-to-install to watch the video on installation.

In this recession time, shoppers alike are trying to save as much as they can and many have resort to searching online for coupon codes to obtain discounts as well as best buys and deals prior to making their purchases. 

If you have not visited my community site, www.parentreviewers.com, you should check it out for some great coupon codes which many parents will find useful. One of the most sought after is the promo code for discount off the Sleepy Wrap baby sling. Others include discounts for books, baby accessories and clothings, sunscreen, jewelries and more.

However, if you are looking for a website devoted to bargain hunting, you should visit CouponWinner.com. It is is an online shopping Web site based in Santa Barbara, CA that works with over 4,755 merchants and provides thousands of free coupons and promotional codes from top brand-names. Shoppers can find bargains in practically every category, from travel, beauty, health, home/garden, pet supplies, sports and fitness to computers, electronics, office supplies, finance, food, entertainment, automobile and more. Check it out for yourself!

Fostering a mindset of abundance in your children is one of the greatest gifts you can give them—especially during less than ideal economic times.  Doing so helps them see the world as full of opportunity for those willing to work diligently toward their goals.  Young people with an abundance attitude realize that wealth is not finite and that they can create lives of prosperity for themselves and others.

Here are some tips provided by Darren Hardy, Publisher and Editorial Director of SUCCESS magazine. You willl be able to find the full write up featured in the Feburary 2009 issue of SUCCESS Magazine:

Reward Responsibly – Don’t give rewards for promised future behavior.  Reward when the goal is accomplished.  Acknowledge the accomplishment and celebrate it.
 
Clarity – Be open about your financial state.  Work as a family toward saving for a big item like a dream vacation.  Adopt a family mission statement. 
 
Everything is a Teaching Tool – Use economic and financial news, as well as the success stories of business owners as conversation starters or as talking points around particular issues.  Inspire your kids by highlighting positive entrepreneurial stories. 
 
Foster Support – You’re not necessarily the dominant adviser to your children.  Kids need support, mentorship and encouragement from coaches, teachers and other influential people.  Find out who your child’s favorites are and encourage their support of your child’s endeavors. 

Giving Back – Show your children the power of sharing.  Volunteering time and resources goes a long way toward teaching an abundant outlook by giving to the less fortunate.
 
Gratitude Attitude – Appreciate the things you have.  Teach your children to take stock of and appreciate the intangibles like relationships, nature, shared experiences and things that don’t cost money.

I’m sorry this is a little late as I had been pretty sick during the last couple of weeks and when you’re sick during the holidays, it really sucks Anyway, here’s the winner of our Giftybox For Last Minute Shoppers Giveaway:

 Betty Dennis - dinner Giftybox

Please email me your shipping address by using the Contact Form here. If the prize remains unclaimed by 3rd January 2009, I will be doing a second draw.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

WISHING ALL MY BLOG READERS

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Who ever said last minute Xmas shopping results in boring and predictable gifts, have not checked out Giftybox!

Giftybox is an exciting new gift idea offering unique themed experiences. Each theme driven Giftybox features a guidebook describing a selection of different experiences and products, plus an all inclusive pass of the receiver’s choice. All these will be packed and sent to the recipient in an attractive box.

These packages will make the perfect gift choice for the person whom you feel has it all. With a price range of $34.99 to $100, it is absolutely affordable and such a personalized extravagant gift will surely make a great impression to the recipient. Basically, this is how it works:

• You pick the theme: simply pick the theme of the Giftybox that suits the personality of the person you’re giving it to
• Recipient chooses: with the help of Giftybox’s Guidebook, the recipient gets to choose their preferred activity
• Recipient enjoys! Recipient then gets to redeem their all-inclusive Gift Pass for the activity of their choice
• You join in! For a fraction of the cost of a second Giftybox package, you can join in on their gift experience too!

BUY IT : If you’re considering getting a Giftybox as a Holiday Gift, use coupon code MOMS2B2008 which will entitle you to $10.00 off any purchase, valid until 12.31.2008.

WIN IT : Giftybox has generously sponsored a Giftybox to one lucky reader. The winner gets to pick his own Giftybox of choice! What you get in the Giftybox package is:

• 1 complimentary Gift Pass for the class / series of your choice (Gift Pass valid until September 30, 2010)
• $80 of savings at 5 additional venues of your liking so you enjoy even more classes
• A 116-page guide outlining each of the activities and venues we have selected for you.

Here’s how you can enter:

1. Visit www.giftybox.com and leave a comment below telling me which GiftyBox is your preferred choice.
2. Three additional entries if you Stumbleupon this post (please leave your SU id) AND/OR
3. Three additional entries if you blog about this post (please leave your blog url) AND/OR
4. Three additional entries if you subscribe to this blog via email (button on sidebar)
5. Giveaway closes on 21st December 2008 and a winner will be selected using the Random.org number generator. Contest is open to US residents only.

I can attest to the fact that I surf the net to read Holiday Gift Guides for gift ideas when I do my holiday shopping as it makes the mad shopping rush less stressful. So, I figured that you, my readers may appreciate some recommendations from me as well. So, here’s my 2008 Holiday Gift Guide for the Kids featuring toys of $25 and Under:

1. NMC Toys are a retailer of quality European and American Toys. Many of their toys have received awards and meet or exceed USA safety standards while some selected toys offer a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.

School Bus Puzzle $19.95 (Ages 3 and up) -  This 20 piece jigsaw puzzle is perfect for little hands. See the joy in your child’s face when they put it all together.

My 1st Blocks $23.99 (Ages 1 and Up) – 6 brightly colored blocks fit into this 8″ long wagon. Whimsical train design screen printed on the side of the wagon will sure fit into every child’s room.

2. Schylling - From Classic Preschool, Pretend Play, Tin Toys, Fun & Games, Music, Outdoor Toys, to Science and Construction, they have over twenty different product categories where you will find over 125 new products for 2008! Check out some of the coolest toys below:

Gone Fishing Game Wind Up $2.99 (Ages 3 and up) -One of my daughter’s favourite toy. Made of plastic. The objective is to catch as many fish as possible with your fishing pole.

Flower Fairy Dress Up Set $14.99 (ages 3 and up). For the adorable little angel in your life. The set comes in a plastic carrying bag and includes wings, headbands, wand and tutu.

3. ImagiPLAY is another of my favourite store as it sets itself apart from the rest through its motto, “Toys with Integrity.” By producing quality products that connect with nature, have eco-friendly sources, and hold educational value, ImagiPLAY works to benefit the earth we share and the people that inhabit it.

Dolphins and Turtles Puzzle $14.99 (ages 3 and up) – This 7pc hand-crafted, hand-painted Dolfins and Turtle puzzle stands up to brighten any room. Great intermediate puzzle. As beautiful to look at as it is fun to put together! Because the pieces are double-sided, this puzzle is equivalent to a 14pc puzzle, since you don’t know which side is up.

PuzzlePlay Sea Life $19.99 (ages 3 and up) – A playset and puzzle in one! Kids will engage in hours of imaginative play with these versatile 16 pieces of creatures of the sea.

4. Briarpatch has been an innovator in the development of games and puzzles for children of all ages since its inception in 1992. Today, with more than 275 awards received, Briarpatch maintains an inspiring, fun and educational product line and is a highly respected leader in the toy industry.

Sea Monsters Board Game $20.99 (Ages 5+) – Set sail for the New World across uncharted waters where players must navigate through typhoons, get blown off course, drift out to sea or worst, a Sea Monster may appear out of nowhere to wreck your ship! Absolute FUN!

Clothespins! Game $12.99 (Ages 5+) – Comes with 4 Game boards and 66 playing cards. This is a fast paced, strategy game where players score points by completing clotheslines of matching patterns or items of laundry.

5. Kobold Toys – First opened in Panama City, four years ago and have since built a reputation as a highly successful toy store that brings children the best educational toys available in the global market. With its online store, Kobold Toys have made shopping convenient for busy parents who appreciate the flavours of global toys.

It’s Time To Call 911 $7.95 – Featured in ABC News, Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, this is a great book that teaches your child about emergency situations, how to dial 911 and what to say to get help in an emergency.

Dancing Alligator $18.99 – Made of rubberwood, this brightly painted green alligator is sure to thrill your toddler as it makes a rhythmic click-clack sound while being pulled. Ideal for toddler of age 12-18 months.