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Testing for Kindergarten

September 21, 2010 by The Motherhood

Seven mom bloggers with children in preschool gathered on TheMotherhood with Karen Quinn, author of “Testing for Kindergarten,” to discuss the challenges of having a child tested and ways to prepare for the process.

 

Karen answered questions and provided tips to help parents with pre-K kids work with them to develop their minds and skills.

 

Keep reading for an information-packed Q&A with Karen Quinn.   Thanks to Karen and all of the other hosts and participants in this enlightening conversation!!

 

 

What are some of your observations about kindergarten today?

 

These days, what used to be kindergarten is taught in pre-K. In most schools, the kindergarten curriculum is what used to be first grade!

 

Now kids are expected to start kindergarten knowing letters and numbers, writing their name, and doing things that I know I couldn’t do when I started first grade. The other sad thing about kindergarten curriculums these days is that play time is often taken away completely or reduced significantly. Children learn so many skills just through play.

 

 

What are kids tested for?

 

Some kids are tested for private school admissions, some kids for gifted program qualification, others are tested for placement in ability groups, which sounds like what happens where you are. With that, you want your child placed in the highest possible grouping for her capability, learning alongside equal or more able pupils. Kids placed in slow groups are taught at a slower pace with simpler lessons and they learn less in the school year. Their self-esteem can suffer. You want to help your child move out of the slow group if you possibly can.

 

 

How can I prepare my child for kindergarten?

 

Here are three of my favorite tips to get a child ready for kindergarten:
• To build your child’s fine motor skills, have him draw and color. If he’s still gripping his crayon with his fist at age 4, break the crayon in half. That’ll force him to hold it with a mature pencil grip. Testers always note how your child holds his pencil.
• Here’s a tip for building your child’s language skills. Talk to him all the time about everything and anything. Even when he’s a baby and can’t talk back. Children who grow up in high language households have IQ scores that are 38 points higher than kids brought up in low language homes.
• Your child will have to know shapes for any kindergarten test. Shapes matter because they are the basis of letters and numbers. An 8 is two circles. A “V” is part of a triangle. What can you do? Read shape concept-books. Work with shape puzzles. Draw shapes. Triangles are the hardest for kids to master. To help, teach him to draw 3 dots and connect them.

 

 

My child is very shy. How can he be tested if he won’t open up?

 

Some kids have a hard time “warming up” in admissions situations. If your child is in preschool now, he may be more talkative a year from now, after he has more experience interacting with teachers. If he is still very shy, let the admission directors/testers know before you go for interviews/testing. They might make accommodations to help him succeed, like allowing you to stay in the corner so he feels safe. Some schools will visit the preschool and observe him in the setting he’s most comfortable with, plus they will talk to his preschool director to learn more about him.

 

Another thing you might do is to prepare him for what is going to happen. Walk by the first school where he’ll interview a day or two before. Talk about what will happen and maybe even play-act it out. After he’s had one comfortable visit under his belt, he might “warm up” more easily.

 

 

What is your book about?

 

In the book, I talk about the 7 abilities kids need to be ready for testing and kindergarten. Here’s a link to an article on my blog about the 7 abilities.

 

The 7 abilities are: language, knowledge, memory, math, spatial reasoning, thinking and fine-motor skills.

 

If you can just get your arms around them, you’ll naturally start doing all the right things in your interactions with your child and it won’t take extra time.
There are many ways to be intelligent in this world. There’s athletic intelligence, artistic intelligence, creative intelligence. But these 7 abilities that I talk about make up what I would call school intelligence. And you cannot get through the American school system today without having these 7 abilities in place. If your child is deficient in just one, she will struggle.

 

What are some resources I can use to help my child prepare for getting tested?

 

If you’ll check out my website, http://testingforkindergarten.com, I give free daily tips for getting a child in preschool ready for kindergarten and testing. You’ll enjoy doing these and they are free!

 

If you go to this page, I’ve listed the 20 products I recommend most to prepare a preschool child for kindergarten. My book, Testing For Kindergarten, also has lots of ideas and activities.

 

Another wonderful resource to teach children reading is http://www.readingkingdom.com/ – I love that site!

 

 

The Hosts

 

The FABULOUS mom bloggers who co-hosted the Talk were:

 

Andrea, Savvy Sassy Moms
Caryn, Rockin Mama
Jodi, Multitasking Mommy
Karen, 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires
Lydia, Still On The Verge
Stacie, The Divine Miss Mommy
Tesa, 2 Wired 2 Tired

 

And a special thanks to Doug Morse, who also contributed to the discussion and recently made a docu-drama called The Kindergarten Shuffle, about navigating the process of applying to public and private schools.  See more here: http://kindergartenshuffle.com/

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62043

Filed Under: Research & Insights Tagged With: Author

The Gift of Motherly Advice for Expecting and New Moms

September 20, 2010 by The Motherhood

Featuring advice and expert commentary from 10 mom bloggers and Dr. Jen Trachtenberg – pediatrician, author and AVENT spokesperson – the Talk for new and expecting moms was a virtual baby shower of new-mom wisdom!

From what to expect during pregnancy to preparing and caring for a brand-new baby, these “been-there” moms shed light on the process and shared the best tips they received from friends and family.

Keep reading for some of the best nuggets of advice, or check out the entire Talk so you don’t have to miss a thing.  Thank you to Dr. Jen and all of the amazing hosts and participants for sharing their invaluable knowledge about what to expect as a new parent!

Pregnancy: Pearls of Wisdom

Rest. Rest. Rest.  I took naps each chance I got with all three of my pregnancies, and it kept me sane. I also listened to my body more and more with each pregnancy after pushing myself into bed rest with the first one. (Victoria Mason)

If you’re barfing, it means something’s fighting in there, and that all is well. (Casey Mullins)

If you’re really worried about something, call the doctor; it’s better to be “that” pregnant lady than something going wrong. (MommyBKnowsBest)

Relax and don’t try to do everything! Let people help you when they offer!  (Shannon M.)

It’s important to make sure you’re eating right and taking your prenatal vitamins – and make sure to get some sleep too! If you’re still feeling very tired, it may be worth checking in with your ob/gyn.  (Dr. Jen)

This might not be what expecting moms want to hear, but I never realized how “hard” pregnancy was going to be. I had it rough, and I had to make sure that I allowed time to deal with illnesses and weak moments properly. So be prepared to take some sick days or not do as much.  (onceamonthmom)

Newborns: Nuggets of Advice

Best advice I ever got was from my Mother in Law, who told me, “You can never EVER love a baby too much.” (After my elderly grandma scolded me for holding my tiny new daughter too much, claiming I would “spoil” her.) (Casey Mullins)

Put the baby on the floor when you need to put him down. He can’t fall off the floor. (Jenny Rapson)

Sleep when the baby sleeps. I wish I had done this even more than I did.  (Jenna)

One big thing I learned fast- if someone asks what you need- FOOD. Meals. Lunch foods. My husband took to making me sandwiches before leaving for work because it was all I could do to get the baby and kids fed/taken care of and I always forgot to eat.  (This Mama Loves)

Be Prepared

The BEST advice that I never received was: take a mom with you when you register for your baby items. The list that they give you at most box baby stores has 90% of things you’ll never use.  (AlainaFrederick)

When I was expecting my second baby, the best advice I got was to make and freeze meals beforehand. It was a lifesaver those first few weeks! (Jenna)

After the baby comes, there is a long adjustment period… sleeplessness is difficult on a mom. I would highly suggest having things as set up as possible for changing, night feedings, and help as you can get. Try a tiny refrigerator for milk/snacks/water in your room. Stock your diapers – buy them ahead while you are pregnant at each grocery trip… you’ll need it as easy as possible when baby comes.  (Sprittibee)

I would also say to check out local mom groups before you have your child, mommy groups can offer advice, support and even meals when baby comes and you already have a built-in network, especially if family is far away. (MommyBKnowsBest)

Trust Yourself – and Your Husband

“Read your baby, not the books.” I found that I worried more when I focused on all that the books said could go wrong.  (Sprittibee)

I wanted to start by sharing a nugget of advice that I wish someone had told me the first go around. To TRUST MY INSTINCTS. Yes, there is so much excellence in reading resources like those that Dr. Trachtenberg offers, AND there is something to be said for following your mama bear instincts. (Christine Koh)

One of my favorite pieces of advice to give mommies is listen to all the advice but only do what you feel is best for your families. (MommyBKnowsBest)

Oh, the one advice someone gave me is to not to take over with the whole baby process – let my husband in on the action. Husbands have their way with the babies and I have to be ok with it… letting some control go is not easy sometimes! (Joy)

Take Care of Yourself 

“Every calorie is a successful calorie” when you’ve got super-bad morning sickness – that helped save my sanity and get rid of some early mommy guilt – I concentrated on eating healthy once I could actually keep food down!  (Jenny Rapson)

The best advice I got was to take a little time for ME every day. It’s easy to get lost in the minutia of caring for someone else (and everyone else!).  (RookieMomHeath)

Be clear about visitation parameters and if you need something, ask. We told people: a) we would love to see them; b) we probably weren’t good for more than an hour of visitation; c) it was highly likely they would see all or part of one of my boobs during the visit; and d) if they wanted to bring takeout we’d love them forever. (Christine Koh)

Maintain Your Memories

I kept a week-by-week journal of the highs, lows, sickness, etc., with my first, and it was SUCH a relief to read with the second. I would be like, “Oh, that is normal” and be encouraged. You think you won’t forget, but you do.  (onceamonthmom)

I remember when I was pregnant for the 1st time, 9 months seemed like ages but flew by! Looking back now, I would have captured more moments and memories during my pregnancy – maybe keep a weekly journal or take weekly photos to remember your journey!  (Dr. Jen)

Advice From Dr. Jen

One thing that’s really important to do after you give birth is to find that right pediatrician for you and your family. To start with, ask for recommendations from friends/family and meet with a few in your area to see who you hit it off with – because it’s hopefully going to be a long-lasting relationship! Remember, you’re looking not just for an expert to take care of your child when they’re sick, but also a parenting partner.

A lot of new moms in my practice ask, “How do I know my baby is getting enough to eat?” In general, newborns feed every 3-4 hours and also have wet diapers every 3-4 hours. Bowel movements can vary a lot. In addition, most babies gain about 1/2 an oz. to an ounce per day in the first few weeks, so it’s important to keep your regularly scheduled well-baby check-ups.

The Hosts

 The FABULOUS mom bloggers who co-hosted the Talk were:

Aracely Worley, Daytripping Mom
Beth Knudsvig, Anti-Supermom]
Casey Mullins, Moosh in Indy
Christine Koh, Boston Mamas
Heather Bee,Sprittibee
Jenna Gaskill,A Mom’s Balancing Act
Jennifer Bullock,MommyB Knows Best
Jenny Rapson,Mommin’ It Up
Tricia Callahan,Once A Month Mom
Victoria Mason, The Mummy Chronicles

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62065

Filed Under: Influencers & Impact

The Happiness Project with Gretchen Rubin

September 15, 2010 by The Motherhood

Ten bloggers focused on finding the joys in life, along with Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, hosted a Talk on themotherhood.com to share what makes them happy and how to find happiness in daily life.

A conversation like that can’t help but leave a smile on your face!

The Talk included discussions about the simple or silly things that bring joy, recommendations for maintaining gratitude and a healthy perspective, and how getting organized and living on a budget can help make you happier.

There were a lot of great happiness suggestions from the participants and hosts that anyone could apply to her own life.  Check out the thoughts below and meditate on all the things that bring you joy.

A BIG thank you to Gretchen and all of the wonderful hosts and participants in this joyful Talk!

Focusing on the Simple Things in Life

Find 5 minutes every day and do something that makes you happy. Reading a book, crossword, reading US magazine. Make yourself a cuppa and take 5 minutes.  (thienkim)

Does anyone else have any silly or strange things that make them happy? Things you might not confess at book club? Case in point: I’m deliriously happy when I have to take a bucket bath in a foreign country or when the electricity goes out and we need candlelight.  (jenlemen)

I am so much happier when I keep my physical environment in order. I’m not a perfectionist–but I need things to look calm to FEEL calm.  (Meagan Francis)

A big spirit lifter for me is taking 5 min in the morning to get dressed (no sweats!) and to put on a little makeup (powder, mascara).  Also, wearing a necklace, it dresses up any outfit and makes me feel better about myself. When you spend every day at home and running the kids around it’s so easy to forget yourself.  (Melissa)

Being Happy in Marriage

My number one trick is to remind myself that it’s a lot more fun to be in love than to be right. That truly makes it easier to make sure that arguments are quickly resolved.  (Frugal Babe)

Don’t forget about communication, which takes a lot of effort sometimes when you’re both busy taking care of work and family. It’s WORK to keep a marriage going! (If only it were all romance and flowers, no?)  (Melisa)

Finding the Positive

I think just a shift in attitude can make a big difference in happiness. Like getting lost on your way to a destination. Instead of thinking of it as getting lost, think of it as an adventure with exciting new detours. (thienkim)

This may be an off-the-beat way to think about happiness, but when you think of all of the really, truly, devastating things people go through, it starts feeling like such a self-indulgent thing to wallow in unhappy thoughts and attitudes. You start to realize that the smallest things we have, our rights, our water, our experiences, our opportunities, are not things to take for granted. So really we live in such abundance, even if it is not materially tangible or obvious most of the time. (ProductiveMom)

When I keep a gratitude journal I feel better!  (Stockpiling Moms)

Knowing Yourself

Important happiness strategy: never let yourself get too hungry! My family is all very prone to hunger crabbiness, so I’m always trying to stay on top of this. (Gretchen Rubin)

This may sound harsh, but – as a mom – time to myself often makes me happy. It’s been a long time since I was the center of my own universe, you know?! Sometimes I have to give myself permission to do something just for me.  (Oh, The Joys)

I think that happiness sometimes comes in acceptance – particularly acceptance of self. Acceptance of my own faults and limitations coupled with a willingness to own them, apologize for them and laugh at them leaves more room for happiness. Maybe one path to happiness is to road to making peace with oneself…  (Oh, The Joys)

Frugal Happiness

It is very tough to stay happy and upbeat when you are struggling with money or any other big instability in your life. For me, it helps to compartmentalize, put my problems out of my head and go walk on the beach or take a hot bath. It helps me tackle the tough issues with a different mindset.  (Karen Quinn)

We work really hard to make sure that we keep our expenses below our income every month. Having a financial safety net in the bag is a huge stress reliever, and helps me feel content, happy and calm. Definitely worth the effort required.  (Frugal Babe)

Seeking Inspiration

I’ve been thinking about making a vision board lately – anyone do one? Does it help you to concentrate on what’s important and what keeps you happy? Tell me all about it!  (Brandie)

This probably sounds hokie, but giving to others makes me happy. I’ve been spending time cooking at the local homeless shelter; it’s not glamorous, but makes me happy to be of service to others.  (Diane Mac)

I think that an important aspect of being happy is having a connection with your higher power.  (ReneeJRoss)

Insights from Gretchen

1) Although happiness can seem very abstract and complex, I’d start by GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP. I know, I know, it’s so hard, but sleep really matters for health, energy, and mood. It’s tempting to stay up late but sleep really makes life better.

Also, ancient philosophers and modern scientists agree that CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS are a key to happiness. So whenever you’re trying to figure out how to spend your precious time, energy, and money, putting it towards activities that will strengthen or build relationships will really give you a happiness boost.  (Gretchen Rubin)

2) Some people think that you shouldn’t ask yourself what makes you happy — that somehow, this makes you less likely to be happy. I disagree. For me, the minute I said, “Am I happy? How could I be happier?” I started to see things that I could change in my life. Everything from getting more sleep to keeping a one-sentence journal to imitating a spiritual master. So I think just self-reflection is a good place to start.  (Gretchen Rubin)

3) The one thing that struck me, from all the stories, is how often people do find it possible to make themselves happier by making small changes in their ordinary lives. It doesn’t take a lot of time, money, or energy — always in short supply — or a radical transformation. Even a very simple resolution, like “Make your bed,” can boost happiness.  (Gretchen Rubin)

The Hosts

The amazing mom bloggers who co-hosted the Talk were:

Jen Lemen
Jessica, Oh The Joys
Frugal Babe
Jean, Mommy to Two Boys
Melissa, Peanut Butter In My Hair
Melisa Wells, Suburban Scrawl
Renee Ross, Cutie Booty Cakes
Vera Sweeney, I’m Not Obsessed

Watch Gretchen Rubin’s TV ad for The Happiness Project

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62046

Filed Under: Influencers & Impact Tagged With: Author

#BICFIGHTFORYOURWRITE TWITTER PARTY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

August 11, 2010 by The Motherhood

#BICFIGHTFORYOURWRITE TWITTER PARTY SWEEPSTAKES

OFFICIAL RULES

 

No Purchase Necessary TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

 

The #BICFightForYourWrite Party (the “Sweepstakes”) starts on August 11, 2016 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on August 11, 2016 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (“Sweepstakes Period”).

 

 

ELIGIBILITY: THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, who are at least 18 years of age as of the date of entry.  Valid responses must be appropriate and may not contain profanity or offensive language, at the discretion of The Motherhood. Void Where Prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families – parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside – and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of Sponsor, Hunter Public Relations, The Motherhood, the Participating Bloggers, and their respective parent, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win.  By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, The Motherhood and/or judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this Sweepstakes.  Any violation of these rules may, at Sponsor’s discretion, result in disqualification. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

The Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter.  See below for Data Collection and Privacy information.

 

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, follow the directions provided in the Sweepstakes posting on the participating blog to RSVP and enter (http://vite.io/themotherhoodchats) prior to the Twitter Party.  Participants eligible to enter the Sweepstakes and win a prize must RSVP to the online invitation at (http://vite.io/themotherhoodchats), follow @TMChatHost and use the hashtags #BICFightForYourWrite and #sweepstakes and submit a response to at least one (1) of five (5) trivia questions specified by @TMChatHost on Twitter in the form of a tweet (“Entry”). Participant’s Entry to the posted trivia question must be consistent with the message theme of the trivia question; failure to do so may result in such Entry being void.  All Entries must be received by the date and time stated in the Sweepstakes posting to be eligible. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void.  All Entries must be received by 1:53 PM ET. All Entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

 

DRAWING:  Potential winner(s) will be selected in a random drawing held during the Twitter Party from all eligible Entries received using a random generator.  All Entries are captured in to a numbered Excel document processed through a random number generator. All decisions are final. Neither Sponsor nor the Administrator are responsible for misdirected or undeliverable Entries, including those from private Twitter accounts, or for any claims, losses, expenses or liabilities arising out of an entrant’s participation in this Sweepstakes or use of any prize. Odds of winning depend on the number and timing of the eligible Entries received. Potential winner(s) will be notified by @TMChatHost at the end of the Twitter Party and may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release within seven (7) days of date of issuance. If a potential winner cannot be contacted via direct message through Twitter or email or if such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected.  If a potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winner set forth herein. The Motherhood (@TMChatHost) will select and announce winners at the end of the Twitter Party.

 

PRIZE(S): Five (5) winners will each receive a $50 BIC Stationery prize pack and a $50 Visa gift card.  Total Average Retail Value (“ARV”) for all prizes is $500.00. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied.  Prizes may not substituted, assigned or transferred or redeemed for cash, however Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.  Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.  All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Gift card is subject to terms and conditions specified thereon. Restrictions may apply. Winners must provide contact information to ship prize. Allow 2 weeks following the Twitter Party for delivery of prizes. Prizes will be fulfilled and shipped directly from Hunter Public Relations. Failure to respond to prize notification or provide required information may result in forfeiture of the prize and awarded to the next most recent Entry.

 

DATA COLLECTION AND PRIVACY:  All participants understand that he/she is providing his/her information to the Administrator and not to Twitter. Sponsor and Administrator will collect information from the participant solely for the purpose of administering the Sweepstakes and to notify the winners. Administrator and Sponsor will not share this information with any third parties except as necessary for the administration of this Sweepstakes. All Entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

 

PUBLICITY GRANT: Each winner, by acceptance of prize, except where legally prohibited, grants permission for Sponsor and its designees to use his/her name, address (city and state), photograph, voice and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further compensation, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide in perpetuity, without notice or review or approval.

 

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, illegible, inaccurate, delayed, damaged, stolen, misdirected, undelivered or garbled entries or email, or problems of any kind, whether mechanical, human or electronic; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize(s) or in any Sweepstakes-related materials.  Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes.  Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the web site.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or any website or blog or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.  Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that BIC USA Inc., Hunter Public Relations, and The Motherhood, Participating Bloggers, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions,  advertising and promotion agencies and Twitter and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, shareholders and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any personal injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes.  This limitation of liability is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect, or consequential damages; loss of data, income, or profit; loss or damage to property; and claims of third parties.  Participants agree that Released Parties have not made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, statutory, express or implied (including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, title, and fitness for a particular purpose), in fact or in law, relative to the sweepstakes or the prize awarded.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, releasees do not make any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to any promotional web site and releasees shall not be liable for the consequences of any interruptions or errors related thereto. CAUTION:  ANY ATTEMPT BY A PARTICIPANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR ANY ONLINE SERVICE RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of such term or any other provision.  Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates the rules or interferes with the Sweepstakes in any manner. If a participant is disqualified, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate such participant’s eligibility to participate in the Sweepstakes. Any attempt by an individual to access any website associated with the Sweepstakes via a bot script or other brute force attack or any other unauthorized means will result in that individual’s IP address becoming ineligible. Use of automated entry devices or programs is prohibited.

 

In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these Official Rules.  Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the Twitter ID by Twitter, on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses. The promotional website’s database clock will be the official timekeeping device for the Sweepstakes.

DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the participant and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Connecticut or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of  Connecticut.

WINNERS’ LIST: For a list containing the name(s) of the winner(s), send a self-addressed stamped envelope, within 3 months of the Sweepstakes to: 1601 Mary’s Avenue, Suite 1L1, and Pittsburgh, PA 15215.

 

SPONSOR:  Sweepstakes is sponsored by BIC USA Inc. One BIC Way, Suite 1, Shelton, CT 06484. Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Sweepstakes.

 

ADMINISTRATOR: The Motherhood Inc. 1601 Mary’s Ave, Ste 1L1, Pittsburgh, PA 15215.

Filed Under: Featured Clients

#NoLeaksGuaranteed Twitter Party Official Rules

May 14, 2010 by The Motherhood

No Purchase Necessary TO ENTER OR WIN.

The #NoLeaksGuaranteed Twitter Party (the Sweepstakes) starts on May 20, 2014 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on May 20, 2014 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (“Entry Period”).

ELIGIBILITY: The Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, who are at least 18 years of age. Void Where Prohibited. Employees (and their immediate families (parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of The Motherhood, the Participating Bloggers, and their respective parent, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, Participating Blog and/or judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

To enter: To enter, you must do all of the following during the Entry Period:

Step 1: Sign into your Twitter account and become a follower of @theMotherhood25 at http://www.twitter.com/theMotherhood25.

Step 2: On May 20, 2014 between 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET, sign into your Twitter account to participate by answering the trivia questions and use the hashtag #BatteryControlled. Trivia questions will be asked every 10 minutes beginning at 1:10 p.m. EST. Tweets that are eligible for a prize begin with Q and the question number.

Step 3: Answer the question posted from @theMotherhood25 on May 20, 2014 between 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET. Limit one (1) entry per person, per question and Twitter handle. Winners are chosen randomly based on all eligible participants who answer the question correctly.

We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:
• Any incomplete or illegible entry; and
• Any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of the entry limit described above,
• Any entries that do not comply with Twitter.com terms of use.

All entries must be received by the date and time stated in the Sweepstakes Posting to be eligible. Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void. All entries become the property of the Participating Blog and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Drawing: Potential winner(s) will be selected in a random drawing held during the #BatteryControlled Twitter Party from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winner(s) will be notified by a tweet from @theMotherhood25 during the Twitter Party and may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release within seven (7) days of date of issuance. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected. If a potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winner set forth herein.

Prize(s): The prize(s) and their approximate retail value(s) will be set forth during the Twitter Party. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied. Prizes may not substituted, assigned or transferred or redeemed for cash, however the Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided. All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Limit one (1) prize per household.

PUBLICITY GRANT: Each winner, by acceptance of prize, except where legally prohibited, grants permission for Sponsor and its designees to use his/her name, address (city and state), photograph, voice and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further compensation, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide in perpetuity, without notice or review or approval.

General Conditions: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, misdirected, undelivered or garbled entries or email; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize(s) or in any Sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the web site. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or any website or blog or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that Sponsor, The Motherhood, Participating Bloggers, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes. In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these rules. Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses.

Winners’ List: The names of the winners will be announced by @theMotherhood during the Twitter party following the drawing.

Sponsored by: The Motherhood – 25 Brilliant Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15215

Filed Under: Featured Clients

P&G Power of Clean Blog Giveaway Official Rules

February 26, 2010 by The Motherhood

­Sweepstakes Rules:

No Purchase Necessary TO ENTER OR WIN.

The #PowerofClean Blog Reader Giveaways will begin no earlier than March 1, 2016 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends no later than April 15, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET.

ELIGIBILITY: SWEEPSTAKES ARE OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE. Void Where Prohibited. Employees (and their immediate families (parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of Sponsor, The Motherhood, the participating bloggers, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win.  By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, participating blog and/or judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this Sweepstakes.  Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

To enter: To enter, follow the directions provided in the Sweepstakes Posting on the participating blog. All entries must be received by the date and time stated in the Sweepstakes Posting to be eligible.  Limit one (1) entry per person/email address.  Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void.  Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void.  All entries become the property of the Participating Blog and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Drawing:  Potential winner(s) will be selected in random drawing(s) by the host blogger. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winner(s) will be notified by the blogger and may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release within seven (7) days of date of issuance. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected.  If a potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winners set forth herein. Winners will be required to send their mailing address to the host blogger.  Failure to do may result in forfeiture of prize and, at Sponsor’s discretion, prize may be awarded to an alternate winner.

Prize(s): The prize(s) and their approximate retail value(s) will be set forth in the blog post. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied.  Prizes may not substituted, assigned or transferred or redeemed for cash, however Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.  Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.  All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Limit one (1) prize per household.  If gift cards are awarded as prizes, terms and conditions of issuer applies.

General Conditions: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, misdirected, undelivered or garbled entries, Tweets, @mentions or email; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize(s) or in any Sweepstakes-related materials.  Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes.  Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or any website or blog or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void.  Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that Sponsor, The Motherhood, Participating Bloggers, Twitter, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes.  In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these rules.  Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses.

Winners’ LIST: The names of the winners will be announced on an individual basis by each blog host.

Sponsor:  The Motherhood with a P&G Prize Packet.

Filed Under: Featured Clients

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