Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Movie Going with Children- What Age is Best to Start this Adventure?

Portland Working Moms Examiner

This Friday, March 26, How to Train Your Dragon releases in theaters. When my son, who will be 2 next month, saw this trailer his ears and eyes perked up. He’s into dragons and dinosaurs at the moment, and while we have been to a feature movie in the theater, I’m not sure this one will make the cut for us.

His very first movie experience was at an IMAX theater at our local science museum, OMSI. I wasn’t sure how he would react- would he sit still during the movie? Would be disrupt other movie goers? Would the screen be too large and make him sick? Surprisingly, he did great. He loved the movie, Walking With Dinosaurs, and he enjoyed sitting in my lap and drinking his water while munching on popcorn. The kid is a regular moviegoer!

Movies designed for little ones as young as 4 should be able to enjoy and follow a plot, as well as have the patience to sit in place for more than an hour. But if you’re still in the toddler years, a full-length movie could be a stretch.

Of course, every child is different. If your child can sit through a Disney movie at home, which obviously has done the research to know how long a child’s attention span will last; they most likely will be able to make the move to the big screen. If you have a busy body for a child, you might want to hold off. The great thing about going to a childrens movie is, you’re with other kids! So noises, talking, gasping, laughing, etc. is expected and other parents have the patience to endure this type of behavior.

Be sure to check out the movie rating- in this case, How to Train Your Dragon is rated PG. Also check out the reviews for the movie and get feedback from other parents. Movies are magical and wonderful to a young mind, and something fun to do when the weather turns on you- which can happen quite a bit in Portland! Movies also open up discussions about life, which can make for a wonderful bonding experience. Going out to eat after the movie and encouraging discussion is also a great way to connect with your child, especially as they get older and have more questions about the world around them and right and wrong.

Happy Movie Going!

Legacy Builder Coaching guest blog: Best Business Practices

Best Business Practices: Media Tips
March 23, 2010
By: Katie Kelley, Legacy Builder Coaching

After having completed a taped radio and television interview, I am now preparing for an upcoming live cable television interview and I wanted to share some media tips that I was recently given by NYC based media expert Jeff Bloch. Getting media exposure is a key step towards building your brand, establishing your expert credibility and sharing with the world what you do for a living and how they can find you. Who doesn’t want some of that?

1. PREPARE-Before you talk to a reporter, know your story. Focus your broad knowledge of your subject into three key messages that tell a complete story. Think about what you would like the headline to be, and what you want the reporter – and your audience – to remember. Often, the messages state a problem/situation, followed by a solution/next step, and finally offer the credibility of your organization to provide that solution or input.

2. THINK NEWS- Messages should offer some information that is new, that goes beyond what others have said, or that identifies a new issue or trend. Don’t sensationalize, but think about what can make your story more interesting, more compelling.

3. SUPPORT YOUR STORY WITH SPECIFICS-Facts/figures-don’t worry about citing particularly daunting numbers, rather just provide some context with numbers that will allow the audience to better appreciate the scope of your work, examples, anecdotes, quotable language-in other words vivid words and well-turned phrases that are catchy but not too clever and will help to crystallize your story.

4. CONSIDER THE AUDIENCE-Whom are you trying to reach? Consumers, potential business customers, decision-makers? Make sure your messages and your supporting information are tailored to your audience. Avoid jargon – use language they will understand. When possible, put a face on it, meaning, give an example of a person or situation that your audience can relate to and appreciate.

5. DEVELOP-Develop a list of questions that are likely to be asked. Be prepared for obvious negative questions, but also be ready to answer the supposedly “easy” ones, such as “Tell me about this study / your company / your perspective on this issue.” Keep up with the news in the days before your interview and be ready to deal with related events or developments.

6. DELIVER-Once the interview begins-take control. Don’t wait for the reporter to guide you through your story. Begin at the beginning, deliver your messages early and often, explain, re-contextualize, repeat yourself as necessary. If you are reacting to news, hold your ground. If you are promoting a story, don’t make the reporter “pull teeth” to get it.

7. USE FLAGS-Phrases such as “What’s most important…” “The key thing is…” “There are three critical factors…” signal to the reporter and the audience that you’re about to say something vital.

8. BUILD BRIDGES-Don’t just answer the question. Find the ways to go beyond the answer to your message. Be more expansive, offer additional information, return to an earlier point. Make sure you spend more time on your story than on other, less important, topics.

9. TURN NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES-Don’t be defensive and don’t over-explain your response to the negative. Instead, deal with the negative – without repeating any negative language – and then bridge to a message. Remember to end on a positive.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Award-winning illusionists invited to perform at world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA

Tucson, Arizona (March 22, 2010) Nationally touring Tucson based illusionists Sarlot and Eyed are invited to perform at Hollywood’s world-renown Magic Castle in April.

Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed, 2009 National Recipients for "Excellence in Magic" and house entertainers at the world's finest resorts, transport their audiences back to a time when magic flourished as an art and was practiced in the salons and “parlours” of the wealthy. The Magic Castle, nestled in the Hollywood Hills of Southern California, gathers the finest illusionists and magicians worldwide for invitation-only performances. “The Magic Castle has an aura of historical mystique and contemporary belt-notch status. Magical entertainers from around the globe covet an invite to this magic landmark and we’re thrilled to share our performance with the Castle audiences!” says Susan Eyed.

The Magic Castle is the private clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, a very special organization devoted to the advancement of the ancient art of magic. This exclusive invitation has been extended to Sarlot and Eyed due to their unique performance style, their fresh twists on the classics of magic, and the popularity of their current show “Carnival of Illusion” a Victorian-inspired parlour show with a modern, hip edge. This intimate experience is limited to only 35 guests per show and while playing in Tucson has been selling out shows since they opened February 5th 2010 and was recently extended for two additional months.

They will appear in the Castle’s “Parlour of Prestidigitation” for three shows a night beginning April 19th through April 25th 2010. If you can’t make the trip to Hollywood, you can still catch their show at 6pm and 8:30pm every Friday and Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park. As a bonus, before or after the performance in either hotel restaurant, guests can buy one entrée and receive a (equal or lesser priced) second entrée for FREE. Tickets are available at www.carnivalOFillusion.com or (520) 615-5299.

About: Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed are the 2009 National recipients for “Excellence in Magic” awarded by the oldest magic convention in the country. Earlier recipients have been Las Vegas headliners Harry Blackstone Jr. and Lance Burton. These entertainers tour nationally sharing their love and respect for the ancient Art of Magic. Fox News called these Las Vegas headliners, “Outstanding”, the LA Weekly wrote “Amazing”, and the Tucson Citizen said, “The Best Show in Tucson.”

Contact:
(520) 615-5299
thrills@carnivalofillusion.com
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Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Best of Portland

MKP Creative has been asked to be a guest on the show "The Best of Portland" along with Ladies Who Launch Market Director Katie Kelley.

We'll be discussing how female entrepreneurs launch businesses, the female networking group Ladies Who Launch and unemployment in our state of Oregon as it relates to new businesses launching.

I'll post the link when the show airs- which will most likely be Friday, April 2. Stay tuned!

Monday, March 15, 2010

The "Feminine Approach" to Launching a Business

Growing a business is hard work- especially for working moms! Luckily there’s plenty of women’s groups out there tailored just for females, the unique female style of launching and running a business, and a support system to make it all happen.

One such Portland group is Ladies Who Launch, the first new media company to provide resources and connections for women entrepreneurs. The Ladies Who Launch mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman with a project, dream or aspiration to start her own business and be successful.

Victoria Colligan is the Founder of Ladies Who Launch, which began in 2002, with the first local communities launching in 2005. She is also the creator of Ladies Who Launch Online and the Featured Lady stories. She is co-author of the book Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship and Creativity as a Lifestyle and has another book coming out soon.

Katie Kelley, a native Californian who grew up in the cities of Atlanta, London, and San Diego, is breathing new life into the Portland chapter of LWL. Kelley relocated to Portland in 2008 and was soon offered the position with LWL. “I am delighted to serve as the Oregon Market Leader for my hometown of Portland, Oregon,” says Kelley. “It is an incredibly opportune moment for Oregonian women who are ready to hatch their creative ideas into prospering businesses or personal ventures.”

Kelley, who boasts a B.A. in Psychology from Boston College and a Clinical Masters Degree from Smith College, worked as a psychotherapist at Cornell Medical Schools teaching hospital in Manhattan for almost three years. She then went to work for Novartis for another three years and eventually was certified by the Training and Organizational Development Program at New York University and the Core Essentials Program at Coach University.

She now is a Business Coach and Consultant with Legacy Builder Coaching, LLC. With Legacy, she primarily partners with emerging entrepreneurs to develop and strengthen their business strategy, execution and personal leadership so that they thrive in the new economy.

Portland Working Mom’s Examiner had a chance to sit down with Kelley recently to learn more about Ladies Who Launch and female entrepreneurs who are emerging more and more as they attempt to balance work and motherhood.

E: Why are so many women launching businesses? It is due to the recession?
K: Women are launching businesses at twice the rate of men, and they are doing it primarily for lifestyle reasons–they want more freedom, flexibility, and creativity in their lives. There are over 11 million women owned businesses in the US! We have found a definitive link between launching a business and higher self-esteem and happiness. Women come to Ladies Who Launch to take advantage of our trusted community, tools, resources and success stories and live their dreams.

E: Who is Ladies Who Launch tailored for?
K: There is a movement of women who want to control their lives. Ladies Who Launch is an online and in-person platform for these women. Our mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to every woman at every phase of launching. We empower entrepreneurs, freelancers, stay-at-home moms, side-launchers, and consultants with tools, role models, and confidence through local and national success stories, and resources to grow their businesses and connect to one another through events, www.ladieswholaunch.com/portland, and through our Local Communities across the US and Canada.

E: Does a woman have to have her idea formulated to come to a LWL event or join LWL? Or do you embrace those who are just dreaming of an idea?
K: We offer a trusted community - this is critical to launching any idea. You need to find a like-minded community of women who can be the support you need, who can connect you to others, who can listen to what you need to grow and then actually be part of giving it to you. Our workshops and STRATA membership program delivers on this in spades. We provide essential resources for launching a business - from “How-To” articles to preferred relationships with partners to webinars - Ladies Who Launch is constantly integrating ways to inform and educate women on how to take their projects to the next level. We welcome women at all stages of development, whether it’s just an idea or they’ve been in business for 3-5 years.

E: Why would I, as a female entrepreneur, want to join Ladies Who Launch? It seems like there are so many groups to choose from, how do I know which one is right for me?
K: Women join to be part of a community, stay connected, and make sure other energetic, motivated entrepreneurs surround them. We share resources, create a mastermind group; women use connecting to move ideas forward. Most of our constituents join to get out of isolation. Nothing great has ever happened as a solo activity. Success requires teamwork, action and goal alignment. We make sure your mission and goals are clear and that everyone you surround yourself with is aligned with you and we don’t waste time on negativity.

E: You talk a lot about the “feminine approach” to launching a business. What does that mean?
K: The feminine approach to launching a business has less to do with men vs. women, and is more about seeing your business holistically. Women often take a more intuitive and organic approach to their businesses and projects and don't want to initially get caught up in a business plan. This doesn't mean they don't need one eventually, but in order to get started, women need to take small steps and feel the creative juices flowing and be able to act on their ideas. The feminine approach celebrates this idea and is reinforced through our workshops and STRATA membership program where you can get through the many stages of launching from start up to growth and find the resources you need - - and then return to find what you need next. There's no one right way - there are many right ways - and our Featured Lady stories prove this over and over. Women do things differently and that's OKAY!

E: Thank you for sharing this insight into Ladies Who Launch! Where can female entrepreneurs- or aspiring entrepreneurs- learn more about your events and your next meeting?
K: You can go to www.ladieswholaunch.com/portland for more info and events, and join us for our upcoming Sunday Social April 18 at 9:00am- 11:30, we’ll be meeting at The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa to discuss growing and marketing your business over coffee and snacks.

A meeting at a spa, noshing on pastries and sipping coffee? Sometimes, you’ve got to love the way women do business. Thanks to my guest Katie Kelley for sharing insight into her Ladies Who Launch Oregon networking group for female entrepreneurs.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Successful Working Moms

Working Moms- that seems to be a given, right? If you’re at home, you’re working. And if you go to work, you’re working. But what’s the difference between a Stay at Home Mom and a Stay At Work Mom? In a word: Guilt. Or at least it used to be that way. More and more women are now embracing being a “stay at work” working mom, and more “stay at home” moms are also embracing their roles. The guilt factor is slowly subsiding. Think about it this way- do you call a dad a “stay at work dad?” Not really. But we do call dads who stay home a “stay at home dad.” Why the need for labels?

Perhaps this is one of the few silver linings in the recent economic crisis. Going back to work is not an option for most women; it’s just a necessity. I struggled with this when I had my son almost 2 years ago. If you follow my articles, you see I went from a full time job with my 4 month old son in full time day care, to a part time job when he was 6 months old, to being laid off when he was 7 months old and being unemployed, to now running my own business out of a home office.

It’s been a whirlwind two years! And the one thing I can tell you is, none of it is easy- but it is all rewarding. When I was working, I had mommy guilt. When I was with my son, I had work guilt. I’ve shed all of that now but it took some time. I now see some of my new mommy or soon-to-be mommy friends dealing with the same anxieties of sending a child to day care as soon as he or she pops out of the womb, and I am doing my best to ease their minds.

But the other side is not always greener. When I was unemployed, I felt I had lost control of my life- so I threw myself into my job search and parenthood. If I was to be a statistic of the economic crisis, I was going to be the best mom ever! In the history of moms! I signed up for gymnastics, I went to play dates, I joined a co-op and a mommy support group. As I sat there trying to control my son and battle toddler fights, screams of crying babies, and “mine!” I realized, this was hard work! This was way harder than sitting in my cubicle, sipping coffee, making deals, negotiating contracts, putting together marketing plans and budgets…well, maybe the budgeting part was harder than this…but in a different way!

This all made me realize, we are way too hard on each other and ourselves. As working moms, no matter what the work is or entails, we are the best support system for one another. Expensive gym classes and swimming lessons, rushing and running from this play group to the next; it’s all unnecessary.

My favorite days are now the ones I spend with my son doing, basically, nothing. He sits at his little desk next to me while I work and he types on his pretend computer, he goes to day care two days per week now and I cherish that time to get my mind centered and be a business woman. There is no perfect balance. You are not a bad mom because your child is in day care eight hours per day five days per week. We are all doing the best we can with what we have. And we are all successful working moms.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Healthy Families Act

Most working moms know the petri dish that is day care. If one kid is sick at day care, chances are, all the kids are soon sick. And a sick child can only mean one thing- a sick mom. While most toddlers understand the word “mine” all too well, there’s one thing they don’t mind sharing at all, and that’s germs.

What’s a working mom to do, especially in this economic climate? Missing a day of work could mean a black mark on your professional record. And when moms stay home to care for their children, they end up missing even more work, usually because they’ve been passed whatever germ their child was carrying.

Even mothers with the best intentions sometimes send a sick child to day care because they can’t afford any more time off work, or have run out of sick days. It’s an endless cycle of sick kids, sick parents and never enough sick time at work. According to a just released study, more than a third of working women in establishments with more than 15 employees have no paid sick leave.

That means they lose needed income, and could risk losing their jobs, if they stay home to keep a sick child out of childcare or school, or for their own illness. This problem isn't limited to just moms: Conservative estimates are that 40% of the entire private sector doesn't have any paid sick days. Congress is currently considering a bill called the Healthy Families Act, which would give 13.3 million women--for a total of over 30 million people--the ability to earn paid sick days at work.

The Healthy Families Act would guarantee that workers in the United States at firms that employ at least 15 employees would be able to earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The most daunting statistic is it’s the child care workers themselves who are the least likely to have paid sick days- which could trace some of the germs back to the people caring for your kids! Just 28% of child care workers in establishments of 15 or more employees can earn paid sick leave.


The best working moms can do is keep their kids home if they are sick, sanitize toys, wash hands when your child comes home, take off their clothes from the day and put them in fresh clothes and take their vitamins. Exercise is also a great way to boost your immune system, as well as getting enough rest and eating healthy. While most working moms are super moms, there’s been no secret weapon yet discovered for fighting off germs.

An inspiring evening with Dress For Success + Kimberly Wilson

MKP client Ladies Who Launch, LA/OC event to celebrate International Women's Day- see clips of speaker Kimberly Wilson here!

An inspiring evening with Dress For Success + Kimberly Wilson

The Day - From Lemons to Lemonade | News from southeastern Connecticut

MKP author CJ Connolly and a nice write-up on The Day.

The Day - From Lemons to Lemonade | News from southeastern Connecticut

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

MKP client CJ Connolly, author, is featured in local CT paper

Meet Mr. T. He is a wise, old flea that helps his new friends Wil and Fitz find what they are looking for and teaches them a thing or two about life along the way. This enchanting children’s book, “Wil, Fitz, and a Flea Named T,” is written by CJ Connolly, Noank, and is part of a new series, published by Crosswinds Press, Inc. The book is illustrated by Lisa Adams, Mystic, and designed by Trish LaPointe, Old Mystic.
Read the article Fleas Teach Kids About Life by Amy Pjura in it's entirety here

AM NW, Portland's Top Rated Morning Show, visits MKP Client The Dragontree

AM NW paid a special visit to MKP client The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa to check out their new airport location. Located conveniently in Concourse C, by Southwest terminals for busy travelers, the spa has been a huge success since opening it's doors in early February.

Check out the full segment here.

THE DRAGONTREE, A HOLISTIC DAY SPA, ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A NEW LOCATION IN THE PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

(Portland, OR) January 26, 2010
The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa, located in NW Portland, announces the opening of the first spa in the Portland International Airport February 8. The spa is located on Concourse C between gate C-10 and C-12. The Dragontree has an established history of providing exceptional therapeutic services, commitment to being a sanctuary from the stresses of life, and dedication to reflecting Portland's values of ecological consciousness and sustainability practices.

The airport location’s design is a beautiful, soothing and private refuge featuring an extensive menu to accommodate all travelers’ needs and schedules. There are private treatment rooms for massages, facials, and waxing as well as an ambient communal space with elevated couches for therapeutic foot baths, head, neck and shoulder massages, chair massages and a variety of foot treatments.
Chris Madsen, general manager of business and properties with the Port of Portland, said, "We wanted to create a uniquely local experience for the PDX traveler, and this very popular local operation more than fills the bill. For an airport setting, The Dragontree is a 'beyond the expected' offering, and it's just the kind of business we want at PDX.”

The airport location will also offer a carefully chosen selection of immune supporting vitamins and herbs, natural sleeping aids, organic body and skin care products, and tasteful gifts for the savvy traveler. "We are so honored to be part of Portland International Airport and excited to have the opportunity to spread our mission of peace and balance into the world,” says spa owner Briana Borten.

Appointments are primarily on a walk-in basis but reservations will also be happily accepted. For more information please visit the spa’s airport location website at www.thedragontreepdx.com or call 503.331.1131.

About : The Dragontree, located at 2768 NW Thurman, offers a variety of services to still the mind and mend the body. The perfect place to receive massages, facials, Acupuncture, waxing, Ayurvedic counseling, and herbal consultations, you can also gather with friends and family and receive foot treatments, head, neck, & shoulder massages, and hand treatments. All treatments are tailored to each individual’s specific needs with the intention of creating the space for true healing to occur. For more information please visit www.thedragontree.com or call 503-221- 4123.

Contact:
Maggie Palmer
Maggie@maggiekpalmer.com
503-419-7677

MKP client Amy Boggs on Top Rated Morning Show

MKP Client Amy Boggs, owner of Sparkling Palaces, a green cleaning company in Portland, OR has been tapped as the green cleaning expert on top rated morning show AM NW on KATU Channel 2.

View the segment here, and stay tuned to see Amy again in April!

“Ladies Who Launch” Celebrates International Women’s Day With A Presentation, Book Signing And Suit Drive For Dress For Success

LA’s premiere women’s entrepreneur group gives back to the community

March 5, 2010 (Los Angeles, CA) – Ladies Who Launch, LA/OC chapter, celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8 by hosting an event with entrepreneur and author Kimberly Wilson, and asking attendees to help other local women in need.

Ladies Who Launch is asking everyone attending the event to bring a gently used business suit, which will be donated to the non-profit Dress for Success, whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women.
Dress for Success provides professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. “We are so pleased to be the recipient of a clothing drive conducted by Ladies Who Launch in coordination with the presentation by Kimberly Wilson,” said Kathy Culpepper, Director of Operations for Dress for Success Worldwide-West.
Ladies Who Launch is a community of female entrepreneurs whose mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman. “We are very excited about this collaboration,” Caren Magill, Market Director of Ladies Who Launch LA/OC, said. “Ladies Who Launch is committed to empowering women to take the next step into entrepreneurship as a means to self-sufficiency. Dress For Success is also committed to supporting women on their journey to independence. I look forward to working together toward a similar goal in honor of International Women¹s Day.”
Kimberly Wilson, author and founder of yoga studios, an eco-clothing line, and a non-profit, is the featured speaker. Wilson will share her 10-year journey as an entrepreneur, highlight lessons learned along the way and sign her new book.
The event begins at 6:30pm and concludes at 9pm. Ladies Who Launch will also be raffling off a free membership and admission to it’s famed “Incubator Intensive Workshops” to one lucky winner. To learn more about the event and to register please visit http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/losangeles.

About Ladies Who Launch: The Ladies Who Launch mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman with a project, dream or aspiration to start her own business and be successful. We have found a definitive link between launching a business and higher self-esteem and happiness; it is our hope that women will come to Ladies Who Launch and take advantage of our trusted community, tools, resources and success stories and live their dreams. Please visit us online at www.ladieswholaunch.com.
End ###
Contact:
Maggie Palmer
info@maggiekpalmer.com

“CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION” CELEBRATES 16 CONSECUTIVE SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES

Award-winning illusionists open the first month of their record breaking 52 performances in Tucson by selling out all shows.

Tucson, Arizona (March 1, 2010) Nationally touring Tucson based illusionist duo Sarlot and Eyed are on record pace to sell out most of their 52 shows, as proven by selling out the entire first month of performances in February.

Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed, 2009 National Recipients for "Excellence in Magic" and former house entertainers at Canyon Ranch and Miraval Luxury Resort, transport their audiences back to a time when magic flourished as an art and was practiced in the salons and “parlours” of the wealthy. Audiences from all over the Americas packed seats for their highly anticipated first round of shows. Alan and Marla Wells from Ontario, Canada, said, “SUPERB! Best time of our lives! Great, great chemistry between Sarlot & Eyed and the audience! BRAVO!”

“Carnival of Illusion” is a Victorian-inspired parlour show with a modern, hip edge. This intimate experience is limited to only 35 seats per show, which allows the entertainers and the audience to connect on a more personal level. “It’s such a breath of fresh air to see a performance up close and intimate rather than in a sky box or on television. There’s no camera tricks in this show, it’s the real deal!”

Their Herculean mission began February 5th and will continue with two shows nightly at 6pm and 8:30pm every Friday and Saturday at DoubleTree Tucson Hotel at Reid Park. As a bonus, before or after the performance, guests can buy one entrée and receive a (equal or lesser priced) second entrée for FREE in either Double Tree restaurant. Tickets are $25 general, $20 seniors (55+) and juniors (ages 8 to 16) available at www.carnivalOFillusion.com or (520) 615-5299.

About: Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed are the 2009 national recipients for “Excellence in Magic” awarded by the oldest magic convention in the country. Earlier recipients have been Las Vegas headliners Harry Blackstone Jr. and Lance Burton. They have performed for the 200 Most Powerful Women in America and numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. These entertainers tour nationally sharing their love and respect for the ancient Art of Magic. Fox News called these Las Vegas headliners, “Outstanding” and the LA Weekly wrote “Amazing.”

Contact:
Brooke Rosania
(520) 615-5299
brooke@danceofillusion.com
Press Materials: www.carnivalOFillusion.com/press/

Daylight Savings Time: Helping Your Child Adjust

Sunday, March 14 is Daylight Savings Time. This can cause some major problems for both parents and children alike. If your child already awakes at 6am, the thought of him or her waking at 5am can seem daunting and downright scary to most parents, and especially working moms- who need all the sleep they can get.

It can take more time for a toddler or baby to adjust to a new routine than an older child, but there are ways to minimize the disruption.

Here are some ideas to help your child adjust to springing ahead:

Plan early: Because daylight savings time falls on a Sunday, spring ahead your clocks Friday so you can have the weekend to get your child into the new routine. This will also make your workweek easier to adjust to if your body is used to the time change as well. If you have appointments during the weekend, just change the child’s clock ahead early.

Put them to bed early: Put your child to bed 30 minutes early on Friday and then a full hour early on Saturday to prepare for the time change on Sunday. Move your bedtime routine up slowly so the change is gradual instead of suddenly.

Keep it dark: Consider investing in room darkening blinds or a white noise machine to help your child fall asleep as the days become longer. Limiting light in the room will help them relax and fall asleep.

Stay Firm: If your child wakes early, put them back to bed as you normally would and encourage them to read a book or play quietly in their room until it is time to start the day. If your child is old enough, put a clock next to their bed and explain when it is time to wake up and start the day. For example, when this hand is on this number, or when you see the number 7 and two 0’s, you can come out of your room.

It can take a couple of days for adults to adjust to time change, so expect about a week for a child to adjust. But if you have an already established bedtime ritual, continue as normal and your child will soon settle into the new routine.