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Teaching Sam and Scout

Teaching, Motherhood, and Life In-Between

What I Want for My Son ($100 Visa Giveaway)

Critter 2
As you know, Sam turned FIVE last week, which has me feeling all the feels. Something about five just feels like the end of an era to me. Not only is he not a baby anymore, but he’s also not a toddler or (technically speaking) a preschooler anymore either. He’s a KID, and one day – far too soon – he’ll be a man… It’s almost too much for me to handle. 😉

Really though, when I think about what I want for him as he grows, three words always come to mind: I want him to be KIND, STRONG, and CURIOUS. I want him to, first and foremost, love people. All people. In a world where bad things happen every day and hate often makes the headlines, I want him to be known as a person who sees the good in others and strives to bring it out. I want him to be strong and secure in who he is. I want him to know he is loved and supported in whatever path he chooses for his life. I want him to not be afraid to try new things, to be different, to take chances, to go against the grain. I want him to be bold and adventurous, and unafraid to leave when the time comes. And, I want him to ask questions. I want him to wonder and wander, to dig and get dirty, to PLAY. I want him to stop to notice the little things and never be unimpressed by the intricacies and details in the world around him. I want him to be a learner, an explorer… Someone who looks and really sees. More than sports or academics, more than college acceptance letters or job offers or paycheck amounts, I want Sam to be known for his kindness, his strength, and his curiosity. He can be anything he wants, but I hope he’ll be those things first….

Critter 1
How do we get there? I’ll be honest… I don’t know. We’re taking it one step at a time; and, for now, we’re opting for an extra year before Kindergarten, for less structured sports and activities and more time for free play and imagination, and for a lot of prayer that God will fill in the gaps where Jeff and I mess up. We’re also trying to expose him to lots of things, to give him opportunities to practice and grow these qualities, and to show grace when his experiences and our expectations don’t meet up. We are learning as we go, practicing what we preach, and letting him teach us as much as we teach him. This summer, in particular, I’m trying to focus a lot on finding and making opportunities for Sam to explore and discover. Although I tend to love structure and a packed calendar, I’m finding that he does well with more freedom and time to just BE; and, frankly, it’s really good for me too. So we are collecting caterpillars, coloring sticks with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, and searching for gold (rocks). It’s fun, and we both are growing as a result!

Another big part of raising a strong and healthy kid is making sure he’s eating well and getting all the nutrients he needs to keep up with his growing body and give him LOTS of energy. Recently, Sam and I picked up a bottle of L’il Critters™ Gummy Vites™ to try out this summer, and so far, they’ve been a big hit. L’il Critters™ has been making vitamins and nutritional supplements fun for kids since 1998 and they pride themselves on their ability to see the l’il scientist, l’il explorer, or l’il architect in all children and give them the essential nutrients they need to go on to do big things. As the #1 kids gummy vitamin brand, it contain vitamins A, B-12, B6, C, D, and E, and have only 1.3 grams of sugar per serving (super important to me), no high fructose corn syrup or synthetic dyes. They’re also gluten-free and made with natural fruit flavors that don’t leave a gross or chalky aftertaste. I love that they they help supplement a healthy diet to keep my boy feeling his best, and – let’s be real – he loves that they “taste like fruit snacks.” It’s a win for both of us! I keep our L’il Critters™ Gummy Vites™ in the kitchen by the coffee maker and give Sam two with his breakfast. On the rare occasion that I forget them, Sam is always quick to remind me he needs “his critters.” His favorite is red. 😉 L’il Critters™ Gummy Vites™ can be found at all major retailers (WalMart, Target, CVS, etc.) Add them to your next shopping list and feel good about fueling your little critter with the best!

BlogHer is giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card to one lucky reader to spend on summer fun with your own L’il Critter. To win, all you have to do is leave a comment below telling me what three words describe your hopes for your kid’s (kids’) future. If you’re up for it, I’d also love to know what kind of things you’re doing now to begin developing those traits in them.

In the meantime, check out Gummyvites.com to learn more about the product and grab a coupon for $1 off.

Happy Exploring!

E

This is a sponsored post for which I’ve received free product and/or compensation, but the opinions are 100% my own. 

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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This sweepstakes runs from 7/22/2016 – 12/31/2016

Be sure to visit the L’il Critters™ brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Comments

  1. I want my kids to be Generous, Creative, and Loving. What am I doing now? Lots of prayer that God will give them hearts that loves that things that He loves and cares about the things that He does.

    Reply

  2. Inclusive. Generous. Healthy.
    I’m trying to model this in all I do. There’s always room for another friend, there’s always enough to share, make time for exercise and eat well. And I’m praying for a lot of help!!

    Reply

  5. I want my children to be loving, wise, and filled with integrity. I try to teach them to show love to one another and other people they encounter. I teach them that being wise does not just mean being smart, but rather praying about choices and decisions. We also talk about what it means to have integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

    Reply

  12. I want my son to be happy, healthy, and true to himself. I have lots of talks with my son, but most of all I try to teach him through my actions. I try to live my life this way everyday.

    Reply

  42. Competent, confident and empowered. Those are three words that represent what I hope for my granddaughter’s future!

    Reply

  44. My hope is for my children to make meaningful connections within their community, to work towards their dreams and to maintain their sense of wonder about the world.

    Reply

  63. Interest. Ambitious. Contentment 🙂 Passionate and ambitious to want to make life better, but content enough to feel happiness in the work 🙂

    Reply

  86. I want my kids to be thoughtful of others and helpful to those around them. I think it is important to be humble in spirit and to love God. I’m so thankful for each one of my kids.

    Reply

  88. I don’t have kids. What I hope for all children is to be surrounded with love and acceptance, to feel empowered, to be kind.

    Reply

  102. I don’t have kids but I think my three words are what most parents would want for their kids and are what I want for the human race and the planet at large: peace, health, and abundance.

    Reply

  104. Happiness, Health and Connection is what I wish for them. Happiness and health are obvious but connection means to God, family, friends and the world around them.

    Reply

  111. Dreams, love and happiness is my hope for my kids future! I try to encourage them in everything and to follow their dreams no matter how big or small!

    Reply

  113. That is tough! As a parent we have so many wishes but I think I would sum it down to generous, healthy, and successful.

    Reply

  119. Go For It! I volunteer at the botanic gardens and love to teach kids about plants and our world.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply

  121. Loving, confident, creative! Right now I pray daily for my daughter and try to encourage her to explore new things and learn from everything she does!

    Reply

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