Frances England’s newest release, Family Tree, is a welcome addition to the saturated genre of children’s tunes.

The folksy sound is reminiscent of a small town Lilith Fair, with a definite Sarah McLachlan influence and a few little voices interspersed throughout.

Our playgroup kidlets loved the simple lyrics that they could jam to even the first time it played through. I know my son would hop on the Fast Train to Grandma’s if he could, and we’ll certainly be doing our part to help our animal friends.

Since that wonderful morning that he spent dancing with his friends, my son has asked for “da new guitar cd” over and over again. Thankfully, Family Tree is enjoyable enough that I’m happy to oblige.

Win it! We’ve got a copy of Family Tree up for grabs, autographed and written to your child! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on Saturday, July 5/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

We’re taking the day off tomorrow to enjoy Canada Day with our families. In honour of Canada’s birthday we’re featuring a fantastic Canadian business from which you can acquire the wares of many others. Enjoy, and HAPPY CANADA DAY!

You know when you read repeatedly of a shop but don’t take the time to click through and explore? Well, I did that and feel like a moron for not knowing about Apples n’ Oranges sooner.

Owned by Ottawa moms Lara and Vicky, Apples n’ Oranges carries only Canadian brands. I am ashamed to say that I had no idea we Canucks had such amazing style. The selection is fabulous. With 33 brands to choose from, and growing, there’s no need to pay customs fees anymore. My wallet thanks you, ladies!

Apples n’ Oranges is the exclusive online retailer for my newest love, Vancouver based Peekaboo Beans - a functional and fashionable line of playwear that’s perilously close to being too nice to be playwear.

Each piece meets a “no fuss dressing” mission and is easy for children to get on and off when potty training or learning to dress themselves. Every piece mixes, matches and layers with the others and they’re more versatile than any line I’ve seen before - pants become capris, tunics become tanks and skirts become dresses to lengthen their lifespan. They’re also reversible for the inevitable spills while on the go. Made with high quality materials and super comfortable fabrics, there’s extra strength and durability built into the construction and the pieces are pre-washed. The pants feature a wide, flat waistband for comfort and all pieces use flat, seamless stitching for itch free wearing. The shirts are A-shaped and are a longer length than standard to accommodate those adorable kid-bellies. Added safety features are included, such as reflective piping, chin guards, and ironed in personal identification labels.

Peekaboo Beans is everything you want in a kids clothing line - perfect for playdate, playground and playtime…but you’ll want to make time for an impromptu photo shoot before you leave the house. This stuff is just that nice.

Save 20% on your first purchase with the code firsttop.

Win it! Apples n’ Oranges is giving away a Peekaboo Beans top AND bottom of the winner’s choice. To enter, leave a comment on this post with your choice of outfit should you be the lucky winner. (Be specific. As always, you can’t win if you’re too lazy to click through to this awesome shop. It’s bad karma.) Contest closes at noon MST on July 5/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I am such a blanket snob since having children. I will admit that I’ve given many brand new blankets gifted to us to the local charity simply because there are better ones out there and why should my child snuggle with anything but the best? (I know, I’m horrible.)

My daughter sleeps under one of the great quilted fleece blankets from Designs by Mimi and Lola that was personalized for her and it surpasses even my blanket snob standards.

Made by a mother and daughter team, the non-pilling double layer premium polar fleece is the plushest of plush and the crafts(wo)manship is second to none. You know when you pick up an item and you can’t help but moan a little? A Mimi and Lola blanket just might make you moan twice.

They’re available in three sizes - baby (27″ x 36″), toddler (38″ x 49″) and kids (51″ x 59″) and they range from a very reasonable $43-$98. They’re machine wash & dry and my daughter’s blanket has yet to show even the slightest sign of wear. To order, see their order page. Matching pillows are also available for just $20-$25.

Save 10% on your order simply by mentioning that you’re a reader of The Opinionated Parent!

Win it! We’ve got a baby size blanket up for grabs, personalized with your child’s name and valued at $48. To enter, leave a comment on this post with your choice of either the awesome pre-designed blankets in their collection or the three colours you’d choose from the palette at the bottom of the collection page. Contest closes at noon MST on July 4/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

You’ve likely read in the news, a parenting mag or any number of other places over the last decade that family dinners are on the decrease and, conversely, that regular family dinners contribute to academic success, decrease the risk of our children becoming crack heads and keep families connected in ways that are very necessary. As crazy as they are, I love family dinners.

If you’ve ever sat at a table in silence and wondered how to get the conversation started, you’re not alone. You won’t have to hear “Nothing…Nowhere…Nobody…” from your child anymore with the addition of the new card game, Family Talk, to your dinner table. The concept behind Around the Table Games is simple brilliance. These games should not be necessary, but with the state of family dinners in our society today they really, really are. Available in three versions, Family Talk, Family Talk 2 and Grandparent Talk are inexpensive, portable cards games on carribiners (or available in cool jars) that encourage conversations between parents, children and relatives of all ages.

Around the Table Games aren’t just for dinner at your dining room table. “Our games are like taking the dinner time conversation with you, wherever you go,” explains Around the Table Games founder Beth Daniels, herself a working mom. “Because our games are made to be portable, the proverbial table discussions can now be held at the airport, during carpool, waiting in a long line or wherever people gather in the same place at the same time.” You can clip them to a backpack or purse and use them anywhere you might have a few minutes to chat.

Grandparent Talk would make a fantastic gift for your childrens’ grandparents, and it’s just as much a gift for your own childrens. Allowing them and encouraging them to really know their grandparents is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Connecting young people to their family and to their heritage is just one of the things that’s missing from many families today and I, for one, am going to do my damnedest to make sure that my family talks - really talks - and Around the Table Games will sure help!

Save 20% when you buy direct with the code TOPFMT

Win it! One TOP reader will win your choice of the three Around The Table Games! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 2/08 with your choice of the three versions of the game and either a suggested question for a future game or a tip for the rest of us to keep our families connected.

Get up to three additional entries into this contest! (Today you get the expanded version…just in case you need a refresher.)

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

AND/OR
2.

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 Subscribe in a reader

Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your subscription. Current subscriptions count too! Just let us know how you subscribe…Bloglines? Another reader? Email? They all work!

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3. Place our button in your sidebar or add us to your blogroll. Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid url so we can confirm the addition. If we’ve been there all along, that counts too!

Maximum four entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED - Congratulations Jennifer!

Although there are many great reasons to have children, I have to admit one reason for me was having the opportunity to decorate a creative childrens’ space! My inner artist looked forward to painting beautiful murals that my children would gaze upon in awe and wonder.

I have moved four times since my not quite four year old was born. No beautiful paintings on the walls, no murals - just the basics that could be easily moved as we traveled the world. Add another kid into the mix and my days of painting murals have long passed - at least for now.

We have seen some cute wall decorations but when I saw WallaBabies, I squealed with delight! The designs are so retro adorable and NOT a licensed character from a television show! Just looking at the designs makes me (oh, and my kids) so happy. My daughter adores the bugs and my one year old keeps pointing at the bees … b…b…b. The designs are totally a hit!

Putting the wall graphics up was a snap, and took no time at all. In fact I did it myself. No need for my husband this time! The website has a great How To, that walks you through each step with no room for error. We have the Secret Garden Pack which consists of five 13″ x 14″ decal sheets. The perfect amount to decorate one wall beautifully or spread a little more sparsely throughout a whole room.

Now as my kids fall to sleep they are surrounded by clouds, flowers, insects and mushrooms and I can feel guilt-free for not painting them a mural! -Chelle

Win it! We’re giving away the same Secret Garden set that Chelle used and loved. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on June 19/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We’re deep in the midst of a summer cold that’s ravaging it’s way through our house. It came seemingly out of nowhere and quickly spread to every member of our family. I thought we were out of the snotty woods with the end of winter, but I was wrong. I’m thanking my lucky stars I discovered Boogie Wipes before this latest infestation and had some at the ready.

With the snot that abounds, it doesn’t take long before little noses become red and raw and little people become crabby and run from the tissues. Thanks to Boogie Wipes, I’ve now got a two year old that simply shouts “Need a Boogie Wipe - got boogers!”

Perhaps the saddest part of this family cold is our almost-newborn who doesn’t understand why I’m constantly smothering her - or so it seems - in order to rid her precious face of the elevens (a teacher term for the double snots) or why she can’t breathe and breastfeed at the same time. While it doesn’t make it any less sad, I do feel a little less mean because with Boogie Wipes at least I know it doesn’t hurt (they’re alcohol free) and the leftover crusties are super easy to get off. Even in the morning after ten hours of boogeying in bed!

Boogie Wipes contain saline and moisturize while they clean with added chamomile, vitamin E and aloe.

Save 20% on your online order with the code “Boogie Time”

Win it! We’ve got a Boogie Mom’s gift basket to give away! You’ll get several full packs of Boogie Wipes, a ton of individual packets for your pockets and purses and a Boogie Mom tee. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on June 19/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Why are children so fascinated with marbles? There’s just something about them that never gets old. Mine all love to watch them roll!

My children currently have a wooden set of blocks that they often set up for a marble run, but they’re going in the donation bin after finding the Q-BA-MAZE Marble Run! This really sets the imagination into orbit!

Founded by architect Andrew Comfort, Q-BA-MAZE is a toy but so much more - it’s right-brained and left-brained, part art and part science. There are literally thousands of options for making marble runs. Children can build any shape their mind can fathom with these cool interlocking, durable polycarbonate pieces, or they can go online and choose a plan to build. Come up with a cool design of your own? You can submit it online to the guys at Q-BA-MAZE to see if it makes the cut to be added to their site. (Here’s the plan for the pictured design made with Q50 in red.)

Q-BA-MAZE sets come in 20 or 50 packs, and you can choose from Cool Colors (blue, green and clear) or Hot Colors (red, orange and clear). They also have a new Fish Five Set and a Dino One Set that comes with enough cubes and instructions to complete the chosen kit. Check out these cool videos of the Q-BA-MAZE in action.

Q-BA-MAZE is available online or in seleceted retail locations. Have fun designing and watching those marbles meander throughout your creation!
- Gina

Win it! We’re giving away a red 50 pack Q-BA-MAZE valued at $50 to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on June 16/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

My friends are wonderful and I don’t get to visit them nearly as often as I’d like. When I do, I love to leave a hostess gift in the room I slept in. For the person who has everything, I love the adorable handmade felt conversation birds from Gifts Define.

In addition to the any occasion birds, they are also available adorned with ribbon and a gift card announcing a pregnancy, welcoming a baby, saying thank you, I love you or any number of other sentiments. If (and I do mean if I have a third child, I’m thinking I’ll leave a conversation bird hanging on a doorknob in various people’s homes to make the announcement.

Then they’ll be able to say truthfully “A little birdie told me!”

Another amazing product from Gifts Define are their handmade felt tooth guardian angels. As a teacher of 6 year old children, I have seen first hand the excitement that accompanies losing a tooth. I make it as special as I can for the children in my classroom but nothing is as awesome as the memories created around those normal childhood experiences at home.

When your child loses a tooth, they can put it in the pocket of the tooth guardian angel and hang it on their door. It’s much easier to get to once they’re asleep than if it were under their pillow, and seeing it on the door drastically reduces the chance of the Tooth Fairy forgetting to come. The tooth can be replaced with a coin or other special item to commemorate the lost tooth for the child to discover when they wake in the morning. I’m saving mine and can hardly wait until we get to use it. I’m assuming my son’s molars will actually come in and he’ll sleep through the night once or twice before he loses a tooth?

Both products are incredibly well made with fabulous detailing and are gifted in a simple yet elegant organza bag. Keep in mind, these are not toys and many contain small pieces not suitable for young children. (Who, generally, are not losing teeth.)

Save 10% at Gifts Define with the code em>GDOPINI10 only until until June 13/08.

Remember those things that everyone in grade five could fold except you? (Oh wait, was that just me?) You know the ones…I think we called them fortune tellers. I believe I was supposed to marry Shawn Smith and live in a green house with 13 children or something. Whew. I dodged that bullet! As an elementary school child I played fortune teller so often that I can still recall the feeling of muscle strain in my thumbs from opening and closing them for hours on end.

It might be an old fashioned game in that it doesn’t blink or re-charge, but Chicago based Green Rock Entertainment has created Cahootie - fortune tellers with a modern twist.

Each game features 40 re-positionable fortune stickers allowing for kids to create a new game any time and rip-resistant laminated paper. Check out the fabulous interactive website, www.cahootie.com, to see the six great designs and some awesome downloads, or join Club Cahootie! Perhaps best of all, Cahootie retails for just $5.95 so kids can use their own money to buy them. We’ve got some large stockings to fill at Christmas and I’m thinking these are just the thing! They’d also be a great addition to a birthday gift, a cool Giftventure gift or just because!

Win it! We’re giving away ALL of the six Cahootie games! Six readers will each win one Cahootie. To enter, leave a comment on this post stating which of the six you’d like to be entered for. Contest closes at noon MST on June 6/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED

We love the Little Capers company (see our review here) so we were super excited to hear that they’ve released a line of Big Capes.

They’re available in five peaceful hero designs and are made of the same shiny way-cool fabric as the capes on their fabulous tees. Which, incidentally, my son adores. The big capes are sized for kids aged four and up and retail for $23.

Get 10% off at Little Capers with the code MAY10 until the end of May. You have just two days to take advantage of this special!

Win it! Enter to win a Little Capers Big Cape of your choice by leaving a comment on this post stating which of the five designs you’d like. Contest closes at noon MST on June 4/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

See that picture right over there?

That’s my two year old son’s debut at The Opinionated Parent.

As he’d say…”Ta dah!”

I’ve never posted any of my kids here before, but he just looked so cute in his stars birthday tee from Tote and Tee that I couldn’t resist!

The nifty tees at mom-owned Tote and Tee are so incredibly awesome I’m almost speechless. That could also be the cuteness of my kid rendering me so, but nevertheless…

Designer Amy Trusler hand makes each tee in her own home. They’re available in a huge variety of colours and styles and the amazing array of fabrics can be applied in any letter or number to suit the little people in your life. Too bad it’s not cool to advertise “32!” because I’d totally do it if I could get away with it. (I’d look good in this style!)

They also carry the cutest (and softest - -wow soft!) knee socks and tights I’ve ever seen. The socks have a slight roll down at the top so there’s no digging in but they’re just tight enough to stay up.

And these personalized lunchboxes? (The “tote” part of Tote and Tee.) To die for. Figuratively, of course. (I think this one would look great with my imaginary “32″ tee. Alright. I’ll stop now.)

Amy is currently holding her Biggest Sale Ever until the end of May with all socks and tees on sale!

Save a whopping 20% on your order (including sale items!) with the code oparent.
This code is also listed in the TOP Shops!

Win it! One lucky reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Tote and Tee. To enter, leave a comment telling us what you’d purchase with it! Contest closes at noon MST on May 16/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED - Congrats Krista Heidinger!

If you have children and you have ever left the house with them, chances are you’ve been stuck waiting somewhere with the challenge of keeping the little rugrats occupied. Whether it’s in a waiting room, a restaurant, the car or boring Aunt Millie’s house, Think-ets are a wonderful and inexpensive addition to your “bag of tricks.” Actually…they are the bag of tricks.

Think-Ets is a mesh bag (with only a piece of recyclable cardboard as excess packaging - woo hoo!) filled with trinkets designed to encourage imaginative play and critical thinking. The company suggests a variety of games for two or more people that can be played with nothing but this little bag of goodies, but there are really an endless variety of things you could do that aren’t suggested there. They’re designed for ages 8-108+, yet younger kids like them too. Keep in mind, though, that they’re a bag full of choking hazards that need to be kept away from kids 3 and under. And perhaps 95 and older if Grandma’s gotten to the stage of thinking everything’s candy.

Aside from the pure genius of the product and the eco-friendly packaging, there are still more things begging to be mentioned. The toys are assembled by individuals with disabilities being paid a fair wage, which I love. If I ever was industrious enough to start a business, I’d totally do that. For now, though, I’ll support other people who do. The pieces are all lead-tested and hand made by fairly paid artisans in Mexico, Germany and elsewhere.

Buy Think-ets from their online store for just $9.99. Or, buy five and get free shipping. They’d make great birthday gifts and stocking stuffers (no, it’s not too early!) and I recommend keeping one stashed in purses and vehicles for those rare frequent times when you just need something to keep the kids busy so they don’t drive you insane.

Win it! We’re giving away a Think-ets to one winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post before May 13/08 at noon MST. Tell us some of your ideas for keeping kids occupied when you’re out and about or in the car.

Additional entries are always available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED - Congrats Jill!

I’m always shocked when I clean our bathrooms thoroughly (not often enough, but that’s another story) and see the mung that lives in the bottom of the toothbrush holders. That’s some serious grossness. With everything I do to keep my family safe from harm, I’m letting them put that crap near their mouths?

I’m won’t be concerned for long because I’m switching them all out for Flipper toothbrush holders. These cute and sanitary individual toothbrush holders adhere to mirror or tile with suction cups and allow for completely hands free operation with no chance of cross-contamination from brush to brush. They’re super easy to use (see the product demo at the right side of the home page) and when they get dirty I just toss mine in the toddler basket in the dishwasher and it’s good for another 10,000 miles.

They make a great razor holder too!

Save 20% on your Flipper toothbrush holders with the code “opinionated parent”

Win it! We’ve got a cute little golden retriever Flipper (pictured) to give away. To enter, leave a comment on this post listing your favourite Flipper design that’s NOT mentioned in this post. Contest closes May 9/08.

Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED

I’m a labeling freak. There are labels everywhere in my house - even the bin that holds the labels is labeled!

Lovable Labels is a Canadian mom-run company that carries a large selection of customized labels as well as some cool stuff to help a mom around the house. Goodness knows I need all the help I can get.

My kids especially love their unique fun stickies that are shaped like butterflies and dinosaurs and are available in lots more cool shapes (pictured at right). Believe it or not, they’re less likely to leave their things lying around the park when they have their own special label on them. And for those days when they do, I’ve got a better chance of getting them back eventually!

Have a child with allergies or medical issues? Check out these cool vital ID wristbands. The kids I know would be much more comfortable wearing those than a metal bracelet. And while you’re looking for things that make your kids ecstatically happy? Personalized notecards and way cool books would be fantastic gifts. Is it too early to shop for stocking stuffers? I think not.

Mention that you heard about Lovable Labels through the The Opinionated Parent during the checkout process and receive 15 FREE Red Regular Sticker Bonus Labels with your purchase. One per family. Expires May 30, 2008.

Started by crafty mom Hilary Seabolt in 2004 when her son asked what kind of food his new stuffed animals were supposed to eat, Lilly Bean Market creates what is by far the nicest and most solidly constructed felt play food I’ve seen to date. She works closely with a small group of Amish and a machine seamstress to ensure that her business remains solely based in the USA.

It’s so great to have an option for the ever popular kitchen play that doesn’t involve plastic, wood with potentially lead laden paint or spit soaked cardboard. It’s amazing - almost so nice that you’ll be tempted to not let your kids play with it because it looks so nice arranged among the toy dishes. But that would be silly. I had Granny’s Breakfast just this morning, and it’s delish. Or, as my son says, “Petend delisus!” (That’s “pretend delicious,” for you non-parental types.)

Lilly Bean Market play food is available individually or as meals. Having played with these myself…I mean, with the kids (ahem), I can tell you you’re going to want to go with at least a meal. Chances are, you’ll get your first order and end up going back for more. I know I will.

Keep an eye on the new items - there are sure to be more cool creations coming soon!

Win it! We’ve got a beautifully boxed brown bag lunch valued at $40 to give away! To enter, leave a comment on this post before April 21 @ noon MST with your favourite item(s) from Lilly Bean Market that are not mentioned in this post.

Get up to two additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

AND/OR

Subscribe to our RSS feed. Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your new subscription. You may only enter one contest with this entry - only new subscriptions qualify.

Maximum three entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED

Kidnexions has developed a children’s money management program called KidsSave. I love the idea of teaching kids to manage their money while they’re young and guiding them in a way that will encourage financial success when they’re older.

From the website:

KidsSave is a kids’ savings and money management software program designed for ages 6 and up. KidsSave helps you and your child keep track of money, encourages saving through Reward incentives, and helps your child set and track goals. With KidsSave, kids can make deposits and withdrawals, receive automated allowances and Rewards (interest and/or matching funds), count money, and view their statement history over time.

The KidsSave program handles all Account management automatically so once the Account(s) has been set up, the Banker (typically the parent) has little to do. Unique features allow the Banker to have access to all Accounts, define interest, allowance, and/or matching funds, enable savings locks and require confirmations of all transactions.

Check out what some opinionated parents had to say about the program.

I am always looking for great ways to help teach my kiddos about money management. It’s important to teach them how to set financial goals and track their progress. Kidnexions has a wonderful program called KidsSave, a money management software program for the 6 and up crowd.

The account was super easy to set up and my twins have had fun tracking their savings, which to be honest, hasn’t been much. They currently do not receive allowance here at home, but they do each receive $2 whenever they loose a tooth… Something that is happening quite frequently these days! Every little bit have they added to their account, watching their balance slowly increase. It will be a happy day when they reach their financial goals!

This program has some wonderful features. Your child sets up an account by depositing his current stash. He can then make additional deposits and withdrawals, as well as receive his allowance and rewards, count his money, and view his statements. Mom and Dad act as Banker and can set KidsSave to automatically deposit allowance and rewards, including interest, so it’s easy for us, too.

Just the other day, we went through the twins current savings bank. They took turns adding bills and coins in to their KidsSave account using the money counter to help sort and count their money. They had a blast and learned so much at the same time. What a great way to reinforce what they have learned in their math classes. I love it when it works out that way!

Another feature with which we had a lot of fun was in the “What if?” section where we have played around with the endless possibilities… What if they earned this much allowance? What if they made this much in interest? It’s been neat to see what would happen should things change and what their little minds can fathom!

The Kidnexions KidsSave program would be a great addition to any money management system you currently have set up. And if your kiddos don’t currently have a plan, this would be a great place to start!

By Christine

I’ve been trying out another software program for The Opinionated Parent. This one is called KidsSave from Kidnexions. It’s REALLY cool!

Designed for ages 6 and up, it helps you, and your child, keep track of THEIR money. You can also set up numerous accounts so the program is good for more than one child. There is no limit to the amount of accounts the banker (parent) can set up! It has an allowance feature that you can set to automatically show the amount that they receive each week/month.

While kids don’t actually deposit their real money, they do make deposits into the program and statements are given each month to keep track of what they’ve saved. Kids can also make withdrawals and set goals. Goals can be for saving enough to buy something, save a certain amount, or reach a certain account balance.

There is a neat money counter to help kids know exactly how much they are depositing. All they have to do is click on a picture of the bill or coin they have in hand and the money counter adds it for them. But don’t worry, there is an “undo” and “clear” feature in case they mess up!

There are 6 fun colors that kids can choose from to make their account more eye appealing. Positively Pink and Posh Purple being my girls’ favorites!

Also included is a “What If?” feature that allows your child to see what would happen to their account over a year if they were to get a raise in allowance, deposit “x” amount of money each month, withdraw money, or earn “x %” interest. I, personally, LOVE this feature. It really lets a child see what they are able to save.

We have thoroughly enjoyed using KidsSave. It is well worth the $29.95.

By Gina

The KidSave program by Kidnexions is a great tool for teaching youngsters how to manage their funds. My seven-year-old son really enjoyed using the program!! We found it very user friendly and fun to use.

By Andrea

You can download a free 35 day trial of this program from the Kidnexions home page to try before you buy.

Win it! Kidnexions is giving away a fully licensed copy of the KidsSave software to one lucky T.O.P. reader. The program is valued at $30. To enter, leave a comment on this post by April 18 @ noon MST.

Get up to two additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

AND/OR

Subscribe to our RSS feed. Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your new subscription.

Maximum three entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED - Congratulations Reiza!

It’s well known in my circle that I won’t allow Barbie or Bratz in my home. I won’t tell my kids what they can and can’t play with when presented with a selection of toys, but I’m sure not going to encourage them to play with small plastic prostitutes by having them in our home.

With the continued proliferation of the princess persona and the mainstream media’s portrayal of what little girls and little boys “should” become, I was excited to hear from Jacinta Bunnell who, along other independent artists, has designed and published two feminist coloring books like nothing I’ve ever seen. The images in “Girls Not Chicks” are anything but what you’d expect to find in a children’s colouring book. Appropriate for both boys and girls (because, isn’t anything?) “Girls Not Chicks” and “Girls Will Be Boys Will Be” are a great alternative to Barbie and Bratz and the princess saturated Disney. Each page is original enough to get a rise from some and make others laugh. Either way, they’ll get you thinking and challenging, and that’s what it’s all about. “For every girl who tosses out her Easy-Bake oven, there is a boy who wishes to find one.” Hell, yeah.

Girls Not Chicks and Girls Will Be Boys Will Be are both available from Jacinta’s etsy shop for under $10.

Win it! We’ve got a copy of Girls Will Be Boys Will Be to give away. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with REVOLUTION in the subject line before midnight MST on April 5, 2008.

Get up to two additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.

2. Email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with REVOLUTION in the subject line and the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate email from your other entry).

AND/OR

Subscribe to our RSS feed. Send an additional email to let us know that you did this for your extra entry.

Maximum three entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED