Giveaway: The Dot Girl First Period Kit

Okay, my gentlemen readers my want to skip this one, but for the mamas of tween girls out there, you may be interested in this. It's the Dot Girl First Period Kit. This is normally the kind of thing I don't really talk about much on my blog because some things are private and should stay so. But I really like this idea of having a preparatory kit to give a girl before she has her first period. I think it's a good idea and thought some of you might also think so.

The concept was developed by two sisters, Kathy Pickus and Terri Goodwin. Their goal is that every girl has a positive first period experience. As such, they put together this kit of information and supplies that makes it easy for a girl to figure some things out on the front end.

<soapbox> Please note: Handing your daughter this kit, while a great idea, does not excuse you from being her primary source of information. I still believe it is our job as their moms to be proactive in starting these conversations with them. Don't wait until they ask you - they might never ask you. You have to initiate with them. </soapbox>

It includes a well done answer book for common questions girls have before this experience happens to them. It also includes five feminine pads, five disposal bags, and a reusable gel heating pad. It's all packaged in a nice pink case that would be unobtrusive in a backpack or other larger bag.

The kit sells for $19.99. I'm also giving one away right now. Here's how to enter:

• Simply leave any comment on this post. Are you comfortable talking about this with your daughter? That's an automatic entry. 

•  For a second entry, check out Dot Girl and learn something about them you didn't know already. Come back and let me know what you found out.

• For a third entry, follow @DotGirlMoms on Twitter and tweet this: #Win a special kit for your tween daughter via @DotGirlMoms and @MeganDunham right here: http://bit.ly/haO8Bn - Come back and leave an extra comment letting me know you did that.

• For a forth entry, mention this contest on your facebook wall and include the link to this giveaway: http://bit.ly/haO8Bn . Come back and leave another comment for that one too.

• For a fifth entry, "like" Dot Girl on Facebook and mention you entered this contest on their wall, including this link to the giveaway: http://bit.ly/haO8Bn  Come back and let me know you did that.

• For a sixth entry, subscribe to the blog, Half-Pint House Handouts or follow it via Google Friend Connect in the right sidebar of that blog.  Note: This is a different blog than the one you are on right now. I'm in the process of switching my reviews and giveaways over there. Sorry for the temporary confusion! Come back and let me know that you did it!   

• Go back to my landing page for this week's giveaways and reviews. Choose one of my "review only" posts to leave a comment on and then come back saying you did that. Presto! A 7th entry!

Congrats to:

 Congrats! I'm contacting you now!

Open to US residents only. The winner will be selected by Random.org. This contest will close on Friday, February 11. The winner will be notified that weekend and will need to respond within 48 hours or risk forfeiting the prize to the next in line.  IMPORTANT: You must make sure your Blogger Profile has your email address available for me to contact you. If it is set to private or otherwise not visible, you will need to add it in with your comment. If I can't contact you, I will choose another winner. It's happened before.

Be sure to check out the rest of this week's reviews and giveaways right here!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Giveaway: Shanti Generation Yoga DVD for Youth

Have you given much thought to the cultural phenomenon that is Yoga? What's your thought on Yoga for kids/teens?

I'm still trying to figure out what I think. On one hand, I have no problem at all with teaching the exercises and skills for coping and calming. I think many kids could benefit from learning these techniques. I'm still conflicted, though, because I believe that coping skills aren't enough. I believe kids (and adults) need to experience the grace of God in their lives in order to truly cope with everything this world and this life is going to throw at them. And I know it's going to throw a lot at them.

I just asked my friend who is a certified pilates instructor and a Christian to give me her thoughts on Yoga in general. Here's what she said, "Having the time to be physically aware of what your body is doing and getting in touch with that is a good thing. However, the true focus of yoga is to gain a peace that comes getting in touch with your "spirit" and you have to be aware of that thinking when you are participating because we believe true peace doesn't come from OUR spirit, but the Holy Spirit."

As with everything else, don't check your discernment at the door. Participate with your children and communicate what you need/want to communicate to them.

Still. Learning some physical techniques for coping isn't a bad thing. Watch this and tell me what you think:

Shanti Generation describes themselves in this way:

[We are] a movement to empower youth with peacemaking skills to build a world that respects and celebrates difference on the way to discovering unity. We produce educational media experiences that bring ancient and modern practices to youth in relevant, innovative formats. Every step of our process is informed by youth input. Our company is founded on the belief that each individual holds a valuable piece of the human puzzle. In recognition that youth voices are far too seldom heard, we exist to provide a greater platform for youth to express their wisdom and guide the future of the world.

Thoughts one way or the other? Either way, you can decide for yourself. Shanti Generation is giving away one copy of the Shanti Generation for Youth Peacemakers DVD. Here's how to enter:

• Simply leave any comment on this post. Tell me your thoughts on Yoga.  That's an automatic entry.
•  
• For a second entry, Check out the Shanti Generation website and find out one of the other things they offer. Come back and let me know what you found.
•  
• For a third entry, follow@shantignr8tion on Twitter and tweet this: Interested in learning more about teaching yoga to kids? Win a Yoga for Kids DVD from @shantignr8tion right here: http://bit.ly/eqqit8 - Come back and leave an extra comment letting me know you did that.
•  
• For a fourth entry, mention this contest on your facebook wall and include the link to this giveaway: http://bit.ly/eqqit8. Come back and leave another comment for that one too.
•  
• For a fifth entry, "like" Shanti Generation on Facebook and mention you entered this contest on their wall, including this link to the giveaway: http://bit.ly/eqqit8 Come back and let me know you did that.
•  
• For a sixth entry, subscribe to this blog, St. Louis, Seminary Style. Come back and let me know that you did it!

The winner will be selected by Random.org. This contest will close on Friday, January 14. The winner will be notified over the weekend and will need to respond within 24 hours or risk forfeiting the prize to the next in line. This giveaway is limited to a US address only. IMPORTANT: You must have your email address available for me to contact you. If I can't contact you, I will choose another winner. It's happened before.

Congrats to:

Congrats, Stacey! I'm emailing you now!


You can see the rest of this week's reviews and giveaways here. 

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD  for the purpose of review. My kids enjoy learning some of the poses. At the end of the day, I still haven't decided what I think about it and that's about as much truth as I can give you. See my proper disclosure statement here.

Hello, Kitty!

The year was 1984. The town was Tulsa, Oklahoma. The mall was Woodland Hills. The fascination was Hello Kitty.

Hello, my name is Megan and I'm a Hello Kitty-aholic.

There was this tiny little shop called Sanrio next to some obscure shoe shoe I couldn't have cared less about in the 4th grade. Inside the Sanrio shop was a little girl's dream come true. Hello Kitty everything. And in 1984, everything was pretty limited to stationary items, but it still seemed pretty fabulous to me. I would bring in all the spare change I could find and scrape enough together to buy little stickers, pencils, notepads, and printed tape. I loved the printed tape. I hoarded it too, so that I still had a bit of my red Hello Kitty tape in my note card box when I went to college. True story.

Moving on, now. Today they really do make Hello Kitty everything. You can find Hello Kitty at Build-a-Bear Workshop. You can find Hello Kitty on clothing. You can find her on laptop sleeves and iPhone wraps. You can also find her in lamp form. This is the latest version of the coolest cat in town to come to our house:

This awesome Hello Kitty Table Lamp is available from Amazon for $30.98. She's going to make a pretty sweet birthday present for one particular tween in our family.

Yep. I'm passing on the love of Hello Kitty one cute item at a time.

Disclosure: I received this lamp for free for the purpose of review. I had to pull it out in secret to snap a photo so the girls wouldn't see it. I now need to go wrap it up. I like it very much. I think you will too. You can see my proper disclosure statement here.