We are lovers of words and community. That’s why we created Family Sponge– an inspiration playground for parents. We have created a platform to share the many voices that make you feel comforted in your parenting style and choices.

You are not alone in your thoughts. There are days when we have no thoughts (we call that mommy brain), and it helps to be inspired by what others have done and said.

So now we pass the opportunity to you… share your voice on Family Sponge! We love stories, photos and videos. You can send all submissions to hello(at)familysponge.com. Simply email your post (text), short bio and photos to accompany post.

If we feature your story, you will receive photo credit and a hyperlink to your site. Plus your story gets to live in cyberspace foooorrr-eeee-verrrrr (Sandlot).

ADVENTURE+TRAVEL

Share an exciting place you and your family have visited whether it be a local gem or an awesome travel destination. Share your tips on travel, budget, places to stay, so we can go there one day too! And if you have had a recent mom’s night out or date night, we’d love to share those ideas with our readers.

ART+DIY

Time to get your shine on as a crafty mama (or a handy dad). Share your how to with photos and instructions. Keep it simple with a step by step guide. I am the one who has a hard time reading instructions, so just pretend you are talking to me. Show us your stunning before and after photos.

COMMUNITY

Personal stories of volunteering, a charity you believe in, raising awareness for a cause. Let’s play our part in making our world a better place for our children to play and love.

FOOD+RECIPES

Share your favorite recipes. We love step by step photos and videos. And if you have a favorite restaurant in your town that is family-friendly, go ahead and rave about them.

HEALTH+SELF

Here you can share your personal reflections on your journey with healthy living emotionally and physically. Sometimes it’s nice to let it all out. Maybe you overcame some adversity in your life. Or you want to share your journey as a parent, or you just adopted a super healthy habit that has changed your world view. We want to hear it. Inspire others with your story and keep it positive.

HOME+DESIGN

Invite us to your home with a photo home tour. Share your kids playroom or bedroom. We love being inspired by real parents on real budgets designing their homes to fit their family needs and lifestyle.

NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS

“Won’t you be my neighbor?” Here’s your chance to convince all of your friends that your town is the place to live (or at least visit). Share your sidewalks, favorite parks, restaurants and things to do in your neighborhood. Make this photo tour an activity for you and your family to do one Sunday afternoon.

PARTIES+HOLIDAYS

Share your child’s birthday party: inspire us with the theme, cake, invitations, favors, location, etc. We also love holiday themed parties and all the cool stuff that gets us excited for holidays all year long.

THE ALTERNATIVE

This is taking the road less traveled. Share your education/parenting/lifestyle approach or philosophies that are not so mainstream. Shed some light and resources that may be the answer someone was looking for. “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ~ Mother Teresa

VIDEOS

Share a parenting or child blooper. Inspire us with things your children say that keep you amazed. Share a local gem or vacation that others just have to see. Show us a how to with your pretty face!

We want to make a difference in the world. And we want our children to make a difference too. That is why Family Sponge is giving away an eco-friendly Freeset Global bag to one lucky reader. We want you to be a part of a movement that is giving women across the globe a chance to experience freedom and a better life.

Freeset, located in Kolkata, India, is in the business of freedom and fair trade. People over profits. They are empowering women with business skills to escape the life as a sex worker by sewing and selling eco-friendly jute bags.

Here is just one story that struck a chord for me:

Bashanti (name changed), a daughter of poverty-stricken parents, was sold into the sex trade by her mother, sacrificed so the rest of the family could eat.

As a mom, this just tugs at my heart strings knowing that women are selling their bodies to feed their hungry families.

By supporting Freeset, you are helping employ women based on their need for freedom, not the skills they have. These women receive training, above market wages, health insurance and a pension plan providing security for their families. So know these bags are made with love and freedom.

As a mom I have become more conscious in the choices I make in my life. I want to model a life for my daughter that will inspire her to love herself and those around her. These days when money is extra tight it’s nice to know that I can buy products for my family and myself that make a difference in the world.

I must confess I am a “bag lady” and this is my number one bag to use for toting everyday essentials, groceries, laptop and books. In the picture above I was getting ready to walk up the stairs with all of my daughter’s lovies (stuffed animals) stuffed inside. As you can see not one furry limb was showing because this bag can hold a lot.

To learn more about Freeset and how to get involved, visit www.freesetglobal.com. If you want to buy an individual bag, check out their resellers here. Contribute to the freedom of women and enter our giveaway!

Here’s how to enter the Family Sponge Freeset Global Bag giveaway:

The Family Sponge Freeset Global Bag Giveaway begins right now. Winner will receive one eco-friendly Freeset Farmhouse bag with Sari Trim.

STEP 1: COMMENT below this post and SHARE what freedom means to you and your family.

STEP 2: LIKE Family Sponge on Facebook

STEP 3: SUBSCRIBE to Family Sponge

For additional chances to win: you can like Freeset on Facebook (let them know familysponge sent you),  comment on an additional article, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our weekly newsletter and share our giveaway or any article on your Facebook wall. Post each optional entry as a separate comment to increase your chances to win.

• This giveaway ends January 20, 2012 at 11:59PM PST. Good luck!
• You must be 18 or over and live in the US or Canada to enter.
• One commenter will be selected as the winner through Random.org
• All entries count as one entry and must be in a separate comment.
• Winners will be announced on January 23, 2012 by email.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize.

We’re giving away one eco-friendly Freeset Global Bag to one lucky family!

Ready to win? GO!

We choose to align ourselves with products we have used and love: kid-tested, mom-approved. We are not being paid to promote this product. We received one complimentary bag to giveaway. We do it because we care.

Enter to win…

Comment by sharing what freedom means to you and your family, subscribe, like Family Sponge on Facebook, and like Freeset on Facebook (additional entry options available too).

One lucky reader will have a chance to own a hardcopy picture book of Piñata! Everyone has childhood memories of birthday parties and piñatas. Now imagine having the opportunity to take a peak into the world where piñatas are made…

In this vividly illustrated picture book, the authors Ken Locsmandi and Sebastian A. Jones allow the reader to do just that. You get to meet a piñata pig named Pancho and his piñata friends as they discover their birthday party fates. The story weaves in and out of poetic words and rhymes, “A dash of hope and a sprinkle of light…,” while taking you along this whimsical adventure.

My personal favorite was at the end of the book. The book provides an entertaining step-by-step guide on how to make a Pancho the Pig Piñata at home. I think this is an excellent resource for children to do a hands-on project that provides a learning literacy activity inspired by an actual character in the book.

The story layout is jam packed with images and words which makes you explore the pages much like a comic book. The reading level is designed for the elementary age group, but the artwork, by Tomo, can be enjoyed by all ages. My 4 year old daughter could not stop turning the pages. But she made sure to take her time on each page.  The colors in the illustrations are truly eye candy and would add the perfect touch to any child’s library collection.

10% from every copy of Piñata sold will go to Kids Need To Read, a national non-profit organization that promotes childhood literacy by providing inspiring books and literacy programs to underfunded schools, libraries, and special education classes. To learn more about Piñata, visit Stranger Kids.

Here’s how to enter the Family Sponge Piñata Book giveaway:

The Family Sponge Piñata Book Giveaway begins right now. Winner will receive one Piñata children’s picture book.

STEP 1: COMMENT below this post and SHARE your favorite part of reading to your child.

STEP 2: LIKE Family Sponge on Facebook

STEP 3: LIKE Stranger Kids on Facebook

STEP 4: SUBSCRIBE to Family Sponge

For additional chances to win: you can comment on an additional article, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our weekly newsletter and share our giveaway or any article on your Facebook wall. Post each optional entry as a separate comment to increase your chances to win.

• This giveaway ends December 30, 2011 at 11:59PM PST. Good luck!
• You must be 18 or over and live in the US or Canada to enter.
• One commenter will be selected as the winner through Random.org
• All entries count as one entry and must be in a separate comment.
• Winners will be announced on January 02, 2012 by email.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize.

We’re giving away one Piñata children’s book to one lucky family!

Ready to win? GO!

We choose to align ourselves with products we have used and love: kid-tested, mom-approved. We are not being paid to promote this product. We received one complimentary book for review and one to giveaway. We do it because we care.

Enter to win…

Comment by sharing your favorite part of reading with your child, subscribe, like Family Sponge on Facebook, and like Stranger Kids on Facebook (additional entry options available too).

Are you on the hunt for a fun and effective way to introduce some reading strategies to your child? The benefits of learning sight words gives your child an extra confidence boost and allows your child to tackle more challenging words when they hit kindergarten.

* Image above from Point of Light

The Preschool Prep Series could be the kindergarten preparedness jump start your child needs while they explore letter sounds and the letter’s relationship to making words. Sight words are one of those literacy tasks that you just have to memorize. The Preschool Prep Sight Words Series makes it a whole lot easier to memorize with their bright colorful videos.

I had to buy the Preschool Prep Sight Words Series once my friend told me her four year old son started reading the Sight Words Reader Books. He now reads to his mom and dad during their bedtime story routine every night. I look forward to the day my daughter can read a story to me!

My friend’s son was so engaged with the Sight Word videos too. So although you don’t want your children watching tv all day, this DVD series is a guiltless viewing option for your child.

I know the Preschool Prep Series DVDs work when my daughter points and says the words she sees on signs that she is also learning in the videos. Kids are like sponges. They learn so quickly if you give them the right tools!

With any program you have to be consistent if you want it to work. Your child always learns best with you leading by example and helping them along the journey. So don’t hesitate to sit with your child while they watch a video or explore a book. This let’s your child know you think reading is important. And it is.

If you would like a chance to share this fun program with your child, then enter our giveaway today!

Here’s how to enter the Family Sponge Sight Words giveaway:

The Family Sponge Preschool Prep Sight Words DVD Series Giveaway begins right now. Winner will receive the Preschool Prep Series DVDs (3 DVDs total).

STEP 1: COMMENT below this post and SHARE a favorite children’s book in your child’s personal library.

STEP 2: LIKE Family Sponge on Facebook

STEP 3: SUBSCRIBE to Family Sponge

For additional chances to win: you can comment on an additional article, share a Family Sponge article (including this giveaway) on your Facebook wall, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our weekly newsletter. Post each optional entry as a separate comment to increase your chances to win.

• This giveaway ends December 16, 2011 at 11:59PM PST. Good luck!
• You must be 18 or over and live in the US or Canada to enter.
• One commenter will be selected as the winner through Random.org
• All entries count as one entry and must be in a separate comment.
• Winners will be announced on December 19, 2011 by email.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize.

We’re giving away one Preschool Prep Series DVDs (3 DVDs total).

Ready to win? GO!

If you are looking to start a new Christmas tradition, then the Elf on the Shelf will definitely add some Christmas magic to your child’s holiday season. My daughter received her very own elf when she was three years old and it has become such a special part of her holiday experience. We want you to have a chance to enjoy this Christmas tradition as well, so we are giving away The Elf on the Shelf to one lucky reader!   If you are ready for an exciting family activity that includes a daily hide-and-seek for your child, then enter for a chance to win your own tradition in a box!

Want to learn more about The Elf on the Shelf?  Click here to read the article that explains this little elf and also shares my personal experience in detail.

Here’s how to enter the Family Sponge Elf on the Shelf giveaway:

The Family Sponge Elf on the Shelf Giveaway begins right now. Winner will receive one The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition package for your family (includes children’s book, elf doll and storage box).

STEP 1: COMMENT below this post and SHARE a Christmas tradition from your childhood, or a Christmas tradition you share with your children now.

STEP 2: LIKE Family Sponge on Facebook

STEP 3: SUBSCRIBE to Family Sponge

For additional chances to win: you can comment on an additional article, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our weekly newsletter and share our giveaway on your Facebook wall. Post each optional entry as a separate comment to increase your chances to win.

• This giveaway ends December 9, 2011 at 11:59PM PST. Good luck!
• You must be 18 or over and live in the US or Canada to enter.
• One commenter will be selected as the winner through Random.org
• All entries count as one entry and must be in a separate comment.
• Winners will be announced on December 12, 2011 by email.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize.

We’re giving away The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition package to one lucky family!

Ready to win? GO!

We choose to align ourselves with products we have used and love: kid-tested, mom-approved. We are not being paid to promote this product. We do it because we’ve used it and we want to share it.

There’s never a better time to help someone else than right now. That is why Family Sponge is giving away a children’s pair of TOMS shoes to one lucky reader. We want you to experience the joy of helping a child this holiday season. TOMS philosophy is 1:1 giving.  Meaning: Family Sponge buys a pair for your child, and TOMS gives away a pair to a child in need.

Every day that your child puts on their cute little TOMS shoes, you can remind them that a child in need is doing the same thing halfway around the world because of TOMS. That’s how we make a difference in the world and teach our kids to as well.

TOMS is just one way to spread some love to the world. There are so many ways your family can be philanthropists— and our wish this holiday season is that you find a way. Start small. Start because you care. Start today.

Here’s how to enter the Family Sponge TOMS shoes giveaway:

The Family Sponge TOMS Shoes Giveaway begins right now. Winner will get to pick out one pair of TOMS shoes for their kid (you get to pick the style and size).

STEP 1: COMMENT below this post and SHARE a little about a cause you would like to support during the holiday season. Please also include your child’s shoe size with your response. TOMS shoes run true to size, so if your child is an 8T, order an 8T.

STEP 2: LIKE Family Sponge on Facebook

STEP 3: SUBSCRIBE to Family Sponge

For additional chances to win: you can comment on an additional article, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our weekly newsletter and share our giveaway on your Facebook wall. Post each optional entry as a separate comment to increase your chances to win.

• This giveaway ends December 2, 2011 at 11:59PM PST. Good luck!
• You must be 18 or over and live in the US or Canada to enter.
• One commenter will be selected as the winner through Random.org
• All entries count as one entry and must be in a separate comment.
• Winners will be announced on December 5, 2011 by email.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize.

We’re giving away one kids pair of TOMS (Tiny TOMS or youth TOMS)

Ready to win? GO!

Want to read more about Family Sponge’s love for TOMS? Check out this article.

We choose to align ourselves with products we have used and love: kid-tested, mom-approved. We are not being paid to promote this product. We do it because we care.