Southwest Florida Mommy Networking

Shop for Baby, Health & Beauty Aids with Free Shipping and 5% Cash Back

2011-10-08T21:31:00.004-04:00

Now here's a cool way to save! With their Free Shipping offer and 5% cash back, you can't beat the deals you'll find.

Ove 60,000 items you'd find in the baby aisle, drugstore, health and beauty aids, cosmetics, personal care and so much more!

You can even take advantage of Clearance Specials and instant coupons (that give you the "deals" you would get by redeeming those coupons in the paper without clipping).

Check it out by clicking the ad above and Happy Shopping!

Get A FREE Subscription To Baby Talk Magazine!

2011-09-16T21:05:00.004-04:00

This is a fabulous offer for Moms and our suggestion is get them while they are hot! For a limited time, Baby Talk Magazine is offering a Free Subscription for Moms who sign up. What a great deal!

Be sure to get your's today by clicking the ad graphic above and it will take you right to register. This won't last forever and if the graphic is gone it means the promo is probably over. So don't wait and enjoy! It's a great magazine!

Free Johnsons Baby Sample - Limited Time !

2011-09-16T09:43:00.001-04:00

This is a cool offer for new Moms and expecting ones, for a limited time. In order to participate, please click the banner ad below. If it's no longer there as you review in the archives of this blog later it probably means the promotion is no longer taking place. So hop on over and get your's:

FREE "Pratical Pregnancy Guide" from uBaby

2011-09-12T14:07:00.000-04:00

Some Really Great Deals, Discounts & Freebies for CityMommies & Families

2011-06-11T18:41:00.002-04:00

Some cool deals, discounts and freebies for CityMommies and families to check out. Click on the ones you like and enjoy!

For Mommies With Pampers Babies - Get Pampers Rewards!

2011-05-25T13:14:00.002-04:00

This is a cool program and I wanted to pass it along to CityMommies who have babies. If you use Pampers, this is a neat way to buy Pampers and rack up some rewards. Plus, you can join their program for Free (free is good right?) and they will give you 100 free points towards the purchase of Pampers goods. It's always nice to get a little extra and you have to buy diapers anyhow. So if your baby is a Pampers baby, check this out! Just click the ad below and enjoy!

Kids Bowl Free - Summer Fun From Bowland!

2011-05-06T10:33:00.004-04:00

This is a great deal that Southwest Florida Moms won't want to miss out on! What an incredible program!

Bowland is sponsoring a Kids Bowl Free program this Summer! This includes their alleys at Allstar, Beacon, Cape Coral, Lehigh, Port Charlotte and Woodside in Naples.

It's simple and FREE to get started. You just go to their website HERE and register each child. You will receive the free bowling passes every week by email that are good for 2 Games of Bowling EACH DAY all Summer! How cool is that?

But, it gets even better because if you want to participate with your child you can too at a very affordable rate! Who says you can't get a good deal during this economy?

Here's how it works:

Your kids under 15 bowl free with the free passes after they are registered.

You can add up to 4 adults with a pass and one-time fee of $24.95! In order to use the passes, you have to bowl with your kids but this will work great for parents, older siblings, babysitters and the like.

Thanks to Bowland here in Southwest Florida for sponsoring such an extraordinary deal! The Kids Bowl Free program is a proud supporter of the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Challenge.

GET STARTED FOR SUMMER BOWLING FUN HERE

New Year, New Friends - Come Join Us At CityMommy

2011-01-14T17:10:00.006-05:00

Come join our social network of Moms in Southwest Florida. If you are a Mom or Grandma living in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties, our group is for you!

Join our social network and create your profile for FREE. Meet other Moms in your area and share a myriad of things: from parenting tips to health information, household related topics to recipes, relationship help to up-to-the minute news and headlines about all things Mommy.

Come join the CityMommy phenomenon. We are part of a national network covering 40+ metropolitan cities and areas and growing!

The CityMommy national blog also offers great giveaways and discounts, plus you can get connected to our local sponsors and learn about them and what they offer.

Plus, if you are a WAHM, Mompreneur or Business Owner, you can advertise your business for FREE on our Message Board. Get started and you'll get all the exciting details!

We look forward to having you join our growing, fun network of dynamite Moms in Southwest Florida.

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

Free Subscription To American Baby Magazine

2010-12-07T19:06:00.003-05:00

We hope that this post finds everyone well and getting ready to celebrate the season.

Moms can get a Free Subscription to American Baby Magazine. Free is always good, right? When my son was small I was a subscriber and this is a great and very popular Baby magazine.

If your baby is under 2 years old, you qualify for a Free Subscription. Just click the ad below to get it and enjoy!

Shopping For Safe Children's Toys This Holiday Season

2010-11-28T12:23:00.003-05:00

With the massive amounts of toy recalls this past year and the buzz about lead paint and other harmful chemicals in toys, how is a parent to know if the toys you are placing under the tree are good or bad?

It's a scary thought to think that all harmful chemicals actually aren't being regulated yet, but it's true.

As you make your way down the toy aisles to fill those children's wish lists, how can you be sure you are doing right by your children?

First, there are websites like HealthyStuff.org and GoodGuide.com that can help parents dispell the myths, find fact from fiction and make the best selections in the interest of their children.

There was a great article in the Los Angeles Times that offers some really good tips on what to avoid and steer clear of also.

Check out this article as you do your Holiday shopping to make it the safest and happiest season ever. The link to the article is below.

Before you buy that train set, do your homework

Happy Shopping and wishing you and your's all the best of the season!

Lee County School District: Right On The Money???

2010-09-23T13:11:00.004-04:00

Normally I am not one to spout off politically despite things I disagree with. Normally I find everyone entitled to their opinions on issues without feeling compelled to put in my two-cents worth. Usually, it's mums the word with me rather than stir the pot. I don't like to engage in hot spots that turn into political discussions.

But with everything, there is an exception to the rule and this is it.....

Is the School District of Lee County right on the money? Recent events have me realizing how very wrong on the money the District and our elected School Board Members really are. As a taxpayer, parent and former District employee , I find myself rip-roaring mad for lack of a better description regarding Dr. James Browder and our elected School Board Member's handling of this whole matter. What on earth were they thinking?

Last evening, the School Board gave Dr. James Browder his walking papers. According to the News-Press, he has two days to clean out his office. On the flipside, he received a payday that is nothing less than sickening considering the way this whole mess went down. According to School Board members, Mr. Steven Teuber in particular, the District is no longer interested in having a "lame duck at the helm".

Really?! Why all of a sudden is Dr. Browder a lame duck at the helm? While he has already lined up another nice job, this time as Vice-President of Operations at Edison State College, this is far from the first time Dr. Browder went job hunting. I dare say the general public has knowledge of his prior employment pursuits while acting Superintendent of our School District. As I recollect, last time he did so he received a nice pay raise and a boost of his ego when School Board Members requested he stay.

Now it appears two of our School Board members who were unseated as incumbants now have strong words for Dr. Browder. Isn't it a little too late for that? This taxpayer and parent thinks so!

Both Steven Teuber and Elinor Scricca aren't newcomers to the School Board. They were challenged and defeated by fresh faces in the last election. I hardly view that as a coincidence. I think the voting public has spoken and wanted change in the business as usual when it comes to the Lee County School Board.
Both Teuber and Scricca helped approve the last pay raise Dr. Browder received. It's ironic how someone now changes their tune a bit when they know their time on the Board is coming to a close.

I recall reading a Letter To The Editor in some local newspapers wherein Mr. Teuber thanked the voters of Lee County for his time of service, citing that he loved our school system, it's teachers and the children it serves. It was a gracious letter in the aftermath of the election which unseated him. Why am I not feeling the love when it comes to the whole Dr. Browder thing?

At the last School Board meeting, the News-Press quotes Mr. Teuber as saying: "You talk about lame-duck presidency or lame-duck tenure, Dr. Browder is already looking at something else."

Boo on you Mr. Teuber, because not only was Dr. Browder already "looking" at something else but had accepted another position while still acting Superintendent of the School District of Lee County.

His counterpart, Elinor Scricca was quoted by the News-Press as saying: "Our nerves were tested this evening. Some of us failed. Some of us succeeded."

Boo on you also Mrs. Scricca. Maybe these events or your failure to get re-elected means you didn't succeed. The teachers and students of this District were served up a huge injustice in today's economic climate for sure so they didn't succeed or prevail.

But appearances would have it Dr. Browder surely succeeded. Last evening, NBC-News cited Dr. Browder's severance package at upwards of $342,000. The News-Press puts it at $335.630. Either figure in play, in today's economy with our School District constantly experiencing budget cuts, I hardly consider that a success for our students, teachers or the best interests of the District. It's great for Dr. Browder though.

The News-Press conducted a vote on their website today asking if readers agreed with the severance package Dr. Browder received. As of this writing, 80.34% state "No, way too much for Browder" with only 16.05% saying "Good for Browder, he deserves it". I find the latter result actually high but perhaps there are actually people who think paying out Dr. Browder's contract is good despite the fact he probably breached it. Or maybe Mr. Teuber and Mrs. Scricca are casting votes in the poll? The cold hard fact in this strong disagreement with this severance package for Dr. Browder indictates to me exactly how two incumbants with years of service to the School Board could be defeated in the last election. That's the part that makes the most sense in all of this mess.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100923/NEWS0104/100922059/Lee-board-shows-Browder-the-door

If Steven Teuber or Elinor Scricca are now crying sour grapes about the election or Dr. Browder, I suggest that they vent that frustration no further than themselves as they helped create the situation during their time of service. The finger of blame isn't solely at Dr. Browder here in my eyes.

While I may not be qualified to render a legal opinion here, all signs point to the fact that Dr. Browder again went job hunting without complying with the terms of his contract as Superintendent. Was he penalized for this? Apparently not as it seems he got rewarded with a really nice severance package during a time when our school system could find a million good and more deserving things to do with the nice six-figure chunk of change Browder pocketed.

What's even sweeter for Dr. Browder is that it appears his walking papers include what looks like double-dipping, still being paid for the contract he had with Lee County School District while in the employ of another educational institution that is willing to pay him big bucks. According to my research, $160,000 a year to be exact.

Dr. James Browder reminds me of a true politician though and gosh knows I don't think our community, county or country needs any more of those at this time. Shame on him.

His parting words to the School District: "It was never my intent to hurt this district, and I want y’all to understand that I really do care about it," Browder said. "Somebody said something about being God, and I’m not. I’m just a pretty average guy who tried to do his best." Browder choked up Wednesday during his final public address. "I’ve been honored to serve this community and public schools for about 36 years, and it will be the highlight of my life," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jim Browder, and I am proud to have worked in this district."

Boo to you Dr. Browder on many fronts! We teach our children to do their best, to be honest in all their dealings and to strive for excellence. Our School District gives students awards for things like "Do The Right Thing" to encourage behavior that is positive, honest and of integrity.

In his 36 years of service to Lee County Schools, surely Dr. Browder knows the present economic conditions in Lee County. Homes are being foreclosed on at record numbers and being sold for pennies on the dollar. Our property values have plummeted to all-time lows, not only affecting the individuals who own them but impacting the tax base from which the School District derives it's operating budget. As Superintendent, that should be totally clear to him. Our area boasts record high unemployment statistics, yet Dr. James Browder should be entitled to an incredibly generous severance pay despite allegations he may have breached his contract?

There should be no doubt in Steven Teuber's or Elinor Scricca's mind why they were unseated as incumbants. In my humble opinion, they deserved it. This should also be a message sent loud and clear to the rest of our School Board members who will be up for re-election sometime soon.

Just as we encourage our students in the District to "Do The Right Thing", so should we hold Dr. James Browder accountable to the terms of his contract in my opinion. While his parting words were touching, the bottom line is if he REALLY cared about our School District, he would forego the sweet severance pay and "Do The Right Thing" also.

Since Edison State College is paying him $160,000 or so a year, I would dare say that's a very nice living compared with his neighbors here in Lee County, many of whom are jobless or losing their homes during these times. For most people living in Lee County, receiving a pay-day of $300,000-something thousand would be the highlight of their lives as well so words are cheap.

I urge Dr. Browder to "Do The Right Thing" and refuse that severance package. Let's take that $300,000-something and use it for the welfare of the teachers and students that the District serves. How many books, school supplies, school lunches and more could that buy?

11 Rules Your Kids Did Not and Will Not Learn In School

2010-09-08T11:12:00.003-04:00

It has been said that Bill Gates once delivered this during a speech to high schoolers. I have also read it was taken from a book called "Dumbing Down Our Kids" by Charles Sykes. Either way, it's great wisdom for our younger generation and a great reminder to all of us that there is work involved in life, happiness and success. Enjoy!

RULE 1: Life is not fair - get used to it.

RULE 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

RULE 3: You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with car phone, until you earn both.

RULE 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.

RULE 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it Opportunity.

RULE 6: If you mess up,it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

RULE 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

RULE 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

RULE 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

RULE 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

RULE 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Free Book For Your Child With Borders Summer Reading Program

2010-06-24T13:39:00.003-04:00

What a great way to encourage Summer reading with your children and they will get a Free Book by just reading 10!

Check out the Borders Double-Dog Dare Summer Reading Program. It's free for children 12 and under to participate and it has already begun. The program dates for 2010 are May 4-August 26. Participation is simple and a great way to motivate the kids to read more this Summer.

VISIT THE BORDERS DOUBLE-DOG DARE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE AND DOWNLOAD THE PARTICIPATION FORM HERE

All your child has to do to qualify for their Free Book is:

Read 10 books and list them on the form from Borders which you can download above.

Take that completed form to any Borders store and redeem it for their Free Book before August 26, 2010.

Here's to fun and reading this Summer and hope your children enjoy their Free Book!

The Manly Art Of Baby Care - Just In Time For Father's Day

2010-06-17T16:00:00.010-04:00

Just in time for Father's Day, the CityMommy blog featured a great post about "The Manly Art Of Baby Care" by Blythe Lipman of Baby Instructions.

Here's what she says:

There is nothing sweeter than seeing a new Dad and his baby. In this day and age, fathers play a much more active role with their babies than ever before. Years ago the husband took his laboring wife to the hospital and she was whisked away to deliver their baby while he was left pacing in the waiting room until the nurse came to tell him he had a new boy or girl! Not so today…men become involved in the birthing process the minute the little blue line says Pregnant! These days extended families are few and far between. Grandma doesn’t live around the block anymore to help or give advice. Most new parents are left on their own.But what could be better than being an actively involved new Dad! Doing everything from diapering, feeding, bathing, and their favorite thing, playing!

Sometimes new Dads are a little awkward and scared at first. After all, they have never done this before. Their new little bundle is so tiny and they are so big. With a little help from mom and a few how-to tips….Dad will be a Pro before he knows it!

The following tips will help any new Dad learn the ropes of baby care.

•Don’t be afraid to hold your tiny baby. Pretend you are gently cradling a football. Those big, strong but gentle hands make baby feel secure.

•There is nothing more comforting than the sound of the beating heart. So hold your baby close to your heart.

•During diaper changing, if your baby is four months or older, give him something to hold. Those little hands are quicker than you think and you don’t want him grabbing things down south.

•Remember to keep the baby’s diaper area covered when you are changing him. And keep your face at a distance. The law of gravity and a little boy’s aim will have you sprinkled in an instant!

•If you are going to give baby a bath, make sure to have everything you need before you place him in the water. Make a check-list for yourself; washcloth, towel, shampoo, diaper, clothes, and anything else you might need. And NEVER, EVER LEAVE THE BABY UNATTENDED. If the phone or doorbell rings, forget about it until you are finished bathing the baby. Nothing is more important than your baby’s safety.

•Don’t be appalled if your baby urinates in the bath. This is very normal as warm water is the perfect catalyst for total relaxation. Kind of like being back in the womb.

•If you are going to use powder, shake it in your hand then gently rub it on the baby. Never shake powder or anything else directly on the baby.

•If you’re not sure what to do in a situation with your baby, (feeding, burping, etc.), don’t be afraid to ask. Babies don’t come with instructions.

•When you’re out with your guy friends, ask them about their experiences with their babies. You don’t have to hug or call it a men’s group…just a guy’s night out. And they may share some tips you never thought of.

•Don’t be afraid to take your baby on an outing. Babies are very portable. It’s great stimulation and think of all the attention you’ll get!

•If you have to do errands with the baby, don’t plan too many stops. Things always seem to take longer when there is a baby involved.

•Don’t forget to take the baby bag when you go out. Packed with a change of clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, burp cloths, toys and an extra shirt for you, just in case!

•If you are on a tight schedule, make sure to leave some wiggle room for an unexpected diaper change or extra feeding.

•If you are on carpool duty and your baby is sick, please don’t take him to school. Tylenol wears off in four hours and you will get that dreaded phone call to come and get him. Save yourself the aggravation and the fight with your wife. Keep him home. Meetings can always be re-scheduled.

•If your baby is having a cranky day and you are too, ask to be relieved from baby duty. If you can’t find someone to help, put him in the stroller or pack, go outside and take some deep breaths until you feel better. There is nothing wrong with taking a break.

•If a medical issue arises, calmly call the pediatrician. Babies are sturdier than you think.

•Don’t be afraid to act silly. Sing songs, dance, play games. The sillier the better. Your baby will love it and so will you!

•Please take good care of yourself. Being a healthy Daddy is the greatest gift you can give your family.And most of all, be proud of your new role as a Dad. Marvel at this wonderful miracle you’ve created and take the time to enjoy each minute. Babies grow up fast and before you know it, the bus will be pulling up to take your “baby” to Kindergarten.

Happy Father’s Day!

You can read the post at the CityMommy blog HERE.

For CityMommies, the CityMommy blog is a great place to tune in for advice, reviews of great new products and yes, even GIVEAWAYS!

Are you a CityMommy yet? Are you a Southwest Florida Mom? We cover from Bradenton south along the Gulf coast all the way to Everglades City! Plus, many inland southern central communities like Sebring, Avon Park, Clewiston, Moore Haven and more.

CityMommy is a great social network where the coolest, hippest Mommies meet online for fun and friendship. You will love our great community and we are growing here in Southwest Florida. Come join the fun!

JOIN CITYMOMMY SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HERE

The Super Parent Trap

2010-06-03T12:24:00.001-04:00

Parenting and perfection sometimes seem like polar opposites, especially on those frustrating days. As a multi-tasking Mom, it's oh-so-easy to be ultra hard on yourself. I often find myself summarizing my day thinking of the things I should have done, didn't get done etc. which can be self-defeating and it's a habit I am working to break.

This was a great short read online that sums up how you can break the cycle of The Super Parent Trap. I wanted to pass it along:

Perfection and parenting don't mix. But that doesn't keep us parents from worrying all the time about what we've done wrong. The reality, though, is that children are very forgiving and actually learn a lot from seeing their moms and dads make mistakes. So, let's examine why we fall so often into the SuperParenting trap.

1. We worry about others judging us. Somehow we think other families have it all figured out. Nothing can be further from the truth. Once you admit you are concerned say, about your child's aggression, most parents will not only be sympathetic, but they'll dive in with their own examples.

2. We over-schedule ourselves. There are only 24 hours in a day, but sometimes families try to pack in too much. Our kids need to learn that it is better to go slowly and value the experience than to rush from one thing to the next.

3. We think more is better. Children pick up on this message early on. Try to avoid comparing your family with others in terms of material goods. Instead, teach your children to be grateful for what they already have.

4. We don't like to admit our mistakes. If we don't communicate that it's okay to mess up, how do we expect our kids to get the message that they don't have to be perfect? If we really want them to explore and try new things, we need to show them that no one is good at everything.
It is because we are so passionate about our children that we get caught up in this concept of SuperParenting. We need to keep our expectations reasonable, show love and respect, and start fresh each day. In fact, we are actually doing our kids a favor when we point out that in real families, things hardly ever go perfectly.

Maureen O’Brien, PhD is a developmental psychologist, parenting coach and mother of twins. She founded www.destinationparenting.com and is the author of Watch Me Grow: I’m One-Two-Three (available here: Watch Me Grow: I'm One-Two-Three: A Parent's Essential Guide to the Extraordinary Toddler to Preschool Years).

See it online here:http://galtime.com/index.php/web/1024-superparent

More Freebies For New & Expecting Moms!

2010-04-09T06:36:00.002-04:00

Cool Website For New & Expecting Mommies

2010-03-20T00:15:00.003-04:00

This is a cool website I wish was around when my little man was a baby. Check it out! It's called Babies Online.

It is Free to register and set up an account.

This site has a bunch of features including:

You can build a webpage for your children or one on the way.
Free Baby Stuff & Special Offers.
Newsletters.
Photo Albums.
Blog.
Milestones.
Email updates to family and friends.

What a neat way to share about your little bundle of joy! I don't know exactly how it all works but free to start is good right? It sounds pretty cool and I wanted to pass it along to all new and expectant Moms.

Enjoy!

http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3816453-10307967

CityMommy of Southwest Florida Is Growing!

2010-01-11T08:50:00.002-05:00

Our social network, CityMommy of Southwest Florida is growing! It's where the coolest, hippest Moms are meeting for fun, friendship, networking and yes, even business!

Our network is growing and has expanded north to encompass all of Southwest Florida south of the Tampa Bay area. We now are in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

When you register as a user at our site, you will be able to pick your specific location (neighborhood) and that will further connect you with other Moms in your area.

Exciting things are happening at City Mommy of Southwest Florida and our new website, Southwest Florida Mommy. You can visit the website at http://www.southwestfloridamommy.com which will continue to grow and build as a resource to Southwest Florida Moms.

We would love to have you participate in our great network as a Mom or Business Owner to connect everyone in the family friendly Southwest Florida community!

Don't Forget Our Bowland Schools Out For Summer Parties

2009-06-01T20:45:00.007-04:00

Don't forget our upcoming Schools Out For Summer Bowling Parties being hosted at various Bowland locations throughout the City Mommy of Southwest Florida area. Please be sure to get in your RSVPs so I can plan. This is a family event so City Daddies are also invited. Thanks!

June 12th at All Star Lanes in North Fort Myers. Cost is 6.95 per child bowling for 2games plus shoe rental (this includes sales tax). The event will take place 5:00-7:00 p.m. Food is on your own. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

June 14th at Woodside in Naples will be a 2 hour open bowl so the rate will vary a little. $7.95 per child bowling for 2 hours of open bowling and shoes. Price includes sales tax. We will open bowl from 6:00-8:00 p.m.. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

June 12th at All Star Lanes in North Fort Myers. Cost is 6.95 per child bowling for 2games plus shoe rental (this includes sales tax). The event will take place 5:00-7:00 p.m. Food is on your own. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

June 17th at Bowland in Port Charlotte on Tamiami Trail. Cost is 6.95 per child bowling for 2 games plus shoe rental (this includes sales tax). The event will take place 2:00-4:00 p.m. Food is on your own. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

June 18th at Bowland Lehigh Acres. Cost is 6.95 per child bowling for 2 games plus shoe rental (this includes sales tax). The event will take place 2:00-4:00 p.m. Food is on your own. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

Moms who are interested in bowling please get in touch with me for pricing. I figured most Moms will want to socialize and watch the kids. The prices quoted are Kids Specials extended by Bowland.

Also I can coordinate with Bowland to have bumpers on certain lanes if the littler ones want to bowl. Just let me know!

RSVP to citymommyswfl@embarqmail.com, message me on the City Mommy site or call me at 239-265-7086. Please get your RSVP in as soon as possbile.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR FRIDAY, JULY 17TH!

It's going to be a great day for Moms and kids alike as Bowland Woodside in Naples hosts our City Kids VIP Bowling Party & City Mommy Naples Expo!

The time will be Noon-4:00 p.m. and the kids will be bowling in the VIP Room at Woodside! While the kids are bowling, Moms can check out the businesses that are participating in the City Mommy Naples Expo! Lots of goodies and great information for Moms from Naples area businesses. Interested in participating in the Expo with your business? Contact Dawn at 239-265-7086 or email citymommyswl@embarqmail.com.

It's an event you won't want to miss! It gives Mom a chance to mix and mingle, learn about local businesses, get great information, coupons etc. and just have fun!

More information will be posted soon on our Events Calendar and here on the Blog.

You aren't a member of City Mommy of Southwest Florida yet? If you are a Mom, you need to be! It's where the hippest, coolest Moms in Southwest Florida are meeting online and off for fun and friendship! We have a full slate of events rolling out this summer that are fun for Moms and the kiddoes alike! Be in the know, make new friends and join in the fun at:

http://southwestfla.citymommy.com

Look for more events coming very soon on the Blog!

City Mommy of Southwest Florida Launches Online Magazine Fundraiser To Benefit Local Charities

2009-05-29T05:34:00.016-04:00

City Mommy of Southwest Florida is not only a fantastic social network but a contributor to local charities.

You don't have to be a City Mommy to support this worthwhile cause either! We need everyone's help in making this successful for 4 worthwhile Southwest Florida charities.

When you order a subscription from this site, renew one or refer your family and friends to do the same, we are able to help support the missions of worthwhile charities in Southwest Florida.

If you are a member of City Mommy of Southwest Florida:

There is a link to the Online Fundraising Page posted in our Charities category at our Groups page so please remember to refer to it now and in the future.

Updated fundraising information will be posted on the message board and we hope you will support this worthwhile cause while enjoying your favorite reads!

Our online fundraising goal for 2009 is $1,000.00. It is a great cause and if we meet our goal we will be able to donate $250 from City Mommy of Southwest Florida to four local worthwhile charities:

Adopt*A*Troop Foundation
Destiny Diaper Ministries
CP Kidz
TLC Children's Home

Please show your support and think of us when you are shopping for a new magazine or renewing a subscription! And be sure to share this with your contacts also!

http://www.magfundraising.com/SouthwestFloridaMommy

Thanks for helping us give back to our community and help these great charities continue on their mission. 100% of this money will STAY in Southwest Florida!

Are you a City Mommy yet? City Mommy of Southwest Florida is the newest, neatest social network in Southwest Florida. We meet both online and off for fun, friendship and so much more! Visit our website and create your FREE profile today and get in the loop!

http://southwestfla.citymommy.com/

City Mommy Announces Schools Out For Summer Bowling Events Throughout Southwest Florida!

2009-05-27T13:10:00.004-04:00

Schools Out For Summer will be our theme as we wrap up the school year and start the Summer Break in fun style! Thanks to Bowland for hosting four great events throughout our area for City Mommy!

City Mommies and the kids can meet up for some bowling fun! City Daddies are welcome as well! Be sure to check out our various dates and locations on the Events Calendar here at the site. It also gives particulars including RSVP deadlines as we will need to provide them with a number participating.

Special group pricing for these events will save your family money too!

June 12th at All Star Lanes in North Fort Myers, June 17th at Bowland Port Charlotte and June 18th at Bowland Lehigh will all be $6.95 per child bowling for 2 games plus shoe rental. This includes sales tax. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

June 14th at Woodside in Naples will be a 2 hour open bowl so the rate will vary a little. $7.95 per child bowling for 2 hours of open bowling and shoes. Moms and siblings who do not bowl are free to attend.

If the adults want to bowl the rates will be $13.00 plus tax for two games of bowling with shoe rental or $8.00 plus tax for one game of bowling with shoe rental. City Daddies are also welcome at these events. Please let me know that you wish to bowl so we can make payment arrangements and I can let the bowling alley know.

If the littler ones want to bowl, let us know and we can arrange bumper bowling for them.

This is a discounted rate versus walking in off the street for the kids and gives parents options to bowl all, part or none of the time. You are free to socialize with other Moms and have fun watching the kids! Those who don't have an RSVP can join us but I can't guarantee the rate and you might pay the going rate for that date and time.

We welcome vendors who might want to come to the event and setup a table to show off their business! The tabletop rate is just $10 at each event - you bring your own table! Please reserve your space if you wish to set up a table. Thanks!
There will be Raffle Prizes for which you can purchase tickets to win. Anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize, contact Dawn Mathisen at citymommy@embarqmail.com or call 239-265-7086.

June 12th Raffle will benefit Adopt*A*Troop Foundation

June 14th Raffle will benefit Bikes For Tykes

June 17th Raffle will benefit Adopt*A*Troop Foundation

June 18th Raffle will benefit Destiny Diaper Bank

Come join us to celebrate Schools Out with some bowling fun, meet fellow City Mommies, Daddies and Kids! See you there!

What Can City Mommy Do For Your Family-Friendly Business?

2009-05-25T16:33:00.002-04:00

We are a new and growing group and the excitement is building! City Mommy of Southwest Florida is where the coolest, hippest Moms in Southwest Florida are getting together online and off for fun, friendship and more!

As a Family-Friendly business, this group can benefit YOU as well as you benefitting us. It's a total win-win situation! There are many ways you can reach our members and market your products and services to us, partner with us and become a part of the building City Mommy in Southwest Florida:

ADVERTISE IN OUR BUSINESS DIRECTORY: The local City Mommy site features a full business directory of Mom friendly businesses and services. It's a great resource for our Moms. You can make your presence known there with our very economical advertising rates. LIFETIME Business Directory Ads begin at just $25 and range up to $99 depending on the market area you wish to reach. Our group spans from Englewood to Everglades City (north and south) and from the coastal Gulf communities to inland communities like Immokalee, Clewiston, Moore Haven and Arcadia. There are three package levels to suit your needs - be it just your community, a few of the communities we cover or all communities in our range.

HOST A CITY MOMMY EVENT: We are always open to family-friendly businesses that would like to sponsor a City Mommy of Southwest Florida event, get-together, play group, Mom's Night Out etc. This brings foot traffic to your business, our Moms get an up close view of your business and what it offers. You are recognized as the host for the event and get publicity for that as well. Let's brainstorm an idea!

DONATE TO OUR CITY MOMMY RAFFLES: Have a premier product or something you could donate to the City Mommy Raffles? At many of our larger events we will sponsor a raffle where the proceeds benefit a local Southwest Florida charity. So not only are you exposing your business to our Moms but you are contributing to a good cause! You receive recognitioni at the event as one of our prize sponsors.

PARTICIPATE IN CITY MOMMY GOODY BAGS: At some of our larger, more well attended events, we will also be handing out City Mommy Goody Bags as incentives to attend and arrive early. In those bags will be coupons, samples, discount certificates, ad specialty items and more from our local business sponsors. Consider participating in the Goody Bags as it provides great exposure for your business!

BECOME ONE OF OUR SPONSORS: We have packages that start as low as $35 to sponsor one specific event and up for becoming a quarterly or yearly sponsor. Your business receives recognition at the day of the event and all promotional pieces leading up to the event. It gets your name out for way less than other media!

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO COME....We value the partnership we are building with the local Family-Friendly businesses in Southwest Florida and will continue to provide unique marketing opportunities to you at very reasonable rates! We want your participation and we want to bring our Moms to your business!

For information about any of the above opportunities, please contact Dawn Mathisen, City Leader at citymommyswfl@embarqmail.com or by calling 239-265-7086.

We look forward to your participation with our great group!

1st Annual Baby Flea Market in Lehigh Acres This Saturday!

2009-05-18T17:36:00.002-04:00

City Mommy of Southwest Florida is helping get the word out and sponsor the 1st Annual Baby Flea Market in Lehigh Acres this Saturday, May 23rd.

This is a benefit for Destiny Diaper Bank which recently made it's home at the facility at 205 Joel Blvd. and is now providing diapers once weekly for babies, special needs and elderly in Lehigh Acres.

This great fundraising event is a superb opportunity for area Moms to clean out their closets and make some cash this summer! You simply rent a spot with a $15 donation to Destiny Diaper Bank and then sell all your no longer needed baby and childrens clothes and items!

Mark your calender for Saturday, May 23rd and if you are looking to turn some of those items your children no longer need into cash sign up to sell by calling Becky Hines at 239-549-2130.

The event takes place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at 205 Joel Blvd. at the Tyler Business Center in Lehigh Acres.

Come join us for a fun day of shopping for bargains and selling!

What Is City Mommy of Southwest Florida?

2009-05-17T23:59:00.005-04:00

Think of us as the Facebook or MySpace of the local Mom community! City Mommy of Southwest Florida has joined the City Mommy family, which is a national network of websites that started in 2007.

WANTED: Southwest Florida Moms who want to connect for fun, friendship, sharing ideas, get-togethers, events and more! We are launching a great group and you will want to be a part of it!

Our local website includes a Message Board/Forum, Events Calender, Business Directory, Shopping Links and so much more! All valuable information and a great online forum to interact with other area Moms.

Offline and COMING SOON will be City Mommy of Southwest Florida sponsored events that will be fun and family friendly! Many will be low cost and a few even free so tap into our great network and tune in for Summer fun for you and your's!

Businesses that want to reach our Mom community can also join us or find out more about advertising and sponsorship options by emailing:
citymommyswfl@embarqmail.com

Our online community includes many neighborhoods. From north to south from Englewood to Everglades City. From the west and the Gulf of Mexico into some of the more inland communities in Southwest Florida like Immokalee, Clewiston, Moore Haven and Arcadia.

Get registered today and create your profile! Start connecting with some of the coolest and hippest Moms in our area for fun, friendship and more:

http://southwestfla.citymommy.com/

See you there!