The Moms Code: 5 Gift Ideas For Moms Turning 30

Do you have a Mom in your life who's about to celebrate the big 3-0? You're looking to help her usher in this next exciting decade in the most meaningful, fun ways possible. With that, these gift ideas for moms turning 30 are the perfect way to highlight that extra something special for women who are already in the mom phase of life.

Something shifted in me when I turned 30.  I felt more together, more confident and self-assured, and as a result, excited about what the future held for me!

1. Three Ring Necklace

• Sterling Silver Interlocking Three Ring Pendant Necklace
• 18"
• Imported
• Crafted in .925 Sterling Silver

2. Wine Opener & Chiller

• Cordless operation with recharging base included for convenience and mobility
• Stylish and ergonomically designed with soft grip handle to fit the palm of your hand for a firm grip
• Thermal stainless steel wine cooler with durable double wall included
• Electric wine opener removes corks at the touch of a button
• Opens up to 30 bottles on a single charge; works with all traditional wine bottles
• Foil cutter; soft-grip handle; cordless operation; recharging base included
• Also includes thermal stainless-steel wine chiller that keeps wine cold for hours
• Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

3. Gift Card

• Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
• Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
• Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
• No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
• Amazon.com Gift Cards can only be used to purchase eligible goods and services on Amazon.com and certain related sites as provided in the Amazon.com Gift Card Terms and Conditions. To purchase a gift card for use on an Amazon website in another country, please visit: Amazon.ca, Amazon.cn, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de, Amazon.in, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.es, or Amazon.com.au.

4. Vegan Leather Backpack

LAPTOP BACKPACK DIMENSION: 15.7”H x 11”L x 3.9”W. Vintage laptop backpack in the interlayer is suitable for 13.3 in Notebook; Main compartment fits laptop up to 14 inch. TOTAL 6 compartments for daily essential.

VINTAGE LEATHER BACKPACK: Brown color backpack are made of high quality faux leather. All hardware used on the LXY retro backpack is solid metal. Metal hardware adds to both the strength and looks of the piece in the vintage leather backpack.

SPACIOUS & FASHION BACKPACK: Hidden button in side design to increase the leather backpack space when you need. Also can adjust the backpack more slim as you want. Plus, Two hidden anti-theft pockets for your valuable stuff; one pocket on the back; the other one pocket that hidden by the front flap. Smart pockets for Quick access.

ADJUSTABLE & STURDY SHOULDER STRAPS: Adjustable shoulder strap for this vintage backpack is made of synthetic leather & band with nylon. Its Double protection and Durable in use, will comfort your shoulders. Shoulder Strap Length: Up to 45".

APPLICATIONS: This vegan leather backpack is stylish and classic looking. It is suitable for school and college students carrying laptop, books and other necessaries for classes. Also good size fashion backpack for going to work, campus, gym, recreation, weekend getaways, travel and casual daily use.

5. Sleep Well Balm & Scented Candle Gift Set

• Use Sleep Well 30 minutes before bedtime to prepare your body and mind for a restful night's sleep
• Key Aromas: A soporific and alluring, 100% natural blend of Lavender, Chamomile, Palmarosa, Ho Wood, Bois de Rose and Geranium with the oriental notes of Ylang Ylang, Clove and a hint of Patchouli essential oils
• Embrace the Sleep Well Wellbeing Ritual by inhaling the aroma every night before bed to relax the body and quieten the mind for a most restful sleep
• Light your candle, apply a small amount of balm to pulse points on wrists and neck, raise your wrists to your nose and “Stop, Inhale and Reset” to mindfully transition to a relaxed, sleepy state.
• Contains 5g / 0.17 oz. 85g candle, approx. burn time 18 hours. For external use only. Do not use during pregnancy.

The Moms Code: 5 Healthy Meals For Picky Eaters

Anyone who regularly has to feed children knows that there are a lot of kids who can be verpicky eaters. Also, some kids eat a lot of different foods.

Regardless, they are pretty picky about their food, and it can be difficult to feed kids that are picky eaters. There are a couple of things that can cause a kid to be a picky eater. For example, they may be extra sensitive to some tastes and smells. Or they might actually have a food allergy. Fortunately, there are healthy recipes for kids with particular appetites.

Healthy Hidden Veggie Meatballs

Some kids really seem to like meatballs, which is one of the things that makes this a perfect meal for toddlers. These meatballs are tasty, and one of the many benefits to them is the fact that they can be made ahead of time.

They are great when they’re fresh, and they are also just as great when they are reheated. In addition, the meat in them can be swapped for something different, in case the toddler is not a huge fan of beef. Also, there are a few different kinds of ground up veggies hidden in these tasty meatballs.

Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas

Quesadillas are delicious, and a lot of people of all ages seem to love them. Also, they are not just tasty.

One of the great things about them is that they are easy to make. This recipe can be made on a sheet pan, so all of it can be made at the same time. This is certainly a fun and healthy recipe that the entire family (including the little ones with picky appetites) can enjoy together. Vegetables can be added, and it doesn’t take very long to make them. Plus, moms can freeze them and serve them up later.

Broccoli Tots

Broccoli is awesome, and let’s be honest: some kids don’t mind it because it looks like trees. But there are still some kids out there who aren’t a fan of it at all, and recipes like this one come in handy in that type of situation.

There is a lot of healthy stuff in this recipe, such as broccoli, an egg, cheese, and rice. These delicious little things can be enjoyed right out of the oven, or they can be frozen for later, which honestly makes them even more awesome. Also, some kids like to eat them with ketchup.

Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies

Nearly every child likes to eat muffins, so that automatically makes this recipe a hit with the little ones. In addition, eggs are a wonderful thing for toddlers to eat.

After all, they are full of the fats and the proteins that toddlers need. Also, there is a pretty hefty dose of vegetables in this recipe, which everyone needs in their diet, especially if they are a little kid. Plus, there are quite a few ingredients in it that have vitamin A in them. Some of those ingredients are the squash, cheese, the and eggs that are in the muffins.

Shortcut Squash Risotto

Risotto is awesome, but making it can take some time, which is not something moms have a lot of when their toddlers need a lot of their attention. So, that is what makes this recipe so awesome.

It is perfect because it tastes good, and moms can make this one since it’s much easier than any other kind of risotto. Kids will love this meal because it has a natural sweetness to it. Another fun fact about this is that is rich in vitamins C and A, and it also has a great deal of fiber in it as well.

The Moms Code: 10 Delicious Treats Every Kid Wants To Find In Their Lunchbox

Packing a kid's lunchbox is no joke, and many moms find it to be a completely nerve-racking experience. The last thing that a mom wants is for their child to come home from school with a full lunchbox because they didn't want to eat anything that was in it (we've all been there).

While every mom wants their kid to eat a healthy lunch, there has to a fun treat included as well. It should be a surprise, too, so their little one can open their lunchbox and smile. Here are some ideas.

Tour Box of Raisins

Kids really love raisins since they are so sweet, and there is not much that is better than finding a tiny box of raisins in your lunchbox. Dried fruit feels more like a treat than something healthy, but raisins are still a treat that moms can feel awesome about packing.

Rice Crispie Squares

Rice Krispie squares are another surprise treat that moms should put in a lunchbox. These are such a classic snack/dessert for a reason: they are simply delicious. Kids will cheer when they find this treat, that's for sure (and their friends will be jealous).

Although there are many modern desserts that are trendy (like making brownies with almond butter instead of white flour or adding veggies to quick breads), there is nothing like Rice Krispie squares. This is a great treat to put in a lunchbox since it won't get too messy (or at least not as messy as chocolate since chocolate can melt).

Apple Chips

If you've ever had apple chips, you can probably agree that they're incredibly sweet. The fact that this fruit dries so well and becomes so sweet and crispy is magical.

These will definitely appeal to children, since it feels like eating dessert. Moms will smile and love that they're packing fruit in their kids' lunchboxes. Apple chips are a perfect surprise treat and are especially great for a kid who loves salty potato chips, since they're much healthier. Chances are, after the first time that a small bag of apple chips is hidden in their lunchbox, a kid will beg for them all the time.

Popcorn

Popcorn is another solid pick for a surprise treat in a kid's lunchbox. The cool thing about popcorn is that while its salty/sweet flavor and crunchy texture definitely feel like a treat, it's a whole grain, so many people consider it to be healthy. Moms will love hearing that, right?!

We can choose plain popcorn, buttered, caramel, or even find a recipe online and add our own flavors, which will be a fun project. Since many kids associate popcorn with going to the movies or watching a flick at home, this will feel like a treat that is out of the ordinary. Just don't go overboard with the toffee variety!

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

Okay, we know that kids love chocolate, and when it comes to a surprise treat being hidden in their lunchbox, there has to be something that involves their favorite food ever.

Chocolate-covered pretzels are a wonderful treat and would definitely be a big surprise. Since most kids aren't eating these all the time, they'll feel special. The good news is that if moms are feeling ambitious, they can make these themselves... but there's no reason why they can't pick some up at the store, either.

The Moms Code: 5 Insanely Cool Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Let's face it.  Mom is cool.  She's a purse-toting Babe that you rely on for everything -- every day.  Also, yes, finding a Mother’s Day gift is hard. Finding a Mother’s Day gift that doesn’t break the bank while still showing years of gratitude can feel impossible. 

Yes you could craft a DIY Mother’s Day gift that she’ll love, but some people just don’t have the skills or the time. Still, you shouldn’t stress or take out a loan just yet! There are a number of affordable Mother’s Day gifts that don’t look cheap. 

From luxurious beauty products to a smartphone apps, there is something amazing (and affordable) out there. 

Take a look at our list of Mother’s Day gifts — all under $75!

It’s time to trade in those boring gifts for some out-of-the-box gift ideas. We’ve put together a list of gift ideas every mom or grandma will love, you can click the links in this article to buy them.

1. Blissy Silk Pillowcase - Mom Will Wake Up Every Morning With Perfect Hair & Skin

The Blissy silk pillowcase is turning out to be one of the best kept secrets of 2019 and is one of the best mothers day gifts you can give. This 100% Mulberry silk pillowcase promises to not only help you get the best sleep of your life, but it also actually improves the look of your hair and skin (because it doesn't absorb the moisture like cotton does). The Blissy Pillow has no chemicals, it's non irritating and it's actually antibacterial. Say goodbye to dust mites once and for all! Don't believe it will actually help? They have an iron clad refund policy so if it doesn't work just send it back to them and get your money refunded.

2. PhotoStick - The Gift Of Never Losing Another Photo or Video

Has your mom ever asked you where she can find those old photos or videos on her computer? Or maybe she signed into her cloud backup only to find she's missing precious photos and videos? That's why this neat gadget called the Photostick is currently one of the top purchased products worldwide. But don't just think about getting it for your mom, it makes the perfect gift for anyone who has a slight distrust for computers (think the baby boomer crowd).

With new computer viruses emerging everyday and hackers gaining access to computers around the world, this is the perfect solution to making sure her photos & videos are protected... It’s the ONLY product of its kind that makes saving up to 60,000 photos and videos painless, and completely hassle free! It's a small thumb drive that you plug into your Mac or PC. You just open the program and click 'GO' and it'll automatically find all your photos and videos and back them up to the PhotoStick. That's how simple it is. This is one of those gifts that your mom will actually use! 

3. Essio – The Gift of A Spa At Home

Does your mom love going to the Spa? Essential Oils? Then you can get her the Spa Experience without her having to spend huge chunks of money on actually going to the spa. A startup from Santa Monica called ESSIO has released the first in-shower essential oil diffuser, which replicates the spa experience at home. To many spa lovers, aromatherapy and essential oils have become synonymous with the spa experience. And with good reason.

When you step into a luxury spa, you’re likely to get swept away by a mysterious scent that transports you to the rainforests of Bali. Odds are, you are actually smelling the rare ylang ylang essential oil. Not to mention doctors are increasingly finding that essential oils act on our bodies in a number of ways that could improve our health. So how does ESSIO work? The ESSIO diffuser fits on almost any shower head and it can be easily adjusted to disperse more or less essential oils. You can get the ESSIO starter kit now while supplies last.

4. Vivian Lou Insoles: Turn Her Expensive High Heels Into Comfy Shoes

There's nothing moms value more than being comfortable, so wearing high heels isn't exactly fun for them. If you're a woman, you know just how uncomfortable spending a night in high heels can be. Sure, they make your legs look great and add a boost of confidence in your stride, but for many it's just not worth the pain. But just maybe your mom doesn't have to give up those expensive (but uncomfortable) Jimmy Choos just yet... There's a new genius product called Vivian Lou that women are now using to turn their high heels into comfortable walking shoes. With over 1,657 5 Star Reviews this product is no joke and actually works!

Vivian Lou has received high praise from news outlets such as Forbes, Good Morning America and USA Today. They have even been tested and earned the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

5. XY Find It – She’ll Never Lose Her Keys Again

Let’s face it, as our parents get older, they seem to misplace things more often. But when you attach this coin-sized tracking device to an item you can see exactly where it is at all times. The XY Find It app enlists the help of millions of users to locate your lost bag, bike or even dog. The XY Find It app displays how far you are from your keys or purse you dropped, and it will sound the alarm to help you pinpoint its exact location. If you realize you left your bag in another location, all the other XY Find It users (millions of people) in the network are used to pinpoint your lost items exact location. But what happens if you can’t find your phone? Use XY Find It to ring it, even if it’s on silent mode, and you’ll find your phone fast. XY Find It helps you keep your stuff...especially if you’re a chronic (keys/wallet/bike/car/bag) "misplacer" like me. This is the perfect gift for a mom who is constantly misplacing her glasses, keys, wallet or phone.

Disney's Bizaardvark: Survival Tips for Set Parents (Part 5 of 5)

Back Off Candle Snuffers!


One of the many smart things my good friend (and set mom) Hilary said was, “Your candle does not burn brighter because you put someone else’s out.” It is easy to forget this when your child has finally secured the acting role of a lifetime; as exaggerated as this sounds, it feels a little like this for every child who lands his/her first major role. And everyone else in your circle is excited as well. Grandparents are sworn to secrecy but can’t help bragging. The schools are pleased that they had a hand in developing a talent. Uncles and aunts sharing in the gene pool are quietly smug and proud! In our case, we secure an LA apartment and the 2 of us relocate from Honolulu for the new series Bizaardvark. The excitement overshadows the sacrifice of leaving half the family. We show up the first day for work to an atmosphere that is buzzing. No one wants to blow it as a parent or have their child make some mistake that might get him/her labeled as a bad seed or even worse, make casting think they made a grave error in casting your child. In hindsight, this seems dramatic, but in that moment, the stakes are seemingly very high. And this can lead to, well, both good and bad behavior.

In life in general, if you are not likable, no one will like you (except those who are forced, like your mom or long-suffering spouse). Just kidding, no not really. Usually, ‘likeability’ is behavior-based so you can always change, but better to not to start off on the wrong foot. People gravitate towards people they like. When you go to the set, you have to go in wanting to like the other people. It’s like forcing yourself to smile and then somehow you actually feel better. Because it sets a tone. And believe it or not, everyone brings a personal tone that influences the vibe of the set and show.

This is not the show Survivor. And NO ONE is getting voted out of any episode. The series/show only wins as a team. Outwit, outlast and outplay are not desirable qualities on a set – politics and competitiveness are exhausting. Everyone has to coexist 50 hours per working week, so everyone has to make continuous positive contributions to the culture of the show.



Think Moonstruck – SNAP OUT OF IT!

No matter how it feels on set, when you walk outside the set doors, everyone is equal. Anyone who acts differently eventually gets left out because everyone else tires of it. If you start to feel this way (like you or your child is superior to the others), immediate throw cold water on your own face! Get over yourself and your child as quickly as you can. Sorry, but you are not the greatest thing ever and everyone does not exist to make your child look better. That is the job of the writers, producers and executives and they do it very well. And trust me, the production team, writers, teachers, etc. have seen countless rounds of new kids coming in and they dread the new parent politics as everyone settles in. The good news is tomorrow is always another day so if you act high and mighty, you can always come back with a refreshed attitude and everyone will forgive you.

One behavior our set does not tolerate is any set parent criticizing someone else’s child (to his/her face) in the form of ‘constructive advice’. The kids are off limits. I would never tell Ethan’s castmates how to behave, eat, talk, study, run lines, deal with Disney or other show execs, OR interact with Ethan. I would happily give advice if requested but this is not the behavior I’m referencing. It’s not my place to jump in or parent another person’s child. The other parents are the same and this has a very positive effect on the set. Don’t take this to mean there was no private venting to perceived injustices that constantly occur, but they are channeled effectively between set mom friends (and with humor) to minimize the drama and the kids are left out (protected).



We also treat guest stars and other visitors with respect and include them in the social aspects (lunch, breaks, etc.). It is wise to be nice to the guest stars. They are often stopping by, on their way to bigger things. Just because your child is a series regular on this show does not put them above anyone. Guest stars from our series have become youtube sensations, leads in commercial movies, and, countless others are series regulars on their own shows. Everything shifts around in this industry and no one knows who will become the next big success.

I don’t view the cast as Ethan’s competition. I also go out of my way to help or advise any of them if they want it. They are my set family. Life is a long game and if the kids and the adults take away good relationships, this is a valuable network for the future.



Best advice for this week - Remember they are CHILDREN. Never go after anyone’s child. Stop yourself from being overtly or covertly competitive. People see it and it is not an attractive trait. Take a deep breath and put everything back into perspective. Figure out a way to reign in the difficult personality, without being mean. Because there will absolutely be a difficult personality in the mix.

Thanks for coming back again to read the blogs! More tips and insights forthcoming on balancing academics and crying on set. Have a great week.



With Aloha,

Eileen

Disney's Bizaardvark: Survival Tips for Set Parents (Part 4 of 5)

Beware of Food and Identity Thieves!


Be ready to watch your waistline (expand). The amount of food on any set is crazy and delicious. And it’s easy to be sedentary. For the first time in ten years, I could not button my ski pants. I was willing to let them be so tight that I had to walk bowlegged, but I couldn’t even zip OR button them up. This was a visible embarrassment as no one has extra, bigger, pair of ski pants lying around, including me. I had to go out and make this major purchase. Then I was forced to admit it to my husband and four kids because everyone noticed. Can’t just slip in with new ski pants. Upon spotting me, each child asked, “Why do you have new ski pants? I liked the pink ones.” I wanted to scream, “I liked the pink ones too! It’s those shooting days--the steak and chicken buffets and treat-ladened food trucks did me in. Sigh. I’m trying to minimize the damage, but I can’t even button the pink ski pants lying down.”

Amazing food is a perk for all the cast and crew that work on any show. There is an entire small team, affectionately named Crafty, that buys all the meals (breakfast and lunch on non-shoot days) and also has a fully stocked kitchenette with snacks, drinks, fruit, and anything else that people indicate they like (ice machine, ice cream freezer, and more). Most of the time in life, there is no such thing as a free lunch. That does not hold true on set! At all! You will be surrounded by food non-stop. On shoot days (when they are filming), there is breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS a morning and evening snack. And when I say snack, I mean they bring in the pizza oven and make custom pizzas for all. Or they set up a taco bar and hand make tacos for all. And usually on one of the two shoot days for an episode, a delicious food truck shows up. Lobster rolls, ice cream, coffee trucks, you name it, it rolls in and I find myself eating yet again.  My son doesn’t really like or eat sweets. He would not really eat any of the amazing cakes, pastries, ice cream sundaes, or cookies. Somebody had to eat them. And the set parents, along with the crew, can’t seem to resist.

It’s not the weight creep that left me questioning who I was or what was important to me as I lived in LA with my son, but away from my husband and other kids. I work very hard to NOT tie my identity or my son’s identity to the show. Sometimes when my son is recognized, the child refers to him as Bernie. To the audience, Ethan is Bernie but Ethan is a distinctly different person. He acts the character of Bernie. That is hugely important. If the writers want Bernie to be a little clueless, clumsy and say ridiculous things to be funny, it is Ethan’s job to pull that off as best as he can. Ethan doesn’t analyze the lines and say, “I don’t want to say that. It doesn’t reflect me or show me as I want to be shown.” The parent has to keep telling the child actor that they are separate and distinct from their character. They have to deliver the storyline at the highest level as written by the writers and coached by dialogue coaches, directors and executive producers. This is much more of a challenge than it appears because the kids’ characters will always have flaws and challenges because it makes them more relatable, funny and believable. So, child actors have to do embarrassing and uncool things, a lot.

Another important point is that your child’s identity should not be tied to how many lines they have, or if they are called the ‘lead’, series regular, recurring guest star, etc. Because they are all lucky to be on the show and no one is more important than anyone else on life’s playing field. I will dedicate an entire blog to this later as this is a major point and a source of drama on many shows. There is some racking and stacking and parents have to do everything they can to help their child keep things in perspective; lessen the impact of the rack and stack nature of the business.


My set mom friend Jennifer made an excellent observation when I asked if she had advice for new set parents. She said, “It is very important to keep your own interests and encourage your child to have outside interests as well. So, as child keeps growing as a person, the parent has to do the same. My identity is not only the mom of a Disney Channel actor and I try to never let that mindset creep in.”


I do everything I can to keep outside interests and work remotely as much as possible. I love to play tennis, write blogs and children’s books; I’m on a hospital board and a school (for different learners) board. I talk to my husband and kids every day. I stay current with my friends back home even as I make new ones from the show and Disney. Because I’m now navigating two worlds and I want to do it well. The show life is all encompassing but I have other things in my life to keep me in balance and grounded.

Last advice for this week - it is critical to be more invested in yourself than you are in the show. Becoming overly invested in your child and their success will take you down a bad road. Being in a show is like living in an intense bubble. Sometimes it just takes over and small things seem important. Everyone has to get out of the weeds sometimes; regain your balance and retain your sanity.

Thanks for coming back again to read the blogs! More tips and insights forthcoming. Have a great week.



With Aloha,

Eileen

Disney's Bizaardvark: Survival Tips for Set Parents (Part 3 of 5)

Anyone who has ever thrown a kid’s birthday party knows this secret truth. Creating fun is A LOT of work. It’s back-breaking and exhausting and I sigh with relief when the big event is over (and successful). A set environment is no different. The fun doesn’t make itself and there are always underlying forces that conspire to suck the fun out, like a giant Hoover (or Dyson) vacuum on a mission. Deadlines, moods, balancing school, annoying behavior by parents, fatigue, invites and non-invites – the list is endless. As one of my closest friends on set, Vanessa, said once, “is it really only Tuesday? I can’t see myself through to Friday. Good Lord.” Please picture my Kentucky friend Vanessa saying this with her cute Southern twang.

Disney plans and invites their kids to AMAZING events; everyone should attend those because they are awesome--premiers, promo shoots, fan fests, days in Disneyland and Disney World, etc. However, the fun factor needs to be ‘pumped in’ at a series level as well, and this includes both on-set and off set activities.

During Season One and much of Season Two, Jake Paul, a notorious prankster, played a series regular character on Bizaardvark. He was always filming, a camera nearly glued to his hand. He wanted to capture interesting and funny things on video. Well, he definitely did that. Sometimes Production was not happy with his vignettes– like going up into the rafters with the kids or driving off of the set hidden in a car trunk with Ethan during lunch. But the element of fun was an extremely positive by-product. So we, as set parents, began staging fun, fairly benign and harmless, pranks. Recognizing we were novices, we first put our toe in the water and plotted with the kids against Jake. One time, we removed literally all Jake’s furniture (and mementos and art and everything) from his dressing room and replaced it with only dolls, funny signs, and fluffy plush toys. We covered his name plate as well and sealed his door shut with HAZMAT tape. It was hilarious and everyone loved it, especially Jake. Another time, we moved his beloved truck from his parking spot and pretended it was stolen. We often pulled the ADs, teachers, and production people into our pranks. For Jake’s birthday, we asked Production if we could hold a food (cake) fight on set and video it. They put out plastic sheets to contain the mess and the kids all mushed cake all over Jake’s face and hair. Then, they smashed the entire sheet cake into his torso. Again, stomach holding laughter and fun. When Jake left the show, we cried of course, and then had to move on; we knew the pranks had to continue. We would have to be wise. We would have to be clever.

We continued our pranks on set and sometimes combined them with our Mom’s Night Out. I attach a link of one of our adventures. Since our show shoots downtown, we typically plan things around that area. On Mom’s Nights Out, we go to really cool venues like Red Bird, Bottega Louie, and Hamburger Mary’s (yes, we went to drag queen bingo!). Most times, we laugh until we cry! It is cleansing to have a few hours where I show up as myself and discuss things other than the kids or the show.  Typically, the kids have their own fun – for example, a pizza party and swim, play hide-and-seek, or just have old fashioned movie night at one of our apartments close by to wherever we go. Older kids are in charge of younger kids. As a parent-child group, we see a lot of movies and go bowling!

It’s vitally important to build good relationships on the set. Birthday cakes, pranks, home-made videos are all part of our show’s BTS (behind the scenes). We plot out thoughtful group gifts for the staff and crew, so they feel valued. Everyone plays a part in creating the episodes from the camera guys to wardrobe to hair and make-up. We involve wardrobe, props, dialogue coach, teachers, ADs in our little escapades because it keeps the set light hearted! Sometimes our kids are involved in the mischief and sometimes they are just embarrassed by us; either option works for me.

The most positive aspect of having fun with pranks and activities on and off set is that it takes up ‘space’, leaving less room for drama, competitiveness and ‘comparing’. We all have something to laugh talk about. It bonds us.

Thanks for coming to read the blogs and I hope they are useful. Come back next week for more tips and insights.

With Aloha,

Eileen