CWIST – Creative Parenting With A Twist, That’s Fun For Kids!

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This has always been my favorite time of year.  When I was a child I loved the gifts, now as an adult who understands the real meaning of Christmas I truly love helping others.  I love baking cookies for people, giving gifts, but my favorite is helping those in need.  The feeling is something that I cannot describe, and I want to pass that along to my children.  As a parent I’m always open-minded when it comes to creative parenting.  I want to help my children see the other side of things, without being too pushy.  I want them to understand there is more to Christmas than recieving gifts.  Which is why I am happy to introduce CWIST – Creative Parenting With A Twist that’s fun for kids.

CWIST – Creative Parenting With A Twist That’s Fun For Kids!

CWIST is a new program, filled with cwists, which are challenges designed to educate, and inspire children while having fun, and learning how to make a healthy connect between the things they want, and what it takes to get them.  Parents will find a large interactive library filled with unique challenges, from areas like community service, creativity, sports, family life, learning, PBS Kids, physical activates, and more.   It’s also a great way for parents to see what things their children are wishing for, and reward them with it after they have earned it.  Cwist has several great partner companies like Edmund Scientific, Imagine Toys, and several more.  Not to worry if cwist doesn’t have what your child wishes for, they can enter their own unique reward.  It’s a great way to motivate kids to learn work ethic, delayed gratification, and help build self-confidence.

The challenges are geared toward children in K-5, but all my kids had fun completing their assigned cwists.  My youngest Mattie is three, I think she is too young to complete challenges on her own, so the first cwist my kids completed as a team.  They are pretty tight, Mattie really looks up to her big sisters, and in my option you cannot start teaching kids the true meaning of Christmas too early.  “Teaching The True Meaning of Christmas” was the first cwist my children completed.

They asked several adults to explain the true meaning of Christmas, talked with their dad about wishes, and wish lists.  It also made them start thinking outside, the box.  They started talking about heading down to the mall and looking to see if it was too late to get a family to help for Christmas, asked questions about programs in our area, and they all decided that they wanted to put their money together and donate it to a family in need.  They have been tossing around other ideas, even started talking about what they wanted to do next year, and how they wanted to continue helping others throughout the entire year.  GREAT cwist, and my kids learned it all on their own, which made them more willing to take in the information.   They even started doing nice things for me, without me asking them.  I know, I had to look outside and see if it was snowing too, lol.  I have good kids, but WOW!

“Teaching the TRUE Meaning of Christmas” helped my children stop focusing on gifts, and think about those who are less fortunate.  It also teaches how good it feels doing things for others during the holiday season, and being recognized for the awesome selfless actions.  It’s a great cwist that can be completed individually, or as a group.  My oldest daughter took the lead, and all my children completed the cwist step-by-step.  I love watching my children work to help someone else.

 

Since the kids are out of school for two weeks I have a few more planned.  This weekend I’m going to have my kids “Create a Snow Globe“, and later I would like to try “Let’s Make Crystals“, “Every Picture Tells a Story“, “Fancy Feet“, “One rotten Apple“, “ACK! I’ve Got Homework“, and “Are We There Yet” to name a few.   “Are We There Yet?” sounds like it’s going to be good for the entire family.  The goal is to spend time together as a family, playing games, taking, and bonding while traveling rather than playing on electronics.  We’re going to my mom and dads this weekend, it’s only two hours away – the perfect road trip to complete “Are We There Yet?“, I’m pretty excited about it.

Many of the cwists can be done together, or individually.  We’re a pretty close family, and my kids spend a lot of time together.  I can honestly say they each others closest friends, and it’s nice to see them grow and learn completing the same activities, but still have some of their own to complete.  CWIST is recommended for children K-5, but I have found that all my kids enjoy it, and have found value from completing cwists.  My youngest needs a little help, but she’s blessed with great older sisters who are always willing to involve, and help her.

Another thing I like is that my children can login to their own account, make a wish, view their cwist list, complete cwists, and explore.  Mattie doesn’t have her own profile, she shares with her older sisters.  I don’t even want to think about what would happen if I turned my 3 year old loose with the computer.  Which is probably the reason for the recommended age not being 3, lol.  MY kids love it, and it’s a great way to hold them accountable, and make them feel good about what they are doing.

Kids CWIST For Kids Campaign

I’m super excited to share Kids CWIST For Kids campaign that is currently underway.  This is an awesome opportunity for children to get involved and make this a happy holiday season for a child in need.  Children will earn a gift by completing a CWIST, and make a holiday wish come true!

First parents will select one child who they would like to earn a gift for.  The profiles are of children from charity partners, The Lighthouse Shelter, Sarah’s House, and the Homeless Education Program for AAC Schools in MD.  You’ll see profiles of children who only want a toy, or a doll.  It’s also neat because you can see kids who have had their wishes granted.  Next you assign a cwist for your child to complete by 1/6/14, select a gift that matches their wish, and once your child completes their cwist the toy will be sent to the child you picked.  Each one of my kids are doing a cwist to help another little boy or girl who is in need.  You never know what your one little gift will do, and it’s a great lesson for your child as well!

CWIST is donating $2000 in toys, and if CWIST reaches their goal parents can purchase a toy from their partners at a 20% discount, and make a holiday wish come true for a child who is in need.

Whether you are looking for a way to teach your children the true meaning of Christmas, or on the lookout for creative parenting that is fun for kids CWIST is worth checking out.  It’s a great way to educate, and inspire children while having fun, and learning how to make a healthy connect between the things they want, and what it takes to get them!  Did I mention it’s fun for kids too!

Learn more about this fabulous program by visiting them online at CWIST.com, and be sure to check out their CWIST for Kids Campaign HERE.

In the comments below let me know what you think of CWIST, and if you think you’ll be taking advantage of their creative parenting with a twist.  Don’t forget you can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CWIST. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”