ML Interest Tag: management

How to Raise Readers from an Author & Dad of 6 Kids

By Molly Antos

You might have missed it but National Read a Book Day just passed us by (it was on September 6th!) and given this new age of COVID-spurred sky-high screentime, how can parents encourage kids to spend more time offline reading? 

See below for some expert input from a knowledgeable expert—Jelani Memory. He is not only the co-founder of a screen time management solution, Circle Parental Controls but also the Founder and CEO of “A Kids Book About,” with the recent release, A Kids Book About Racism. On top of all that, he’s also a father of 6 kids! Read on for his tips on raising readers in a screen-dominated era and ways to get kids to put the screens down to read a book once in a while.

Q: What are your top tips for raising kids who love to read in this era dominated by screens, video games, social media? 

A: “To get your kids to love to read even when they could choose a TV, tablet, or smartphone is simple… start early. Read to your kid before they know you’re even reading. That means start when they’re a baby. Read early and often. When they get old enough to read on their own, keep reading with them.  Let them read to you. And talk about the stories and ideas from what you read afterward. Reading with them this much will simply get into their bones. It’ll give them confidence when they go to read by themselves and also cause them to go and do it automatically. This doesn’t mean that they’ll always choose to read, but it will be one of many options for finding entertainment throughout the day.”  

Q: In honor of National Read a Book Day, how do you recommend parents get their kids to put down the screens to read a book for a bit? 

A: “This one is easily said but not easily done…Put some time limits on your kids’ screen time. They won’t love the limits, but they won’t set them on their own. Just like you can find yourself scrolling Facebook endlessly for an hour, wondering where the time went, they do too. And they have lots more free time on their hands to do so. First, set some limits and then make reading a way to earn more screen time. They might find that they want to finish the chapter they’re reading even when they’ve earned more screen time.”  

Q: Aside from your own amazing books, what are some of your top picks for books that kids should read nowadays? 

A: “There are so many incredible books available now for kids. For the youngest ones, I recommend C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison. For kiddos slightly older, I recommend Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi and Bad Seed by Jory John. For kids who are in the tweenage, I think El Deafo by Cece Bell is incredible or Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier. And lastly for older kids, The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix or Black Panther by Ta=Nehisi Coates.”

 

 

Mother of two monkeys and loving every minute of it! 

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Study Examines Burnout While Working Remotely

by Jennifer Swartvagher

According to a survey by FlexJobs and Mental Health America, 75% of people have experienced burnout at work, with 40% saying they’ve experienced burnout during the pandemic specifically. This is not surprising as many are currently working longer hours than usual. A flexible workday was listed as one of the top ways their workplace could offer support during this time.

Zoom call

However, just 21% said they were able to have open, productive conversations with HR about solutions to their burnout. Fifty-six percent went so far as to say that their HR departments did not encourage conversations about burnout. This survey was conducted by FlexJobs, fielded in partnership with Mental Health America (MHA) in late July 2020.

“One of the most important things remote workers can do is to set clear boundaries between their work time and non-work time, and HR needs to take an active role in helping workers practice healthy boundaries between their professional and personal lives,” said Carol Cochran, VP of People & Culture at FlexJobs. “Offering flexible scheduling to employees can have a dramatic impact on reducing burnout, since rigid work schedules usually magnify conflict between work and family, leading workers to mental exhaustion. Most importantly, leaders should strive to create a healthy company culture that values the individual as a person, and prioritizes the overall wellness of its workers,” Cochran recommended. 

Employed workers are more than 3x as likely to report poor mental health now vs before the pandemic (5% vs 18%). 42% of those employed and 47% of those unemployed say their stress levels are currently high or very high.  More than three-quarter (76%) agreed that workplace stress affects their mental health (i.e., depression or anxiety). Only about half (51%) of workers agreed that they had the emotional support they need at work to help manage their stress.  

Top stressors include COVID-19, personal finances, current events, concern over their family’s health, the economy, and job responsibilities. 

People are eager to attend virtual mental health solutions offered through their workplace, such as meditation sessions and virtual workout classes

Employed workers are more than 3 times as likely to report poor mental health now vs before the pandemic. Before the pandemic, 5%  of currently employed workers said their mental health was poor or very poor. That number has now jumped to 18%. Unemployed workers are more stressed as well. Before the pandemic, 7 percent of currently unemployed workers said their mental health was poor or very poor. That number has now jumped to 27 %.

“Company leadership, including executives, HR, and management, have a responsibility to their employees to model and talk openly about behaviors that reduce stress, prevent burnout, and help employees establish the appropriate boundaries when working remotely,” said Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO at MHA. “Offering flexibility during the workday, encouraging employees to use their PTO when they need a vacation, and providing time off for employees to tend to their mental health can help employees at all levels of a company cope with COVID-19 and other stressors.”

76% of respondents were currently working remotely. To help remote workers avoid burnout, FlexJobs has compiled these key tips for them to consider.

  • Develop boundaries. One of the difficult things about being a remote worker is that you’re never really “away” from your work physically, and you need to develop actual barriers between your work and personal life. One boundary is to have a dedicated work space that you can join and leave. Or, put your laptop in a drawer or closet when you’re done with work. Start and end your work day with some kind of ritual that signals to your brain it’s time to change from work to personal or vice versa. 

 

  • Turn off email and work notifications after work hours. Turning off email when you’re not “at work” is important — you shouldn’t be available all the time. Let your teammates and manager know when they can expect you. Let people know your general schedule and when you’re “off the clock” so they aren’t left wondering. 

 

  • Encourage more personal activities by scheduling them. Most people struggle with the “work” part of work-life balance. Schedule personal activities and have several go-to hobbies that you enjoy so you’ll have something specific to do with your personal time. If you don’t have anything planned, like a hike after work or a puzzle project, you may find it easier to slip back to work unnecessarily.

 

  • Ask your boss for flexible scheduling so you can better control your days and balance both your personal and professional responsibilities. 

 

  • Focus on work during your work time, rather than letting “life” things creep into your work hours too much. If you’re productive and efficient throughout the day, then at the end of the day it will be easier to walk away feeling accomplished and not be tempted to work into the night to finish what should have been completed during the day.

 

  • Take a mental health screen. If your stress feels unmanageable or you have other mental health concerns, take a free, confidential, and anonymous mental health screen at https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

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Why We Decided to Homeschool This Year & Why You Don’t Have To

By Elisabeth Fox

Let me begin by clearly stating that I am 100% in support of all parents faced with this impossible decision this year. Whether you keep your children home, participate in an online version of their traditional school, or homeschool completely, no option is solely right or wrong. We are all living in a gray area during this crisis and we are all trying to make the best calls with little to no experience of the predicament we have found ourselves in.

My husband and I have made the choice to keep our kids home this academic year. They are a part of an online-based academy that isn’t part of our district, but we will also be supplementing with our own homeschool curriculum. Deciding this wasn’t easy at all and was met with particular resistance by my thirteen year old son who just wanted to see his friends every day. After a lot of thought and deliberation, I think I have figured out what I feel comfortable with and how to mesh it into a smorgasbord of acceptable for all involved in our home.

We didn’t want the chaos surrounding the virus to interrupt our kids’ focus on studies, let alone the struggle that the district is going through to switch to an online platform as opposed to traditional st‌yle. It made more sense for our kiddos to have a more relaxed and designed specifically-for-them option.

With the plan we have in place, they will wake up and have personal time as well as school time. They can scatter their classes throughout the day, or knock them all out at once. As long as the assignments are completed by the end of the day, the time is theirs to be responsible with. This also leaves plenty of time for friends. Provided they use their smarts and don’t risk their health or wellbeing, we allow them to come and go and visit with their friends in the neighborhood.

Thanks to that, we aren’t worried about the socialization factor. Another part we love about this choice is how tailored we can make it for each child. My youngest son thrives in math, while my oldest son and my daughter don’t. This lets us give the youngest the room to shoot forward in progress while still nurturing the other two at their pace. Not having to accomodate an entire class of children with different comprehension levels and needs makes for a shorter day and less frustration for ours.

The shorter paper work time allows them more opportunity to explore other interests as well. My daughter has begun learning Spanish in her free time, and my oldest is pursuing boxing as a physical education credit. Many districts also allow homeschooled students to participate in the extracurriculars offered in the schools. So, when basketball season comes, or if they peak a sudden interest in chess club or drama club, that door is open to them. The freedom to choose and flourish their way is amazing for their independence and responsibilty growth.

The last big reason we chose is something many people don’t realize. Colleges, Ivy and otherwise, scout homeschooled kids. They set a lot of value by the real world skills gained by most homeschool journeys. More often than not, homeschooled children are more comfortable interacting with people generations above their own. They also gain more practical knowledge and responsibility about things like money management and taxes. A lot of children also begin to take a larger part in homemaking whether that be sewing, gardening, construction, or even cooking. These wide skill sets make them especially alluring to colleges looking to enroll well rounded, full of potential young adults.

This choice is not without its own shortcomings. Those of us who choose this also have to remember the effort and time it takes to actually develop a routine where the kids can self start and be trusted to complete things themselves. We also have to understand that some of our days will inevitably be incredibly frustrating for both student and parent.

It takes real work to commit to homeschooling, even if it is online and not wholly on your shoulders. Beyond facing your own headaches, there will always be people who critque your decision. We are all in this whirlwind together and our only control is ourselves. What’s important to remember, whether you chose what I did or the opposite, naysayers are an inevitability. Stick close to your tribe of parents who support your choices because they know you are doing your best to make the right calls. Never let the peanut gallery win. You are doing awesome.

I'm a Texan Mom always chasing after my crazy chaos bringer. When I'm not parenting, I run a personal artistry website and a small arts label. More than anything, though, I'm just biding my time until TACO TUESDAY.

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Get the Kids in the Kitchen with Rachael Ray

by Jennifer Swartvagher

If your kids are itching to get in the kitchen have them join Rachael Ray and her celebrity chef friends for a free interactive, online cooking camp. The camp will offer your entire family the opportunity to learn important and fun cooking skills, as well as recipes you can make at home.

mother/daughter in kitchen

Camp will run daily from Thurs., Jul. 30 through Fri., Aug. 14 and will take place at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Zoom. There will be a total of 16 camp sessions which will last about 45 minutes each. 

The target age group for campers is 8 to 15 years old, but everyone is welcome to join. Parents are encouraged to participate with their kids to help produce the recipes and ensure kitchen safety. 

Attendance to the camp will be free and will only require on-line registration to receive the Zoom conference instructions and details for that day’s camp session.

View the class list, and be sure to check back for more classes being added every day. Limited spots are available so reserve your virtual seat today.

Proceeds from sponsorships and optional online donations will be split between two incredible organizations both of which provide support for youth development and empowerment: Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Rachael Ray Yum-o! scholarship for students to attend Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: August de Richelieu from Pexels

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We’re Hiring: Growth Marketing Manager, Special Projects (Remote Position!)

by Jacqui Boland

The Tinybeans marketing team is a scrappy group of fast-moving, data-driven and creative thinkers who nurture and grow Tinybeans and Red Tricycle users across all platforms. The Growth Marketing Manager is a contract role that will help to drive top-of-funnel email acquisition through four large quarterly initiatives, as well as ongoing partnership and acquisition programs.

The Growth Marketing Manager (possible Director level depending on experience) will report to the Chief Marketing Officer. We’re looking for an extraordinary growth marketer who has a proven track record of driving significant email and traffic growth through execution of campaigns and tactics that meet the company KPIs. 

You will be responsible for planning, managing and executing four large consumer campaigns across a variety of digital and offline channels and working with cross functional teams to acquire and retain users. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, innovative, problem solver who gets things done and is excited about growth.

 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

  • You will own four large quarterly growth initiatives end-to-end to drive user growth, traffic, revenue and brand awareness. Responsibilities including planning, partnership outreach, implementation, tracking, execution, optimization and reporting. 
  • Additionally, you will work cross-functionality with marketing, sales and product teams to ensure quarterly programs satisfy all campaign performance metrics. 
  • You will also be responsible for executing ongoing initiatives to drive growth across all organic channels including e-mail, organic search, social and display. 
  • You will utilize data and insights to have a deep understanding of Tinybeans users to identify ideal partners & opportunities for growth – optimization and new channel exploration.
  • You will own performance marketing reporting and provide actionable insights back to relevant stakeholders. Collaborate with the data analytics team to ensure tracking and channel attribution. 

 

WHAT WILL SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS

  • Strong project management skills: ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional partners, prioritize high impact activities, and keep complex projects moving forward.
  • •3+ years of full-time experience in marketing roles specifically with a proven track record of driving growth of email and web traffic.
  • Preferred experience Mobile app marketing, including ASO and conversion funnel optimization, but not required.
  • Experience executing multifaceted marketing campaigns; including but not limited to sweepstakes, social arbitrage, partnership marketing. 
  • Proficiency in Excel, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Analytics, Looker, and other industry standard optimization tools as well as tracking platforms.
  • Exceptional organizational, budgetary and time management skills.
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to identify trends and provide action oriented insights.
  • Ability to collaborate and work cross-functionally, specifically with product, sales and design teams.
  • Experience at a media company or other consumer-facing business or organization.
  • Self motivated and experience working remotely.

 

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@tinybeans.go-vip.net

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Interactive, Screen-Free Audio Platform, Yoto Launches in the United States

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Yoto is a screen-free audio platform for children. This alternative provides families the opportunity to balance play time, learning and creativity without screens. The brand recently announced their United States launch and availability of the Yoto Player in order to inspire a new generation of learners.

Yoto Player

The Yoto Player is designed to safely give children full control over their listening, by entertaining and educating them while reducing screen-time. Yoto Player is controlled using physical cards that are inserted into the Player which plays audio content, reducing screen time without removing technology. Parents have access to the Yoto smartphone app allowing control of settings and content management. The free-to-download Yoto smartphone app also contains a selection of free content available to all, and allows families to play the audio through other Bluetooth speakers, including in the car for on-the-go entertainment. Additionally, Yoto’s audio cards have the ability to play content through the app by simply tapping the card to the back of a compatible smartphone.

Yoto Player

“Research shows that audio can help inspire creativity and imagination in children, whereas screen-time has the opposite effect. We created Yoto with the mission to help inspire the next generation of creative, independent minds through audio and we are thrilled to introduce the Yoto Player to the US market, giving more children access to a world of curated audio content,” said Ben Drury, CEO and co-founder of Yoto. “Children can listen to amazing audio without a smartphone screen, freeing their hands and minds for imaginative play whilst parents know that they are safe.”

Having secured licenses with Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan and more, the extensive and ever-expanding content library is packed with some of the world’s greatest children’s authors including Roald Dahl and Judith Kerr. The Yoto library also features music, activities, and podcasts, such as the Yoto Daily, Yoto’s very own free micro-podcasts, as well as radio and sound effects. In addition, the Yoto Player has a ‘Create Your Own’ function enabling users to create their very own bedtime stories or link to their favorite radio stations or podcasts.

Yoto Player is available for purchase at us.yotoplay.com starting at $99.99. The Yoto smartphone app is available to download for free on iOS or Android.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Yoto

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Walmart Announces Partnership with thredUP

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Scoring a great deal from one of our favorite brands can be such a thrill. thredUP has become the leading re-commerce platform for fashion and accessories at mass market prices. Now, Walmart is entering the popular fashion resale market for the first time through a strategic partnership with this popular resale brand.

Walmart thredUP

Walmart’s partnership with thredUP will allow customers shopping on Walmart’s website to shop items that have been carefully evaluated and hand-selected by thredUP’s professional buyers across women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, footwear and handbags from popular national brands not previously available at Walmart.

“thredUP’s Resale-as-a-Service platform was built to meet consumers where they are and make it easy for retailers to offer customizable resale experiences. After spending the past decade becoming the world’s largest resale marketplace, we are thrilled to join forces with the world’s largest retailer to deliver a digital secondhand shopping experience to Walmart’s troves of shoppers nationwide. More than ever, consumers are seeking value without sacrificing quality and style, and this partnership is yet another step toward a brighter, more circular fashion future,” said James Reinhart, CEO & co-founder of thredUP.

Walmart thredUP

This partnership is a unique way for shoppers looking for sustainable fashion to find the upcycled items they are looking for as part of their everyday shopping experience. According to thredUP’s upcoming 2020 Annual Resale Report, 70% of consumers have bought or are now willing to buy second hand.

Items have been carefully evaluated and selected by thredUP for sale based on their overall quality and condition. Only pre-owned garments and shoes deemed “new” or “like new” by thredUP are available on Walmart.com. “Gently used” accessories and handbags are also be available.

Starting today, customers can shop online to find nearly 750,000 pre-owned items across women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, footwear and handbags.

Customers will have the added benefit of Walmart’s free shipping on orders of $35 or more and free returns to Walmart stores or thredUP. These exclusive perks have not been available to thredUP customers before.

“We are excited to join forces with Walmart to power a sustainable, secondhand shopping experience unlike any other. From Calvin Klein and Nike to Coach and Michael Kors, this digital partnership enhances Walmart’s fashion offering with fresh brands at amazing prices that their customers will love,” said Jenn Volk, Director of Product Management, thredUP.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Walmart

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Slumberkins Offers Kids a Free Alpaca Book to Help Manage Stress

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Parents and children are under a great deal of stress during this time of social distancing and self isolation. In order to offer support during this time, Slumberkins is offering a free Alpaca book to everyone who needs it. The company also has a page of free downloadable activities and resources available as well. 

Alpaca book

Children find comfort in sharing their concerns with others during times like these. Alpaca encourages little ones to express their feelings with loved ones who can help them manage their fears and emotions. The Alpaca book supports anxiety management, coping skills and stress relief. 

According to their website, Slumberkins stories use research-based techniques to teach children important social-emotional skills. Through pro-active and supportive narratives, each collection is intentionally crafted to build resilient, caring, and confident children.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Slumberkins

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New Study from LinkedIn Explores the Barriers Working Mothers Face

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Working mothers face many obstacles when returning to work after taking a career break. According to research done by LinkedIn, more than 70% of mothers are part of the US workforce. Yet there are barriers that they need to overcome when making the transition from mother to working mother. 

Woman in office

Rosanna Durruthy, VP of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at LinkedIn offers many tips for working parents based on this new study conducted via a Censuswide survey fielded from February 13 – 20, 2020, among 3,000 working parents ages 18-54 and 1,000 hiring managers across the U.S.

Durruthy shares that more than half of hiring managers recognize the difficulties working mothers face on a daily basis from inflexible work schedules to stigmas around taking time off. It can be very challenging for mothers to advance in their careers after taking a break, but they should embrace their time off. The data compiled shows that hiring managers tend to have an open mind when recruiting mothers returning to work. They see the value this group brings to the workplace and are eager to bring them in. Managers feel that moms are likely to be hard-working, have strong time-management skills and patience. Parents should highlight any career breaks on their resume and share the benefits gained by taking this time off.

When looking for a new job, moms should seek out companies that are right for their specific needs. Companies that offer a flexible work schedule are often the best fit. The interview period can be used as a time to gauge the company culture. Parents can also research part-time roles or work opportunities that allow them to work remotely. 

Parents should look for community resources when reentering the workforce. Managers can help with finding out what sponsorship opportunities are available. Reaching out to connections in their network, allows working moms to find mentors or new opportunities. LinkedIn offers groups for working women including Working Single Moms and Thrive: Professional Women’s Group. 

Duruthy writes, “The transition from employee to mother to working mother can be a remarkable shift, but remember that you’re not alone.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Dane Deaner on Unsplash

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