Top Five Tips for Protecting Your Social Media Privacy

By

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March 13, 2016

Love it or hate it, the fact is that Facebook is a part of our modern day lifestyle, especially with the easy access that we can obtain to the internet through our smart phones. On occasion, I will have to admit that I have made mistakes by posting an angry comment or posting embarrassing photos of myself. As an adult I make mistakes, learn from them and move on.

When I sign up for a social media account like Facebook I am deliberately agreeing to allow social media to use my personal data to some degree. But what about my child? Should I expose my beautiful angel to social media?

As most new proud parents, after the birth of my daughter I wanted to show her off to the world, especially to my family and friends who don’t live nearby and who live overseas. Everyone loves pictures of newborns, right? But now that my angel has grown older, was it too much too fast? Is it ethical to publish a picture of someone who is unable to give their consent?

I have my privacy settings on Facebook set so that my friends are the only ones allowed access to my photos. But I constantly think of the “what if” scenarios. For example, what if my pictures are shared by my friends and then their friends continue to share them again and so on. Then I don’t know who exactly is looking at my pictures anymore. The worst “what if” scenario that I am terrified of is the pictures ending up in the wrong hands, for instance a pornographer. For me, the real problem comes when once I have posted a picture on the Internet then there is no way of getting it back.
It is true that on occasion some corrupt events can happen when sharing photos online, but for me the trick is to be smart when doing so.

Here are some steps that I have taken to ensure that when and if I do continue to share my child milestones on social media that the pictures do not fall into the wrong set of hands:
1. Lower the resolution on your pictures. By doing this is makes it harder to print and enlarge pictures.
2. Turn off the GPS services when posting pictures from your phone. This allows for more discretion of where you are at the moment of the picture is taken.
3. Avoid taking photos with local landmarks; don’t upload pictures of your child with markers in the background that can indicate where the photo was taken.
4. Most importantly customize your privacy settings. For example my photo albums that include pictures of my child I have customized the privacy settings to only allow access to certain family members whom I have picked to view them.
5. Filter what pictures you post: Babies do adorable things all day long, but please do not post pictures of your baby naked. Use common sense. I see these cute pictures that resemble Anne Geddes photographs (my favorite); the naked ones should only be shared with family members.

When used properly, I believe that social media can be a useful device. I believe that when social media like Facebook is used in a positive approach it can be a way to allow family and friends that are close to you but live far away watch your child grow. Who doesn’t like positive comments, like “such a happy baby” on their pictures? It’s a sense of pride and an encouragement boost. Social media is also a nice way to provide a structural support group that parents are in need of. Parenting is a tough job, we need all the support that we can get.

As my child continues to grow I am going to carry and share her milestones online, but I am going to do so with more discretion, thinking twice before posting that adorable picture.

Mom 2 Mom Sales {In + Around Detroit} – March 2016

By

aubreymoon

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March 11, 2016

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the moms of DMB {love} a good sale and what better way to shop than to support other moms in our area?! Below is a list of Mom 2 Mom Sales in + around Detroit happening this month! Did we miss one? Share it in the comments section below along with some of your best M2M finds!

Saturday, March 12

Allen Park PTA/PTSA Council

Location: 18401 Champaign, Allen Park (Between Allen & Pelham)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1
Sold out 40 tables

Amanda Moore PTO

Location: 209 Dickenson St., Romeo (East of M-53/North of 32 Mile)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Ok after 11AM

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

Cheyenne Elementary

Location: 47600 Heydenreich, Macomb (North of 21 Mile/East of Romeo Plank)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2
Sold Out 145 tables

Creative Learning Campus @ Community Lutheran Church

Location: 23984 Gibraltar, Flat Rock (At Cahill)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: Canned food donation

Farrell Emmett Elementary School

Location: 3300 Kinney, Emmett (At M-21)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1

Hillside Elementary

Location: 36801 W. 11 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills (At Halsted)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:00AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $2 Early Bird/$3
Sold out 115 tables

Huron Valley Parents of Multiples @ Woodland Meadows Elementary

Location: 350 Woodland, Saline (At E. Michigan & N. Maple)

Time: 9AM – 12PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $2

Lakeview High School Class of ’18

Location: 21100 E. 11 Mile, St. Clair Shores (At Little Mack)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

MOPS @ Immanuel Lutheran Church

Location: 415 N. 9th St., St. Clair (At 9th & Vine)

Time: 9AM – 12:30PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

New Life Christian Academy

Location: 5517 Griswold, Kimball (At Wadhams)

Time: 9AM – 12PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1

NWS Mothers of Multiples @ St. Matthews

Location: 30900 6 Mile, Livonia (Between Merriman & Middlebelt)

Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Ok after 10AM

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

Ojibwa Elementary PTO

Location: 46950 Heydenreich, Macomb (At 21 Mile/1 Mile east of Romeo Plank)

Time: 8AM – 12:30PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $2
Sold out 125 tables

Saline Parks & Rec

Location: 1866 Woodland, Saline (South of Textile between State & Maple)

Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2
Sold Out – 87 tables

Sequoyah Elementary School

Location: 18500 24 Mile Rd., Macomb (East of Romeo Plank)

Time: 8:30AM – 12:30PM (8AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2
Sold out 115 tables

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church

Location: 2101 S. Hacker, Brighton (At Hyne)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

St. Paul Lutheran School

Location: 495 Earhart, Ann Arbor (At US-23 at Geddes)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

St. Thecla

Location: 20762 S. Nunnely, Clinton Twp. (South of 16 Mile/East of Groesbeck)

Time: 8:30AM – 1PM

Strollers: Ok after 11AM

Cost: $2

Switzer Elementary

Location: 53200 Shelby Rd., Shelby Twp. (At 24 Mile Rd.)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Ok after 10AM

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

Training & Treatment Innovations

Location: 1450 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford (South of Drahner)

Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

Saturday, March 19

Addams Elementary PTA

Location: 2222 W. Webster, Royal Oak (East of Woodward/South of 13 Mile)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: Ok after 10AM

Cost: $1
Sold out 90 tables

Groves High School DECA

Location: 20500 W. 13 Mile, Beverly Hills (West of Evergreen)

Time: 10AM – 2PM

Strollers: Ok after 12PM

Cost: $2

Lake Orion Community Ed

Location: 455 E. Scripps, Lake Orion (At M-24 & Lapeer Rd.)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: YES!

Cost: $1
Sold out 98 tables

L’Anse Creuse Foundation

Location: L’Anse Creuse High School North – 23700 21 Mile, Macomb (At North Avenue)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Ok after 10AM

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2
Sold out 236 tables

Mohawk Elementary PTA

Location: 48101 Romeo Plank, Macomb (North of 21 Mile)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

MOPS & MOMS Next at Trinity UMC

Location: 1310 N. Main, Lapeer (M-24 north of Oregon)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

North Street UMC Woman’s Life Club 702

Location: 4580 North Rd., Port Huron (North at Keewahdin)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1

Rochester Hills Christian School

Location: 3300 S. Livernois, Rochester Hills (At Auburn & Livernois)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

St. Joan of Arc PTG

Location: 22415 Overlake, St. Clair Shores (South of 9 Mile at Greater Mack)

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: No

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

St. Paul Lutheran School

Location: 90 Millville Rd., Lapeer

Time: 9AM – 1PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $1 Early Bird/$2

Sunday, March 20

Jewish Community Center

Location: 6600 W. Maple, West Bloomfield (At Drake Rd.)

Time: 9AM – 1PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $2

Friday, March 25

Gibraltar Trade Center

Location: 237 North River Road, Mt. Clemens

Time: 10AM – 6PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $2/car

Saturday, March 26

City of Pleasant Ridge

Location: 4 Ridge Rd., Pleasant Ridge (At Woodward & I-696)

Time: 9AM – 12PM (8:30AM Early Bird)

Strollers: Capped at 32

Cost:$1 Early Bird/$2

Gibraltar Trade Center

Location: 237 North River Road, Mt. Clemens

Time: 10AM – 6PM

Strollers: Yes!

Cost: $2/car

Detroit Foodie Brunch Spot Bucket List

By

Erica B

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March 9, 2016

There is something about eating breakfast foods at all the wrong times that is just so good.

Below is a list of some of the most amazing savory and sweet brunch locations around town!

Bobcat Bonnie’s – Detroit
Captain Crunch French toast AND a build your own mimosa or Bloody Mary bar. How could you not?

Breakfast Club – Madison Heights
Tucked into a cute cottage style building, be ready for amazing baked French toast and Eggs Benedict, and the check is served with chocolate covered strawberries.

Brooklyn Street Local – Detroit
This Corktown favorite serves up their signature Hangover Special, magical pancake creations, and poutine. Get a taste of Canada without having to cross the bridge or the tunnel!

Cafe Zola – Ann Arbor
Phenomenal sweet & savory crepes are the specialty here, but the entire brunch menu is fantastic!

Camp Ticonderoga – Troy
A family friendly Sunday brunch made from scratch with an emphasis on quality ingredients.

Chocolate Gallery Cafe – Warren
If you’re looking to indulge, this is the place for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, Thursday through Sunday. Lemon ricotta pancakes are a fan favorite!

Cliff Bell’s – Detroit
Take in the beauty of the surroundings, and listen to live jazz while you nosh on chicken & waffles and wash it down with bottomless mimosas

Dime Store – Detroit
Everything made from scratch and a full bar have led many to call Dime Store the best brunch in Detroit – go see for yourself!

Fishbone’s Rhythm Cafe
Detroit, Saint Clair Shores & Southfield
Because sometimes you want a side of sushi with your eggs, and why shouldn’t you have it?

Gold Cash Gold – Detroit
Farm-to-table freshness, and the undeniable combination of pickle brined fried chicken & waffles is just the beginning of the amazing brunch experience at GCG.

Grand Tavern – Rochester Hills
The brunch buffet here is unbeatable – a flat price and get a taste of everything!

Hudson Cafe – Detroit
Brunch is what the Hudson Cafe is known for and there’s a good reason for it! Fresh squeezed OJ, a phenomenal coffee bar, and the best omelet you’ve ever had can all be found inside.

J Baldwins – Clinton Township
Sunday brunch at J Baldwins ranges from classic fare to breakfast pizza. You pretty much can’t go wrong!

Johnny Cakes – Troy
While the names screams pancakes (and they are great!), the egg specialties are also worth the wait.

La Dolce Vita – Detroit
This well hidden gem serves up some of the best brunch with class and style!

La Dulce – Royal Oak
Sunday only, this new tapas spot offers Spanish inspired brunch options.

Le Andos Cafe – Macomb Township
The menu is a never ending list that will make your mouth water and stomach rumble. Bonus: if you want to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home, they deliver or offer online ordering for pickup as well!

Marais – Grosse Pointe
Upscale brunch dining is offered one Sunday a month. Call for dates and reservations.

Pancake Factory – Shelby Township
This family owned and kid-friendly restaurant has a huge menu of breakfast and lunch favorites, and as the name says, specializes in pancakes of all varieties!

Parks & Rec Diner – Detroit
Farm fresh local foods made into the best breakfast ever – lamb bacon, amazing baked goods, and boozy milkshakes are just a few of the amazing things that await you here!

Recipes – Farmington Hills & Troy
Renown both locally and nationwide for their amazing breakfast

Rochester Brunch House – Rochester
Super fresh ingredients and menu pricing that break your budget make this brunch restaurant a fan favorite!

Rose’s Fine Food – Detroit
Come for the food and the ethics – Rose’s serves fantastic farm fresh, made from scratch deliciousness and also pays their staff a living wage. They do accept tips, but they are split by the entire staff and a portion is donated each month to a charity of the staff’s choosing.

Selden Standard – Detroit
Brunch is served on weekends only, and the menu is seasonal, including both sweet and savory options as well as a selection of craft cocktails.

Seva – Detroit & Ann Arbor
Brunch isn’t just for omnivores. The vegan and vegetarian dishes here will amaze even the most carnivorous of breakfast food lovers.

The Daily Dinette – Ferndale
Open 24 hours, and keeping the menu simple with breakfast sandwiches, burgers, fries, tater balls, and the most amazing freshly made donuts you’ve ever had!

The Fly Trap – Ferndale
The full menu is available all day, so whether you’re hungry for breakfast at dinner time or dinner at breakfast time, you can have it here and wash it down with a drink from the full bar.

The Grand Diner – Novi
Family owned and kid friendly, the Grand Din
er is also dedicated to serving the freshest food around.

The Jagged Fork – Grosse Pointe
Owned by the same people who made Hudson Cafe a Detroit staple, this breakfast and lunch location doesn’t disappoint with a huge menu of delicious options. Expect to wait, even during the week, but know that it will be well worth it!

The Original Pancake House
Bay Harbor, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, & Southfield
It may be a chain, but the food is amazing! You haven’t lived until you’ve shared a Big Apple!

The Pantry
Sterling Heights, Warren, & Washington Township
Expect a wait, especially on the weekends, but these family owned restaurants are totally worth it!

Thomas’s – Livonia
This kid friendly family restaurant has great food AND prices!

Three Blind Mice – Mt. Clemens
If you need a little “hair of the dog” come here for the brunch AND Bloody Mary buffets!

Toast – Birmingham & Ferndale
Friendly service, strong coffee, cocktails, and a wicked good brunch menu make Toast is a must try!

Uptown Grill – Commerce
A warm and friendly brunch stop during the day, and a busy bar & grille by night!

Vivio’s – Detroit
This Eastern Market legend has been serving up breakfast and Bloody Mary’s for years. The menu isn’t fancy, but the food and drinks are simply amazing!

Do YOU have a favorite brunch spot? Share it with us!

Family Vacations: The Dark Side

By

Kim C.

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March 8, 2016

The warm Florida sun sparkles across the water and my happy family plays on the beach building sand castles and running in and out of the surf. We spend our mid-winter break laughing, playing, swimming and happily applying sunscreen. We go to an amusement park and gape at the wonders we see; smiles abound. My daughter rides atop my husband’s shoulders pointing out all the amazing sights with an ice cream cone dripping on his shoulder. Perfection.

Reality: We just paid $45 for 3 not so great cheeseburgers, my face is sunburned and my back hurts from the weight of my bag, my husband is irritated with the crowds and my toddler is too tired and too hot to care about the Sesame Street characters dancing around for her amusement. There is sand in places I won’t find for days and if one more sea gull dive bombs me for my Pringles at the beach, I’m going to snap.

How did it come to this? I had such high hopes for this family vacation. The problem: it’s doesn’t feel like a vacation for me when I am shopping, packing, making arrangements for the dog, printing out itineraries, confirming rooms, renting cars, applying and reapplying the sunscreen, enforcing some sort of bedtime before midnight and remembering the princess necklace everywhere we go. I’m carrying the camera, the extra underpants, the said sunscreen, the tickets, the keys, the souvenirs, all the sunglasses and the snacks. God forbid we forget the snacks!
It was a great vacation in the eyes of my husband and my daughter who actually did play in the surf and ride on shoulders during the trip. I know – I asked them. I can’t completely complain either, I spent a week in the Florida sunshine, visited my parents, laid on a beach, ate like a queen and made some wonderful memories with my family. I think I will just remember it a tad differently. Through the eyes of somewhat jaded expectations and dare I say it… a touch of resentment. I mean, I was really excited for that Sesame Street show!

Yes, I resented it. Whaaaaat? I said it. I planned this trip as surprise for the family so everything leading up to the trip is my own doing. Still, I hoped that upon landing in Florida it would be this magical experience that would leave us all endlessly happy and refreshed. Instead, my resentment continued, even grew.

After I planned this fabulous trip, I got no help. No Glory. No thanks. These ingrates just expected me to keep on giving. Of course I did, because it’s what we do as moms.

Moms remember the special toys that we need to sleep and that sunscreen is not a one-time application. We know that beach toys mean everything and medicine has to be taken even on vacation. We remember that milk gives us my troubles on a long car ride, and that too much sun gives dad a headache so we need aspirin and sunglasses. We take care of it all.

That’s the dark side of family vacations no one tells you before you have a family. It’s mostly work. Work in a new place with a new view; work with a beautiful view but still work nonetheless. And it’s a thankless job. All those happy smiling faces in photos are the culmination of hours of effort, laundry, lists, lost sleep and blood and sweat. But I see them smile, the loves of my life are happy, so I smile.

I guess in the end it’s that we got to that smiling shining moment that matters. Through the years the work and the bickering and irritation will be forgotten. I will look back at that picture and say ‘what a great day it was!’ because that is what memories do over time: fade the bad. I will laughingly remember the tantrum we paid a ridiculous amount of money to witness. I will longingly wish for the ice cream stain again just to see her riding on my husband’s shoulders and both of them smiling. See, I’m nostalgic already.

It’s probably best that they don’t know all that goes into it. It wouldn’t be as much fun for them if they knew. I’ll plan another vacation because I’m a glutton for punishment who loves to travel. I’ll keep it my secret because one day she will have a family of her own and she’ll look back and say, “Thanks Mom. I see it now.” She will, right?

In the meantime… to my mom….THANK YOU! I see all your work now. I hope you had some fun along the way too!

10 Reasons Why Every Woman Loves Target

By

aubreymoon

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March 8, 2016

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Target but if you work for Target and want to sponsor any future posts, let’s talk!

You do not need to be a mom to read and agree with this post. Did you know there are more than 30 Target stores throughout Metro Detroit? While chances are you’ve found your favorite store(s) and visit certain ones for different things, one thing ~~most~~ ALL women can agree on– we love Target. There’s something for everyone in this big box store.

Here are my Top Ten Reasons Why Every Woman Loves Target:

Cartwheel, Red Card & Other Deals

Everyone loves a good deal. And you have to love a place that provides an app in which you can keep track of all of the deals you want to grab. Target’s Cartwheel app is simple. You browse according to the offer category {IE Baby, Food, Health, Home, etc.} and “add item” to your cartwheel. While you are limited on the number of deals you can hold at once, if you aren’t going to use an offer for one particular shopping trip, remove and replace it with one that you are. You can also scan product barcodes to see if the items in your shopping cart are on sale.

If you don’t have the Red Card, you need to get one. It’s an automatic 5% savings every trip on top of Cartwheel and other coupons. You can link it to your checking account if you don’t want to worry about having another credit card to pay, too.

Did you know that if you bring a reusable bag for your purchases you receive 5 cents off for each bag you use? Sure, it may not seem like a huge savings but every penny counts– plus you’re doing something nice for the environment.
The Dollar Spot

The people whose job it is to create every store’s layout are no fools. What’s the first thing you see when you walk thru the doors and grab your cart? The Dollar Spot, of course. Sure, you don’t need anything but it doesn’t hurt to browse. I’m not ashamed to admit that {on occasion} I let my son browse, too, and if he’s a good boy for our entire trip, he can pick one thing out of this section to purchase. It sure beats spending $$ in the toy aisle.

The Dollar Spot is constantly changing– usually with seasons or holidays– and is a great place to pick up cute decorative items, party accessories, gift wrapping and of course a new iPhone case and/or charger. It’s also perfect for stocking stuffers, Easter baskets and Valentine’s Day bags. {Note: not all items in The Dollar Spot are $1… they’ll get you here!} Don’t forget to check the end caps for extra savings under the Clearance baskets!
Designer Threads

Need a new bathing suit or maybe a cute top for your date night on Saturday? Target offers some excellent-quality clothes at affordable prices. They also carry many designer brands for less: Lilly Pulitzer, Mossimo, and Liz Lange Maternity to name a few. Rather than heading to department stores, I often find myself at Target browsing through the countless racks of cute clothes. Because of the great Cartwheel deals {see reason #1}, I can often find additional discounts on Target-exclusive brands or seasonal goods {anyone else need a bathing suit for Spring Break?!}.

Additionally, the maternity section at Target is fantastic. They’ve got anything from workout gear, work attire, dresses {and maxis for summer!} for weddings or more formal events and so many great graphic tees.
Starbucks

Leggings, top knots & coffee: three mom essentials {that you can get at Target!}. Some friends have a ritual to stop by the Starbucks before even heading in for their shopping, some stop on their way out. Either way, having a Starbucks inside Target is one of the most amazing things for moms anywhere. Another great feature- the ability to order your drink and pay for it ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in line with a fussy toddler that is grabbing at any/all things within an arm’s reach.
Home Decor for Any Style

It doesn’t matter if I’m checking out the newest throw pillows or wall art, Target’s Home section always sucks me in for something I don’t necessarily need. Their plethora of candles is a favorite of my son’s {he’ll take a quick sniff and tell me he doesn’t like that one, repeated about 14 times before we stroll away from that aisle} and I tend to get lost in them as well. Target is no HomeGoods when it comes to knick-knacks that I don’t need, but it’s definitely giving HG a run for it’s money.
Full Grocery Store

I’ve started to take advantage of the grocery aisles of Target recently. With one less than a mile from my driveway, it’s an easy choice when I need just a gallon of milk and don’t have to fight the crowds at the large grocery chains in the area. Although there are no fresh meat, seafood or bakery counters, Target offers all of your grocery list needs. Looking for bananas? Target has them. What about a bottle of wine for the house-warming party you’re off to tonight? Yep, they have alcohol, too! Don’t forget to hit the candy aisle while you’re there… a family favorite in the Moon household!

Another great tip is to shop Target’s Market Pantry line for quality items at a lower cost {and usually greater deals through Cartwheel}. They carry anything from frozen foods & ice cream to dairy, packaged meat, snacks and baking supplies, and are usually significantly cheaper than the mainstream brands.
Holiday Needs for Every Season

My secret to adding to my holiday decor collection is to shop at Target once the holiday has passed, meaning, after Christmas I hit up Target for the discounted wreaths, rugs, and tree decorations that I’ve been eyeing all season. Most decor/candy/etc. goes on clearance after the big day, but don’t wait too long because other vultures like myself will snag all of the amazing deals.
Hair & Beauty Trends

Usually my trips to Target are initially for hairspray, makeup remover cloths or cotton balls and I usually end up getting much more than those items. Target’s hair & beauty section, the Up & Up brand in particular, is a great spot for bathroom necessities and are usually discounted even further via Cartwheel. They carry well-known brands like Chi, Con-Air and Sonia Kashuk, as well as Burt’s Bee’s, e.l.f., ESSIE and O.P.I.
Great Baby & Kids Section

After hitting up The Dollar Spot and ladies’ department, I usually cart my way over to the baby/kids section where I head directly to the clearance racks to see if there’s anything I need {for next season in a larger size}. You can usually find some great deals on clothes, accessories and even outerwear. Last year I snagged an Eddie Bauer winter coat for just $14!

Something that Target does {that I wish more stores did} is offer $20 store gift cards when you purchase two or three boxes of diapers. If you don’t already buy them in bulk or have a service that automatically delivers diapers/wipes to you every month, this is a great deal that they usually rotate between brands every few weeks. When you do the math, the price ends up being close to those bulk purchases and now you’ve got money to spend on something else {you probably don’t need} at Target!

Just like the grocery offerings {see reason #6}, Target has a great variety of baby/toddler food from purees to finger foods and snacks directly across from utensils, plates, bowls and cups you’ll eventually need to restock.
Clean, Bright Experience

There is nothing worse than walking into a store that is dirty, disorganized or dark. Thankfully, Target is none of these. With the modern upgrades to most of the local stores in Metro Detroit, Target provides a clean, bright and generally welcoming shopping environment. The carts never seem to have trash hidden in the corners and the buckles are usually in good condition. The Target team members can often be found walking around the store in their signature red shirts and khaki pants offering help wherever I go.

Maybe I’ve brainwashed my son, but anytime I ask him if he wants to go to Target his face lights up and he grabs his coat to walk out the door. Target truly is the perfect spot for women to shop.

Do you love Target as much as I do or is there another store I should check out in Metro Detroit? Share your comments below!

The Renewing Aura of Springtime: Finding Balance

By

annacenti

-

March 6, 2016

DON’T JUST STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES… BREATHE IN DEEPLY AND LET IT LINGER…

Girls2015 — Meet Sugar and “a lotta spice”

As the bright lights of the holidays dim and the cold that chills your bones seems to wear out its welcome really fast, we start to think of new beginnings, look forward to the new year ahead and the renewing aura of springtime. This fresh start – this rebirth has me thinking and reflecting on the last year and how BALANCE has become a big player in my list of priorities. A work in progress, but a priority nonetheless – this sense of balance has given me a renewed sense of peace, of calm – of connection with myself and what MATTERS MOST. The little tweaks, the determination to proactively seek TIME – and to seek it often. Simply put, it matters more HOW you are than who you are and what you are…it’s that effort to be PRESENT, to be CONNECTED.

Indulge me for a moment…let’s return to the summer of 2014…

Ahh summer…time for fun, family, and festivities! Teachers look forward to this time of year as time for relaxation, renewal – a time to recharge and soak up time with family and friends. This summer was going to be different. The lists of outings and fun activities ran through my mind like the ticker at the bottom of a news station on television – never ceasing and always inundating me with new information, new ideas, new ways to use up every single second of summer with moments to be remembered. So desperate to soak up all the time I had with my family, to savor all those moments before it was time to return to work in the fall.

Funny, this word TIME. It can mean so many things – but to teachers, especially those who are parents, it takes on an entirely different meaning – which I personally felt for the first time during the fall of 2014. Backtrack to August 2014. The excitement beamed on my daughter’s face; she was finally a big girl and would be attending Kindergarten in a few weeks. I recall the giddiness and the back-to-school sales, the backpack selection, and of course, the outfit choice. Amidst all the anticipation, I found myself struck with the sting of letting go. Even worse, I realized I wouldn’t be able to drop her off, to see her off to the first day of her tomorrow. Immediately, the guilt set in, the sadness I desperately hid from her – as not to ruin her joy and exuberance. I maintained my smile despite the devastating blow of not being able to be there. Inside, my heart was shattered. I never thought this would be me. This milestone had come and I wouldn’t be there, couldn’t be there.

This is not something that crossed my mind beforehand. I always thought I would be there. The intense desire to be there to send her off and the inability to do so created an inner struggle I wasn’t prepared to absorb. My love for teaching long preceded having my own family. I never thought about the sacrifices: juggling the responsibilities of my own work, after school commitments, and pursuing graduate work required for my position. I began to feel the guilt increase as the school year went on. I was leaving when it was dark and coming home when it was dark – especially in the cold winter months. I felt this tug-of-war inside between my family and my work. How could I not give 150% to both? When you do anything where your heart is invested, it’s just not possible, right?

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding jobs out there, but is likewise one of the toughest. Being the parent none of the moms recognize on the last day of school picnic brings the guilt factor to a whole new level. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be the room mom or the mom who chaperoned on field trips, but my schedule never seemed to allow it. My daughter’s first day was my first day so there was no flexibility. Seeing her little face beam with excitement at that end of the year picnic because Mommy was there struck a chord – and boy did that chord resonate.

What I didn’t realize was that I was not only burning the proverbial candle at both ends, but I was not taking care of myself. My mother kept telling me to find balance or I would be “no good to anything or anyone.”

The struggle is real for educators today – especially those with families. We love what we do, love our students like our own children, but it can be stressful on a good day.

My mother’s words still echo in my mind: I had to do something to bring balance back into my life – for me, for my children, for my family in general.

So I resolved to CHANGE. Small changes. One day at a time. I promised myself to put work away at a certain time of night and snuggle my kids. I promised to watch that stupid show and laugh with my husband. I promised to take a walk, cook something new, but most importantly – to BREATHE.

I promised to breathe deeply when the stress got to be too much, to breathe in every second of every day with my kids and husband, to breathe in life – because we are all living on borrowed time. Life is short and it should be beautiful, happy, and savored.

All the flavors of life should be present on our palate – tangible, defined. At school, I promised to laugh with the kids to ease their stress. I was always a support, always invested in all my choices and all my plans, but sometimes you need to just let loose. It keeps you sane. We ALL NEED to laugh.

Fast forward a few months. As the year started to wind down and my coursework neared the end, I felt a sense of relief – that a break was approaching. Brewing in the back of my mind was also the potential to try something new – something outside my comfort zone – something for myself. Now I know what you’re thinking…”you’re going to add something else to your already full plate? Are you crazy, lady?”. I had reached out to my friend Sarah a few months prior after watching her enthusiastic posts about a new business venture in which she had become involved. For the first time in a long time, my heart said, “go for it, go for it now, go for it 150%, and don’t look back.”

May of 2015 – I attended an event and I haven’t looked back. I went for a goal and within my first month of business, I received a promotion. With humility and excitement, I read the post about my success and beamed inside and out. The best part is that my daughters can see that you can be a great mother and serve this world with passion and conviction both personally and professionally. I look forward to the days ahead not with naiveté that rainy days don’t exist – but that I have learned to dance on those days and all days. Meanwhile, I received a promotion within the first month and a half of business and another within the next few months and my business is growing every day. The best part is that I get to spread positivity and empowerment to others. Who knew that something that flows naturally into my classroom could fuel a passion outside of it as well? This only further proves that life may not take you in the direction you think, but maybe in one that is that much better.

It is imperative to remind yourself each night that you did enough, gave enough, and you are enough. Sometimes in our pursuits to help others, we get a little lost ourselves. It is not only good, but necessary to love yourself too.

Most importantly, let your WHY drive EVERYTHING you do and HOW you do it. Happiness lies in those moments of pure, unadulterated spontaneity, uncontrollable laughter and when you take those DEEP breaths of life and of living.

So my message for you is to breathe in all the happiness you can find – and if you’re not happy or you’re going through a struggle – know that life is a circle.

Tomorrow offers promise, but remember to enjoy today too. Breathe in love and spread joy. Be kind and kick ass because YOU CAN! My mission in life hasn’t changed, but the vision of how to get there and the willful enjoyment of the journey – bumps and all – has changed for the better.

So This Is Forty?

By

Mary

-

March 3, 2016

In some ways it feels as if it hits you like a ton of bricks. In other ways it feels as if the best is yet to come. I’ll be honest in saying that I don’t fear turning forty like some of my friends, but it may be because I have some good role models. Having a mom and sisters who only seem to get better with age, I use that as my motivation. To me I say ‘bring it on’ as I quickly approach this milestone, but I know not everybody shares that sentiment.

What is it about forty that just sounds so significant? I do think that you tend to learn more about yourself as you reach this age. It may sound cliché, but you tend to finally feel comfortable in your own skin. You’ve lived a little, gained some experience, hopefully turned away the unnecessary drama, and you can finally settle into who you are and what makes you unique. Not to say that you don’t have moments of insecurity, but you have actually accomplished something and gained some experience by this point in your life.

I have noticed a few things as the “Big 4-0” comes speeding at me—and I reflect upon these things anytime I do feel older. Sure I may have a few more aches and pains, but I’m also at a point in my life where I know what’s really important.

So what can you expect as you head towards your 40th birthday? Here are a few observations that can give you something to look forward to:

You Know Who Your Real Friends Are
I have friends from my childhood and friends that I have made as my kids entered school. I will tell you that you quickly come to appreciate who your real friends are. They may be different levels of friendship, but you know who you want to surround yourself with. This may mean that you’ve changed things up, but at the end of the day you are happy to have even a few close friends.

You Tend To Be Much More Confident and Comfortable With Who You Are
Sure you have the moments of wishing for a different body shape or struggling with your hair, but you are also much more comfortable in your own skin. You are in tune with who you are, and with that comes a great sense of confidence. You may not love everything about yourself, but you are certainly much happier with it than you ever used to be.

You Are No Longer Interested In The Unnecessary Drama
Not that drama was ever a good thing, but you care far less about it than you ever did. You recognize that there are people in life who thrive off of drama—and you want to distance yourself from them as much as possible. You are no longer interested in getting sucked into it. You have much more important things to worry about, and they don’t include unnecessary drama.

You Have a True Sense of What’s Really Important
You appreciate your family more and want to spend time with them. You come to really enjoy a simple night out with your friends. You realize that it’s not always about having more, but actually appreciating what you do have. You live your life for you and that’s a really refreshing and wonderful thing!

I embrace it—bring on 40! I have my moments and I may never be 100% happy with how I look, but I do feel much more confident at this point in my life. I have an amazing family and some pretty great things to be thankful for, and truly that’s what matters.

So before you go worrying about how old forty sounds, recognize that along with it can come some great revelations. I certainly have things that I want to accomplish and it may take me longer to recover after an injury or a late night out—but I’m also much happier with who I am and that’s pretty wonderful!

Are you facing a similar milestone in your life? Share your revelations with us!

I Would Rather Be the Dad

By

Detroit Mom

-

March 2, 2016

I am sitting on the living room floor being climbed on by my one year old daughter. I am a jungle gym. This is my life now, I am furniture. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a parent, but right now I think I’d rather be the dad.

I am OK with the feeding and the changing, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, right? But I find cuddling boring sometimes, and I kind of hate playing with babies (and yes, I do feel guilty saying that).

For the first few months of motherhood, I was too tired to imagine going back to work. By six months, I figured my baby was tough enough to spend some time outside of my presence. Then, suddenly my job satisfaction plummeted, I was over it.

I do not like being a Stay-at-Home mom. I want a sibling for my baby, but the idea of doing this again is making me second guess my desire.

When people learn that I stay at home, they usually say, “you are so lucky to be able to stay at home!” But what they don’t realize is that it’s not a choice for me. I think there are two camps of SAHM. Those who can afford to, and those who can’t afford not to.

A big part of my job is budgeting and purchasing. I work hard to make our books balance and we do find fun with a little creativity, low standards and a good sense of humor. I am not complaining about money. I just wish I was the one who got to leave the house.

Most days I feel like I am invisible to the rest of the world (especially during the winter when we are inside all day.) I try to get out of the house at least once a day– even a smile to the greeter at the grocery store gives me a boost to keep my spirits up. But, as a Have-to-Be SAHM, I can’t afford to do a lot of the things that would keep us entertained. I do visit with other moms, but I feel like I can’t be too clingy, and rely on any one person to fix my unhappiness.

I guess you could say I am jealous…

When my husband cooks dinner or goes to switch over the laundry, our baby does not crawl after him whining to be picked up. When he wants to read a book, he reads a book.
Not only does she not care as much about Dad’s attention, but he does not care as much about her whining noises. How is it that Dad can hear annoyance in a baby’s voice and say, “honey bear…” absently toward the infant, while it grates at my very soul?
While dad is at work interacting with people, I am at home, just thinking of my friends and family, and wondering why they never text me.
When dad gets home, he gets to be the good guy. He has the energy and excitement to play and make our baby really laugh. I feel like a bad mom as I slink back to our bedroom for a few uninterrupted minutes on my phone.

One time a grandmother told me, “you’ll never regret staying home with your kids.” I know for sure that I will never regret having my daughter. She has made my heart grow in a million ways, and our decision to have a child was definitely the right one. I have more self-love, I feel more connected to God, and I am more understanding of others, and have a more complex, yet wonderful relationship with my spouse.

I don’t regret having a baby, but right now, I wish I was the dad in this relationship.

Detoxing People: Getting Rid of Toxic Relationships

By

Kim C.

-

March 1, 2016

Toxic. The word is so descriptive and packs so much more power than saying someone is mean or even cruel. It has so much more depth than saying someone is bad or for my life. If you have ever had a toxic relationship, you know it’s more than just someone who is not so good for you. That relationship can permeates every fiber of your being; take over your life, get in your head and hurt your soul. The best thing you can when you find yourself in a toxic relationship is run. Of course, that is easier said than done.

The problem is, at first you don’t realize you are in one. By the time you do you may not know how to get out. The other problem is that people don’t always recognize a relationship as toxic. Could be that it’s not a romantic relationship be it a boyfriend/girlfriend or a spouse. Could be that you think of toxic as physical abuse. The truth is that a toxic relationship can be had with anyone; parent, sibling, co-worker or friend and emotional or verbal abuse can be just as scarring as physical. It may even be more difficult to see a relative as toxic than a friend or spouse because they have been there all your life, you have never known anything else with them.

I have had more than one toxic person in my life and as I have gotten older and wiser I have adapted an ability to feel the toxicity and end a relationship before it can start. However, it was in my own family that I couldn’t see its’ stranglehold. A toxic person ripped a whole in my family that may never heal. It sounds nonchalant when I read it there but it didn’t feel nonchalant. I just don’t know how to express the depth of the of it. It can only be felt by my sad and tattered heart. The hole remains but there comes a point when the hole is less painful than watching the toxicity or being a part of it. Letting go allowed me to step back from the situation and finally see it with honest eyes.
Instead of being angry and resentful, I feel strangely sorry for toxic people. How difficult it must be to go through life so full of hate and so clearly insecure that their only joy seems to come from tearing away at others. I imagine that is a lonely existence. As much as I feel sorry for them though, I refuse to allow it to surround my relationships. Toxicity kills the spirit; steals the joy and leaves you anxious and sad. Sometimes it is better to stop a relationship before it starts; sometimes you have to know when to quit.

If you are questioning whether you are in toxic relationship, whomever it may be, ask yourself a few questions: Do they lie? Do they play the victim? Do they make excuses? Are they often negative? Do they put themselves first – always? Are they arrogant and always right? How do you feel when you are with them?

If these are consistently yes, it is likely you are. Know that you don’t have to be. If you cannot leave the relationship then you can still do something to lessen the impact on you.

Set limits and establish boundaries. Once you have reached that limit, distance yourself both emotionally and physically if necessary.
Direct the conversation away from the negative. Change the topic or put it back on them to resolve. Focus on solutions.
Pick your battles. Emotions can run high with a toxic person, depending on how strongly you feel, some things are just not worth it.
Don’t let anyone steal your happy. Being aware of your feelings lets you recognize when someone else’s negativity is affecting you. Take back your happy.
Seek advice. Unfortunately, toxic people will target you if they get the response they desire from you. Talk to others about what they see and gather ideas on what you can do to avoid being victim to the toxicity.
Seek help. If you are comfortable enough in your relationship to help the toxic person seek counseling themselves do so. If you have hesitation then it is likely best to remove yourself from the situation.

Toxic people exist. They will come into and out of your world. Learning to recognize them, avoid them or deal with them is survival. It is not a failure to leave a toxic relationship. It is self-preservation.

**If you are in an abusive relationship and need help getting out please see this list of support contacts there to help you.

2016 Detroit Summer Camp Guide

By

aubreymoon

-

March 1, 2016

Detroit Summer Camp Guide

Disclosure: This is a compilation of our featured summer camp sponsors. For an even longer list of camps in + around the Detroit area, please see the upcoming ‘The 2016 Summer Camps In + Around Detroit’.

Spring is on the horizon and that means the school year is closing in on us. Soon our kids will be home for the SUMMER. Have you started to think about what you are going to do to keep the kids busy yet? With summer quickly approaching, we couldn’t be more excited to launch our local Summer Camp Guide! We realize how important summer camp is to many families in + around Detroit. Our goal here at DMB is to make your life a little easier and make a list of possible camps you may want to learn a little more about. Metro-Detroit has some wonderful and enriching programs just waiting for your child!

Camp Skyline

Location: 5650 Sandhill Rd Almont, MI 48003

Dates: June 12 – August 19, 2016

At Skyline, we see children thrive in nature. With opportunities for structured and unstructured play and exploration, supported by compassionate adults, our campers are affirmed and challenged to grow individually and socially. It looks like smiling faces; it sounds like laughter and music; it tastes like excellent meals; it smells like campfires. On 156 acres, just north of the metro area, Skyline is an independent non-profit, operating since 1964. Operating day camps and overnight camps, with sessions for both typical needs and special needs, Skyline’s campers have doubled in the past five summers, but we remain a small camp where we learn everyone’s name and don’t need a megaphone!

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cranbrook Art Museum

Location: 39221 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303

Dates: June 20 ‐ August 12, 2016

CAM CAMPS

Cranbrook Art Museum offers art‐intensive summer camps for students entering grades one through eight. Teaching artists guide students as they create and explore art, architecture, and design using Cranbrook’s amazing collections! One week classes available for grades 1-6, two week classes available for grades 7 & 8. Ages: 1st – 8th grade.

Cranbrook Summer Art Institute

Our summer programs are taught by graduates of Cranbrook Academy of Art, and are designed to both bolster creativity and develop fundamental skills. Our teaching artists excel in providing individual attention and innovative instruction – accommodating students of all levels.

Cranbrook Summer Art Institute utilizes the rich resources available at Cranbrook Academy of Art – one of the most respected graduate schools in the world for fine art, design, and architecture. During each two‐week session students attend class for studio time and instruction from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with additional educational opportunities offered for Boarding Students. Day and Boarding options are available. Ages: High School.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Legacy Athletic Center

Location 9299 Goble Dr., Brighton, 48166

Dates: June 27- August 4, Monday – Thursday

Michigan’s largest sports complex is reloaded and ready to offer the most jam packed camp of the year. The Legacy Center located in Brighton, is your Summer Camp Head Quarters and hot spot for summer fun! Our camps offer unique sports specific morning sessions with traditional summer camp activities in the afternoon. Get ready for Drone Wars, Knockerball Soccer, Canoe Adventures, and more great activities with our certified camp instructors. With over 220,000 sq ft of state of the art indoor facilities and over 60 acres of premier outdoor playing fields, rain or shine we are ready for a great time. Make this year’s summer camp experience Legendary with the Legacy Center! Give us a call and save up to $40 by registering before May 15th. 810.231.9288

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Leslie Science Center

Location: 1831 Traver Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48105

Dates: Week-long camps every week from June 20 – Sept 1

This summer, experience adventure in the great outdoors! Campers enjoy days filled with hiking, conducting science experiments, and visiting Leslie Science & Nature Center’s resident raptors and critters. Create art, make music, write stories, and enjoy the summer sunshine. Every day has opportunities to learn new skills like fire-building or animal tracking and make new friends as you hike the trails, play scatter ball, or search for creatures in Black Pond. Each week of camp includes sessions for campers who’ve completed Kindergarten through fifth grade. Campers who have completed 2^nd and 3^rd grade enjoy an off-site field trip and nearly every 4^th and 5^th grade camp has a field trip and an on-site overnight. And, for the first time, LSNC is offering an optional extended day session every week to support working families and campers who want to stay outside just a little bit longer. Whether you’ve been to LSNC one or one hundred times, adventure and discovery await you this summer!

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Troy Recreation Department

Location: 3179 Livernois Troy, MI 48083

Dates: Troy Recreation Department offers more than 40 day camps Monday – Friday, for ages 3–18

The Recreation Department offers high quality leisure programs and services that promote healthy and ACTIVE lifestyles. Engaging programs from dance to martial arts and yoga, day camps as well as sports allow individuals and families the opportunity to meet their physical and social needs. Our 50 Plus and Adaptive programs meet the needs of our diverse Troy Community.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

YMCA Metro Detroit

Location:
Boll Family YMCA – Detroit
Farmington Family YMCA – Farmington
Birmingham Family YMCA – Birmingham
Downriver Family YMCA – Southgate
Livonia Family YMCA – Livonia
Macomb Family YMCA – Mt. Clemens
North Oakland Family YMCA – Auburn Hills
Plymouth Family YMCA – Plymouth
Lakeshore Family YMCA – St. Clair Shore
South Oakland Family YMCA – Royal Oak
Carls Family YMCA – Milford

Dates: June 13 – September 2, 2016

Like many programs at the YMCA, day camp focuses on teaching life skills, developing character and making friends. But few environments are as special as camp, where kids become a community as they learn both how to be more independent and how to contribute to a group as they engage in physical, social and educational activities. Every new experience comes with a chance to learn and grow. At the Y, we strive to give every child and teen opportunities to test their own limits and explore their potential. Summer day camp is offered all summer long at various locations throughout Metro Detroit.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Robot Garage Summer Camps

Location:
Birmingham – 637 S Eton St., Birmingham, MI 48009, Rochester Hills – 172 N Adams, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, Grosse Pointe Park – 15201 Kercheval, GPP, MI 48230

Dates: Camps begin the week of June 27th to July 1st and run until the week of August 29th – Sep 2nd. Various weeks offered at each location with multiple themes.

The Robot Garage offers LEGO Robotic, Engineering and Architecture camps throughout summer for Grades 1-3, 4-5 and 6-8. Sign your kids up for a week they’ll never forget. Camps run Monday-Friday from 9am to 3pm with before and after care available from 8am-6pm for $10 per hour. Summer 2016 Themes are Superheroes In Europe, Minecraft, Robot Discovery, and a very special Top Secret Theme that will be announced through hints as summer approaches. Save $30 before April 1st with Promo Code “Summer2016” and as always Members save 10% on full priced camps.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Sloan Longway

Location: Sloan Museum – 1221 E. Kearsley Street Flint, 48503
Longways Planetarium – 1310 E. Kearsley Street Flint, 48503

Dates: 40+ camps starting June 27 through August 4, 2016

Avoid the summer slide and register now for exciting and engaging summer camps and programs! This summer Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium has more than 40 science, history, and geography activities for kids age 4 through 8th grade.

Get all the details and register online at SloanLongway.org.

Website | Facebook :: Sloan Museum :: Longway Planetarium | Twitter | Instagram

SafeSplash Swim School

Location: Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal, Livonia & Troy

Dates: Various sessions beginning June 6th.

SafeSplash Swim School specializes in teaching swimming to children 6 months old to adults. We are dedicated to developing your child into a confident and happy lifelong swimmer. We have successfully taught over 4 million lessons over the past decade. That is a lot of happy students!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

YMCA Camp Ohiyesa

Location: Holly, MI (Northeast Oakland County)

Dates: Day Camp June 12 – Sept 1; Overnight Camp – June 19 – Aug 13. One week sessions.

For the last 98 years and counting, YMCA Camp Ohiyesa has been how camp was meant to be. This is not a parking lot, school, or basement camp – this is real camp. The 300 acres filled with forests, trails, horses, high adventure, archery, canoeing, swimming, mountain biking, and counselors and campers from all over the world will tell you that. Similarly priced to other “camps”, Ohiyesa campers and parents know the difference. Come join us this summer.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

JCC Day Camps

Location: 6600 W. Maple Rd. West Bloomfield 48322

Dates: June 20 – August 12, 2016

JCC Day Camps features spectacular month-long and week-long camps that offer something for everyone! Located on more than 200 beautiful wooded acres in West Bloomfield, our summer camp is open to children of all backgrounds and abilities—including children with special needs—and includes indoor and outdoor pools, a fishing and boating pond, nature trails, a ropes challenge course, a 600-seat professional theatre, a full gym, an interactive children’s museum, an art gallery, inline hockey center, playgrounds for all ages, air-conditioned facilities, a library and gaga pits. We offer free, chaperoned transportation to and from most areas in Oakland County, are licensed by the state, and are accredited by the American Camp Association.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Kids on Campus (Schoolcraft College)

Location:18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia MI, 48152

Dates: Camps are July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29, August
1-5, August 8-12 from 9AM-3PM and Academic Skill Classes are July 11-21 and July 25-August 4 from 9AM-12PM.

Kids on Campus at Schoolcraft College is a hands-on, fun and exciting summer enrichment program. KOC offers programs for kids in preschool through high school including art, science, computers, career exploration and more! Each summer new and stimulating camps are added such as Under The Circus Big Top: Grades 3 & 4, Digital Art – Get Wired: Grades 5 & 6, Tech Camp – Code Breakers & Minecraft Modders: Grades 7, 8 & 9 to name a few. Join us this summer for a camp experience you will never forget.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Downriver Youth Performing Arts

Location: Trenton Village Theatre, 2447 W Jefferson Ave, Trenton, MI 48183

Dates: June 28 – August 6, 2016

Summer fine Arts Program running 3 days per week – Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday – featuring Dance, Music, Theatre & Art.

Website | Facebook

Oakland University

Location: Oakland University, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester, MI

Dates: Jazz Camp: June 4-5; Piano Camp: June 20-24, 2016

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

School of Rock – Farmington

Location: Trenton Village Theatre

Dates: Performance Rock Camp June 27 – July 1
Rock 101 Beginners Camp July 11 – 15
Guitar Building Camp July 25 – July 29
Rock 101 Beginners Camp July 11 – 15
Punk Rock Camp Aug 22- Aug 26.

Be a ROCK STAR! Our 1 week Performance Camps lets you be the rock star, all levels available from ages 8-17. Rock 101 camp for ages 8-11 and Performance Camps 12-17. Play with others, learn about being in a band and have a blast rocking out!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Berkley Parks & Recreation

Location: Berkley Ice Arena

Dates: June 20th to September 1st

Summer Day Camps at Berkley Parks and Recreation offer swimming at outdoor local pools, beaches, our firehose sprinkler and waterparks, weekly age appropriate field trips, crafts, sports, movies, ice cream, games, out-to-lunch trips, our own inflatable bouncer, 4-H demos, weekly themes and include a free T-shirt (for group identification on field trips)! Camp is divided into 3 age groups based on their grade in the Fall, KIDS KAMP: Kindergarten – 2nd grade; JUNIOR KAMP: 3rd grade – 4th grade; SENIOR KAMP: 5th grade – 8th grade. Camp hours are from 8:45am -5:00pm Monday through Friday and before-care and after-care are available for an additional fee. Berkley Parks and Recreation summer camps cost $150 per week for residents, $165 per week for non-residents PLUS a 1-time $25 registration fee – 3 and 4 day prices available as well. You can register for ALL 11 weeks of Berkley Summer Day Camp 2016 for $1500 per resident ($1400 if you register by May 27) or $1650 for non-resident ($1550 if you register by May 27).

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Total Soccer – Royal Oak

Location: All camps are located at Worden Park in Royal Oak (Behind the tennis courts at Total Soccer)

Dates: Camp #1: June 20 – 24, 9:30 – 12 pm $99* Camp #2: July 11 – 15, 9:30 – 12 pm $99* Camp #3: July 25 – 29, 9:30 – 12 pm $99* Camp #4: Aug 8 – 12, 9:30 – 12 pm $99* (*Teams of 8 or more receive $10 off per player) Family discount: $10 off each child

Total Training Soccer Camps are designed mindful of today’s young players from ages 5 – 12. Our goal is to further the techniques of all participants regardless of their current skill level. We concentrate on the smallest of details and work our camps in a progression style. Eric Scicluna and Chris Kelly from Total Soccer take great pride in helping players improve all facets of their game, no matter their particular level of play. All camps are located at Worden Park in Royal Oak (Behind the tennis courts at Total Soccer). We offer team & family discounts. Players should bring a soccer ball and plenty of water.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Wildwood Ranch/Camp Burt Shurly

Location: 4909 Brophy Rd, Howell, MI 48855

Dates: Day Camp (ages 4-13): June 13-August 26; Overnight Camp (ages 8-17): June 26-August 12; Horse Camps (ages 9-15): June 18-August 26

Wildwood Ranch is a non-denominational Christian camp. Come explore our high adventure courses, swim and kayak on the lake, take a ride on one of our horses, and enjoy many other activities! Registration is open on our website where you can learn more about all of our exciting options. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Website | Facebook

YMCA Camp Stephenson

Location: 1357 W 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Dates: June 13th to Spet 2nd

Website | Facebook

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Saturday, March 12

Allen Park PTA/PTSA Council

Amanda Moore PTO

Cheyenne Elementary

Creative Learning Campus @ Community Lutheran Church

Farrell Emmett Elementary School

Hillside Elementary

Huron Valley Parents of Multiples @ Woodland Meadows Elementary

Lakeview High School Class of ’18

MOPS @ Immanuel Lutheran Church

New Life Christian Academy

NWS Mothers of Multiples @ St. Matthews

Ojibwa Elementary PTO

Saline Parks & Rec

Sequoyah Elementary School

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church

St. Paul Lutheran School

St. Thecla

Switzer Elementary

Training & Treatment Innovations

Saturday, March 19

Addams Elementary PTA

Groves High School DECA

Lake Orion Community Ed

L’Anse Creuse Foundation

Mohawk Elementary PTA

MOPS & MOMS Next at Trinity UMC

North Street UMC Woman’s Life Club 702

Rochester Hills Christian School

St. Joan of Arc PTG

St. Paul Lutheran School

Sunday, March 20

Jewish Community Center

Friday, March 25

Gibraltar Trade Center

Saturday, March 26

City of Pleasant Ridge

Gibraltar Trade Center

Cartwheel, Red Card & Other Deals

The Dollar Spot

Designer Threads

Starbucks

Home Decor for Any Style

Full Grocery Store

Holiday Needs for Every Season

Hair & Beauty Trends

Great Baby & Kids Section

Clean, Bright Experience

Detroit Summer Camp Guide

Camp Skyline

Cranbrook Art Museum

Legacy Athletic Center

Leslie Science Center

Troy Recreation Department

YMCA Metro Detroit

Robot Garage Summer Camps

Sloan Longway

SafeSplash Swim School

YMCA Camp Ohiyesa

JCC Day Camps

Kids on Campus (Schoolcraft College)

Downriver Youth Performing Arts

Oakland University

School of Rock – Farmington

Berkley Parks & Recreation

Total Soccer – Royal Oak

Wildwood Ranch/Camp Burt Shurly

YMCA Camp Stephenson

In + Around Detroit