Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

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Messenger Kids: Where Kids Connect

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The new school year is underway! For my boys, now in Grade 4 and Grade 6, it means that evenings are filled with homework, lessons and of course, trying to fit in a little screen time. While we tend to argue about how much and how often they are in front of their devices, I can’t deny that electronics are now an essential part of a youth’s life. Simply put, they learn, connect with others and explore boundaries while plugged in.

However, at ages 9 and 11, I’m still not entirely comfortable giving my boys their own devices. I know that many would consider the tween years a responsible age for a first phone, but I also know that my boys are not yet able to demonstrate responsible device usage (they’d play all day and all night if I let them). Therefore, it’s a “no” for now.

Yes, I’m a mean mom. *Rolls eyes*

I do appreciate that they’d like to stay in touch with their peers beyond the classroom and playground, and I’ve been looking for a safe, simple way for them connect – while still having eyes on them to ensure responsible usage. Recently, I was introduced to Messenger Kids. You may already be familiar with Messenger from Facebook; the app works similarly, but is wholly designed with kids in mind. …

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Shell’s Favourite Road Trip Contest

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Let’s cut to the chase – paying for gas sucks. And, it’s unavoidable. And, chances are you have to do it WAY too often, because driving to work, school, playing chauffeur, shopping, bar hopping, Driving Miss Daisy, etc takes up a lot of fuel.

(Of course, this would be a great time to suggest alternative methods of transportation, but I’ll just come out and say it: I’d rather help the environment by recycling, composting and foregoing aerosol hair spray than get on a bus. Sorry, just not my cup of tea.)

Regardless of how you spend your time taxiing, Shell is offering a sweet little contest to help make your next road trip a little more affordable. On Facebook? Would love to win some gas money? You’re in luck.

With Shell’s ” Favourite Road Trip” contest, simply share your favourite road trip memory in 250 words or less, and you’ll have a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes of $1000 worth of NEW Shell Nitrogen Enriched gasolines.

(Good to know: The gasoline is pumped full of 20% more cleaning agents than before, making it one of the best fuels to protect your engine.)

Some of my favourite vacations involve road trips. Who doesn’t love packing a map, snacks and a carefree attitude? (Unless you have children under the age of 12. Then, road trips are less desirable, truth.) I have fond memories of creating “Road Trip” mix tapes and CDs especially for the occasion, and mapping out my very own EDR’s (Emergency Detour Routes). #geek

In fact, this is the perfect time to share with you memories of road trips with girlfriends to Wasaga Beach, back in our late teens and early 20’s. It went something like this:

1. Pack beer and bathing suit. (Not necessarily in that order.)

Whoa! Was it ever THAT easy to walk out the door? Today I need about 67 items just to go to the grocery store. And sadly, those have been my more popular road trips of late :(

Anyhoo, make my day and enter for your chance to win $1000 worth of NEW Shell Nitrogen Enriched gasolines. Simply pop on over to Shell’s fan page on Facebook, tell your best tale, and cross your fingers! Contest ends September 16th. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by Shell Canada (Shell). The views expressed as part of ListenToLena may not necessarily reflect the views of Shell or any of its affiliates.

Zellers: A Festive Finale (and a Good Chuckle, too!)

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I’m sure you’ve seen the HIGH-larious Zellers video making the rounds on your favourite blogs – you know, the one poking fun at its inevitable demise? Of course I wanted to share it with my readers as well. Now since it’s no secret that I have a love affair with the “huge American retailer that shall remain nameless”… I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised that Zellers has taken the high road. Much respect to them, actually.

Before I ramble on, here’s the video:

Quite the laugh, no? But beyond the chuckles, I love that Zellers, rather than avoiding the subject, is actively participating in its transition by reaching out to customers via social media. Too many times a company throws in the towel – especially when they know the clock is ticking – and forgets about their customers altogether. Yes, I assumed Zellers would be in this camp.

It’s actually quite awesome that they’re proving me wrong.

Here’s how you can make the most of their festive finale: Head on over to Zellers on Facebook. You’ll be able to do everything from setting the sale prices of merchandise to picking the in-store music playlist (I vote for Backstreet Boys on repeat!). Facebook fans will also have access to exclusive offers and deals – like the $15 off coupon I snagged last week :)

For real – this campaign is already more memorable than anything Zellers has offered to date. Such a shame we won’t get to see more… but I suppose that’s why its called “Going Out with a BANG!”

And, bonus points for incorporating wolves into the message. Bahaha!

Click here to visit Zellers on Facebook.

This post is sponsored by Zellers.

Coming Up: Reader Appreciation Giveaway!

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It’s been a long time, no? I don’t want to think I’ve forgotten about y’all!

So here’s the scoop – think I can get to 1,000 Facebook fans by the end of May? Let’s hope so… because if I do, I’ll just have to have a fan appreciation blog giveaway on June 1st. Here’s a hint: It begins with VISA and ends with $250. YES!!!

If you don’t yet “Like” me on Facebook, now would be a fabulous time to drop by and say hi! And, don’t forget to suggest my page to friends, peeps!

Lena Loves… Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards

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If you’re a new parent, chances are your little one is in Pampers. Chances are even better that you collect Gifts to Grow rewards points. And if you don’t, I have two words for you:

Tisk. Tisk.

It’s okay, I was once there too. After Ryder was born, I fecklessly through away several packages of diapers – noting the little bar code stickers inside but not giving them much thought. It was only after a night of complete baby-induced insomnia that I actually looked up what “Gifts to Grow” points were all about. Then I quickly did the math; Ryder was destined to be in diapers for at least two years (ahem, going on three) and therefore, there were ample points to collect over the years. And ample points mean ample rewards!

In the past year, I’ve redeemed points for a gift card, trio of baby books, building blocks and even taken my chances in a draw for a year’s worth of Pampers diapers and wipes. And now, I’m THIS CLOSE to grabbing the Radio Flyer Big Flyer! Ryder will have the coolest big wheel on the block!

This year, Pampers has teamed up with celebrity mom Bethenny Frankel to celebrate all the wonderful things parents do each day for their babies and families that make them real, Unsung Heroes! Recognizing parents for all their hard work and dedication to their family, Pampers is unveiling a new year of gifts, incentives and rewards from their Gifts to Grow catalog that families can earn by purchasing Pampers branded products.

“To kick off a new year of Gifts to Grow and celebrate parents everywhere, Pampers and Frankel launched a Facebook contest and other activities to award parents for all they do each and every day. Parents can now visit the Pampers Facebook page to nominate a friend, family member or even themselves to be recognized as a real “Unsung Hero”. Parents will also be able to receive special incentives and rewards from Gifts to Grow, as well as enter to win a signed diaper bag from Frankel.”

Here’s a quick video of Bethenny chatting about Unsung Heroes:

If you currently collect Gifts to Grow points – congratulations! You’re one step closer to claiming wonderful rewards for your child – or yourself (you unsung hero, you!)

And for all others, what are you waiting for? It’s time to be rewarded for all that you do, including the numerous (and often, unending) diaper changes. To learn more about Pampers Gifts to Grow, please visit www.pampers.com.


Pampers has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Gifts to Grow Unsung Heroes prize pack, including a diaper bag autographed by Bethenny Frankel, a package of Pampers diapers, and a Magnetic Tabletop Easel from Alex Toys (just one of the many fabulous rewards you can grab with your points!)

Five (5) runners up will receive a Liz Lange diaper clutch, also courtesy of Pampers!

To enter, simply visit Gifts to Grow and leave a comment telling us about a favourite reward you’ve collected, or a reward you would like to redeem your points for.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) For an extra entry, follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(2) “Like” Pampers on Facebook
(3) Follow Pampers on Twitter
(4) Tweet about this giveaway (here’s a tiny URL for you: http://tinyurl.com/4cls5x2)
(5) You may tweet about this giveaway daily

I’ll draw for a winner on March 1st. Special thanks to Pampers, and good luck everyone!

Snack Pack: Share a Smile!

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How can a SMILE help feed the needy? It’s simple!

Snack Pack, creators of the delicious puddings and juicy gels (I’m addicted to the Ice Cream Sandwich dessert pudding), has teamed up with Food Banks Canada for their Share a Smile campaign. Each and every day adults and children alike go hungry – and with the holidays around the corner, let’s make sure that everyone can look forward to Christmas dinner. Food Banks Canada would like to raise $20,000 in time for the holidays – and you can help!

Here’s how it works. “Like” Snack Pack Canada’s Facebook page, click the Smile tab, and a $1 donation will be made on your behalf to Food Banks Canada. You can also opt to Share a Smile and Snack Pack will make the donation on behalf of one of your Facebook friends.

Remember, the more often you smile, the more donations, ballots and points you’ll collect. Imagine, if you  – and all your friends – took just 10 seconds to smile every day, Food Banks Canada would reach their goal in no time. To entice you further, there are tons of weekly prizes to be won – just register for the contest and cross your fingers!

What makes me smile? Lately, it’s been Ryder’s interaction with Reid. He coos at him, brings him toys – even cautions him not to put wooden blocks in his mouth. He has finally (if not begrudgingly) accepted the role of big brother, and takes his newfound responsibility very seriously. In return, Reid saves his biggest smiles for him, and is constantly babbling, reaching out and interacting with his role model. I’m smiling just thinking about it :)

I am participating in the Snack Pack program by Mom Central on behalf of Conagra Foods Canada. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Listen to Lena! – Facebook Fan Page!!!

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Don’t check for flying pigs. I really do have a fan page.

It occurred to me that I catch the most updates from my favourite blogs via my Facebook news feed, and thought, why don’t I post updates for my readers? Duh.

So I now have a Facebook fan page! Woot!

Be sure to “Like” me, because I know you do. Or maybe you like all the goodies I give away. Or maybe you like to laugh along with my random rants. Whatever the case, c’mon, show a girl some support!

Hmm… could Twitter be next? Not likely – but definitely eventually. In the meantime, I look forward to spreading my social media wings!

My Fabulous New Job!

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I would have to say the hardest part about being a stay at home mom is keeping up my employable skills – reasoning that most employers don’t care that I have mastered the art of swaddling, know all the words to “Hush Little Baby” and have taught my little guy to strike a Zoolander pose (which actually has me falling off my chair laughing each time).

So Mike and I decided that I should definitely look into a part time job, both to keep my brain active and to supplement my Christmas shopping :) But what to do? Certainly not anywhere near the woods of my previous career (do YOU see me as a Financial Services Business Analyst?) Ha, I think not. Being off for almost two years has definitely convinced me I need a change. So what then? Something that I love doing… that will excite me… that will keep me motivated…. that I enjoy.

So it’s no surprise that when PTPA posted for a Social Media Mom, I jumped at the opportunity to work with them. And I got the job!

Starting today, I will be PTPA’s social media representative on their blog, Twitter and Facebook. I’ll be keeping all their readers in the loop about great contest announcements, award winning products, parenting tips and, of course, hot deals!

What does this mean for Listen to Lena! readers? Well, with respect to my blog, it’s business as usual; I’m not going anywhere. But, for the parents who take the time to stop by, you’re in for a treat – I’ll have the inside scoop on PTPA’s contests, will be partnering with many of the award winning products to bring fab giveaways to my blog, and will have up-to-the minute info about the hottest new brands!

So if you can’t get enough of the parenting deals here, be sure to follow my updates by becoming a fan of PTPA on Facebook, following my updates on Twitter, and reading my posts on the PTPA blog! And here’s the first great contest for ya – when PTPA reaches 500 fans on Facebook, they’ll randomly draw for a $100 gift card from GAP!

I’ll be all over cyberspace for PTPA, and would love to run into some L2L readers on different social platforms. (In case you’re wondering, this is a work from home position, so I’m now a stay at home mom/blogging guru/Social Media Mom/happy mommy.)

Thanks, as always, for stopping by – and hope to see more of ya’ll soon!