Support Anti-Bullying Initiatives With My Friendship Bracelet Maker GIVEAWAY! 4/15

Spring Break is rapidly approaching, or may already be here for some of you. As the parent of a tween, I know how easy it is for kids to get the "boredom bug" during extended breaks from school. My son in particular tends to go completely stir-crazy when he's off for more than a couple of days. He's 12, so he's at that awkward age where he doesn't want to play with his toddler siblings all day, and he's certainly too cool to pal around with his mom. He likes to "do his own thing" most of the time, and tends to run out of things to do quite rapidly. This leads to frustration not only for him, but for me, too!

That's why I was so excited to learn about the My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler from Choose Friendship. This is the same company that brought the Grandpa invented My Friendship Bracelet Maker Original to the scene some time ago. They even have an awesome My Ribbon Barrette Maker, too, which is a must have for families with little princesses. I plan on buying one of these to make barrettes for my little Sophie!

Anyhow, the My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler is an awesome way to combat Spring Break boredom for older kids and tweens. My son is very crafty and artistic, so I knew right away that this innovative bracelet making tool would provide him with hours of entertainment. Using this portable tool and tons of detailed patterns, you can create beautiful friendship bracelets to suit anyone's individual style. There's even a handy tote bag to carry the My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler in while you're on the go!

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When our bracelet maker arrived, I immediately thought to myself, "Why didn't I think of this?" I remember using scotch tape and the back of a notebook to try and make intricate bracelets when I was a kid, and it was so easy to pull the threads loose, ruining the bracelet. My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler eliminates the need to start over from scratch over and over again, since it provides a work station that holds your threads securely while you work. Bye-bye, scotch tape, and good riddance to frustration!

There are detailed instructions and video tutorials on the My Friendship Bracelet Maker website that make creating stunning bracelets easier than ever before! All you need to know is how to thread the bracelet maker and a few simple knot techniques, and you're good to go. There are patterns for beginners, intermediate users, and even bracelet making pros! This is a great way to keep a child's interest and challenge them while building self-esteem.

Here is my son's first attempt at a bracelet using his My Bracelet Maker Traveler. He made this bracelet for his friend, Autumn. Since her name embodies all things fall, he chose to make a simple stripe design in rich shades of brown, yellow, and orange.

The Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler includes a large assortment of thread that is housed in the unit!

Kyle working on his bracelet!

Check out the cool stripe pattern! Not bad at all for a first attempt!

Kyle absolutely loves his My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler. He is having a great time learning new knots and patterns, and plans to make a bracelet for each of his friends. While he loves creating these bracelets, he is even more excited about what these bracelets stand for and the message they're meant to send.

You see, my son, like many kids, is the victim of bullying. Ever since kindergarten, he has been targeted by other kids because he's "different." He has been called names like "gay", "faggot", "queer", "girly" and much, much worse. He has even been physically assaulted. Why? Because rather than play with a football or action heroes, my son prefers art and music. He is sweet and sensitive, and just isn't like a lot of the more macho boys. Of course there is nothing wrong with him. He is a good kid with a big heart, tons of empathy, and loads of compassion. But kids can be cruel. It breaks my heart to see my baby come home in tears asking why these kids won't give him a chance and get to know him. It hurts me, and it makes me angry.

No child should ever feel like they're anything less than perfect, just the way they are. It doesn't matter if you're African American, Hispanic, or Asian....If you're tall, short, fat, or thin...Or even if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. We all have worth, and we all deserve to be treated with respect. Appearances can be deceiving. While we may look very different on the outside and may have different lifestyles, we're all the same on the inside. We all have hopes and dreams, fears and sorrows, and we all just want to be happy. We all DESERVE to be happy.

That's why Anti-Bullying measures are so necessary nowadays. Kids are getting hurt, feeling alienated and worthless, and are even committing suicide because they're bullied. It is truly an epidemic. People need to be aware of how our kids are being affected by bullying, and how we, as a society, can put an end to this insanity.

I am pleased to announce that the folks at Choose Friendship, the makers of My Friendship Bracelet Maker, are aware of this growing issue and are taking matters into their own hands with their "Inside Out" Anti-Bullying Initiative. They have launched a great music video that's available on iTunes, Amazon, and Rhapsody. They even have a vibrant, colorful line of t-shirts that read "Choose Friendship Inside Out". Proceeds from song and t-shirt sales will be donated to non-profit organizations that support anti-bullying initiatives.

Take a look at this video. It's quite powerful and sends a very clear message: Choose friendship, not bullying. Show this video to young people in your life. Start a conversation with them about bullying. Help them come up with ways to combat this issue in their own school. We CAN make a difference, one household at a time!

Now this is a cause that as a mom, I can feel good about. It's our job as parents to teach our kids to treat others with dignity and respect, and that while we may have differences, we all have worth. My son is actually talking to his guidance counselor about the Inside Out campaign, and is hoping to form a "Friendship Club" at his middle school where kids can use these bracelet makers to make their own bracelets to spread the anti-bullying message. What a great way to promote friendship and solidarity among kids! I am hoping to see his school incorporate My Friendship Bracelet Maker into their extracurricular clubs and activities.


Overall, we're loving our My Friendship Bracelet Maker and the message that Choose Friendship is sending to young people. This innovative tool is easy to use, engaging, and will provide hours of creative fun for tweens. I would definitely recommend picking one up for fun rainy day or travel activities!

HOW TO CONNECT:

You can learn more about My Friendship Bracelet Maker and other great products on their website.

You can also become a fan on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!


WIN IT!

I am thrilled to announce that one very lucky reader will receive their choice of either the Traveler, Original or Barrette maker. How cool is that?!

Please use this easy Rafflecopter form to enter.


This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ until 11:59PM on April 15, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway