Declare Your Independence!

Living Well By Design's Community Partner, Stroller Strides-West County discusses the importance of "declaring your independence" the article talks about letting go of whatever is holding you back from achieving your goals.  Check it out and while reading think about what is holding you back from your goals? http://bit.ly/qhZZxT

Quote Of The Week

"If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders."  Abigail Van Buren

The Quote Of The Week

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."   George Bernard Shaw

Summertime Fun

It is that time of year again. It is time to get out of the house and spend some time doing outside activities.  We had a very difficult winter and spring barely sprung.  However, summer has been blazing its way through.  There are many things that you can do as a family with your children during the summer time.  A few great ways to have fun in the sun with your children include going to a miniature golf course, going rock climbing, or going camping.  Please remember to be careful and beat the heat, stay hydrated and use sun block.  Stay tuned for more fun summer activities.      

Spring has finally sprung!

Now that Spring is here, it is time for Spring cleaning.  It is time to get rid of those unwanted items.  Living Well by Design has the perfect solution to help rid you of those unused and unwanted dresses.  Living Well by Design is hosting its third annual Savvy Chic Dress Drive.  We are collecting gently used and new formal wear.  We are asking for you to donate your gently used dress in an effort to sponsor a great cause.  All proceeds from the dresses will benefit the Scholarship Fund of Girls In The Know, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, allowing mothers and their pre-teen daughters to attend the Girls In The Know Speaker Series.  We are counting on your help to make this a success.

Please visit one of our drop-off locations listed below:

Missouri Collection Sites are located as follows (May 1^st-31st):

969 Gardenview Office Parkway St. Louis, MO (Sara and Suzanne’s office) / 1 Brookings Dr. St Louis, MO / 6800 Wydown Blvd. St. Louis, MO (Fontbonne University: Ryan Hall, AMC Hall, and Southwest Hall) /

Girls in the Know Speaker Series Sites:

200 Meriwether Lewis Drive O’Fallon, MO 63368 (Ostmann Elementary School) / 390 Tumulty Dr. Ballwin, MO 63021 (Sorrento Springs Elementary School) / 701 N. Rock Hill Road Rock Hill, MO 63119 ( Steger Sixth Grade Center) / 715 South Mason Road St. Louis, MO 63141 (Mason Ridge Elementary School)

ILLINOIS SITE:

102 W. 9^th Street, Ste 103 Alton, IL 62002 (Allstate Insurance Co. Grote-Fusaro Agency)

Change is Good; Change is Necessary

Change is something that occurs every day. Change can be very difficult for some and very easy for others. Change is a good and positive thing because it shows growth and development. Some positive examples of change include getting rid of old clothes, obtaining a promotion on your job, and buying a new house.

Living Well by Design has been going through many positive changes. Suzanne has taken a full time School Counseling position; although she is still a partner and owner of Living Well by Design, she will no longer be writing for the Perfect Fit Parenting blog. Please extend your congratulations to Suzanne what an accomplishment! The blog will continue to be written by Sara and her graduate student interns.

The next positive change that is occurring is that Sara is accepting insurance! These are the panels that Sara is a part of: New Avenues EAP, New Avenues Behavioral Health, Midwest Behavioral Health Network, MBHN, MBHN Plus PPO, Cigna, Chestnut Global Partners EAP.

We would like to thank all of our parents and followers. Please come back and check out what’s new and coming. Stay tuned for upcoming tips and techniques to enhance your parenting skills as well as information on upcoming events with Living Well By Design and in your communities!

A New Year, A New Family

Are you looking for some ways to create a better, healthier, and happier family?  Come and find your perfect fit in parenting as seen on Channel 5 with Jennifer Blome.  Beginning February 10th, Living Well By Design will be presenting a series of topics at Saint Charles Community College (http://stcharles.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=2568&int_category_id=6&int_sub_category_id=21&int_catalog_id=0), The Perfect Fit: Finding your Ideal Parenting Style - Quality Time: Cooking with Your Children; Mindful Parenting; and Relating to Resistant Children.

Priceless Investment – Your children

There is a priceless investment that is available to you that will be very rewarding for all involved. Many parents admit that they do not spend as much time with their children as they would like. If more individuals will take the time out of their busy schedules to spend more time with their children, it would have a very positive impact on the child’s life. The child will appreciate the quality time that their parents spend with them. This investment could lead to a more loving, happy, and healthier environment for the child. It would be something that your child passes down to his/her family.


You may wonder how you can accomplish this task. Listed below are a few tips that can help you find the time to spend quality time with your children.

1. Take time out of your busy schedule to spend time with your children. You could do this by taking a day off work and having your child assist you while in the kitchen. You could teach your child how to cook their favorite dish.

2. Find out what interest your children. You can find out what interest them by asking them and/or observing the things that they do. Attempt to schedule a family activity around their interest at least once a month.

3. Have a family fun night. This could consists of everyone picking out a book and spending time together reading their book, playing board games, picking out a movie and watching it together, and/or spending time together discussion everyone’s day.

Spending quality time with your children leads to a priceless reward.

Holiday Tips

It’s That Time of the Year

Yes, it is that time of the year again. The holidays are fast approaching. Thanksgiving is only 5 days away and Christmas is only 35 days away. This time of the year is often difficult for many individuals for various reasons. It can easily stress anyone out.

Now is the time to prepare for the holiday season. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Mentally prepare yourself for what is to come, the music, the crowds, and other joyous themes. You prepare yourself by doing some self talk. This may including saying, things such as, I know the time is coming; I must begin to get in the mood for the change of music on the radio, the long lines in every store, and the decorations that will light up the streets, malls, and everywhere else.

2. If you haven’t already, start saving money. The best begin to save your money is to pay yourself first. You do this by changing your spending habits. Instead of eating out, buying that latte or buying those shoes that you must have now, STOP and think, this is money that you could be setting aside for your holiday shopping. Go ahead and cook, make your own coffee/latte at home and WAIT to buy those shoes because the shoes that you buy know, may be on sale later. Remember the Friday after Thanksgiving. J

3. Do not worry if you cannot buy all of the things your children want, as long as you are able to supply their needs. Many children make out a list of the things that they must have. However, many children have no idea that it is their parents who have to do all of the spending. Most children will be appreciative of whatever you get them. Now is the time to teach your children the value of a dollar and to relay the importance of family and the true meaning of Christmas.

4. Remember to take time for yourself, you do not want to become drained because of the holidays. Prior to the start of all of the chaos, make sure you have some alone time, even if it is just for a few minutes. You can take your alone time anyway that you prefer. Some ideas include sitting in the car for a short period of time, watching your favorite television show, or reading a portion of a book.

These helpful techniques will assist you with designing a happier and less stressful holiday for YOU.

Have a safe and happy holiday!!

The Holiday Buldge!

The Holiday's are approaching and our Community Partners, Stroller Strides discuss in their Nov issue, tackling the holiday buldge!  Check them out http://bit.ly/9bMKyJ the women are all about positive choices and being proactive with your physical fitness!