Gearing Up for Back-to-School with Netflix

Summer's quickly winding down and the start of the school year is quickly approaching, if it hasn't done so already. (We welcomed our students back from Summer break two weeks ago, and other schools here in NYC are close behind us.)

But before you have one last hurrah and plan a boat-load of extracurricular after school activities for your littles, let's make sure that their minds are right and ready to go! With the help of Netflix.com, it's easier than ever to stream educational programs that'll help your kids get back into the swing of things. Here are a few faves to add to your back-to-school must watch list:

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
When gooey green aliens kidnap all the adults in Retroville, it's up to 11-year-old Jimmy Neutron to figure out a plan to rescue them. Funny, adventurous, and totally badass, this is not only a great way to get this kids geared up for back-to-school, but also a great way to get them to think creatively and outside the box.

How the States Got Their Shapes 
Brian Unger is the host of this clever road documentary series, which blends history, politics, and geography to show how America's states got their borders. It's super fun and educational, and a great show for kids interested in all things geography!

The Magic School Bus
Does this show ever go out of style?! Aiden and I have so many books in this series and we absolutely love them! All of them! The TV show just brings the books to life as wacky Ms. Fizzle takes her class to outer space, under the sea, through an anthill, and inside the human body in educational and fun adventures!

What are you streaming on Netflix to get your kids ready for the back-to-school season?!

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

Embracing Summer Adventures with Netflix

Summer is one of my favorite seasons because I get to spend more time with Aiden hanging out around the city, going to different events, and embracing adventures. Even on the hottest days. Heck, I don't shy away from hot days -- I embrace 'em. At a beach or pool with a cold lemonade or iced tea.

But on days when we don't head outdoors for one reason or another, we create adventures around the house. By making up games or playing UNO cards or watching videos. It's on these days that we can binge on Netflix and bring the adventures right into our living room.

The Netflix original series, Dragons: Race to the Edge introduces some of the most exciting dragons, each with its own abilities. (Think: shock waves, cannon balls, fire blasts, and more.) You'll recognize the characters Hiccup and Toothless from the critically acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon films and totally enjoy it because it's part Kung-Fu Panda, part Where the Wild Things Are.

National Treasure is another movie that bring the adventure to the small screen. In this flick, modern treasure hunters search for a chest of riches that are rumored to be stashed away by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. It's not only a way to embrace adventure, but it's also a way to possibly introduce fun American history.

Still looking for more adventures? If you've got a Marvel's lover on your hand, check out Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 2. You can't go wrong with these guys and, while watching, you're sure to embark on an adventure. Or five.

What's your favorite family flick to watch when you're feeling adventurous?!

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

Bonding Over Superheroes with Netflix

Aiden: Mommy, who do you think would win in a battle? Optimus Prime or Bumblebee?" 

Me: Uh... Optimus Prime?" 

Aiden: Me too! Who do you think would win... Bumblebee or Iron Man? 

Me: Um... Bumblebee?  

Aiden: No! You're supposed to say 'Iron Man'. Iron Man or The Hulk? 

Me: The Hulk. Definitely The Hulk. 

Aiden: Yep! 

Superheroes. This has been the topic of our recent daily conversations. Lots and lots of Superheroes. Aiden's always been a fan of superheroes, and more recently, he's been including me in the topic of discussion and in his superhero play. I'm cool with it -- especially if it allows for us to bond and connect.

I've also used it as a way to introduce him to the cool superheroes that were popular when I was his age and when I was growing up. And a great way to really show him what it was all about is to, well, show him. So it's pretty dope that Netflix.com has awesome throwbacks that the entire family will enjoy! Here are a few of my faves:

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 
I lived for this show when I was growing up! I mean, who doesn't like cool teenagers who hang out at the mall and then use their powers to kick Rita Repulsa's butt?! Even though television channels show the updated version of the show, there's nothing like the original. And every time Aiden and I discuss the show, he knows -- Mommy's the pink ranger!

Inspector Gadget
In this funny and family-friendly show, Inspector Gadget must face his old enemy, the evil Dr. Claw, who has reactivated M.A.D., his global crime syndicate. What's not to love?!

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Aiden's already a Spidey superfan! So he loves anything Spider-man related. In this series, he's joined by his friends Firestar and Iceman as they fight NYC's most dangerous villains.

With all these throwback shows on Netflix.com, connecting with your littles with be as easy as The Hulk defeating Iron Man!

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

The Importance of Telling the Truth with Netflix

We've reached that age. Aiden's not only telling knock-knock jokes and attempting to pull pranks, but he's also starting to experiment with little white lies.

Oy!

And I'm trying to decipher which one is a "big" deal and which one I could simply chalk up to "that age" or "kids being kids."

Sigh.

We certainly have conversations about it and we'll keep talking about it until he "gets it." Until then, we'll read books and watch movies and TV shows that'll highlight what I'm talking about -- the difference between the truth, a white lie, and a lie lie.

Thankfully, Netflix.com has some good picks that'll help get the message across. That Aiden likes to watch.

Jessie
For some reason, my pre-teen niece has Aiden hooked on this show. (He pretty much worships the ground she walks on so anything she likes is considered "cool" to him.) Jessie tells the story of a Texas-transplant teenager living in NYC as a nanny for a wealthy family of six.

Not only does the show feature funny adventures (just imagine all that can go down with four kids, one nanny, wealth parents, and a 7-foot Asian water monitor lizard as a pet), but a specific episode in season 1, World Wide Web of Lies, focuses on how one little white lie can -- and often will -- lead to other lies. Needless to say, the moral of the episode is this: don't tell lies.

A.N.T. Farm
Another show that the kid is currently into, A.N.T. Farm features a young music prodigy, Chyna Parks, who goes to high school as part of an Advanced Natural Talents (A.N.T.) program. As you can imagine, the "real" high schoolers aren't feeling the fact that Chyna and other participants of the program, Olive and Fletcher, are there. But... they try to make the most of their experience regardless.

Episode 9 of season 3, Pants on Fire, has proven to be a really good show for opening the dialogue with kids about lying versus truth-telling and what lying can potentially do to friendships (ie: ruin trust).

Help a sista out... what are some ways that you speak to your kids about little white lies?!

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

Instilling Resilience and Perseverance in Kids with Netflix.com

"All you have to do is try."

"You gotta have grit."

"To win, all you have to do is get up one more time than you fell down."

These are just some of the quotes that are on the chalkboard wall right outside of Aiden's bedroom. He reads them on his own from time to time, I catch him reading them more often than he thinks I do, I remind him of what those words whenever he's feeling defeated by something or overwhelmed by a challenging task. 

Why?

Because I have tunnel vision when it comes to instilling resilience and perseverance in him. Because, while I'm bad at a lot of things, if it were not for my determination and grit, I would not have "made it," whatever that means. Because, honestly, I feel as though the willpower to "get back up again" is 90% of the battle. 

So I'm talking and teaching and talking some more. Trying -- hard -- to instill the value of persistence and perseverance in Aiden, amongst many other things.

It's no easy feat, but I try to use as many things as possible to remind him of why determination (to the tenth power) is important, especially when it helps him accomplish his goal. 

Thankfully programs like Netflix has kid-friendly movies and shows that teaches resilience as well. 

Marvel's Avengers Assemble

Not only does it have epic action scenes that any boy will love, it also shows how Iron Man persuades his fellow superheroes to reunite, combine their skills, and battle both longtime foes and deadly new villains. 

The Perfect Game

Based on a true story, this movie is the epitome of what it means to show true grit. It illustrates how a seemingly impossible dream of playing baseball for the United States becomes a reality for a group of impoverished young children from Mexico. Trust me on this, the road for them isn't the least bit easy, but as I said before, the willpower to "get back up again" is 90% of the battle. 

And that's exactly what the movie shows. 

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}