Wah Wah Wah... @Netflix_CA counteracts Wah Wah Syndrome #StreamTeam

There's always a buzz and energy as summer comes to an end and we start our "back to school" rituals and traditions. 

New knapsacks, lunch bags, and shopping for school supplies. There are discussions over teachers, and who might be in their classes. My kids are teens, one in high school and the other starting college so there's also focus on tech to purchase, schedules, managing the work load, pressures around marks, and college and university. 

And there's the mandatory parent-child discussion about working hard, making this year count and how decisions you make now can impact your future for many years to come. My kids have heard it for so many years I'm sure to them I sound like the teacher from Charlie Brown. "wah wah wah ... wah wah" and another thing "wah wah wah" 

Notice the smile set in place, and the eyes are starting to glace over. Soon the automated nodding of the head to appear to be listening will begin!  I call this the "Wah Wah Syndrome" and find one way to counteract it is watching some of the great series on Netflix Canada based on the life of teens with my kids. Not only does it keep the kids attention, it also gives me as a parent insight into some of the issues kids are facing at school today. 
It can be a good parent-child bonding opportunity, and a great way to segue into important conversations with your kids. 

Here are some of my favourites for teens: 

About a Boy

The Fosters

Switched at Birth

There are lots of great series for the younger kids too! 

Project Mc2

DinoTrux

Ever After High

So starting this year I'm adding watching relevant shows and then talking about back to school with the kids to our "back to school" traditions. I feel it's important to talk with (not at) my kids about acceptance, tolerance, peer pressure, not to mention academics and the importance of a good education. I think Netflix might be the perfect way to do that without the Wah Wah Syndrome. 

To keep up on all the new releases and news follow Netflix Canada on twitter or Netflix Canada on facebook. If you have some favourites to counteract Wah Wah Syndrome please share them with me in the comments section. I would love to hear them!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Netflix Streamteam ... wah wah wah.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a steaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix Streamteam reviews and posts. All opinions are my own.

Still time for an August Adventure! Let @Netflix_CA #Streamteam inspire you!

We are here already! and like every other year when we reach the half way point in the month of August panic begins to grip me. The summer vacation that seemed so long at the beginning of July is almost over! There are subtle changes like the nights are cooler and the days are shorter.

 SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER! 

There is a short window of opportunity left to fit in all the summer fun and adventures August has to offer! I swear the saying "So much to do, so little time." was written about August. We still have a road trip, and family visits, one last trip to a water park, that long bike ride we have been talking about, and renting a paddle boat or canoe, not to mention sleeping in a tent, even if only in our backyard.

Of course adventure doesn't mean you have to leave Netflix behind. Here are some great shows and movies to watch on your mobile device, or just while you dream of your next action packed adventure. 

For the little ones:

Dora the Explorer

Wild Animal Baby Explorers

Tree Fu Tom

Rubbadubbers: Tubb's Pirate Treasure

A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures

The Hive

For the bigger kids:  

The Adventures of Tintin

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Tad: The Lost Explorer

The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Treasure

National Treasure

Labou and the Quest for the Lost Treasure

Adventures can be anywhere, even in your own backyard! Why not plan a backyard adventure of your own such as a scavenger hunt, an obstacle race, or even Survivor!

Survivor Instructions and Rules:

• No items other than what is provided in the Tribe Survivor Kit and what can be scrounged outside may be used. Tribe Members may not go indoors and get items. 
• Each tribe must establish how the tribe will be run and what duties will be assigned to which tribe members. All tribe members must have duties. (Must be written down)
• Each tribe must make a sign that includes their Logo, Tribe Name and Tribe Motto.
• Each tribe must make a shelter for the tribe.
• Each tribe must figure out how the snacks/rations will be divided and used, and how they will share the limited food resources such as forks and bowls.
• Each tribe will be judged (Judges are adults/parents) on all of the above categories and the judges' rulings are final!

Tribe Survivor Kit should include:

A piece of material that can be cut into strips to either tie around arms or head to establish who is in what tribe. (each tribe's material should be a different colour), a bucket, work gloves, rope, scissors, duct tape, a tarp, clothes pegs, a cardboard box, paper (a least one large piece), plastic grocery bags, newspaper, and markers. Tribes can make seats or sit-upons by folding newspaper into the desired size, placing them into a grocery bag and taping the sides. 

Each tribe kit should also include a cooler bag containing snacks, a jug of water, 2 plates, 1 bowl, 2 forks, a spoon, and instructions on How to Fold a Cup from a Sheet of Paper via WikiHow. 

Whatever your adventure be sure to make time for a kitchen adventure first to make your own snacks and rations. These Adventure Vegetable or Fruit Spring Rolls via Netflix & SPC would be perfect to survive on while on any adventure!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Netflix Stream Team.

Note: As part of the Netflix Stream Team I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of cost for the purpose of my Stream Team reviews and posts. All opinions are my own.