It seems like with each passing day our family gets busier and busier. Every year, there are more activities our boys participate in, more school events and more responsibilities to eat up our time. With all that rushing around, we weren’t communicating as well as we could be and I knew it. So when I heard about Me in a Tree, an innovative new website that uses game-like applications to help increase positive family interaction, I was intrigued. I spend a fair bit of time online and Me in a Tree sounded like it might be just the thing to help our family work together as a team.
The sign-up is quick, easy and free and once I had registered for the site, the fun started! First I entered information about my family members and created fun avatars for each of us. Then I started setting up some positive family events using the site’s various applications.
First I chose a time and place for our Family Huddle, an online meeting that helped us to interact as a family, share accomplishments, discuss problems and have fun. I really liked the game-like setup of the Family Huddle, which let family members talk about their feelings without feeling insecure. And I loved the fact that meetings ended with a challenge for the week! With great challenges like turning off the TV for a week and having a family games night, they really were challenging! But they were a great way of ensuring that we spent more time together during the week too!
The Pledge Stone was the next feature I tested and it was such a fun way of sharing accomplishments, goals and things we found special about our family with one another between the weekly Family Huddles. Because play is as important as work, the website also has a To Do app that searched our area to find fun local activities for Date Nights, Family Activities or Volunteering. Because the site is still in Beta phase activities are just being added, but I can’t wait until I can learn about fun things to do in our area with just a click of a button!
The Family Assessment was a bit of a challenge; I had to remind myself to be honest and not glamorize our family when I filled it out. The assessment was a fun and easy quiz and graded our family based on seven different areas: Family Union, Organization, Responsibility, Health and Wellness, Behaviour, Communication and Money Matters. I learned that our family had strong skills with organizing and money management but that we needed to work on communication skills.
There are lots of other fun apps planned for the future too and the game style of the website is appealing for both kids and adults! But I have to admit, what I loved most about Me in a Tree was the sections of the site with parenting information and advice forums. Whether I wanted to ask a question about how to deal with Benjamin’s screaming tantrums or I was looking for the latest information about children’s sleep needs, I could find the answers I needed by either visiting the Parent Talk forum, reading articles by family specialists on the Me in a Tree blog or anonymously requesting advice from an expert using the Ask Eva section. And I really appreciate the handy Me in a Tree Calendar that lets me schedule and track all my family’s various activities and appointments!
Me in a Tree has already contributed to some positive changes in our family. The Family Huddle was such an effective tool for improving communication in our family that we’ve now taken it even further by having a big family meeting each week involving a Family Huddle, a review of our house rules, rewards to those that have accomplished set goals that week and a great family board game to finish off the fun!
Me in a Tree knows that nothing is better for family interaction than a treat for a job well done, so the company is offering one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader a $25 Tim Horton’s gift card to help them enjoy some bonding time with their family! To enter to win, just check out the Me In a Tree website and leave a comment about something you liked or something you learned there! Whether you’re looking for a place to keep track of your child’s busy schedule or you need an easy way to share more with your family, Me in a Tree has the tools you need. And the fun, kid-appealing site is fun for kids to visit too! Check it out for yourself and see what great tools you can find to make your family stronger and happier!
it can help build stronger kids and happier families
I like that you could try it for free
I like the blog area with articles like Make Time for Family Fun
I learned that me in a tree is for you if Are looking for a closer family bond
I learned that it is absolutely free to try out!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
I like the Me in a Tree Calendar app. A great way to keep everyone in the “know” of everyone’s schedules.
wow, this is the coolest thing. I like how it brings the family together. Love how you can try it for free
It brings families together.
I like the Me in a Tree Calendar. Would help families to stay organized too.
helps the families stay organized and have fun online
I learned that its free to try! Awesome
dalleykt at live dot ca
I learned that their is free apps to get you started.
I learned that it is free which is awesome and that there are a series of things that can help make the family closer and more engaged in each others life and activities! Love that! Most importantly to me was the comment/question on their site that states: “Want to give your kids practical skills they can use to create fulfilling lives?” and “Want happy children who listen to you?” Now…every part wants that!!!
Learned that “Me in a Tree” is designed by parents and families for parents and families.
It is about contributing to society at large, encouraging personal interaction, full family engagement.
Fan R.
teddyoutready2(at)gmail(dot)com
The Pledge Stone helps you identify what is important to all of you and celebrate your amazing family\
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I like the Calendar app. Maybe we can get everyone on the same page with this and avoid event/scheduling conflicts.
Thank you so much Kathryn for the great review. We are really excited you found so many great benefits on the Me in a Tree site. Please keep us posted with updates on your families progress. We love to hear about it!!!
I absolutely will, Michelle! And thanks for providing such a great resource for families; I can’t wait to see how it continues to develop!
i learned that they will give back 10% of its profits to family and child centered non-profit organizations that share the company’s philosophy and work
I like how they get families together and have them discuss things and connect. Theres just not enough of that
I like that you can sign up for free.
i like the idea of reconnecting with my spouse. we have grown apart after having 3 children in less than 3 years (understandably, the kids are little and its been totally all about them since we had them).
I went through something similar, Andrea. And our boys weren’t even that close together; they’re 3 1/2 year apart! But before they were born my and my husband’s only concern was each other and we really grew apart after we had our oldest and he became our top priority. But I can say that now that our boys are a little older, it’s been easier to make some changes that can get us growing closer again. Things like regular date nights and romance breaks are a lot easier when the kids are older! Wishing you and him all the best!
I love that you can try it for free
I like that they donate 10% of their profits!
It’s free to try
I like the Me in a Tree Calendar app that would be very handy
wow, this is a great site, family oriented, filled with tips and such, also its free, plus has some great apps !
They donate 10% of their profits, that’s very nice.
The Pledge Stone helps identify what is important to your family.
I learned that it is designed by parents – for parents and that it’s free to try.
I like the blog area with articles like Make Time for Family Fun
I like the “Family things to do” app… what a great idea for coming up with new things to do with the family!
I learned that you can try it for free
thanks
flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
gives back 10% of its profits to family and child centered non-profit organizations
The Family Huddle is a great idea!
I learned and liked that it will help
- Restoring balance and peace in your family
- Being more organized
free aps! who doesn’t love a free way to become a better parent
that it has a great calendar that looks colour coded to keep everyone on track
I think it’s great that they have an Advisory Council to offer insight on Me in a Tree and keep an eye open for any adjustments/improvements that may benefit the site or its users. This quote from their Advisory Council info page really touched me “With the guidance and input of the Advisory Council Me in a Tree will continue to improve the Me in a Tree site and continue to expand and enhance the site to fully support parents in their desire to reach their self determined dreams for their families and children; together with the dreams their children will develop for themselves.”
I like that you can try it for free.
I like the calendar app
Like the free trial
t brings families together.
Neat website to spend some time together!
free to try an brings you closer
Free is always good.
I learned you can sign up for free. Thanks.
I like the family thing’s to do app
I love all of the ways they have set up to organize – especially a calendar!
The Pledge Stone helps you identify what is important to all of you and celebrate your amazing family <- pretty cool idea.
I like Me in a Tree Calendar