One Direction + Ty Burrell Help Celebrate National Foster Care Month With Song & Words

Children

Image from FosterMore

With May being National Foster Care Month I have some exciting news to share with MBE readers. To raise awareness and give a voice to foster care children, 70% of whom aspire to one day attend college, the boys from One Direction have graciously offered FosterMore the opportunity to use their song “Story of My Life” for the non-profit's new PSA featuring Mary Lee, a foster child who went on to build a meaningful career thanks to her supportive foster family.

Take a look at this moving success story...




One Direction's song meshes well with the FosterMore message of shining a light on the unlimited potential of kids and families in the foster care system, empowering all foster children to reach to their dreams through education and helping them share the story of their life.  Ty Burrell of Modern Family, who is an adoptive father of two, has also kindly lent his voice to this new PSA.

About FosterMore
FosterMore is a coalition of not-for-profit organizations and foundations working to raise awareness of the youth in America's foster care system. The organization encourages everyone to play a part in ensuring that foster youth receive the support, nurturing and guidance the need to succeed in life. Learn more about FosterMore on their official website as well as follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation in association with this post and opinions in this post are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Share Mom Photos to Raise Funds for National Park Foundation & Others #MacysLovesMom

Mothers

Taking Throwback Thursday to the Next Level

Mother's Day isn't just this coming Sunday, it's every day as any mom will tell you, myself included. So when I have the opportunity to celebrate fellow mothers everywhere on top of helping to spread the word about a corporate social campaign raising money for some of America's most worthy charities I don't even have to hesistate before I say yes.

Me next to my mom & siblings at Yellowstone Park Circa 1966, MommyBlogExpert.com

Macy's Thank-A-Mom Initiative #MacysLovesMoms

From now through May 10, Mother's Day, you are encouraged to join me in sharing your favorite throwback photos and memories of your mother on Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. These can be throwback images of you and your family at parks including historic sites, seashores, monuments, memorials, trails, etc, but throwback images in general would be wonderful too. For every share of a motherly moment using the hashtag #MacysLovesMoms Macy's will donate $3, up to $400,000 total, to the National Park Foundation, Go Red for Women, Futures Without Violence, Reading is Fundamental and Make-A-Wish.

My 1960s 5th Birthday Party, MommyBlogExpert.com

In addition to sharing your photos of your mom -- in National Parks and/or in general -- here are some suggested social posts I encourage you to use to spread the word to others

I love sharing #throwback pix especially when it benefits great orgs like @GoParks http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2 #MacysLovesMoms

#DYK @Macys supports fab orgs like @GoParks w/ #MacysLovesMoms when U share #throwback #mom pics http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2

Here's a #throwback #TBT pic to celebrate all incredible #moms http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2 @GoParks #MacysLovesMoms

My fave #Mom moment is ___________ @GoParks #MacysLovesMoms http://bit.ly/1EQFPJ2

FTC Disclosure: I proud to disclose that I am a lifelong National Parks admirer and supporter and have personally visited 200+ of our nation's parks and monuments as a child and as a mom with my own children. I did not receive any payment or compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Helicopter Mom Movie on VOD Review New Comedy Release Perfect for Mothers Day

Movies

Just in time for Mother's Day comes the hilarious new comedy Helicopter Mom starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Jason Dolley (Good Luck Charlie) now available on View on Demand (VOD) and iTunes. 

Image from Helicopter Mom

Last month my teenage daughter Rebecca and I attended a private screening of this funny new movie and after party with director Salomé Breziner, former Disney star Jason Dolley and other members of the cast and crew. 

My daughter, Jason & I at the screening, MommyBlogExpert.com

What an entertaining and fun night out this was watching this made in California film featuring scenes shot at Venice Beach which is a favorite hangout of our family. Neither of us could stop laughing about the wacky mom in the movie that makes garden variety helicopter moms not really look that bad in comparison. And best of all was that my daughter got to meet and talk with young and handsome Jason after the show while I got to chat with real-life mom and director Salomé Breziner who admitted to being a bit of a helicopter mom herself. Actually in this day and age I think most of us mothers are helicopter moms of varying degrees, aren't we?

Here's a brand new making of clip from the Prom scene...




About Helicopter Mom
Even with good intentions and an abundance of love, parents can sometimes become just a little bit smothering. Maggie (Nia Vardalos) takes the helicopter mom persona to the extreme when she decides that she would not only accept her son Lloyd (Jason Dolley) as gay, she would encourage it. In fact, Maggie becomes so convinced that Lloyd is indeed gay that she "outs" him to his entire high school. 

Like any good "helicopter mom" Maggie hovers over every aspect of her son's life. She takes control of his social life, sets him up on dates with boys whom she has approved, and files for a gay student college scholarship. There's just one wrench in her grand plans: Lloyd doesn't even know whether he's gay or not - and he's just asked a cute girl to prom played by Skyler Samuels (Scream Queens).  In the end, will Maggie be willing to accept her son for who he is-or just who she thinks he is? 

For more on this new funny film, visit the official Helicopter Mom Site as well as follow the movie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Plus don't miss the Official Movie Trailer.

FTC Disclosure: My daughter and I were invited to a private screening and reception party in advance of the big screen release of Helicopter Mom. MBE did not receive any payment or other compensation in association with this story and opinions in this post are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.