I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: the things you love in childhood shape who you are as an adult. Ok, maybe I didn’t say it quite like that, but I KNOW I at least somewhat said it when I was talking about Disney’s Planes.
I pay close attention to the shows and movies that my children seem to favorite. I recognize that aspects of their personality are shaped by what they see on screen. Scary? Yes. Motivating? You bet.
I was the middle child among six kids. There were two sets of us: the big kids (comprised of my two older brothers and I) and the little kids (made up of my two younger brothers and sister.) I base much of my parenting off of what I observed as the “big kid.” I had many responsibilities with the little kids. And I loved it!
I’ll never forget the day I found out my mom was having my baby brother. I felt connected to him even when he was in the womb because I got to be there the day we found out if he was a he. (Although I was a tad disappointed that he was not a she).
When my brother was born, I was almost eight years old and very motherly. I got to change diapers, help feed him, and play with him during his tummy time. I always knew I would love to be a mom because I was Andrew’s big sister.
And man, was he cute!
Andrew was sweet, cuddly, and just all-around loveable. He was the Winnie the Pooh of our family, and it’s no wonder why.
Homeboy was obsessed with Winnie the Pooh. Still is, actually (never mind that he’s 21 years old now). He had onesies and rompers with Pooh and Tigger all over them as a baby, and as a toddler he was content to watch episodes for hours.
One of my favorite memories of Andrew and Pooh was the day we took him to Disneyland. He was about three years old and so enchanted by everything he saw. What really held his attention, though, were all the characters walking around Disneyland for photo ops and signatures.
Unlike the rest of us kids, Andrew wasn’t afraid of these giant, fluffy doppelgängers. In fact, he believed they were the real deal. Nothing could prepare us for his almost violent method of meeting these plush friends of his.
Let’s just start by saying that the line for Winnie the Pooh was ridiculously long. Like, Sweepstakes Santa Claus at the Mall of America long. My darling brother was NOT having that line.
He didn’t whine. He didn’t pitch a fit. Instead, he wriggled out of my mom’s grasp and started shoving children out of the way. Barreling himself to the front of the line, he threw himself onto Pooh and held him in a fierce and passionate grip.
You know how kids are at Disneyland. They’re a little weirded out by the massive characters who appear so tiny on screen that they shyly succumb to the token photo and shake off the awkward embrace as soon as the camera clicks.
Not Andrew. He didn’t give a hoot about the photo. He was all about the hugs. Eventually my parents were able to wrestle him from Pooh and a few angry parents and awe-struck kids got their justice served. We went back in line and he waited all over again for another hug.
To this day Andrew won’t let my mom toss out the old VHS collection of Winnie the Pooh episodes. He’s still got that sweet and kind spirit that I adored as a little mommy-child. I really do believe much of that has to do with his obsession with Pooh.
Winnie the Pooh is all about friendship, kindness, loyalty, and simple fun. I saw how this adoration played out in my little brother’s life and I have to say, I’m a believer. What your kids watch now will shape who they are as an adult. This is why we watch Winnie the Pooh.
For the first time The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh is being made available as a Blu-ray Combo Pack and HD Digitial on August 27th. To learn more you can visit their website or Facebook page.
Now, to enter for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card and a Winnie The Pooh Blu-ray Combo Pack, share with us the importance of friendship, imagination and adventure in your child’s life…
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
“b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry””; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 8/1/2013 – 9/3/2013
Be sure to visit the Winnie The Pooh brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
My daughter constantly asks me whether someone on a TV show or movie is real, or if someone is playing them. I’m always torn whether to answer honestly, because I really want her to believe that Kermit and Miss Piggy are real beings living their own lives. Disney World definitely helped prolong the magic for her a little longer ????
I’d love to win and give the blu-rays to my sweet 18 year old- the oldest of 4. Who still loves Pooh.
I think every day about how the choices I make for my son will become his choices, and how I can help guide him to make good decisions even at an early age. There’s nothing wrong with Pooh, he is always welcome in our house!
I love Winnie the Pooh! I still have a Pooh pencil case I bought when I was in England many years ago. Great giveaway!
We watch “Winnie L’Ourson” at our house (Pooh with French Language dubbing) as a way to help our bi-national children learn french and even though I can’t understand Pooh and Tigger when they “parlent francais” I know the kids are getting the same sweet message that I got as a kiddo! Spider-man and Ninja Turtles are cool I guess, but they are not sending the message that I want my toddler to get…violence and crime and vengeance. Pooh is though….Patience, teamwork, trust, loyalty, etc… Love HIM! (I have never been able to overcome my disregard for Rabbit however.) lol.
And I tweeted, yo.
I also tweeted at https://twitter.com/mrsmccollum/status/374952644722171904 ????
I grew up with Winnie the Pooh. There was a long period of time where every single present I received was something Winnie the Pooh related. My favorite was a Hallmark ornament from my mom the year I went off to college. I still have it, and the note she hid inside the box. When I am down, I take it out and take comfort in her handwriting.
I also tweeted ????
hahaha!!! okay and now I know I’m not as twitter savvy as I would like to think….lets try this again!!
I’m the “middle” kid, too! Of 4 kids, though- a biggie sister and two younger twins. And I adore Mr. Pooh Bear. My gals are NUTS about these guys, especially my little little. Siblings really are our first best friends, aren’t they? I’m still the closest with my sisters, and I hope my gals will always be besties. (Unless Suzy meets Tigger again…and will probably shove her big sis to the ground for another chance at a kiss.)
Also, I tweeted this contest to all 6,800 of my followers on Twitter:)
Although all three of my children have different personalities they all have a great sense of adventure and it comes out in different ways. One likes to read & hike & mountain climb & one likes to read, camp & tell stories around the campfire and the youngest likes biking, hiking and spending time with friends.
I grew up with Winnie the Pooh and loved every episode I could get my eager eyes into here is something i recently found about it x
Sorry to break up the middle child party, Oldest Sister coming through! I have a 16 month old and I get to watch first hand someone discovering something for the first time. Everyday. It is amazing and I love taking her new places, recently the zoo, to see that look of awe on her face!
I’ve got a sweet pooh bear in my life (my oldest) and now I have a boundlessly energetic tigger too. I feel like I’m in the Thousand Acre Woods every single day. And what a wonderful place to be.
These two don’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things but they definitely agree about Winnie The Pooh.
I love Winnie the Pooh. So much, in fact, that my husband and I had that exact quote you used in our wedding program. ????
And here is my tweet! ????
https://twitter.com/jenminn/status/374952471962984448
I love Pooh Bear! I was the middle child with an older crew and younger crew, too! We often played in our pretend hundred acre woods!
I tweeted your Pooh contest.
I love Winnie the Pooh, and I could totally use $50! I have no twitter or blog though, and for some reason I am unable to find a working link for the official rules ????
I was the oldest and the preschool I went to was called Pooh’s Corner :).
I love Winnie the Pooh! We have a lot of books (even the old ones), stuffed animals, and DVD’s. I love the new ones (with the Heffalumps) just as much as the classics (we have those too).
Pooh has a special place in my heart, because when I was a little girl I had an old, scruffy Eeyore doll that my cousin gave to me as a “hand me down”. My dad walked out after years of abuse from my mom, but he left us with her. Those were very scary times for a little girl that never quite understood why her mom was always angry & mean. My Eeyore doll was a constant companion in my arms when I was home, I absolutely loved that doll.
On our wedding night, my hubby (knowing how touching I felt the Pooh characters were) gave me a plaque with the quote at the top of this page. Here, 8 years later its still one of my most treasured possessions.
My toddler has yet to see a Pooh movie yet, it’s about time I get on the ball and introduce her! Her birthday is Sept. 15th, and this post reminded me of how special Pooh is…so I’m totally going to look online for an Eeyore or Pooh doll for her as a birthday gift:)
I should be clear, my Eeyore doll provided the friendship I sought so dearly as a child, and I’m so thankful that my kids will grow up understanding the value of friendship as well, both in person and with “lovies” that help them through any challenging times. ????
And I tweeted! https://twitter.com/SensibleMoms/status/375014959815483394 ???? Ellen
My brother, sister, & I grew up with Winnie the Pooh! Eeyore was always my favorite. Now I have two kids of my own and want them to grow up with all my favorite characters too : )
I grew up with Pooh bear – as a kid, Tigger was my favorite. As a teen, I think I was more of an Eeyore gal. ???? I love the message kids get from Winnie the Pooh – plus the whole gang is just plain CUTE!
trying to win a Pooh DVD for the munchins! Check it out here #SweepstakesEntry— Lydia Loudig (@LydiaLoudig) September 3, 2013
My kids are 15 and 12 and they are still captivated by Disney World and Winnie the Pooh because friendship, imagination, and friendship are so important in their lives. Ellen
I have pics of myself when I was younger at Disneyland and they were ONLY of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore & Tigger….With my 2 sons…I have pics of them with the same characters & it warms my heart to no end.
We have season passes to Disney World and we NEVER miss riding the “Pooh” ride. My Grands and I couldn’t “imagine” ever not riding it at least once every visit.