So, we stumbled across a Shark Tank open casting call in Las Vegas right after the new year. We live/work in San Diego, so Vegas is only about a 5 hour drive. It felt like fate. We have made a ton of strides as a business in the last couple years, but we have a LONG way to go to be the leader in kids eye wear we want to be. I thought a Shark could help, and worst case scenario, I'd have a fun experience to blog about! Check out the quick video of how it went when I went to Vegas to audition our fun sunglasses for Shark Tank! While I obviously could not film myself pitching our awesome sunglasses, like these white and teal baby sunglasses, to the producers, I included the rough text of my 1 minute pitch below so you can picture it. Hope you find it interesting, it was really fun to do! We won't know how we did for a long time, so now we just sit and wait! 

Shark Tank Casting Call

Our Pitch (or close to it! Kind of a blur what exactly was said!)

Hi, I’m Scott, founder of Roshambo Baby. I am seeking a $X investment for X% of my company. Here’s the simple problem we solved: 50% of the lifetime UV damage done to your eyes occurs before the age of 10 years old. Despite that, the kids eyewear industry is full of cheap, breakable, frankly, ugly stuff largely made in China. It made me and my wife sad. We solved that by going to Italy and creating a line of matching baby, kids' and adult unbreakable sunglasses that can do this. [SHOW OFF HOW FLEXIBLE AND AWESOME THEY ARE!] Full damage and lens replacement guarantee, so light they float, certified safe for baby, BPA free, lead free, all that stuff. You can drive over these in your car and chances are they’ll be fine. Trust me, we’ve done it.

But that’s not the only reason I am here. The reason I have like permanent jazz hands about the unlocked potential of my company is because while our frames can also do this, they can also do this [PULL OUT A PAIR OF SHADES WITH A PRESCRIPTION LENS IN THEM!].... all of our frames are prescription friendly and kids can swap out their prescription lens for a new frame color every day if they want to! There is nothing quite like our product on the optometry market. We launched an affordable prescription fulfillment service on our website last year to rave reviews from parents. We are at the tip of an iceberg. Think Warby Parker for kids.                                           

We are poised to take this innovative product to a wider audience. I want to be the market leader in children's eyewear because Little People Deserve Big People Shades. But I need a shark to get there.

By Alissa Marquess

via bouncebackparenting.com

One shift in thinking has drastically improved my parenting, and that is moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset about being a mom. This growth mindset says – you are always learning and it’s never too late to make a more positive choice. When you make a mistake it’s not an indication that you are doomed to be a failure; it’s an opportunity to grow.

The concept is easy enough to understand, but changing the thinking habits I had wasn’t as simple. One of the interesting things about growth mindset that Carol Dweck states in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, is that we can have a growth mindset about one area of life, but not another – that’s how I was about parenting. I had a growth mindset about things like creativity and academic learning. However, when it came to parenting, I expected myself to be a natural at being a mom.

I felt so awful about making mistakes in parenting. I’d feel so terribly guilty that I could barely make room for more positive, growth oriented thoughts. However, over time I discovered certain phrases that would quiet down the negative judgmental inner voice and allow me to learn instead of getting stuck in a place of depression and hopelessness. Here is a collection of 10 helpful tips about the growth mindset for parents.

If you’d like to be reminded regularly of ways to have a growth mindset, connect with your kids and communicate effectively, make sure you sign up here to get an invite to Bounceback Texts.

10 Phrases to Encourage a Growth Mindset in Parenting

• Always learning – short and simple, you can think about this phrase to remind yourself that it’s healthy to be in the process of learning, you don’t have to know everything.
• Connection, not perfection – this is my personal favorite growth mindset phrase for  remembering the priority in my relationships is connection, not getting every detail perfect. It is useful to think when I find myself getting stressed about a family event not going as planned, when I want to support a friend and don’t quite know the right words, or when I find myself waiting for just the right time to talk or play with my kids. Connection, not perfectionnudges me towards what matters most.
• I’m in tune with my kids and I can make adjustments to our routines when needed. Have you ever felt like a failure when your perfectly worked out routine falls to pieces? It’s helpful to  remember that your job is actually paying attention to this and making a change.
• This used to work for us (or I thought this would work for us) but I am empowered – I can make a change when things aren’t working. It can be hard to have a growth mindset when something you thought would be perfect for your family….isn’t. We put a lot of store in parenting choices like schooling, breastfeeding, foods we feed our kids, childcare, sleeping arrangements and so on. It’s not to say the way we handle these decision isn’t important, they are. However it is a mistake to believe there is one right way and if you find it everything will be great. Sometimes we have to make a change, and it can be humbling and scary, but holding on to patterns that don’t work for your family is no way to be a leader. Which leads us to another phrase that helps you have a growth mindset about parenting…
• It takes strength and wisdom to recognize you need to change course, and then take action to make that change. 
• I made a mistake and I am a big enough person to learn from it and move forward instead of clinging to something that isn’t working. Sometimes it stings to admit we were wrong, but compounding a mistake by clinging to something that isn’t working for you isn’t the answer. Learning from it and moving on is freeing.
• It’s never too late to make a more positive choice. Sometimes I’ve been caught up thinking that everything is a mess – why bother? This phrase reminds me that making a more positive choice is always an option.
• I can change directions. I can start over from now. Some days we need a do-over. Permission granted. You can start over from now.
• I am a work in progress and this is part of that progress. It’s great to have a vision of where you want to be, but sometimes it’s easy to forget that the process of learning and growing has great value. You are someone valuable right now.
• I always have potential for growth. Yes you do – you are not too old, too broken, too dumb. You have potential for growth. It’s helpful for me to remember I am not stuck being one particular way; through effort and time I can change if I wish.
• What have I learned from this? Reflecting on what you’ve learned, even from the most uncomfortable situations, helps you grow.
• Mistakes mean I’m learning. I always loved the song my Dad would sing to me when I was a kid that had a chorus that said, “Oops, you made a mistake, and you’re beautiful to me.“

What phrase do you like to say to yourself to help you remember that you don’t have to be perfect?

Eyes need protection all year round! Pair Ro·Sham·Bo Baby's children's sports sunglasses with these 5 best toddler snowsuits to keep Junior safe from head to toe.

By Lorien Van Ness

Via bouncebackparenting.com

As kids get older it’s easier to send them out doors in the cold and snowy weather to play for long stretches… if you have the right snow gear. A good snowsuit can be the difference between drinking a warm beverage in it’s entirety while watching the kids romp and play from the window, and repeated blasts of cold air from the door opening and closing as the kids come in because their snow suit doesn’t fit right or their clothes are starting to get wet.

I know what a pain to shop for snow suits, so, to make it a little easier I have gathered the top rated snowsuits for kids on Amazon. These snow suits all have a minimum of 50 reviews and an average rating of at least 4 stars.

Top rated Snow Suits

Arctix Youth Overalls Snow Bib

4.5 stars with over 600 reviews- Great for everyday wear, this snowsuit has reinforced cuffs and scuff guards to prevent fraying at the ankles. They also have gaiters- an internal sleeve that fits inside the snow boots to keep legs and feet completely protected from the snow. This snow suit has elastic sides and adjustable shoulder straps for a good fit on a wide range of body types. It also come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Reviews appreciate the warmth of this snowsuit.

White Sierra Youth Toboggan Insulated Bib

4.5 stars with 200 reviews. Articulated knees, stretchy ribbed sides, and adjustable shoulder straps mean a custom fit while also allowing for range of motion. Many reviewers mentioned the high quality of materials and construction and felt that the sizing was true to fit.

Columbia Snowslope II Bib

4.3 stars with 131 reviews- Light weight and warm, with reinforced cuffs, this snowsuit is ready to see your child though more than one season of snow. Columbia Snowslope II has a unique outgrow cuff system allowing you to lengthen the legs for a longer lasting fit. Reviewers mention the ease of cleaning between uses because dirt can simply be brushed off after drying.

iXtreme Boys’ Snowbib

4.5 starts with 90 reviews- This snowsuit features internal gators and zippered cuffs to create a layered barrier against the snow. The zippered pockets and key or mitten loop make these a great choice for a day on the slops or out and about everyday. Reviews note that they run slightly large making them a good fit for huskier kids.

London Fog Classic Bib Pant with Zipper

4.6 stars with 50 reviews. A geat snowsuit, it is machine washable and features a cargo pocket on the side making it a good choice for the slopes or a everyday use. They come in a range of colors and sizes from 2T all the way up to 14/16 youth. Reviewers appreciate the quality and warmth of these snow bibs.

More top rated snow gear:

Hanes Thermal Underwear Set

Don’t forget a breathable base layer, these thermal underwear have flat, no rub seams and shrinkage control, however, reviewers note that these run small so you may want to order up a size or two.

Fox River Kids Snow Day Over-The-Calf Socks

A warm pair of wool socks can make a big difference in staying warm and dry while playing in the snow. These socks are made of soft Merino wool and have a flat toe seam for comfort.

OutdoorMaster Kids Ski Goggles

For kids 6 and up these goggles offer UV protection to protect eyes and can even be worn over glasses!

For more of the best snow gear for kids, check out these posts:

• Best Winter Boots for Kids
• Best Snow Boots for Toddlers
• Best Mittens for Toddlers
• Best Snowsuits for Toddlers

www.roshambobaby.com