Great Parenting Wins! (watch this video)
We’ve been ramping up for our site launch on June 5th. (For more on that click here.) And for the last month we’ve been looking for the perfect person to help us with the growing interest you’ve been showing.
The idea is to have someone who can provide whatever help you might need as a member of our community site. It’s been a long search, and we can cover more of that in a minute.
Last week we started a Contest for our Breakthrough Parenting Audio Book where you get to pick your favorite voice. (We’ve had a lot of entrants and there is still a chance to win.)
What you probably don’t know is that in our search for a Virtual Assistant to help around the office, we also ran a contest. Today, we’re introducing one of the winners who is coming on board. We’ll let her tell her story in her own words. But first, you need to know a little background.
As part of the “contest” we asked our Virtual Assistant candidates to make a short video of themselves. See, none of these people are in the same town as us. In fact some weren’t even in the same country. And we wanted to see who our clients would be speaking with on the phone or communicating with on the site.
Many of the people followed the instructions, but not all of them. Here’s one video we’ve been really excited to share with you!
Now Introducing our new Virtual Assistant, Bristolyn Lamar..
My name is Bristolyn Lamar, and not only am I the creator of the video you just viewed but I am also the growling mother at each of the children’s antics. The growling was actually a real thing on my part in filming the video as I thought that my computer had just crashed on me. When my daughter and I were reviewing the scene we had just shot and saw my “scowl” we burst into tears laughing at how bad I looked. When we added the sound effect it just seemed to fit - scowl and all! Probably a look that all mothers give from time to time but never actually see for themselves. I don’t think it’s a good look on me at all!
The video was created on a Macintosh Notebook using the built in camera and all of the editing was done on I-Movie, a program that I could never ever do without. My inspiration for this film actually came from my own two children, the two featured in the video. My children, oddly enough, did not have a very difficult time playing the bratty children in this video as the part seems to come quite naturally for them! 
They are actually pretty good kids overall and were very helpful to me in making this video. It did cost me a shopping spree for them though. Small price to pay.
I was asked to make a video for the Breakthrough Parenting Online interview process that I was involved in and I honestly almost walked away at this point. In detail, I was asked to make a short video showing me at home, me at work, and me as a Virtual Assistant for Breakthrough Parenting Online. I guess I almost walked away because this task just seemed a bit too drab for me and I thought I would put myself to sleep while filming. “Do I dare be creative and attempt to stretch the rules a bit? What would they think of me if I submitted something a bit beyond what they were asking?” I had so much self-doubt, yet, I decided that in the end I wanted to be true to myself and my nature and do my video my way. One small problem, I was already late in my deadline in turning this in! I guess I spent too much time thinking - now what?
Well, I decided to do the video the way I envisioned it and since I was already late in meeting the deadline I felt I had nothing to lose. Surely I was not going to get the job…. I couldn’t even follow a deadline on the interview process! So my children and I shot the video and spent hours in front of I-Movie editing and putting all of the pieces into place. The video you just saw is the end result of that and one that we all sat back and enjoyed.
I then submitted the video and waited…and waited…and waited. No answer back. Now I was sure that I really did not have the job and my video was just horrible to boot. I spent 24 hours waiting to hear and beating myself up emotionally when finally the word came - I made it to the final round of the interview process — all thanks to the video! I think I have discovered that I am a bit better at this video creating than I thought!
P.S. - I got the job too!!!
Bristolyn is being modest. We were looking for someone to help out around the office. And we found someone to support product development as well.
Just look at how creatively she can tell a story in a few minutes. So, we made a role for her and she started right away. Her job is to make sure that all of what you see, hear and learn from on the site is in top form. And we have no doubt she will do a wonderful job.
Also important is the example she set.
We’ve known all along that we really want parents to create videos of their children before Breakthrough Parenting came in to their lives, and after. Now we know how great those can be to watch.
So, we’ll be holding another contest for parents and families (kids, you too!) and we’ll be announcing all the details very soon. Just know that now would be a great time to get out the video camera and start filming those little bundles of joy in all their glory.
Keep your eyes on this site for details about the Kid’s Video Contest that could make being a member of Breakthrough Parenting Online (com) even sweeter.
Until next time, don’t forget to rate the voices on our Audio Book Contest, and thank you for all that you bring to our efforts here!
For your family!
Jayne A. Major, Ph.D.
PS. I mentioned that there will be another introduction to another member of our team in a few days. Her name is Julia, mother of three, and she’s going to be handling a lot of the back office functions and connecting with people through the site. Keep an eye out for an introduction to her soon.
PPS. I’m on vacation for a few more days. My team is working around the clock to fill in for me. While I’m away, how about everyone pop down to the Comment box (or link) and leave a note about the video you watched. Share some ideas for videos you would make. Or maybe video’s you would like to see. Use the space to get creative! You’ve been doing great so far.
Tags: Contest, Free Audio Book, Good Parenting, Parenting Video, Virtual Assistant
May 27th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I don’t know if I can comment other than to say that, to have a person who you could call in a problem situation could be very helpful.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I am really happy that this is available. Thank you for supporting me and many other parents. The information on your site is invaluable. It makes me a stronger more confident parent. I have learned so much. It has also helped me keep up the hope in the face of many challenges.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:40 am
bonjour from France!
It amazes me that we can be halfway around the world and see the wonder of Breakthrough Parenting at work! Well Done!
I do think we need a call in person for ongoing issues that arise, but I am confident that all the glitches will be sorted out for a truly fantastic website that helps families help themselves.
Keep up the great work!
May 28th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Jayne,
Congratulation, way to go, great job!
I would like to continue my parenting education with you but I am a bit confused as to:
1. How to subscribe.
2. What do you get when you subscribe.
3. How can one get involved (beyond evaluating the sound track) to promote the cause - aside of eTelling a friend.
Thanks
Bey
May 28th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Bey,
You ask some really great questions! I want to congratulate you on doing something that we teach in Breakthrough Parenting very well.
Being direct and getting to the bottom of things is so important in any relationship. I’ll answer your questions here, and, I’ll post them in a future entry so that if there are other people with the same questions, they get what they need, too.
1. Subscription starts on June 5th, 2008 at 3 pm, Pacific Time. At that time you will go to http://www.BreakthroughParentingOnline.com and sign up as a subscriber. I am sorry to make you wait, but it is the only way to make sure you are getting a quality community to participate in. Also, we’ll be accepting a limited number of subscribers the first month to make sure we can properly accommodate everyone. We haven’t decided if it will be 500 or one thousand, but we’ll make sure to let you know ahead of time.
2. This is very important. I’ll outline it more thoroughly in the future post. Just know that you’ll have access to new versions of the book, Breakthrough Parenting, like it has never been available before, plus video lessons based on the 25 years of classroom teaching. And, all of the wonderful things that Internet community can offer — ways to discover, learn, and grow with each other. Plus, there will be exclusive visits from other parenting experts. Members will have access to Tele-Seminars that are included in their subscriptions. And they’ll have the ability to use tools that help them track their situations and monitor progress.
The Internet makes so many things possible that just couldn’t be done when all this began. For example, I’ve had a vision for years to bring circles of families together in communities around the world to work through some of the situations that have come up in my classes.
Well, now, you have the opportunity to do that, for the first time ever! So exciting!
3. And lastly (this is hardest for me because I am as eager as you are to get everyone started), I invite you to keep checking back here for answers to your questions, updates on what to expect as a new member and how to make the most of your membership. If you click the “Subscribe” button below this post, that will allow you receive our RSS feed (Really Simple Subscription) straight to your e-mail Inbox or Reader. You can use this to stay on top of all the news and developments between now and June 5th. I love that you are telling your friends. That is perfect.
Chances are, you want to share this with your friends, family, and loved ones so that they can have the same amazing shifts in their lives that you (will) have.
I don’t normally comment on this site because it is so bustling with readers, but these questions couldn’t wait another minute. Again, I’ll put a larger page together to answer these in more detail.
Also, because there are so many of you asking about this, I’ll be starting an early list of people who know they don’t want to miss the opening date. If you are sure you want to be one of the first 500, keep an eye out for early registration. You’ll be asked to show that you won’t be physically able to be online at our launch time. (And it may save you some money, too!)
I hope that answers your questions.
I’ve been encouraging people to ask questions from the beginning and it is so wonderful to see all of you using this space to carry out our conversation!
Thank you all,
Jayne
May 28th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
This sounds really awsome, I’m new to breakthrough, I’m glad I got involved just days before it goes online so I can watch it evolve. It sure has great potential to change lives and improve the world, one kid at a time.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Bristolyn, Your video is hilarious! Just what parents need ~ a good laugh!! I wish you the best in your new position. I am sure you are going to help make Breakthrough Parenting Online a great success! Your kids are adorable! Very impressive! Even if Hollywood producers beg and plead, be firm and say no. Hollywood messes kids up. You are obviously doing a great job with yours! Thank you for sharing that with us Jayne.