Flex Magazine Print Magazine

I initially started reading this magazine because it was a free gift with a purchase of a baby seat that I got when my sone was only 6 months old and I'm still reading it and finding a lot of valuable information in it now that my son is almost 6 yrs old!Great ideas for kid friendly crafts and recipes, depending on the the season or holiday. We have done many of them together and both of us enjoyed the quality time together a lot. These are always simple to do for the most part, but things I wouldn't have thought to do on my own since I am very "uncrafty" and a very busy full time working single mom.There are also usually articles on vacations and trips that are geared towards family and kids, which I really apprecate and find interesting. I've been saving those vacation ideas and will probably look to do one, referencing the ideas in the article, at some point in the near future.Good magazine and an excellent value at the great price offered by Amazon. The only thing is that with my first order thorugh Amazon, I did get two issues at the same time, one for the month past and one for the current month. I would have preferred to start my 12 months with the current month, not the previous months issue.

This magazine has great and plentiful ideas for family fun. Many of them are simple and quick but very imaginative and others involve a little thought and preparation. I don't usually like it when magazines have product reviews or articles that push products to purchase, but the products are usually good quality and its clear the editors have vetted them to make sure they are not promoting junk and fluff. The photos of activities and crafts are enticing and gives parents a spring board to other ideas. For Halloween there was an article about homemade costumes. I was leafing through it when my three year old granddaughter saw a fox costume and got real excited about it. Her favorite dance video is Ylvis' WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? So I made the costume using an orange hoodie ad fake fur. She wears it everyday. So for Christmas I made fox pajamas for her baby doll from Santa. She loves her mama and baby outfits. Great magazine and glad I finally subscribed.

My daughter LOVES this magazine, and I'm so glad we bought it for her. The messaging is positive, and wholesome, as I expect from the brand. Articles are geared towards creative expression, friendship, building self-esteem and body/self care. I have never seen any information about boyfriends, makeup, or other more mature topics which I prefer to handle on my own at this young age. Additionally, no annoying advertising or materialistic 'fashion' advice, which I appreciate. My 8 year old really enjoys the crafts and recipes, which are all geared towards the skill and ability of a young girl and usually don't require extra hands or out of the norm supplies. I plan to take this mag for her for at least the next 2 years and possibly beyond, as well as for her younger sister when she turns 8. I wouldn't say this magazine is inappropriate for younger girls, but I don't think they would get as much enjoyment out of it. This is ideal for the pre-tween/tween ages, in my opinion.

I purchased this subscription through Amazon (not one of those fake you won a free subscription places).About every 5 or 6 pages, yes there is an ad. That's what keeps it affordable as a subscription. Some of the ads are actually useful.I've always loved this magazine and was happy to finally be reunited with it. There are recipes, travel and activities and ideas, humor and lots more. I'm really happy with it.

I ordered this magazine through Amazon in Sept., expecting my subscription to start in Oct./Nov.with the current Fall issue. On 10-07-09, I received the Fall issue and the two issues preceding it! Since I already had them, I called the number listed here and told them that I thought I was paying for the current issue and the ones following it. I was told the subscription included previous issues and I pointed out the listing does _not_ say that and that I already had them. I was finally told I would be credited for the two and would now get the three to follow the current issue they sent. When I tried to get an email confirming this, the first response said my order would include the previous issues again! A second claimed it was now taken care of but still no direct confirmation that my subscription is supposed to end up to/and including the Summer 2010 issue. Be aware that Amazon's own magazine help page states that magazines you order are supposed to start with the current issue depending on the company's mailing cycle and when they get your order, _nowhere_ does it state they can send you _back issues_ to satisfy your subscription order. Per Amazon..."Once you've placed an order, it takes one to two weeks for your subscription to be received and scheduled by the publisher. Your subscription is then added to the publisher's next production cycle and shipped via standard mail. For example, if your monthly subscription was ordered and received by the publisher in November, and the December issue has already shipped, your order may be added to the January mailing." I won't be ordering this magazine again after this subscription runs out. Aside from finding it to be mostly ads and not nearly as comprehensive as American Bungalow (or even Style 1900), the fact that the parent company tried to complete half my order with unsold back issues(that they were apparently trying to unload) and the poor customer service means to me that they are _not_ interested in keeping the business of new customers.