Portland Moms Groups & Clubs

by Annette BenedettiDecember 20, 2021

Whether you are a new mom, or a well-seasoned coraller of kids, a little extra support never hurt. Finding moms to turn to for advice and lean on as you make your way through all of the stages of motherhood is an important part of staying healthy, happy and top of your game for your kiddos. The following is a list of Portland moms groups offering local parents support. Read on to find out more.

Day Hike Moms
This is a Day Hike Group for moms and their children in the Portland area. This is a way to get out of the house, out of a rut, to explore nature with your kids and to become part of nature again. It is a great way to exercise, feel some serenity, and teach your children about what life is outside the city.

Jewish Moms
Connecting Jewish Moms across Portland, to each other, to community events and to their Judaism. Members share great activities, fun bargains, questions, events and outings that a Portland Jewish Mom would enjoy... especially in the rain!

Mamapedia
Mamapedia connects moms at every stage of their children's lives to compelling content from the source they trust most: other moms. Every day, moms turn to Mamapedia.com for advice on everything moms need: parenting, health, family, finance, pregnancy, nutrition, and travel; and on children of every age from infant to adult. Our vibrant local community network (formerly known as Mamasource) offers a place where moms can connect with each other in a supportive environment that serves as their very own local online moms group.

Portland Moms
This Facebook group is where fun, child loving, Portland area moms can share ideas and meet others. This is for the Portland mama looking to share kid-related tips, stories, deals, and adventures with other Portland parents.

Portland Mom Collective
Portland Mom Collective is a community — online and off — of women raising kids in the PDX area. The group is passionate about bringing moms together in a supportive community and encouraging you in your parenting journey.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
MOPS is a place to find friendship, community, resources and support for you as a woman and mother so you're not alone. Moms have found community through MOPS for almost 40 years - MOPS is the mothering authority. MOPS holds and shares the collected wisdom of mothers and experts.

New Moms of Portland
New Moms of North Portland is a small group for new moms in and around North Portland that meets for support, play dates and to get out of the house and have fun. This group is a safe place to vent, share, ask for help, and support each other without judgement. Keeping the group small makes it easier to foster trust and build real friendships.

Oregon Moms
Whether you're a new mom searching for the best Oregon has to offer kids, or an experienced Oregon Mom who'd like to share some wisdom on raising kids in Oregon - Oregon Moms FB Group is the perfect tribe for you. Learn about fun places, events for families, and your candid, insightful input and reviews can be added.

Single Parents
This group is for single parents of young children who would like to get together for regular play dates in Portland.

Portland-Area Working Moms
The purpose of this FB group is to provide a place for moms to discuss issues unique to working parents. Moms give each other support, input and advice on topics that working mom face in daily life.

The Portland Step Mom Facebook
The Portland Step Mom Facebook is a club for step moms to share experiences, difficulties and triumphs with other step moms in the Portland area.

Are Your Kids Safe Online? Bark’s Parental Controls Can Help

by Marianella OrlandoDecember 20, 2021

Being a child in today’s world is very different than just a decade ago. Kiddos have traded in toys for cell phones, playtime for screen time and hanging out with friends in person for texting and FaceTime. It has not only changed the way they interact and play but also shifted the type of gifts they’re now asking for—because if you don’t have the latest phone or tablet, who are you?

If Grandma and Grandpa give your youngsters the next gadget to add to their tech arsenal this holiday season, you want to ensure their new present doesn’t expose them to potential harm. By having so much technology at their fingertips, the world has truly become their oyster, along with the dangers of the internet that comes with it.

That’s what Bark, a parental control app, is hoping to change. Founded in 2015 by CEO Brian Bason, who’s a dad of two, Bark helps parents monitor everything their kiddos do on their phones. From text messages and emails to YouTube and over 30 social media platforms, parents and guardians can have insight into what their children are actually seeing online. In 2020 alone, Bark analyzed 2.1 billion messages and has been able to help protect 5.9 million kids.

The app, which has won awards from The National Parenting Center, Mom’s Choice Awards, and National Parenting Product Awards, was created with the assistance of renowned child psychologists, digital media experts, law enforcement professionals, and youth advisors. As a result, Bark has built an advanced algorithm technology that can detect signs of violence, online predators, adult content, cyberbullying and more.

Receive Alerts Directly to Your Phone

If a child engages with unsuitable content, such as a worrisome website or game, or receives a potentially harmful message, parents are notified with emails and text alerts, thanks to Bark’s 24-hour detection services. The algorithm is also trained to detect slang terms and emojis that kids use today to communicate.

To help parents address tough situations, Bark provides expert recommendations from child psychologists on what steps to take after a particular alert, how to talk about it and more.

Select Your Preferred Monitoring Levels

In each category (sexual content, profanity, etc.), Bark users have the option to select one of three monitoring sensitivity levels (relaxed, moderate, or strict) and can be selective of which alerts they want to see and how. According to Bark, the average parent will receive concerning alerts within 24 hours after signing up.

With 42% of children spending over 30 hours a week on their phones, it can become almost a part-time job for parents to keep track of all that their youngsters are doing on their devices. Bark helps by making sure parents receive alerts about anything concerning, so they don’t have to manually look through every single keystroke their child has made.

Say Goodbye to Tech Overload

As kids spend more time glued to their phones, parents may also want to cut back on screen time. Fortunately, Bark helps promote a healthy balance. It allows families to limit the amount of time spent on the internet by setting customized device use rules for school time, bedtime and free time.

The app also allows parents to pause access on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks when children need downtime for homework, dinner or just a moment without their phone.

Block Inappropriate Website and Games

Parents can also turn to the web filtering features to block specific websites or website categories, like streaming and gaming. So if Roblox or Fortnite is a no-go in your household, you can easily restrict access. If your child does attempt to visit a restricted site or app from the designated block list, you’ll receive an alert notifying you about the issue.

Limit Access to App Stores

App Stores can be made off-limits to youngsters who may have gotten their hands on it in the past—and accidentally purchased a good number of games without your approval. Not only does this save your wallet and you from headaches, but it helps you decide what they’re able to engage with.

Check Your Kiddo’s Whereabouts to Help Keep Them Safe

After the 2018 devastating school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl., Bark extended its services to all K–12 public and private schools in the nation at no cost. Parents can also turn to the app’s check-in feature to ensure their child’s safety by sending a notification to their phone that requests a response.

Bark has also recently released a new location sharing feature that alerts parents whenever their child arrives at, or leaves, a specific location.

While adults cannot control the entire internet, they can use Bark to create healthy guardrails for their children and make sure they know when their child may be in danger.

Sign up for Bark today and start your seven-day free trial, so you can have peace of mind while your child is online. Learn more about Bark and its mission to keep children safe in this video here.

Recall Alert: Procter & Gamble Detects Benzene in Some Dry Shampoo Products

by Sarah ShebekDecember 20, 2021

If dry shampoo saves your mornings, pay attention to this news. The FDA announced that Procter & Gamble Company has issued a voluntary recall on aerosol dry shampoo and condition products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless. The recall is due to the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen, detected in some products.

All of the affected products are packaged in aerosol cans and the recall is extensive, so you’ll want to refer to the full statement for product names and UPC codes. The products were distributed nationwide through retail outlets and online and retailers have been alerted to remove the products from their shelves. If you’ve purchased one of the recalled shampoos or conditioners, you can get reimbursement by visiting each product’s specific website.

Procter & Gamble did a full review on the company’s portfolio of aerosol products to inform this recall. Unexpected levels of benzene resulted from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. However, most other offerings, including mousses, hairsprays and styling products, are still safe to use.

You can be exposed to benzene through inhalation, orally or through the skin. It can cause cancers like leukemia and blood disorders. The recall notes that the levels of benzene found in the products would not be expected to adversely affect your health, but it’s the safe move to stop using them anyway.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of the FDA

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Explore Astoria Your Next Epic Family Getaway

by Annette BenedettiDecember 20, 2021

If a week or weekend filled with adventure, art, museums, and maritime fun sounds like a recipe for an epic family vacation, then it’s time to take your crew to Astoria! Whether you are yearning for adrenaline pumping fun, a little education with your adventures, or some hands on fun, this Oregon coastal city has it all. Grab your young seaman and seawomen, pack up the car and scroll down to find out all about the fun we dug up that makes for an epic Astoria getaway.

Astoria

A gorgeous two-hour drive from Portland, Astoria is located near the coast at the mouth of the Columbia River. A port city that was once a thriving boomtown during the late-19^th century when large immigrant populations primarily made up of Scandinavians and the Chinese flocked to the area to work in the canning and fishing industries, Astoria has since become a beloved destinations for active families and avid Oregon history buffs. With easy access to the Columbia River and Oregon Coast beaches; a multitude of art and historical museums; plenty of cute shopping spots and easy access to outdoor activities—your clan will have a hard time fitting in everything there is to do.

Play

The Astoria Column

One of your first stops while staying in Astoria should be the iconic Astoria Column. Overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River from its stone base on the top of Coxcomb Hill in Astoria, the Astoria Column is a 91 year old tower that was built in 1926 as part of a 30-acre city park. The trek to the top takes visitors a jaw-dropping 600 feet above sea level, where your family can take in breathtaking views of Young's Bay, the Coast Range, the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean

Getting to the top of the column is a surprisingly thrilling activity. Entering through a small doorway your family will take a winding metal staircase with 164 steps that shoots straight to the top where a second doorway takes you out to a viewing deck. The trip up and the views are surprisingly exhilarating and give your crew the opportunity for a little adrenaline rush if they dare to step out to the edge. Be prepared for some wind and if they skies are clear you will be able to see for miles and miles and miles.

Fun Fact! The column itself is a stunning work of art that will enchant imaginations both young and old while serving up a small history lesson. Its design was inspired by the Trajan Column in Rome and the spiraling artwork was created using a technique called sgraffito—an Italian art form. If unwound, the length of the artwork would be more than 500 feet long and at the top of the column your little explorers will find the State Seal of Oregon.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum

When you are done at the column, grab your little sailors, and head straight to The Columbia River Maritime Museum. This historical spot explores the history of the Columbia River from the days of dugout canoes, through the age of sail, to present. Visitors witness stories of the legendary Columbia River Bar, one of the most dangerous passages in the world. Your kids will love explore boats, legendary fishing runs, lighthouses, the science of storms and more.

Located on the city's waterfront, the Maritime Museum is home to artifacts from the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest. It currently has 22,000+ objects, 35,000+ photographs, and a 20,000+ volume research library. Your little crewmen and crewgirls will love exploring The United States lightship Columbia docked just outside the museum. The Columbia served as a floating lighthouse and was stationed 5.3 statute miles from the mouth of the Columbia River from 1951 until 1979 when it was decommissioned. It is the first vessel in Oregon to be placed on the National Register and your kids are sure to enjoy seeing where it's inhabitants slept, ate and relaxed.

High Life Adventures

Feel the need for speed? Your young (and older) adrenaline junkies will enjoy an experience of a lifetime with an incredible and unforgettable zip line adventure at High Life Adventures. This tour isn't just for adults and teens. Children weighing 60 pounds or more can brave the zip lines on their own. For smaller kids or children who are feeling timid, there's the option to zip tandem with a parent.

High Life Adventures is located approximately 15 minutes from Astoria in Warrenton, Oregon. This zip line tour takes you on eight zip lines that run through timber and over ponds and a lake. It starts with shorter and easier zips, that slowly increase in length allowing the kiddos to build up to being brave. Then the height and thrill increases as the tour progresses. By the time you and your young adventurers find yourself stepping off of a 75 foot tower, you will have already built up a tolerance for the the rush. If you aren't quite done with the thrills and excitement at the end of your zip, try axe throwing. Family members 12 years and up can take their turn throwing axes at a target for upto an hour!

Astoria Art Loft

The Astoria Art Loft is guarunteed to bring out the artist in everyone! Your family can attend fused glass, drawing and watercolor painting classes for artists of all ages and experience. Plan an artsy night out with family.

Shop

You can't leave Astoria without hitting the quirky and cute local shops. Check out Astoria’s Underground Shops. Below the surface, in an underground village, a collective of local artists, makers and proprietors offer a unique experience for visitors that stumble down the stairs. You'll be entertained in this cool spot for hours. Be sure to check out Weird Sisters for unique and unusual finds and Kit's Apothecary for one-of-a-kind gifts and memorabilia.

Lucy’s Books is the perfect spot for the readers in the family. It's packed with all things bookish. You'll be able to find all of the books on your reading list and they are located in Downtown Astoria in the historic Sanborn Building. Finally, Forsythea is a great little must-see spot for browsing unique home and garden décor by local artists.

The Bowline Hotel

Why not enjoy a little luxury when you book your basecamp stay in Astoria? Located right on the river, The Bowline Hotel is the place to be if you want front seat views to a water show that includes river pilot boats, freighters and an abundance of sea life right outside your door. Don't let the industrial aesthetic fool you. This gorgeous spot is a sardine cannery that has been turned into a lux hotel that is home to 40 rooms that feature plush king beds, luxury linens, flickering fireplaces, tubs and French press coffee to start your mornings with. You can choose between river view or Trolley view rooms and you don't have to go far to enjoy delectable bites because the hotel has an on-sight restaurant and bar—The Knot.

The Knot Bar offers guests locally sourced menu items that are Scandinavian-inspired and pay homage to Astoria's seafood history. Some of our favorites include the Oregon beef tartare, Tre Fin Black Cod, and the Crepe Cannelloni. That's not all! Mom and dad can enjoy deliciously handcrafted cocktails that celebrate local distilleries.

While the luxurious features that the Bowline offers make it a fantastic option for families visiting Astoria, the location is a huge bonus. If you and your crew like to explore by foot, the Bowline Hotel is walking distance from incredible restaurants, cafes, event venues, and all the shopping you could hope for. You can easily spend a day (or weekend) without getting into your car once.

Eat

Street 14 Café serves more than coffee, it's brunch is a must for hungry families. Grab a sunrise sandwich a breakfast a brisket bowl or some French toast. There's literally something for every appetite! Start your day with their coffee, then come back for wine and cocktails after exploring Astoria. Head to South Bay Wild Fish House is a family-owned restaurant featuring a menu of the freshest seafood dishes caught straight from their local fishing vessel. Enjoy ceviche, tuna poke, and incredible fish tacos. Don't forget to order the kiddos the kids root beer float.

The Astoria Bistro & Coffeehouse is a bustling European-style coffee shop and sit-down spot serving baked pastries, breakfast, lunch and Café Vita coffee. But breakfast isn't all this spot offers. At night it becomes an intimate bistro offering offering neo-regional cuisine using direct caught seafood, all natural meats and wild local produce "foraged" from the area.

If mom and dad have the opportunity to sneak out and steal a romantic hour or two away from the kids, with over 200 whiskeys to sip, craft cocktails and shareable food boards the Blaylock's Whiskey Bar is the perfect spot for one-on-one time. WineKraft is another great choice. Offering spectacular views of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean, it is a PNW specialty wine bar, featuring Pacific Northwest wines but you can also sip beer and cider from the area with their six rotating draft offerings.

—Story and photos by Annette Benedetti

This trip was paid for by Maxwell PR + Engagement but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.

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Finally! “Encanto” Drops on Disney+ This Friday

by Karly WoodDecember 19, 2021

We’ve all gotten used to streaming blockbuster videos at home during the pandemic, especially when it comes to kid flicks. Thankfully, many films are coming to streaming providers earlier than ever, and that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Encanto!

Disney’s newest film just hit theaters on Nov. 24, but you won’t have to wait much longer to view it from the comfort of your own ~~sweatpants~~ home. According to What’s on Disney Plus, the movie is coming to the Disney+ platform on Dec. 24! And while you wait for Friday to come, you can watch a special new featurette about the film right now!

Because the film is exclusively in theaters for 30 days, you won’t have to purchase Premier Access (usually $30) to watch it come Dec. 24. Your regular subscription is all you need!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, who live in the mountains of Colombia in a special place called Encanto. The location is home to the family, but also to plenty of magic. Keep scrolling to catch the official trailer.

Mirabel, the only one in her family without magical powers, is on a journey to find her place in the family. Voicing the character, Stephanie Beatriz shares, “Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more. She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.”

The film features new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as the voice of Colombian singer and songwriter, Carlos Vives.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube

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Holiday Gift Book Recommendations from a Librarian

By Keira Pride

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

December 17, 2021

Our monthly book list traditionally aligns with a theme, which, over the past year, has included women’s history, Earth Day, cooking and food, animal stories, summer reading—followed by returning to school. We have compiled lists of our favorite poetry collections for children and books that featured aspirational themes like gratitude and kindness.

Our final list of 2021 is especially meaningful for us because the theme, “librarian recommended gifts” is open-ended. What we have compiled for you this month are treasures that don’t fit neatly into a book category but are among our favorite reads. Some of them, like A Sick Day for Amos McGee, are all-time favorites, reliable super-stars among the books we read aloud to our Stratford students. Others, like Poems of the Planets and How to Wear a Sari are books that can be enjoyed in equal measure by the adult gift-giver and the child recipient.

As you begin to think about holiday gifts for the children in your life, we urge you to consider the gift of a book—selected from among your own childhood favorites or perhaps from ours, featured below.

Preschool

How to Catch a Clover Thief —Written and Illustrated by Elise Parsley
A silly story that teaches children the importance of reading. Roy, a hungry wild boar, awaits the bloom of a patch of clover. He is joined in the forest by Jarvis the sneaky-smart groundhog. Jarvis distracts Roy with books, sending him off on wild goose chases, and eventually to the library himself. This clever and hilarious tale is full of expressive characters, irresistible page turns, problem-solving, and a twist ending you won’t see coming!

A Sick Day for Amos McGee —Written by Philip Christian Stead, Illustrated by Erin Stead
Amos McGee is a kind, selfless zookeeper who makes time every day for all of his diverse animal friends at the zoo. One day he is sick and does not go to work, leaving the animals concerned. Children will laugh as the animals, including a giant rhino, hilariously ride the city bus to visit him at his home. The mutual love and caring beams through the exceptional art and words in this Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. The details in the elegant illustrations will have children asking you to read this to them over and over again.

Kindergarten

How to Wear a Sari —Written by Darshana Khiani, Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
This heartwarming story of a young girl who wants to be big, trying to wear a sari like her mom and aunties. As the spirited, determined girl tries to figure out this beautiful piece of clothing, from choosing the right one to wrapping it the right way, she is determined to prove that she is not too little to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. An original celebration of this child’s traditions and her own admirable spunk! A great book to introduce young children to the “how-to” of saris.

We Are Water Protectors —Written by Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade
A powerful story that inspires readers to take a stand not only to safeguard the earth’s water, but to make a positive impact in our community each and every day. The watercolor illustrations are spreads that flow like a stream throughout the pages as the young girl tells of the dangerous black snake (Dakota Access Pipeline) that came to threaten her village. The author and illustrator’s notes provide detail on Native American culture, beliefs, an explanation of the events at Standing Rock in 2016, as well as an “Earth Steward and Water Protector Pledge” for the readers to take at the end. This 2021 Caldecott Medal winner will remind each reader to care for and appreciate our environment.

Grades One and Two

A Light in the Attic —Written by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein follows no rules and has an imagination like no other. In this collection, poems are mingled into the line drawings and with titles like, “Monsters I’ve Met,” “Whatif,” “Messy Room,” and “Homework Machine,” children will find these poems very relatable, and will be given a glimpse of the way language creates beauty and inspires wonder.

Grades Three to Five

Poems of the Planets —Written by Eric Garen, with Katherine de Kleer
With chapters like, “The Ecology of Earth,” “Walking on the Moon,” “Those Annoying Asteroids,” and “Uranus and Its 27 Shakespearean Moons,” this collection of verse and prose sparks the interest of youngsters in not only astronomy, but also introduces important basic concepts in chemistry, physics, biology, and oceanography. An in-depth glossary provides clear explanations of nearly 200 terms. Amazing photos, many taken by the author, accompany the poems. It is also full of delightful detours such as the brief descriptions of the characters in Shakespeare’s plays for whom the moons of Uranus are named.

Smile —Written by Raina Telgemeier
Set in San Francisco in the late 1980’s, complete with an earthquake, fog and beautiful landscapes with the Golden Gate bridge, this incredibly relatable graphic novel is an autobiography of a sixth grader who wants to fit in. This book will appeal to kids looking for a story that reflects their fears and experiences, also giving them hope that life will eventually allow them to smile.

Middle School

The Wishing Spell – Land of Stories Book One (series) —Written by Chris Colfer
Alex and Conner Bailey’s world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern-day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales. This is the tale of twins Alex and Conner, who, through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, leave the world that they know behind. After a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

Photo: Stratford School

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Keira Pride

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.

How You Can Help Your Kids Thrive This School Year

By Liz Kimmelman

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

December 17, 2021

The 2021-2022 school year is shaping up to be one of the most challenging yet. I was asked at the beginning of the school year to put together some thoughts on how parents might be able to help their kids succeed this school year. Going into Winter Break, these seem like great reminders to help us during the second half of the school year!

This question is really great for two reasons—it gives parents some tangible impact in what sometimes feels like a situation that is out of their control and it helps to refocus the work on the adults and not the kids. Children are really resilient—it’s the adults that we need to help out.

Ok! Let’s dive into it. My first recommendation for parents on how to help their children thrive and excel in school is to provide as much outdoor time as possible. And preferably unstructured outdoor time. Go to a park with no plan. Sit on your balcony. Walk to the post office. Wander in a garden or the woods. Our kids need time to recharge and nothing does that better than some mindful time in nature.

When your child is feeling more refreshed and present, then they can begin to make space for learning and being at school. Parents want to be involved in their kid’s lives at school, but don’t always know how to do that. Start out by asking open-ended questions about your child’s day at school, and not just asking, “What did you do today?” or “Was your day good?” Ask things like:

“What is something new or exciting you did today?”
“What was something funny that happened today?”
“What did you do today during recess / homeroom / a-period / lunch?” Ask about a time at school that is NOT a class.
“What’s a problem or a challenge you solved today?”

And then, after asking about whatever thing you are interested in, follow it up with, “Tell me more!” Invest some time into what your child does day to day so that when you ask these questions, it’s not just about getting information, it’s about sharing an experience.

The Importance of Autonomy

Along with connection and community, happiness is made up of autonomy. So much of what our children do at school is decided for them. Until the upper years of high school, they have very little choice in what they get to learn or experience at school. Parents can have a huge impact in making their child’s time at school successful by giving them opportunities for choice and ownership. Daily opportunities for autonomy are huge—it provides a touchpoint throughout the day of something they can be proud of and invested in and it helps with understanding commitment and ownership. Something as small as choosing a snack can give a student the confidence and calmness that they need to tackle bigger problems like algebra or asking a teacher for help.

The Importance of Mastery

The last component of happiness is mastery. This might seem like that is the point of school, but when kids don’t get to choose something they can be experts in, it’s not the same. Even at a young age, parents can help kids thrive and excel in school when they invest in something their child love to do outside of the classroom. When a child has an interest, hobby, sport, or enrichment they are working on outside of school, it helps them to better express who they are, it becomes part of their persona, a part they can always go back to even when school gets hard. From ukulele lessons, to playing rugby, to even just collecting rocks, investing in something that helps your child feel like an expert comes in all shapes and sizes.

The Importance of Gratitude

Lastly, of all the recommendations I make to parents and families, this one comes up time and time again. We believe that a grateful child is a healthier child. Studies have shown that acts of gratitude increase feelings of optimism and drastically decrease anxiety. If you can see the good around you, you can expect there to be good tomorrow and are less worried about what bad thing might happen to you.

Parents can help their children thrive at school by practicing what my family calls, “Favorite Part of the Day.” If you have younger students, doing just one “favorite” part or good thing, is enough, for older ones, the practice of sharing, “Three Good Things” at the end of the day works just as well.

Whether your family is lucky enough to have dinner all together, or maybe it’s driving back from everyone’s sports’ practices, take turns for everyone to share one good thing or their favorite part of that day. And sharing is mandatory—everyone can find one good thing that happened that day even if it was a really, really hard day. There are some days when my good thing to share is the meal I’m having right then and there.

—Liz Kimmelman, Tumbleweeds

Liz Kimmelman

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I'm Liz - mom of two, wife of one, and small business owner. I live in Los Angeles but hail from the North East. I like dancing while washing the dishes, listening to my kids laugh, hanging out at breweries with friends and going to baseball games with the husband.

Last Minute Shoppers Can Use Target’s Same-Day Services Through Christmas Eve

by Sarah ShebekDecember 17, 2021

Dreading fighting the crowds to check off your lists this weekend? Thanks to technology and Target, you can skip the lines and finish up your shopping all the way through Christmas Eve. This is also useful if you’ve missed out on shipping deadlines!

Target announced today that shoppers can place orders for same-day Drive Up and Order Pickup services through 6 p.m. on Dec. 24. As always, the services are free and easy to use! If you really don’t want to head out at all, sign up for a Shipt membership and get free same-day delivery, with orders delivered in as soon as an hour. Just remember to order a bit earlier so you meet the last delivery window of 5-6 p.m.

Finally, don’t forget Target’s extended shopping hours this holiday season. Currently the retailer is open at 7 a.m. until midnight, but you’ll want to check your local store’s hours before making the trip. Most stores will close at 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and reopen at their regular time on Dec. 26.

— Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Target

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Ted Lasso Stars in a New Holiday Claymation Short from Apple TV

by Sarah ShebekDecember 17, 2021

Nothing beats a claymation holiday movie, but add Ted Lasso and you’ve achieved a must-watch masterpiece. Apple TV has released a new short, “Ted Lasso — The Missing Christmas Mustache” that features our favorite characters from Richmond FC. Watch it ASAP for a dose of cheer!

In the fun new special, Ted turns up to his team’s holiday party without one of his key features. His mustache has gone MIA, which will ruin an upcoming FaceTime with his son. Can Ted and the gang track it down? You’ll have to watch to find out!

All your favorite characters make an appearance, including Roy, Keeley and Jamie. Maybe this can help tide you over until the next season of Ted Lasso comes out next year. And remember, “it’s the people you love that make Christmas perfect!”

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Apple TV+

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How to Make a DIY Time Capsule

by Melissa HeckscherDecember 17, 2021

The year’s almost over—what was your favorite part? Have your kids ask themselves that question and others with this easy DIY time capsule. Of course, while building a time capsule makes a fun New Year’s Eve craft project, it can be done any time of year. Give your kids the gift of nostalgia! Read on for the simple instructions.

What you’ll need:

Two 16 oz plastic soda bottles
Box cutter or craft knife (XActo knife)
Scissors
Labels
Clear packing tape
Paper, pens, paint, ticket stubs, knickknacks, etc. to help fill your time capsule with memories

Step One: Cut your “capsule”
Remove the labels from two clear plastic soda bottles. Then, using a box cutter or X-ACTO knife, (parents!) cut the bottles where the flat side meets the sloped top as shown.

Step Two: Cut notches in one of the bottles
Use scissors to cut four notches in the rim of ONE of the bottles. This will make it easier to squeeze one bottle into into the other to make the capsule shape.

Step Three: Now, freeze time!
Now that the capsule is prepped, it’s time to find ways to fill it. Talk to your kids about their favorite moments from the year — then see if you can find small items or photos to represent those moments. Some recommendations: Have your little memory-makers put their handprints on paper; it’s a fun way for them to see how they (and their hands) grow from year to year. Also: A simple questionnaire is a must for recording your kids’ current faves. Not sure what questions to ask? Try this easy printable from Uncommon Designs Online.

You could also have your kids write a letter to their future selves, give advice to their future selves, or make a hypothesis as to what their future selves will be doing in exactly one year (or whenever you’ve decided to open your time capsule). Have fun with it!
.

Step Four: Gather all your materials
Make sure you’ll have enough space to fit all your year-end goodies into your capsule. Our capsule included: Handprints of all three kids; a 2016 questionnaire; four pages of thumbnail-sized photos of our year; some Pokemon cards and figures; and two self portraits.

Step Five: Pack it up!
Roll up your papers and photos and slide it into one end of the capsule. Insert any small items in the middle. Then, close the capsule by sliding the two bottles together (the notched side should squeeze right into the other side). Seal your capsule with clear packing tape.

Step Six: Label and decorate
Label your time capsule with the year and the appropriate instructions as to when the capsule can be opened.

Step Seven: Hide (or bury) it somewhere until next year
Want to bury your time capsule? Go for it! As long as your capsule is completely sealed, it should last underground for a year or two without a problem. Not up for digging, or don’t have the proper yard for burying? Place your time capsule high on a shelf or drawer, out of reach of prying hands. Open it next year… in five years… whenever you’re ready for some instant nostalgia.

Happy New Year!

— All copy and photos by Melissa Heckscher

My Family Gave Up on New Year’s Resolutions. Here’s Why Yours Should, Too

Awesome Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Kids

*This post was inspired by a similar Time Capsule project at Our Peaceful Planet.

Year: 2021

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