Is your four-legged friend a. fan of Dunkin? The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation announced a collaboration with BARK, the dog company behind BarkBox, to create these new Dunkin’ themed dog toys, modeled after Dunkin’s iconic Munchkins donut hole treats box and hot coffee cup. The dog toys will roll out beginning in August and will be available at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.
Dunkin’ guests who make a donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation at a participating Dunkin’ location will receive a Dunkin’-ized dog toy as a thank you, while supplies last. For a $12 donation, guests will receive the squeaky, crinkly, full-of-fluff hot coffee dog toy, and for $15, guests will receive a multipart box of Munchkins donut hole treats dog toy, lined with felt and complete with three plush, squeaky Munchkins donut hole treat toys inside. Like all BARK toys, these Dunkin’ toys are bright, durable, and perfect for dogs of all ages and sizes.
Funds raised will benefit the Foundation programs that provide joy to kids battling hunger or illness, including the Dogs for Joy program, introduced in 2018 to bring full-time service dogs to children’s hospitals. The dogs bring joy, ease anxiety, and reduce stress for kids battling illness and their families. To date, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has funded 15 service dogs across 12 hospitals, impacting hundreds of thousands of young patients.
Dunkin’s Joy In Childhood Foundation’s Chief Joy Officer and Dogs for Joy ambassador, Cooper Dunkin’, a lovable Black Lab and Golden Retriever mix, personally tested and approved the BARK Dunkin’ inspired dog toy designs.
“Through our Dogs for Joy program, amazing service dogs like Cooper Dunkin’, have the opportunity to spread joy to children who are battling illness,” said Kari McHugh, Executive Director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. “These lovable toys will make dogs almost as happy as they make us, while also helping support Foundation programming to bring joy to children facing hunger and illness.”
Dog owners looking for more ways to give back and get their four-legged friends involved can join the Dunkin’ JOY Run, a virtual race challenge inviting Dunkin’ fans across the country to run or walk throughout August for a good cause. The first 1,000 race registrants will receive a virtual swag bag, including a BARK discount code, among other perks. All funds raised for the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation through the Dunkin’ JOY Run will be directed to health and hunger organizations supporting children in underserved communities.
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s mission is to provide the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. It has granted more than $26 million since its inception in 2006 and will grant $5 million this year. Part of 2020’s giving was centered around COVID-19 relief for families affected by the crisis. Since March, the Foundation has provided $1.25 million in emergency grants to hunger relief and health organizations, given free coffee and breakfast treats to 20,000 healthcare workers, started a first-of-its-kind healthcare worker trauma relief program, Hero Recharge, with First Descents, and more.
Do you have a budding novelist at home? Barnes & Noble, Inc. is pleased to announce its first National Children’s Short Story Contest for young storytellers and promising wordsmiths!
Barnes & Noble is calling on children ages 6-12 to share their original short stories for a chance to be published in a book, as well as receive a signed edition book from bestselling author Gail Carson Levine. “We believe in the power of stories to inspire and bring joy, particularly in challenging times such as the one we’re living in now,” said Jackie De Leo, Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Bookstore at Barnes & Noble. “Our Children’s Short Story Contest was created to be a fun and motivating outlet for young writers to share their work. We can’t wait to see the submissions, and although we can’t share all of them, we’re looking forward to publishing some budding authors in a book to be showcased by Barnes & Noble.”
Parents or legal guardians can submit the work on the Barnes & Noble website. Fifteen select entrants will be published in a book sold exclusively at Barnes & Noble this holiday season, with proceeds going to charity.
The 15 winners and 15 runners-up will also get a signed book from bestselling author Gail Carson Levine, who will be writing a forward to the published book. Both groups will also have the chance to be featured on Barnes & Noble’s social channels
“We’re so thrilled to be partnering with Gail Carson Levine on this project as she is an author and writing teacher who shows kids, and all of us, the magic of stories and storytelling,” De Leo said.
Guidelines for submission are:
Parents or legal guardians can submit an original written or graphic short story on behalf of children ages 6 to 12 from Apr. 27 through Aug. 31 on the Barnes & Noble website.
Entries should include the parent or legal guardian’s name, email, and address. Only the child’s first name and age should be provided with your entry.
The work must be an original written or graphic story.
Suggested word count is 300 to 800 words or four pages of a graphic story (black & white).
Some summer camps are cancelled due to coronavirus concerns causing parents to look for alternative activities for their kids to take part in. SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live announced the launch of “Camp KPL”, a series of fun at home summer camp activities and projects, upbeat family-friendly music and more, beginning on Mon., Jun. 1 and running throughout the summer. “Camp KPL” on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live channel will air weekdays from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET, and each show will be available On Demand for two weeks.
“Camp KPL” on Kids Place Live gives children and their families a virtual worry-free option to stay home, explore new activities outside, get creative and remain active all summer long. It’s hard for kids to imagine a summer without friends, outdoor fun and the freedom that comes with camp. The hosts of Kids Place Live are here to bring joy to your backyard or living room by expanding your ideas about summer playtime and how to make the most out of these unique circumstances.
“Camp KPL” contributors will consist of all Kids Place Live hosts who will lead virtual activities, expanding imaginations through theater of the mind and will take call-ins from listeners. Other features include daily story time; a mix of recorded and new stories, a kid’s comedy club where children can call in to tell their favorite jokes, and daily missions from award-winning Kids Place Live host, Absolutely Mindy. Mindy’s missions include fun daily tasks kids can do at home rain or shine.
Listeners can also hear Grammy award-winning kids’ musicians and outdoor experts The Okee Dokee Brothers share songs and ideas for safe summertime activities kids and families can do, including cleaning up a neighborhood park, birdwatching, picnicking and more.
The challenge of trying to become a record-breaker is a fun way to keep kids entertained at home, and “Camp KPL’s” segment “At-Home Challenges with GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS“, includes a collection of world records kids and families can try safely at home.
“The cancellation of in-person camps has been a major blow for parents and children across the country. With Camp KPL we are filling the summer void with fun, engaging experiences that are available On Demand and don’t involve staring at a screen,” said Megan Liberman, SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President of News, Talk, and Entertainment Programming.
SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live also offers parents a simple solution to summertime cabin fever with “Instant Naptime”, a 5-hour loop of lullaby songs curated by Kids Place Live. The channel has always played lullaby music during the overnight hours, but this is a soothing way families can access it On Demand at any time on the SiriusXM app.
SiriusXM Kids Place Live is the ultimate entertainment platform for children, an oasis that families can rely on for fun, learning and laughs, available to subscribers nationwide on SiriusXM radios (ch. 78). SiriusXM is now offering listeners its best streaming offer yet: Sign up to stream SiriusXM for 4 months free with a new subscription. To see offer details and to start listening on the SiriusXM app, on connected devices and smart speakers in your home, go to www.siriusxm.com/homefree.
Adrian Pe, a Philippines-based OR nurse at The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) is using his design skills to give back to the healthcare community. He saw firsthand the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and thought he could put his skills to work. Transforming his colleagues into colorful characters from their favorite television shows from the past, he helps bring joy to healthcare workers and patients alike.
Pe says that the cost for each suit depends on the materials used. So far he has used microfiber, parachute with silver lining and non-woven fiber. As a general rule the material should be fluid resistant or at least fluid repellant.
Initially the suits were crafted by staff members at TMCI who offered free labor bringing down production costs. As the project expanded Pe needed to pay seamstresses to help with production, providing opportunities for seamstresses to earn a living while Iloilo City is under quarantine.
According to Pe, simply utilizing the “Makeshift” sewing area at TMCI, they can produce 7- 10 sets per day. Now that he has employed seamstresses, they can produce 40-50 sets per day
Pe said, “The Barney hazmats and later the Teletubbies design were a product of serendipity.” It has proved difficult to source out materials leaving Pe to take whatever color materials he could find. Initially his supplier could only provide non-woven material in green, purple and yellow. When one of his friends commented that they looked like Teletubbies, he looked for red material to round out the group. Pe said, “I think colorful hazmats can help lessen the weariness and dread that is filling our hospitals nowadays. No matter what the color, the most important aspect to consider is the safety of our health care workers and patients; but if a little color can help make them feel a little better, then that’s great.”
Parents are looking for new and exciting ways to keep their kids entertained. Dunkin’ understands and wants to help inspire creativity in the kitchen. Franchisees across the country have started to offer DIY donut kits at participating locations.
The idea spurred from a Dunkin’ franchise in the Bay Area. Matt Cobo had an employee from his Concord, California restaurant come up with the idea to create DIY donut kits to bring joy to local families. Cobo’s Walnut Creek and Concord stores began creating DIY Donut Kits to give kids the opportunity to make their own donut creations at home.
According to the Dunkin’ Blog, Cobo’s sister began dropping the donut kits off on the doorsteps of friends and family members texting them, “You’ve been Dunk’d!” Crew members from all of his locations have been encouraged to surprise loved ones with donut decorating kits.
DIY donut kits come complete with donuts, frosting and sprinkles.
According to the packaging, “This is our area of expertise, but today we’re handing the chef’s hat off to you. What you create is up to your imagination. The only important thing is that you have loads of hands-on donut-crafting fun(while of course making sure the donut you craft is absolutely delicious.)”
Call ahead and check with your local Dunkin’ to see if the kits are available at a store near you.
As of March 17, service at Dunkin’ restaurants is temporarily limited to drive-thru ordering, carry-out and delivery, with a select number of locations also offering curbside service.
As little girls, we are told we can be whatever we want to be. As women, we are told to be everything everyone else wants us to be: attentive mother, dedicated employee, ladder-climber, shatterer of glass ceilings, loving partner, engaged community member, selfless friend, and tower of strength. We are expected to appear as if we’ve got this whole thing locked down, making sure to Instagram our casual #bossbabe pose as we hold our venti Starbucks coffee.
Women — particularly working moms—are expected to master their careers and achieve new heights. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018, 71.5% of mothers with children under the age of 18 were employed or seeking employment.
But—and this is a big but—we are also expected to maintain our domestic responsibilities without missing a step. Culture tells us the penance we have to pay for rocking our careers is making sure we don’t forget our most basic female duties: wife, mother, domestic goddess. The World Economic Forum said that in 2019, women were still bearing the brunt of household chores and childcare needs.
So sure, we can have aspirations and lofty career goals, but erasing hundreds of years of the “women’s work” mentality isn’t happening anytime soon.
We can be stellar at our careers, but we must also be the Joanna Gaines of homemaking—otherwise, we are achieving only partial rock-star status.
And this message is constantly echoed on social media. Look no further than Clickin Moms, a $4.7 million DIY-photography business created to teach women how to take perfectly staged photos of life with their families. Why does a business like this exist and thrive? Because we are all desperate to live the image of perfection we are shown every day on social media.
At 31 years old, after being a stay-at-home mom for two years, I decided to make a career shift from journalism to corporate marketing. I had spent those two years at home watching other women on social media becoming what I desperately wanted to be: stylish homemakers, big-deal executives, and excellent mothers to well-dressed, cultured children. I had convinced myself that these images were reality—and I was going to do everything I could to be one of them.
For six months, I put everything I had into becoming this ideal. I got a corporate marketing position with a global company. I enrolled my kids in a local Montessori school and hired a nanny to help with the kids and the house. I bought a new wardrobe. I rocked a pixie cut and spent hundreds on makeup. I spoke up in meetings and was praised for my good ideas and innovative thought process. My husband and I took a trip for our anniversary, and we lived like we didn’t have a care in the world. I was living the good life, just like the influencers I looked up to.
I lived the good life—until the good life completely fell apart.
I got a new boss at work who despised me and made me feel belittled and incompetent. Suddenly, I wasn’t perfect at my job anymore.
My youngest son struggled with special needs. The nanny we hired was mean and intolerant of him. Suddenly, I wasn’t the perfect mother anymore.
I was engaged outside the home with activism and community work, and I was home less than I should have been. Suddenly, I wasn’t the perfect homemaker anymore.
For months, I would wake up every day wondering who I would fail and how badly. Why couldn’t I do it all perfectly when so many others could? What was wrong with me?
I woke up one morning dreading going to work and wishing I didn’t have to get out of bed. I didn’t want to get my two older sons ready for school and get myself all dolled up just to face a day where I was letting everyone around me down. I faced another day of failure, and I knew I couldn’t do it anymore.
In bed, I instinctively scrolled through social media. The influencers I would never be stared back at me, judging me for not being worthy. I knew I had to get out of bed and get on with my day, but a deep black cloud hung around me like a weighted shroud.
I took my kids to school. As we drove, the shroud became heavier and heavier. A loop kept running through my mind: “You’re a failure. You are letting everyone down. You aren’t smart enough to have this job. You aren’t a good enough mother to have these kids. You are not worthy.”
I barely remember dropping my kids off. I hardly remember saying goodbye, or making the decision to drive into oncoming traffic. I do remember deciding not to kill someone else in a horrible traffic accident but to simply walk into speeding traffic once I got to work.
Clearly, I didn’t go through with it. I spent more than an hour on the phone with my pastor, who convinced me not to kill myself. I don’t even remember driving home, or my friend driving me to the mental-health ER, or my husband crying, or being involuntarily checked into an inpatient mental-health facility. The next clear memory I have is of the next morning, waking up on a plastic mattress in a bare room, sobbing uncontrollably in absolute despair and remorse.
The next four days in the hospital were life-changing for me. I didn’t have to make anyone’s dinner, help with anyone’s homework, answer any emails, or even talk to anyone if I didn’t want to. I was able to reset, to take a break from life, to just breathe without feeling guilty. I hit a wall, but it forced me to stop and reevaluate what I wanted my life to be. No one else could make the decision for me, or influence me, or make me feel bad for my choices. I was free.
I decided to leave my job, cut out those who didn’t bring joy to my life, and simplify to the greatest degree. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially financially, but I needed to build myself back up in a healthier way that didn’t include high-end clothing and makeup, executive suites, or followers and likes. I needed to be able to love myself again for who I was, not who I thought I should be.
I started by removing social-media apps from my phone. The instant access only tempted me to fall back into old habits. I stopped defining happiness by the material items we owned (and that I needed to share on social media) and scaled back on the events I attended, going only to ones that made me happy, not to ones that I attended just to be seen. I tried to identify (with a therapist) what brought me joy and focused on bringing those things back into my life in my own time.
Take a look at how you define happiness in your own life. Is it defined by social-media likes and follows, by your job, by your homemaking skills? Or does it come from a place of authenticity, of knowing who you are, of being content with the wins and the mistakes? Working moms need to be able to move through our lives on our own terms, in the way that works best for us and our families. When we seek validation from others to know we’re happy, we aren’t truly happy.
Can we really run the world? Of course we can! But let’s do it in a healthier way that accepts flaws and acknowledges how hard this whole thing is.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.
Jessy is a mother of (almost!) four kids and lives with her husband in Charlotte, NC. She's an advocate and activist for maternal mental health issues and owns her own marketing business for the health and wellness industry.
If you’re looking for just the right gift for that Disney fan in your life, look no further. Now you can deliver a present that’s sure to bring joy all year long that includes Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, Marvel and so much more with a Disney+ gift subscription.
A one-year gift subscription costs $69.99, the same as the price to sign up on your own, and it gives you full access to everything the streaming service has to offer.
It makes a great last-minute gift if you’re in a bind. All you have to do is visit the Disney+ site and place an order online. You’ll instantly receive an email with directions on how to send your gift. You can choose to have the e-gift card delivered the same a day or on another date of your choosing, like Christmas Day or Hanukah.
Before you click the “Buy Now” button, however, make sure your intended recipient isn’t already a Disney+ subscriber because the gift subscription is only available for new subscribers. In other words, you can’t gift someone who is already signed up with an additional year. The gift card can’t be combined with other offers, so it can’t be applied towards a Disney+/ Hulu/ ESPN+ bundle.
For full details and to give the gift of Disney magic for a year, check out the site here.
The fall flavor is the new Baskin-Robbins flavor of the month for September. The limited-time treat blends pumpkin and cheesecake ice cream sprinkled with real ginger snap cookie pieces and a ribbon of cinnamon cream-cheese.
If you prefer your pumpkin in drink form, you can also customize the Cappuccino Blast, which features 100% Arabica coffee and milk, with a scoop of Pumpkin Cheesecake and a cinnamon garnish. You can try a sample of this refreshing treat on Baskin-Robbins’ National Sampling Day on Sun., Sep. 8 from 3 to 7 p.m.
“Come September, pumpkin spice is all the rage, and we’re excited to introduce our uniquely decadent and delicious take on it with our Flavor of the Month. From scoops to sundaes, and even as an addition in our Cappuccino Blast®, we are excited to serve up a new flavor that will bring joy to customers no matter what their favorite ice cream creation is,” said Carol Austin, Vice President of Marketing for Baskin-Robbins.
In addition to the new flavor of the month, Baskin-Robbins also revealed in a press release that the company will be revamping its website and mobile app. Customers will now be able to order a fully customized Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Cake or Polar Pizza Ice Cream Treat simply by using the Baskin-Robbins app. You can score $5 off of any cake order all month long to celebrate the upgrades.
If you’ve been busy spring cleaning with the KonMari method, then you’ll happy you made some extra shelf space for a new addition. Marie Kondo is releasing a kids picture book that’s sure to bring joy to the whole family.
Marie Kondo’s picture book, KIKI & JAX: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship illustrates how tidying up creates space for joy in all parts of your life. The book is inspired by Kondo’s KonMari method.
photo: Courtesy of Random House
Kiki and Jax are two friends who couldn’t be more different. Kiki likes to collect things and Jax likes to sort. When the collections start to pile up, the two friends have to try to make room for what really brings them joy: each other.
“I’m pleased to share this timeless story about friendship, and I hope that the characters of Kiki and Jax inspire children and families to tidy and embrace joy!” Kondo said in a statement.
The book is co-written and illustrated by Geisel Honor-winner Salina Yoon. The book will hit stores on Nov. 5, 2019. You can pre-order a copy now on Amazon for $14.
The tots might not entirely understand the meaning behind Passover Seder yet, but they can still get involved on the special night. For wriggly ones sans prolonged attention spans, a kid-centric Seder plate might be exactly the colorful and creative supplement they need. Check out these imaginative Seder plates, filled with delightful drawings and special details to help engage and educate kids. We’ll leave the storytelling to you.
Homemade Seder Plate Your kids will be beaming to see their handiwork on the table, and they’ll definitely be eager to answer any questions about the Exodus story. Instructions on how to make this homemade Seder plate by Brenda Ponnay can be found over at TheShiksa.com.
Melamine Passover Seder Plate For any little one that may be learning Hebrew on the side, this artistic Passover plate features subtitled indentations. The plate itself is also sturdy and easy to maintain, so moms and dads don’t have to worry about it breaking or nicking.
Children’s Seder Plate If you’re having a large family get together with lots of little ones, this inexpensive Seder plate is the perfect option. We love how it’s got all the children of the world, promoting a message of peace and unity.
Hand Painted Original Ceramic Seder Plate
This gorgeous Seder plate is one that will suit any Passover attendee from meemaw to the littlest ones. We love the abstract tree design that wraps around the whole plate, along with the hand-written inscriptions that give it a personal touch.
Houses Seder Plate Hand painted so that no two are alike, this unique Seder plate is ringed with brightly colored houses of Jerusalem to bring joy to the Passover celebrations. It’s also inscribed with Hebrew lettering and subtitles to ensure proper placement of the foods.
Children of Israel Seder Plate This brightly painted Seder plate is a perfect addition to the youth table as the portrait of the kids will remind fidgety tots that Passover isn’t just for grownups.
Colorful Plastic Seder Plate Kids will love reading the question and answers that wrap around the edges of this plate. It’s plastic (read: unbreakable!) and makes for a great first plate for tots.
Disposable Seder Plate Keep the cleanup to a minimum (especially if you’re feeding a crowd) by buying a set of disposable Seder plates. This understated blue and white set with cute sketches will look perfect on your Passover table.
Hand-Painted Seder Plate This colorful plate is sure to become a special family heirloom in the years to come. It can be customized with your favorite colors (though we love the bright color scheme pictured) and you can add a special message to be written on the back as well.