When Jaiden Cowley posted a question on the Mom Squad Facebook page, she didn’t expect the response she got. The mom was in Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children with her 18-month-old daughter Amira and was in desperate need of—a coffee.

Cowley’s daughter is waiting for a heart transplant and the mama spends plenty of time at Sick Kids. When she posted, “Is anyone at sickkids right now? I have a huge havor to ask. I’m in the er and I can’t leave my daughter alone, but I really need a coffee,” she thought someone else in the hospital might read her words and help. But instead, she got a sweet surprise!

Half an hour after Cowley posted on Facebook a woman named Elizabeth showed up in the ER with a Starbucks Venti iced coffee. Cowley told TODAY, “I never expected someone to get in their car and drive to me.” She also added, “As Elizabeth was leaving, she said, ‘I’m so glad I could do this for you and let me know if you need anything else.'”

Elizabeth wasn’t the only mama who rushed to help. Another generous Mom Squad-er asked for Cowley’s email, sending her $50 to buy coffee. Cowley said of this kind act, “It was such a nice gesture that I started crying.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Jeshoots via Pixabay

 

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Last minute vacation plans? It can be tempting to book that European getaway or cruise to the Bahamas when a last second deal pops up, but what about securing a passport? Now thanks to a FedEx passport service you can get your passport in just one day.

FedEx has partnered with RushMyPassport to offer an expedited passport service. At any of FedEx’s 2,000 locations nationwide or online you can update passport photos, rush new passports or renewals, get children’s’ passports and replace lost, stolen or damaged passport all in just 24 hours. Meanwhile to process a new passport or passport renewal through the standard process can take six to eight weeks.

photo: 27707 via Pixabay

Of course you’ll pay extra for bypassing that wait time. FedEx charges $449 to process the passport in 24 hours. In addition, you’ll need to pay for rushed shipping, which could cost as much as $180, and the $170 federal government fee. Altogether you’re looking at nearly $800 for the whole thing, but if you’re in a bind, it could be worth it.

“Routine passport processing can take weeks, which can mean the difference between enjoying that dream vacation you’ve spent months planning or canceling it,” Mosie Miller, CEO of RushMyPassport, said in a statement. “You also have to factor in the possibility of issues with documents you finally receive in the mail, causing further delays and even more headaches. The combined service offering of RushMyPassport and FedEx Office helps travelers overcome these issues, giving a smooth and secure way to handle passport needs.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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When France’s Nicolas Mahut lost his third round match at the French Open against Leonardo Mayer he got plenty of comfort—from his seven-year-old son Natanel. As the defeated dad sat court-side, his little boy rushed to his side for a pretty magical moment.

Video of the May 31 match made major waves online, going viral for obvious (and adorable) reasons. Not only did the sweet act bring a tear to the proud papa’s eyes, but his opponent was also seen welling up while watching.

This isn’t the first time Natanel has handed out hugs to his tennis star dad following a match. When Mahut, and doubles partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert, won the French Open’s men’s double title, the seven-year-old also ran across the court for a completely cute cuddle!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: The Tennis Report via Instagram

 

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The school year is coming to a close which thankfully means no more homework or mad dashes to get ready for school. If you spent the entire school year rushing your kids out the door, you’re not alone.

According to a recent survey, the biggest challenges parents face in the morning is getting kids out the door on time. Conducted by Nutri-Grain, the survey found that by the end of a school year, parents will have asked their kids to hurry up almost 540 times on average!

photo: Security via Pixabay 

Nutri-Grain’s survey, which included over 2,000 American moms and dads, found that parents need to remind their kids at least twice in the morning to get dressed, brush their teeth or put on their shoes. It also found that 84 percent of parents make resolutions for the academic year ahead, but 63 percent break those resolutions due to lack of energy to keep up.

The results are all the more reason to use summer as an excuse to take things slow and stop rushing out the door as much as possible. Instead of resolving to speed through like the school year, perhaps we should all resolve to slow down this summer.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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If you haven’t watched the latest episode of This Is Us, then SPOILER ALERT. The moment Kate and Toby fans have been waiting for all season has finally arrived—and it’s as emotional as you expected.

On this week’s episode of This Is Us, Kate was rushed to the hospital where she delivered her baby at just 28 weeks. Like everything else about the beloved series, Toby and Kate’s entire experience welcoming a preemie—and facing life in the NICU—was as raw and real as it gets.

Parents and fans of the show took to Twitter to share their own experiences with the NICU and the perfect storm of both joy and fear that comes with having a preemie.

https://twitter.com/jen_thorson/status/1105667786079199232

https://twitter.com/KrissyLeigh0604/status/1105655802789019653

This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz took to Twitter herself to read and react to the outpouring of stories from fans.

Even for parents that have not gone through the same experience, the emotional moment when Kate and Toby sit by their newly named son, Jack (because, of course!) resonates. That feeling of overwhelming love is one every parent can relate to.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of Ron Batzdorff/NBC

 

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The NFL’s 100-Year Super Bowl commercial featured a lot of famous faces, but there was one that stuck out because it was the only girl among dozens of male players. Samantha Gordon might not be a household name, but she should be once you learn what she’s accomplished in her 15 years.

From Peyton to Montana there were many NFL stars in the ad that played during the Super Bowl last weekend, but none are quite as inspiring as 15-year-old Samantha Gordon. The young athlete made waves in 2012 when she broke the mold in her all-boys tackle football league where she scored 35 touchdowns and rushed for more than 2,000 yards. Her dad, Brent Gordon shared a video of her playing on YouTube and she became an overnight sensation.

“When she was about 3 or 4 years old and we would play soccer out in the yard with my older son . . . and they’d try to be a little bit rough with her and even intentionally try to kick the ball at her and she wouldn’t be fazed and would keep getting up,” Brent told Good Morning America back in 2012. “I kind of had an idea that she’s got an aggressive mentality back then.”

From there Samantha went on to break more barriers and, with her dads help, she established the Utah Girls Tackle Football League, the first all-girls tackle football league in the US, in 2015. She was awarded the first ever NFL Game Changer Award in 2017.

Next season the NFL will celebrate its 100-year anniversary and hopefully Samantha’s appearance in the ad signals a shift for the future of an otherwise male-dominated league. Regardless of what she does next, it’s all but guaranteed to be great.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: The NFL via YouTube

 

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If this year’s over the river and through the woods seems like a trek too far, get ready—because the busiest travel day of the year is almost here. When it comes to when not to travel for the holidays, we’ve got you covered!

As if you didn’t have enough to do in the pre-Christmas rush, add in a day filled with travel to grandma’s house and you have a recipe for one very long car ride—and an overwhelmed mama. Luckily, travel agency and insurer AAA just released a report on 2018’s holiday travel stats and predictions to help take some of that traffic pain out of your life. Here’s the scoop so you can plan ahead.

Photo: Pixel2013 via Pixabay

According to AAA, over one-third of Americans will travel during the December holiday season, or, to put it in perspective—a whopping 112.5 million people traveling across the United States for Christmas. The 4.4 percent increase of travelers over last year means that you may end up spending a lot of time rushing, only get stuck in traffic.

So when should you just stay home? Transportation analyst for the global mobility analytics company INRIX, Trevor Reed, says, “With a record-level number of travelers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays in major metro areas—with Thursday, Dec. 20 being the nation’s worst day to travel.” And of course, avoid those peak commuting hours—in other words, leave super-early or well after evening rush-hour.

Even though Reed and AAA say Dec. 20 is the worst day to travel, some cities may have bigger driving back-ups on different dates. AAA pings Wednesday, Dec. 19 as the worst day for traveling in and around the following cities: Boston, Massachusetts; Houston, Texas; and Seattle, Washington. If you’re headed to Chicago, Illinois or Detroit, Michigan, it looks like Monday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve day) is a no-go. San Francisco, California travelers are likely to find the greatest delays on Friday, Dec. 21 and anyone in Atlanta, Georgia metro area may see delays on Saturday, Dec. 22.

Staying home this year suddenly sounds a lot more appealing!

—Erica Loop

 

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At this point in the summer, finding free entertainment every day of the week is a parent’s dream come true. Add in a dose of water play on a hot day and you’ve hit the jackpot! Whether you’re in search of the relaxing sound of rushing water, the chance to get your feet wet or the opportunity to view the city’s best man-made wonders, Seattle has a wide array of fountains just waiting to be explored. Scroll down to see our favorites.

International Fountain

Seattle Center

Located at the Seattle Center, the International Fountain is perhaps one of the best known fountains in Seattle and attracts thousands of tourists and Seattleites each year. During the summer months, you will find kids with swimsuits donned, chasing the huge spurts of water and laughing gleefully at the huge explosion of water that feels as though it will reach beyond the clouds.

International Fountain
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA 98109
Online: seattlecenter.com

Fountain of Creation

Seattle Center

Located just northeast of the International Fountain, the Fountain of Creation offers a much tamer version for those afraid to get hit by spraying jets. This is more of a wading pool than a fountain, but offers spraying jets and is definitely worth mentioning. With a depth of three feet in its deepest parts, this fountain definitely hits the afternoon cool down spot.

Note: As of July 2019, the fountain is temporarily closed due to Arena construction. 

Fountain of Creation
401 1st Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98109
Online: waymarking.com/waymarks/WM47P2_Fountain_of_Creation

Waterfront Park Fountain

Kristina Moy

Located on Alaskan Way, next to the Seattle Aquarium, the Waterfront Fountain is a very cool, architectural design that is a hit with Seattleites and out-of-towners alike. Kids will love watching the water cascade down over the block shapes. Bonus: there are stairs all around the fountain to climb; and what kid doesn't love climbing stairs?

Waterfront Fountain
1301 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98101
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=3973

KING 5 Television

Kristina Moy

If you've been to a Mariners game at Safeco Field this summer, you've likely spotted SoDo's urban fountain across the street from Home Plate Gate. Located at KING 5's studio, this fountain is the perfect place to cool your jets before or after an M's game.

KING 5 Television
1501 1st Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
206-448-5555
Online: king5.com

Father and Son Fountain – Olympic Sculpture Park

Julie Gripentrog

Also located on Alaskan Way as part of the Olympic Sculpture Park, the Father and Son Fountain is definitely an interesting piece to check out. You can walk fully around it and see different views depending on the time of day you visit. Psst...don't forget to bring your pennies as your kids will most definitely want to throw in one, or two!

Father and Son Fountain
2901 Wester Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
Online: seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park

Westlake Park Fountain

Verna U. via Yelp

If your kiddos need a break from all that back-to-school shopping, head to Westlake Park to check out this very unique fountain. Not only can you admire it from a distance, but you can become a part of it, too. The daring and those who don't mind getting a little wet will love walking underneath the fountain and everyone will happily like watching the water cascade down on both sides.

Walk-Thru Fountain
401 Pine St.
Seattle, WA 98101
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/westlake-park

University Village

University Village

Known for its locally-owned boutiques, signature national retailers and plethora of restaurants and eateries, University Village is popular destination for Seattle families. On hot summer days, expect to find lots of kiddies splashing around in the popular frog and turtle fountain located by Trophy Cupcakes or sitting on the edge of the Stonehenge Fountain located next to Ravenna Gardens. It’s the perfect way cool off after a long day of shopping.

University Village
623 Northeast University Village
Seattle, WA 98105
Online: uvillage.com

Freeway Park Waterfalls

Megumi S. via Yelp

Freeway Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. Here, you will find what is commonly referred to as the "waterfalls." The gushing water drowns out the city noise and kiddos young and old will love climbing on the rocks and getting their toes wet.

Freeway Park
700 Seneca St.
Seattle, Wa 98101
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/freeway-park

Drumheller Fountain – University of Washington

Michael P. via Yelp

Not only is the U-dub campus beautiful year-round, it's also an awesome place to wander through and check out some amazing architecture. The Drumheller Fountain is one worth checking out if your littles love seeing lots of geese and ducks. Make a day of it and bask in the Husky spirit.

Drumheller Fountain
4014 University Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98195
Online: washington.edu

Cal Anderson Park Fountain

Jon L. via Yelp

Next time you're in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, head over to Cal Anderson Park to check out this awesome fountain. Not only will you be mesmerized by the design, hearing the rushing water flow from the top and down the sides into the wading pool below will make it a top-notch experience.

Cal Anderson Park
1635 11th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/cal-anderson-park

Waterfall Garden Park – Pioneer Square

Indy P. via Yelp

So technically this is not a fountain, but a 22-foot waterfall nestled in Pioneer Square and definitely worth a shout out! Pack a sack lunch and enjoy listening to the rushing water while sitting at a nearby table. On a hot summer day, this spot can't be beat.

Waterfall Garden
219 2nd Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
Online: pioneersquare.org/experiences/waterfall-garden-park

Rose Garden – Woodland Park Zoo

Shelly Smith

If you love fountains and roses, this is the place to be. Not only is the scenery peaceful and awe-inspiring, your kid crew will love checking out the sensory garden. Head a little further and check out the fountain and have fun counting the water lilies. Best part, it's free of charge!

Rose Garden (south entrance at intersection of 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.)
750 N. 50th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
Online: zoo.org/roses#.U9-uQIBdUkc

 

Ballard Commons Park

Sherill Y. via Yelp

Ballard Commons Park features a skate bowl, public art, relaxing seating areas with lots of lush grass, perfect for an afternoon picnic, plus a fun water feature the kiddies will love. The park forms part of the municipal center in Ballard, with a Seattle Public Library branch and Neighborhood Service Center located across the street.

Ballard Commons Park
5701 22nd Ave. N.W.
Seattle, WA 98107
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/ballard-commons-park

—Kristina Moy & Allison Rasmussen

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It’s okay.

I don’t have a magic wand or a perfect solution to make you feel like you DO actually have your stuff together… but I first want to tell you that it’s okay.

You are not alone. Raising tiny humans is hard. But, it’s a phase. And, one day you will feel like you have stuff together again.

Well, maybe not. But, that’s okay too.

We all want to give our best effort to our kids, our marriage, our job, our home.

But, we just simply can’t. Supermom actually isn’t a thing. Because we aren’t superhuman. We are just human. Which is better. It’s a lot less pressure to be just human.

Our intentions are good, but if our goal is to give 110% to every aspect of our life we are going to fall short.

So, here are three steps that you can take today so that stressed and falling short doesn’t feel like a way of life anymore.

Step 1: Focus on what’s important.

Pick three or four things that are really important to you. Write them each out on a sticky note and keep them visible.

Then, the next time that you are feeling overwhelmed, look at those sticky notes. Write out each of the things that are weighing on you, and if they don’t fall in one of the categories, then let them go.

And, anytime that you are feeling rushed say to yourself, “I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this present moment.”

Because, what if we were exactly where we needed to be? 

Like, literally. Say it aloud.

It may not feel true at first, but when you say it enough, eventually it will.

When being rushed is a way of life, that sucks the ability to be present out of you.

“The next message you need is always right where you are.” ~Ram Dass

Step 2: Do a time audit.

I know, audits sound really boring and like something that should be reserved only for people who wear pocket protectors. But, humor me.

All of our activities can be divided into one of four categories.

Necessary and want/like to do. Necessary and don’t like to do. Unnecessary and want to do. Unnecessary and don’t want to do.

The unnecessary and don’t want to do activities can be eliminated immediately.

Get rid of the things that are sucking the life out of you. And, add the things that you want to be giving 100% towards. (Or, at least 80-90%.)

And for the things on your post-it notes, schedule those into your calendar as you would an important meeting.

For example, if spending time with your husband daily is a priority, schedule 15 minutes in your calendars each night after the kids go to bed to hang out together. Make it a non-negotiable.

Step 3: Not giving a darn about having it all together.

Many times wanting to have it all together is coming from a place of guilt and comparison, NOT from a place of truth.

In addition to focusing on the things that REALLY matter to you, let go of the things that don’t.

Easier said than done. I agree.

Practice telling yourself that you made your priorities and that it is safe for you to let go of the other things.

When you are intentional, versus reactive, about how you are spending your time, not giving a darn is much easier.

Because you’ve validated yourself.

Featured Photo Courtesy: pixabay

Bridgette is married with three daughters (twins plus one.) She hates to cook, loves to write, and is addicted to inversions. She believes that we aren't just meant to SURVIVE motherhood, but to THRIVE through motherhood.