ML Interest Tag: shoulder

7 Reasons Not to Reveal Your Baby’s Name in Advance

By Janelle Henry

Photo: unsplash

 

7 Reasons Why You Should Never Reveal Your Baby’s Name Choice

We’ve all been there…that exciting moment when you and your spouse finally determine what your babies name will be. Perhaps you have a few options, maybe a boy version and a girl version. The name is occupying your thoughts and you have this secret that just seems too good to keep between the two of you.

It all starts out innocently enough. You are at a gathering, and several months pregnant. Someone will ask you the standard pleasantries… “You look great how do you feel? Do you have any morning sickness? Boy or Girl? Have you picked out a name?” The logical part of you quickly sends a signal to your brain saying “Don’t tell anyone this name we picked out. Nothing good will come of it. Keep it a secret as long as you can. Come on it’s only a few more months!!” And just like out of a cartoon where you have a devil and angel on each shoulder that other more emotional, do-it-if-it-feels-good portion of your brain says “YES! Tell them! You love that name and should feel so proud of what you came up with. It’s the best name ever and who wants a secret anyway. Besides its perfect they will love it!! Do it! Tell them!”

I am here to tell you why keeping that name a secret for just a few months longer is always the best option. I had a friend who had 10 sisters and female cousins in her age range growing up and in order to make sure no one ‘stole’ a baby name each Christmas they would be allowed two names that they could save. They would put the names down on a piece of paper, read them out loud to the group, and then put them in a safe. Once the name had been written down it was yours. I’m not saying you need a vault but hear me out as to why it may be better to keep this wonderful news to yourself.

1. It’s a fun secret to keep with just you and your spouse:  It can be a thing just for the two of you. While everyone else is calling your baby “Baby XYZ” or “the little one” the two of you can rush home after a night with friends and say the name over and over. You can tease each other when one of you almost slips up and refers to the baby by their name, correcting yourself quickly (my husband did this several times and I was always impressed at how fast he recovered).

2. Nobody will ever love it as much as you do:  Let’s face it, unless the person you are telling the name to has THAT EXACT NAME they will never love it as much as you do. And why would they? It’s not their baby, it’s not their name choice. They will like it of course, but it will never be the response you want which I imagine if you are like me at all sounds something like “OH MY GOSH THAT IS THE MOST PERFECT NAME I HAVE EVER HEARD! YOU HAVE STRUCK THE BALANCE BETWEEN CLASSIC AND MODERN, WHIMSICAL AND SERIOUS, CUTE AND CLEVER. THIS NAME SURELY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY”. Yeah that won’t happen.

3. Everyone will ask if you named baby after most famous person with that name:  You know this drill. You’ve likely pulled it on many of your friends and co-workers and probably didn’t realize you were doing it. It goes a little something like this.

Person 1: We are naming our baby Brad. Person 2: Oh like Brad Pitt? Person 1: No Brad is my husband’s middle name.

Or this…

Person 1: We are naming our baby Celine. Person 2: Celine… after Celine Dion? Person 1: No, Celine is Latin for “Heaven”. Person 2: Oh Ok.

4. You will learn the weirdest person someone knows with same name:  Now I am guilty of this time and time again, even if I don’t say it out loud. But I know many people who do. Here is how it goes: “Oh you are going to name the baby Patrick? <Long Pause>. I knew a Patrick in elementary school. He used to eat my glue”. The *only* time this strategy pays off is if you happen to know the coolest person the person you are telling ever knew, and if your baby shares that same name. That likely won’t happen. It will always be a glue-eaters name.

5. They might take the name for themselves:  I know this probably won’t happen. People are good and know how important naming will be. But you do run the risk if you tell of THINKING they stole the name. Likely they already had it chosen for their future child and when you spilled the beans they didn’t want to rain on your parade saying “That’s going to be our baby name too in the distant future! Our kids will be twinsies and now will both get to go thru life putting their last name initial after their first name from now until senior year”. Nope. They won’t say that. And then in 5 years when you have long moved away or switched jobs you will be trolling on Facebook and will see that “Oh my gosh they copied my name”. Not worth it.

6. Once baby is born people can’t object or give other suggestions:  When a baby is born they more or less lock in the name. Even if it’s a terrible name, or the glue eaters name outsiders will simply look at that beautiful baby, hear the name and say “I love it. It’s perfect”. Bingo.

7. So few surprises in life keep this as long as you can: In today’s society everyone wants information all the time regardless of how relevant it is. People love a spoiler. I’ve clicked on articles with the headlines “You won’t believe what happened on last night’s episode of Game of Thrones- Spoilers Ahead” and I don’t even watch that show! I just love a good spoil. Your friends and family, no matter how much they beg to hear that name, will be delighted when the baby is born and they get to hear the unveiling of the name. It’s very royal family. And everyone loves a well-kept surprise.

Once your little bundle arrives, be sure to capture all the sweetest moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

Janelle is a Pacific Northwest native who escaped the rain and now resides in the Bay Area with her husband and their two sons. A tech industry leader by day and a craft mommy reheating up leftovers by night, just balancing a house of cards as best as she can.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

What Are Big Emotions?

By Patrick DeFors

What are “Big Emotions?” 

Imagine a toddler throwing a tantrum for the smallest of reasons (or perhaps an adult as well); ie the sandwich is cut incorrectly or my brother is looking at my shoulder…those types of things. In my house, we call these things “Big Emotions” where a kid is feeling strong emotions and they don’t know how to express them in a positive manner, so inevitably a tantrum ensues. Without a doubt, you’ve heard these emotions manifest themselves at the store, in the park, or literally anywhere that children are present. And to be honest, they are kind of awful to deal with.

Just the other day my daughter had a massive meltdown because her brother got out of the tub first. Logical, right? Every kid has these emotions and they can manifest themselves in a number of ways. Yelling, screaming, throwing things, hitting things, etc. And to be honest, I’m dreading the day they learn swear words, not because they’ve started swearing, but because how am I supposed to keep a straight face and not laugh? No parenting book can answer that question.

Ok, back to those big emotions. Big emotions are tough to deal with. Think of a drunk college student who is trying to explain something super important, but instead of talking they just throw up (or perhaps don’t think of that). Not a fun picture and as a parent, it’s especially difficult as you just want to make your kid smile again. It’s agonizing seeing them lose control for seemingly no reason. It’s also incredibly draining; going through a full range of emotions in a manner of minutes leaving you empty and tired. My wife and I are trying to teach our children to calm down by counting and breathing deeply, but it’ll be a long time before we can declare success. Probably about the time puberty hits which will bring a whole host of new challenges.

“The attitude that you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from, more than what you tell them. They don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are”—Jim Henson

What is perhaps the most difficult part is that it is in these moments where parents need to be at their best. Calm, understanding, and being beyond being patient is what’s needed, not anger and yelling. The children having big emotions are the ones experiencing the problem, not the adult. It is our responsibility to tame the fire with our actions, not to fuel the fire with our mistakes. By doing so, we’re validating our kid’s emotions and teaching them a healthy way in which to express themselves. I recently read a quote that read something like “kids are going to do what you do and not what you say” and I have found this to be 100% true. We see ourselves in our children, and it’s only when our kids start repeating our actions do we realize how perceptive they are (and how much we swear?).

So perhaps if we want our children to be better than ourselves, to reach higher, and to be the person that we know they can be, we set a better example for them to follow. We’ll fail from time to time, but if we keep on trying to teach them healthy methods for controlling and expressing their “Big Emotions”, we’re inevitably teaching them two lessons; how to express themselves and how to not give up. Two birds, one stone.

This post originally appeared on Dad Loves Coffee.

Balding, gray-haired 30-something stay-at-home-Dad living in the Lincoln Square area of Chicago. Enjoys coffee, a cold pint and Bear Grylls while musing about parenthood and life.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

New CUDL 4-in-1 Baby Carrier Makes Parenting a Snap

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

Every parent wants to keep their little one snuggled close after they’ve just entered the world, and wearing your baby is a great way to give both you and baby comfort at such a critical stage. But not all baby carriers offer safety and smart design. That’s why Nuna offers CUDL™ 4-in-1, an easy carrier that keeps your wee one close and secure, all while keeping your hands free.

Nuna has been creating smart, helpful and bold baby gear since 2007. Nuna designs its baby products around your life, which means this carrier is easy, flexible, safe and practical. Plus, the clean lines in the design of their products are often used to incorporate practical storage solutions, like a pocket to easily access your smartphone—win!

The new CUDL™ 4-in-1 has a handful of perks that make baby wearing a snap for new parents. One of our favorite features: it’s designed so you can put it on and adjust it by yourself, as opposed to relying on helpers to get your little one securely intact and get moving.

We love that the pack has four carry positions: newborn mode with integrated infant booster, facing in, facing out or back carry. All four of the positions allow your kiddo the ergonomic positioning to keep spine and hip development healthy. The carry options let you keep carrying your little one from infant to more than nine months, so when your kiddo wants to marvel at their outside world, you can have them face out. Or, switch to back carry mode for growing toddlers.

Here are some of the awesome features of the CUDL™ 4-in-1 carrier:

  • Four ergonomic magnetic buckles that make securing on the go quick and simple
  • Breathable mesh fabric and padded shoulder and waist straps
  • Set of two GOTS™ certified organic cotton bibs included
  • Zip open storage pocket on waistband that holds a smartphone the size of iPhone 8 and above
  • Innovative leg opening button adjustment for smaller babies
  • Removable and washable infant head support
  • Locking zippers are covered to add security and ensure no contact with baby’s skin
  • All-over comfort from even distribution of baby’s weight thanks to padded shoulder straps and a wide secure waist belt

It’s not just us that are fans—the CUDL™ 4-in-1 carrier has been recognized worldwide as an amazing baby carrier and was the Red Dot Product Design Winner of 2020. Parenting is tough enough, but you can make it just a little easier with the right gear. Shop Now for the CUDL by Nuna.

—Leah R. Singer

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Prisoners of the Pandemic

By Suzanne Weerts

My college sophomore is standing in the family room wearing the suit his grandfather bought him for his high school graduation, back when his possibilities seemed endless and escaping home for the hallowed halls of his dream college was inevitable.

“Every young man needs a good suit when he heads out into the world,” Grandpa Jim said, and he took my son to the same downtown tailor where he once took my husband at eighteen.

My well-dressed son is giving his father and me a Power Point presentation about why, since he lost his on-campus housing due to the pandemic, we should let him move into his fraternity house. He’s done the research. On a slide entitled COVID PRECAUTIONS, he shares the three-pronged approach developed by his Eta Theta brothers (Greek letters changed to protect my relationship with my son.)

#1. No member may have more than two guests at a time.

(Note: 19 brothers are slated to live in the house so we should be comforted that no more than 57 people will be there at any time.)

#2. The brothers will vote to determine if dues money should be spent to purchase a thermometer.

#3 Two random brothers will be tested weekly for COVID.

We say no. His campus is in a big city still in partial lockdown. Now I have a twenty- year-old man pumping iron in my garage like a convict in his cell. He says he feels imprisoned after months of doing what was necessary for the greater good, while his best friends take advantage of discounted airline tickets, flying to parties in Texas and Michigan.

“They’re insane!” I say, as my son shows me a video of a rave-like gathering shot at a mansion in Austin. No masks. Shared bongs. His friends enjoying sweaty mosh-pit-st‌yle dancing, shoulder-to-shoulder, cheek-to-cheek.

My son realizes their behavior is reckless, but as months go by and they continue having fun with no repercussions, he wonders how it’s fair that his summer memories are of playing cards and completing puzzles with his parents while theirs mirror a normal summer, but with cheaper flights.

Stay six-feet apart!

We invite his best friends over for a well-spaced backyard BBQ. I take orders and prepare the burgers inside so condiments don’t need to be shared. One friend says his uncle died of Covid.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I say.

“He had a good long life and we had good times together,” he replies.

“How old was he?”

“60.”

When you’re nineteen, I guess that seems like a long life.

When you’re 54, not so much.

Our family’s fear of COVID had a portended start. My brother’s family was vacationing in China for the Lunar New Year. They were in Wuhan in early January and made it out on the last US evacuation flight before quarantining in Texas for two weeks. Back then we were naively confident that safety measures taken with passengers on a handful of flights from China were enough to keep the virus half-a-world away.

Wash your hands!

Pre-armed with fear from my brother’s stories, we isolated, sanitized, and mastered ZOOM. For months my pantry had been stocked for an empty-nest. That first-run to the grocery store, before the kids came home, was a two-cart trip. Checkout lines snaked through produce and beyond the cheese. Fellow shoppers were in quizzical disbelief at the Armageddon-like conditions of the soup aisle.

Don’t touch your face!

My college senior is home for our canceled Spring Break trip when “Stay-at-home” orders first go down.

“I’m going back,” she announces.

“I’d rather have you here where I know you’re safe.”

During the week she’s home, as it becomes clear the spread of Coronavirus is not contained, the one thing anchoring me is seeing both children around the dinner table. Things are almost like they used to be when we were a family-of-four squeezing in dinners between sports practices and choir rehearsals, only suddenly we have nowhere to go. Miraculously, I have both kids captive for conversation and board games. Frankly, I’m almost blissful.

Apparently, captivity isn’t attractive when you’re almost 22.

“But we have no idea how long this will last,” she replies, “My things are all there.”

So is her boyfriend.

Scenarios play out in my mind. Germs on un-wiped countertops. Boxes from Amazon brought straight into her apartment. Does she even have 409? In discussions on current events, it’s pretty clear that if the girls run out of toilet paper, they won’t have any newspaper to use.

“Take precautions, honey. It isn’t just about you. Think about your grandparents,” I remind her, choking back tears. I fill her front seat with Clorox wipes and watch her drive away.

Wear your mask!

Stuck at home after prematurely moving out of their dorm, my son and his girlfriend are communicating solely through FaceTime and texts. Five-weeks into lockdown, with both families mostly isolated and working from home, we become “a pod” so our teens can spend time together.

But that was months ago. Back when lockdown had an anticipated end-date. Back before a framework for “reopening the economy” is devised then repeatedly revised. Images on television of bustling bars across the country look foreign to us in California. I envy the normalcy of smiles.

I know that at my children’s ages, I’d have done everything in my power not to alter my near-constant quest to carpe diem. I’ve shared cautionary tales of my mistakes, but I’ve based my parenting on openness to discussion, on setting the foundation for good choices, and then letting them venture out. Is reminding them to “Wash your hands! Wear your mask!” and hoping for the best enough? It can’t be emotionally healthy to hold young-adults captive in our homes for the greater good while they watch the Instagram world move on. There’s no guidebook for parenting in a pandemic. I wish there were. With more questions than answers, I know I’m in no place to write it.

Suzanne Weerts is a producer, writer and storyteller who (pre-pandemic) shared tales from her life on stages across Southern California. Lately she's been  indulging in way too much wine and chocolate while trying to change the world in conversations with friends on Zoom.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

10 Things Every Mom Learns in Baby’s First Year 

by Suzanna Logan

As a new mom, the first 12 months of baby’s life are a time of intense closeness. You’re connecting to another human being on a level you never knew possible. But you’re not just getting to know baby better. During those first 8,765.82 hours of your little one’s life, you will also see yourself, your partner and even the world in a whole new light. Read on for a few of the relatable discoveries every mom makes during baby’s first year. 

This post is sponsored by Maxi-Cosi® and the new Coral™ XP car seat, featuring a lightweight carrier with a shoulder strap for on-the-go families. 

photo: Mikael Stenberg via Unsplash

1. You are capable of more than you ever thought possible.
Nothing tests the limits of your body and mind more than bringing a new baby into the world and experiencing his or her first year of life. Physically, you have been stretched to the max, as you’ve slept in one-hour increments and conquered the challenge of doing daily life with a 15-pound human on your hip. Mentally, at times your mind has felt like it’s spinning out of control as the “what ifs” swirl (What if I’m doing this all wrong? What if I’m not a good mom?).Then, at other times, it kicks those worries to the curb, reminding you of just how strong and amazing you are—mind, body and soul. 

2. Everyone is a baby expert.
If baby’s first year was an Oprah show, it would feel something like this: You get an opinion! And you get an opinion! Everyone gets an opinion! Seasoned moms and those without kids come out of the woodwork to give unsolicited advice to new moms. After baby’s first year, you know to take it for what it’s worth—a (hopefully!) well-intentioned suggestion, not law.

3. Moms need nap times, too.
We all know that nap time is essential for a happy, healthy baby. But moms know that it’s no less important for baby’s #1 caretaker. (Now, if only we could sleep like a…well, you know.)

photo: Christy Lynn Photography

4. Nothing lasts forever.
Some days you feel superhuman, able to carry a 20-pound car seat and 617 bags of groceries, but other days, your humanity—and all the emotions that come with it—hit harder than usual. If one moment you feel capable of conquering the world and the next minute all you can think of is crawling between the sheets, that makes you normal, not crazy. The fact that nothing lasts forever is a bittersweet reality of mom life, like not being able to use the bathroom alone for at least the next five or six years.

5. Baby poop isn’t that gross.
For that matter, neither is baby pee, spit-up or any other fluid that manages to make its way out of your baby’s orifices. How do we know? In baby’s first year of life, you do things that would have made pre-baby you cringe—things like putting your baby’s pacifier in your mouth to clean it after it hits the ground or wiping away snot or picking up chewed-and-spit-out food with your bare hand.

6. Change is a constant.
Life with a little one keeps you on your toes. As soon as you hit a groove with baby’s sleep routine, boom! A growth spurt or new tooth arrives. Or, as soon as you find out which foods your baby will eat (not just throw), those taste buds seem to change overnight. It’s all part of the growing process, for you and baby. 

This post is sponsored by Maxi-Cosi® and the new Coral™ XP car seat, featuring a lightweight carrier with a shoulder strap for on-the-go families. 

photo: Christy Lynn Photography 

7. You need a village.
During pregnancy and pre-baby life, having a support system was nice. But during baby’s first year of life, it’s essential. For some, it means having friends and family to take charge of baby while you run errands. For others, it simply means connecting with a network of like-minded moms over social media while baby naps.

8. Every baby is different.
Your child will hit milestones at different times, prefer different toys, and have different sleeping and eating schedules than any other baby you know. And that’s okay. After all, you can’t help that your baby is better.

9. Your heart is infinitely expandable.
A baby’s heart doubles in size in the first year of life. A new mother’s heart feels that same stretch a hundred times over. During baby’s first 12 months, a mama’s heart is overwhelmed with fear and joy, worry and love. The emotions are real and raw. They have made you cry tears of desperation to get your baby to sleep, only to make you want to instantly wake him as soon as he drifts off. And, this is only the beginning.

10. Those cheesy parenting saying are true (mostly).
That quote about the days being short but the years long? Yep. True. That saying about having a baby meaning your heart forever walks around outside your body. True, too. Oh, but that one about “sleeping like a baby”? You can toss that one out with yesterday’s diapers.

This post is sponsored by Maxi-Cosi® and the new Coral™ XP car seat, featuring a lightweight carrier with a shoulder strap for on-the-go families. 

—Suzanna Palmer

 

RELATED STORIES:

Your Must-Have Baby Gear

Hang in There: 25 Things New Moms Need to Hear

Advice to New Moms from Moms Who’ve Been There

13 Instagram Accounts for New Moms & Moms-to-Be to Follow Now

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Swaddles

By Hindi Zeidman

Photo: Sarah Shreves

Plenty of evidence shows that swaddling, when used correctly, can be a tremendous way to promote safe sleeping. The Safe Sleep Guidelines from the American Association of Pediatrics are clear: swaddling helps to keep babies on their back, which is the ideal sleep position to assist in preventing SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Since the guidelines also recommend that there be no blankets, pillows or bumper pads in the crib, your baby needs to be swaddled in a correct and optimal manner. Properly done, the swaddle will stay in place, keeping baby safe and comfortable.

Some of the other benefits of swaddling?

Improved sleep for baby and for parents Decreases the Moro startle reflex, in turn increasing REM sleep, which is vital for brain development. Reduces colic and fussiness: a happy baby is a calm baby. Prevents over-stimulation and helps your little one feel comforted by mimicking the comforts of the womb.

With these things in mind, here are some of the specifics on swaddling and what you should look for in an ideal swaddle.

Temperature-regulating fabric

Fabrics that retain too much heat will only be uncomfortable at best and dangerous for baby, at worst. A baby’s body isn’t yet set up to regulate their own temperature perfectly and their small size means that they can quickly become overheated. Look for a moisture wicking fabric—as you would find in some sportswear—that will keep baby warm and dry without overheating. 

Moisture wicking fabrics pull perspiration away from the skin and through the fabric so it can evaporate, rather than remaining on the skin. This is important because if not wicked away, during cooler winter nights, sweat that cools on the skin can cause baby’s body temperature to drop. And in the heat of summer, if sweat is simply trapped, baby can quickly overheat. A good fabric will keep baby comfortable all year around. Please remember it is also important to confer with your pediatrician to determine the ideal temperature for the room where your little one will be sleeping.   ​  

Flexible fabric

While some people worry that swaddling can interfere with proper hip development, among other joints, what you need to look for is a swaddle with fabric that has enough give to allow the hip joints to move freely without interfering with the comfort and safety benefits of the swaddle. 

Avoid swaddles that restrict hip movement, as they can result in your baby developing hip dysplasia. Your baby needs free range of motion in their hips and legs to keep their joint development on track. The swaddle needs to be tight at the torso, but not below. It can still be perfectly safe, if bands are used below baby’s feet.

Don’t forget to band

Banding the swaddle below the feet is absolutely necessary, even as your baby grows, to ensure a snug and secure fit. What you don’t want is the fabric rising during sleep, potentially covering your baby’s face and creating a suffocation risk. Banding the excess fabric below baby’s feet ensures this won’t happen.

BONUS! Banding the bottom of the swaddle makes midnight diaper changes a breeze! No need to unswaddle and disturb baby completely, with hands flailing: just take off the band and do a quick change, ninja st‌yle.

Swaddle sizing

A swaddle should fit so that your baby can have their shoulder above the top edge of the fabric when placed on the swaddle. This may seem a little counter-intuitive, as you might think that keeping the shoulder below the fabric line will keep baby more snuggly wrapped but this actually poses the risk of suffocation if the fabric ends up in your baby’s face. Keeping the swaddle below the shoulders also ensures that no constraint is put on the shoulder joints. 

Ideally, you’re looking for one with a flexible fit that will grow with your baby, though remember that once your baby is rolling over from back to stomach—typically around four to five months old—it’s time to consider using a transition swaddle (with one or both arms out) or stop swaddling altogether.

Keep it tight

Loose swaddles can actually pose a danger in that it could come undone with baby’s movement, the result being that the child gets tangled up in it. From the point of view of the Safe Sleep Guidelines, a loosened swaddle is basically a blanket and therefore a no-no in the crib. 

How tight is tight enough? You should still be able to slide your hand flat between your baby’s chest and the swaddle, but not more than that.

There is no doubt that swaddling is a perfect way to help your baby master sleeping comfortably and safely. Finding a swaddle that works for your baby is the key!

Hindi Zeidman is a former infant mental health clinician and the founder of Ollie Swaddle—The Smarter Swaddle that’s made better, feels better, and helps your baby sleep longer and better. The award-winning Ollie also help baby self-calm, reduces colic/fussiness, and prevents overheating through its special patented moisture wicking fabric.

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Flexcations Are the New Travel Trend, Data Shows

by Karly Wood

Covid-19 has required everyone to adjust to a “new normal,” especially when it comes to planning and executing vacation plans. New consumer research by Vrbo shows that a new trend is emerging: the Flexcation.

A Flexcation is when families book longer vacation stays at the end of August, September and October, getting better deals and often mixing work and pleasure. After months of stay-at-home orders, everyone is finding that a change of scenery is just what they need to regain a better life balance.

photo: Burst by Shopify

The research found that 50 percent of travelers surveyed by Vrbo believe flexible school schedules make it easier to vacation, with 48 percent of respondents being able to work from anywhere.

Vrbo president Jeff Hurst states that “This summer, we’ve seen countless families switch to road trips and rent private vacation homes instead of taking traditional vacations. What’s interesting is the shift in when people are traveling and how families are blending vacation time with working from home or remote learning.”

The survey also found that searches for one to four-week rentals increased over searches from last year, indicating that families are looking for longer vacations. At the same time, stays for rentals during the “shoulder season” (dates between Labor Day and the holidays) often result in cheaper prices and less crowding.

Lish Kennedy, vice president of brand marketing at Vrbo states that “More flexibility in our work and school schedules is allowing families to enjoy a welcome change in their surroundings and a relaxing break together.”

––Karly Wood

 

RELATED STORIES

The 47 Most Amazing Airbnbs for Families Across the Country

24 Incredible Train Car Stays You Need to Book Now

Camping Gear That Does Everything (Except Pitch the Tent)

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Kristen Bell Shared a Picture of Homeschooling Her Kids & We Can Totally Relate

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Parents everywhere are finding themselves in a new role as their child’s teacher. One of these parents is Kristen Bell who is homeschooling her two daughters with husband, Dax Shepard. Bell posted a totally relatable picture of what distance learning looks like. 

View this post on Instagram

Homeschool's going okay.

A post shared by kristen bell (@kristenanniebell) on

“Homeschool’s going okay,” Bell captioned the post.

In the picture Bell is seated at a table with a laptop, schoolwork and various snacks spread out in front of her.  One daughter is sitting next to her while the other is climbing on her shoulder. To top it off, her dog is sitting in her lap.

Many parents connected with the posts and commented that they were having the same experience at their homes.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Pixabay via Pexels

RELATED STORIES

Visit These Famous Museums From Your Couch

Stuck at Home? The Story Pirates Have Ideas to Keep Your Kids Entertained

Sing These Songs While Washing Your Hands

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

This New JuJuBe Collab Is Pure Whimsy

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Every parent dreams of the ultimate diaper bag: one that has enough space to cram all the extras in and still looks stylish too. JuJuBe’s newest collaboration with tokidoki does just that. The Fantasy Paradise collection features all the functional compartments of a baby bag paired with adorable characters both you and your little ones will love.

tokidoki x JuJuBe

This new collection from JuJuBe incorporates all your favorite tokidoki characters. A special two-toned teal interior makes it easy to find what’s inside each bag. A durable metal character-shaped zipper pull has the likeness of the adorable octopus-pirate, Piratako!

The new tokidoki x JuJuBe collection, includes over 20 pieces including two new bags for adults who don’t need diaper changing pads or insulated bottle pockets. While JuJuBe mainstays such as the Hobo Be and Be Right Back are a part of the Fantasy Paradise collection, two new bags, the All That tote and the Hipster are joining the popular line. 

All That Tote

tokidoki x JuJuBe

This new lightweight and durable design is perfect for storing shoes at the gym, doubling as a wet bag, or functioning as compartmentalized reusable shopping bag for groceries. 

Hipster

tokidoki x JuJuBe

This mid-sized fanny pack is perfect for those times you need to carry more than will fit in your pockets, but don’t want to lug a shoulder bag. It features a hidden pocket, two side zip pockets, and a large front pocket with credit card slots. An adjustable strap allows you to wear it around your waist or cross-body style.

The new collection launches at select retail locations on January 29 and online on January 30 at 4 pm PST. The collection includes pieces ranging from $15 up to $175.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of JuJuBe

RELATED STORIES

These New Magical Harry Potter Bags Should Be on Your List, STAT

Stylish New Diaper Bags for Every Kind of Parent

The Best Baby & Toddler Feeding Tools of 2020

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

5 Genius Parenting Hacks That Will Change Your Life

By Eileen Manes

There are numerous behavior systems and methods of parenting out there—just take a peek at Pinterest under “Parenting.” While these long-term systems and techniques generally provide some manner of relief in the long-run, sometimes you just need an in-the-trenches, how-the-heck-do-I-handle-this-right-now solution. Here are five tried-and-true methods for stopping that behavior in its tracks.

1. The Whisper. Tired of yelling, especially when nobody is listening?

How it works: Instead of yelling your next instruction or correction, try whispering it. You’ll have to get in their space and on their level to make this one work—which is part of the reason why it works so well. That momentary connection is sometimes all it takes.

Remind them that if they want to say something back, they’re in a whisper-only zone. Before you know it, those grumps will change right into giggles.

2. The Secret Code. The no-nag, embarrassment-proof method to calm.

How it works: When everyone is in a good mood, have a discussion about a secret word that you can say when a behavior needs to be changed. This way, instead of nagging, all you have to do is say the secret code word when behavior is starting to go astray.

This works especially well for kids who don’t do well with being called out in front of peers (#everyone), anxious kiddos, and for behaviors that aren’t necessarily on purpose (maybe you notice someone has hurt feelings, but nobody else has noticed). It also teaches kids self-reflection, as they are the ones who have to identify the behavior that needs stopping.

3. The Show Them Where You Need Them. This works best for visual learners.

How it works: Kids are in loud, hyped-up scenarios all.the.time. Telling a kid they are being loud doesn’t necessarily mean anything to them. Try showing them with your hands. Raising your hands above your head, say “you are up here,” then lower your hands to shoulder, chest or hip level and say “and I need you down here.” This is a visual reminder of exactly how loud they are being, and how much quieter you need them.

Full disclosure: I stole this one from our foster care case manager/trainer. Thanks, Aaron!

4. The Interrogation. So many needs, so little time.

How it works: Remember that last time you were hangry in a work meeting, and every idea seemed awful, or every comment seemed critical? That happens to kids on the regular. The next time they are acting up, try asking a series of rapid-fire questions.

“Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Are you tired? Do you need something?”

Usually they get annoyed and say no to everything…until they stop themselves and say “yes! I AM hungry.” Talk about that poor behavior over a snack, once everyone is feeling a little less monstrous.

5. The Countdown. This isn’t your Grandma’s counting to three.

How it works: Start at twenty and count down toward zero. If they get to zero, they get a consequence.

Counting is a cue that an unwanted behavior needs to stop. But it puts kids in control in a small, simple way. They decide when to stop. It’s a tiny risk-reward scenario (i.e. Can I stop before mom gets to zero? What if I don’t?) that happens each and every time you count. Even more importantly, it gives the counter something to focus on other than the behavior. Remember that technique of counting to ten when you’re mad? It’s built-in!

Note: if hours have passed since the last countdown, go ahead and start back at twenty. But if it is a series of events in rapid succession, pick up right where you left off, whether 13, 9 or 2. They have less than twenty seconds, but it signals to them that the behavior is continuing, and they aren’t doing a good job addressing it.

Eileen Manes is a writer for kids, a five-going-on-fifteen-year-old wrangler, a reader, a Lego aficionado and a fuzzy puppy lover. If she's not reading, writing or revising, you'll find her procrastinating by redesigning her blog (or living room), hiking or Zumba-ing. But definitely not doing laundry. 

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement