ML Interest Tag: washer

Laundry Has Never Been Safer—or Simpler—Thanks to Dropps

by Jennifer Massoni Pardini
Partner Content

In this parenting age, plastic is still everywhere, from the single-use water bottle to the toys that light up little worlds. But we don’t want plastic in the spin cycle or polluting our waterways. Thanks to Dropps and their eco-friendly, plant-based ingredients, you can trust you’re washing your family’s clothes in the most sustainable, safe and effective way possible. Plus, their laundry detergent is delivered to your door in plastic free compostable packaging no less! Read on to discover what makes “every Dropps count.”

Fun fact: traditional liquid laundry detergents are usually packaged in high density polyethylene. 68% of these bottles are not recycled and contribute to the approximately 660 billion tons of plastic waste that goes into our oceans and waterways annually. By choosing Dropps, you’re taking one big step to stop polluting our earth and living a more sustainable lifestyle, in a way that makes sense for your life as a busy parent.

Special discount for Red Tricycle families until 6/30/19: Save 30% on your first order. Valid at dropps.com with Code: REDTRICYCLE. Save even more when you subscribe and save!

Inside Every Dropps
Really, we should start with what you won’t find inside these pods: from artificial dyes and chemical fragrances to chlorine and phosphates, Dropps excludes everything you don’t want for your family. What will you find? Plant-derived and hypoallergenic ingredients that are both biodegradable and safe for delicate skin and clothing. You can read the short, complete list of what’s in Dropps’ sensitive skin unscented laundry detergent right here (and it’s never tested on animals). No wonder Dropps was awarded the EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award.

Cleaning Every Dropps
Just because Dropps is sustainable and eco-responsible, doesn’t mean it’s any less strong than other cleaning products on the market. From grass stained knees to crayon-covered sleeves, Dropps is powerful and effective for kid-induced messes. They even offer pods for sensitive skin, stains and odors, babies, and mini pods for small loads, handwashing and travel.

Outside Every Dropps
A decade ago, Dropps was the first laundry detergent company to introduce a liquid unit-dose pod to the market. With that sustainable innovation in mind, they are now the first to develop a recyclable, compostable package, making Dropps a zero-waste cleaning choice. The cardboard box that arrives on your doorstep contains exactly what need rather than more packaging that you don’t. Choosing Dropps for your family is one more way you can eliminate single-use plastic and spare our oceans and sea life. As for the pod itself, its membrane is biodegradable and water soluble (breaking down completely in about a month), meaning you won’t contaminate waterways on a micro-level either.

Savings with Every Dropps
When it comes to your laundry detergent, don’t overpour and overpay. Dropps passes on artificial colors and icky chemicals, and passes the savings to you. They offer powerful, perfectly dosed laundry and dishwasher detergent pods at just ½ the cost compared to leading brands. Whatever you need, Dropps has a product and plan that comes right to your door. Subscribe and save 20% on every order, or buy on the fly—it’s your choice.

Dropps are compatible with all washing machines, so go ahead and give them a spin. One pod per load dropped directly into your washer drum gets the job done. Visit dropps.com to meet the full Dropps product line including laundry detergents, fabric softeners, oxi booster pods and dishwasher detergent pods.

It all adds up to a safe and convenient way to make laundry one more sustainable practice in your day.

Special discount for Red Tricycle families until 6/30/19: Save 30% on your first order. Valid at dropps.com with Code: REDTRICYCLE. Save 20% more when you subscribe and save!

— Jennifer Massoni Pardini

all photos courtesy of Dropps

Legal Disclaimer: Limit one redemption per customer. US and Canada only.

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30 Things Only Siblings Will Understand

by Beth Shea

They can go from being your best friend to your worst enemy and back again in a matter of moments. Brothers and sisters love you like no one else, and they also know exactly which buttons to push. Siblings teach invaluable lessons of camaraderie, survival, rivalry and humor as you journey through life’s ups and downs side by side. Read on for 30 things only siblings will understand and then give yours a call to share a laugh about childhood memories.

Patrick via Flickr

1. Knowing what it's like to be the oldest child, middle child or baby of the family.

Yes, birth order really does shape your personality to an extent. Just ask Jan Brady.

2. You suffered through eating what your mom or dad made for dinner, even if you hated it.

Back in those days you ate what was served and smiled the whole time, all the way to the clean plate club. But you haven't touched a pork chop since you left home.

3. You never missed a golden opportunity to learn from your older sibling's mistakes.

You eavesdropped on your bro or sis experiencing your parents' wrath so you knew exactly what NOT to do in the future.

4. Being known as the “little brother” or “little sister.”

Apparently, outside the home, your older sibling is a legend and you’re just the runner-up.

5. Where exactly the root of all your phobias stem from.

No one else can sympathize with your fear of spiders more than your siblings, who were there for every spider sighting and subsequent scream along the way.

6. You know what it’s like to have to live up to your sister/brother’s star status as a student when you got the same teacher.

Or … you had to prove that you were their total opposite.

Joshua Miller via Flickr

7. The insanity of sharing a bathroom to get ready for school in the mornings.

Who used all the hot water in the shower … again?

8. The magic that was trick or treating together and trading and sorting your candy loot.

You wordlessly exchanged all your Tootsie Rolls for all of your sister’s Twix.

9. Only your bro or sis can decode your drawings in Pictionary and win via telepathy.

You have the shared mindset that a drawing of two squares = a washer and dryer set.

10. Your parents always asked if you starved in your last life…

… because siblings have to fight for the lion’s share of the yummy foods in the house.

11. You made pinky promises swearing "don't tell mom or dad!" All. Day. Long.

Then you sealed said promises with healthy doses of blackmail.

Kate Loweth

12. Road trips were constant chaos in the land of the back seat.

But your siblings also doubled as human pillows and kept you entertained with a neverending rotation of fighting, laughing, game playing and napping.

13. The importance of being the first one to yell “front seat” or “shotgun” to sit in the car’s passenger seat.

This outcome changed the entire course of any car trip.

14. Siblings have inside jokes and references no one in the world would ever understand.

Don’t get us started.

15. Having a built-in playdate is worth its weight in gold.

Friends busy? You’ve got a friend in your bro or sis.

LorileeAllanna via pixabay

16. How to make up really quickly and play nice if you’re fighting and your mom or dad walks in the room.

You could go from punching each other to best friends in less than one second.

17. Or … how to pull off an Oscar-winning performance of impromptu tears to get your sibling in trouble.

We all know who the award goes to …

18. Being called by the wrong name by the people who gave you life.

On a daily basis, your mom or dad called you by the first syllable or two of your sibling’s names or by the wrong name entirely: “Kel-Mar-Karrie!”

19. Always having a fall guy and someone else to blame when your parents get mad … just say “that was Sara!”

“NOT ME! It wasn’t me! Sara did that.”

amyelizabethquinn via Pixabay

20. The power trip that goes hand in hand with being left “in charge” of your other siblings.

Getting to be in charge while babysitting either made you an insane ruler or you and your siblings bonded under the pressure of surviving without parental supervision.

21. You know the gift of unspoken communication.

A mere look or gesture from one of you to the either is rife with secret codes and special understanding.

22. You know your sibling’s fears, and you’re not afraid to use them against them.

Like waiting until right before bedtime to remind them of that scene from the scary movie you both watched.

23. Cringeworthy memories only you share.

Like that time you accidentally slammed dad’s hand shut in the sliding door of the minivan.

24. You’ll always have someone to commiserate with about how crazy your parents are.

You can imitate the look your mom makes when she’s mad and all your dad’s catchphrases.

Bruno Nascimento via Unsplash

25. Make-believe outdoor games only your siblings know the rules to.

No one else would ever be able to make sense of the silly antics you kids got up to in the yard.

26. Sharing clothes meant double the wardrobe or dreading the hand-me-downs.

You either couldn’t wait for your big sis to outgrow her designer duds or you hoped they wouldn’t fit you once she did.

27. You always had a bed to jump into if you were scared during an overnight thunderstorm.

But no one spoke of this the next morning. You weren't scared... you thought they might be.

Greyerbaby via Pixabay

28. What it’s like to wear matching outfits for holiday photos.

You had to smile countless times to capture the perfect snapshot, all while donning the exact same or coordinating clothing as every one of your siblings. It was a rite of passage.

29. You always had someone in your corner to stick up for you.

Even if you were at each other’s throats at home, once out in the world, you had each other’s backs through thick and thin.

30. What it’s like to be accepted, understood and loved unconditionally by someone who knows you better than anyone else in the world.

Priceless.

––Beth Shea

RELATED STORIES:

Share This! 15 Stories About Siblings That’ll Warm Your Heart

Ten Awesome Books For New Big Brothers and Sisters

Sibling Revelry: 6 Toys They Won’t Mind 

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I’m a Mom with Attention Deficit Disorder & Every Day Is an Adventure

By Suzanne Sanchez

When I was a kid, I was a daydreamer, but no one knew it. I sat in the classroom quietly and obediently. My teachers always said nice things about me. No one ever guessed I could have an Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD). I was too well-behaved and I got good grades.

Many years later as an adult, I thought to myself, “I bet I have ADD.” I always misplaced my keys, my phone, my purse. I left drawers and cupboards open all the time. I started one project, only to start another and another, until I had multiple unfinished projects everywhere. I never fully paid attention in any lecture, training or workshop. I would zone out during every staff meeting.

I assumed I had ADD but never followed up. I had got through life just fine­­. That is, until one day…

My journey as a mom with ADD began at work. My daughter was four and my son was two. I worked at a full-time, salary job. I was under the pressure of having to remember so many important things, not-so-important things, interesting things and not-so-interesting things. It’s those boring, not-so-interesting things which are my constant downfall!

I was great at my job, but I regularly forgot to do one really boring task which only took about 10 minutes daily. I tried calendar reminders, Post-It notes and more. They helped for a little bit, but nothing stuck long-term. One day, my supervisor told me, “I don’t want to have to write you up over this.” That was the moment I committed to getting an evaluation for ADD.

My life improved once I got an official ADD diagnosis. Prior to the diagnosis, I had lots of mom guilt and stress. A professional diagnosis is what helped me finally give myself permission to explore how ADD impacts me. Suddenly, it made sense why things felt so hard! Motherhood changed. I now had realistic expectations for myself. I practiced self-compassion. I created effective systems to reduce the chaos in my life. I was empowered!

I finally accepted there are some things most moms are really good at, but I’m just not. For example, because I have ADD:

  • I’m horrible at keeping up with laundry and other house chores, (there’s clothes sitting in the washer right now from yesterday that I forgot to put in the dryer, whoops!). Even though I can create these great systems of organization, my follow-through stinks!
  • I get distracted very easily and so I don’t do well at keeping my kids on a schedule or routine. “Alexa help me! Set a reminder at 8 p.m. for bedtime.”
  • I am so impatient. Kids are supposed to take a long time to do things, but I can’t handle the boredom of playing games, teaching them something new or even just being cool through a tantrum. “We’re going to do something else now. Mommy can’t handle this.”
  • I forget things, really often. “Uhhh, we have to go back. I forgot the diaper bag.” or “Oh no, I forgot to send you to school with your snack/book/homework.” Also: “Where’s your jacket? What do you mean you gave it to me? Oh right, you did, where did I put it?”

Before I accepted ADD as a real issue, I felt guilty that I didn’t keep up with household chores, for being impatient, for forgetting things, for not being able to stick to structures I knew would be good for my kids. And at times, there’s still a little guilt when I mess up, but I’m confident I’m doing my best and am always improving.

I see all the ways being a mom with ADD benefits my kids. Like, I always have mental energy for fun. We are always going places, trying new things and having adventures.

People with ADD have the ability to hyperfocus on interests and because I love creative endeavors, when I plan something, everyone is guaranteed a good time. Family biking trip? I’ll map out a great route with all of the places we should stop for sightseeing and lunch. Trip to Disneyland? We will hit up everything each person wants to do/see in two days, no Hopover ticket necessary. Movie night at home? Let’s make Reeses Pieces milkshakes for ET. Themed birthday party? Absolutely, I can’t wait to make a piñata to fit the theme.

But even though I am great at planning things out, I’m also good with flexibility. With my ADD, I’m used to things not going right and I’m resilient as a result. I’m an out-of-the-box thinker and I hardly worry about things. I take shortcuts for everything (mainly because lots of things are boring).

If there’s an established way to do something, I will find a more efficient or less time-consuming way of doing it. Like potty training for my kids didn’t really involve any training. Every now and then I just asked, “Do you want to use the potty?” and both of my kids eventually wanted to and then they did it. Also, when my kids needed to learn my phone number, we just plugged in numbers to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song and that worked great.

Further, my ADD brain remembers lots of random details. Sure, I can’t tell you where I put that check I need to cash, but I remember how you like your burgers cooked and your topping preferences, where you’re from and whatever else you might have done or told me when we were hanging out. I also remember those details for my kids and this helps me predict what they need and what’s going to bring them joy. I know they feel loved.

Even though I have shortcomings others won’t understand and may even judge me for, I’m okay with it. In fact, I am happy I have ADD. There are so many positive things about my ADD which make me unique and I view these as my natural strengths. My journey as a mom with ADD is a great adventure for which I’m so grateful.

I'm a mom and a therapist with a private practice where I specialize in issues of anxiety, mom stress, teens and eating disorders. At home, I'm a big fan of living room dance parties, family adventures and bike rides to the taco truck. 

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4 Things Every Parent Should Do Before Hitting the Road with Kids

By Zara Lewis

When a family decides to gas up the tank and head out on an adventure, you know that some serious planning and preparation is going to take place. After all, it’s one thing to leave the kids with the grandparents and take your significant other on a chill vacation somewhere far away, but taking your kids is a completely different challenge few parents manage to handle successfully.

No matter how stressful and resource-consuming it may be, though, traveling with kids is extremely important for the entire family, as it allows you to bond but also instill a sense of wonder and intellectual curiosity in your young ones. With that in mind, here are the four things you need to consider in order to organize the best family road trip you ever had.

Assess the condition of your car.

First things first, determining the roadworthiness of your vehicle should be the first thing on your to-do list. You can’t embark on your grand adventure if you’re not sure if your car will be able to handle a lengthy cross-country ride. After all, just imagine getting stranded in the middle of nowhere with a couple of fidgety kids growing increasingly restless in the back seat.

This is not a scenario you want to be in. To prevent this, make sure you:

  • Check the tires. Assess the tire pressure and change your tires according to the season. Rotate if needed.
  • Check the braking system. Brakes, they are important, make sure they cannot give out.
  • Pop the hood and assess the state of the engine. This will require a professional approach, so have a mechanic help you out.
  • Check the fluids. These are oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, air conditioning coolant and washer fluid.
  • Inspect the battery. Make sure it’s charged.
  • Scrutinize every part of the windshield. Don’t tackle the road if it has chips, cracks or worse, holes.

Ask yourself: do you have enough space?

Comfort is another crucial factor that will determine the success of a family road trip. Remember, you’ll have kids in the back, and kids tend to respond badly to cramped quarters. Not only that, but you can bet that your kids are going to start nagging you at some point if they are not comfortable and warm. You can prevent this by determining the level of comfort your car can offer on extended road trips.

If the score is “not so much”, consider using a different vehicle. Renting a capacious vehicle through kid-friendly companies is a sound way of ensuring a comfortable journey, so consider affordable options such as Avis car rental and the likes in order to find reliable vehicles without busting the bank. As a general rule of thumb, any SUV class would work better than a hatchback or a sedan, as SUVs provide plenty of flexibility when it comes to seating and storage.

Make a family-oriented itinerary.

The places you and your better half want to visit might not rank high on your kids’ list of favorite road trip destinations, so there is a need to include your kids in the planning phase and make a compromise. In fact, better make the majority of the locations kid-friendly if you want to have a peaceful road trip.

Before you start marking the points of interest on the map, decide on the region or state(s) you’re going to visit. Kids are not that great at putting distances into perspective, so it will be up to you to limit their choices to the things you can manage in a specified timeframe. Research the area and give them a choice of destinations ranging from national parks, exciting towns and cities, and specific destinations such as theme parks.

Pacify the kids with engaging content.

One of the most important parts of the planning phase is figuring out how to keep the kids calm and satisfied during those long hours on the road. This is another area where modern cars such as SUVs come in handy, as they usually come with at least one TV screen that will allow you to play movies and videos in general.

Be sure to give your kids plenty of choices. Stock the USB drive with their favorite cartoons and shows and plenty of road trip music. Give them a chance to keep their hands busy as well, so don’t forget their coloring books and toys. When they finally get sleepy, you want to have their favorite blankets and pillows at the ready!

There is no denying that traveling with kids is not inherently easy, but the good thing is that you can make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible if you know how to prep your car organize your itinerary, and keep your kids busy. Consider these essential challenges, and use the tried-and-tested solutions to organize yourself a road trip of a lifetime.

Zara is a regular contributor at The Wellness Insider, a traveler and a mother of two. Originally from Chicago, she found her place in the sun in Perth, Australia. She is passionate about spreading the word about fantastic places to visit and creating a better world for the generations to come.

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10 Insider Tips to Booking a VRBO Family Vacation Rental House Like a Pro

By Amy Ragsdale

Staying in a hotel can be great, especially for short stays. But for longer trips, I look for an apartment or house to rent. Having a kitchen saves us money by not eating out constantly, and if you are traveling with kids, it means you don’t have to tiptoe around a hotel room after they go to bed. Even better, many properties have washer/dryers which means half as much packing to do.

VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) is my go-to website for vacation rental properties, and I have always had success finding my family’s vacation lodging here. All of my transactions have gone smoothly, and the properties have typically exceeded my expectations. Finding the right property takes quite a bit of time, but it’s worth the effort. Here are some tips when searching VRBO for that perfect vacation rental.

1. Know your general itinerary first.

Before you can answer where you want to stay, you need to know what you want to do on your vacation. If most of your activities revolve around shopping and eating downtown, look at downtown properties that are within walking distance. Conversely, if you plan to hike or visit multiple attractions, choose an area that minimizes your drive time. As they say in real estate, “location, location, location” applies here, too.

2. Enter the actual dates you plan to stay.

When searching for a property, enter the actual dates of your visit. If you don’t enter dates for your location search, your results will usually list the “average price per night” and its availability will be unknown. Without dates, you’ll see the average of the rates charged during the low season and the high season. This price can be misleading if you are planning to visit during the high season when you can most certainly count on a higher price than the listed “average.”

3. Use the “Search When I Move Map” option.

Once you’ve determined what you want to do, you’re now ready to find where you want to stay. The “Search When I Move Map” option allows you to precisely pinpoint the properties that are available in the area you’d like to stay. Tip: Zoom in to see exact street names. You can then enter a general address on Google Maps to see what surrounds the property and map the distance to other attractions.

4. Look closely at the photos.

You’d be surprised how much you can learn about a property by looking at its photos. Does the furniture look worn? What is the view out the window? Is the bathroom remodeled? Is the property decorated nicely or is it cluttered? You’ll get a good general sense of the property layout, cleanliness and st‌yle just by looking at the photos. Also, experienced owners will have multiple photos of the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and living areas, whereas owners new to VRBO don’t always include this detail. Go with the experienced owner. Additionally, if the photos are blurry or poor quality, keep looking.

5. Read the reviews.

You can learn a lot from the people who have stayed at the property before you. First, the star rating is important. Look for properties with at least 4/5 stars with dozens of reviews. You want lots of reviews because that means the owners have been doing this awhile and have the kinks worked out.

In addition, the reviews can often be a goldmine of information. You can learn about a great restaurant in the neighborhood or an activity that’s close by and shouldn’t be missed. You can also find out whether the sleeper sofa is actually comfortable, the level of street noise, and other property quirks.

Seriously, the reviews are usually the best source of information on the property. Read several of them. I also like to single out the worst reviews and make a point to read them as well. Keep in mind that sometimes there is just no pleasing people and terrible reviews will be written regarding events completely out of the control of the owners. However, if something did go disastrously wrong, I like to read how the owners handled it.

6. Realize many properties are not listed by the actual owner.

In fact, you’ll often be dealing with a property manager rather than the owner. Although VRBO stands for “Vacation Rental By Owner,” it’s increasingly common for property management firms to list their properties on VRBO. The downside is that those properties are often more expensive than private owner listings. The upside is that you have a rental property management firm available if anything goes wrong, such as a broken air conditioner or leaking sink.

7. Count on additional fees.

Although the price per night might look like a steal, keep in mind that you still need to pay cleaning fees, taxes, and a service fee. These additional fees can easily add up to the equivalent of an additional night’s rent.  Tip: VRBO charges a service fee for booking through their site. I have often paid a check to the owner to avoid it, especially with properties I am returning to for a second time.

8. Check to see if the property is listed on other vacation rental sites.

Once you’ve found the property you like, check to see if it’s listed on airbnb or booking.com. I’ve sometimes found the same property to be less expensive on other sites. If your property is listed by a property management company, check their website too.

9. Want to travel with your pet?

You can search properties with a filter “pets allowed” to see which allow pets. Expect to pay an additional fee. I’ve found that for the most part, these properties can be just as nice as those that don’t allow pets. Look for hardwood floors and read reviews regarding cleanliness to increase your chance of a suitable property. Tip: I’ve sometimes had success asking a “no pets allowed” property if they would consider allowing a pet. It doesn’t hurt to ask, especially if you have a well-behaved dog with an excellent track record at home. Be willing to put down a sizable deposit.

10. Look at the cancellation policy.

Cancellation policies varies by property. Be aware of the cancellation timeline and any fees you would incur if you need to cancel it. A strict cancellation policy versus a more flexible one is sometimes the deciding factor for me when choosing between two properties.

Following these tips can save you lots of frustation using VRBO and improve your chances of finding that perfect house for your family vacation.

Featured Photo Courtesy: nhattienle94/Pixabay

A researcher at heart, I love planning trips: Scouring guidebooks, websites and vacation rental listings is actually fun for me! For my family, a fantastic vacation gravitates toward scenic beauty and local food. I'm the creator of Simply Awesome Trips, a website providing family-friendly trip itineraries to cities and outdoor destinations.

 

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10 Encouraging Things Every Mom Needs to Hear

by Amber Guetebier

Confession: mom life isn’t all snuggles and glamour-trips to the grocery store (as if!). Sometimes, we struggle. We question our choices, we make mistakes and we occasionally cry in the shower. But you know what gets us back up again? Well, our kids (looking for a snack) but also the community of moms that surround us. From our own mamas to our best-mom friends to our best friend’s mom, sometimes a few words of encouragement is all it takes. We asked our Red Tricycle staff of mamas what verbal high-fives they’ve had lately, and what they want other moms to know. Read on for their heartwarming answers.

photo: CarinaChen via pixabay

1. You are raising good people.

When people compliment my children by saying things like, “Rain is such a good person,” or “Jude is so compassionate,” it means the world to me. Knowing that my kids are becoming good human beings tells me I am on the right track as their mother…and that maybe I’m a pretty ok human too.

—Annette Benedetti, Portland City Editor

2.You were a good kid (and you are a good parent now).

Lately, my mom has been saying this to me often: “Thanks for being such a great kid growing up.” I’m 30-something now, but when she says that I melt. It makes me think of things that I did as a kid that may have made her feel so reflective and proud. It’s something so simple, yet pretty profound; I’ll be telling my own kids the same thing when they grow up.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady, D.C. City Editor

photo: skeeze via pixabay

3. Your child is a delight.

As a single parent, I don’t get much validation from other people, so when it happens it really means a lot to me. Charlie did a great job sitting through a two-hour Passover seder last month and a total stranger was seated next to her. After the meal, the woman said, “Your daughter is delightful. You’re doing a wonderful job with her.”

—Sara Olsher, Marketing Director

4. You are actually totally cool.

Just a couple of days ago, my daughter was telling me a story from a book she’s reading, where the dad says to his daughter, “I’m secretly cool.” And Molly asked me why he said that. I said all parents know our kids roll their eyes at us and think we’re a little lame, but we all think we’re secretly cool. And Molly said, “Mommy, I don’t think you’re secretly cool. I think you’re really cool!” And that made my insecure little mom heart grow three sizes, with happiness and relief that my pre-tweens don’t totally reject me. Yet.

—Meghan Rose, L.A. Editor

photo: Andretti via pixabay

5. You are loved. Truly.

My boys are getting older, 10 & 8, and I often feel like I’m just the lunch maker, carpool driver, clothes washer and homework nagger. However, Blake, my 8-year-old, tells me at least once a day, “I love you Mom.” He never says it when I’m doing something for him… it’s usually when I’m sitting at my computer working or watching TV. And EVERY time, those four little words melt my heart and make all of my mom insecurities go away. I know it’s sounds small, but to me it means the world!

—Kristina Moy, Seattle Editor

6. You are not alone.

I always feel so much better when a friend says to me “mine do it too” after I’ve bemoaned a tantrum or an exhausting day of dealing with kids who don’t ever seem to listen. Knowing that my kids aren’t the only ones who get tired or frustrated and act out gives me the confidence to listen, learn and keep trying to figure out this whole parenting act.

—Gabby Cullen, National Editor

photo: TawnyNina via pixabay

7. You’ve given up a lot, and it’s worth it.

I was on the phone the other day with my mother-in-law when she said to me, totally unprompted, that I was really doing a great job as a mom. She told me that she recognized that I’d given up a lot for my family (last year we moved 1500 miles away from all of my friends and family). To be honest, those were words I’d been telling myself (this is great move for your kid!) but it didn’t change the fact that I sometimes felt isolated, lonely and homesick. It wasn’t just that she told me I was a good mom, it was that she acknowledged this emotional sacrifice and it made me feel so much better just knowing that she knew what I was going through. It really brought tears to my eyes.

—Amber Guetebier, Daily Editor

8. You have your whole life to work but your kids are only young for so long. 

My mom always tells me that my children are my greatest investment in life and that my being there for them is the most important work I’ll ever do. It gives me perspective because sometimes it’s super hard to work from home and be a SAHM, but I know there’s nothing else that matters more to me than my relationship with my kids. I also recently heard “you have your whole life to work, but your kids are only young for so long” and it reminds me to really cherish this time with them because it’s so fleeting.

—Beth Shea, Red Tricycle San Diego Editor

photo: Fairyland, Oakland

9. Being different from your kids is okay. 

.

daughter, Sophie, is very extroverted and talkative! As an introvert parent and someone is not overly talkative, I struggle with how much I should tell her to keep quiet or not talk so much to other people (especially those she doesn’t know). This past weekend, we were at a neighborhood event and an acquaintance (who is also an introvert) said to me,”Your daughter is so great and funny. I could listen to her all day.” Hearing that made me feel like both Sophie and I are probably doing just fine with our respective personalities!

—Leah Singer, Spoke Contributor

10. Kids are supposed to act like kids (so don’t be embarrassed or stressed when they do). 

I just spent a morning with a seasoned mom of now young adults, and a former teacher. She told me that it’s important to remember that most of the time, our kids are acting like kids are supposed to act, and we shouldn’t be surprised or stressed or embarrassed if they don’t act like a mature adult all of the time. She also told me that she could tell the kids who loved to read and who’d been read to as a child, and that reading to our kids is the best thing we can do as a parent for their school preparation.

—Shelley Massey, Atlanta Editor

What is something that someone—another parent, your own parent or in-laws, your kids or your partner, or even a total stranger—has said to you to make you feel like you are on the right path? Share it with us in a comment below.

 

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Bedding for Lazy Kids

by Kelly Aiglon

Shake out the wrinkles. Tuck in the corners. Fold the sheets just so. Nobody said making your bed was supposed to be fast or fun — until now. If you’re used to hearing a groan after asking your kiddo to get his nest together in the morning, get ready for a game changer. Zipit Bedding is here and it’s an all-in-one system that lets you make your entire bed with one quick zip.

A Zipper Does The Trick
Zipit Bedding works like a sleeping bag — it’s zippered around the edges and can be closed up on all sides but the top. The real secret, though, is that its base serves as the bedsheet and actually wraps around the corners of the mattress, keeping the whole kit and caboodle in place. It comes in styles for boys and girls and is recommended for kids age 4-13 (although we’re sure some parents will want it for themselves, too). Everything can be popped into the washer and dryer as one piece. Pillowcases, which come with the bedding, have zippers too.

It’s no surprise that Zipit was invented by a mom, Jennifer Macdonald, who was tired of the daily struggle of getting her kids to make their beds. She quickly realized that by combining the fun and simplicity of a sleeping bag, with the style of modern kids’ bedding, that she would be able to solve her problem. Jennifer teamed up with her inventor-at-heart sister, Hayley Carr, to develop the product.

Pick Your Pattern
There are six styles to choose from: sports, outer space, wild animals, rocker princess, forest creatures and “sweet stuff” (think poodles, frogs and hearts). The top side glows in the dark, but the whole unit can be reversed to show off another bold graphic, ranging from stripes to chevrons. One side has a zippered pocket so kiddo can store precious cargo like a retainer, diary, flashlight or tooth fairy pillow.

Zipit Bedding fits twin beds, full beds, bunk beds, trundle beds, air mattresses and Murphy beds. Twin-sized bedding is $49.99; full-sized bedding is $59.99, plus shipping and handling. You can grabs yours online at zipitbedding.com.

What do you think of this new, no-fuss bedding? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

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Off the Handlebars: The Ultimate Staycation

by allison ellis

Sorry we missed you. We are currently not checking email, Twitter, or your Facebook status updates detailing your $1,500 a night “glamping vacation.” We are enjoying our very own 3-day “ultimate staycation,” replete with onsite spa services, a fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, children’s library, chef, butler and wi-fi, just steps from a beach, pool, waterfall, hiking trails and an 18-hole golf course.

We haven’t left the house.

Day 1
Oooh wee! That was a long trip from the back door down the porch steps to the start of our staycation, which begins on our moss-covered aggregate patio. My back hurts. Wah. Time for a massage. I’m opting for the hot stone treatment. The spa menu says that the stones will warm naturally from the Northwest’s own thermal temperature.

Wait. Why aren’t the rocks heating up?

Ah, well. We’re going for it anyway.

Okay, probably not the best massage in the world, but definitely not the worst.

Our accommodations include “indoor tent camping” which I think is a lot better than “outdoor tent camping.” No bugs, no drunken neighbors at nearby campsites, and a real live working toilet and sink ten feet away. Now that’s what I call luxury!

Day 2
We woke up today feeling refreshed, full of energy and ready for adventure. The kids bounded out of the house and explored our onsite organic container garden. And do you know what they found? A TOMATO! In the Northwest! In August! Amazing. We feel blessed by the bounty of this harvest.

The sun came out for a few minutes so we decided to head to the beach.

Next up: extreme sports!

You’d think we’d be wiped out from all of today’s activity, but my son really wants to hike up to the waterfall. Whew! Another incredible adventure. We plugged it in and because there are so many mosquitoes and leaves clogging the thing, we barely got a trickle, but you know what? This is nature to the fullest and we’re soaking up every minute. What a day.

Day 3
It’s rise and shine as everyone’s up for a full day of golf! The brochure didn’t explain that we would need to dig those 18 holes ourselves but that’s okay. Not leaving our staycation-bound compound is shorthand for “some of us could use some exercise.”

Luckily, just as the last of the 18 holes were being dug (and before the man of the house arrived home to see what we’ve been up to) we got in a nice round with friends.

And that concludes our vacation.

So we gotta ask readers — what is your idea of the ultimate staycation? Hot stone massage? Extreme sports? Let us know in the comment section below how awesome your staycations have been this summer. 

— Allison Ellis (she even took the photos. After all, a staycation wouldn’t be complete without some sweet memories, right?)

Editor’s note: This tongue-in-cheek opinion piece is the second in a series of humor essays in a new parenting column for Red Tricycle called “Off The Handlebars.” Love it? Hate it? Let us know what you think.

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Jessica Alba Debuts The Honest Company

by Erin Lem

When she’s not kicking butt in flicks like Sin City and Fantastic Four, Jessica Alba is a full-time mom just like us. While the actress may have the bod (and an income) we would all kill for, when it comes down to being a mom to four-year old Honor and newborn Haven, she is dealing with the same parenting issues as us — mainly, what are the best and healthiest kids products out there?

After a fruitless search that rendered mediocre results, Alba and business partner Christopher Gavigan decided to take matters into their own hands and create The Honest Company to provide parents with family essentials that are eco-friendly, safe, beautiful, convenient and affordable. As parents, we all know that those are quite lofty goals to aim for, but it seems that Alba and Gavigan nailed it.

Products range from family essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, and dish washer. While these family essentials are great, what really sets The Honest Company apart from the rest is their diaper bundle, which the website touts as premium, plant-based, ultra-absorbant and yes, downright cute diapers. We love that you can even customize the pattern on these 100% non-toxic, chlorine-free diapers. And just because they’re made from an A-lister, doesn’t mean you need an A-list salary. The Honest Company’s ultra affordable diapers and wipes will run you about $20 per week (much more cost effective than leading brands) and if you don’t believe us, check out their price comparison chart here.

The Honest Company not only makes safe, stylish, and sustainable products, but it also makes getting these kids goods super easy for the multi-tasking, overly busy parent. Simply, answer a few questions about your family and The Honest Company will customize an Honest nursery tailored to your needs. You can choose family essential products and/or diapers to be delivered directly to your doorstep every month (hello, convenience!).

So before you go writing off Jessica Alba as just another pretty Hollywood face, be sure to check out The Honest Company for some great goods, honestly.

The Honest Company
www.honest.com

photo courtesy of The Honest Company

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