If you’re expecting a baby in 2020 or 2021 and you haven’t told your husband yet that you’re actually pregnant, consider surprising your spouse with the news with a creative pregnancy announcement to a husband.
Your partner, husband, spouse or significant other is the first person you give the news to.
You can also present him with the celebratory intel in a unique way even if this is your second or third child together. Every year, creative product producers come up with fun ideas and with this being the quarantine era,I’ve seen a few extraordinary note worthy ones.
Here is a round up of over 80:
1. LIFE IS A BOX OF CHOCOLATES
If your sweetie has a sweet tooth, surprise him with the news spelled out in chocoloates. Order a box of it here at by the seller on Etsy.
2. MASK UP
In this quarantine era, as you’re heading and he turns to you for a mask, give him one that announces his new role. You can order this from a Redbubble merchant.
3. SCRATCH IT
Give your husband (and later your family and closest friends) a lottery scratch off card that reveals that the baby is coming.
Order a delivery of diapers addressed to him. He will be certainly surprised by the package and as he opens up the box will instantly get the message when he sees it is a pack of diapers. Order a pack via Amazon
5. QUIZZICAL PUZZLE
Stimulate his brain and the element of surprise by giving him a gif that is essentially a puzzle that spells out a special message. Get one here. Or create a puzzle of the photo of the with the ultrasound. This company can help you do that and it ships FREE to US addresses.
6. SHELVE IT
Clear a shelf in the office, kitchen cabinet or bedroom with a sticky note that reads, “Daddy, make room for me.” You can also place some baby toys, clothes or booties. He would be thrilled to know the news.
7. MESSAGE ON A TEE
Tell him you saw a T-Shirt on sale and ordered it one for him. It will be one declaring he is a dad to be and make sure to get a design that your husband may be more likely to wear. Otherwise, he can just wear it at your co-ed baby shower or the work shower. Order one like this one on Etsy here
If you have a husband who is a coffee drinker, switch out his usual morning cup of joe with a special cup that has the pregnancy announcement at the bottom. You can order one here.
Another tip is to simply set an extra plate at the table at lunch, or dinner and set a baby bottle as the drink.
10. SILVER SPOON
You can also do the spoon which is a common utensil trick you might have seen on the web. Get the spoon here.
11. SCRABBLE IT UP
If your husband is crazy about word games such as scrabble, ask him to play along with you. When it is your turn, share the news by making something related and ask him to spell. He would get delighted with the news.
Write down a note on your belly such as “Baby inside,” “Coming soon” or “You are a Daddy”. The moment he notices the message, he will turn ecstatic.
13. TEAM SPORTS
If your husband is a sports fanatic, you can buy a junior size shirt or shoes of his favorite game and gift it to him. I like the one above and this one below which you can order in any team colors.
If you are artistic, you can draw a family illustration with your husband, child, and yourself in it. You can either gift it to him or stick it at a place where he can notice it. He is surely going to be on his knees to feel your tummy.
15. BOOKMARK IT
If your husband is currently reading a book, write a sweet message and put it as a bookmark.
He will get to read it the moment he opens the book.
16. PET LOVE
If you have a pet, order a shirt with a pregnancy announcement and outfit fluffly in it so surprise your husband.
Create or order a shirt for your pet. Place the shirt on your pet and have your pet greet your partner when they come through the door.
Or you can tie a bandana around his neck with the message. Get the one above here.
17. ONESIE, TWOSIE, THREESIE
Give your husband a gift of a onesie with a messag on it. I like this one above which is perfect for the quarantine era.
Order it here. There are tons of others available here as well.
18. GREETINGS
Put it in a greeting card. It’s simple but works. Get a specialized one here.
19. WINE IT UP
If your husband is a wine drinker, get a personalized label with the message on it and affix it over an existing bottle of wine.
Download a baby on your phone and then pull it hand your phone to your spouse and tell him you want to see a funny thing on your phone! He’ll get it pretty soon.
A while ago, a scientific research study found that first born children are usually smarter than their younger siblings. As a first born child myself, that news tickled me pink being a first born myself. I am a big believer in birth order playing a role in the development and personality of a child.
Genes definitely play a role, but researchers suggest that born-leaders are a real thing – and their success is not based on their teachers or peers but on their birth order. First-borns
First-born children are 30 per cent more likely to become leaders such as CEOs or politicians. This is according to economists at the University of Texas-Austin and at Sweden’s Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
They found that first-borns are on average more emotionally stable, persistent, socially outgoing, willing to assume responsibility, and able to take initiative than later-borns.
Researchers say having more children means parents spend less time with each child which means the later ones generally have lower IQs. Parents also invest more time creating rules and being strict with the first child. As a result unique qualities develop that make them great leaders, such as intelligence, discipline and people management.
Well-known first-borns include Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Hillary Clinton, Richard Branson, J. K. Rowling, Kate Middleton, Oprah Winfrey and Winston Churchill.
These are 10 facts from our friends at Nanny.net about the effect of birth order on the eldest children, some of which may shed new light on behavioral quirks and personality traits of your firstborn.
They’re More Reliable – First born children are often expected to look after younger siblings and take on a greater role of responsibility than children born into the family after them, and as a result they often grow into more reliable and dependable adults.
They Tend to Be Higher Achievers – Almost half of all United States presidents have, to date, been first born in their families. In contrast, only four have been last born children. High achievers tend to be eldest children, who place a higher value on achievement and success than their younger siblings.
They’re Natural Leaders – When a child is born first, she’s generally something of an authority figure over her younger siblings. That dominance often becomes a hardwired personality trait, which leaves them more likely to find themselves in positions of leadership in the adult world.
They’re More Likely to be Perfectionists – Unlike younger siblings, who tend to have a more relaxed approach to life, first born children are more likely to be perfectionists, often setting almost impossibly high goals for themselves.
Photo by Viajero from Pexels
They’re Not as Likely to Rebel – Alfred Adler, the father of the birth order psychology movement, asserted that older children often feel “dethroned” by new babies in the household and, as such, may be more likely to actively seek the approval of their parents and the other adults in their lives. In many cases, this drive to please continues throughout adulthood and they’re less likely to be rebellious as teenagers.
They Benefit from Teaching Younger Siblings – When firstborns teach their younger siblings new skills or information, they’re benefiting from what’s known as “the tutor effect.” That’s one of the reasons why firstborn kids tend to be higher academic achievers and to pursue intellectual careers as adults.
They Care More About What People Think of Them – Free-spirited people who aren’t concerned with what society as a whole or even the people closest to them think about their choices tend to be younger siblings, as firstborns generally have a very real drive to be people pleasers.
They Value Organization and Order – Firstborns are more likely to be list-makers, organizers and to bring order to their surroundings than their more haphazard, disorganized counterparts who are lower in birth order.
Photo by Aa Dil from Pexels
They’re Self-Motivated – Because of their desire to please and determination to succeed, older kids tend to be more self-motivated than their younger siblings and to require less encouragement to work towards the goals they’ve set for themselves.
They’re Individuals – There are more studies on the subject of birth order than one could shake a stick at, but one thing that holds true across the board is that there’s more at play than simple birth order when it comes to determining a child’s personality. Genetics, for instance, will have some role in the habits and methods of a person’s behavior, as will environment and other important factors. Knowing a bit about the typical firstborn pattern is helpful, but be careful not to box your child in with expectations that may not hold true in her particular case.
While dealing with infertility, Chrissy Teigen waited along time to have her child, weathered through many prying eyes and brushed aside the hurt of getting constant queries from strangers, the media and general public all wanting to know when she would start a family.
After years of fertility, she welcomed her first child, daughter 4-year old Luna with husband singer/songwriter John Legend in 2016 and second, now 2–year old son Miles in 2018.
Soon, she will be a mom of three, with the upcoming birth of her first child conceived without the aid of in vitro fertilization and science.
The model turned TV host and cook book author announced her pregnancy over the weekend.
In a video posted onTwitter the Lipsync Battle host and Chrissy’s Court ‘judge’ cradled her baby bump in a video posted to social media and said, “Look at this third baby s–t.”
Both of Teigen’s previous pregnancies have been through in vitro fertilization (IVF), she said. She didn’t think she could get pregnant naturally.
This time, though, she was wrong. And she was scared, she said.
“Was pretty positive you shouldn’t get your boobs out while pregnant? Pretty sure,” she said.
“So we prayed to the boob surgery gods that everything would be okay. Went to every appointment terrified. Even without the surgery, I didn’t think I could get pregnant naturally anyway. So the odds just felt…bad.”
So far, things have been going pretty well for the soon-to-be mom of three. But she’s still worried. “Part of me misses the safety of my perfect embryos, created in their little dish. They felt untouchable and safe. Now I feel a bit…eggshelly,” she said.
Still, she said she hopes her experience getting pregnant naturally will give others, who may have struggled with it in the past, some hope.
Teigen and Legend are already the parents of Luna and Miles, 4 and 2, respectively. Teigen has, in the past, been very open with her struggles getting pregnant, even opening up about her postnatal depression she experienced after giving birth to Luna.
Deciding to start or expand your family is one of the most exciting times in your life!
It can also be one of the most nerve-racking. That’s why it’s so essential to confirm you’re properly caring for your health before you become pregnant to both settle those nerves, and ensure you’re building the right foundation for both you and for your future baby.
This is called Preconception Care, and talking with your doctor is one of the best ways to check for any potential risks or medical issues you may have before getting pregnant. Before you begin, you should start by setting a “Preconception appointment” with your doctor.
What Will My Doctor Review with Me During My Preconception Visit?
During your preconception appointment, your doctor should discuss histories related to medical, surgical, family (of both you and future dad), and reproductive histories.
She/He should also talk about your diet & exercise, alcohol & caffeine consumption (or other drugs/stimulants), along with any medications or supplements you may be taking.
Your preconception visit is really the perfect time to ask your doctor anything that may be on your mind. Whether it’s health concerns, past histories, sex, diet, or prenatal vitamins, this visit is all about you and your health. It’s so much about you, that it’s worth saying again.
Preconception Care is all about you, and your doctor is on your side to help you give birth to a beautiful baby.
Physical Exam.
Because you’re about to embark on this exciting new journey, a physical exam is one of the best ways to ensure you’re ready. You should also ask her/him about a pelvic exam or Pap smear.
Vaccinations.
If you’re not vaccinated for chickenpox or rubella (or you’re not sure), it’s essential to ask your doctor to check your medical records, and if you’re not, request a vaccine. If you develop chickenpox or rubella during pregnancy, you are at higher risk of developing pneumonia, or congenital disabilities (birth defects). While a vaccine may delay your attempts to conceive by a month or so, it will be well worth it in the end if you’re not vaccinated.
Genetic Counseling.
This may require a separate appointment with a genetic counselor, however, it will help you understand your family’s risk of passing on an inherited medical condition, and how easy it may be for you to conceive.
Prenatal Vitamins.
Even before you become pregnant, it’s important to start to think about taking a prenatal vitamin or at least increasing your consumption of Folate & Iron-rich foods such as Leafy Greens or Broccoli every day. Along with several other vitamins and minerals, Folate, in particular, plays a significant role during pregnancy, as it aids in neural tube development, and its importance starts the day you conceive (when you may not know you’re pregnant yet).
Diet.
Similar to Genetic Counseling, getting a firm grasp on your diet may require a separate appointment with a nutritionist, but remember, “we are what we eat”, and you’ll soon be eating for two! Understanding the right foods for you and your potential allergies, will help give you a leg up on a more comfortable, successful journey to motherhood.
Remember, this appointment is ALL ABOUT YOU, so take a deep breath and get ready for one of the most exciting journeys of your life.
After first becoming a mother to a bouncing baby boy when she was 22, Alexis went on to have nine more babies over the next 15 years – all of them male.
In fact, she and husband David were the first British couple known to have had ten boys in a row.
But now something truly astonishing has arrived in the Brett household: a baby girl.
Cradling her new arrival last night, Alexis, 39, told The Daily Mail on Sunday: ‘We’re over the moon. I’d been expecting to hear we were having another boy but when I found out it was a girl, my face was a picture. I was shocked but delighted. Now she’s here with us, it’s a fantastic feeling.’
The birth of her daughter, named Cameron after the actress Cameron Diaz, has already had a remarkable effect on the lives of her brothers, whose ages range from 17 to two.
David, 44, a train driver, said: ‘She’s already having a good influence on the boys. They have generally been much better behaved around her, trying to keep quiet in case they wake her up. They also want to help with holding and feeding her. It’s been great.’
Cameron’s arrival on August 27 – weighing 7 lb 2oz – marks the completion, the couple insist, of their large family, which includes Campbell, 17, Harrison, 16, Corey, 14, Lachlan, 11, Brodie, nine, Brahn, eight, Hunter, six, Mack, five, Blake, three, and Rothagaidh, two.
One of the most powerful experiences for parents-to-be is seeing the image of their baby via ultrasound. But for blind parents, that moment was impossible.
Now, however, sophisticated technology allows them to “see” their little ones before they are born by creating a 3-D image to be formed in the likeness of their baby’s face.
Receiving a 3-D bas-relief model of her baby’s face in the mail was “really emotional” for Taylor Ellis, 26, a blind woman in Cockeysville, Md. “I was a little bit nervous about opening the box,” Ellis said. “I had never seen a 3-D [image], and now, it’s your baby, and it’s, like, wow.”
The idea evolved from a procedure developed several years ago at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for fetuses with spina bifida. Jena Miller, an obstetrician and surgeon with the Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, realized that a 3-D print would allow her to get a clear image of the spines of babies who needed surgery in utero for spina bifida.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, sending a child off to college and shopping for dorm essentials is a little different this year for parents of first time freshmen and upperclassen too.
Although a lot of universities have decided to be “online only” this fall semester, many institutions are still having in-person and hybrid online and in person classes. My son’s school in upstate New York is one.
His college, along with others that have decided to welcome students to campus this year are telling parents and students to pack light and to bring just enough stuff to stay for 2-3 weeks in case there is an outbreak and they have to shut it all down right after classes start.
As a recent New York Times article noted, “[p]arents are discovering that, regardless of what guidelines are posted, policies are changing with new data and little notice almost daily.”
Yikes!
It’s not just about packing lighter than normal, it’s also changing the landscape of the college experience.
Schools are converting triples and quads into double and single occupancy rooms to decrease the density and crowding of dormitories. The move-in process is also changing. At my son’s school, they are only allowing one person to accompany a student at move in day. This decision means the entire extended family that planned to accompany us to send him off to college will have to simply wait in the car.
He had to take a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days in advance of arriving on campus, subject himself to New York state contact tracers and conduct daily health check ins with his school’s app! Oy vey!!
These big changes also mean we parents now have to update, edit and toss aside those 200+ item college dorm shopping checklists we all researched, pinned and downloaded.
Likewise, readers of this blog can go ahead and ignore my tips for creating a lavish dorm room. You won’t be needing all that this year. You can go to Dormify if you insist on making it super cozy and on getting accent elements but don’t get carried away with the matching window treatments, room accents, plush pillows, throw rugs and string lights.
So as far as the packing list goes, it’s safe to keep the usual must-have items on there: casual clothes, an interview, job fair or class presentation outfit, workout gear, PJs, fall and winter outerwear wear along with an umbrella.
However, there is no need to purchase and schlep along school supplies like binders, printer paper, pens and clip boards when your kid can get that stuff at the local Walmart or Target after she moves in. I’d say skip the bed risers to make room under the bed to store supplies needed for an entire school year. Just get plastic collapsible storage bags and be done with it.
Also, I think to save space and time, there is no need to purchase a mini vacuum cleaner, broom and a bunch of cleaning supplies, and I say this not because your kid won’t clean, but this year, you can expect the college will have extra cleaning supplies on hand and will have a housekeeping staff there to do a thorough sweep through more regularly than before.
A bottle of disinfectant and paper towels or a reusable rag for dusting will do…oh and snacks. You can never send too much snacks!
This year, you have other things to focus on such as COVID-specific essentials like Vitamins, disposable disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers and UV light air purifier.
There is evidence that copper and silver reduce the life span of viruses and while most copper-infused gloves are not touch screen compatible, the GliderGloves Copper Infused Touch Screen Gloves are and are only $14.99 a pair! It can’t hurt and you never know!
Personally, to prepare to pack the car, I edited and adjusted the old college dorm checklists I’ve downloaded from Facebook parenting groups to just include the bare essentials and a Covid-19 quarantine essentials “Go” bag.
That’s the bag that has all a kid would need to be holed up in a hotel, a friend or family’s house for up to 14 days in case the college student tests positive for the coronavirus and needs to go to the hospital and later quarantine somewhere on campus or nearby, in case they are exposed to a roomate, suite mate, floormate or lab partner who contracts the disease and need to do a 14 day quarantine because of that exposure.
The other scenario is that the school decides to shut down altogether and you cannot collect your child in time and need to arrange for him to stay at a hotel or some other transition housing until you can make arrangements to bring them home.
Here is an abbreviated list of what should be on this year’s Covid era dorm packing list:
LAPTOP
In lieu of a full desktop that some kids haul to campus, consider investing in a laptop which is more portable solution like this renewed Apple Macbook Air with 128 gigs of ram at Amazon. My son is a computer science major and insists on taking the two monitor system he built in the 11th grade so we are traveling with that, but most people will not need to go that route.
ANTIMICROBIAL DESK PAD
Because we are in a season of trying to mininize germs and knowing that computer keyboards and mouse controllers are a common source for accumulating germs, an antimicrobial desk pad like this Artistic Rhinolin II Self-healing desk pad, available at Amazon may be a good thing to have. I also found a less expensive one at Walmart.
PORTABLE AIR PURIFIER WITH UV LIGHT
There is some evidence that UVC light kills viruses, there is a thinking out there among some moms that it cannot hurt to invest in an air purifier that kills germs with UVC light and has that capability. I found a pluggable portable one that sanitizes, purifies and cleanses germs from the air for $39.99 made by Germ Guardian which has GREAT REVIEWS from asthmatics and others who’ve used this product! That’s a good size and price for a small room!
A mini pill sound box is not just good for listening to music but also for connecting a phone or mobile device to it while listening or watching a class. Your student can multitask and get dressed for the morning, do some light cleaning or fold laundry without having to be at the desk watching. The Beats mini portable speaker is $126 on Amazon.
A much less expensive bluetooth speaker is the DOSS for just $27.99 which produces top quality sound and gets decent reviews.
COFFEE MAKER
My kid doesn’t drink coffee but I heard great things about the Keurig K mini coffee machine which can be enivronmentally friendly if you opt to used the reusable filter and purchase coffee grounds! It’s a good price at $78 and comes with great reviews. Alternatively, for a cheaper and definitely eco friendly option, you can get a mini Mr. Coffee for just a little over $25!
POWER STRIP
You can never have too many power outlets so a power strip which is also a surge protector is a must have. We got a double pack at a steal for just $4.99 at Ikea! Also, because of COVID , he may spend more time in his room than the computer lab.
Although the students in my kid’s school say they did not use the printer they took to college in previous years, this year may be different with reduced hours or with students wanting to limit their time spent in buildings and spaces that are not their rooms. Therefore, it may be worth it to invest in a small printer to print out paper assignments, or project elements.
I have a printer graveyard but the one that has been the best to us is the Canon PIXMA MG-2522. The ink cartridge replacement is significantly cheaper than for HP and other brands.
It’s a little loud but you get tons of ink jobs before it runs out and I predict your child will not need to replace ink all semester but if she does, you can sign up for the cartridge replacement plan which itself is really reasonable.
CLIP ON FAN
If your college student will be rooming with another person, it is inevitable that there will be some disagreements on the room temperature. If ever your kid gets too hot, having his/her own portable mini fan like this one is a good bet.
CLIP ON DESK LAMP
Similar to a small fan, a small light is needed for those nights when the roomate is napping or sleeping but your college kid still has an exam to study for. I got my son a clippable desk lamp that can be easily moved from his desk to a post on the bed. It was at Target for just $7!
FLOOR LAMP
Although I would think a floor lamp would be overkill, I like lots of light. Heavy illumination brightens my mood, gets me in the mindset to work and keeps me alert.
And I believe there is research to back up the fact that plenty of light energizes in addition to makes it easier to see what’s on a computer screen or inside a text book when working on a desk with a desk lamp.
Here is a chart with some data to back me up:
I plan to pick up this one above from Walmart.
UNDER BED STORAGE UNITS
In lieu of hard collapsible storage container that take up room, this year, opt instead for plastic underbed storage containers that are pliable and are maneuverable in a crowded mini van or SUV and takes up less space. Also, this year, skip the bed risers and stuff thse plastic and cloth storage container under the bed. The Onlyeasy foldable storage container comes in packs of 2. Fold and Carry the winter clothes in there and have your kid replace them with the August and early September clothes for the warmer months.
SHEETS SET
Send two sets of sheets: one that can be used while the other is in the laundry bag. I went with recommendations from blogger Sophia Lee and purchased the Mellani Bed Sheets on Amazon.com.
MATTRESS TOPPER
My son’s school needs a specific kind of protectors that meets a very high California consumer board anti-flammable standard. One brand that works is sold at Target but is always sold out there so we lucked out and got one from Walmart.
COMFORTER
A plush and cozy comforter is a must have for having a full rest before class. I lucked out and got a steal on a nice comfy reversible grey Brookside Downs comforer at Overstock.com.
BLANKET
For studying in the student lounge at the desk on chilly evenings, a blanket or throw is in order. This is also a good cover option for warmer months when a comforter may be too much coverage. We got a very soft one at Ikea this past weekend. They have other styles and materials and this one in other colors like pink and other feminine colors.
PILLOWS
Any standard pillow would do but in addition, a back rest pillow is a must to lean up against those concrete dorm walls or while in the study lounge propped up against a wall or sofa.
We picked up the Therapedic back rest at Bed Bath and Beyond which is a bit pricey considering there are a lot of much much cheaper ones out there, but if you get it online after signing up for their newsletter, you can get it 20% off!
COMMAND STRIPS
For hanging up photos, white boards, mirrors and other heavy vanity items, the Command strips are a plus. A lot of dorms forbid hammering in nails so if you get a 7 pack of the command strips, you should be good to go! They’re about $5 at my local Target or if you don’t want to go into a store, order this pack of 7.
HANGERS
I got two sets of wooden hangers forat Ikea in packs of 8 and plan to pick up a couple packs of plastic ones at the Dollar Tree or Target.
DORM ROOM SLIPPERS
My son has always wanted a more manly pair of slippers so it was wonderful to see these Dockers slippers on sale at our local Sears for only $20.99. I saw Joe Boxer brand had some for young women at $19.99 too while I was in there!
This year, college kids may be in a position of having to be hospitalized, God forbid, and have a medical directive, also, some may need a passport or social security card for getting an on or off campus job to satisfy employer verification process.
Further, even though a lot of us use digital form of currency, in an emergency, having actual cash may be necessary. A small safe like this one disguised as a book is the best to store cash and valuable and high security documents.
TOWEL SET
We have not yet gotten our towels but I think I will get the set I saw at Sears when I was there picking up casual clothing for the kids. These are the softest around.
BATHROOM CADDY
My son has indicated that he would prefer not to use a shower caddy so, we got hin the Kusoofa Shower Caddy tote which doesn’t look like a traditional and more femine tote at Amazon.com because it got great reviews from travelers, gym goers and others.
SHOWER SHOES/FLIP FLOPS
An old pair of rubber flip flops or beach slipper syour kid already has will probably be enough to use for shower shoes. These are shoes you wear when using a community shower as they have in dormatories. If your child will be in a suite or apartment with a dedicated bath for just the unit habitants, this may not be necessessary.
Walmart sells a good low cost pair that gets great reviews for just $7.49!
WATER PURIFIER
Save money on purchasing bottle water by getting a water purifier jug so your coed can just filler up out of the tap and put this in this in the fridge. A BPA-Free Brita Water filter goes for $34.99 on Amazon but you can find other brands for less at other big box retail stores.
PLASTIC DINNER SET
A set of hard plastic bowls, plates, cups and cutlery is in order considering that your kid may be spending more time in his or her room consuming food than inside the dining halls especially if your child is immunodeficient and is being extra cautious about being inside enclosed places where it is easier to contract the novel coronavirus.
These are pretty cheap and in fact, Target has each piece for $.78 cents right now. If you want to get an entire matching set, 12 piece Cambridge dinner set sells on Amazon and is a Prime recommended product!
PRESCRIPTIONS
Whether your child has prescriptions or just takes over the counter allergy medicines, vitamins and other pills for common ailments, get these all pre-ordered and enough for the year with insurance to save the hassle of transfering orders to a local pharmacy at your child’s college.
I make my kid fill up his in Sunday-Saturday pill box us older folks use to keep track of all of our medicines. It’s not too embarrasing because it can stay in the dorm and they only get to be embarrassed by their roomate. This tool is great for travel and to be added to the quaranting Go bag!
I purchased the Apex twice a day pill box from Walmart!
LAUNDRY BAG
Again, Ikea to the rescue! I considered getting a collapsible laundry bag or basket and then saw mention of a laundry backpack in a parenting book.
I saw one promoted on Amazon for $15 but then at Ikea spotted a backpack that is 8 gallons and would work!
LAUNDRY SHEETS OR PODS
Instead of heavy bottles, the wisdom from current college students is to go with the detergent pods or detergent sheets.
A popular brand is Breezeo and 48 sheets sell for under $9 on Amazon. They are light and easier to carry and store. Your kid just pops a sheet on top of a load and can go and they are less likely to destroy clothes the way pods can for kids who never ever do their own laundry and might not know what the heck to do!
It’s a different world out there and this year, a pre-packed bag is needed that can be picked up in a hurry in case a kid tests positive and cannot return to the dorm. He or she can simply tell his or her roomate to grab the grey Nike bag in the closet, for example.
This bag is a headache saver. No need to have them run around the room gathering stuff and rummaging through private stuff trying to fill up what’s needed.
Here is what needs to go in that bag:
DUFFEL BAG or BACK PACK
Start with a large duffel bag or backpack that is big enough to hold a few bulky items like clothes, a towel and a toiletries kit. I purchased an extra IKEA backpack that I got for him to use as laundry bag but in another color for the go bag to avoid confustion.
FIRST AID KIT
A lot of parents say these kits are rarely if ever used but just like at home, they are a great thing to have and add a feeling of security knowing one is in the room. You don’t have to get a large one like this one at Amazon because you can probably get a smaller kit at a brick and mortar store like Target or Walmart for less.
I would suggest taking out the excess first aid items and replacing small bottle of cold, cough and flu medicine, fever reducer, elderberry throat longezes and cough drops, Vick’s vapor rub, a small thermometer.
PULSE OXIMETER
Sadly, if your kid does get the novel coronavirus, she may need to take her blood oxygen level and so a portable pulse oximeter is a good purchase to put in the bag for safety and security sake. The Zacurate Pro has the most positive user reviews on Amazon compared to other brands on the market so I will be putting my trust in other consumers here and hope for the best.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Important documents (e.g., driver’s license or government ID, health insurance card or copy, social security card) – Keep these in a platic waterproof envelope or plastic envelope with a clasp like this one that you can get on Amazon for $8.70 for a pack of 3.
Face masks– 7-10 face masks, a mix of cloth and paper ones will do. We just ordered a set of N95 replicas for $16.95 in a pack of 5 from Amazon and a pack of 50 masks we picked up from our local Target but which is also available on Amazon for $18.99.
Portable charger – Portable charge bank like this one at Amazon for $12.99
2 pill boxes-For prescriptions, pre-fill two weeks worth of medicine, vitamins and OTC drugs. See Above.
Hand sanitizers – A couple travel size containers and/or a large pump
Disinfectant Wipes – Inside a resealable package that is soft and pliable and can easily fit in a bag
2 weeks worth of clothes – Think casual clothes, tee shirts, sweatshirt and shirt pants, maybe 3 outfits that can be recylced and don’t forget undergarments
Towels – A full set in case the one your kid has used in the morning is still hanging up to dry and they need a fresh one just for the go bag
TOILETRIES KIT
These travel kits can be purchased in drug stores, on Amazon pre-packaged or you can create your own kit. This men’s bag is just $17.99 and includes everything in it. a A women’s version is a dollar less.
Umbrella – a smaller portable umbrella is good to be put in the go bag.
Headphones – A separate less expensive back up pair of headphones your son or daughter may already ave at home or on hand can go in the bag as a back up.
Non Eletronic Entertainment – Coloring book, Soduku, magazine, novel or some other non electronic thing to distract or pass time.
What not to bring tips curated from Winds of Change: • Decide about the “nice to haves” once you’ve lived there a while. Maybe you’ll realize it would good to have an area rug, a full-length mirror, or a closet organizer. But you don’t have to know everything ahead of time. Get settled in first. • Avoid bringing hard-sided suitcases. They can be difficult to store and create clutter. Instead, opt for duffel bags or collapsible storage bags (and don’t forget under-the-bed storage). • You don’t need a year’s worth of toiletries — they take up space too. Pack enough for a couple of weeks, then restock. • Know how you’ll get stuff you don’t pack. Research nearby stores. Consider ordering items online and having them delivered. (Back-to-school merchandise often goes on sale after September). Budget to make a few purchases once you have your bearings. • Have secure, clean, and cashless ways to pay for things. This means at least two options, whether credit or debit cards (which can be pre-paid), wallet apps, gift cards, or vouchers.
That’s it! Good luck and God speed to all of our children as we are indeed all in this together! Stay safe!
I am a Swim mom but this year, because of COVID, my family decided to skip joining the Summer recreational league swim team.
I am certainly going to miss it. love it even though it’s a tough job. Being a swim mom (or dad) involves getting up at the crack of dawn to load the car, pick up your team snack bar contributions, and schlep the family to the pool in time for warm-ups, then spending upwards to 4-5 hours standing up volunteering as a timer, runner or scorekeeper.
To make up for losing a year, I decided to treat myself with a swim mom-related t-shirt or other souvenirs to wear, cherish, and show off. Here is what I have my eye on, mainly from Etsy.
[Note; If you swim parents out there decide to beat me to it to purchase any of these items, I earn a small commission as an Etsy affiliate.]
I love this “I can Fly” tee shirt which is a take off of the Butterfly stroke. ($24)
In this COVID-19 era, people are wearing masks that reflect their personalities, likes and passions so this Swimming Face Mask is perfect. ($19.99)
This Tears of my Swimmers wine cup is great for a mom or a coach or a mom who is also a coach. ($25)
Add this Swim mom pendant to your toggle bracelet ($13.95)
Your swimmer will heartily appreciate this personalized swim print ($10.95)
Get this wooden display plaque to hang all your swimmers’ swimming medals ($36.99)
You can never go wrong with personal swim bag tags ($12.99)
Your swimmer will appreciate being able to send greetings and personal notes with these personalized swim note cars ($2)
For the mom who has a daughter or daughters on the swim team, get this personalized matching mom-daughter tumbler set ($33)
I’m a cap girl so I found this cap with a swimmer inside a heart so adorable! Swim cap- $19.89
Be chic and rep your kid’s sport with these cute assorted “Swim Mom” graphic t-shirts (starting at $10)
Congrats to Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green and her fellow actor husband Kenric Green on the birth of their second child, a daughter. last Sunday, July 19th.
“We welcomed our sweet baby girl last Sunday, July 19th at 8:32 in the morning,” The Walkind Dead, alum captioned a photo of herself in bed cradling her newborn with Green by her side. “It was a profoundly beautiful home birth, and now both of our children have been born in the water. We never felt that anything was missing, but now that she’s here, we feel a perfect sense of completeness.”
The caption continued, “Her name is Saraiyah Chaunté Green, she’s got Mommy’s initials and Mommy’s middle name. She’s utterly perfect, just like her brother. Thanks be to Yeshua, she’s the final piece to our Love-given puzzle.”
Alongside the caption, Martin-Green shared several photos of her with Saraiyah, as well as shots of dad Green and big brother Kenric Justin II, whom Green, 38, and Martin-Green welcomed in January 2015.
In the adorable reveal, both Green and Kenric II had their hands placed on Martin-Green’s baby bump, visible underneath a red T-shirt. All three family members were beaming at the camera with wide smiles.
“Adding another passenger to the Green train!” the then-expectant-mama captioned her post, which was re-shared by her husband. “All aboard little lady, this train is fueled by Love and we’re already overflowing with it for you. ?”
Green stars in a recurring role as Scott on The Walking Dead, and has been in series like The Originals and Hawaii Five-0. He also appeared as Mike Burnham in a season 2 episode of Star Trek: Discovery titled “Perpetual Infinity.”
Now that people are confined to entertaining themselves at home due to global stay home quarantine orders, those with backyards, patios and balconies are designing and decorating these spaces to expand their at home living, play and dining rooms to the outdoors.
I was invited to a Facebook group with women who have been mulching, trimming, hedging, hauling and performing tiny miracles to transform their neglected or underutilized back porches and yard space into tiny oasis. I have been thoroughly impressed. Those with large acres of land have more to work with but even if you live in a small space or an apartment, there are options.
Redecorating your backyard can be as simple as putting up string lights you can get at Target for $5, dusting off old pillows from the basement and situating them on ignored patio chairs, color coordinating the potted plants, and upgrading your table or investing in an umbrella and solar outdoor lighting. That’s what I did and am currently doing as I am inspired. (see my set up so far in the last photo of this post)
I sourced 7 backyard living spaces inspirations and found places on line where you can order the same or similar items in these spaces to achieve a similar look and aesthetic. Check them out:
What I like most about this backyard living set up is the rustic, Southwest Aztec detailing. From the ottomon to the throw rug, every piece of the design elements tie together. The outdoor lighting is a mix of rustic lanterns, candles and string lights. Wooden benches offer ample room for entertaining family who may come by during a time in your life when you are entertaining intimate family as guests. The potted and planted greenery breath extra serenity into this space. I love it!
RECREATE THIS SPACE
Christopher Knight Outdoor Acacia Wood and Rustic Metal Bench ($134)
nuLOOM Kellee Contemporary Wool Area Rug, 5′ x 8′, Black ($99)
Torched Star Waterproof Outdoor Patio Lights ($17.88)
JhY Designs Brushed Antique Hanging Lanterns Set ($49)
Now the wicker bird next or egg chair is a common item you may see being shown off by the Instagram Martha Stewarts in your life. This chair is the perfect pod to escape to read a book, for your little one to watch a YouTube video or instructioal video when school starts on her tablet. Working from home? Escape the noise and interruption of distance learners, spouses and your teen and take your call on this thing. Use pillows to tie it in with the color scheme of your outdoor living space.
RECREATE THIS SPACE
Christopher Knight Home Indoor/Outdoor Tear Drop Hanging Chair ($219)
or Get Hampton Bay’s version with the stand at Home Depot for $499
For those amongst us with a larger budget and space to work with, transform a patio or space in the back part of your backyard into a desert oasis. Hire a contractor to instal a brick or stone patio, or intall durable outdoor flooring for a lower cost alternative (though this option may not be sustainable). Purchase a gazebo, panels, and planters. Frame the space with panel curtains, add patio furniture, pilows, and an outdoor rug and you’ve got your own mini paradise right at home.
RECREATE THIS SPACE
IKEA 4-seat conversation set ($785)
Snowcity Outdoor Waterproof ($19.99 per panel)
Bed Bath and Beyond Mayne Cape Cod Square Patio Planter ($57.99 each)
10×10 feet Gazebo ($399)
For those of us with less space and a more modest budget, we can use artificial turf, wooden coffee tables and wrought iron dining sets accented with pillows and colorful seasonal plants and have our own little comfortable backyard or patio space to escape to or enjoy a meal at on occassion.
RECREATE THIS SPACE
San Simeon Outdoor Wicker Rectangular Dining Table with Tempered Glass Top ($248)
Hampton Bay Wicker Coffee table ($229)
We cannot forget our townhouse, condo and apartment dwellers! They too have options when it comes to revitalizing underused outdoor spaces. It might be a tighter squeeze but a small dining table and two chair set, with a wicker love seat and just the right small area rug and potted florals are all that are needed to create a nice nook. If there is room, you can certainly invest in a small umbrella to add shading for hot days.
RECREATE THIS SPACE
Ikea’s SALTHOLMEN Table and 2 folding chairs ($79)
Hanging Umbrella with base ($118)
And this is my set up which is a work in progress… teenager not included!
