BumpNews

Give Thanks: 15 Volunteer activities your child can do

Posted on November 16, 2014

While Thanksgiving is a season for giving, for children it ends up being a season for receiving only as many lose sight of the fact that the Holidays is also a time for appreciating what you have and about the priceless gifts of family and togetherness that have no price tag.

Thanksgiving can also be a wonderful opportunity to nurture a spirit of giving to others as well.

A recent Nanny Classifieds post explains the benefits of volunteering, and notes how lending “a hand to someone in need can heighten your child’s sense of self-esteem and self-worth while also providing an opportunity to possibly discover new career options on which to build aspirations.”

In it, there are 15 examples of volunteer activities that children can engage in this Holiday season and beyond to help them appreciate all they have and receive in their lives.

Collect children’s books from family and friends and donate them to a local hospital or library
Sign up for a charity walk to benefit an organization or disease awareness
Donate food to a food pantry by having your child pick out an item each time you shop for groceries
Volunteer to serve meals to the homeless at a local shelter or food pantry
Compile activity boxes, complete with puzzles, coloring books and games, to donate to a children’s center or children’s hospital
Donate a few hours to picking up litter at local parks or roadways
Visit a nursing home and offer to share your talents through musical entertainment or story time
Deliver meals to the homebound (many food pantries offer these services)
Take the kids along as you volunteer to drive an elderly neighbor to the doctor or grocery store
Volunteer to feed, walk and care for abandoned animals at the local animal shelter
Gather several classmates and friends to raise awareness and money to help refugee kids in schools around the world
Recruit the entire family to tutor, mentor or read with younger children
Work with the local Red Cross agency to give blood or organize a community blood drive
Make cards, blankets and stuffed animals for sick children and donate to a local organization who provides care items to hospitals and children’s centers
There are unlimited options for volunteering, both locally and nationally, that you can take advantage of to show children how acts of kindness can significantly impact someone else’s life. Find even more opportunities and learn how to brainstorm and plan family volunteer trips with the PBS Family Guide to Volunteering.

It is recommended to designate a specific day each week for volunteer activities.

“Having children volunteer helps them to get out of themselves,” New Hampshire clinical psychologist Carl Hindy says. “It teaches them social interest, empathy and awareness of others.”

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BumpNews

10 Apps to Keep your Kid busy in a pinch

Posted on November 2, 2014

While Apple’s powerful iPhone device is so popular that it’s almost ubiquitous, it’s still a bit on the pricey side for most parents to present as a gift to their children. However, the vast number of kid-friendly apps that are available in the App Store can come in quite handy when you’re in the checkout line or in a waiting room. For parents that own iPhone devices and are amenable to the idea of letting their children play with them from time to time may find that these apps compiled by National Nannies are perfect for keeping their little ones entertained.

Speech with Milo: Interactive Storybook – In addition to being a fun and entertaining interactive storybook, the $1.00 Speech With Milo app is also an effective speech therapy tool created by a licensed speech-language pathologist. If your child needs a bit of help in the language department, this app may be just what you’re looking for.
Peek-a-Zoo – by Duck Duck Moose – This $0.99 app was selected by Apple as a New & Noteworthy App, and reached the number-one spot on the Top Paid Book App list. Peek-a-Zoo focuses on social and emotional cues, helping kids learn to recognize not only animals by name, but also emotions, actions and activities.
Toca Hair Salon 2 – Toca Boca is a celebrated name in children’s apps, providing some of the best and brightest iPhone programming for the smaller set. Kids can operate their own hair salon with Toca Hair Salon, coloring, cutting and styling the characters’ hair however they like. There are also plenty of accessories like glasses and hats to further decorate their virtual clients!
Cars in Sandbox: Construction – There’s something about construction vehicles that seems to fascinate most little ones. This $2.99 app capitalizes on that adoration, allowing kids to explore and learn about heavy machinery through top-notch animations, video and sound effects. Kids learn what each vehicle is used for and how each helps to build the world we live in, all while developing fine motor skills and gaining a sense of accomplishment from the gold star awards at the end of each round.
Dot Collector – Great for infants and young toddlers, this $0.99 app is easy to understand and engaging, helping kids develop their fine motor skills while learning color recognition. Kids simply tap dots and drag them to a hole, where they disappear and are replaced by more dots. Straightforward and engaging, this app is one of a relatively small number that cater to kids so young.
Pepi Bath – This is a $1.99 role-playing game that helps kids learn about hygiene and self-care while they guide Pepi through a clean-up routine. You can select Pepi’s gender at the beginning of each game, play with sprayers and toys or simply pop bubbles, making this app versatile and engaging.
Feel Electric! – Recommended as a 2012 Parents’ Choice and hosted by members of the Electric Company cast, this free app includes three vocabulary-based games, a glossary of 50 emotions and 10 story makers to help kids accurately communicate and explore what they’re feeling.
Lumi’s Book of Eyes – Written by an ophthalmologist, the $0.99 Lumi’s Book of Eyes app is an interactive storybook following Lumi as he travels the world and learns about how eyes work along the way. Recommended for kids’ ages four and up, Lumi’s Book of Eyes can also be a great conversation-starter before your child’s first eye exam or before getting glasses.
Toca Kitchen – A Gold Winner of the 2012 Parents’ Choice Awards, this $1.99 app was developed by the renowned Toca Boca game studio. Kids can pick any ingredient they like and prepare it to their own specifications, without rigid rules or boundaries. Toca Boca games don’t have high scores or time limits, allowing kids to play them however they want.
Helicopter Taxi – Winner of the Children’s Technology Review – Editor’s Choice Award, Helicopter Taxi lets kids fly their very own helicopter from the safety of the ground. The app even uses your iPhone’s camera to create an ultra-realistic and exciting experience for kids.

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Parenting

REVIEW: ‘Zero to Five’ is the perfect handbook to instruct on how to raise a super smart baby

Posted on October 9, 2014

Parenting books can be overwhelming and so condensely written as to turn off busy parents who may put one down and forget to pick it back up subconsciously mindful of all the text they have to go through to finish.

“Zero to Five, 70 Essential Parenting Tips Based On Science (and What I’ve Learned So Far)” is the anecdote. The book is part handbook, part photo book, part advice text and part testimonials. It’s all in this oversized resource guide bound together in a spiral binder format.

Readers can sit down and immerse in all the pages at once, or just browse through and flip. Each page covers a new tips, tools or suggestions for raising super smart, alert, active and creative children. There is ample inclusion of BTDT advice from moms and other nuggets from tried and true sources.

Journalist, mom and wife Tracy Clutchlow, who is featured on the cover along with her adorable daughter, does a great job jamming just the right amount of fuel of knowledge in this very useful and informative guide.

It’s a great book for this new generation of “reader” parents who enjoy absorbing all the latest advice that is available out from veteran parents, pediatrician and child-care experts. But it is also well written and included enough vibrant photography, font variations and side bars to keep the attention and inform the category of parents who are not really into all of that — who just want the basics, plus a little more.

I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it for new first-time parents as a baby shower gift or a refresher for a vet parent as well.

Pick up a copy at Amazon.com!

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BumpNews

12 Things you DO NOT have to pack in the hospital bag

Posted on May 21, 2014

Bellyitch Rewind Post

You’ve seen the mega pack lists of stuff TO pack in your hospital bag as you get closer and closer to your due date. We get so excited that we compile a variety of lists from books and assembled on the internet and pack everything but the kitchen sink for our spouses/partners/coaches to have to schlep to the hospital.

You’re gonna need to pack all that stuff up and take it back home along with a new baby, all of the new things you’ll get for the baby and the various gifts, flowers and balloons that guests may bring when they come visit.

Here is a list of 11 things you CAN LEAVE HOME and spare your poor partner the back pain.

~~1 newborn diapers~~ Hospitals provide all the diapers the baby needs during the stay and even send you home with extra starter packs

~~2 nursing cover~~ There is no need for modesty in your hospital room in your hospital bed. The nurses have seen plenty of boobs in their career. If guests visit while you’re nursing, you can ask them to wait outside until you’re done feeding the baby. Most people won’t get offended.

~~3 wipes~~ Most hospitals use a very thick napkin that they wet with water and wipes contain elements that aren’t good for a newborn’s skin.

4 ~~diaper Cream~~ Most likely the baby won’t be born with a diaper rash and won’t develop one within the first2-3 days of his life while in the hospital. If he does, the hospital has sample cream to use. Those tubes and jars can add weight to an already stuffed take home bag

~~5 any childbirth class notes or guidelines and labor hints~~ Really now? Do you think in the midst of breathing through labor pains you’re gonna want to review your notes?

~~6 Underwear~~ Many hospitals provide the most comfortable mesh disposable ones that you will love to use instead of messing up your own. The joke among my friends is that they are the special order Victoria Secret mesh panties for new moms.

~~7 cd player with music selections to help with relaxation~~ Besides being outdated and taking up too much space, piping Gregorian Chants or Enya in the room may be a distraction for the hospital staff, interrupt with monitoring equipment and/or disturb a neighboring laboring moms. If you have a smartphone that has the capability of accommodating music, download music on there and bring your headphones. It takes up less space than bringing your phone AND ipod.

~~8 receiving blankets~~ The hospital provides plenty that you can take home even afterwards.

~~9 two regular-sized bed pillows (in bright, distinctive, hard-to-lose pillowcases)~~The Hospital provides enough. If you are a germaphobe, think the hospital’s pillow cases may be too rough or want something familiar from home, just bring the pillowcases and replace the hospital’s cases. They take up less space.

~~10 baby’s “memory” book – for footprints or staff names and guest signatures~~ Nice idea if you have someone who will remind guests to sign because you’ll be consumed with baby, nursing, caring for yourself, and will likely forget.

~~11 entertainment items (books, crayons, games) for children are to visit in hospital~~ A lot of hospitals don’t permit young children in the maternity wards, but for those who do and if children come to visit they may not be staying THAT long to get bored and need entertainment. As for other people’s children, it’s not your job to schlep extra crap to entertain your friends’ kids.

~~12 clothes for hospital baby photo AND clothes for baby to wear home~~ You only need one of these. Either or. The kid shouldn’t be a fashionista YET that she can’t be seen in the same outfit twice. You can simply put on the outfit before the photo and take it off afterward. If you can, schedule your photo the same day and around your discharge time.

The Extra Crap you don’t NEED but you CAN bring (eh hem, especially if you are a diva or fashionista):

1. Make up- because you don’t want to end up on Facebook looking like you just went through a train wreck. If your goal is to look like Khloe Kardashian after she delivered Mason or at least attempt to, then you’re gonna want some make up.

2. Towels- Because the hospital ones are usually washed a lot and can be itchy.

3. Your own toilet paper – Hospital toilet paper can be thin. Your delicate bum may want something soft then

4. Your Own Plush Robe – For accepting visitors, walks to the nursery to visit baby and /or walking off the gas for those who have c-sections.

5. A spare bag – You can use it to store the extra stuff you’ll have to carry home.

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BumpNews

Spring Cleaning: The Must-Have Bible for Keeping House

Posted on March 17, 2014

Despite the fact that it may or may not be snowing still in your world, Spring starts this Thursday.

And whether you live in a single-family home, studio, apartment, loft or town home, NOW is an ideal time to start contemplating and planning your Spring Cleaning Checklist. Every one in the family: the kids, hubby or partner and even the littlest ones, can get involved and help get your home back in tip top shape after a dusty, musty and messy Winter.

Children can pick out which toys they will give away to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. If you or your spouse is handy around the home, itemize broken fixtures that need repair or replacement.

Before you start planning your Spring Cleaning tasks, it may be a good idea to make sure you understand the art of keeping house too.

When I got engaged back in 1999, a dear law school pal of mine threw me a bridal shower in her quaint Capitol Hill apartment. It was wonderfully organized and I got a chance to check out her very neatly organized home.

Her secret: The Bible of keeping house, “Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House” by Cheryl Mendelson, which she gave me as a gift.

It is a nearly 100-page hardback text and includes a comprehensive guide to every section of the home and is easily understood and great for beginners, like I was back then. Even intermediate or advanced home makers will find this resource text helpful.

My dog-eared version of the home-cleaning bible

I didn’t grow up with a mother who passed on homemaking skills and techniques to her children so I was clueless. The book was right on time.

In it, Mendelson explains materials and properties of common household items which is essential for knowing how to care for them and extend their life. She explains when to replace worn out items. Home Comforts has sections and subchapters like Electricity Safety, The Air in your Castle, Caring for jewelry, Ironing, How to launder Tricky Items and more.

Since I am pretty busy and have been since getting hitched years ago, I haven’t had time to comb carefully through the entire book, yet I use it as a reference guide and turn to it often…especially each Spring during Spring Cleaning time!

If you don’t already have a copy and are considering purchasing a new home or just want to start fresh and learn how to manage your own home, I highly recommend it. It’s available at Amazon.com in Kindle, Paperbook and Pdf now! And it makes a great wedding or bridal shower gift.

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BumpNews

50 St. Patrick’s Day FREEBIES & DISCOUNTS

Posted on March 15, 2014

Tomorrow is Saint Patrick’s Day! Take advantage of some of the Freebies, Discounts and other specials various restaurants, brands and companies are offering to entice lovers of GREEN! We’ve curated a list from around the web for you!

Enjoy!

FREEBIES

Arby‘s will have buy one get one free deals on corned beef beef Reuben sandwiches, if you bring a printable coupon.CLICK HERE for coupon or go to www.arbys.com.Arby’s will have buy one get one free deals on corned beef beef Reuben sandwiches, if you bring a printable coupon.CLICK HERE for coupon or go to www.arbys.com.
7-Eleven: Text ”DIETCOKE1″ to 711711 to get a small free Diet Coke Slurpees.
Olive Garden: A free dessert will come with the purchase of entree when patrons use this coupon through 3/30.
Claire’s: St. Patrick’s Day 2014 items are buy one, get one free. Expires 3/17, no coupon code needed.
Del Taco: Buy a bacon or sausage Egg & Cheese Muffin and get a second free with their on-site coupon. Good through 4/2.
ThinkGeek: Get a free St. Patrick’s Day Shirt with an order of $40 or more through 3/17, with the code ELVISH. Or buy the t-shirt by itself for only $5. And in honor of Pi Day and Einstein’s birthday, the site is also offering a 20% discount on orders of $40 or more with the code PINSTEIN. All offers expire 3/17.

DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

Sonic Drive-Ins will have half price cheeseburgers on March 17.
1-800-Baskets: Get 15% off select St. Patrick’s Day gifts with the promo code LUCKY15 through 3/17.
1-800-FLOWERS: Promo code LUCKYSVNTN will get shoppers 17% off St. Patrick’s Day flowers and gifts through 3/18.
Bonefish Grill: This coupon is good for $10 off a purchase of two lunch entrees through 3/29.
Carvel: Get $2 off any cake (excludes small squares) at participating locations with this coupon. Expires 3/31.
Cheryl’s: This cookie gift seller offers a range of St. Paddy’s Day-themed sweets, and promo code SPRNGSHIP will get shoppers free shipping through 5/11.
FTD.com: This gift site’s St. Patrick’s Day Sale has marked down gifts for the holiday, including chocolate-covered strawberries, Irish-themed jewelry, and flower bouquets. Markdown already applied, no coupon needed.
Honey Dew Donuts: Get a green Pistachio Muffin for $.99 with coupon at participating locations through 3/31.
Kay Jewelers: Select styles of St. Patrick’s Day-themed, gold and green jewelry is discounted up to 50% for the jeweler’s St. Patrick’s Day Sale, through 3/17.
Mimis Cafe: Buy one lunch or dinner entree and two beverages, and get a second entree free with this printable coupon. Valid through 3/23.
Papa John’s: Promo code SAVE25 will apply a 25% discount to all regular-priced menu items on an order placed on the pizza chain’s website.
Quiznos: Get $1 off a large sub or salad purchase with coupon, through 3/21. Coupon available on Quiznos website.
Red Lobster: Get a coupon for $10 off two Lobsterfest entrees by filling out a form on their website. Coupons expire 4/13.
Regal Cinemas: Coupon is available on this link to claim a free small popcorn from the theater’s concession stand through 3/27.
Scoutmob Shoppe: Promo code STPADDY10 will get shoppers 10% off a collection of beer- and whiskey-themed items to honor St. Paddy’s Day. Expires 3/17.
Shari’s Berries: Get 15% off a $29+ order of St. Patrick’s Day chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzels and cake pops.
Things Remembered: Get a set of four monogrammed Irish Coffee Mugs on sale for $25 through 4/6.
American Apparel: 25% off St. Patrick’s Day styles when using promo code LUCKY at checkout. Offer ends 3/17.
BCBGeneration: Select items are up to 40% through 3/17 for the store’s St. Patrick’s Day sale. Plus, use the coupon code WELCOME2013 at checkout to get 20% off the order.
Champion: Use promo code OFFER75 to get 20% off orders of $75 or more.
Expedia: For a last-minute St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Expedia is offering steep discounts on hotel rooms in Chicago for the holiday through 3/17.
EXPRESS: Through 3/16, get 30% off online or in-store purchases with promo code 1258.
HarryPotterShop.com: Harry Potter-themed apparel and collectibles are 17% off through 3/18.
H&M: Get 20% off one item with coupon code 1616.
PETCO: Get 17% off a $49+ order and free shipping through 3/17 when you use the promo code SHAMROCK.
Roaman’s: Promo code RDSTPATRICK will get choppers 30% off any order through 3/17.
Samsonite: Get 20% off select items with an order of $100+, along with free shipping, by using promo code STPATS20. Expires 3/17.
SmartWool: A 17% discount is applied to an entire order with promo code O’WOOLIES. Expires 3/17.
Sperry Top-Sider: Purchase of green items earn shoppers free shipping with promo code GREENFS through 3/17.
Stride Rite: This children’s shoe retailer is offering 17% off one regular-priced item with the promo code GREEN17 on St. Patrick’s Day only.
Target, Corp.: Save up to 30% on home items. Use the code SAVE10 to get $10 off a $50+ purchase through 3/22.

Several online resources have FREE Saint Patrick’s day print outs, games and colorables:

It might be too late for this, but if you were having a Saint Patrick’s Day party, HowDoesShe.com has FREE printables that you can use to put on water botlles, appetizer trays and other elements to your Green-themed party!

Also, check out SodaHead‘s slideshow of Saint Patrick’s Day e-Cards.

Rose and Cook has a recipe for this delish looking Spinach cupcake.

Or if you like to eat your drinks, Martha Stewart has a nice recipe for an Irish Coffee cupcake.

Family Fun has a few fun games the kids can play today.

And if you can’t be in Northern Ireland to partake in the various activities and events going on today, go to SaintPatrick.com which has assembled a list of parades and other events around the world. You can also check the online version of your local magazine for events ideas.

Going out tonight and want to look festive? We spotted this cute trio of outfit ideas on Pinterest.

Staying in? Here’s a nice drink recipe you can whip up! A CopyCat recipe of McDonald’s Shamrock shake!

Or check out Google for a listing of places giving away free glasses or pints of Guiness Stout, the official drink often associated with Ireland, today!

ENJOY! HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY, from BELLYITCH!

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