• Home
  • About Me
  • Policies
  • Work with Me
  • Guest Posting
Stuff Parents Need

Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

  • Style
  • Parenting
  • Giveaways
  • The Kitchen
  • DIY Projects
  • Fun Things To Do
  • My Favorite Finds

(Giveaway!!!) Home Update Inspirations for 2017

October 3, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · 58 Comments

Thanks to Olympic and The Motherhood for partnering with me on today’s post. Compensation has been provided. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Friends I am still MAJORLY in love with the transformation we did to our living room over the summer (missed that before and after post? Here’s where to find it!). The difference in the vibe of space is huge and the amount of effort it took was shockingly small. If you know how to open a paint can, dip a brush into it, and put that color on the walls, then you can have just as dramatic of an update to a room in your home this year, too.

I’m thinking ahead about the room I want to change in 2017, and it might be time for my oldest child to get some fun new updates in her space. My oldest loves to play with her stuffed animals more than anything else, so I’ve been thinking that it would be fun to give her a space where animals love to live: a forest!

forest-bedroom-ideas

I’ve been looking for some ideas that will grow well with her (as tempted as I am to make a fairy room, I know that she’ll outgrow fairies fairly soon…which hurts my heart because it means she’s growing up, but I digress…). By creating a woodland room, though, there’s still a prompt at hand for awesome imaginative play, but it doesn’t feel too childish at all. It can also simply be a calming and serene space, which is really nice.

I went for the moss point green in the Olympic paint line. It’s such a rich yet very natural shade that makes me think of a forest as soon as I see it. It’s quiet and calm, yet totally full of life at the same time. I think it’s pretty darn great! And if you like the other inspirations, feel free to check out the wood desk, the owl print, the log pillow, the feathers garland, the watercolor forest bedding and the forest wall hanging.

Paint Your Walls Right Now! 

If you want to see how your room might look with a new color, try out the Olypimc Paint Visualizer tool. With just a few clicks you can view your room with a brand new color on the walls! You can also pick up affordably priced paint samples if you want to compare and contrast a few different options side-by-side on your walls.

Giveaway!

Can you think of a room in your home that could benefit from an awesome new color on the walls? Here’s your chance to get that project rolling with a $50 Lowe’s gift card so you can visit the Olympic Color Center!

Entry-Form

Filed Under: Giveaways · Tagged: bedroom ideas, bedroom inspiration, giveaway, lowes card, lowes gift card, olympic paint, olympic paint colors, woodland bedroom

(Giveaway!) Gearing Up for Great by Inspiring Your Kids

September 20, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · 31 Comments

Today’s post is brought to you in partnership with Office Depot® OfficeMax® and The Motherhood. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Are you back in your rhythm now that the kids are back in school, friends? I had some struggles finding my groove in the first few weeks, and I actually noticed that my kids were having a hard time, too. They were both facing some new challenges at school (multiplication for one, reading for the other) just as I was facing a rather dramatic increase in my workload, and I could see the stress and overwhelmed feeling on my face mirrored back to me in theirs.

So I decided that we ALL needed a morning affirmation to put us in the right frame of mind for the day. Here’s what we say each and every morning before the school day (and work day) begins:

Truth be told, I made this up on the spot one morning when I realized that we were all struggling and claiming defeat before the day had even started. But here’s why I picked the 3 statements that I chose:

  1. I’m ready to have a great day! There is so much power in deciding that the day is going to rock! As you think it, so it shall be, more often than not! 🙂 If you know at the start of the day that it is going to be a good one, then you can’t help but be excited about it.
  2. I’m excited about the challenges that await me! This is an acknowledgement that hard things are definitely going to be part of our great day. A great day does not equal an easy day. But those challenges are terrific opportunities to learn and grow, so BRING. THEM. ON!
  3. I will success because I will try! I’ve made sure that the girls understand that this doesn’t mean that you will master everything you try. It’s far more likely that you will make lots of mistakes and only master few things, if any, in a day’s time. But rather this means that the real success and the real source of pride comes more from the effort, and less from the outcome. Did you try? That’s what matters!

How are you inspiring your kids to greet each day with open arms and to believe that they can do hard things? I promise you, they are watching. Ever wonder what they are seeing? These parents found out (grab your tissues!!!).

Office Depot® OfficeMax® totally nailed it! We are inspiring our kids every single day, so I really want to encourage you to do your best to set the tone for greatness in your home. You may want to come up with your own daily affirmation (and if you do, please share it with us in the comments!).

Giveaway!

1

Just in time for the new school year, Stuff Parents Need is pleased to host a giveaway from Office Depot® OfficeMax® called Gearing Parents Up For Great. The prize is a $25 Office Depot® OfficeMax® gift card! To enter, simply watch the heartwarming Office Depot® OfficeMax® video: http://bit.ly/2byoWKg and leave a comment that you did so. Please leave your email, as that is how we will contact you if you win. For a second entry, share the video on social media (twitter, facebook…easy to do from the Youtube page!) and leave a separate comment that you shared along with a url showing your share (example: https://www.facebook.com/spnblog/photos/a.480101325368686.109704.112519328793556/1265296180182526/?type=3&theater).

Giveaway open to residents of the United States ages 18 and up. Limit one entrant per household, please. Entries no longer accepted after 11:59 pm EST on October 4th. Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will be contacted via email. If the winner doesn’t respond within 48 hours the prize will be forfeited and a new winner will be selected. Stuff Parents Need is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

 

Filed Under: Giveaways · Tagged: affirmations for kids, giveaway, office depot, positive affirmations for kids

(Giveaway!) Happy 60th Birthday, Play-Doh!

September 17, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · 76 Comments

Thanks to Play-Doh for sending along the fun kit! 

Yesterday was a big day for one of America’s all-time favorite brands for kids. It was Play-Doh’s 60th birthday! So many generations have enjoyed squishing, rolling, and making new creations out of that awesome stuff that comes in the yellow can.

One of my favorite toys growing up was a Play-Doh ice cream and soda fountain shop I had as a child. I loved making ice cream with blueberries sprinkled on top for all of my dolls. 🙂

Now my own girls get to enjoy Play-Doh and it’s one of my favorite things to get to play with them.

play-doh-60th-birthday

I love to watch their little minds get busy with all sorts of ideas for creation. I love the fact that playing with Play-Doh can result in some serious art time, some entrepreneurial time (my girls love to “sell” what they make!) and some time getting to imagine different awesome careers (engineer and cupcake maker all in one? Sure!).

play-doh-cupcake-celebration

I also love watching them work on their motor skills and strengthening their little hands while they make different shapes and designs. You never quite know where a play-doh session will take you, and I love that open-ended nature of it.

We’ve been playing with the Cupcake Celebration kit since Play-Doh just had a big birthday to celebrate. It’s loads of fun and very nicely priced at $19.99. I thought perhaps your child might enjoy getting to do the exact same thing, so let’s have a giveaway, shall we?

Entry-Form

Filed Under: Giveaways · Tagged: best toys, giveaway, play doh

(Giveaway!) Comfort for Life in the Bedroom: 5 Strategies to Bring On Blissful Sleep

August 26, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Serta for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have ever experienced the joys of adulting (paying large sums of money for joyless things like a plumber or new tires, changing 8,000 diapers, paying taxes, etc.) then you have surely experienced poor sleep. Stress is a major thief of rest, and when people are having trouble sleeping, stress is often the first thing we look at to try to determine how to improve the situation. That’s definitely a great place to start, but it’s not the only place to look! There are several things happening in the bedroom, itself, that can hinder you from sleeping in comfort, and yet most people overlook these problems and continue to wake up exhausted. 

Serta is well aware of these extra steps you can take that will set the mood for great sleep, and so in partnership with comedian Loni Love, ComfortSutra is being launched! This is a cheeky and fun guide to comfort in the bedroom to help people get back to the great sleep they once knew and loved. I’m helping out with the program by sharing a few things I do to “set the mood” for sleep! 

 photo tips to sleep better_zpscrarr4pt.jpg

1. Do It in the Dark

Surely you have heard the advice to create ambient, restful lighting in your room through candles, right? It might be pretty, but it’s dangerous to do if there’s even the slightest chance that you might be falling asleep any time soon, and furthermore, our bodies truly need dark in order for our brains to understand that it is time to shut down the wheels turning in there and go to sleep. So ditch the candles or the light dimmer and get some blackout curtains if needed to ensure that when it’s time for light’s out, the lights are totally out! 

2. Viewer Discretion Advised

Some of the best marriage advice you can take is to keep a television out of your bedroom. But this advice can positively impact much more than your romantic life, friends. The glow from screens (including hand held ones, all you phone addicts!) disrupts our circadian rhythm and confuses our brain, making it harder for us to fall asleep when we should. One of the best things you can do for your sleep is to get rid of the television in your bedroom if you have one there, and to have a phone docking station outside of your room to help you avoid the temptation to check Facebook one more time before heading to bed. 

3. Get Naked

Well, friends, this advice is pretty cut and dry. I am literally suggesting that you try sleeping sans-pajamas and really sans anything except your birthday suit. It may not be the option that works best for you, but it also just might surprise you! Comfy sheets directly on the skin can feel so soft and wonderful and help your body relax naturally. Additionally, ditching the clothes might help you cool down a bit, and cooler temps have been shown to promote better sleep. Run your ceiling fan, if you have one, for good measure. 

4. Dirty Little Secrets

Is your bedroom a disaster zone? I can relate, if so! It’s the room that company rarely sees, so it gets neglected the most. But I’ve come to realize that this lack of attention to detail in my room has made it an uncomfortable place to sleep. Studies have actually shown that those who keep their bedrooms clutter-free and their beds made actually sleep better! If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. If the last thing you see before you go to bed is piles of clutter, your brain takes all of that in as a source of stress. Additionally, folks sleep better who wash their sheets weekly. Think about how wonderful it is to climb into bed with crisp, clean sheets waiting for you. Don’t let this laundry task slide for too long for the sake of good sleep, friends! 

5. Wake Up Still Smiling

When you lay down on your mattress, does it make you smile? Can you feel your muscles relaxing and your body surrendering to some awesome comfort? And do you still feel that way when you wake up? If so, then you are rockin’ the right mattress, which is yet another significant part of getting the best sleep of your life. But if you don’t feel that way when you lay down or wake up, then it might be time to start looking for your perfect mattress match. 

ComfortSutra Challenge

A great way to start your search is by heading to your nearest Serta retail location to learn about their great products. While you are there, take a selfie with a Serta mattress and post it to social media with a note about how you like to get comfortable, including the tags #SertaComfortSutra and #entry. This will give you the chance to win a full bedroom makeover, including a new mattress and accessories and the grand prize of Serta “Comfort for Life” which includes a mattress of your choice, free of charge, every 5-7 years!!! The contest begins on August 26th and ends  September 6th, so get yourself over to a Serta location quick and get entered! 

 photo serta comfortsutra selfie_zpsgwa9a07a.jpg

Visit Sponsors Site

Filed Under: Giveaways · Tagged: comfort sutra, comfortable sleep, giveaway, no ads, noads, serta

Back to School with the Learning Care Group (Target Gift Card Giveaways!!!)

July 26, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This week I purchased all of the school supplies my kiddos will need for the upcoming school year. I can’t believe it, but it’s already back-to-school time for many of us all over the country!
And as you start to prepare (and start to figure out how to work in all the extra purchases into your budget), I want to encourage you to come hang out with me on Twitter this Thursday, July 28th, from 1-2pm EST. I’m going to be chatting with the Learning Care Group (the folks behind several incredible early education groups such as La Petite Academy), and we’ll be sharing some tips for starting off the school year right and bringing a smile to your child’s face as they transition from one season to the next (remember: transitions can be tough for little ones, so a little prep work is key!).
We’re also going to be sharing why LCG schools are a great place to help your child thrive, too! Check out these statistics from La Petite Academy and see for yourself how little minds are growing!
lpa stats-page-001
One other important thing: we are going to be giving away $25 Target gift cards every 10 minutes during the party, which will be so great to have as you work through you supply list!
Want to party with us? Great! All you need to do is be on Twitter starting at 1pm EST and be sure to follow @tiffanyblogs and @LaPetiteAcademy. We’ll be using the hashtag #Back2SchoolSmiles. See you there! 

Filed Under: Featured, Fun Things To Do · Tagged: back to school, giveaway, la petite academy, target gift card

(Jogging Stroller Giveaway!) Summer Fun Ideas to Try with Your Toddler

July 25, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · 149 Comments

Friends enjoy this fun partnered post from Shopko and Southern Made Simple, where you will find my awesome little sister, Laura! 

When my baby girl decided to take her first steps back in March, she made it very loud and clear that she was tired of being cooped up in our house all winter long. She loves playing and exploring outside more than anything, and she was definitely ready to start enjoying the warm spring and summer air. After all, she had a new found freedom in her ability to walk, and there was so much she was ready to discover outside the four walls of our home! Her interest and curiosity about the outdoors came as somewhat of a surprise to me, because I have always preferred indoor playtime over being outdoors. Once summer is in full swing here in south Alabama, the heat alone is enough to make you never want to leave your beloved air conditioner!

However, I knew that it would be important for me to nourish my toddler’s curious side and get her acquainted with mother nature. I also knew that it would be important for my own sake to find a healthy balance in enjoying our outdoor summer time activities by incorporating things that would be both fun and interesting for both toddler AND mommy.

stroller1

So far this summer we’ve found several fun ways for us to get outdoors, get active and enjoy the sweet sunshine and summertime. If you’re looking for ways to get outdoors with your little one this summer, here are a few great idea starters to help you enjoy your time to the fullest!

Plan a Picnic/ Play at the Park

  • Even though we live in a very rural area, we still are fortunate enough to have a few local parks that children and adults can enjoy. Planning a picnic at the park is a great way to get out of the house, get some fresh air and let the kiddos get some play time in without spending any money. Depending on how hot it gets in your area, you may want to plan the trips to the park during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid being out in the heat of the day. Make sure to stay hydrated and find a shady spot to enjoy! My daughter and I have loved our play dates at our local park and have been enjoying the simple things that bring out the fun in our day, like playing on the swings and running through the grass!

TaralynnSwinging

Make a Splash

  • If it seems too hard to escape the heat, make a splash in the pool! We like to join our cousins for a swim in their own backyard pool. If a backyard swimming pool isn’t readily available to you, take a look around town and see if there are any public water parks or pools that are either free or charge a small admission fee. There’s sure to be a park or splash pad near you that you and your little ones can cool down in while playing and having fun with others. If you’re feeling up to it, pack your bags and plan a beach or water park vacation! Enjoying the water is a great way to spend time with family and enjoy the outdoors during the summer, so put on that sunscreen and start making some waves!

stroller10

Bring Story Time to Life

  • Sometimes going outdoors just isn’t feasible every day during the summer. The summer months here are notorious for having random pop up showers that can last anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours. When the weather just isn’t cooperating, we break out our favorite books that help bring the outdoors inside! Currently, my daughter is ALL about the animals. She loves learning new noises that certain animals make, and she’s started learning how to point out which animal is which. One AWESOME way to help bring story time to life is to visit the zoo and see all of those animals in real life! My daughter has been busy learning about farm animals, so we thought a visit to see her Grandaddy’s cows would be a fun treat for her!

cow3

  • If story time is something your kids might enjoy, check your local libraries to see if they offer any summer reading camps or programs that help kids explore their imagination and exercise their minds! You can even sign up for a library card and stock up on books to help keep your kids occupied when outdoor play time isn’t an option.

Take a Stroll

  • My favorite way for my daughter and I to enjoy the outdoors together is go for a stroll/jog down our road or on the walking trails at the park. We usually do this once a week or so in the late evening when it starts to cool down. It gives me the exercise my body craves and needs while allowing my daughter to relax and and catch a breeze while we move. She’s definitely been enjoying the view from her sweet new ride, the J is for Jeep Brand All-Terrain Jogging Stroller. It’s been SO influential in steering my sails to get outside with my daughter and get moving. Before this jogging stroller, trying to walk my daughter up and down our road was a nightmare! We live on a dirt road and the terrain is really tough, but this particular stroller seems to glide over it with ease and makes for a much smoother trip. I don’t know how we ever functioned without it, honestly!

stroller2

When we’re out on the walking trails or jogging down the dirt road, we simply lock the front wheel to help keep the stroller in place and not wobbling back and forth. Before this stroller, the plastic swivel wheels on our previous stroller would get hung up every few feet traveled. It was enough to drive you bonkers, especially if you were trying to exercise! It also comes with a safety harness to wear around your wrist to prevent the stroller from getting away from you. I really appreciate the peace of mind that gives, because it can be really easy to have a stroller roll away from you when you’re going down a hill or if you’re near a ditch.

stroller11

And can I brag for just a minute about how spacious the undercarriage is?! I mean, I feel like I can pack almost anything under there! It easily fits a large diaper bag and a small cooler. I can pack several drinks and snacks and take them along on our adventures with us! I also appreciate the space up top for holding keys, drinks, iPods, etc. Those are things I typically need quick access to, and I don’t want to have to fumble through my bags to try to find them. In the J is for Jeep Brand All-Terrain Jogging Stroller, they’re right at my fingertips the entire time!

stroller4

All features of the stroller are easy to adjust and it’s incredibly easy to fold. In just two simple and quick motionss, the stroller is folded and ready to put away! I will say that this particular stroller does not fold down compact at all in comparison to other traditional strollers. It takes up almost the entire space of our trunk in our mid-sized SUV, so that’s something to consider if you’re in the market for a stroller.

My daughter and I have been enjoying our outdoor adventures this summer and have had a blast keeping ourselves entertained through play, picnics, water fun and especially our mid-afternoon strolls. If you’re looking for ways to beat summer boredom and get outside with your little ones, I highly encourage you to look for ways to incorporate the suggestions listed above into your summer schedule. And if you’re looking for a way to enjoy the outdoor time as much as your little one does, definitely check out the J is for Jeep Brand All-Terrain Jogging Stroller! It’s got everything you need to make your outdoor summer days the very best!

Win It! 

One very lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Jeep Brand All-Terrain Jogging Stroller, courtesy of Shopko!

Shopko Jeep Stroller Giveaway

Landing Page (Automatic)

Filed Under: Giveaways, Parenting · Tagged: giveaway, jeep stroller, jogging stroller, summer activities, summer activities for toddlers, summer fun, summer ideas, toddler activities

(Giveaway!) Small Changes Can Make Big Differences: The Supplement I’m Taking Daily and Why

April 25, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt ·

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

I’m a maximizer by my nature, and that means that if I’m going to add something to my daily regimen, I need to feel confident that I can reap quite a lot of of benefit from it.

There was a period of time, for example, when I got off the maximizer path and started exploring all sorts of vitamins, minerals and supplements, purchasing random items here and there, until my daily pill box of wellnes supplements was too full to shut. And that’s when I realized that I was going about my “maximizing” of wellness support the wrong way by just adding more and more stuff. This, by the way, resulted in me skipping taking my supplements altogether because there were so many it made me feel kind of sick to take them all. Instead, I needed to cut way back on what I was choosing to take and focus on what would provide maximum benefit.

One of the pills that made the cut for daily intake was magnesium. Are you currently taking a magnesium supplement, friend? Let me share with you why I think it’s absolutely worth my time and energy to incorporate this supplement from Nature Made into my daily regimen.

Magnesium is a mineral that your body needs every single day, and that your body uses to help support all sorts of important things, like nerve, muscle and heart function, healthy bones and teeth, and converting food into cellular energy†. In fact, magnesium assists in over 300 metabolic functions in the body. So you are certainly getting a lot of benefit by incorporating some magnesium into your daily wellness regimen!

I don’t know about you, but every last item on that list sounds pretty darn important. In particular for me, I’m interested in helping support good bone health as I age, and my understanding is that magnesium is quite excellent for supporting strong bones!

nature made magnesium

I picked up a nicely priced twin pack of Nature Made Magnesium at my local Walmart. Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist recommended supplement brand in 9 categories** and is the nation’s #1 best-selling brand for quality vitamins, minerals and supplements* to help support nutritional gaps. I love that Nature Made Magnesium is completely free of preservatives and artifical colors, as well. And the price is right at Walmart, for sure. No need to wait until there’s a sale!

Additionally, I learned in the last month that my beloved coffee can actually be a magnesium leach, so I have to be extra conscious of making sure that I give my body plenty of magnesium for optimal function. I’ve also cut back a bit on the coffee to further help ensure that the magnesium going into my body stays put! I’ve been swapping it out for yummy spring water, making sure I have a few tall glasses of it (ice cold, of course!) throughout the day. These are small steps that I’m taking, but I know they are making a difference.

nature made magnesium 2

Do you have any health and wellness goals you are working on? Did you make some at the beginning of the year and get off track? I want to encourage you not to give up because there’s still more than half of the year left to make positive changes for your health. Every small step in the right direction counts, friends!

Nature Made wants to help you achieve those health and wellness wins, too, so be sure to check out the Daily Boost inspirations that can come straight to your email. It’s like getting a daily dose of Vitamin Do. 🙂 Signing up is free, naturally! You can also follow Nature Made on Facebook for additional health and wellness education.

I want to encourage you to do your own research and what support your body needs to function optimally. For me, that means taking Nature Made Magnesium and getting plenty of water in my body every day. It might look the same for you, or you might have some different health and wellness goals that you’d like to focus your efforts on. Either way, Nature Made can help you turn those goals into realities through their Daily Boost inspirations, as well as their product offerings, which you can find at Walmart.

 

Win it!

There’s a contest happening right now and I want you to get in on it before it closes on 4/26! TWENTY lucky entrants are each going to win a $50 Walmart gift card. This will be so helpful in jump starting your health and wellness goals or continuing on the path if you are already making progress in these areas of your life. See below for full details. Good luck! I-C will randomly select 20 winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Nature Made Wellness 6

*Based in part on data reported by Nielsen through its Scantrack Service for the Vitamins Category for 52-week period ending 1/02/2016, for the xAOC Market. Copyright © 2016 Nielsen.

**Based on US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey, Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand in Nine Categories – Letter Vitamins, Omega-3/Fish Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Herbal Supplements, Cholesterol Management-Natural, Garlic, Diabetic Multivitamins and Mood Health Supplements

Filed Under: Giveaways · Tagged: giveaway, magnesium, magnesium supplements, nature made, supplements, walmart gift card

(Giveaway!) How to Turn Dirty Water into Clean Water: An Awesome Spring Break Experiment

March 21, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt · 20 Comments

Special thanks to P&G and The Motherhood for partnering with me for today’s post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

In the fall I wrote a post detailing the incredible work P&G has done in providing clean drinking water to people all over the world.

Since the program’s establishment in 2004, 9 billion liters of clean water have been provided, and this has helped to save an estimated tens of thousands of lives in over 75 countries. But P&G wants to do even more, and has the goal to provide 15 billion liters of clean drinking water by 2020. 

My girls and I saw first hand how the purifier of water packets worked back in the fall, and it created a lasting impression.

P&G Purifier of Water Packets can purify contaminated drinking water, turning it into safe drinking water in a short amount of time. Each packet can treat 10 liters of water. The contents of the packet kill bacteria and viruses and remove parasites, as well as solid materials. It provides enough clean water for a family of 5 for a day. The packets are highly portable because they are so small and lightweight, and this makes them great for emergencies, natural disasters, as well as for any place in the world with very limited access to clean drinking water. All you need is a packet, a bucket, a stir stick and a filter cloth and you can turn dirty water into clean water.

What an amazing product! When you consider that around 1,000 children die each day to diseases caused by contaminated drinking water, and that women and children spend around 40 BILLION hours each year collecting water (often at the cost of being able to go to school and/or earning income since it takes up so much time), this product is life-changing in every way.

See For Yourself

Fortunately, in the United States, we have easily accessible clean drinking water. But you can now have the experience of transforming dirty water into clean water by purchasing a P&G Safe Drinking Water demonstration pack. For each set of packets purchased, $1.80 will be donated to the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Fund, which is enough to provide clean drinking water to 1 child for 3 months!

To complete the activity, you will also need a large bucket (clear is best), a stirring spoon, some dirt, two cups, and a clean, cotton cloth (as well as items to help hold the cloth in place, such as a bungee cord or some clothes pins).

P&G clean water kit 1

Begin by filling your bucket with water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. You may be surprised to see a few particulants settle to the bottom, even in your clean water!

Now mix a little bit of dirt in with a little bit of water to make a muddy paste. Then add a little bit more water to further dilute the mixture, and then add all of that into your clean water.

P&G clean water kit 3

Give it a good stir and let it settle for a minute or two. Scoop out a cup of it, and just imagine that this is your drinking water. This is the reality for millions of people all over the world. P&G clean water kit 4

So, how can we clean it? Well, it’s time to add the P&G Clean Water packet!

P&G Clean water kit 5

This is the really fun part! Stir the contents of the bucket for 5 minutes. For the first 3 minutes, or so, you probably won’t see much of a change in the water. But during the last 2 minutes of stirring, you may start to notice some interesting stuff happening in the water. Bits of dirt and junk seem to be forming their own little clumps. By the time you stop stirring, you will notice some serious separation going on, and the water getting clearer and clearer.

Let it settle for 5 minutes, and then put your cloth over the bucket top to act as a strainer. Pour the water into another bucket.

P&G clean water 7

Now let this water sit for 20 minutes, as the product is still working on the disinfection piece of cleaning the water.

Now you have clean, safe drinking water for your family for the day. Isn’t that AMAZING??!!

P&G clean water 8

During your Spring Break, I want to encourage you to do this activity with your kids. It’s super neat to watch, and it also can lead to a terrific discussion about the global clean water crisis and the role science and technology can play in finding a solution, as well as the role we each can play by contributing a small amount of money to help provide clean water to those in need. You can purchase a P&G Purifier of Water packet set here for $6.99!

Win it! 

FIVE lucky Stuff Parents Need readers will each win a P&G Safe Drinking Water demonstration pack!

To enter, simply leave a comment below stating that you want to be entered (and be sure your email address is listed so that I can contact you if you win!). 

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of US & DC who are 18 years of age or older. Giveaway starts 03/21/2016 and ends 04/04/2016. Sponsored by The Motherhood with a P&G Purifier of Water packet. For the full list of rules, click here.

 

Filed Under: Fun Things To Do · Tagged: access to clean water, clean drinking water, clean water project, drinking water, giveaway, p&g clean water, p&g water purifier packets, science project, water purification

(Giveaway!) Healthy Habits and Daily Boosts: Great Free Resource for Taking Steps to Wellness

March 18, 2016 · by Tiffany Merritt ·

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of a Blog Blast for Influence Central. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

One of my least favorite things about heading into spring is the wardrobe change. I really don’t like giving up my cozy, comfy sweaters in exchange for clothes that tend to hug a bit tighter and show off more skin. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, either. This is a time of year when many of us have to look in the mirror at some unhealthy habits we have formed, no longer able to hide them under layers of clothes.

NatureMade healthy habits

So as I work on improving some healthy habits for my body, I’m using Nature Made’s 30-Day Healthy Habit Builder Program. It’s simple, it’s remarkably helpful, and yes, it’s FREE! In fact, as you work on your specific health goals through the program, you’ll be automatically entered to win a grand prize of $5,000, as well as daily challenge prizes worth $250 each! (For full rules and regulations, visit NatureMade.com/Challenge).

Additionally, you can sign up for really cool daily boosts (Nature Made calls it Vitamin Do!) with very simple ideas  and inspirations for you to incorporate into your daily life to improve your overall wellness. Signing up is really simple! nature made

I’m really impressed with the great free resources and tips provided by Nature Made, the nation’s #1 best-selling brand for quality vitamins, minerals and supplements.* It is helping me lace up my pink shoes and get back to the gym!

time to move

Ready to get started? What better way to get on the path to wellness than with a giveaway? Now through March 26th you can win 1 of 20 $50 Walmart gift cards right now. Walmart is the perfect place to purchase Nature Made products because their prices are so great; no need to wait for a sale!

I-C will randomly select 20 winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Nature Made Wellness 4

I hope you will join me in making your life a bit healthier this spring, one habit at a time! 

*Based in part on data reported by Nielsen through its Scantrack Service for the Vitamins Category for 52-week period ending 1/02/2016, for the xAOC Market. Copyright © 2016 Nielsen.Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist recommended supplement brand in 9 categories**

**Based on US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey, Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand in Nine Categories – Letter Vitamins, Omega-3/Fish Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Flax Seed Oil, Herbal Supplements, Cholesterol Management-Natural, Garlic, Diabetic Multivitamins and Mood Health Supplements

Filed Under: Giveaways · Tagged: daily boosts, giveaway, health, healthy habit builder, healthy habits, nature made, naturemade

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 108
  • Next Page »

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome!


Grab your beverage of choice (mine is iced coffee) and let's hang out for a spell! I'm Tiffany, and I've rambunctious little girls and a fierce desire to share any tip and trick I can find to make lives with little ones a bit less hectic and a lot more fun. [Read more...]

Popular Posts

Keep Slowing Down. You’ve Got a Race to Lose

Keep Slowing Down. You’ve Got a Race to Lose

Free Summer School for Moms (You’ll Love It!)

Free Summer School for Moms (You’ll Love It!)

The Best Cheap Mattress is Also The Best Quality Mattress: A Must-Read

The Best Cheap Mattress is Also The Best Quality Mattress: A Must-Read

25+ Moana-Inspired Easter Basket Ideas

25+ Moana-Inspired Easter Basket Ideas

The Book Every Child Should Own (And How to Get a Free Copy )

The Book Every Child Should Own (And How to Get a Free Copy )

Recent Posts

  • 8 Money-Saving Tips for Parents: Navigating the Rising Cost of Living
  • 4 Reasons Why Online Education is a Win for Busy Moms
  • Creating a Garden the Whole Family Can Enjoy
  • Managing Sleep Apnea as a Busy Mom
  • Baby Budget: Designing a Nursery for Your Home

Search

Sponsors

Copyright © 2023 | Innovative by The Pixelista | Built on the Genesis Framework