Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Beginners Piano Lessons Online: My Top Pick

February 17, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Affiliate links may be included. Thanks to Hoffman Academy for providing a 3 month membership, which I will continue using as a paying customer.

A few months ago I had a fellow parent encourage me to get my second grade daughter involved in learning a musical instrument. She told me that she was the perfect age and that I would probably be surprised by how quickly she would pick up on the lessons if I just gave it a go.

I thought it over, and in all honesty, just felt worried about adding one more (expensive) thing to our to do list each week, as well as carving out the time each day for practice. Here in Chattanooga, 30 minutes of piano instruction, 4 times per month can easily cost $100 per month, which means a year of piano lessons would be $1,200, plus the time and gas spent going to and from piano lessons. It’s simply too expensive for my family, so I started exploring alternative approaches.

beginner piano lessons online

After a bit of research online, I decided that the lowest cost option to get started with an instrument would be to get a full-sized keyboard (we are very pleased with the Williams keyboard we selected), and to begin piano lessons at home. I chose the piano because it is an instrument that doesn’t need to be tuned (obviously a real piano does need tuning but not very often, whereas a string instrument must be tuned before each practice session). Since I do not play an instrument, choosing one that would need tuning would make daily practice just that much harder, and I wanted to go easy!

Additionally, I found Hoffman Academy online, which offers free video piano lessons and they are quite good! You can view these lessons for free at any time, and I encourage you to watch a few of them to get an idea of how Mr. Hoffman offers instruction.

We currently have a 3 month subscription to the premium version of this program, which provides us with supplementary materials and with practice sessions to use. This costs $15/month or if you pay for a year, it’s $149 (which comes out to a little over $12/month. I think you can get away with just using the free lesson videos, but I think the experience is enhanced greatly by the practice sessions and materials, and after having used them daily for over a month, I would say that they are well worth the cost. When our complimentary subscription expires I will be purchasing a one year subscription without hesitation.

How We Practice Using Hoffman Academy

I make it a goal for my daughter to practice every single day for 20 minutes. Do we always meet that goal? No, because sometimes life throws us a curveball and we just aren’t able to fit it in. But we do try to make this happen and we begin our session with me setting the timer so that we both know how long practice needs to last. We will typically watch a video lesson, which takes anywhere from 8-15 minutes (including pausing the video to practice new material when Mr. Hoffman suggests it) and then we start working on the practice exercises. Sometimes we make it through a video and a practice session, but often we don’t make it all the way through. If Darah feels like pressing forward, we continue until we are finished, and if she wants to stop, we just stop and pick up where we left off the next day. She knows that she must commit to 20 minutes of practice, and I don’t press her beyond that, which I think helps her feel happier and more in control, and which does result in her sometimes wanting to practice longer, because it is her choice and not something I am forcing her to do.

Perhaps my best endorsement for Hoffman Academy is sharing that my daughter ASKS to do her piano lessons. She will also practice on her own, without me asking her to do so. I think that speaks volumes about this curriculum. I have really enjoyed watching my daughter grow in her confidence and become really excited about developing the ability to play an instrument.

I can’t say this with certainty, but I’m guessing that the Hoffman curriculum will take a child 2 years to complete, assuming that they are practicing several times a week and not just once a week. By the time we are through with the curriculum we might be in a position to either pay for more advanced piano lessons, or Hoffman Academy might have released even more advanced curriculum, as it is stated on the FAQ page that they have plans to do so.

Hoffman Academy is giving me the opportunity to help my child learn a musical instrument at a price point that is manageable and that doesn’t require me making weekly trips to a tutoring session, as all lessons and practices can take place in our home at times that are most convenient for us. I think this is a very practical approach to piano lessons and I’m very pleased with how it is going, so far!

A Natural Treatment for Growing Pains in Children

February 16, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Growing pains are a very common occurrence in school-aged children. My oldest started complaining about them in the first grade. She typically feels growing pains in the legs and notices them when it’s time for bed and she’s finally still for once. 🙂

My family prefers to take a more natural approach to wellness and we personally feel comfortable seeking out a growing pains remedy that makes use of essential oils. I am not a healthcare professional and I’m not offering any medical advice. If you worry that something other than growing pains is occurring, trust your gut and go see a doctor! Better to have that peace of mind, in my opinion!

So let’s dig into the treatment for growing pains that my family uses. We use Young Living essential oils and if you want more information on why we are extremely brand loyal, check out this post about how I got started with essential oils as a total skeptic. The Seed to Seal process that YL uses is extremely important to me, and I feel very confident using their products on my family. If you are new to essential oils be sure to do your homework about where the oils you are buying are sourced and exactly why “pure” and “organic” mean to the company you are buying from so that you can feel confident that you are getting something with therapeutic benefits.

Here are the products you will need:

Young Living Marjoram essential oil
Young Living German Chamomile essential oil
10 ml glass rollerball
essential oil bottle opener (optional, but makes life easier, so nice to have)
carrier oil of your choice (I love almond oil)

Use your oil cap remover to easily remove the roller ball from your empty glass bottle. Add 5 drops of marjoram and 5 drops of German Chamomile and fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil. Once the roller ball has been replaced give the bottle a very good shake in order to mix the oils well. Apply as needed to the areas where growing pains are occurring.

Why Marjoram?

One of the many benefits of this oil that is relevant to growing pains is that it can offer some relief and support to muscle spasms. It also can help with pain relief caused by overexerted muscles.

Why German Chamomile?

German Chamomile is also great at helping to relieve pain and inflammation. I also personally like to include it because my daughter experiences her growing pains in the evening, and this particular oil is very calming and relaxing.

I feel comfortable letting my 7-year-old apply this to herself whenever she feels the need. She has watched me apply it and she knows to not cover her entire legs, but only to focus on the area of need. The formula is also heavily diluted, which I think is appropriate for children. Essential oils are very powerful and more does not equal better! I’m amazed at just how helpful quality essential oils can be in such small doses.

Young Living is a referral based business and while you can purchase individual items as a retail customer, you get a 24% discount if you are a wholesale member. If you aren’t a member but would like to try majoram and german chamomile at a discount, simply reach out to me (stuffparentsneed (at) gmail (dot) com and I can include your order with the order I place once a month, no problem (must live in the U.S. for shipping purposes, sorry!).

In addition to essential oils, I do also recommend adding some epsom salts to bath time (1/4 cup should do the trick) as that really helps soothe aching muscles (add a drop of lavender essential oil to the salts to help your child unwind and get ready for sleep, too!).

The Top 25 Baby’s First Words Books

February 9, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

If you have a little one on the verge of saying some words, you are in need of a great “baby’s first words” book! These can be useful to have on hand before a baby turns 1, and I have found that kids tend to enjoy looking through them until they are 3 or 4. That’s a lot of mileage to get out of a book for kids, trust me!

best baby's first words books

Here are my top 25 picks for first word books. I hope they help you out if you are searching for a baby shower gift or even a first birthday gift!

baby's first words book 1

My Big Barefoot Book of Wonderful Words. This is a large book with vibrant scenes, following a family through a busy day. A good one to grow with, as preschoolers will still want to engage. Over 700 words are listed! This title has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal as one of the best books to gift to children.

2. My Very First Book of Words This classic children’s book by Eric Carle is very engaging, as children match up the picture in the bottom half of the book with the word in the top half. This also makes this book one that will grow with the child as they become a reader.

3. First 100 Words This is the bestselling book for baby’s first words, and for good reason. My girls loved this book with its 100 color photographs and simple words. It is a board book with a softly padded cover so it can survive babies and toddlers!

4. First Words (Bright Baby) Lovely bright pictures of fun objects to name, like boat, car, apple and banana. Board book format.

5. Big and Small A favorite in my home. Very high contrast colors to pull kids in. Very simple words and the concepts of big and small are featured on the pages (for example: lion on the left page and cat on the right).

6. Baby Basics: My First Words Colorful photographs of everyday objects are grouped by categories for ease of learning. Padded cover.

7. Disney Baby My First Words The perfect pick for the Disney fans out there! Images are organized by category and the illustrations are adorable. Board book with a soft padded cover.

8. Baby Touch and Feel: First Words Different textures come into play with this interactive book. Clear labels are also present to provide a multi-sensory experience and early language skill development. Padded cover.

9. Babies Love First Words: Life-a-Flap Board Book A chunky board book with 10 first words and matching colorful illustrations. Open the flaps to see what’s hidden underneath.

10. My First Book of Learning People, objects and activities featured in a baby’s day are found in this book. Real-life photography included.

11. My World My Words: A Toddler’s First Words Take a walk through toddler Bobby’s day, from breakfast to bedtime. Words for things, actions and feelings children know about. Love the printed cloth tabs at the start of each section. Unique, retro-chic illustrations make this book a winner!

12. Baby Sophie la Girafe: Baby’s First Words Another lift-the-flap option that features a favorite toy: Sophie the giraffe! Bright illustrations and large, simple text.

13. First Words (Say & Play) Toys, food, clothes and other familiar objects for letting one are featured in these big, bright photos.

Baby, bib, bottle, and apple: these are some of the first words every child learns! Big, bright photos show toys, food, clothes, and other familiar objects, so preschoolers can learn and practice saying the name of each one.

14. Baby’s First Book This is a beautiful book that features some rhymes and everyday scenes that will encourage language development.

15. 100 First Words (My Big Book of Lift and Learn) Photographs of familiar animals, toys, clothes, food and more. Flaps make this one interactive.

16. Jane Foster’s First Words Bold and graphic images that are distinctive, yet easily recognizable by young ones.

17. TotMart Baby Soft Activity Book, My First Word Book This super soft book is so fun to tote around! Different textures inside, too. 22 full color pages and 92 words featured.

18. Tabbed Board Books: My First Words: Let’s Get Talking! Tabbed sections lead children through 13 fun activity spreads of real photography and simple texts.

19. My Big Word Book Sturdy board book with bright photographs featuring everyday experiences, grouped into sections such as toys, clothes, mealtime and more.

20. My First Animals: Let’s Squeak and Squawk! My girls seemed extra eager to learn names and sounds for their favorite animals, so this is a great book to have as all those new words are taking shape!

21. The Sounds Around Town As little ones are learning words they are also eager to learn fun sounds! This book is SO much fun to read with little speakers-in-training! They will want to mimic every sound you make!

22. First 100 Words Lift-the-Flap This is another best seller: over a million copies sold! Contains over 100 photos of food, pets, toys and more everyday items.

23. Simple First Words Let’s Talk This book has a talking component, which sets it apart from the rest of the picks. I like that the list is limited so that it won’t overwhelm the child.

24. Mudpuppy My First Words Ring Flash Cards My girls had this reclosable ring of cards and took it all over the house with them! It has 26 cards that are two-sided. Lots of fun!

25. First Words Cards I do recommend a set of cards in addition to a book, and this is my other flash card pick. I love the 108 photographic images on the 54 cards. They are great to lay out in front of the child to point to an identify, even if s/he hasn’t mastered saying the words quite yet.

Let me know if you have any books or flash cards to add to the list of fantastic first words resources. I hope this helps you find something your little one will love!

Costs to Anticipate for a Family Vacation in Switzerland

February 6, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

We are now 5 1/2 months away from our big summer holiday to Switzerland (spending 3 1/2 weeks there!). If you missed my first post about how I saved for (and saved BIG on) flights to Europe in the summer, be sure to check that out.

Today I want to break down some of the expenses anyone spending time in Switzerland in the summer should anticipate. This is not yet our family’s budget breakdown, but will show some of the things we are considering so that we are prepared for the expenses and have enough saved to do the things we really want to do while we are in the country, all without coming back home with a completely depleted savings account.

vacation in switzerland: expenses

Passports

This is a cost that can easily be forgotten until you are writing the checks and feeling the burn (especially if everyone in your family needs a passport!). U.S. passports for kids cost $85 and passports for adults cost $110, plus there are often administrative fees (we are paying $30 each to our local library for helping us file). Once you are 6 months out from your trip, go ahead and get your passports ordered. It’s not too soon and trust me, the last thing you want to do is sweat over whether or not it will arrive on time.

Housing Costs in Switzerland

Aside from the plane tickets, accommodations are likely to be your biggest single expense in Switzerland (closely followed by food, but more on that in a moment). If at all possible, stay in just one place for your entire trip. The longer you can stay put in one place, the more you are going to be able to get for your money. My family is extremely fortunate in that our relatives who live in Switzerland are taking care of the accommodation expenses for us, which is wildly generous of them.

Since most of you reading this will be needing to pay for accommodations, here’s the approach I recommend: search for homes on Airbnb or VRBO. You can very likely spend the same amount per night on an entire home or condo that you would spend for a single hotel room, and your family will be much less crowded, and also have that extremely important access to a kitchen for meals. This is especially true if you can rent a unit for an entire week, as these rentals often have cleaning fees and listing fees that are tacked on, making them not such a great deal if you only stay one or two nights. Do be sure to pay attention to the location of the homes you are considering and where they are in relation to where you hope to spend your time. But if they are not a few blocks from the attractions you want to see, don’t immediately discount them! You may be able to use public transportation to get around (more on that in a bit!). Based on my experience looking around, I would suggest budgeting around $250/night for your accommodations (this is in comparison to around $180/night for one “no frills” hotel room to cram your family into). Obviously the size of your party, the dates you are traveling, and where you want to be located in Switzerland will come into play and affect the price so that you might find something you like for less, but I’m just offering a realistic middle-of-the-road price point for you as you start budgeting. Housing isn’t going to be cheap, especially if you need a little bit of extra space (which is worth every extra penny, in my opinion, when traveling with kids).

Cost of Food in Switzerland

Know this now: food is VERY expensive in Switzerland, and if you imagine yourself eating out a great deal, you need to pad your budget heavily. At the time of this writing, the Swiss Franc and the U.S. dollar had a nearly 1/1 exchange rate. A meal at a mid-range restaurant can easily cost a party of two around $120 for dinner, and if you want to go “cheap” and eat at the likes of McDonalds, expect to spend around $15/person. And when in Switzerland, is McDonald’s really what you want to eat the entire time? Of course not! So how do you keep from spending $400/day on food?

First and foremost, you only eat out as a rare treat, and you ALWAYS choose lunch for the dining out meal, as it is much cheaper than dinner. I’ve also heard that ethnic restaurants at lunch tend to offer bigger portions and slightly lower prices, but I haven’t confirmed this, yet. Also note that restaurants in Switzerland tend to have more strict meal times (lunch is usually 12-2pm, with only snacks available outside of those times). So if your kids are starving by 11, you’ll need to have food packed with you even if you were planning on dining out. Americans are so spoiled by the availability of reasonably priced restaurants open all day long, and you simply have to get out of that mindset while you are in Europe. Instead, go for eating breakfast in your rented condo, packing up delicious and delightful picnic lunches in your backpacks before heading out for the day, and making use of the public water fountains to refill your water bottles. If you have younger children, they may be totally worn out by dinner time, and you may be all done being tourists for the day by dinner time. If you think you will be out and about for lunch and dinner, just plan accordingly with your food choices, or simply plan your day’s journey so that you can go back home to refuel before getting back outside for the evening. Part of what you are paying for with your housing is the cost-saving feature of the kitchen, so make use of it!

You will still need to purchase groceries to have on hand, and for a family of 4, you can expect to spend about $400 per week on groceries if you don’t plan on eating meat for every meal (all grocery costs are high in Switzerland, but meat is especially expensive at $12-14/pound for chicken and beef, so be mindful of that fact when you plan your menu). And to avoid confusion at the grocery store, I do recommend planning a menu in advance so that you can get what you need at the store quickly and not overspend on impulse buys (though do take a minute in the chocolate aisle…Swiss grocery stores have AMAZING chocolate aisles…splurge a bit there, as well as at the cheese counter). And if your children are hopelessly devoted to a particular food item, you may want to research if it is easily available in Switzerland, and if not, make some space in your suitcase for that item. I don’t usually like to give precious packing space to food, but at least it’s a consumable good that won’t be coming back with you, and it might save some heartache and frustration, especially with younger kids who struggle more with abrupt changes to routines. I will do a separate post soon with more detailed information on food and our general meal plans.

Transportation in Switzerland

Another reason I’m an advocate for only choosing one or two locations during your trip is because public transportation in Switzerland is also expensive. You may want to look into the Swiss Pass, but at close to $400 for an 8 day pass, it’s only useful if you are planning on darting all over the country while you are there. We will just be using the train twice, so we will purchase individual fares, and since our dates to travel to Murren are already set, we will buy them in advance, as that will save us a little bit. You can also look into renting a car, as depending on the size of your family, it may be more economical than the train fare, if you are willing to put up with the hassle of driving in an unfamiliar country!

For in-town transportation, walking should always be your first choice, if at all possible (and depending on what you plan to do each day while in Switzerland, you may find it worth spending more on a more centrally located house so that walking is more feasible). I plan to do some more research into bus costs in the city of Geneva and work that into our budget. If my kids were a bit older, I’d also consider looking into bicycle rentals, although I am surprised that it doesn’t seem like the city has a bike-share program like what it is available in Paris (and even here in Chattanooga!).

Attractions in Switzerland

It’s a great idea to do your homework now about all the fun touristy things to do in the city you plan to stay in, and to map out their locations, their costs, and to read some reviews to get an idea of just how worthwhile those experiences are. I’m checking out a guide to Switzerland from my local library (and I will buy a copy if it proves to be indispensable). Some things are absolutely worth paying for and should be budgeted in so that you don’t miss out on them while you are there. Some of those options might even offer discounts if you purchase your tickets ahead of time, but you will have to weigh that cost savings against the flexibility you will lose if you lock in a tour for a specific date/time now.

Something very important to keep in mind as you plan out your daily activities: much of what makes Switzerland such an incredible place to visit is the surroundings, and enjoying the surroundings, more often than not, is completely FREE. Seek out the playgrounds and parks to enjoy (great spots for your picnics, too!). Also look for the hiking opportunities in your area, which are VERY plentiful, and also free!

Souvenir Costs

The very best thing you can bring back from a family trip to Europe is great memories (and hopefully some great photographs of those memories!). Aside from that, put some thought in before you leave about if there might be an item you’d like to have in your home to remind you of Switzerland. My family plans to hit up a few thrift stores to find some treasures (or not…it’s always hit or miss at a thrift store!). Open air markets are also a great place to find something unexpected and delightful. It’s a good idea to give every member of the family a budget to find that one special thing that they want to bring back. This allows everyone the freedom to be on the lookout for some such item, and also a limit so that you aren’t asked to purchase something every single day. This is the strategy I used during our week at Disney World, and it worked beautifully.

Let Your Budget Reflect Your Vision

It’s so smart to plan ahead for the costs you expect in Switzerland and there are many things you can do to keep your expenses from spiraling out of control. But at the end of the day, be sure to put your money into the things that you find yourself daydreaming about for your upcoming trip. For example, I am constantly thinking about the picnics we are going to have in the Alps while all the cousins play in the nearby streams and we all enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. I will gladly pay the train fees for my family to get to Murren to enjoy those breath-taking views. I am also going to be willing to spend more at the Swiss grocery store than I would ever dream of spending at my local shop so that I can have the awesome chocolate and cheese on that picnic blanket, for sure. And I’m going to spend the money on quality footwear for everyone in my family so that we aren’t ending our outdoor adventures early thanks to blisters. Every penny I spend on those items will be worth it! Take the time to think about what you really want to experience while in Switzerland, and then spend your money accordingly. It’s ok if your budget looks a little different from another family’s!

Where Does Cash Live? Learning Resources Pretend & Play Teaching ATM Bank Toy

February 3, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

A few weeks ago my kids started asking me questions about where, exactly, the money that our family has lives. Specifically, my oldest wanted to know exactly how much money we had and if we could go withdraw all of it and then count it for fun.

Well ok then, Scrooge McDuck!

I did my best to explain that it was rather complicated to pinpoint how much money we have since some of our money is tied up in assets, like stocks, bonds and real estate, and that their precise worth can only be determined at the point of sale. As I was watching their eyes start to glaze over, I switched the conversation back to how we can access cash RIGHT NOW if we want or need some.

Enter, the ATM!

pretend ATM machine

We actually do our banking with an institution that doesn’t have a local branch, so if we ever want to get cash, a trip to the ATM is in order. Learning Resources sent us a fun new learning toy they have put out called the Pretend & Play Teaching ATM Bank Toy, and it has helped me better explain how we get cash from time to time.

The bank toy comes with an ATM card and some play money. You can make deposits and withdrawals and the machine calculates your balance. Evidently my girls are doing awesome with that $6,000 balance they gave themselves! 🙂

toy atm

This is a fun toy for teaching money counting and money management skills. The girls have even used it as a pretend cash register when playing store. I appreciate that it will turn itself off after a few minutes of inactivity which saves on the batteries tremendously.

We’ve also talked about how important it is to pay attention to your balance, and how in real life you can’t simply tell the machine that you want to deposit some money if you don’t actually have it to deposit!

This is a great learning tool and a really fun toy, so if you are looking for a toy ATM machine for kids, give this one a try!

Meditation for Pregnancy: 7 Tips for a Great Practice

January 31, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Friends I hope you enjoy today’s guest post from Daron Libshtein, the mentor to the world’s top mentors. He is also a prolific author and strategic entrepreneur, seeking to foster personal growth using the potential of the digital space. As chairman and founder of Mentors Channel (www.mentorschannel.com) and The WellBe (www.thewellbe.com), Libshtein has established a thriving interactive community where the world’s best mentors and coaches help millions of people live fuller, richer lives.

meditation during pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting and joyous time, but also one where many women are more likely than not to experience a new level of stress and anxiety. This can especially be the case for first time moms.

Experts believe that it is important to manage your stress so it does not present a possible negative impact during your pregnancy. In studies, something as simple as regular meditation has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of premature birth and decrease pain sensitivity.

In general terms, meditation helps with our overall health and well-being. Studies show that 60-70% of illnesses and doctors’ visits are due to the impact of stress. Because meditation works directly to relieve stress, it consequently has a significant impact on our physical and emotional state during pregnancy and beyond by helping:

Increase concentration
Improve communication
Promote relaxation
Lower high blood pressure
Lower the levels of blood lactate, reducing anxiety attacks
Decrease any tension-related pain, such as, tension headaches, ulcers, insomnia, muscle and joint problems
Increase serotonin production that improves mood and behavior
Improve the immune system
Increase your energy level
Decrease anxiety
Improve emotional stability
Increase creativity
Gain clarity and focus

Doron Libshtein, the founder of The Mentors Channel, and a leading expert on meditation, outlines a few simple tips that pregnant women and new mothers can use to incorporate a few minutes of meditation into their day.

Routine, routine, routine. While pregnancy can be a particularly chaotic time, the first step for beginners is to set aside a regular time each day for meditation. Your meditation can be split into two short sessions, first thing in the morning and at bed time, or be one longer session. The amount of time is not as important as simply doing it regularly. You can start with just a few minutes and work up to more as you begin to feel more comfortable. And you don’t have to sit on the floor or in any specific position! You can sit in a chair, stand or lie down.

Mantras not mandatory, but recommended. This will give you something to focus on. If you choose to use one, it could be the popular “om” or “om shanti”, or you can pick a personal affirmation. If you choose to use a mantra, just repeat it both on the inhale and the exhale.

Exhale. How you breathe keeps you focused and reduces stress (one of the leading causes of illness and problems during pregnancy). Your exhale should be longer than your inhale. The goal is four counts on your inhale and eight counts on your exhale. However, don’t force this…you can work up to it. You will find that simply lengthening your exhale is an extraordinarily efficient way to calm you down immediately.

Music and motion. Some additional tools to try are calming music, or a technique called “dynamic meditation” in which you stand, close your eyes and gently shake your knees, arms, hips, head, etc. for a few minutes. Surprising, but it works!

Distractions happen. Don’t worry if you are not able to completely clear your mind while practicing the breathing technique outlined above or throughout your meditation session. It is obvious that during pregnancy there is always a lot on your mind. However, whenever possible, if you notice this happening, simply bring your attention back to your breath.

Get guidance from experts. Some people prefer guided meditation exercises, just as some prefer workout classes over working out on their own. The Mentors Channel (www.mentorschannel.com) provides a variety of such mental exercises. These are all designed to counteract the stress, anxiety or other issues that you may be experiencing and to bring the conscious and unconscious minds into alignment to help bring about the positive changes you want to see in your life.

Be mindful of your stress and its causes. You can now use technology to understand and manage stress. The WellBe (www.thewellbe.com) is the first bracelet that measures your stress and emotional wellness in the short and long term. The wearable device shows you who and what are your personal stress triggers, alerts you to rising stress levels and provides real-time solutions in the form of meditation, focused breathing and mindful exercises.

Meditation provides benefit to a woman’s own health as well as her baby’s. With regular practice, it can even help counteract the effects of sleeplessness after baby comes home.

Teaching My Children About The Power of Protests: 25 Great Books to Read

January 28, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Last weekend I experienced one of my proudest moments as an American, and as a mother. I went to our city’s Women’s march and I took my daughters with me. My husband and I set the tone for our family about our purpose at the march, which was to uplift women all over the world and to let our voices be heard. For us, personally, it wasn’t about negativity but was a very positive experience that I will remember forever.

women's march poster

It was also a tremendous learning opportunity for my girls, and it has led to some great follow-up conversations about why protests and marches are used to help move a cause forward. I’ve actually been quite shocked (and yes, disappointed) to hear from many adults who didn’t agree with the march that they think marches never accomplish anything and are a waste of time.

All I keep thinking is, “Did you sleep through every history class you’ve ever taken?!” And it has reminded me that it’s not too early to start teaching my girls about important protests and marches throughout history. They were part of one this past weekend, but there have been many that came before it, to be sure!

children's books about protests and marches

If you are interested in teaching your kids more about important protests and marches of the past, I’ve compiled a list of books that you can get from Amazon or even try to borrow from your local library. I hope they are helpful and lead to some great conversations about the power of the people and how democracy works! (Affiliate links may be included at no cost to you)

Stonewall (this is the only book in the list intended for older kids, ages 12 and up…I really struggled to find children’s books about the gay rights movement, unfortunately. If you have a book suggestion I’m all ears!)

A is for Activist (a great overview of participating in democracy and standing up against injustice)

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 (fantastic look at the rights of workers )

¡Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!: Janitor Strike in L.A. (lean about the janitors’ strike of 2000)

Child of the Civil Rights Movement (I like that this takes on a child’s perspective of this history-changing time)

The Day the Crayons Quit (if you are looking for a non-historical introduction to the concept of protests, start here)

The Boston Tea Party (an important moment in the formation of The United States of America…a protest was key!)

Peaceful Protest: The Life of Nelson Mandela (terrific introduction to civil rights in South Africa and an important world leader)

Gandhi: A March to the Sea (learn about the movement on the other side of the world that inspired Martin Luther King, Jr.)

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Suffragist!: A Protest Movement That’s Rougher Than You Expected (love that this books tells it like it is, and helps children understand just how hard it can be to stand up for what is right)

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist (great example of how important a child’s voice can be and how children aren’t too young to get involved)

Daddy There’s a Noise Outside (a very modern-day look at current protests in American cities)

Drum Dream Girl (a great story from Cuba about challenging cultural norms and what girls can do!)

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins (told from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl, a powerful story about another form of peaceful protest)

That’s Not Fair! / ¡No Es Justo!: Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice/La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia (a story about workers rights in Texas almost 100 years ago that was unfamiliar to me)

Aani and the Tree Huggers (based on a true story from the 1970s of women in a village who defended their forests from developers

We March (story about the historic March on Washington of 1963)

Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (a very important part of the voting rights story, and how people were prevented from voting even though they technically had the right)

Painting for Peace in Ferguson (highlights the power of public art and the power of a community rallying for peace)

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words (the true story of a Pakistani girl who stood up to the Taliban and started a worldwide movement for access to education for girls)

Side by Side/Lado a Lado: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez/La Historia de Dolores Huerta y Cesar Chavez A powerful true story of two leaders for workers rights in agriculture in America.

The Streets are Free (the true story of children in Venezuala who work together to create a space to play after politicians repeatedly fail to keep their promises)

Rightfully Ours: How Women Won the Vote, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (for older kids, a powerful look at several key leaders in the suffrage moment; I recommend pairing this with reading about the Voting Rights Act of 1965)

Joelito’s Big Decision: La Gran Decisión de Joelito (learn about a picket line through the eyes of a child with interests on both sides)

Rosa (a look at the woman who did a brave then and catapulted her community into action for equal treatment)

Friends this is not even close to an exhaustive list of books on the topic of social justice through protests and marches, but I hope it gives you a few new ideas. We are headed to the library this morning to find some of these titles. Feel free to take this page along with you and make some requests if there is a title that you really want to read but that your library doesn’t yet own!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Watching Cheers in 2017

January 26, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I am a Netflix Stream Team member and as such, receive complimentary streaming service. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of the longest running sitcoms in history, Cheers, debuted in 1982, when yours truly was just 2 years old and therefore, not exactly the target audience for the show. By the time it finally ended, I was only 12 1/2, so I even missed out on the bar’s last call. But still, like most everyone else living and breathing, I knew that theme song!

Making your way in the world today

takes everything you’ve got.

Taking a break from all your worries

sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

where everybody knows your name.

And their always glad you came.

You want to be where you can see

our troubles are all the same.

You want to be where

everybody knows your name.

You want to go where people know

people are all the same

You want to go where

everybody knows your name.

Cheers_intro_logo

That theme song is more true today than ever before. Y’all the world is a rough place right now for pretty much all of us. It is hard to express your opinions without getting verbally beat up, and usually by people who personally know, which which makes it sting so much more. So every night I am turning back the clock and joining this unlikely group of people in this basement bar in Boston and laughing my pants off while seeing examples of people who are so very different, but who love each other just the same. It’s comic relief at its finest for me right now.

If you need something new to watch, let me recommend Cheers. All 11 seasons are streaming on Netflix now.

25+ Moana-Inspired Easter Basket Ideas

January 23, 2017 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Affiliate links included at no cost to you. I only recommend what I think rocks.

Moana is THE COOL THING in my house right now. We play music from the soundtrack on blast every single day, and we talk about Moana’s courage on the regular. She is, without a doubt, our favorite Disney heroine!

I’m planning on putting together Moana-themed Easter baskets for my girls this year, and I’m gathering up my ideas. There are lots of great Moana items from which to choose, which is great but also a little overwhelming.

I hope my curated list can help you make some picks for the Easter basket faster. Let me know what you decide to get! 🙂

Moana necklace (I’ve already purchased one! Love the price point!)

Moana LEGO set (here’s another option)

Kakamora percussion set (we spotted this in a store and the girls loved playing with it!)

Moana musical jewelry box (love the colors and the shape!)

Moana DVD (releases in March and you can pre-order now!)

Moana bowling set (the perfect choice for a toddler or preschooler!)

Moana mini mystery figure (kids love having a surprise!)

grass skirt (instead of using traditional grass, use this instead, as it can be used after for dress up!)

Moana Journey Collection game (no reviews yet, but I think it sounds fun!)

Coconuts plush set (who knew something so mean could be so cute?!)

Moana Coloring Book (I’m definitely adding this to the basket!)

Maui’s magical fish hook (I am confident this will be a huge hit! It’s at the top of my shopping list)

Moana walkie talkie set (my girls already have the Trolls version of this, and I’m recommending it because they play with it constantly!)

Hei Hei plush (the breakout star of the movie! Also…a rooster! So perfect for an Easter basket!)

Moana Ravensburger puzzle (hands down the best puzzle company. Here’s a puzzle for slightly younger kids, too)

Moana Junior novel (recommended for ages 8-12. Here are other options for various ages)
Moana 10 piece figure play set (the most extensive and beautiful of the ones I have seen. Love that it includes Tamatoa and Tafiti!)

coconut shell cup and shell necklace (love this set!)

Pua Pig Pillow Buddy

Moana tattoos (I am going to cut these up and put them in Easter eggs!)

Maui Adventure Set (this looks like so much fun!)

Moana headphones

colorful shells (I’m going to use shells we already have from beach adventures, but you can buy some if you don’t have any…they will be so cute in the basket grass!)

coconut chocolate candy (something inspired by the Pacific Islands!)

If you want to go big, here are a few larger-scale items that I like best:

Moana comforter set from JcPenney (also check Overstock and Walmart to compare prices)

Do you have any other ideas for how to create an Easter basket that is all about Moana? I’d love to hear in the comments!

While you are working on your Moana Easter baskets don’t forget to make some Moana-inspired Easter eggs! Here are 3 simple and really cute ideas for you!

Moana Easter Eggs