ML Interest Tag: hybrid

The Best Carry-On Suitcases, Backpacks & Luggage for Parents

by Kate Loweth

These backpacks and suitcases will make you actually look forward to traveling with your kids

Traveling is fun, but traveling with kids? Let’s just say it isn’t always a dream come true. That’s why having luggage that works for you is a must. From versatile backpacks and lightweight carry-ons to large suitcases that pack tons of room for several kiddos, we’ve rounded up the best travel gear for parents. Keep scrolling to get prepped for your next family vacation!

Best Travel Backpacks & Accessories for Parents

The Getaway Bag from No Reception Club

$235 BUY NOW

If you’ve ever boarded an airplane with a baby, you know that the amount of stuff a small person needs is in inverse proportion to their size. Diapers, wipes, a change of clothes for all parties, snacks, a breast pump, and more and more and more—they all need to fit into your carry-on bag. That’s where No Reception Club comes in to save the day. The narrow shape makes it easy for any parent to carry and the stylish black exterior makes it more of an everything bag than a diaper bag. Our favorite feature is the flexible organization system with two “shelves” that velcro securely into the main compartment.

STM Goods Myth Backpack

$140 BUY NOW

Just because you're carting around diapers and burp cloths, doesn't mean you want to give up on style. We love this backpack because it has enough structure to protect your laptop plus space for snacks and an outfit change for both you and your kid. It also has our favorite feature: the luggage pass-through.

Able Carry Max Backpack

$278 BUY NOW

Looking to ditch the suitcase entirely? This bag is for you. Roll up your clothes and you can easily fit enough to get you and your tiny travel partner through a long weekend or more. We like this option for parents traveling solo with a kid because it keeps your hands free to push a stroller or tend to a little one.

Solo New York Parker Hybrid Backpack Tote

$83 BUY NOW

You only need one bag when traveling––this one! Solo New York’s hybrid backpack easily transforms into a tote bag with hideaway straps that will meet your complete itinerary needs. Our editors love the padded laptop compartment, ample interior pockets and a back panel that slides over your luggage handle to make those airport runs a breeze. The lightweight bag also comes with padded feet to protect the bottom while on the go and stylish gold hardware.

Vaschy Backpack

$44 BUY NOW

Not only does this backpack look super stylish, but it’s made with water-resistant polyester, has an interior spot for a laptop and five interior pockets for chargers, books, pens and more. There’s a secret side pocket to keep your phone, and there’s a clip in the front pocket that is perfect for keys. The pull cord on the interior lining adds extra protection from theft while traveling too.

Atlantic Daytrip Backpack

$90 BUY NOW

Available in coral orange and ocean blue, this adorable backpack will be your go-to carryon choice as it has just the right amount of pockets for all your gear and plenty of space to store those extra diapers and snacks you always need.

MinkeeBlue Nilah Tote

$135 BUY NOW

While not an official backpack, this tote does it all. Don’t schlep 3 bags through the airport when she can have just one that does it all! A Black + Woman-owned brand known for their bag with all the room you need to pack your necessities, the Minkeeblue Nilah tote offers zippered compartments that keep shoes and other essentials separate from other items, making it the perfect solution for working or traveling moms looking to make life easier.

Bee & Kin Tech Organizer

$55 BUY NOW

This sleek tech organizer keeps all your cords and electronics in one place! This would even fit perfectly in any of the backpacks above. The Bee & Kin Tech Organizer is perfect for traveling or while on the go for work. If you need help with keeping your things in one place, this is sure to do the trick!

Cincha Travel Belt

$36 BUY NOW

If you need help keeping your belongings together as you zip around the airport, then you’ll love this Travel Belt! All you has to do is neatly secure your personal bag to your carry-on or checked luggage handle!

Best Carry-On Bags for Parents

Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Hardside Spinner Luggage

$333 BUY NOW

Breeze through the airport with the sleek and durable Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner fro Travelpro. This lightweight option makes it possible for littles to transport it themselves due to the exclusive PrecisionGlide™ System, made up of 8 MagnaTrac® self-aligning wheels. Plus, each one comes with extrenal USB A & C ports that can connect to your own power bank.

LEVEL8 Road Runner Carry-on

$180 BUY NOW

We love this 20" carry-on as it easily stores your laptop on the zip-down side so you don't have to carry it in your backpack. It also has plenty of room for 3-5 days worth of clothes. The hard shell will stand up to wear and tear and the spinner wheels made for a smooth ride through the airport. 

Rollink Flex 360 International 21

$249 BUY NOW

If you are short on space to store your luggage at home, this is the luggage for you. It collapses to 4 inches for east stowing under your bed. Plus, you'll love the seven color options.

Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner

$89 BUY NOW

Your luggage takes a beating no matter how expensive it is, so why not opt for a budget-worthy option that still gets the job done? Our editors love the no muss, no fuss luggage from Amazon Basics that bring simple yet functional style to your travels. This hybrid bag is large enough to carry what you need, but small enough to fit as a carry on when you don’t want to check luggage. It has internal organization, a front tilting pocket, spinner wheels and a two-level adjustable, ergonomic handle.

Traveler’s Choice New London II Hardside Expandable Spinner Luggage

$97 BUY NOW

The sleek look of this bag is just part of the draw but its functional features have us bringing it with us whenever we travel. Pack it with the expanders closed and you’ll have plenty of space to add on souvenirs to bring home. The zippers are super sturdy and will stand up to lots of use.

Best Checked Luggage for Parents

Atlantic Convertible Medium to Large Checked Expandable Hardside Spinner

$200 BUY NOW

You'll love the colorful options in this collection (Sunshine Yellow! Coral Orange! Ocean Blue!) and its ability to expand to fit all those souvenirs you just HAD to have. Two handle heights means the kids can take a turn pulling it.

Away Expandable Medium Suitcase

$345 BUY NOW

Away luggage is the crème de la crème when it comes to traveling. This particular suitcase checks all the boxes: nice medium size, water resistant exterior, expansion capabilities for up to an extra 1.75″ of space plus an internal compression system so you can squeeze in everything you need.

Herschel Heritage™ Hardshell Carry On Luggage

$225 BUY NOW

We love the split design of this luggage that has two same-sized compartments, perfect for opening on that luggage rack in your hotel room. It comes in carry-on and large carry-on (to accommodate international carry-on rules), as well as medium and large sizes for checked baggage.

Travelpro Crew Versapack 29″ Suitcase

$350 BUY NOW

Luggage has gone through a transformation over the years and that means no more crazy heavy bags that break your back before you even pack! This huge suitcase is one of our favorites because it only weighs eight pounds and is large enough to pack multiple people’s worth of clothes. It’s a spinner, has an adjustable handle and plenty of room to pack everything you need.

SwissTech Navigation Hard Side Check Luggage

$109 BUY NOW

This work horse of a suitcase packs a ton of bells and whistles. From a built-in lock and integrated interior pouches to the two-inch expandable zipper, you can stash all your gear for your vaycay and then some!

—additional reporting by Gabby Cullen & Karly Wood

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

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Recall Alert: Honda Recalls Several Models Due to Child Seat Defects

by Karly Wood

The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration has issued a recall alert for six Honda models from 2021 and 2022 due to center seat belt assembly issues. Effecting the 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles, the recall addresses issue with the the automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly which can deactivate improperly and cause a child to be unsecured.

The recall impacts over 4,000 vehicles and according to Carscoops, the company became aware of the issue during a routine factory visit that found movement within the second row center seatbelt.

photo: Honda

Honda plans to notify all affected customers via letter by Jan. 17, 2022 that will direct them to have the seatbelt assembly replaced at no cost by a dealer. In the meantime, anyone with questions can contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

––Karly Wood

 

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Tips for Navigating the Return to School

By Amber Kemp-Gerstel

Photo: Amber Kemp-Gerstel via Damask Love

Every new school year brings its fair share of jitters, excitement, and everything in between, but the span of emotions leading into this year are greater than ever. After a year (or more) of balancing virtual or hybrid school, many parents are dusting off lunchboxes and backpacks to send their kids back to school in-person for the first time in over a year. It’s a big deal. But, at least for me, with each new school supply purchased and each lunchbox packed, the nerves slip away and eagerness kicks in. 

A new survey from Juicy Juice found that a staggering 95% of parents say they are excited to return to a sense of normalcy this school year after balancing remote school last year. And I’m one of them! So to celebrate the “yay” moments as I like to call them, I’m sharing some tips to help families stoke the positivity and set themselves up to conquer the school year ahead.

1. Be There for Your Littles
Heading back to school after a year of virtual or hybrid schooling can be a little intimidating for kids. Combat those back-to-school jitters with a little lunchbox note. It’s a great way for parents to inject some encouragement, confidence, and joy into the school day. It’s also a great way to stay connected and let them know you’re thinking of them during the day.

2. Go Easy on Yourself
Daily to-do’s don’t need to weigh you down. For example, don’t try to be the best chef when making school lunches. Lunchboxes can be easy and predictable! Stick with staples like a sandwich, some fruit and veggies, something salty and a maybe a sweet treat. Within these categories you can get creative. Maybe one day it’s turkey and cheese and the next day it’s almond butter with jelly. I give my son Juicy Juice 100% juice boxes because there are so many flavors to choose, it keeps his lunchbox interesting! The more you can simplify the tasks that you have to do multiple times a week, the lighter your to-do list will feel.

3. Leverage Your Resources
With so many children returning to school after a year or more of virtual education, you may notice some emotional difficulties with your child including some anxiety, social troubles, and attention problems. Your child’s school likely has a counselor or psychologist, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. But don’t forget to get yourself some help too. Lean on the other parents in your class for support. Even create a parent group chat! As parents, we may feel out of the loop when it comes to the day-to-day activities and events that happen at school, so help each other stay in the know and connected.

4. Play Goes a Long Way
Now that kids are heading back to school, we’re spending less time together, so make your family time count by setting aside a special time where you really connect with each other and just play! Play is the natural language of young children. By playing with your kids without the distraction of your phone or mobile device, you’ll have meaningful conversations, learn what’s on their mind and maybe uncover any difficulties they may be experiencing. This can be just 10 minutes after school before homework, it doesn’t have to be a lot of time to make a big difference!

5. Connect with Others
Take advantage of that parent group chat and schedule some play dates. Connecting with other classroom parents and planning an outdoor play date with other kids who will be in your child’s classroom will help build (or rebuild) that sense of community for parents. For kids who’ve been in virtual school all year, this is a great way to familiarize them with their new classmates and practice some socialization skills.

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Amber Kemp-Gerstel
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Amber Kemp-Gerstel is the host of Disney Family Sundays on Disney+ and founder of Damask Love, a creative blog all about DIY. Amber received her Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from Vanderbilt University and practiced as a pediatric psychologist for many years before shifting careers to pursue her passion for creativity. 

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Relieve Back-to-School Stress with Connection & Routine

By Kelly Oriard & Callie Christensen

Even during a regular year, the end of summer and beginning of fall marks a big transition for a lot of families. Back to school is a big shift with routine changes and social-emotional adjustments. But this year, the back-to-school transition feels especially big. Our kids have been through so many wild changes, uncomfortable adjustments and uncharted territory—and so have we!

Given the inequities in access to education that surfaced over the past year and a half, many parents are also worried their children have fallen behind their peers. Whether your family has dealt with online learning from home, hybrid classes, a pod set up, going to school in a mask or all of the above, you’ve been through a seemingly constant stream of changes and adjustments. As fall approaches, we know they (and you!) may have some extra back-to-school jitters this year. We’re here to help!

We believe two of the biggest supports for creating back-to-school stress relief are connection and routine.

Building Connections

We can teach our little ones that they are always held in a wide net of loving community connection, even when their loved ones are far away. As our kids embark on a new school year, reminders that they are always loved and supported no matter where they are empowers them to feel excited about creating relationships with new peers and teachers. This can greatly help to ease separation anxiety.

Talking with kids about upcoming changes and giving them a chance to get the details and ask questions is a great way to feel connected and soothe back-to-school stress. In these conversations we can help them remember that their Heart Family, just like Otter’s, is always with them. As we talk with them and help them prepare their backpacks and other items for school, we can remind them that our love and connection travels with them, too.

Roleplaying scenarios like walking out the door, getting on the bus, and entering the school or classroom can be a great way for parents to help kids feel ready, and if they know they’re not just carrying their lunch and school supplies but also the love of their family and community, they’ll feel that much more courageous and secure.

Fostering Routines

Being prepared and establishing routines gives us another way to support our kids as they get ready for the back-to-school transition. We can support our kids through their big transitions by giving them predictability in their home routines, such as having dinner together, packing up their backpack for the next day, and preparing for bed. Having routines at home also supports our kids in understanding and practicing routines at school, as well.

We encourage you to come up with a unique way of sending off your little one before their big day. This special goodbye ritual can be another part of the routines that you create together. Is it a fist bump and a silly face? A big squeeze and a nose nuzzle? Get creative and make it yours, together!

Many teachers agree that school readiness is mostly based on social-emotional skills and less so on academic skills. When our kids have the emotional support and skills to cope with big feelings and big changes, they are well prepared to learn at school.

To help with building connections and routine, Slumberkins has two stories that can help kids: The first is about Otter who helps teach our little ones that they are always loved and supported no matter where they are. This reassurance helps to ease separation anxiety. The second is Sloth’s story that helps children practice routines to calm their bodies and minds. By embracing structure with Sloth, our kids learn to take on new challenges and cope with new experiences.

We hope Otter and Sloth can help your family create some back-to-school stress relief through the power of connection and routine! Whatever fall brings for you, we hope to support you through this upcoming transition.

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This post originally appeared on www.slumberkins.com.
Kelly Oriard & Callie Christensen
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen are co-founders of Slumberkins, a children's brand supporting social-emotional learning for children. Kelly has a dual master's degree in family therapy and school counseling, and Callie has a master's degree in teaching. Both are passionate about teaching children social-emotional skills to thrive in our modern world. 

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10 Low-Maintenance Summer Plants You Can Have Delivered

by Kate Loweth

A pop of greenery is just what you need right now—trust us! And you won’t have to add yet another thing to your to-do list as these plants will totally survive if you forget about them for the next two weeks. Get one delivered to your home today, or send one to a friend for a housewarming gift!

The Sill

Bird of Paradise—with its broad vibrant green leaves, this tropical plant really delivers on the summer vibes! It’s great for outdoor patio and porch spaces, too. $57

The Sill

Summer Succulent—A colorful mix of hens and chicks (Sempervivum), this succulent requires bright light but little else, making it perfect for anyone traveling this summer. $45

The Sill

Philodendron Birkin—Sought after just like the bag it shares a name with – this unique hybrid houseplant has lush green leaves with white/yellow pinstripes. $48

The Sill

Monstera Adansonii—A fun, quirky plant! Related to the popular Monstera deliciosa, the leaves of the Adansonii are slightly smaller but with even more pronounced leaf holes. $40

The Sill

String of Bananas & String of Dolphins—Two unique trailing succulents perfect for summer. Drought tolerant, they only look difficult to care for. $34

The Sill

Philodendron Prince of Orange—Low maintenance like most philodendrons, yet unique in its leaf color, which changes from bright orange to green as the leaf matures. $43

Bloomscape

Pet-Peromia Collection—This too-cute threesome of pet-friendly peperomia plants will look lovely on a windowsill or in your office. $69

Bouqs

Oasis Snake Plant—Sssspice up your life with this sleek snake plant. Upright green and yellow leaves are known for promoting focus and helping boost your memory. This plant purifies the air, reduces allergens and is low maintenance. $59

Bouqs

Desert Love—This set of two Hoya hearts basically shouts, “Life would succ without you!” Potted in sweet lil’ cement planters with pink rocks, these babies live for bright sunlight. We love this sweetheart’s heart-shaped leaves. $44

—Kate Loweth

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The Registry Items You Actually Need On Your List, According to a New Mom

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

Cara Fries

I’m from Wisconsin, but I’ve lived in Chicago for 9 years. I love to travel, watch Netflix and am a huge foodie!

Follow Me

As a first-time mom, I was clueless about what to get for my baby girl before she arrived. I read through countless blogs trying to figure out the best products to register for but began to feel overwhelmed with all the new gadgets on the market. I wanted to make sure that we had some of the best products to hopefully help aid in getting our baby to sleep better, eat better and ultimately be as comfortable as possible. Did my baby really need a $1,200 bassinet or some device that she wore at night to register her vitals? Again, feeling so clueless, I decided to do some major research to find the best products so I could feel reassured bringing her home the first night.

After trying out tons of different baby products first hand, which I am hoping may help at least one new mama (or maybe even a second or third-time mama!), I am rounding up the top five products that were the holy grail of our household, and that I would suggest everyone with a newborn has in stock before bringing the baby home. These products succeeded in helping us feel like we knew what we were doing, even when we had no idea.

ChiccoDUO Bottles

While these bottles weren’t around (yet) when my baby was born, I sure wish they would have been! It took me a long time to find a bottle that both my baby loved, and that I felt good about giving to her and the ChiccoDuo bottles check both of those boxes. These bottles are the first-ever hybrid baby bottle that combines the purity of glass and the convenience of plastic. This means that the milk never touches the plastic, but the bottle can still be thrown in the dishwasher and won’t break or crack if dropped. The nipples also have a 9/10 acceptance rate and breast-like flow!

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2

Solly Baby Wrap

We used ours so much. And when I say so much, I mean pretty much every day. I really loved the Solly baby wrap over other ones because it’s really just a soft piece of fabric that ties around your body and holds the baby in place. Some of the other wraps I tried were so bulky and uncomfortable. My baby seemed to love this one best as well, as she’d always fall asleep when being carried in it.

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3

Nestled Bean Swaddle

Getting the baby to sleep and stay asleep can be a daunting (and exhausting!) task, so having a good swaddle is a must. This one is slightly weighted and rests against the baby’s chest, so they feel nice and secure, just like they did in the womb. They also can be used for baby’s up to 30” tall, meaning you can use them for a generous amount of time without having to invest in any other type of swaddle.

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4

Kyte Baby Pajamas

These bamboo pajamas are so incredibly soft and feel like butter on your skin. They’re especially perfect for babies who tend to get overheated or have sensitive skin, as they are hypoallergenic and actually good for the environment! It’s a win-win knowing that your baby is wearing something that’s not only good for their skin but good for the future of the planet as well! (P.S. They come in adult and toddler sizes too!)

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5

Hatch Baby Sound Machine

After having one of these in our bedroom when our baby was sleeping in the same room as us, we went out and bought the adult version because we couldn’t sleep without it! This machine is perfect for providing the baby (and adults!) with white noise (and blocking our other distractions such as dogs barking, traffic, etc.) for sleeping. We noticed our baby slept way longer and way better when we had the rain sound on.

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You Need This New Hybrid Baby Bottle on Your Registry Now

by Jamie Aderski
Partner Content

There are so many new things to adapt to with a newborn, like a sleep schedule for one, but top of the list is getting their belly full of milk. Even if you’re breastfeeding, chances are you will need a bottle sometimes—so you can hand off a nighttime feeding and can get some much-needed rest. Figuring out how to feed your baby is not quite as simple as you may think, and questions start popping up: “What is the safest bottle, plastic or glass?”, “What if my baby won’t take a bottle?”, “What if I never sleep again!?” (you will!).

When it comes to bottles, plastic is lightweight, hard to break and less expensive. So what’s the catch? It’s more difficult to sanitize and can absorb odors and discolor. Even BPA free-plastics are coming under scrutiny since it’s not clear if they can leach estrogenic compounds or if microplastics can be ingested, which is stuff you don’t want in your baby’s system. Glass won’t absorb odors or leach chemicals, is easier to clean and long-lasting—but is heavy and breakable. If only there were a way to combine the superpowers of these materials and eliminate the negatives… The baby experts at Chicco figured it out, so you don’t have to stress!

ChiccoDUO™ is the first-of-its-kind hybrid baby bottle offering the wellness benefits of glass and the convenience of plastic in one incredible bottle. ChiccoDUO bottles are lightweight, unbreakable, and your baby’s milk only touches pure glass—it’s the best of both worlds! Read on to discover four reasons why this is the baby bottle of the future. (And it just may help you get a little more sleep, too.)

 

Check out Chicco’s full line of products including the ChiccoDUO hybrid baby bottle and buy now!

1. Safety

How did Chicco invent this all-mighty bottle? By utilizing an advanced, patented technology used in medical and pharmaceutical products that permanently bonds micro-thin layers of glass to the interior of a crystal-clear, premium plastic exterior. This Invinci-Glass™ inner layer shields milk from plastic. Every aspect of the bottle and nipple was developed and tested for their safety, function, ease of use, comfort, and baby and parent acceptance. During a multi-year process, an international interdisciplinary team of engineers, award-winning scientists, designers, researchers and neonatologists transformed a medical technology into a breakthrough baby bottle, meeting or surpassing all FDA and CPSIA standards.

2. Functionality

Chicco knows babies—they've been crafting innovative baby products and making life easier for parents since 1958. The invention of the ChiccoDUO bottle was born from years of experience and research in the infant feeding category, hearing and understanding parents' needs and the know-how to bring powerful patented technology to a beautifully designed baby bottle. Like glass, it harbors none of the unpleasant odors or aftertastes of typical plastic bottles—it stays clear, won't stain or discolor and lasts longer. But, unlike glass, it's breakproof and lightweight. We'll leave the specifics of how they came up with this to the scientists—we just know it's pure genius.

Check out Chicco's full line of products including the ChiccoDUO hybrid baby bottle and buy now!

3. Convenience

We love simplicity—with a baby, you have enough to do! Hand washing tons of parts (and trying to piece them together in the middle of the night) is a nightmare. ChiccoDUO saves the day again: It's dishwasher, sterilizer and bottle warmer safe with only four simple parts to handle. The logo, measurements and decorations are laser-etched, so there's no ink, fading, and no chipping. These innovative bottles stay crystal-clear, with quality that lasts so well, you can probably pass these down to your sibling who is not ready for the whole "baby thing" quite yet...

4. Ideal Latch

Is this the Ferarri of baby bottles? We think so! Its sleek, lightweight design is expertly crafted to be comfortable for you to hold and ideal for your baby to latch correctly (which is huge because if they're not happy, no one is, mama!). It features Chicco's Intui-latch™ anti-colic nipple with a textured skin-like feel that positions the baby's tongue and lips for a natural, intuitive latch. The breast-like flow is easy for your baby to control for seamless and stress-free breast-to-bottle transitions. Tested with proven results: The Intui-Latch™ Nipple is baby-approved with a 9 out of 10 infant acceptance rate in consumer usage testing—amazing!

Check out Chicco's full line of baby products including the ChiccoDUO hybrid baby bottle and buy now!

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Our Picks for Making Mom’s First Mother’s Day Extra Special

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

Between baby’s first giggles, the first time they roll over and hearing the start of their first words, your little one’s first year is filled with tons of memory-making moments. It’s also an exciting time for Mom, including her first Mother’s Day! To celebrate a few mom’s first Mother’s Day this year, we sent new mamas a few of our favorite gifts to make their day extra special. Here’s what we included:

ChiccoDuo™

Another big part of baby's first year: Feedings. So many feedings. The ChiccoDuo™ is a hybrid bottle that offers the wellness benefits of glass and the convenience of plastic—making Mom's life much easier. The ChiccoDuo™ has an Invinci-Glass™ inner layer, which means baby's milk only comes in contact with glass. On top of the micro-thin layers of glass is a crystal-clear, premium plastic exterior that keeps the bottle safe from breaking. Paired with the Intui-Latch™ Nipple (a game-changing anti-colic nipple with a textured skin-like feel that positions baby’s tongue and lips for a natural, intuitive latch), ChiccoDuo™ makes feedings a way better time for Mom and baby!

Milk Bar Cookies

These so-yummy Milk Bar cookies have something for everyone. Whether you're the ultimate sweets lover (hello, Chocolate Confetti Cookie) or into something a bit more savory (don't knock a Corn Cookie until you've tried it) or just indecisive (a Compost Cookie covers all the bases), the assorted cookie tin is sure to hit the spot. 

Pickwick & Co. Chamomile & Lavender Candle

We all know that a little "me time" is what moms really want for Mother's Day. For when first-time mamas are looking to relax, this soothing Pickwick & Co. Chamomile & Lavender Candle rises to the occasion. At-home spa day, anyone? 

Par Avion Unicorn Tears Tea

When Mom finally gets a chance to kick back and put her feet up, this fun tea from Par Avion is the perfect soothing sipper. The green tea with rosehip, blue pea flowers, blue cornflower petals and hawthorn fruit not only tastes delicious, but it also changes colors!

Tinybeans Family Premium

We know new moms want to capture all of their baby's special moments, which is why we gifted each mom a year of Tinybeans Family Premium, from the Tinybeans app that lets parents share as many photos as they'd like with the family and friends they choose. 

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Here’s How to Take Your Child to Work In 2021

by Erica Loop

While this last year for many parents has meant taking kids “to work” pretty much every day thanks to school and work from home, you might find yourself laughing at the idea of celebrating this day. But hear us out!

This year, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is going virtual for 2021 and is adapting to current times by creating a virtual career day for parents and kids to experience together. They’re hosting an online event geared toward elementary and middle-school-aged kids. Each program will include keynote speeches, interactive polls, video programming that focuses on diversity and inclusion, and an up-close look into more than 15 workplaces from industries such as the Arts, STEM, Health Sciences, Marketing, and Business.

photo: iStock

Whether you currently work from home, are back in the office in a hybrid model, or are a full-time in-person employee, this special day is a way to celebrate your career with your child. Starting in 1993 daughters and sons have enjoyed learning more about what their parents do for a living. To carry on the excitement of this career-centric day, the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation is transforming the previously all in-person events to cyber fun.

Tune in to the virtual event on Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 at DaughtersAndSonsToWork.org. All participants should register before the event begins. Visit the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation website here to register.

Catch the broadcast at one of two times—either 9:00 a.m. ET or 12:00 p.m. ET. Entrepreneur and author Ellen Langas will host the 9:00 a.m. event, along with her daughters Stephanie and Veronica Campbell. Activist and icon Gloria Steinem will also make a special appearance, answering questions gathered from children before the event day. Courtney Carson, beauty and lifestyle TV personality, will host the 12:00 program. Gitanjali Rao, TIME Magazine’s first Kid of the Year will also make a special appearance.

Visit the Take Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation’s website to get an Activity Passport and an Activity Guide for parents and teachers.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

 

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What Surprised Me about Our New Normal

By Jenni Brennan

The new normal.

For some reason, I hate that term.

Maybe it’s because I don’t like labeling something as normal vs. abnormal. It feels too judgmental.

Maybe it’s because I don’t like change. Change is always hard and uncomfortable.

But, this is my life now—the new normal. Whether I like it or not.

After over a year of remote and hybrid learning where my children have been at home at least three school days each week, my children have returned to full-time in-person schooling.

After over a year of working primarily from home, my husband has returned to being in the office for most of his shifts. The other day was our first day where I was the only one home.

After over a year of me working fully remote from home, I’m still here—seeing all my patients via telehealth and teaching all my classes over Zoom.

But, after 13 months of family togetherness, I was alone.

The house was silent.

No teacher’s voices could be heard on the computer through the doors of my children’s rooms.

The house was silent.

No cheesy manager jokes from my husband could be heard as he led a zoom meeting from our dining room table.

The house was silent.

No dog footsteps could be heard tip-tapping on the hardwood floors as they wandered the house looking for anyone who was free and could give them some attention. They were snuggled all cozy in their crates, probably enjoying the quiet opportunities to nap.

The house was silent.

No dirty dishes were found in the sink as remnants of quick snack breaks between my kids’ classes or between my husband’s meetings.

The house was silent.

No one was there to pass me in the hallway.

The house was silent.

No one needed my help with getting into a Google Classroom meet.

The house was silent.

No one was there at my kitchen island eating their lunch while I poured myself another cup of tea.

The house was silent.

Silence recharges me. Silence refuels me. Silence calms me.

But this silence was different.

The house was silent and I realized just how lucky my family had been for the past year.

We stayed healthy and we enjoyed the forced togetherness.

The house was silent and I felt deep gratitude for the memories we had made as a family over the past year.

We adapted and grew and were able to be a part of each other’s lives in ways that never would have been possible without a pandemic.

The house was silent.

And I missed the loudness.

This post originally appeared on Changing Perspectives.

Jenni Brennan is a psychotherapist, college professor, creator of Changing Perspectives, and co-host of The Changing Perspectives Podcast. Jenni is passionate about exploring the topics of parenting, relationships, grief, and mental health through her writing and podcast episodes. She lives with her husband, 2 sons, 3 dogs, and 2 cats in Massachusetts.

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