These brands make it so easy to jump on the organic baby clothes train
If you’re a parent, you know how important it is to keep your little ones safe and comfortable. In total fairness, even if you’re not a parent, you know babies have much more delicate skin than adults. Oh, and that everything goes in their mouths (clothes included). None of that is really news, per se, but it’s definitely info that’s becoming more and more talked about. Organic baby clothes are trending. Even the most die-hard, brand-loyal moms and dads are paying closer attention to what their kiddos’ clothes and toys are made from. And with good reason. There are some incredible kids brands (and we’d know!), but there’s still products out there treated or made with stuff you probably don’t want near your littles.
That’s why more and more parents are turning to organic baby and toddler clothes. Not only are they made from natural materials without harmful chemicals, but they’re also super soft and gentle on baby’s delicate skin. Beyond that, there’s the added bonus of being better for the planet all around. And listen. No one is saying you have to go 100% natural and organic all the time. If that’s not realistic for you and your crew, then stick with what works for you. Even making a couple of swaps from your usual buys to organic and natural options occasionally can make a difference. We’ve made it easy, too, by rounding up a list of organic and natural baby and toddler clothes for every budget, lifestyle, and fashion sense.
Carter's Little Planet
Carter's
Designed to inspire a love for the great outdoors, the newest styles in the Little Planet line feature woodland prints, cozy plaids, and heirloom fabrics made from certified organic cotton and sustainable materials. Available in sizes newborn to toddler. Carter's Little Planet ($11.99+)—Buy Here!
Tabeeze Fuss-Free Baby Dressing
Tabeeze
The top of this ingenious bodysuit has snaps that make dressing and undressing much easier. No need to struggle with getting the bodysuit over your baby's head or squirmy hands, and removing the bodysuit after a blowout is a breeze. Unsnap the shoulder snaps during nursing too, to maximize your skin-to-skin contact. These bodysuits (and their Snappy Tees and Zippy Leg Rompers) are chemical-free, made in the U.S., come in white, gold, blue and rust (with colors coming from mineral-based dyes) and are designed from GOTS-certified organic cotton. Tabeeze ($18.00+)—Buy Here!
Pip Pea Pop
Pea Pip Pop
This gender-neutral bodysuit is made with organic pima cotton and has both snaps and a two-way zipper for easy diaper changes. Add a matching attachable bib ($7) to catch drool or other spills and your little one can live in this all day every day. Comes in white with one of nine different designs, from dancing dinosaurs to flamingos. Personalize it ($10) for a bougie baby touch. Pip Pea Pop ($36.00+)—Buy Here!
Goumi
Goumi
Goumi's organic footies come with either two-way zippers or snaps and have reinforced knees to withstand baby's crawling adventures. You can convert the footies to open-footie pajamas in warmer weather or if your baby prefers it. It also makes it easier for walkers to roam without slipping. Also be sure to check out Goumi's toddler, kids, and adult collections, too. Goumi Footies ($38.00)—Buy Here!
Hanna Andersson
Hanna Andersson
Hanna Andersson is our go-to spot for super-soft, extra comfy 100% cotton organic PJs. Hannas last through wash after wash after wash, meaning you'll be able to pass that cute sleeper on down to younger kids and it'll look nearly new. Plus, these comfy PJs, rompers, and onesies come in bright colors and loads of prints, so you can always find something to match your little one's current loves. Hanna Andersson Baby Bodysuit ($12.00+)—Buy Here!
TØY
TØY
We love the soft, neutral-colored baby jumpsuits, bodysuits, and kimono bodysuits from TØY. The GOTS-certified organic cotton pieces are never treated with bleaches, softeners, retardants, or anti-shrinkage chemicals during the production process, and the clothes are either undyed or safely dyed with fiber-reactive, azo-free dyes. TØY ($15.00+)—Buy Here!
Pact
Pact
Pact's baby clothes are made of soft 100% organic cotton in fair trade-certified factories, so they're easy on your baby's skin, and easy on the planet. They're also really affordable. Pact Bodysuit ($12.00)—Buy Here!
Finn + Emma
Finn Emma
With sustainable organic-cotton clothes made with eco-friendly dyes and handmade toys, Finn + Emma's line of products have all the ingredients for perfect baby shower gifts. We love the stylish patterns, like the adorable graphic on this onesie, and that the clothes are designed for easy dressing with thoughtful touches like lap shoulders. Finn + Emma ($19.00+)—Buy Here!
Burt's Bees Baby
Burt's Bees Baby
Burt's Bees line of baby and toddler clothes includes all the classics (think sleepers and onesies) and a few dressier items, too. We love these super soft short-sleeve bodysuits for playing, sleeping and layering. Burt's Bees Baby ($13.95+)—Buy Here!
Under the Nile
Under the Nile
Under the Nile's 100% organic cotton is extra-special: it carries a seal of authenticity for its super-soft Egyptian cotton. This all-in-one snap baby footie features an embroidered carrot and will make your munchkin look good enough to eat. Fabric and dyes are free of all sorts of things, like formaldehyde, lead and PVCs, that you don't want anywhere near your little one. Under the Nile Carrot Side Snap Footie ($15.00)—Buy Here!
Pehr
Pehr
All of Pehr's baby duds are made from 100% organic cotton. The line comes in sleepers, rompers, tops, pants, hats, bibs and more, in solids, stripes, florals and sweet prints. Pehr Criss-Cross One-Piece ($28.00)—Buy Here!
MORI
MORI
MORI's organic cotton and bamboo fabric is very soft and earth-friendly. We love that you can pick single pieces, like zip-up sleepers and stretch diaper-friendly yoga pants, or order up a full set with everything your new little one needs. MORI Ribbed Zip Summer Romper 4-Pack ($97.50)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
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From donating goods to volunteering your time, these are the best places around DC to make a difference as a family
Play Santa this season by checking off the wish lists of these local non-profits (plus one neighborhood group). You’ll help bring holiday cheer to those in need while also modeling empathy, kindness and generosity to your kids. There are so many ways to empower the local community this December, from donating goods, volunteering services or even making a monetary contribution. Whether you choose to spend time with struggling students in Ward 5, support sick kids with holiday gifts, or empower homeless teens with gift cards, donating to these local organizations will help make the holiday season a little brighter for those in need (and might just boost your family’s joy!).
Dr. Bear's Closet at Children's National Hospital Bring holiday cheer to hospital-bound children this Dec. by donating gift cards and new toys, books and games. Shop the hospital registry here to choose a gift that will be shipped directly to Dr. Bear's Closet. The hospital is collecting holiday donations now through Dec. 23 (but donations are accepted year round, so don't worry if you miss the holiday window).
District of Columbia Public Schools DCPS (District of Columbia Public Schools) is currently seeking items to support in-classroom instruction, like computers, art supplies and white boards. You can direct your donation towards your local school, or contact DCPS to find the schools most in need. You can also make a monetary donation here.
DC Diaper Bank Helping babies is the number one mission of the DC Diaper Bank. Diapers, newborn necessities, nursing supplies, hygiene products and more are all collected to empower and change lives of babies living at or below the poverty line. DC Diaper Bank collects more than just diapers, you can also donate new carseats, strollers, diaper bags and other nursery needs. Stock the Bank's pantry by donating formula, wipes, diaper cream and more.
Beacon House Serving over 400 children in Ward 5, Beacon House aims to close the educational gap and help Edgewood students achieve their greatest potential. Like a "beacon" of light guiding students to graduate from high school and pursue secondary-education, this non-profit embodies the spirit of a "lighthouse" for neighborhood kids. Donate your time and talents to help Edgewood youth; this organization is always seeking volunteers to help with their many educational programs. You can also make a monetary contribution here. For material good donations, contact the organization to get a list of their current needs.
Partners for Kids in Care Partners for Kids in Care supports children and youth in foster care and at-risk families in DC’s welfare system. Donate new or gently used clothes, games, toiletries and linens to the Children's Donation Center where teens, youth and families can shop free for their personal needs.
Mobile Hope Mobile Hope has been empowering at-risk youth in Loudoun County since 2011. This organization supports teens and young adults (up to 24) with shelter, clothing, food, transportation and more. You can support Mobile Hope's annual toy drive by shopping their Amazon wish list here. Mobile Hope also accepts food, clothing, shoes, diapers and more year round.
Martha’s Table This group has worked for 35 years to support children, families and the community at large in the DC area. Volunteer your time and become one of the 16,000 volunteer who help with food, clothing and special events every year. This organization is currently accepting beans, canned vegetables, whole grain crackers, pasta and more (for a full list, go here). Martha's Table also accepts new and gently-used clothes for adults and children.
So Others Might Eat For over 50 years, So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) has been serving the DC"s homeless community and those experiencing extreme poverty since 1970. This interfaith organization offers transitional housing, access to medical care, career training, and an open door policy to those that need a hot shower, a meal or food pantry items. S.O.M.E. is currently collecting food, clothing, hygiene items and household goods. You can view their Amazon wishlist here.
A Wider Circle A Wider Circle provides basic need items to families transitioning out of homelessness or leaving domestic abuse situations. Their goal is to help families get a fresh start with dignity and hope. A Wider Circle accepts gently used baby essentials, like strollers, highchairs, changing tables, Pack ‘n Plays, car seats, infant and toddler clothing and cribs as well as any household items you might need to start a new home (think pots and pans, desks and children's toys).
Shelter House This nonprofit serves two shelters for families and one for victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County, VA. Needs are greatest for toiletries, gift cards, diapers and wipes, baby bottles and more.
Carpenter’s Shelter Serving more than 600 homeless and formerly homeless children and adults each year, this shelter serves people in need in the city of Alexandria. They’re looking for in-kind donations of food, toiletries and miscellaneous items such as air mattresses, dish and bath towels, and SmarTrip cards.
Bethesda Cares This community outreach program for the homeless provides food, clothing and psychiatric services, and helps put a roof over the heads of people in the streets. Bethesda Cares accepts food, clothing or toiletries. During the winter, coats for adults are especially needed.
GreenDrop As the name implies, you can drop used goods at a number of freestanding donations boxes across the DMV, but this service will also come to you! Schedule a pick up and let GreenDrop haul away your bags (and bags!) of used clothes, toys, appliances, small furniture and more. GreenDrop sells your goods and you choose where they donate the profits (pick from organizations like the American Red Cross, Military Order of the Purple Heae or the National Federation of the Blind).
Various Drop-Off Locations around MD and VA or schedule a pick-up Online:gogreendrop.com
The Buy Nothing Project Post items on your local Buy Nothing group that no longer bring you joy and brighten up the day of one of your neighbors (they simply scoop up your goods from your doorstep). These groups aren't just limited to used goods; you can also share your time and talents. Whether you're a notary public or an online tutor, you can offer your services free-of-charge to help those that could not otherwise afford them. Want to be on the receiving end of your neighbors' generosity? You can also request things from your personal wish list with one simple rule: money never changes hands.
Bikes for the World Let's think about the tricycles and bikes that may be crowding your hallway or tiny garage. A great organization that can help you to get rid of some of those bikes is Bikes for the World. Bikes for the World is a nonprofit humanitarian organization and volunteer network that collects thousands of used bicycles, as well as bike parts and tools, and delivers them to community programs around the world. Recently, they worked with BikeMatch DC to deliver bikes to essential workers during COVID. They also distribute bikes to area youth through an earn-a-bike program. So get to pedaling over to the Bikes for the World Warehouse. You can donate at anytime to any participating bike shop or find out when the local warehouse (address below) is hosting a bike drive.
Volunteering is not only a great way to spend family time, but it can help foster your child’s social skills, grow their sense of empathy and expose them to new interests. From creating custom cards for the troops to cleaning dirt and debris from the National Mall, we’ve rounded up volunteer opportunities suitable for a range of ages—from tots to teens. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, scroll down for the best family-friendly volunteer opportunities in the DMV.
Arlington County: Be Earth Friendly Every Day Arlington County's website boasts a long list of recommended family activities and events, like how to create your own rain garden or rain barrel, recycling tips, leads on local freecycling groups, and scheduled invasive plant removal projects at area parks. Arlington is also home to a ton of nature centers and gardens, where you can register for a nature event or stock up on foliage at a spring native plant sale.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation The Alice Ferguson Foundation has a long legacy of grassroots, community action. Our goal is to create meaningful experiences that connect our volunteers and visitors to the natural world. Family friendly opportunities include everything from Children's Garden maintenance and trail cleanups to Potomac River trash pickup and beautifying.
Anacostia River With multiple points throughout the district, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County, there is likely an Anacostia clean-up site near you. The Anacostia Watershed Societywelcomes all, families and kids included to volunteer. They provide the tools and supplies, you provide the manpower to make the river sparkle.
National Mall and Memorial Parks Plan a unique family gathering or organize your local troop for a day on the Mall. Groups of 15 can spend an afternoon pruning trees, painting benches and keeping this National Park looking visitor-ready.
Casey Trees Help add green to the urban landscape with this non profit organization dedicated to increasing the leafy canopy in DC. Check the website for on-going opportunities to help with community plantings. Or register your child's school for a hands-on academic experience.
Children’s National Medical Center Most of the hands-on volunteering is for people ages 18 & up, with the exception of a 15 & up Ambassador Program, but the hospital needs more than bedside manners. Keep Dr. Bear’s Closet well stocked with superhero figures, Legos, books, crayons, stuffed animals, iPads – you get the idea – through donation drives.
When: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Suite 1180 Online:childrensnational.org
DC Diaper Bank Helping babies is the number one mission of the DC Diaper Bank. Diapers, newborn necessities, nursing supplies, hygiene products and more are all collected to empower and change lives of babies living at or below the poverty line. Kiddos can get involved by helping to collect supplies, packaging diapers, and distributing to those in need. Even the littlest of helpers can join in – there’s a playroom for the young and eager to practice their skills while you and junior box up pampers.
Art for Humanity This Arlington-based charity has been helping poor children in Honduras through the Honduras Independence Bilingual School since 2006 and has three main ways to involve kids. One is by collecting vitamins and health supplies such as ibuprofen and cough drops for adults and children. Another is to sponsor a child’s education. The website lists kids in need and how much money per month they need. Sponsors get reports of their progress and a video of the children.
Shelter House This nonprofit serves two shelters for families and one for victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County, VA. Arrange a drive or just gather items to donate as a family. Needs are greatest for toiletries, pillows, pots and pans, gift cards, diapers and wipes, baby bottles, cutlery, and sheet sets.
Cards for Hospitalized Kids OK, so this isn’t locally based, but seriously, it’s so easy, we couldn’t exclude it. Get out the art supplies and make uplifting cards – generally themed or holiday-specific – to be delivered to children in hospitals. Cards go out monthly. Send your creation(s) to 7290 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.
Color A Smile With kids, you’re probably coloring pretty often anyway, right? Print a page from the choices on the Color a Smile website, use crayons or markers, and mail the picture to PO Box 1516, Morristown, NJ 07962-1516. Every month the organization distributes the drawings to senior citizens, troops overseas and “anyone in need of a smile.” In the past 25 years, it has sent more than 1 million drawings.
We Are Family Missing Grandma and Grandpa? Volunteer with We Are Family! They reach out to isolated senior citizens to help with groceries, cleaning, transportation, and/or just a friendly visit. Little ones can bring huge smiles to faces who might not get to interact with pint-sized future presidents, doctors, social workers and teachers. Kids who visit with the elderly benefit from the stories, interactivity and getting a dose of Grammie and Pop-Pop —even if it’s just for a little while. Be still our beating hearts.
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington Visit an elderly person (or two or 10) who might not have family nearby. Chat, play games or take them outside for fresh air. If you play an instrument, sing, dance or love theater, contact the recreation team about performing. Kids ages 10 to 17 need parental permission to volunteer here.
Montgomery County Humane Society To volunteer at a shelter, you must be at least 16, but younger people can help in other ways. For instance, host a drive for new or gently used pet supplies, or make a “no sew” pet bed, cat toys and other do-it-your-self toys. Find specific instructions online.
Where:601 South Stone St., Rockville, MD Online: mchumane.org
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Got a pint-sized animal lover who wants to collect a whole zoo? The Lucky Dog's Youth Program is the perfect way for your personal Jeff Corwin to get involved without having to get another puppy or kitty. Lucky doggers can host fundraising events, make dog toys, bake treats, draw pictures (yes, really!) and even invite Lucky Dog Rescuers to school to learn more about the animals they help (for kids 7 & up). Woof!
Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County Even pets need a hand up sometime – which is exactly where Chomper’s Food Bank comes into play. Little one who are always trying to fill up the grocery cart with all those delicious treats, can now fill up their basket to help Fido instead of driving Mama crazy. Dried and wet food, kitten, puppy or senior food, it’s all needed at Chomper’s so that dogs and cats of Montgomery County can stay in their homes even if their owners are a little down on their luck. Helping animals and people? We call that a win-win.
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Fans of Lost Dog Café know that their mission is to help animals in need. So, help kiddos put their money where their mouths are, and fundraise for animals who need it most. Middle schoolers, high schoolers and even elementary aged animal lovers can collect coins, bills and checks to donate to homeless dogs and cats. To date, they’ve helped more than 22,000 furry critters – all with a little help from their friends.
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Help a furry friend without worrying about allergy attacks or friendly nips through the Youth Program’s at-home activities. These include chopping hot dogs, making Kittywands, catnip socks, Pupcicles of broth and meat, tugbraids and hiding houses (instructions for all are here).
Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s Paws and Read Who doesn’t love a good story? Children in kindergarten through fifth grade, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, can practice reading and give cats some love by reading books to them. Take that, holiday brain drain (that’s a thing, right?).
When: Mon., Wed.-Fri. 1-5:20 p.m. Where: 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington, VA Online: awla.org
Humane Rescue Alliance Kids been nagging you for a pet? Give one a trial run – and a good home – as a foster family. The alliance takes in an average of 30 animals a day, and it needs help providing shelter for them, particularly those that might need specialized care, such as orphaned kittens and puppies.
Wreaths Across America Cemeteries may not be the first things that come to mind when volunteering as a family, but Wreaths Across America aims to place a festive, holiday wreath on the grave of soldiers to “Remember, Honor and Teach.” Families can lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as multiple locations throughout the DMV.
Socks for Vets For those with younger kiddos who want a taste of volunteering, but might not be able to pack food or read to puppies, Socks for Vets is the perfect fit. Each month, the founder, Cavan McIntyre-Brewer decides different ways to honor the nation’s veterans. Your family can get involved by donating socks, making cards, shopping for goat supplies (seriously they have packgoats!), and other myriad ways to show support for the bravest of the brave. Socks for Vets regularly visits the DC area where they hand out cards to Vets at the memorials, volunteer at military hospitals or participate in parades where they showcase their mission (DC is a bit much for the furry critters, though, so don’t expect to see goats roaming around Pennsylvania Ave.) and how they help wounded warriors.
Any Soldier Gather together to create care packages for members of the military who are stationed overseas. Recommended items include playing cards, jerky, Nutella, sunflower seeds, socks and Beanie Babies. The website offers a complete list including brand names or select a service member’s name to see their wish lists.
Holidays for Heroes Send three blank holiday cards, three blank envelopes with postage stamps and a personalized message from your family to a service member for the American Red Cross to provide to injured, ill or hospitalized service members and veterans. Each recipient will be able to send the cards to their loved ones. Mail them to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region at 8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031.
Manna Food Center This charity in Gaithersburg has volunteer opportunities for kids ages 7 & up who want to help feed the hungry in Montgomery County. One activity is Family Box Packing. The center recommends that children be at least 10, but kiddos as young as 7 are welcome. At these events, held five time a month, participants spend about 90 minutes packing about 192 boxes of nonperishable food items. Check the website for additional opportunities, such as food drives.
Meals on Wheels As part of the Moms for Meals program, kids can accompany parents on weekday delivery runs during summer and winter breaks. Meals on Wheels provides food to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. If you can spare the time, chat with the recipient for a few minutes to make their day just that might brighter.
Food for Others Make a family outing to this food distribution center, which serves those in need in Fairfax and the greater NOVA area. Children must be at least 12 and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tasks include packing food boxed, Power Packs and USDA bags, unloading trucks, and sorting and stocking donated food.
ALIVE! Food Distribution Bagging groceries and distributing them is a great way for young and older munchkins to help others. ALIVE! has set weekends were volunteers can setup, unload, bag, distribute and register clients to receive food donated through the ALIVE! food bank. If your volunteer is older (teenager) he or she can help with furniture delivery, special events and maybe even at the ALIVE! house in old town. Whatever your family desires, there’s something to spark passion at every level.
Arlington Food Assistance Center Different kids means different interests – which is perfect for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Children as young as 5 can help out at Family Bagging Nights (put food in grocery bags), while teenagers can post leaflets and posters promoting food drives. Middle and high schoolers can host Dimes for Dining where they give their neighbors a jar to fill with change and collect them at the end of the month.
The Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund Plunk the kids in the nearest car-shaped shopping cart and help restock the fund’s pantry through its Shop-a-Shelf Program, which reimburses folks for canned goods, fresh produce, personal care items, and other donations. Or go a step further and Adopt-a-Shelf, then keep it full year round.
Capital Area Food Bank This is the largest organization in the metro area working to feed the hungry. It has partnered with 444 community organizations to provide food to those who need it and also delivers food directly, helping 540,000 people – 12 percent of the region’s population – a year eat. Do your part by gathering your family to sort and pack the food for delivery.
Food and Friends Volunteers founded this organization in 1988 and volunteers are still needed. Go through a volunteer orientation and then sign up to deliver meals and groceries to six to 10 families or prep and pack food (ages 14 & up for the latter). Note: Thanksgiving is an especially busy time for the org so sign up soon.
So Others Might Eat This interfaith organization provides food, showers, clothing, medical care and housing for those in need. Volunteers in the dining room must be at least 13 years old and accompanied by an adult, and at least 16 to do it independently. Opportunities outside food service include creating holiday decorations and baking treats to be served with meals.
Spend Yourself Food Pantry This Falls Church-based group seeks volunteers on Saturdays between 8:30 am and 12:15 pm to provide food to clients, pack and shelve food, and interact with clients. Donations of non-perishable food items are always welcome, too.
Martha’s Table This group has worked for 35 years to support children, families and the community at large in the DC area. Become one of the 16,000 volunteer who help with food, clothing and special events every year. Must be at least 12 to help with food and clothing.
Lorton Community Action Center More than 100 youth volunteer here every year in a variety of ways. Students 13 and older may help prepare food bags and assist with donations in the pantry, children of any age may organize a food drive, kids 15 and younger with an adult on hand may help in the Lorton’s Attic thrift store, and kids can raise money to donate to the center in lieu of (or in addition to) holiday or birthday gifts using a personal fundraising webpage.
Where: 9518 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA Online: lortonaction.org
Helping the Homeless
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Carpenter’s Shelter Serving more than 600 homeless and formerly homeless children and adults each year, this shelter serves people in need in the city of Alexandria. They’re looking for in-kind donations of food, toiletries and miscellaneous items such as air mattresses, dish and bath towels, and SmarTrip cards. The shelter also keeps an Amazon Wish List in case you want to have the kiddos pick items there that can be shipped directly to the shelter.
Lorton Community Action Center More than 100 youth volunteer here every year in a variety of ways. Students 13 and older may help prepare food bags and assist with donations in the pantry, children of any age may organize a food drive, kids 15 and younger with an adult on hand may help in the Lorton’s Attic thrift store, and kids can raise money to donate to the center in lieu of (or in addition to) holiday or birthday gifts using a personal fundraising webpage.
Where: 9518 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA Online: lortonaction.org
Habitat for Humanity Children as young as 5 can participate here as part of Habitat Youth Programs, which aims “to instill a love of volunteering from an early age.” Contact your local affiliate for details on onsite help, but other ways to get littles involved include making cards for donors, homeowners and volunteers using Habitat’s card creation kit; raising money through Helping Hands for Habitat; and writing letters to local lawmakers to speak out against substandard housing.
ACTIONS in Community Through Service This group, which formed in 1969, helps people and families in need in Prince William County through programs such as housing support and domestic violence services. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. ACTS suggests that kids coordinate drives or collections in their schools or places of worship, or that they make kits of essentials for clients.
Where: 3900 ACTS Ln., Dumfries, VA Online: actspwc.org
Bethesda Cares This community outreach program for the homeless provides food, clothing and psychiatric services, and helps put a roof over the heads of people in the streets. Families can help by organizing drives to collect food, clothing or toiletries. During the winter, seasonal clothing for adults is especially needed.
The Salvation Army – Kettle Bell Ringing Rambunctious and fun-loving kiddos will have a blast ringing bells for The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle drive. Bell ringers usually sign up for a minimum 2-hour shift so it’s the perfect way to split duties between friends, siblings or group organizations. And, all the little ones need to do is ring a bell! They can be noisy, chatty and sweet all while raising money for those in need. Who wouldn’t drop some coins in the kettle?!
Rising Hope Mission Church Families looking for a place where their donations will go directly to the local community should check out Rising Hope Mission Church. 100% of donations go to people living in poverty along the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax County. Kiddos can host food drives, clothing donations and even plan a lemonade stand in support of Rising Hope. Each season the mission has different requests so parents and their kids can tailor their volunteering to what’s needed most at the church.
Me, for one. And quite a few other people I know. None of us is wealthy, but still we have laid out what some would consider extreme – even obscene – amounts on our pets.
First, let me say that these are regular cats and dogs, mostly rescues, strays, and shelter animals, not fancy, purebred show animals. The expense doesn’t come with the initial investment. Vet check, shots, worming, spaying and neutering – though shelters and local organizations sometimes offer lower-cost options on these – are just the cost of entry into pet guardianship.
Likewise, toys, beds, pet furniture, and other accouterments don’t need to be large investments. I’ve known cats that would ignore fancy toys to play with the plastic rings that come on milk jugs. Dogs can be amused for hours with a stick, tennis ball, or Frisbee.
No, the real expense comes with veterinarian bills. When I was a child, hardly anyone took pets to the vet, except to get the mandated yearly shots or to stitch up an injury from an attack by another animal.
My, how times have changed!
We know a lot more these days about heartworm, feline AIDS, urinary or intestinal blockage, fatty liver disease, kidney failure, and a host of illnesses that pets experience. We sympathize because we humans can get many of the same or similar ailments as well (though we don’t generally catch them from the animals).
So how do the costs scale up into the thousands? Well, veterinary training is as rigorous as medical school – perhaps more so because of the number of different animals a vet might be expected to treat. (A cow and a cat have different anatomy, after all.) Veterinary drugs can sometimes the same ones humans take, though usually at different doses. An x-ray is an x-ray and an ultrasound is an ultrasound. And you can expect to pay more for an after-hours emergency clinic visit than a regular office call.
Still, thousands?
Yes. We’ve been through it a number of times. When my cat Laurel had fatty liver disease, she needed, in addition to all the regular medical care, several weeks of intensive treatment – hand feedings, fluids, specially mixed vitamins. The vet actually took her to his home and treated her there for several weeks. I got a raise that year at work, and every cent of it went to that marvelous vet. He didn’t have to do what he did for Laurel – and I suppose not many people would have paid for the personal care. We did so willingly.
When our dog Bridget developed a tumor on her shoulder, the vet was honest. “We can operate on it, or we can do nothing.” Bridget was middle-aged, as dogs go, a formerly feral rescue dog.
“Do whatever it takes,” Dan said. “She deserves a chance.”
“She’s lucky to have you,” the vet replied.
Bridget came through the operation, never had a recurrence and died peacefully at the age of 17.
We’ve learned to give subcutaneous fluids to cats with kidney failure. We’ve taken them to specialty vets who have given them – literally – years of comfortable life with us. (Once we even had a parakeet that needed an operation – and pulled through.)
Every time we pulled out a checkbook or a credit card and paid willingly, though often with a wince. Some vets kindly allowed us, as long-time customers, to pay in installments.
But the question remains, why? Why do we spend this time, energy, care, worry, and especially money on maintaining the health of our pets or making them comfortable in their last days?
I don’t expect everyone to understand this, but these animals have become family to us. And as family members, they deserve our attention, care – including medical care – and love as long as they are capable of benefiting from it.
When the time comes that we have to let them go, when there is nothing we can do medically except prolong their misery, we take them to the vet for that final act of mercy, or let them pass quietly at home.
And the only cost we count is in our hearts.
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Hi! I'm a freelance writer and editor who writes about education, books, cats and other pets, bipolar disorder, and anything else that interests me. I live in Ohio with my husband and a varying number of cats.
These words have become a familiar refrain: stay home, stay safe and socially distance. But while most of us were hunkered down during the first few months of the pandemic, these parents (and kids) knew if they socially distanced themselves from those in need countless others would struggle to survive. These amazing individuals decided to do what they could to stay safe while also reaching out their hand (figuratively) to those that needed help. Here are some of those parents – and one kid – who have made a difference in the DC metro area.
photo: courtesy of Peggy Morgan Tyree
Peggy Morgan Tyree with PPE Donations
Peggy has always operated under the principle that if there is something she can do to help out, she should do it. So when Covid-19 hit and everyone was feeling helpless, she jumped at the chance to make a difference. In her role as a Loudoun County Elementary Instructional Facilitator, she had been teaching about 3D printers and authentic uses for them, such as restoring coral reefs and preserving artifacts. She immediately saw another use for the printers and with the full support and permission of her school’s principal, she took the 3D printers home and got to work making PPE. Peggy and three other moms, all while working and raising their children (some young, some teens), ran the printers nonstop since March., creating 7,000 shields from home. Their husbands and children assisted with assembly after the shields were printed. They sent them to local facilities like hospitals, dental offices, preschools, group homes and fire stations. But they also shipped them to other states and even to a hospital in Mexico.
How you can help: You can donate to Peggy’s efforts below or try your own hand at 3D printing at your local library.
This teen isn’t a parent, but his parents made a difference by raising a kid who put his woodworking skills to generous use with his project, Desks for Distance. Colby was inspired by theDesks by Dads initiative, a couple of dads building desks for students in their community in MD, to do the same for students closer to his home. Colby launched his Desks for Distance Facebook page in early Sept. as a solo project and quickly caught the attention of both donors and collaborators. With the help of MOSS Building & Design, Colby and Desks for Distance plan on building 50 additional desks in a single day on September 28th!
How you can help: You can donate via the Facebook link below to help Desks for Distance raise additional funds for materials. While Colby does not take any profit from this project, he wanted us to inform readers he is not an officially registered nonprofit.
Jamila Larson of Homeless Children’s Playtime Project
After 17 years of offering in-person services, Jamila Larson had to quickly pivot to providing contactless services that would still help children and their families feel as if someone cared about them in the middle of a pandemic. The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project now offers Playtime to Go kits to kids living in shelters, as well as play costumes, diapers, groceries, and other emergency supplies homeless families may need.
How you can help: Jamila and her staff are working remotely during the crisis, but if you want to get involved, you can make a donation that will help them continue to provide the above mentioned items to kids and families in need.
Feeling the weight of parenting during a pandemic? Rachel Bailey is there to help! Parent coach Rachel Bailey has been providing private coaching and online parenting tips in the DC area for over a decade. Her Facebook group, “The Parenting Long Game” Podcast community, is free to join and offers support and advice to DMV parents. She’s coined the term “Yuck” for all those times your child may display signs of being uncomfortable—from feeling hangry to throwing tantrums—and doles out ways to peacefully parent your child and restore order in your home. Now, more than ever, kids (and their parents) are feeling a nasty case of the yucks from technology hiccups to virtual classroom frustrations on top of the all-consuming pandemic yucks. Rachel (virtually) holds parents hands and helps them navigate everything from distance learning to post-pandemic parenting stresses.
How can you help: We’re all struggling with Yuck these days. Take a deep breath and check out Rachel’s podcasts for distance learning tips and healthy ways to deal with pandemic-related stresses.
Though she created Greater DC Diaper Bank nearly a decade ago, the need for Corrine’s services has tripled during the pandemic. She opened the bank when she realized that diapers were falling through a crack in the systems designed to help low-income families and children survive. While there were options that provided food, formula, and medical care, none ensured that parents could buy diapers. So Corrine stepped up and filled that gap. The Greater DC Diaper Bank offers more than just diapers these days, though. They also offer other baby needs, including certain types of gently used baby gear, as well as feminine hygiene products.
How you can help: While volunteer operations have been suspended during the pandemic, you can still get involved. With more than140 drop locations throughout the greater DC area, you can easily drop off diapers, formula, or any of theother items they accept for distribution.
In light of our current COVID-19 reality, pregnant women everywhere are more cautious than ever when it comes to protecting their pandemic pregnancies. Learning to steer your own medical care and pregnancy and choosing your outcome—these are really important when it comes to getting great obstetric care.
Patients often don’t realize that they can make some key choices. Most doctors won’t tell them what the choices are, and most patients don’t know they have choices to make. For example, here are some issues pregnant women may wish to discuss with their doctors so they can make important care choices:
Birth room support (i.e., partner, doula)
VBAC—vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section birth
Use of low-dose Cytotec for induction of labor instead of Pitocin
Effective procedures for decreasing the risks of preterm labor
Reducing the risks of maternal complications during and after pregnancy
And, if you are pregnant right now, during the coronavirus outbreak, here are 5 more questions to ask your doctor:
1. Have you already been exposed? You have the right to know whether or not your doctor has already been exposed to COVID-19 or not, and what the implications are either way. Have they been tested recently? When was the last negative test? Don’t hesitate to gather information to put yourself more at ease.
2.What will happen if I’m positive for COVID-19 when I deliver? Make a plan with your doctor so that you have one less thing to stress about if this occurs. As much as you don’t want your baby whisked away after birth, the plan to protect and test your new baby for the illness will include isolating you from her/him initially after birth.
3.Will my baby be immune if I have/had COVID-19? One Chinese case study found that a mother who had COVID-19 and delivered her baby via C-section passed immunity onto her baby but not the illness. Other studies, however, have shown cases of mothers passing the virus on to their babies.
4.Will you be the one delivering my baby? Often, the O.B. you’re working with may not actually be the one to deliver your baby. Asking this question now gives you an opportunity to understand who will be there during delivery, and who else you need to talk to about their COVID-19 exposure and testing.
5.Will I be allowed to have my support team in the birthing room with me? If you want your partner and/or a doula in the birthing room with you, this is a very important question to ask your doctor. The rules as we navigate the pandemic are constantly changing and under evaluation, so ask now, and ask again as birth gets closer.
Too often, obstetricians make decisions for their patients without consulting them. I want to provide women with the information they need to take part in these decisions and take charge of their health and pregnancies. Steer your pregnancy and create the outcome you want for yourself and your baby—with nearly 40 years of practice, I’ve delivered around 6,000 babies and achieved a maternal mortality rate of zero! Learn more at LindemannMD.com.
An obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, “Rural Doc” Alan Lindemann, M.D. teaches women and families how to create the outcomes they want for their own health and pregnancy. In nearly 40 years of practice, he has delivered around 6,000 babies and achieved a maternal mortality rate of zero! Visit LindemannMD.com
Check your fridge and freezer. Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The raw ground beef items were produced on Jun. 1, 2020.
The following products are subject to recall:
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
Being a parent is one of the most demanding jobs out there, but being a caregiver on top of it all can be completely overwhelming. You might feel like you’re drowning in responsibilities and have almost no time to meet your own needs.
The good news is, you’re not alone. Over 65 million people in America serve as caregivers in some way, shape or form. Whether you have a child with special needs, or are caring for an aging parent, there are resources available to help you. Let’s take a look at some of those resources, and some helpful tips for how to balance your time.
1. Hold family meetings
One way to find a healthy balance as a parent/caregiver is to hold regular family meetings. Your family needs to know that they are just as important as the person you are taking care of. Meeting together gives everyone an opportunity to share how they’re feeling and provide input.
Try to create an open environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing. You can also use this time to provide updates on any changes to your family member’s medical care or daily routine. These meetings don’t have to be super formal, but choosing a set day of the week or month can be helpful in managing expectations.
2. Ask for help
If there’s one universal truth about being a caregiver, it’s that no one can do it alone. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Help can take many forms and will look different for everyone, depending on your circumstances.
You might have the funds to hire a nanny to watch your kids part-time or pay a professional to take care of your loved one while you run errands. If you’re on a tight budget, ask family members for help or try trading babysitting hours with a neighbor.
There are also a myriad of resources available to caregivers depending on the illness or disability of your loved one. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association operates a 24/7 help line, and the National Alliance for Caregiving offers free guidebooks. Even Facebook groups can provide some relief from like-minded people.
Be sure to take advantage of community programs for your children as well. Many after-school programs offer financial aid, and organizations like 4-H or the YMCA can be extremely helpful.
3. Keep track of finances
Chances are, the person you’re taking care of has funds available to help ease the financial burden of being a caregiver. However, your time and money will be stretched thin, especially as a parent. Create a budget and stick to it, and save as much as you can. You never know when a medical emergency will arise.
If your children are school-age, look into getting financial assistance from the school lunch program. Some Title 1 school districts even offer meals during the summer to help out low-income families.
There are also a few options you may be able to take advantage of such as long-term care insurance and community outreach programs dedicated to helping caregivers.
4. Update medical coverage
Enrolling in Medicare (for those over 65 or on disability) can be tricky, which is why you should review your loved one’s policies. Make sure to update their policy during the annual open enrollment period or when any changes arise, and avoid penalties for late enrollment.
Your loved one may also be eligible for Medicaid—government subsidized healthcare—so be sure to find out the specifics of your state’s coverage and apply.
5. Take care of your mental health
Depression is a common side-effect of becoming a caregiver, which is why you should make your mental health a priority. Here are just a few ways to combat feeling depressed and overwhelmed with your circumstances:
Find ways to stay active
Chasing after toddlers is a workout on its own, but doing some additional cardio throughout the week will give you endorphins and build your stamina. Go on walks with your loved one if they’re able to leave the house and get your children involved. Yoga is another great activity for caregivers because it increases flexibility and relieves stress.
Eat a balanced diet
As any parent knows, this can be extremely difficult when time is scarce. If you have room in your budget, try a food subscription service like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron to take the stress of meal planning off your shoulders. Otherwise, be sure to work fruits and vegetables into your family’s daily routine wherever you can.
Get outside
Vitamin D is one of the best ways to fight off depression so take advantage of any opportunity to get outside, like checking the mail or walking the kids to the bus stop—just be sure to wear sunblock. For cloudy climates and winter months look into buying a happy light to keep indoors.
Take time for yourself
This advice probably sounds the least achievable, but carving even a few minutes out of each day for yourself can work wonders for your mental health. Read a page from a fun book, write in your journal, meditate or take a hot bath after the kids have gone to bed. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s something you enjoy.
See a therapist
If you do start to feel depressed, see a therapist right away. Therapy often carries a negative stigma in our culture, but there’s no reason to feel embarrassed about seeking help from a professional. If you had a broken leg, you would see a doctor to get it fixed. Mental health is just as important.
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed after reading this, don’t worry. With time, you’ll fall into a rhythm that works for your family. Just remember to seek help from friends, family, professionals, and organizations specific to your situation. Finding balance as a parent and a caregiver can be difficult, but it is possible.
Kendra is a writer for Eligibility.com who loves healthy living, the outdoors, and obsessing over plants. When she isn’t writing, Kendra can be found exploring the mountains with her puppy or curled up at home with a good book.
When facing hard times it’s always best to channel your inner joy and face your challenges with a smile. Ethan LyBrand, a 10-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has a secret to making other people smile, and he’s sharing it with the world via social media. For the past week, Ethan has been delivering a virtual “Joke-a-Day” every day through the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s social media channels.
Filmed by his family at their Decatur, Alabama home, the budding comedian’s favorite jokes provide a daily dose of happiness for those who need it. Ethan’s parents, Jordan and Josh, share that their son is always a source of positivity, so making people smile just comes naturally to him.
According to the LyBrand family, “Ethan’s Joke a Day for MDA is his way of spreading virtual joy across our communities. It’s also his way of raising awareness and advocacy for people with neuromuscular diseases at this pivotal time. The neuromuscular disease community – people with ALS, muscular dystrophy, SMA, Duchenne and related rare diseases – are among the highest risk populations for COVID-19 and they need our help and support more than ever.”
Ethan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy two days before his second birthday. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Ethan is ambulatory but tires easily and periodically needs his powerchair, which he affectionately calls “Bumblebee” after his favorite Transformer.
Since his diagnosis, Ethan and his family have created a movement to advocate for other kids living with neuromuscular disease. His efforts were recognized by Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), who named Ethan its 2020-2021 MDA National Ambassador. As MDA’s National Ambassador, Ethan represents the 250,000 people nationwide who are living with neuromuscular disease.
An important way to support research for treatments and ultimately cures for the neuromuscular disease community is by going to MDA.org to make a donation at any level you’re able to. Your support helps ensure MDA’s 150 Care Centers are equipped to provide critical medical care to kids and adults who are particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. It also supports ongoing care for families like the LyBrands, through telemedicine and enriching activities like virtual game nights.
Check out MDA’s Twitter and Instagram every afternoon for a new daily joke!
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of the Muscular Dystrophy Association
He was nine pounds when I met him. Somehow I’d squeezed all nine of those pounds out of me with no medication. “Hello you!” I said, holding him in my arms as the night nurse tried to put him in the bassinet. “You should get some rest,” she said. “No, I’ll just keep him right here by my side.”
I wasn’t afraid of crushing him in my sleep like I was with his older sister. I wanted to drink him in and imprint his utter perfection alone in that peaceful hospital room. I touched his soft cheek and searched his alert eyes for a sign he recognized the unconditional love that pulsed with my every heartbeat. Later that day, I’d be the mother of two: an infant and a toddler. But at that moment it was just him and me, numb from our mutual physical exertion. A nurse came in, turned on the lights and pulled the curtain closed beside me as if that would allow for peace and privacy when another new mom was wheeled in surrounded by a boisterous family. Roommates: a perk of managed care health insurance. I practiced the Lamaze breaths I forgot to use two hours earlier, knowing that this was the calm before the real storm. “Hello you,” I whispered, “Who might you become one day?” and I dozed despite the din.
Truth is, I wasn’t always the best mother. In some ways it is amazing he and I made it out alive. I am dedicated but I’m easily distracted. I manufacture magic despite multi-tasking. I’m overprotective but I encourage adventure. I am fabulously flawed like every other originator of offspring I know, and my son loves to challenge my competency.
For example, there was the time I took a shower. Honestly, when you’re the mother of two or more tiny people, it seems like you can count those times on a hand, and this was one of those days when I could no longer bare the scent of myself, nor could I imagine my husband coming home from work to my greasy hair matted with spit up and my frenzied eyes ringed in puffed purple.
I planted my children in their room and closed the door. My bathroom is six feet away. The baby monitor was next to the shower and the hall door was closed. I implored my three-year-old: “Play toys with your baby brother for two minutes on the rug,” I begged, “Only open the door to get mommy if it’s an emergency.”
I took the fastest shower in human history. Didn’t even dream of shaving my legs. I wrapped that towel around me with the speed of a hummingbird’s wings and stepped into the hall to see the children’s bedroom door open. My daughter stood by the also open hallway door. “Where is Jack?” I squawked! “He wanted to go out,” she replied. “What?!” I screamed as I ran through the house leaving footprint puddles on the hardwood floors, the linoleum in the kitchen like a slip-n-slide. The kitchen door was open too, and then I saw that the gardener had the pool gate propped open with a trashcan. The rumble of the lawnmower drowned out my cries as I flew toward the pool imagining the worst scenario, and there I saw my six-month-old son on his knees by the pool steps, splashing his hand in the water. Another ten seconds and who knows?
A couple of years passed sans near-death experiences when I was folding laundry and my then three-year-old son toddled into my bedroom looking like Charlie Brown’s friend, Pigpen, with a literal poof of dust floating above his head. Hoping it was a minor concern, I asked him to show me where this happened. I mean it had only been a couple of minutes since I put superhero t-shirts in his drawer and he was happily playing with Thomas the Train. But when I entered his room, it was like the Colorado Rockies in March. Every peak and every valley covered in fine, white dust. His train table, stuffed animals, books, rug, closet, shoe rack, and shoes. All white. The dresser, inside opened drawers and the lampshade: all covered. He looked at me through frosted eyelids as I slid down the wall and broke into defeated sobs. There was only one solution that I could think of. We had to sell the house.
My husband, of course, disagreed with my assessment and, after hours of dusting, vacuuming, and swiffering, my son’s room was cleaner than it ever was or has been since and smelled powdery fresh for years. But I remain filled with fear for having left the baby powder within reach each time I’d hear a PSA about Mesothelioma.
Perhaps a year went by when my daughter came into the kitchen while I was making dinner. “Jack is rappelling up the slide with a bungee cord,” she warned. I looked out the window and caught sight of him in his boyhood Indiana Jones bliss. “Don’t be a tattle tale,” I told her. “It looks dangerous,” declared my ever-wise six-year-old. I went back to chopping the vegetables no one would want to eat, but within fifteen minutes, I heard a cry outside the kitchen door and there stood Jack, his face masked in blood. The bungee hook had come free from the top of the slide and gashed him at the brow-line, centimeters from his eye. The emergency room doctor concluded he was lucky to still have that eye.
My son has leaped over countless boulders spanning deep crevasses at 31 National Parks. I hear the rescue helicopters circling above and imagine the reporters’ microphones forced in my face, “What were you thinking? Are you fit to be a mother?”
But at least I tried to teach safety and calculated risk, and I’ve been known to pull over my car and threaten to call parents when I see his friends riding their bikes with helmets dangling from handlebars or perched on their heads with unbuckled straps flapping in the breeze. My fear is justified thanks to my son.
As we were loading the car en route to the airport for a trip to Mount Rainier, my then ten-year-old son was racing his sister on his bike just a block from our house. He flipped over the handlebars and tri-pod landed in the street, cracking his helmet. His sister carried him into the house crying. He said his arms hurt, but there were no outward signs of trauma and he seemed to recover after a tender snuggle. We had to leave or we’d be late to the airport. But as we sat in the terminal, ready to board, I looked at his ashen face. He was in pain and fearful of derailing our travel plans. I imagined being in the wilderness without access to medical care. What kind of mother am I? We booked later flights. A trip to Urgent Care revealed not one but two broken arms. One in two places. Trooper that he is, my son hiked Mt. Rainier like a man in a western stick up, arms perpetually raised over his head to minimize pain and swelling. My husband and I fed and bathed him for the first month of fifth grade.
The scent of baby powder has long since faded, replaced by the fragrance of sweaty soccer shin guards and volleyball kneepads, Nike high tops and discarded jerseys resting on guitar cases and flung atop a surfboard. In ninth grade, the kid broke his collarbone snowboarding. In 11th grade, a collision on the volleyball court resulted in a High School career-ending knee injury.
But those days of picking up Lincoln Logs and stepping on Legos fade more quickly than you can imagine when you’re in the midst of them. Last week I watched as that baby I refused to put in the hospital bassinet threw his graduation cap into the air on his High School soccer field. Now, as I look into those bright blue eyes, I know he is secure in my unconditional love. Yet when I hold those stubbly chiseled cheeks in my hands I still wonder, “Who might you become one day?” Though I know him better than I did eighteen years ago, saying goodbye as he heads out to discover that answer is going to be my toughest challenge yet.
Suzanne Weerts is a producer, writer and storyteller who shares tales from her life on stages across Southern California. The mother of two young adults, she does a lot of yoga, eats a lot of chocolate and drinks her fair share of wine in a quest for calm.
