We’re about to teach you how to get the rest you need!
National Sleep Awareness Week. Have you heard of it? It’s possible it missed your radar, considering all the millions of things that fill your day. From morning to night (and, as parents know, sometimes all through the night), we’re always on the go. We get up, make breakfast, make lunches, get kiddos out the door, go to work, clean the house, do school pick up, help with homework, make dinner, put the kids to bed, and attempt to squeeze in a little time for ourselves. All of those things that actually make it harder to get the rest we need. So if National Sleep Awareness Week 2023 escaped your attention, it’s not really a surprise. And if you’re perpetually looking for tips and tricks to nighttime bliss, you’re not alone!
The ultimate message of the National Sleep Foundation’s Awareness Week is to emphasize how important sleep is to our emotional health, physical performance, and overall well being. It may feel like sort of a “well, duh” statement (we won’t blame you if that was your first thought), but proper rest is beyond critical, especially for us moms. We think it’s the perfect time to offer you some sleep solutions to help make the sleep you do get as effective and restful as possible. While we can’t guarantee more sleep, we can definitely help to improve the quality of the rest you get. Keep reading for some of the best sleep solutions we’ve found to make waking up much easier.
Apollo Neuroscience Wearable
Apollo Neuro
The Apollo Neuro wearable will change the sleep game for you. It was developed by neuroscientists and physicians for better sleep, relaxation, and focus. It uses gentle, non-invasive technology to send silent, soothing vibrations to the body that help you feel safe and in control. Use the Apollo Neuro app to choose a mode or create a daily schedule to help you transition throughout your day. Developed by physicians and neuroscientists, the Apollo wearable has proven outcomes across sleep quality, focus, heart rate variability, performance, and recovery, and is appropriate for both adults and children.
A soothing blend of chamomile, ashwagandha, and other calming ingredients helps you to de-stress and decompress so you can relax and fall asleep easier.
Get ready for the best sleep ever with this mattress from Nectar that's especially perfect for side-sleepers. Is that you? Check out this gone-viral addition to your bedroom!
Whether you're pregnant, nursing, or just struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position, the Boppy Total Body Pillow is a must. Your hips, lower back, and shoulders are all supported at the same time, so those pressure points are cushioned all night!
You've heard of the original 10x10 Big Blanket. Now meet some of the best sheets from the brand! Oversized top sheet so no more nighttime tugging alone or with your partner, deeeeeeep pockets to avoid midnight pop-ups, and the most breathable sateen fabrication. Comes in 3 colors.
Not only is it handy for connecting to your home's smart devices, watching movies, looking up recipes, and more, but the Google Nest Hub can also track your sleep habits (without invading your privacy!), play guided meditations and relaxing white noise, and wake you up slowly with a glowing sunrise light! You'll wonder how you lived without it.
The sleep mask that took the world by storm! With over 12,000 glowing Amazon ratings, zero eye pressure, completely adjustable design, and snag-free fabrics, it's easy to see why people can't say enough good things about it.
Protect your hair and skin with one of the best-selling (and most affordable!) satin pillowcases out there! It stays cool, helps prevent breakouts and frizz, and absorbs less dirt and oil than traditional pillowcases. Our Shopping Editor won't sleep without one!
Do more with your sleep supplement. Dual benefit formula with melatonin and FOS prebiotic fiber helps you fall asleep faster while balancing digestion. 15 minutes or less to fall asleep? We're there.
Warmies are the lavender-filled, totally microwavable, weighted and soothing plushes that are perfect for kids and adults (just ask Oprah—Warmies are one of her Favorite Things!). They come in a ton of different adorable animals so you can find the perfect bedtime buddy!
Just as soft as traditional cashmere but much more sustainable, the ettitude Vegan Cashmere Blanket is such a great luxury investment for your bed (or couch, or favorite chair...)!
If weighted blankets are more your speed, the Luna Weighted Blanket is breathable through all seasons. Weighted blankets help relieve stress by boosting serotonin and aiding in natural melatonin production. It comes in several colors and was featured on the TODAY Show!
A classic style, but updated! The JJwinks built-in bra you know and love combines with this timeless nightgown in buttery-soft fabric you'll never want to change out of!
If melatonin just isn't cutting it, Qunol Sleep Gummies are a 3-in-1 supplement blend that includes melatonin, L-Theanine, and Ashwagandha. They help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. They're gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO, too!
A caffeine-free nightcap infused with potent sleep-supporting botanicals that help quiet the mind, calm the body, and make it easier to fall—and stay—asleep. It's a comforting step in your nighttime routine (even Oprah thinks so! Yep, Clevr Blends is another on her Favorite Things list!). Oh, and that creamy consistency comes from oat milk, so even the dairy sensitive moms out there can enjoy!
This bladeless 2-in-1 air purifier + fan is the perfect bedroom addition. It's a super powerful (but gentle) fan with included purifier so you can sleep at your best temperature and breathe easy!
Plug it in and get happy! All the benefits of the essential sunlight we need without the harmful UV rays in a completely customizable lamp that you can keep indoors.
Almost 6,800 Amazon reviews rave about the Nestl! These pillows are filled with gel-infused cooling memory foam for better ventilation and cooling technology that draws heat away from your body.
Iris&Romeo The Reset Luminous Hyaluronic Serum Spray
Iris and Romeo
Your skin absorbs product better at night (that's why nighttime skincare is so important), so seal your evening facial routine with this incredible 3-in-1 hybrid skin spray. It's your secret to dewey, bouncy skin that you can use anytime!
Get flutter-ready lashes while you sleep! Simply use the included fine-tipped brush to line your lash line every night and watch sparse lashes fill in over time. Plus, Actsyl-L is one of the most affordable lash serums on the market.
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.
No matter who “she” is, these are the best Valentine’s Day gifts for her!
Maybe you’re browsing for yourself. Maybe you’re looking for ideas for your wife, partner, mom, or older daughter. There’s one thing we know for sure: if you’re here, there’s a special “she” in your life and you want to make sure she knows it. Yes, indeed, Valentine’s Day is here again and traditionally, the majority of gift recipients this time of year are women. Even if you tell them you don’t want anything this year, you know they’re likely still going to want to do something nice for you, of course. And, allow us to say—you most definitely deserve it! So we’re suggesting you do something nice right back for those loved ones who will be shopping for you. Show them our list of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for her.
When we say “the best”, we mean it! These are our Shopping Editors’ favorite brands and goodies that we just can’t live without. Of course, these are great finds that don’t have to be just for “her”! There’s really something for everyone, but we’ve made sure to focus on our fellow moms with these picks. We believe you spend your days focusing on everyone else and we want to help you get exactly what you want on this Day of Love! So start scrolling, pick out what you love. Snag something for yourself, or send our list of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for her to the ones you know will be looking for ideas!
For: The Home Chef Her
Clinique Deep Comfort Hand & Cuticle Cream
12 hours of soothing hydration for your hands, and 295 reviews with titles like "Nothing Compares"; this hand and cuticle cream is an absolute must!
We're already crushing on charcuterie, but add a heart-shaped bamboo board and chocolate hearts, and this is one show-stopper we're absolutely drooling over!
Celebrate both Valentine's Day and French cuisine with this set from Fernweh Editions! Delectable fragrance options that fit any taste in classic glass jars that match any decor. We think the France Edition is totally V-Day appropriate, but there are so many to choose from!
Your inner chef will be giddy every time you pull out the No.12 Cast Iron Skillet from Smithey! It's gorgeous heirloom-quality is inspired by vintage cookware, and is naturally non-stick when seasoned. The No.12 is a seriously stunning tool, destined to be a family investment. It can even be engraved for an extra-special touch!
If you don't have a Dutch oven, trust us; you need one (or two in this case). They're kitchen staples and are ultra-versatile. You'll wonder how you lived without!
Viking Copper Clad 3-Ply Hammered 10-Piece Cookware Set
As seen on Top Chef, Viking is a leader in beautiful, high-quality cookware. This hammered copper set is not only pretty enough to want to display it, it's oven-safe! This is the set that'll be enjoyed for years to come!
This is the romantic dinner of the year—better make it special! Blue Apron makes it easy (as they do with everything!) with premium seared scallops, a rich tomato sauce, asparagus, and a side of crispy garlic bread. You can even add a beautiful charcuterie board or decadent caramel macchiato pie! Pop the cork on a bottle of Blue Apron's bubbly and you have a memorable at-home date night!
Obsessed over a snack bag? You will be. The Luli Bebé Snack Bag is made of the luxury materials designer bags are made of, but with the added convenience of stain-resistance and wipeable surfaces. It's insulated, of course, with a large central compartment, pockets, and can be carried with the handle, or by the included clip-on strap! It comes in six colors, too!
If you're standing in the kitchen working your culinary magic, you need shoes that support! All you have to do is read the 1K+ ratings on Amazon raving about how amazing the Kayla sandal feels—one that even mentions how her whole body relaxes when she puts them on!—so you know this is legit. It comes in 46 colors, too!
This TikTok viral hair tool (#voloom has over 20.5 million views!) is available through Amazon, believe it or not. Dedicating time to baking or cooking means getting hot, flat hair, and no time for a full blowout. VOLOOM bumps up the volume at your roots for major movement, body, and fresh-from-the-salon vibes, fast!
There's no better time to embrace Clinique's Happy Heart like Valentine's Day! This softer, more floral-y cousin of the original Happy, Happy Heart has notes of yellow primrose, water hyacinth, and cucumber.
Soft and dewy skin is in, and Hers Effortless Glow Oil makes it easy. The brand that we turn to first for all things mom self care created this illuminating facial oil for all skin types. Layer it over your moisturizer, or add a thicker application at bedtime for an overnight face mask. However you use it, you'll never feel greasy or congested!
Packed with bold bell-shaped blooms, this plant garden is perfect for Valentine's Day (or just because). Arrives in a woven basket pre-planted with 12 pink colored tulip bulbs ready to sprout. It's the gift of a garden!
This is one of the sweetest keepsakes! Each design is custom printed on a genuine basswood plaque cut from natural trees and comes with a sawtooth hanger so you can display it anywhere you want a guaranteed smile.
We love this fresh take on the classic initial necklace! The cursive lowercase letter with bezel set diamond is the perfect way to add some sparkle to your everyday look.
Lavender roses are out of the ordinary, oh-so-romantic, and absolutely stunning. This bouquet from FTD is created with soft and sweet hues that are making us melt! It's available in 12-24 blooms and several add-ons.
Say goodbye to frumpy nursing sleepwear! The Lucille nightgown is flirty and functional—an empire waist accommodates your growing bump and is still extremely flattering postpartum, plus the clip straps allow for easy nursing access.
Just because it's comfy doesn't mean that the drapey, plush, velvety fabrication of the Lovie set from Addison Bay isn't totally luxe! Comes in Navy, Light Blue, and Pink.
Safe for all skin types, this inclusive mask improves the health of your skin by infusing it with a high concentration of anti-inflammatory ingredients like argan stem cells, abyssine, turmeric, and tea extract. If you have troubled skin that's been dried out by medications, harsh weather, or you just happen to really love a dewy complexion, you'll love HYDRABERRY. Use it on your lips, too!
Overalls are back and oh-so-chic. Swoveralls are our favorite way to feel incredibly comfortable and look adorable. They're sweats + overalls, flattering, and come in a ton of colors and prints. Oh, and Swoveralls are sustainable, inclusive, and made for the whole family! Make sure to check out the kiddo's line, too.
You'll want to wear these with everything! Blowfish Malibu brings West Coast vibes wherever you are and the Play Sneakers come in multiple colors and prints.
Take those precious photos and make them into a masterpiece! With Paint Your Life's team of artists, you'll receive a stunning custom portrait in the style of your choice (charcoal, oil, watercolor, and more!), created just for you. These are truly a happy-tears-gift!
Almost 17K Amazon reviewers give this picture frame 4.8 stars! That's some serious love for a picture frame, but we can see what all the fuss is about.
Think of this dress as your favorite childhood frock, all grown up! This active dress has a built-in unitard bra and shorts for coverage and a feminine flair that'll make you want to twirl (go ahead—we won't tell).
One of the most famous colors in the makeup world, Black Honey now has a sister: Pink Honey! They're both universally flattering, hovering somewhere between lipstick and gloss, and provide a sheer wash of color that's for absolutely everyone.
From the creator of Blogilates, Cassey Ho, POPFLEX is hands-down one of our favorite athleisure brands! Plush, comfortable, and oh-so-on-trend, absolutely everything from POPFLEX makes them our Shopping Editors' closet go-to! The Brunch Sweater goes from working from home to running errands to working out to a Valentine's Day brunch without skipping a beat! Available in multiple colors.
shortyLOVE is the luxe designer-meets-sporty brand that we can't get enough of! Belt bags are having a major moment and the arcade is a winner. Lots of room, ultra-versatile, and 9 colors and styles to choose from—the arcade is guaranteed to be grabbed over and over all year (explains why it has a 5 star rating from happy customers!). Don't forget the coordinating wallet!
With a chic wide-leg, coconut buttons, and a breezy linen blend, this romper is going to be your go-to for spring into summer! It's also easy to dress up with wedges or dress it down with canvas sneakers.
An Italian brush that screams "luxe!, the Jäneke Superbrush is made and designed in Italy and is suitable for all hair types. Its patented design protects hair from heat damage while helping your hair dry faster!
Pixel Buds Pro use Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal to adapt to your ear and help block outside sounds, making your calls, podcast, or music shine through. With up to 31 hours of battery life and a 4.5 star rating on Amazon, you can't go wrong!
Whether "active" for you means the gym, jogging, and sports, or running to the store, keeping up with the house, and early soccer practice, the G-SHOCK will keep up!
The low profile design of this KEURIG Machine prevents it from taking up too much space in your kitchen, but we like the idea of keeping it in your home office, too!
This skin-perfecting anti-aging primer from Jason Wu Beauty minimizes pores, controls oil, hydrates, and brightens your skin all in 1 easy step. That's magic!
We're in the thick of winter, so you need a thick skin soother. Clinique's Deep Comfort Body Butter does exactly that; comforts your body and keeps you feeling smooth and soft, no matter what's going on with the weather!
This blanket-like oversized satin hoodie from Kitsch is perfect for a home spa day, relaxing, working from home, school drop off...actually, when is there ever a bad time for this epic level of comfort? The 5-star rating speaks for itself!
That's right. 10'x10'. This is the blanket you didn't know you need. It's ultra-plush, breathable, all season microfiber blanket that wraps you in cozy, cloud-like comfort. Gather the family together for movie night, cuddle with a cup of coffee in the morning, and everything in between! Available in 2 colors.
The ultimate mom gift is keeping her family close, and the Google Nest Hub does just that! It's the hub of your connected home and does everything from displaying recipes, to playing videos and music, to helping you sleep, to controlling all your smart devices, and that's just the beginning!
For loyal tea lovers, the only thing more important than the leaves themselves is the kettle! This is a stunner of a piece and one you'll want to proudly display on your stovetop.
Sure to become a jewelry box favorite, these beautiful earrings feature a unique set of baguette diamonds and on-trend rose gold. These can be worn with everything from a t-shirt and jeans to a cocktail dress! Plus, they're surprisingly affordable.
You seriously haven't lived until you've felt POPFLEX'S Ooey Gooey fabrication! There's nothing like it (this isn't your regular fleece!). This set is 100% a gifting win!
We're always up for a great pair of leggings, but City Threads aren't just any leggings. Loved by celebs like Tori Spelling, Christy Turlington, and Angelina Jolie, City Threads leggings won't sag, fit like a dream, and come in a ton of colors. 100% cotton fabrication makes them a year-round fave!
A full-coverage makeup that perfects your complexion without weighing you down! Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer melts into your skin and stays true all day, through sweat and humidity.
We are melting over these shiny leggings from Addison Bay! Leather-like leggings are perfect for dressing up (chunky turtleneck and heels), or down (t-shirt, denim jacket, and sneakers). Available in Navy, Black, and Evergreen.
We absolutely adore the unique style of this ring! It can be worn alone or as part of a stack and it's a fantastic every day piece to add some glitz to your look.
We moms don't always see great shoes like this practical, but we're here to tell you—we all should have a little bling for special occasions (or jeans!). These heels from NINA will be perfect for a Valentine's Day date night, or just for adding a splash to your look! They're also available in 5 colors.
Jennifer Fisher Puffy Heart Earrings in Limited Edition Hotty Hot Pink Gold
Make a statement! These earrings launched in September and sold out in 24 hours. They're available in silver, yellow gold, and limited-edition hotty hot pink gold! Super light and fashion-forward, just wait for all the compliments to roll in.
Candles are a great gift, and Scent Lab takes picking one out to a whole new level! Take their 60-second discovery quiz and their proprietary algorithm leads you to create the perfect scent for you. It's so much fun and you'll be blown away by how amazing your personalized candle smells!
Allure's 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm dissolves makeup and sunscreen with a formula that transforms from balm to an oil that gently removes even the most stubborn cosmetics! Take the wipes with you anywhere and Take The Day Off!
JJwinks is famous for its bra-free loungewear featuring Light Hug technology that keeps you supported! Top off your look with this frothy-feeling duster robe that can be worn with just about everything. Available in three colors!
Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Vitamin C Glow-Boosting Unicorn Peel-Off Mask
Get your glow on with this brightening mask from Yes To Grapefruit! The shimmery formula spreads easily on your skin thanks to the attached spatula and comes off easily to reveal a brighter you.
Five products. One bag. Everything you need for a full face of makeup. Sounds too good to be true? Alleyoop has perfected the art of making makeup ultra-easy with their best-selling 4-in-1 makeup brush, 4-in-1 touch up pen, eyeshadow & liner stick, blush, bronzer & highlighter trio, and lip trio, all in a clear cosmetics bag so you can grab and go! This is the ultimate in mom makeup.
Nine minutes a day is all it takes for a whiter smile with the SNOW System! It can whiten teeth up to one shade in just one session and is designed with sensitive teeth (and gums) in mind. It also helps remove stains from things like coffee and wine, so your beautiful smile will be even brighter!
Looking forward to some spring break travel or a weekend getaway with your Valentine? You'll need this baby! As featured on CNN, this is the best travel pillow of 2022.
This level of refreshing is perfect for first thing in the morning or after a workout and everything in between! Scented with Clinique's signature Happy, the gel body wash will have you saying "ahhhh" in no time.
Saalt creates women's care products that are daily necessities. Their leakproof undies are ultra-comfy, come in multiple colors and styles, and give you the freedom to move all day long without worry! If that's not enough, Saalt is a certified B-corp, donating 2% to women's health initiatives globally!
With POPFLEX's signature vegan suede yoga mat, three fitness bands, and two yoga blocks, this dreamy gift set is ready to add color to your Valentine's Day!
Kizik shoes were designed to slip on and off without tying or untying. No, seriously, there's even a caged heel to prevent getting crushed. But there's more! They're incredibly comfortable, ultra-light, and add a little bounce to your walk, too. You have to wear them to believe it. Available in multiple colors!
Always, always, always wear sunscreen, even if you don't spend all day outside! And trust us; it doesn't have to feel thick and heavy. Clinique's Fluid For Face is lightweight, 100% mineral, virtually invisible, and suitable even for sensitive skin!
If matcha is your Love Language, the Cuzen Matcha Starter Kit is ready to chat! Just like fresh-ground coffee beats pre-packaged any day, fresh-ground matcha retains the best characteristics of the tea leaves. A green tea latte right from our own kitchen? Sign us up!
INALA has created something so powerful for your hair, they're calling it a potion! They've used the strength of rice water and biotin to fortify and strengthen your scalp, stimulate hair growth, and reduce breakage and hair loss. This is ideal for postpartum hair thinning, but it's made for all hair types and even sensitive skin!
Spring is right around the corner and this gorgeous dress from Boden can take you to Valentine's Day dinner, to spring family pictures, to Easter celebrations!
Even if you don't have a green thumb, filling these fun planters with succulents or faux greenery will keep your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen feeling fresh year-round!
If unique is the way to your heart, this meyer lemon tree from Terrain is going to give you serious heart eyes! Ready to be planted in a pot or the ground, this tree sports fragrant flowers and/or fruit nearly year round. (Note: By law, Terrain is unable to ship citrus trees to CA, LA, TX, or AZ)
Girlfriend Collective is not only inclusive, this versatile unitard (gym, lounge, happy hour, running errands...) is made with 79% recycled plastic bottles (RPET)! It doesn't feel that way, though—the sweat-wicking, compressive fabrication Girlfriend Collective is known for will have you bragging to your friends that you can look cute and feel great!
This gorgeous set from body-inclusive AnaOno will make you feel like royalty even on a random weeknight! AnaOno creates lingerie, loungewear, bras, and more, for breast surgery recovery, breast augmentation, breast cancer treatments, and everyone who has a chest. Their message of hope, empowerment, and strength is as inspiring as their lovely offerings!
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The LEGO® Group just unveiled the latest addition to it’s LEGO® City line, and we’ve got total city envy. From recognizable characters in The City storyline to the sweet green space right in the middle, this is one set that’ll keep your master builders occupied for hours on end. Plus, we’re pretty sure Emmett would approve because basically, everything about it is awesome.
The brand-new 1,517-piece set comes with 14 minifigures, a City Hall, an intercity tram, a classic diner, an adorable green space with a statue of Harl Hubbs’ great grandfather, and there’s even a concert stage. It’s a perfect way for kids to enjoy the buzz of city life without having to leave the house. Easy enough for kids ages five and up to tackle, after it’s complete, there’s hours of pretend play waiting to happen. Do you collect the LEGO® City line? Then you’ll recognize several city characters, like Poppy Star, Duke DeTain and even Mayor Fleck, who comes complete with the all-important keys to the city.
This new set also comes with ‘Instructions Plus,’ an interactive building guide you can access via the free LEGO® Building Instructions app for smart devices—there’s a zoom and rotate feature that helps younger builders visualize the finished product as they go. Your kids will become Master Builders in no time.
Walt Disney World is gearing up to reopen starting Jul. 11 with the Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom followed by Jul.15 when EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopen. In order to limit attendance to align with social distancing requirements, the theme park is introducing the new Disney Park Pass system. During this time, all guests with a ticket or Annual Pass will be required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool on DisneyWorld.com.
Guests need a My Disney Experience account, as this is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed. You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account. If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, you will have to link it to your My Disney Experience account beforehand.
Once you’ve logged into your My Disney Experience account and linked your ticket, you’ll have access to a calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park. If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit. Families and friends can link their tickets together and look to arrange theme park entries at the same time.
Please note, park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability. Availability can change until the reservation is finalized. At this time, guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations. Guests with existing tickets that include the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option have options available to them for ticket modifications and cancellations, and can visit DisneyWorld.com/Updates for more information. We hope to bring back the ability to visit more than one park per day soon and will continue to offer these add-ons for 2021 ticket purchases.
Beginning this week, Disney will reach out to existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders with more information on when they will be able to check availability to make their park reservations. The Disney Park Pass system will be opened to these guests in phases, beginning with those with future Disney Resort and other select hotel stays. Later this summer, the theme park will resume sales of 2020 tickets and Disney Resort hotel arrivals, based on availability of park reservations, while continuing to provide guests with existing tickets and Annual Passholders the opportunity to make park reservations for 2020 dates.
By Jun. 28, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make their park reservations for arrivals starting in 2021 as our phased reopening continues. Guests will be able to view park reservation availability on DisneyWorld.com prior to purchasing their tickets.
Disney is also exploring options for guests to use their mobile tech to experience the magic – particularly now as the use of phones and apps continues to evolve. In 2021, they plan to unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature. With this new offering on the horizon, they will be retiring their complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and they’ll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future. Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit.
Let’s get right to it: Our kids need us to stop being so productive in our parenting so that they can learn how to be productive in their own lives. Let’s run through what a typical day might look like for a “productive” parent.
In the morning the productive parent wakes the child up. The productive parent makes the breakfast. Goes back in to wake their sleeping beauty again. Packs the lunch. Throws in the laundry. Cleans up after breakfast. Reminds Johnny to take his washed and folded PE uniform and his library book that is due.Off to school, he goes.
Good thing he has a cell phone to text Mom when he realizes she forgot to remind him to bring his math book. And because the productive parent wouldn’t want him to be without what he needs, she runs it to school. And the scenario goes on….
Is it possible that our productive parenting is hindering our children from becoming productive adults?
Our goal as parents is to (hopefully) raise a confident, responsible and independent adult who can capably live in the real world one day without us. It’s time to recognize if we are stealing opportunities from our child to grow into the productive person they are meant to be.
Here are five reasons I’m trying to be a less productive parent in 2018—and why other parents should join me in my efforts.
1. Our kids don’t know how to fail.
We can’t stand to watch our offspring face disappointment and hardship so we do all we can to keep our babies from feeling discomfort. We know that failure doesn’t feel good and we want our children happy, so we shield and protect them from anything that may make them feel uncomfortable. But as adults, we have mistakingly forgotten that failure is a necessary part of life. How will we ever know when we’ve truly succeeded if we’ve never been allowed to fail?
Most of our parents didn’t pick up the pieces when things fell apart for us. We learned how to do that ourselves. Why then aren’t we allowing our children the same space to learn and grow from negative experiences?
2. Our kids don’t know how to problem solve.
Recently I interviewed several university deans, professors, teachers and employers about the differences between young adults today compared to past generations. They unanimously said that adolescents don’t know how to solve problems for themselves.
Who’s to blame for this? Siri and Alexa get my vote—but so do parents. No matter who’s to blame, we as parents have to be adamant about giving our child the confidence and space to figure out solutions for themselves. Only then will they get to experience the consequences that follow their decisions—good and bad. How can we begin to empower our children to make choices for themselves instead of them relying on us or technology to do the work for them?
3. Our kids don’t know how to fend for themselves.
My viral post on the “8 Things You Should Stop Doing For Your Child” touched on how we need to purposely raise an adult instead of big kids who leave our home clueless instead of capable.
It’s up to us parents to let our child become productive instead of us continuously producing for them. It is the rare child who is going to ask to wake themselves up, do their own laundry, make their own breakfast, fill out their own paperwork and the list goes on. Children of all ages like having things done for them, so you are going to have to take the lead in teaching them what they need to know.
As parents, we must strive to balance nurturing our child and teaching them life skills. Don’t mistake doing everything for your teen as love. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for your child is to say no to bringing that forgotten item to them at school.
4. Our kids don’t know how to be face-to-face with another human.
We must carve out space in our child’s life for them to be with people of all ages in person without a screen to hide behind. The group of professionals I interviewed agreed that young adults are very unsure of themselves in social settings today. They don’t know how to look another person in the eye or how to have casual, yet meaningful conversation face-to-face. It’s up to us as parents to create opportunities for our children to develop lifelong relationship and communication skills which are not going to happen by using Snapchat.
5. Our kids don’t know how to wait for anything.
I blame the brilliance of Amazon and their uber-productive shopping experience. Why wait for anything anymore when you know you can quickly click a few buttons on this website and have your desire in hand tomorrow? What can possibly be wrong with that? The concept of waiting for something you want or need is lost on the younger generation, thanks to Amazon. It’s up to us to teach our children how to wait. To wait for items that they want. To wait in lines. To wait to do things that aren’t appropriate for their age yet.
With our over-productive parenting, we are creating a generation of kids who is afraid to fail, unable to problem solve, unwilling to help around the house, uncomfortable in the presence of other humans and who don’t want to wait for a thing.
Parents, we must purposely be a bit more unproductive this year so that our children can become the productive people that they are meant to be.
Amy is the author of the book Parent on Purpose: A Courageous Approach to Raising Children in a Complicated World. Her work can be found at www.amycarney.com. She and her retired NHL playing husband, Keith, are raising 18-year-old triplet sons, a 16-year-old daughter, and a recently adopted 13-year-old son.
Raising Generation Z teens has some interesting moments. For instance, I discovered that Netflix has an interesting effect on my teens—it turns them into sloths who only move when absolutely necessary. They love nothing more than plunking themselves in front of the TV binge-watching their favorite shows from start to finish.
Watching them made me nostalgic—and a little jealous.
I remember how it was when I was their age. I had to patiently wait for 24 hours to watch the next episode of my best shows. It was more dreadful if said shows came on weekly because then I had to endure the torture of waiting a whole seven days to see what happened next. Talk about suspense!
Living in a Bespoke World
Things are totally different now thanks to smart devices and the internet. Nowadays kids everywhere reap the benefits of living in a curated world where they can watch or read what they want when they want it.
It is a wonderful life but I realized that it has a darker side, too.
For one thing, more parents are complaining that their kids are choosing to stay tethered to their devices instead of doing something imaginative or creative. Teen internet addiction is a real thing, fed partly by having an enticing array of curated items—music, movies, games, etc.—delivered right to our kids’ screens.
While internet addiction is serious, I’m more worried about the death of imagination and creativity that my kids display. Even the younger ones rarely play pretend games anymore. They don’t spend hours wondering what their favorite TV characters will get up to next because they can watch whole seasons of those TV shows in days. Having what they like constantly fed to them on demand does nothing to spark their imagination.
Additionally, living in a curated world means that they miss out on the natural randomness and serendipity that can inspire innovation. They are only likely to be exposed to the kind of music they like or get suggestions for more books from their favorite author or genre. There’s no space for them to discover other books, songs or shows unless they go looking for them. This means that they might never discover anything outside their scope of interest.
Staying in the Comfort Zone
Another worrying thing is that living in a curated world encourages kids to stay in their comfort zones. My kids rarely try anything new unless I push them. As a result, they risk spending their lives in their own constricted self-centered worlds, unexposed to different perspectives and the beauty of looking at things from a different angle. Unless I teach them to consider other perspectives, my kids might go through life thinking that they- their likes, preferences or needs- supersede others’.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for curated content—but I’d also like to see my kids using their imagination, finding new interests, challenging their perspectives and discovering something new about themselves in the process.
Tyler Jacobson is a happy husband, father of three, writer and outreach specialist with experience with organizations that help troubled teens and parents. His areas of focus include: parenting, social media, addiction, mental illness, and issues facing teenagers today.
As technology continues to advance, it’s becoming more difficult for parents to monitor their children’s screen time. Video games, social media, streaming services and an infinite number of other applications are constantly bombarding our kids with distracting notifications. Unproductive uses of screen time can have some negative effects on brain development, so it’s only natural for parents to be concerned about how their kids use their smart devices.
However, screen time isn’t all bad. There are tools, resources and even influencers that can help children develop important life skills.
Use Intelligent Smart Device Apps
Smart device applications don’t have to be uninspiring or time-wasting. In fact, we can teach our children important life skills through the right app. For example, finance apps such as Mint can assist your child in learning how to budget using their savings account. You can also download stock market simulators to help teach your child about investing and the economy. There are even allowance and chores apps that reward kids for doing their housework on time.
Inspire creativity in your child by installing apps that encourage them to draw, paint, compose music and edit photos. The possibilities with applications are endless. I encourage all parents to skim their app store to discover teaching platforms for their children.
Stream Informative Videos
While binge-watching Netflix is an easy way to entertain your children, it may not be the best use of their time. Thankfully for us parents, there are other streaming solutions we can use to both educate and entertain our children.
Documentary streaming services like this one with curated playlists of films and documentaries offer fascinating historical and scientific documentaries that can engage our children. Additionally, YouTube has hundreds of educational channels that cover any topic you can think of. If you decide to take this route, make sure to vet the content to ensure that it’s credible and appropriate.
Play the Right Video Games
Educational video games are also a great screen time activity for your children to participate in. Games give children an incentive to solve complex problems, work together as a team and even learn hard skills like coding. There are many educational electronic games your children can choose from, so make sure to do your research to see what video game(s) would be best for your child.
Consume Inspiring Media
Social media is going to be a part of most kids’ daily lives. Cat memes, funny gifs and selfies have their place on social feeds, but if used incorrectly, social media can be a huge distraction. Encourage your children to find good in the world by following publications, influencers and social feeds that inspire and uplift them.
Following scientific geniuses like Neil De Grasse Tyson can feed your kids’ curiosity about the workings of the universe. Other influencers like Cameron Haynes (an ultra-marathon runner) or Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a The Rock) can inspire them to participate in physical exercise. Additionally, intellects like Malcolm Gladwell can help children view the world from a different perspective.
If your child is mature enough, encourage them to follow news publications. Staying up to speed on the news cycle will help them be more informed citizens and can inspire meaningful conversations between child and parent.
Managing screen time is not an easy task. But, if handled properly, screen time can educate, empower and inspire your kids. Through the right videos, games, social feeds and apps—your child can be equipped with the knowledge and expertise to succeed in the future.
Brandon Jarman is a recent Brigham Young University graduate who is currently living In Salt Lake City. When he’s not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and eating delicious Mexican food. He and his wife are expecting their first baby at the end of August.
During this past summer, nothing would have made my 10-year-old son happier than getting Fortnite, the new video game that’s all the rage these days. Not only did he talk endlessly about the full game, my son constantly asked if I would download the free Fortnite: Battle Royale to our iPad. Since I prefer to limit my kids’ screen time, I wasn’t keen on that idea of dropping $40 or more on the full game.
I admit that when my son first told me about Fortnite, I had no clue what he was talking about. After doing my research and finding out more about the game, I slowly shifted from cluelessness to ambivalence. So what is Fortnite, exactly? You’ve heard about it everywhere, I’m sure.
Fortnite is a multiplayer shooter game that has managed to garner millions of fans, with some estimating that it has racked up to 125 million fans worldwide. There are two versions of the game, the first being Fortnite: Save The World and Fortnite: Battle Royale. When you hear your kids say they’re playing Fortnite, they’re probably enjoying the second version as it is the free-to-play version.
From my understanding, the game is basically like the TV show Survivor, only instead of competing against each other in various challenges, players arm themselves and fight each other until the last player standing is declared the winner.
Reasons for the game’s popularity include the excellent graphics which lend it a well-polished yet cartoony feel and the new features, items and play modes that are constantly released and updated to make the game more fun and interactive. Fortnite is also a cross-platform game so kids can play together regardless of whichever game console they have, be it a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or even on regular smart devices.
To (Let Them) Play—or Not
I’m torn about whether or not I should allow my son to download and play the game. As a parent raising kids in the digital age, I worry about internet addiction and how much time screen time is ideal for my kids, and it seems like Fortnite plays into all of my concerns about having my children online and interacting with strangers of all ages. Also, I would love my son to trade some of his video games for books that excite him just as much, but I very well can’t force him to read.
Additionally, I am worried about the effect video games have on kids and the contradictory messages we are sending, especially to young boys. We lecture them on the hazards of violence, then allow them to play games like Fortnite for hours on end where all they do is find different ways of killing off their opponents. We encourage them to be fierce competitors and win no matter what, but then ask them to play fair.
On the other hand, I like the fact that a game like Fortnite encourages teamwork and cooperation. Also, part of me doesn’t want my kid to be excluded when all his friends are talking about the latest upgrades and the rounds they’ve played together. Besides, the game has parental controls that will allow me to limit the length of my son’s gaming sessions. That way, I can set and enforce screen time limits to encourage him to head outside for some real-life pastimes instead of remaining cooped up indoors.
Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to allow kids to play Fortnite depends on individual parents and what works for one family might not be ideal for another.
Tyler Jacobson is a happy husband, father of three, writer and outreach specialist with experience with organizations that help troubled teens and parents. His areas of focus include: parenting, social media, addiction, mental illness, and issues facing teenagers today.
Grandparents have plenty of wisdom and life experience to impart, but when it comes to being tech-savvy they aren’t always the best. But that won’t always stop them from trying. Despite a clear language barrier between one grandma and her new Google Home, she keeps trying to give it commands and the results are hilarious.
AsPEOPLE reports, 85-year-old grandmother, Maria Actis was gifted a Google Home Mini in her family’s Secret Santa exchange, but she didn’t exactly hit it off with the device. “My grandmother was very excited to show everyone her new gift, but she obviously needed a little help using it,” Ben Actis, Maria’s grandson, told PEOPLE. “The whole day was like that with her!”
It’s impossible not to laugh when Maria repeatedly calls the device “Goo Goo” instead of Google, but the cutest moment of all is clearly when she finally gets the device to work and she jumps up from her seat in awe and disbelief. It’s not hard to see why the adorable video has already racked up over one million views on YouTube.
What funny reactions has your family had to smart devices? Share your stories in the comments below.
