The birthstone for January is the garnet, which represents love and friendship
People born in January are more than just “new year babies” or “winter babies.” According to some studies, they tend to end up in creative or health professional fields and they often stay healthy as they grow up. And, January babies share their special month with many famous people born in January. Does your little one have some of these traits or any that are related to their horoscope? Find out what 2024 has in store for them here.
People Born in January Are Often Creative and Have Good Problem Solving Skills
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Sorry, Caps. This one's for the Aquarians. According to a small study, January and February are the right months to be born if you want to be famous. And in this case, "fame" extends well beyond actors on the A-List—we're talking politicians, athletes, scientists, authors, singers, humanitarians, etc. Perhaps this shouldn't be that surprising, given that those born in January and February tend to be more creative and possess higher problem-solving skills.
January Babies Are Smart
iStock
Scientists monitored the development of 21,000 boys and girls, and their research indicates winter-born kids measured longer at birth, were taller and heavier by age seven and had higher scores in a series of intelligence exercises than their peers.
People Born in January Babies Lean Towards Medicine as a Profession
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Get ready for the college long haul, January parents. According to a study conducted in the UK, kids born in the first month of the year become doctors more than kids born in the other months of the year.
The birthstone for January is the garnet, which represents love and friendship. Garnets also have ties to Greek mythology by way of the pomegranate. When Hades, the god of the underworld, took Persephone from the surface world, she was told not to eat any food in the dark realm. However, she ate six pomegranate seeds and therefore had to remain in the underworld for six months every year. The change from winter to spring was explained as Persephone's return to the surface. This is also why the garnet stands for the return of a loved one.
January Baby Names Can Be Inspired by the Zodiac, the Winter Season or New Beginnings
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There are lots of different sources of inspiration when it comes to naming your January baby! Consider naming your baby after the season, Capricorn or Aquarius, or even new beginnings for the new year. Some of our favorites include Sophie, Zane, Kiara, Janus, Onyx, and Ione. See Nameberry's entire list of January baby names here.
January babies share their special month with plenty of famous people, too. Bradley Cooper, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Morris Chestnut, Eddie Redmayne, Mary J. Blige, Issa Rae, Jason Bateman, and Regina King are only a few of the celebrities born in January.
If your kiddo has run out of things to watch, try out these 17 kids’ TV shows on YouTube that they can watch for free
Have you exhausted the kid-friendly content on your family’s face streaming service? Before you start a round of repeats, check out the free fun with our ultimate list of free kids shows on YouTube. From nostalgic shows from your own childhood to contemporary cartoons, these YouTube shows for kids are imaginative, entertaining, and maybe even educational too! As if that wasn’t enough, there are free movies on YouTube and our ultimate list of YouTube channels for kids is filled with fun and educational entertainment.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Disney Junior
"Oh, Toodles!" Did you know you can watch Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and the gang on YouTube? Yup, this show has been entertaining tots for years, and you can get full episodes of this kids' show by checking out the Disney Junior channel.
Bluey
Bluey TV
Everyone's favorite Blue Heeler pup is on YouTube! Subscribe to the official Bluey channel for full episodes, bonus bits, and fun family segments.
Peter Rabbit
Based on Beatrix Potter's beloved character, this animated series on YouTube follows that curious rabbit and his friends (think Benjamin, Mr. Fisher, and other iconic Potter animals) through the woods, into Mr. MacGregor's garden, and much more.
Everyone's favorite pup heroes can be found on YouTube! Head to their official channel and find hundreds of your kids' favorite episodes and seasons. There are also live streams and compilations.
This classic cartoon brings a definite sense of nostalgia. The free kids show on YouTube The New Adventures of He-Man, brings the animated awesomeness to a whole new generation.
Tyler Perry brings rapper Young Dylan to this perfect-for-your-tween Nickelodeon show. Check out the full free episodes on the Nickelodeon YouTube channel.
You can't get to the local library for an IRL story time. Don't worry, PBS Kids has you covered. Hear stories read by beloved authors, such as Marc Brown and Victoria Kann.
Joe Hanson, Ph.D. explains why we're ticklish, how trees can fight climate change, and other science topics in this PBS Digital Studios show. While the content is probably over your tot's head, it's perfect for older kids and tweens.
WildBrain brings your family animated full-length episodes featuring 12-year-old Sabrina Spellman and the rest of the gang. While it's not the same as the Melissa Joan Hart version, your older kiddo will get a kick out of it.
Star Wars Kids
Star Wars Kids via YouTube
Would your young Jedi sit in front of a Star Wars-themed screen for hours? If you're looking for a way to get in some galactic entertainment, minus a day-long binge-fest, the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel features under five-minute looks at fan fave films!
If your child is a fan of this Nick Jr. show, they can watch full-length Blaze and the Monster Machines episodes on YouTube. Along with the show, kids can also catch monster truck madness sing-alongs and learn through Blaze's latest adventure activities.
For more than 50 years, Sesame Street has entertained and educated children across the globe. Catch full episodes featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, and all your little one's favorite friends when you subscribe to the childhood classic on YouTube.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
You can find full episodes of this popular preschool show inspired by the original Mr. Roger's Neighborhood on PBS's YouTube channel.
A lot of parenting is timeless, but baby supplies and tech just keep getting better
Whether you’re a brand new parent or a few years in, we’re constantly on the lookout for baby supplies to make everyday tasks easier. Anything that gives us time back for ourselves and allows us to be more present for our families is a win in our books, so we’ve brought you our list of some of the best tech for babies out there that does all that and more! This is the gear that you might not even know you needed, but these baby supplies and tech is about to change your life.
eufy S340 Smart Sock Bundle
eufy
Baby monitors have come a long way, and the Smart Sock Bundle from eufy proves it. You get alerts when your babe is awake or fussy both through your phone and through the included base. The Smart Sock keeps track of your baby's real-time sleep data, including heart rate, sleep status and movements, and provides daily sleep reports—all without having to pay a monthly fee. Plus, the 2K resolution camera allows you to check on your little one anytime. eufy S340 Smart Sock Bundle ($449.98)—Buy Here!
Baby Brezza Pro Advanced Formula Mixer
Baby Brezza
Imagine this: a fresh bottle of formula with no measuring, no mixing, no problem. Sound good? The Baby Brezza mixes formula and water with the tap of a button with fully customizable sizes from 2-10oz, three heat settings, and a water-only dispensing feature. It works with virtually all brands of baby formula and all bottle designs. Over 8,000 reviews rate the Baby Brezza 4.5 out of 5 stars. Baby Brezza Pro Advanced Formula Mixer ($177.06)—Buy Here!
Baby Brezza Smart Soothing Mat
Target
Designed by a maternity nurse and baby crying expert, the Baby Brezza Smart Soothing Mat is the only one of its kind that mimics the sounds and motions of the womb, which turns on your little one's self-soothing and sleep impulse. Use the free app to operate via Bluetooth and customize the Soothing Mat's settings. Plus, it's light and portable, so you'll never have to be without. Baby Brezza Smart Soothing Mat ($99.99) Buy Here!
This is a level of baby bathing we not-so-secretly would love for ourselves, too. The rotating shower arm plus soft-feel sling cradle your wee one and can be removed as they grow. The handheld shower head gives you full control and offers a massage to soothe and calm little ones. The First Years Rain Shower & Baby Spa Tub ($69.99) Buy Here!
Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System
Nanit
The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System includes everything you could possibly need to monitor your infant's every move. Including the pro camera, wall mount, portable multi-stand, small sensor-free breathing band, and Smart Sheet to track growth! It also includes two-way audio, and the split-screen feature allows you to to see and control more than one camera simultaneously in-app. Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System ($343.90) Buy Here!
TruBliss Evi Smart Bassinet
Target
This bassinet does it all. No, seriously. From ambient light, to sounds, to rocking, to even connecting to Alexa, Google Home, or the app, it does it all.TruBliss Evi Smart Bassinet ($399.99)—Buy Here!
Tiny Traveler Portable Video Car Baby Monitoring System
Tiny Traveler
We've bought more than one of those backseat mirrors and honestly, we just don't love them. This car baby monitoring system takes car safety to the next level. With up to 4 hours of battery life, night vision, and split-screen monitoring, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Tiny Traveler Portable Video Car Baby Monitoring System ($269.99)—Buy Here!
Smart Weigh Comfort Baby Scale
Smart Weigh
One of the most important indicators of baby's health is their weight, and this smart digital scale lets you stay on top of it! It's perfectly designed for your little one and offers a 44lb. capacity. Almost 3,000 Amazon reviews rate it 4.3 stars, so you'll feel good adding it to your baby supply list. Smart Weigh Comfort Baby Scale (34.99)—Buy Here!
BlueSmart mia2 Intelligent Baby Feeding Monitor
Target
You may have been keeping track of your little one's feedings using a notebook by the rocking chair, or trying to rely on your memory (hello, Mom Brain), but this Intelligent Baby Feeding Monitor takes all that off your plate. It automatically records feeding portions using its baby-safe silicon sleeve that fits on almost any regularly-shaped bottle and syncs to the BlueSmart Baby Tracker App. BlueSmart mia2 Intelligent Baby Feeding Monitor ($99.99)—Buy Here!
The noise detection on the Sense2Snooze Bassinet responds to baby's cries and adjusts soothing settings like motion and sound to gently encourage them back to sleep. It also includes dimmable lighting and built-in wheels so you can relax them in any room of the house. Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet ($319.97)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
These are the baby monitors that will help you rest easier
Nanit versus Owlet? Miko versus Cubo? Baby monitors have come such a long way from what our parents had when we were young. They aren’t just essentially one-way radios anymore; these are high-tech gadgets that come in a bunch of choices. There are more baby monitors out there than there are sleepless nights in your future. And with so much already on your mind being the parent of a baby, wading through a million different monitor options, all promising to be the absolute best on the market, isn’t exactly easy. There are so many to choose from, and each one does something just a little bit different. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help you sort through all the best baby monitor details.
We’ve done the research and compiled a list of the best monitors on the market. From wearables to AI to the high-tech video monitors, we’ve got you covered. You can do all the comparisons right here (afterall, the Nanit versus Owlet debate is a hot-button topic in the parenting world). So whether you’re up late rocking a newborn, looking to upgrade your existing monitor, or shopping for a baby shower gift, we’ve got it all right here.
Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor
Miku
A contact-free, real-time respiratory baby monitor, the Miku Pro tracks your little one's breathing and sleep without the use of wearables. That means babies can sleep in any clothing, in any position (both within those infant safety guidelines your pediatrician shared with you), and you can still use this monitor as your child gets older. Create customizable alerts to track movement, sleep, sounds, temperature, humidity and more. The monitor can also play white noise and lullabies to help put your little bundle of joy to sleep. Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor ($389.98)—Buy Here!
Nanit Pro Monitor & Complete Monitoring System
Nanit
The Nanit Pro camera (available on its own or in a bundle) tracks baby's sleep metrics, breathing motion, temperature, humidity and even height while saving images on crystal-clear HD video. The complete monitoring system bundle includes the camera, a Breathing Band to monitor baby's breathing motion, and Smart Sheets that tracks physical growth. The camera comes with a wall mount; or you can snag a floor stand. You can also purchase Nanit Pajamas, which monitor baby's breathing motion in real time without wires or sensors and alerts you when your they need you. Nanit Pro Monitor & Complete Monitoring System ($379.00)—Buy Here!
Cubo AI Baby Monitor
Cubo AI
There's a lot of sophisticated technology packed inside this cute, bird-shaped monitor. The Cubo uses face detection technology to alert you if your baby's mouth and nose may be covered, either from rolling over on their tummy or having an item covering their face. Set the danger zone alert to let you know if your baby is scaling their crib, or position it around the house to know when your child is too close to the stairs or other potentially unsafe areas. A text alert pops up on your phone when Cubo detects your child's cry. And the AI is even smart enough to notice smiles and larger movements and automatically take photos of them for your viewing pleasure.
Other features include 1080p HD night vision, a wide-angle (135-degree) viewing area, 18-hour video replay, built-in nightlight, temperature & humidity gauge and 4x digital zoom. Three included stands (crib stand, floor stand, and mobile stand) means the monitor grows with your child. Cubo AI Baby Monitor ($299.00)—Buy Here!
Owlet Cam
Owlet Baby Care
This clever camera rests on a magnetic base so you can position it wherever you like; then use the included cable guard kit to secure cables out of baby's reach. There's a secure, encrypted WiFi connection to keep out hackers, but you and other loved ones can view your child on high-definition 1080p video on your phone. Set the Owlet app in Background Mode and you can hear your baby while you use your phone for other tasks. Owlet Cam ($99.99)—Buy Here!
Oma Sense Baby Breathing Movement Monitor by Levana
Levana
This breathing monitor clips on to baby's clothing to monitor stomach movements. If a lack of movement is detected, the monitor vibrates to stimulate the baby and alerts you to the situation. If there's still no movement, the monitor emits an emergency audio alarm so you can check on your baby. Cordless and battery powered, you can easily pop it in a diaper bag for overnights at grandma's house or longer trips. Oma Sense Baby Breathing Movement Monitor by Levana ($82.99)—Buy Here!
Angelcare 3-in-1 Baby Monitor
Angelcare
A 5-inch touchscreen provides clear night vision of your sleeping babe as well as an easy way to access the unit's settings. The unit in the nursery can be placed on a tabletop or the wall transmits a clear image and displays the room's temperature. The monitor comes with a wireless baby movement sensor pad to monitor baby's movement; the monitor sounds if no movement is detected for 15 seconds. Angelcare 3-in-1 Baby Monitor ($274.99)—Buy Here!
The Lollipop
Lollipop
If you're not into wearable monitors, the Lollipop is a great option. AI technology monitors your babe's breathing and filters out ambient noise like wind to accurately alert you when crying is detected. With 1080p Full HD quality, checking on your baby through the Lollipop live feed on your tablet or smartphone from anywhere you are is no problem. You can even set a border inside the camera view to track movements in your baby’s crib. If anything happens outside the border, you’ll be notified. The Lollipop ($159.99)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Ask Alexa to pump up the holiday spirit and amuse your family using these fun Amazon Alexa Christmas skills
Want to keep the kids happy and entertained for the rest of the season? Let Alexa delight the children like your own personal holiday elf! All you have to do is ask. We’ve rounded up a few awesome Alexa Christmas skills to make your days and nights with the kids merry and bright—and hopefully out of your hair for a few minutes while “Santa” finishes wrapping all those gifts.
Need some help filling your playlist with Christmas songs? Using the iHeartRadio skill, iHeart Santa, kids can answer a series of questions posed by Santa to have a custom-curated list of holiday songs created for them.
“Alexa, play Christmas music.”
Nothing helps lift your spirits like some jolly Christmas tunes. Just say the word and Alexa will cue up your favorite songs of the season through Amazon Music. Even if you don’t happen to be a Prime Member, you can just enable the Christmas Radio skill and ask Alexa to play it. Bonus tip: ask Alexa to sing you a Christmas carol and the kids will love the response.
"Alexa, open Christmas Song Quiz."
Are you a Christmas Carol master? Step right up and test your knowledge. Alexa will read you lines from Christmas songs and ask you to guess the song titles, or ask you to finish the line. How many can you guess?
“Alexa, ask Christmas Countdown how long until Santa comes.”
If your excited tots wake up each morning in December wondering if Christmas has finally arrived, Alexa can help them keep track with the Christmas Countdown skill.
"Alexa, turn the Christmas tree lights on.”
Whether you want to be able to turn your Christmas lights on and off remotely or you’re hoping to light your home up like you're in the Great Christmas Light Fight, Alexa can help. Plug any light strand into an Alexa-compatible smart outlet and you can control them using your voice. If you want to get a little fancier, you can upgrade to Alexa-compatible smart Christmas lights that can be programmed with specific effects.
Want an easy way to help your kids understand the importance of giving and helping others? Alexa can help with the Christmas Kindness skill. When you enable the skill Alexa will prompt you with suggestions on random acts of kindness.
With so many ways to engage in holiday festivities with Alexa, this home assistant may as well be your very own "keep the kiddos busy" advent calendar for the whole month of December!
“Alexa, play Santa Claus.”
Want a direct line to the big man? Alexa has the hook-up. Kids can say "Alexa, ask Santa Claus if I'm naughty or nice" to find out which list they’ve made after being quizzed on a series of questions on their behavior.
“Alexa, start The Night Before Christmas.”
Get the kids ready for bed and those sugar plum visions with the classic tale of how Santa and his reindeer arrive. Alexa also has some other holiday stories up her sleeve.
“Alexa, play Christmas sounds.”
If you need a break from "Rudolph" and "Jingle Bells" but still want to fill your home with the sounds of the season, you can enable the Christmas sounds skill and Alexa will spread the holiday cheer with sounds like bells ringing and horse hooves clomping.
Speaking of Christmas Eve, if you want to get those kids off to bed so you can enjoy some quiet time and a glass of wine, convince them that Santa is on his way by enabling the NORAD Tracks Santa skill.
Don't worry, Alexa won't spoil all the Christmas magic. If anything, the home assistant has you covered by answering all those difficult questions you might not be ready to answer this year. Some other challenging Christmas questions Alexa can answer include “How old is Santa Claus?” and “What is the true meaning of Christmas?”
“Alexa, tell me some Christmas jokes.”
Everyone loves a good old cheesy joke, especially about Christmas. There are lots of great Christmas jokes and riddles out there and Alexa knows plenty of them. See how much Alexa can make you laugh!
Now that you’ve been to the Museum of Science and Industry and The Field so many times you could lead a tour, it’s time to earn a little extra credit. When you’re craving something new and culture’s on the menu, check out a super-secret museum that’s just a mini road trip away. We dug up goodies that are within an hour’s drive of Chicago. Scroll through to see them all, from a secret nature center to an auto museum with superhero appeal.
Does your kid go crazy for cars? An hour northwest of Chicago, this wheel-tastic museum is a draw for car nuts of all ages. Famous movie cars from Fast & Furious 7, Batman Begins, Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises, National Lampoon's Vacation and more. There are also plenty of coin kiddie rides for the youngest children in your group.
Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 27582 Volo Village Rd., Volo; Online: volocars.com
Illinois Railway Museum
America’s largest railway museum is right here in Illinois and goes way beyond your everyday Metra train. Ride on a one-of-a-kind mainline train, hop aboard an old-fashioned trolley coach or take a loop in a vintage streetcar. Feel like you've seen some of these sights before? That’s because the museum has been the set for numerous transportation scenes in commercials and movies, including A League of Their Own. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the annual Day Out With Thomas. On select days in July, kids chug along on a 20-minute ride on Thomas the Tank Engine and enjoy music, magicians, clowns and a meeting with Sir Topham Hatt. Consider taking a special trip for Halloween or Christmas when the museum features holiday-themed train rides.
Established in 1931, the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History is a small museum located in a historic mid-1870′s Victorian mansion. Kids will have the chance to meet live native animals, including owls, frogs, turtles and even a fox. Hands-on activities complement learning, and even toddlers will enjoy the easy animal-themed puzzles. Natural-surfaced hiking trails through the surrounding Forest Preserve are perfect for little hikers and wind through beautiful oak woodlands and along the Des Plaines River.
730 Thatcher Ave., River Forest; Online: fpdcc.com
Knock Knolls Nature Center
Tucked in a quiet residential neighborhood, this slice of nature gives visitors the chance to discover what life was like at the convergence of the East and West Branches of the DuPage River in the 1800s. You'll also get to know the local wildlife that call this corner of DuPage County home. Grab a treasure hunt sheet from the front desk and explore! The highlight is a 900-gallon freshwater fish tank filled with catfish, bass and other swimmers. You'll also track replica fossils in the floor, marvel at a living wall of plants and learn how a rainwater collection cistern works. The building sits in a 224-acre park laced with winding, forested trails and sits adjacent to a nature playground.
The Tinker cottage, gardens and three-story Swiss-inspired barn was built by businessman Robert Tinker in 1865. Flash forward to today, when you can witness its beauty and get a dose of local history. The charming cottage and over-the-top gardens have become one of Rockford’s most popular attractions. The Victorian-era decor and unique architecture will satisfy the curiosity of the parents. As for the kids, they'll have a blast romping through the iris, rose and prairie gardens as the weather warms.
Learn about Illinois in the 18th century when our state was home to French voyageurs and native Potawatomi. Operated by the Forest Preserve of Will County on an island in the Des Plaines River, this recently renovated museum features many interactive exhibits and a Native American longhouse. At a recent museum event, children participated in traditional French and Woodland Indian games and storytelling. If you visit the island in the summer, your family will want to take part in one of many nature activities like fishing, kayaking, hiking and more.
501 E. Romeo Rd. (135th Street), east of Route 53, Romeoville; Online: reconnectwithnature.org
DuPage Country Historical Museum
Housed in a building gifted by John Quincy Adams in 1891, the former Adams Memorial Library is now a museum that contains countless artifacts and materials that document DuPage County. The HO Gauge Model Train is operated by the DuPage Society of Model Engineers the 3rd and 5th Saturday every month.
Since 1852, the Graue Mill has been grinding cornmeal, its waterwheel turning at the edge of the picturesque Salt Creek. Today, the Graue Mill Museum is dedicated to bridging past and present through living-history programs that illustrate daily life of the past, including milling, spinning and weaving demonstrations. While the museum is closed in the winter, the grounds of the mill are picture-perfect year-round. Kids will love throwing pebbles into the Salt Creek and watching sticks make their way down the beautiful falls that make the mill's gristmill go round.
This quaint historical museum, which shuts down for the winter, is a bona fide local gem. You'll find it near the Illinois Prairie Path, North America’s first rails-to-trails conversion. It’s housed in a 1929 building, which was once the station for the electric Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad. Antique toys, historical photos and artifacts from the demolished Ovaltine factory will take you back in time and spark hot chocolate cravings.
We love doing arts and crafts, and sometimes we like a little inspiration. The Ukrainian National Museum highlights the traditional arts of Ukraine, with rows of beautiful ‘pysanky’ (decorated Easter eggs), richly embroidered costumes and other weavings and carved objects. Artifacts from the Ukraine and information about the current Ukrainian community in Chicago will help put together a mini-history lesson.
Surround your kids in a glittering array of jewels and precious stones at this gem of a museum. The museum houses the collection of Italian immigrant and businessman Joseph Lizzadro, a marvel of treasures big and small created from semi-precious and precious gems. Learn the science behind those gems and see amazing specimens of rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world. The gift shop has lots to start off your junior geologist’s own collection.
Wouldn’t it be nice to pop into an art museum for free, check out a few masterpieces, and then enjoy a snack? You can at this spot that packs the thrills and amenities of the big art museums, but on a smaller scale. We love the SMART for its temporary exhibitions and collections, which include modern art and design, and Asian and European art.
The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
There's no better way to teach kids about saving money than taking them on a free visit to The Money Museum. Although the historical displays might be more suited to teens, taking a photo in front of a suitcase stuffed with one million dollars worth of hundred-dollar bills is worth the bragging rights for any age. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir bag of shredded currency for show-and-tell. Note: This museum is temporarily closed, but keep tabs on their website for opening information and online resources for families.
Mario Andretti’s Indy 500 racecar! Rocky Marciano’s first heavyweight championship belt! Swimmer Matt Biondi’s Olympic Gold Medals! Inspire your little athletes with a trip to the Tommy and Jo Lasorda exhibit galleries housed inside the larger Hall of Fame building. Even non-Italian-Americans will appreciate this up-close look at sports gear and memorabilia from sports celebs like Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Mary Lou Retton.
1431 W. Taylor St., Little Italy; Online: niashf.org
These amazing baby nappers use smart technology to help babies sleep so tired parents can rest too. By using motion, sound and light, these smart bassinets mimic a mother’s calming womb or a parent’s comforting arms to create the ideal environment for newborn’s sleep. Prices vary. A lot. Find the right one for your budget below.
Created by pediatrician and child development expert Dr. Harvey Karp, the SNOO is a responsive bassinet that combines gentle rocking, white noise and safe swaddling for a womb-like environment. Smart technology gives the bassinet the ability to automatically respond to baby’s cries with increased motion and sound. The bassinet comes with a mattress, three organic cotton swaddles that keep newborns in a safe sleeping position, an organic cotton sheet, and a water-resistant cover. The mobile app allows caregivers to view sleep patterns, customize settings, and receive helpful tips. While buying it carries a hefty price tag, you can also rent this sleeper for $129 per month.
With five unique motions—car ride, wave, kangaroo, tree swing, and rock-a-bye—that mimic the natural movements of parents and other caregivers, this bassinet is designed to help newborns fall asleep fast and stay asleep. There are also five speed options and four white-noise choices that can all be controlled with the Bluetooth-enabled 4moms app. The firm, flat sleep surface comes with a water-resistant mattress and sheet.
The 3-in-1 design makes this combination bedside sleeper, portable bassinet and changing pad a real deal. Keep baby close by and adjust to the right height for your bedside, or roll it into any other room and lock the casters into place. Soothing melodies and vibrations lull baby to sleep. When it’s time for a diaper change, flip the quilted mattress over to the waterproof changing-pad side. The fabrics are machine-washable. This sleeper accommodates babies up to 20 pounds, or until they push up on hands and knees, and the changing pad is for little ones up to 35 pounds.
This bassinet has a 360-degree swivel and lowering bedside wall that make it easier for new moms to tend to their newborns. The soothing center includes four sounds, two levels of vibration, a nightlight and floorlight, and a timer. It comes with a newborn insert that provides a snug sleeping surface that mimics the womb. The fabric is machine-washable and the sleeper includes a waterproof pad and fitted sheet. The bed itself can be removed from the stand, so baby can nap wherever you are.
The built-in microphone hears baby’s cries and automatically adjusts the bassinet’s setting to lull baby back to sleep. The Sense2Snooze includes a head-to-toe soothing motion with three different speeds, two-speed vibration, and a variety of noise options. You can even save your newborn’s favorite combination of settings for quick calming action. There is a dimmable light and a reversible canopy for optimal light options. A storage space keeps all the essentials close at hand.
The gentle swaying motion of this sleeper can be activated by parent or baby to send your little one off to dreamland. An overhead mobile rocks along with the bassinet, and light features include a projector that can be removed to use as a tabletop soother. Calming vibrations, songs and sounds all help create the right sleep environment. The removable sheet is machine-washable and the pad can be wiped clean.
Combining a bassinet, crib and baby monitor all in one, the Cradlewise adjusts as baby grows. The noiseless bouncing mechanism can respond to baby's wake-up cues before they cry and does not disturb sleeping parents. The built-in monitor has video, audio and a night-vision camera that can be monitored from home or remotely. Once your newborn grows out of the higher bassinet level, the mattress can be dropped to crib level for use by a toddler. In addition to a customizable app, the sleeper can be operated with hand gestures.
Autism Spectrum Disorder became a constant companion in our life one April day a few years back. I think back to that day and realize how naive I was and how unprepared for the journey I was. I wish I could go back to myself on that day with my tear-filled eyes and fill myself in on a little of what I’ve learned so far.
1. It is going to be OKAY.
It will be okay…whatever your version of okay looks like. It may be filled with therapies and mountains to climb and hard at times or it may be smoother with fewer interventions needed. However it looks, you will adapt and you will learn and you will grow. And you will be okay.
We’ve managed to find our stride and what works for us. And is it how I originally pictured life? No. But it is okay and we’re doing alright.
2. Self, please know that your child has not changed.
The world might look and feel a little different right now and that is okay, but your baby is still your baby. Both of my boys are on the spectrum and both of my boys are still the same happy, loving, and adventurous boys they were before a doctor ever uttered the diagnosis that felt like it changed everything. It really took me a minute or two to get that through my head, but it was a valuable lesson to grasp.
3. My child has autism, but it does not define him.
Autism is a part of my boys. It is simply one facet that makes up their whole. It doesn’t define them. They have autism. Autism does not have them. They are smart because they are smart. They are funny because they are funny. They are kind, loving, and stars in my universe because they are them and not because of or in spite of any diagnosis.
4. If you have met one person on the spectrum, you have truly only met one person on the spectrum.
Yes, there are some shared characteristics. Yes, there are common ways in which autism manifests itself in people. But, just like you or me or the person next door, all people on the spectrum are unique too. My two boys are very different and their autism looks very different as well. They are unique. Just because your cousin’s neighbor’s sister’s friend has a child with autism doesn’t mean you know my child or what they need.
5. Subject Matter Expert: My Kids
Just because I am a mother with two boys on the spectrum doesn’t mean I am a subject matter expert on autism. Shoot, I am far from it. What I am an expert on is my boys. I know what works for them. We’ve worked hard to make progress and to find the right diet of therapies. I know what makes my boys laugh or cry and I know when a situation is too much for them. Generally, I can see a meltdown coming from a mile away.
Autism looks different in both of my boys. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. We’re figuring it all out as we go. But you know what, we’re all going to be okay.
“Don’t give up! I believe in you all. A person’s a person, no matter how small!” — Dr. Seuss
Marisa McLeod lives in Waterville, Ohio, with her husband and four kids. She's a Golden Girls, Disney, and organizational junkie. She can usually be found sipping coffee (or wine), watching reality television, or Pinterest-dreaming her next adventure. You can follow along with her on her blog How Many Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Facebook, or on Instagram.
While we can’t explain the science behind Santa’s global gift deliveries, we can offer a few ways to find out how and when he’ll arrive. This year, when your kids ask you about the big guy’s arrival, you can have an answer at the ready when you use any—or all!—of the following Santa tracker apps, websites and smart speaker/home assistant skills.
Read on for our the best kids Santa trackers that let your little elves follow jolly Old St. Nick on his gift-giving world tour this Christmas Eve.
NORAD Tracks Santa
Since 1958, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has fielded calls and emails from around the world to keep curious children (and adults) informed about Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve. An impressive 1,500 volunteers staff telephones and computers to answer calls and live updates are provided through the NORAD Tracks Santa website (in seven languages), over telephone lines and by email.
In collaboration with the NORAD Santa Tracker, kiddos can tune into Kids Place Live (Ch. 78) to get live updates on the big man in red. Starting on Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. EST, you can hear Santa's progress with update every 15 minutes, along with festive holiday tunes.
On Christmas Eve, Google Santa Tracker will showcase Santa’s dashboard: the technology that powers his sleigh during his around-the-world journey making the most important of deliveries! Families can follow Santa’s progress and even learn a little about some of his stops. Starting Dec. 1, use the site to explore Santa’s Village, engage in some activities and even meet a few of his elves.
“Alexa, where's Santa?”
Courtesy of Amazon
If you want to get those kids off to bed so you can enjoy some quiet time and a glass of wine, convince them that Santa is on his way by enabling the NORAD Tracks Santa skill on your Alexa-enabled smart speaker.
Santa Update is for those who can’t wait a minute longer for the holiday hype. You can already keep abreast of Santa’s work by reading the site’s daily blog, which chronicles newsworthy happenings like recent improvements in wrapping technology, the Elf Parade, the local light decorating contest and efforts to test fly Santa’s new sleigh. The site is bursting with creative links and thoughtful details that will show your kiddos how committed the North Pole team is to preparing for Christmas and making their deliveries.
If you have a Google Home smart speaker, simply ask Google to “Call Santa” to make sure you’re still on the nice list or “Track Santa” to find out how close he is to making the magical delivery at your house before you go to sleep. Google explains this handy Christmas feature at its blog.
Although the primary activity on the Email Santa website is—you guessed it—emailing Santa (fill-in-the-blank letters with near-immediate responses are available for the impatient!), you can also track his whereabouts, watch the countdown to Christmas Day, view “live texting” between Santa and his elf squad on Christmas Eve, watch “live tweets” between Santa and Mrs. Claus, read Santa’s blog, laugh (or groan) at elf jokes, watch Christmas webcams from around the world—and oodles more. Your pet can even email Rudolph!
The Santa Video Call and Tracker app, available for iOS devices, purports to be the “only Santa Video Call app with varied and customizable conversation options.” When you purchase the full version, Santa will even call your child by her name and knows (thanks to you) her age, month of birth, where she lives, her interests, and recent life events—at least, as much as you’d like to share. The app’s Santa Tracker locates the big guy in red within an “Elfiish Micrometer” and children can send Santa on test flights as well as zoom in and out on the three-dimensional globe as they watch Santa on the big night.
As our kids begin their second consecutive pandemic-impacted school year, the Delta Variant is threatening the chances of a “normal” school experience, parenting can feel more stressful than ever.
With all this uncertainty, it’s important that we continue to foster meaningful conversations with our kids to help them feel secure, grounded and connected, despite feelings of fear, anxiety and confusion. One topic families may be reluctant to discuss? Money. According to a recent survey by T. Rowe Price, 69% of parents are reluctant to talk with their kids about money, and only 23% of kids reported talking with their parents about money on a regular basis. It may seem like a strange time to talk about money with everything happening in the world, but this conversation can be an important part of daily interactions with your child to help build a strong foundation during times of uncertainty.
Demystifying money, by making it a regular topic of discussion, is crucial to helping your kids develop smart money habits later in life. And its not just talking about money, but giving kids exposure to money decisions: what to buy, what not to buy and how to make those tradeoffs is an important muscle for them to start flexing while still at home. Without a solid financial foundation, based on conversations and experience, kids will be unprepared to function as successful economic actors when they leave the nest.
The first step for empowering kids to be smarter spenders is collaboration. Encourage your kids to ask questions by including them in spending decisions. Shopping, whether for back to school supplies or for a hobby, is a great opportunity to give your kids a budget and allow them to buy items that will directly impact their daily experience.
The next step: Make a plan around spending. Sit down with your kids and break down their expenses into different buckets: wants vs. needs, fixed vs. variable expenses. This is a great way to help kids visualize money and gain a firmer understanding of their financial situations. After making a plan, the final steps are to set goals and prioritize. Ask your kids what short and long term purchases they want to make and use the plan from earlier to evaluate how close they are to achieving their spending and saving goals. For example, do your kids want to save up for a new gaming console? If so, they might want to take fewer trips to the ice cream shop.
While these steps are a great way to get kids thinking about smart money habits, tools like Till give kids hands-on spending experience by putting the power in their hands. Till is an app and debit card combo designed to encourage collaboration between parents and kids. Unlike other apps that focus on saving or investing, Till’s #1 priority is teaching kids to be smarter spenders. The reality is that we are living in a spending economy, and without developing the ability to spend effectively, kids will have a very difficult transition once they leave the nest.
On average, each kid in the US influences family purchases of $6,000 a year. That equates to a lot of opportunities to teach them about how to spend wisely. Imagine if instead of putting some of those expenses on a credit card auto-pay, you use the opportunity to talk with your kid on a monthly basis about if it’s a worthwhile expense, and better yet, give them the exposure and the opportunity to pay the bill themselves (even if you subsidize it). Paying bills is a very real part of life that kids should have exposure to before they’re out on their own and potentially caught off guard.
We all want our kids to grow up to be strong, educated financial actors. Taking the time to teach your kids smart money habits will benefit them for the rest of their lives. No one knows what this next year will bring, but one thing you can control is planting the seeds for your kids’ long-term financial success.
Taylor Burton is the co-founder of Till Financial, the first app and debit card that empowers the next generation of smarter spenders, helping families find teachable moments to learn financial literacy and demystify money management for kids. He is a proud father of two girls and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife.
