These are the beauty gift ideas that’ll make you feel like a holiday gift guru

The holidays are around the corner, and this is going to be the gift guide you save to send to your partner and family for sure. Although you can definitely use these ideas for your own mom, sister, BFF, etc., we put this one together with you in mind. So we ask: What’s better than indulging in some beauty products that you wouldn’t normally buy for yourself?

We’re all about the home spa experience, and these goodies range from intensive treatments to apply-and-go makeup to help you get out the door in a snap. We’ve rounded up the top beauty gifts of 2023 that will leave you feeling relaxed, recharged, and ready to tackle the day.

Avon Haiku Serenity Gift Set

Avon

There's no better time for a little zen than the holidays. Avon's cult-fave Haiku scent features a fresh, clean, green + floral blend that's best-selling for a reason. This set has the Eau de Parfum, Hair & Body Mist, and Haiku Intense Travel Spray.

Avon Haiku Serenity Gift Set ($57.00)—Buy Here!

Dyson Limited Edition Airwrap Multi Styler in Ceramic Pop

Sephora/Dyson

The Dyson Airwrap has been on our collective wish lists for multiple seasons, and this limited edition colorway makes us love it even more.

Dyson Limited Edition Airwrap Multi Styler in Ceramic Pop ($599.00)—Buy Here!

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream

Sol de Janeiro

Yes. It is that good. It's a little bit of a splurge, but it's super rich, so it lasts a long time, and the scent is unbelievable. There's a reason Bum Bum Cream is such a viral hit.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream ($45.60)—Buy Here!

Christian Cowan Red Carpet Glamour Full-Look Set

Smashbox

This limited-edition set from the collab between Smashbox x Christian Cowan gives you everything you need to create a stunning full-glam look that's perfect for the holidays (and beyond).

Christian Cowan Red Carpet Glamour Full-Look Set ($39.99)—Buy Here!

KORRES Eau de Toilette Vetiver Root

KORRES

Woody, warm, earthy...Vetiver meets lavender, cedarwood, and green tea notes. Wear it alone or as a layer. You can't go wrong (well, you can't go wrong with pretty much anything from KORRES.).

KORRES Eau de Toilette Vetiver Root ($54.00)—Buy Here!

Facial Mist Tool

Short & Suite

Designed to work with the Shorts & Suite Mineral Mist Pods, the Mist Wand rapidly delivers the finest dispersion of active mineral ingredients. It's perfect for the winter when skin is parched, and ideal for travel, too.

Facial Mist Tool ($129.00)—Buy Here!

ELEANOR 3 in 1 Combination Beauty Device

Praimy

Get a non-invasive facelift, depuff, and contour your face with the ELEANOR. It uses radio frequency and LED light therapy along with the Glow Rose Conductive Gel (sold separately) to maximize effectiveness right from your home.

ELEANOR 3 in 1 Combination Beauty Device ($135.50)—Buy Here!

Thrive Causemetics Multeye Mask

Thrive Causemetics

These reusable eye masks help you get the most out of your eye cream or serum. Just apply, top it off with the eye masks, and leave on for 10 minutes. They also help protect during makeup application. Did we mention they're reusable? Just rinse, dry, and store them in the included compact when you're done.

Thrive Causemetics Multeye Mask ($28.00)—Buy Here!

The DIORIVIERA Set

DIOR

The DIORIVIERA Set includes limited-edition 5 Couleurs Couture eyeshadow palette with shades that match the 5 miniature Dior nail polishes, all inspired by the French Riviera.

The DIORIVIERA Set ($200.00)—Buy Here!

Revitalash Bestsellers Collection

Revitalash Cosmetics

Give them the gift of transforming their lashes and brows with this collection. Condition, strengthen, and soften lashes while defending against brittleness and breakage. Brows are shaped and revitalized. And the Volumizing Primer + Mineral Tint makes those peepers pop. This is a great routine to start for the new year, too.

Revitalash Bestsellers Collection ($201.00)—Buy Here!

Charlotte Tilbury Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets

Charlotte Tilbury

A $279 value, this pretty chest comes packed with all of Charlotte's favorites—a mini Pillow Talk Beauty Light Wand, Rock 'n' Kohl Eyeliner, Push Up Lashes! Mascara, and more. Everything Charlotte is most famous for is included in her Lucky Chest.

Charlotte Tilbury Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets ($210.00)—Buy Here!

Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset

ULIKE

The number of hours we spend shaving over the course of a year adds up (and it's kinda depressing, to be honest). The Air3 IPL handset offers a quick 12 minute treatment, skin-cooling technology for a nearly-painless experience, and results in only 3 weeks.

Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset ($329.00)—Buy Here!

Birthstone Mineral Soaps

Uncommon Goods

Skin-moisturizing soaps created after the shapes of 12 natural birthstones, complete with their own scent profile. They're almost too pretty to use.

Birthstone Mineral Soaps ($28.00)—Buy Here!

Renzoe Box's Clean Girl Edit

Renzoe Box

A 12-in-1 collection of all the things you could possibly need in one convenient box. It's literally a full face routine of name-brand luxe beauty brands, including brushes and an additional compartment for extras, in a take-anywhere-box. You can also purchase additional pods to swap out and refill. It's the only thing you'll ever need and we're obsessed.

Renzoe Box's Clean Girl Edit ($425.00)—Buy Here!

Uzari Ritual Box Set

Uzari

Step into your new skin with this one-two punch of a shea butter-infused body wash that's PH-balanced for all skin types plus an effective exfoliator that unclogs pores and leaves your skin totally ready for the next step in your routine (and helps it absorb the additional products you use daily).

Uzari Ritual Box Set ($60.00)—Buy Here!

Benefit Mistletoe Blushin’ Lip and Cheek Stain and Blush Duo

Sephora

A full-size duo featuring Benefit's Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint and Shellie Blush.

Benefit Mistletoe Blushin’ Lip and Cheek Stain and Blush Duo ($32.00)—Buy Here!

VIOLETTE FR Petal Bouche Duo

VIOLETTE FR

VIOLETTE FR's iconic Petal Bouche lip color duo in (clockwise from top) Amour Fou (Violette's signature red—the one that looks good on everyone), her newest deep wine hue, Cerie Désir, or Cœur Infidèle (an intense magnetic pink), . *Tip: make sure to hydrate your lips before applying this matte, long-wearing color.

VIOLETTE FR Petal Bouche Duo ($50.40)—Buy Here!

Jones Road The Bobbi Kit 3.0

Jones Road

Everything you need for an effortless, no-fuss makeup routine that loos oh-so-put-together.

Jones Road The Bobbi Kit 3.0 ($82.00)—Buy Here!

ICONIC London Glowing Out Out Gift Set

Anthropologie

Party season-perfect makeup is all wrapped up in this ICONIC London set.

ICONIC London Glowing Out Out Gift Set ($75.00)—Buy Here!

HANACURE The All-In-One Facial

HANACURE

This is no ordinary face mask. When you combine the ampoule and solution, use the included brush to paint onto your skin, wait 15-20 minutes, and you'll see major transformation after the first use.

HANACURE The All-In-One Facial ($110.00)—Buy Here!

Crystal-Infused Zodiac Nail Polish

Uncommon Goods

Flaunt your star sign personality with these twinkly nail polishes.

Crystal-Infused Zodiac Nail Polish ($18.00)—Buy Here!

Christian Louboutin Abracadabra La Palette Refillable Case

Saks Fifth Avenue

This stunning compact is covered in iconic Christian Louboutin studs, and is designed to be refilled with luxe palettes like the Christian Louboutin Abracadabra La Palette Blush & Highlighter Palette Refill or the Abracadabra La Palette Eyeshadow Palette Refill

Christian Louboutin Abracadabra La Palette Refillable Case ($73.00)—Buy Here!

Well People Supernatural Face Trio

Well People

This plant-powered + clean makeup set features three lifhtweight cream multi-use makeup sticks to create a youthful, natural glow with skin-hydrating benefits.

Well People Supernatural Face Trio ($56.00)—Buy Here!

Eucalyptus, Lavender & Rose Shower Bundle Trio

Uncommon Goods

Steam-activated aromatherapy, straight from the botanics themselves to create a therapeutic shower experience every day.

Eucalyptus, Lavender & Rose Shower Bundle Trio ($50.00)—Buy Here!

Molton Brown Festive Bauble Gift Set

Molton Brown

A bauble trio that can work as stocking-stuffers, tree ornaments, or just wrapped under the tree. Includes 3 best-selling body washes: Pink Pepper, Black Pepper, and Rhubarb and Rose.

Molton Brown Festive Bauble Gift Set ($48.00)—Buy Here!

Joybos Makeup Storage Organizer Box with Led Lighted Mirror

Joybos

How gorgeous is this cosmetic organizer? Complete with adjustable light, fan, and a ton of storage. Available in this green, pink, and white.

Joybos Makeup Storage Organizer Box with Led Lighted Mirror ($89.95)—Buy Here!

Lush Dreamland Gift Set

Lush USA

Packed with Lush's signature Sleepy scent, this set comes with bath bombs, lotion, body wash, and more—all designed to help unwind.

Lush Dreamland Gift Set ($84.00)—But Here!

Gucci Mini 3 Piece Matte Lipstick Festive Gift Set

Sephora

3 flattering, non-drying, mini colors of Gucci's Rouge à Lèvres Mat lipsticks.

Gucci Mini 3 Piece Matte Lipstick Festive Gift Set ($45.00)—Buy Here!

Jo Malone Share Pomegranate Noir Body & Hand Lotion

Jo Malone

You truly have to smell it to believe it. Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir scent is the warm, sultry, spicy vibe of our dreams.

Jo Malone Share Pomegranate Noir Body & Hand Lotion ($65.00)—Buy Here!

Karla Cosmetics Shadow Potion Gel Eyeshadow

Karla Cosmetics

For the makeup-lover who likes to add some drama, these stunning multi-tonal gel shadows are the perfect option. Pictured in 'Snooze', there are multiple colors to pick from.

Karla Cosmetics Shadow Potion Gel Eyeshadow ($26.14)—Buy Here!

Deon Libra The Duo Unbothered Elixir and Big Up Body Glaze

Deon Libra

Beauty from the inside out—the daily adaptogen blend + silky body oil. Talk about a power couple.

Deon Libra The Duo Unbothered Elixir and Big Up Body Glaze ($112.00)—Buy Here!

Glossier Stretch Face Brush

Glossier

Foundation application has never been so smooth or easy thanks to this contoured brush.

Glossier Stretch Face Brush ($28.00)—Buy Here!

Drunk Elephant The Littles 6.0

Drunk Elephant

6 travel-friendly a.m. and p.m. essentials to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, brighten, and replenish your complexion, resetting your skin to it's happiest state. We're talking in as little as 30 days.

Drunk Elephant The Littles 6.0 ($74.00)—Buy Here!

Orbits Eye Stones

Uncommon Goods

These Finnish disks are made from ancient soapstone and bring instant eye relief after they're chilled in the fridge.

Orbits Eye Stones ($20.00)—Buy Here!

Alleyoop Beauty MVP Set

Alleyoop

This one-step bundle saves so much time in the morning—can even be tossed in your purse for fast touch-ups.

Alleyoop Beauty MVP Set ($79.00)—Buy Here!

SOKO GLAM Then I Met You the Giving Essence

SOKO GLAM

This combo of niacinamide, naturally fermented ingredients, polyglutamic acid, and more make this a powerhouse to maximize any skincare routine. 

SOKO GLAM Then I Met You the Giving Essence ($50.00)—Buy Here!

Innbeauty Project Sunkissed Set

Innbeauty Project

Bright & Tight Eye Cream, Face Glaze, and Fruit Punch Lip Oil—a full glowy routine for a lit-from-within look all year.

Innbeauty Project Sunkissed Set ($68.00)—Buy Here!

Pour Moi Beauty

Pour Moi Beauty

You don't have to know everything about skincare to build the perfect set. Just enter the zip code of your gift recepiant and Pour Moi Beauty pulls up everything needed based on the climate of that area. Genius.

Pour Moi Beauty—Shop Here!

Victoria Beckham Beauty Smoky Eye Brick

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Who knows a smoky eye better than Victoria Beckham? Each minimalist compact sports 4 expertly-curated, high impact shades that take the guesswork out of application. Available in 5 color pallets (Signature is pictured here).

Victoria Beckham Beauty Smoky Eye Brick ($56.00)—Buy Here!

Blue Lagoon Iceland Signature Masks Set

Blue Lagoon Iceland

For all skin types, here are 4 signature masks in Blue Lagoon Iceland's award-winning formulas.

Blue Lagoon Iceland Signature Masks Set ($300.00)—Buy Here!

LANEIGE Midnight Minis Set

Sephora

The iconic LANEIGE lip mask in 5 flavors for smooth, supple lips overnight.

LANEIGE Midnight Minis Set ($20.00)—Buy Here!

Futurewise Slugging System

Futurewise

Slugging is a powerful way to hydrate the heck out of your skin (even though the name is a little cringy). Layers of intense hydration make this system extremely effective for bouncy, healthy skin.

Futurewise Slugging System ($66.00)—Buy Here!

Pink Matter Multi Use Balm

MAKE

We love a good multi-tasker, and Pink Matter does exactly that. Lips, cuticles, dry patches, cheekbones—put it anywhere.

Pink Matter Multi Use Balm ($24.00)—Buy Here!

Bag-All Gift Set

Bag-All

For the jet-setter in your life, this set will go a long way (pardon the pun). Available in black and blush.

Bag-All Gift Set ($114.00)—Buy Here!

Twinkle Apothecary The Stain

Twinkle Apothecary

An herbal-infused, oil-based, roll-on lip & cheek tint. It creates a natural and buildable flush.

Twinkle Apothecary The Stain ($20.00)—Buy Here!

Typology Tinted Glow Duo

Typology

Blend two to three drops of the Illuminating Concentrate with the Tinted Serum and say hello to radiant skin.

Typology Tinted Glow Duo ($77.70)—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.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Imagine if feeling better was in your back pocket. With Talkspace online therapy, it is.

It goes without saying that parenting and mental health are closely related, and honestly, in order to be our best for our families, we have to make ourselves a priority. That’s much easier said than done, though, right? There’s so much buzz about mental health, self-care, and “me time”, but between family and work responsibilities and the inevitable guilt that come along with making room for those things can totally derail all those good intentions. Add the upcoming holiday season and the stresses that come along with that, and we can feel a little (a lot?) overwhelmed. How are we supposed to find the time for ourselves? We’ve done our research and come up with the best online therapy option out there.

Talkspace is our go-to solution. 

They’ve revolutionized the way we access mental health services by putting them right in the palm of your hand. Literally. Talkspace is the online therapy platform that’s changed the game when it comes to making time to improve our mental health. The barriers that can pop up with traditional therapy have been eliminated and have made getting the help we want as easy as ordering pizza delivery.

Don’t believe us? Here’s how:

Talkspace Starts With a Brief Assessment

A woman sits on a blue couch looking at her cell phone

Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Your goals, current challenges, and provider preferences all make a difference to how successful your personal experience is, and Talkspace makes absolutely sure those things are addressed out of the gate. When you start your Talkspace journey, you'll be guided through a short questionnaire that gets to the most important info right away, including your reasons for starting with Talkspace (even if you aren't quite sure!), your personal demographics, and your therapist preferences! You'll also be able to share your medical history and payment info (more on this later) and you're all set. Talkspace takes it from there, matching you with the best online therapist for your needs, typically within 48 hours

Who is My Therapist?

A side-by-side image of a woman stainding in herkitchen looking at her phone next to a screen image

Talkspace providers are real, licensed cliniciansTheir national provider network is continuously monitored continuously to achieve the right mix of backgrounds, specialties, and care options. Every licensed provider is verified according to industry standards (NCQA) and has advanced education and experience. Therapists practice from Talkspace's digital "office" platform with AI-optimized administration tools built on insights from thousands of providers. 

Your dedicated therapist specializes in your needs—depression, anxiety, stress, relationships, trauma and grief, anger, sleep, chronic illness, and more. And it doesn't end there. In addition to the best one-on-one online therapy, Talkspace offers couple's therapy, teen therapy (ages 13-17), psychiatry, LQBTQIA+ community-centered services, and therapy for veterans. They're serious about making sure your therapist really gets you, and is as compatible and customized as possible!

Is Talkspace Actually Convenient?

The help you need is available right through your device. If you consider live chat, texting, audio, or video calling convenient, then Talkspace is for you. Their Unlimited Messaging Therapy allows you to message your therapist via text, video, or voice, anytime, anywhere! Every user has a private Talkspace "room" used for communicating, and you can send and respond to messages 24/7. Your mental health isn't put on hold just because you can't be in the same office as your counselor, and you can literally take your care everywhere. Access your Talkspace room anytime via web browser or mobile app. 

All messages in your room are fully encrypted, and you can also set a unique password on the mobile app. 

How Do I Pay for Talkspace?

A man stands holding a glass of water and looking at his phone

Did you know traditional in-person therapy sessions often range from $125-$500 per session? With plans starting as low as $44/month, Talkspace gives you help that's within reach and within budget! Talkspace is also partnered with many employers, U.S. healthcare plans, Employee Assistant Programs, and educational programs. You can see if you're covered for psychotherapy (that's just an umbrella term for "talk therapy") or psychiatry through this page, reach out to your benefits administrator, or contact the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card. Your plan might also cover prescribed medication, but specific questions do need to be directed to your insurance provider.

You may also be able to pay for your services up front, then invoice your FSA/HSA. Talkspace accepts major credit or debit cards, as well as CareCredit. We also have a code for $100 off coming up for you!

Does Talkspace Really Work?

Everyone is different, which is why Talkspace feels so strongly about making sure everyone has multiple avenues of connecting with their therapist. With options to connect, the barriers of traditional therapy are removed, leading to overall health improvement. 80% of patients using text-only therapy found Talkspace to be as effective or more effective than traditional therapy (Journal of Telemedicine e-Health). 98% of patients found it to be more convenient than traditional therapy, too (Journal of Clinical Psychology). 

No one can guarantee your individual results, but we encourage you to check out Talkspace's stats: Talkspace is the #1 virtual therapy provider brand, the #1 digital mental health provider brand, and the #1 known brand for digital mental health. With over 60,000 5-star reviews and clinically-proven results, Talkspace has improved the well-being of so many people! 

Taking the first step toward your mental health can be difficult. Talkspace makes it a little easier by offering $100 off with code SPACE. You deserve to feel good. You deserve to feel heard. You deserve to feel supported. This holiday season, give yourself a gift. Therapy is for everyone. Sign up for a little help from a Talkspace therapist today.

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

All images courtesy of Talkspace.

“You can’t move forward without being vulnerable.”

Jonah Hill has been making movies for quite some time, but his newest endeavor is perhaps the most personal project he will ever do. For his upcoming film, Stutz, the actor is taking viewers inside his therapy sessions with friend and psychiatrist, Phil Stutz.

“I’m just gonna acknowledge how odd this endeavor is: A patient making a movie about his therapist,” Hill says as he starts the trailer. “But my life has gotten immeasurably better as a result of working with you. If it worked for me, maybe it will work for other people.”

Hill has been more than open over the last few years about his mental health, choosing not to promote this very film in an effort to protect himself. Frankly, the trailer already speaks for the film itself, in our opinion.

Related: Jonah Hill Won’t Promote New Movies Due to Mental Health Struggles

 

Stutz not only shares how Hill has benefitted from his work in therapy, but also explores Stutz’s life and his visualization exercises, The Tools.

“As Hill sits down with Stutz for an unorthodox session that flips their typical doctor-patient dynamic, they bring The Tools to life in a humorous, vulnerable and ultimately therapeutic experience,” reads the Netflix description. “Featuring candid discussion of both Stutz’s and Hill’s personal mental health journeys, alongside the lighthearted banter of two friends from different generations, the film beautifully frames The Tools and the journey toward mental health in a manner that’s accessible to anyone — whether or not they are actively seeking help.”

Related: Christina Aguilera Releases Powerful New ‘Beautiful’ Music Video

stutz Jonah Hill
Netflix

Filmed in black and white, with Hill looking the most comfortable version of himself we’ve ever seen, Stutz appears to be groundbreaking in its honesty and authenticity. “How can I make a movie where I’m talking about people being vulnerable and working on their problems, and not be vulnerable myself?” says Hill.

Stutz drops on Netflix on Nov. 14.

The Struggle Is Real. It’s a phrase I used all the time pre-pandemic. Didn’t drink enough water today? The struggle is real. Couldn’t find the right jeans? The struggle is real. Twins throwing a screaming meltdown in Ralphs? THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

Ah, the bliss of pre-2020 life.

I’m a mom to 5 1/2-year-old boy/girl twins. I could go on and on about my amazing daughter, but this is about my son. Why? Not only am I a twin mom, but I’m a mom of a child with special needs.

We noticed early on that my son was delayed. At first, we thought it was because my daughter was advanced, but after an assessment with our local Regional Center, we received the news that he needed support. I went through the first year devastated. No one likes to hear that something is wrong with their child, but I was hearing it repeatedly. Each time it was a kick in the gut. Here, the struggle was real.

As we went through Regional Center and then through our local school district it became clear that my son had a speech impairment and needed help with motor skills. It took a year but I finally found the perfect speech therapist and he was thriving in occupational therapy. My husband and I found the charter school that was the right fit for our family and we were set. The twins were off to TK in August of 2020 (or so we thought) and we could finally have a bit of breathing room.

I look back at that time now and laugh. Not funny haha, but more of how naive I was back then. Originally the idea of a 2-week stint at home without preschool or therapy sounded lovely. We could connect as a family, and then 2 weeks turned into a year, and here we are.

Not only is the struggle real because we are living during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, but my child (along with millions of others with special needs) stopped receiving hands-on in-person services. Once again I was gutted. He was making so much progress in therapy and now he had to try to get the same benefits via zoom.

While his therapists did the best they could, it was not easy to get him to adjust. Not only did he adore seeing his therapists in person, but it was solo time for me and him. A way for us to bond and connect without his twin sister and it was swiftly taken away.

Twice a week I logged us on and we somehow managed to make it through a speech or an OT zoom session while his kind and patient therapist tried to help guide me in translating their techniques into a home setting. The struggle was real.

Instantly I was worried. He was starting a new school and I knew they were launching virtually. I worried about him being understood by his teacher and classmates. Would he give the same sort of resistance to his therapists at the school? How could my husband and I manage this while both working full time? So many questions.

The struggle, I thought, would be real.

We logged on to zoom on August 24th for their 1st day of school. Did I mention that we decided to send our kids to a brand new charter school? That’s right, in the midst of the madness of 2020, we instantly fell in love with CWC West Valley.

I know you’re going to ask me, “But Kristina, why would you send your children to a brand new school in its founding year? Wasn’t 2020 hard enough?”. Hear me out. CWC is a part of a network of charters and already had existing schools in place across the LA region. The difference with CWC’s approach is through constructivism, the understanding that children don’t come to school as empty vessels, but with ideas and experiences already in place. Also, here’s the kicker, they focused on social-emotional learning. Yes, you read that right. It’s actually in their learning model. My children are learning mindfulness, diversity and inclusion work and more. And, did I mention project-based learning? Ok I digress, back to my point.

Since that 1st day of what we affectionately call zoom school, I realize that when you find the right environment and community for your family, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a struggle.

I attended my first IEP meeting shortly after school started and my voice was heard. Read that again. My voice was heard. It was a novel concept for me since I spent so much of my time fighting for the services that my son needed to thrive. They validated my concerns and agreed to work with me instead of just sharing their opinions of what they think is best. It was mind-blowing.

Suddenly, sessions with his new speech and occupational therapist weren’t such a struggle. He actually preferred to log on without me. I saw a change in him and for a minute I breathed a sigh of relief. Not only was he actually improving in speech, but he was enjoying it.

In a year of isolation, I found community. There were other moms like me. Moms who spent so much of their child’s early years in therapy sessions, in IEPs, trying to advocate for their kid. It instantly felt like we were a part of a secret club. A club that you don’t necessarily want to be a part of, but one that pushes you to the limits you didn’t know existed within you.

The Unicorns. It’s CWC West Valley’s mascot. I mean, of course, 5 & 6-year-olds picked a unicorn as their mascot. This place? It’s magical. We found community. We found joy. We found the ability to dare I say thrive in the midst of a chaotic and hectic year. For once, the struggle wasn’t real.

I am a twin mom who is married to an adorable nerdy husband and still loves Justin Timberlake (*NSYNC forever). When I'm not momming it up you can find me doing marketing for social impact brands, reading the latest celebrity gossip or spending quality time with family and friends.

Remember Your Why

Whether currently, or at one time or another in our lives, I think most of us have experienced the feeling of not having control in a situation, or not knowing what to do, or what is the best decision to make. Perhaps you’ve felt helpless, emotionally overwhelmed, or as if you just couldn’t stand one more thing occurring. Being the mom of a child with profound special needs definitely generates those feelings in me on a frequent basis.

In my opinion, life is about learning to cherish every moment granted to us, especially the sorrowful or ordinary ones because each moment that passes us by holds eternal weight. I’ve identified three ways to encourage myself to retrain my daily focus—to learn, appreciate and soak up how each moment, happy or difficult adds value to the overall story of my life.

Seize the Day
How often do we tell ourselves that we will call our friend later, start eating healthy, focusing on self-care or we’ll start working on accomplishing that life-long dream when the timing is right—then never actually do it? It seems that we are always putting things off because we tell ourselves that we don’t have time right now. If the COVID quarantine has taught us anything it’s that ‘timing’ isn’t the issue. What we may be lacking is the motivation or confidence to live for today and identify the value in the little things.

Regardless of the challenges each day may bring, and with special needs children those can be unique and plentiful, remember your ‘Why.’ Each day presents an opportunity, whether it’s large or small to push ourselves to grow and learn and appreciate the now. That is my ‘why.’  By seizing the most out of each day, I’m modeling for my kids the importance of never settling and to keep seeking ways to turn lemons into lemonade.

Especially on days when I’ve lost my patience because my son has thrown his food to the floor and his hitting was at an all-time high, all while I was extremely sleep deprived, I recognize that how I handled those tough moments doesn’t define me or my entire day—but rather refines me and how I will handle adversity in the future. I instead choose to be grateful for the sweet family moments, random acts of kindness, laughter and the chance to experience it all again tomorrow.

Attitude Is Everything
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact a positive attitude has on one’s life.  I truly believe a person’s attitude is more important than money, than failures or successes, and certainly more important than outward appearances and social-media profiles.

We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change how others act, the things they say (or post), or the inevitable outcome of many situations. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitude!

I also hold onto a strong belief that everything happens for a reason. I wake up each day with the intention of smiling and laughing more while not wasting energy on gossip, negative thoughts, or things beyond my control. The benefit of maintaining a positive attitude (and constant resetting throughout the day if needed) is that when situations go awry it’s so much more productive to laugh and develop an alternative solution rather than being stressed and angry.

Stop & Appreciate the Beauty in & around You
It is so easy to become hypnotized by a daily routine and feel that everyday actions such as driving to work or coordinating therapy sessions are mundane and monotonous thus causing fatigue and burnout. I would wager that we don’t get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it.

We must remind ourselves that we are surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation and we ourselves are a part of that. Choose to focus on what you “get to” do versus what you “have to” do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” ― Earl Nightingale

I'm the mom to an 18 year old son with severe autism, a neurotypical teen daughter & have an incredibly supportive husband! I authored a memoir - Welcome to My Life: A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism & host the podcast Living the Sky Life. Visit my website www.LaurieHellmann.com to learn more about me!

 

Lynsey Mullenholz

I am a mom of 5, soon to be 6 kids. I was a teacher of 10 years who loves being creative and baking. My goal is to always do what I can to make sure my kids succeed.

Most of my kids have been in physical therapy for small windows of their life, for things ranging from torticollis, to speech, to rehabilitating after spinal surgery. But when we received my youngest daughter’s diagnosis of mild Cerebral Palsy with Hypotonia, I knew she was going to be in it for the long haul. She began physical therapy at 9 months of age. By 18 months we were engulfed in PT, OT, speech and vision therapy. We were in our local infants and toddler program as well at out-patient centers. She was in therapy 4-5 days a week depending on the week, on top of working with her myself at home.

When Covid hit in March and everything shut down I had to make sure she continued to make progress. It was certainly a challenge though. Having 4 kids who were doing virtual learning at home and then a toddler who needed therapy, I was constantly juggling, just like everyone else in America. However, when you have a kid with any type of disability, especially one who also has an ASD diagnosis, it certainly adds another piece to the puzzle. All routines were thrown out the window and everything she had known basically her whole life had changed. We started off slow but I began spending more and more time with her. I tried to keep specific therapy on certain days and really focusing on that particular one for a few reasons; One so she wasn’t overwhelmed and two so she was able to get some “routine back”. We have a play area that looks very close to a therapy center. We have a swing hanging from the ceiling, balance pads, exercise balls, balance boards, lots of manipulatives such as kinetic sand, bubbles, water beads, and puzzle pieces. I found myself researching every night to find new activities and new ideas. We continued with therapy sessions virtually but after trying for a few months they were causing so much stress we decided to cancel for a while and I would continue doing it all on my own.

Sometimes as a mother you instinctively know what is best for your child. Hopefully soon the world will return to normal, but until then, here I am! I will always be here to help her grow and progress, hand-in-hand. We got this!


1

Peanut Exercise Ball

Peanuts are not just for eating.

$14

So many exercises can be used with this product. It helps with balance, core strength, posture, arm strength, endurance. My 3 year old will sit on it in straddle form and complete puzzles at a small table; she will reach down to the side to pick up a puzzle piece and then add it to the puzzle sitting in front. We use it for rolling under her belly and walking forward on her hands and then rolling back. She will sit on it , reach up high and pull squigz off a glass door.

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2

Squigz

Snap, Pop, Pull

$25

These are worth every penny! I have used them not just with my 3 year old with mild CP and ASD but also with my 12 year old who underwent VBT spinal surgery last January. They are little suction cup pulls that you can pull, push, create. Excellent accessory for many activities. They are awesome for my 3 year old for bimanual therapy. She has to use both hands to often pull them off, she needs to use both hands if she wants to build with them to create things. We use these with many of our other therapy equipment from the peanut to the swing to the balance pad. They are often part of an obstacle course set up. My 12 year old used them during therapy after her surgery and would do sit ups. I would place them over her head and when she came down her arms would be over her head, she would have to reach, pull up and continue with the sit up. Then in sitting position she would throw them into a bowl sitting out in front of her.

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3

Disc Swing

Oh So Dizzy

$30

This swing has been part of our daily work and self regulation. Almost two years ago my daughters therapist explained that you can often retrain the brain and we began working with her in an astronaut type program where she would spin on a board in all different directions. An idea I was given at home was to sit her on a swing and spin her. She we got this swing and safely hung it from a beam in my kitchen! Yes, my kitchen. Not only do we use it for therapy and core strength but it has become a STAPLE for self regulation. With the ASD side of her diagnosis she often gets upset and frustrated and can not calm herself. I have discovered that for us, the swinging motion is extremely soothing for her and we often use it before activities I know are overwhelming, before car rides, bedtime and then she will put herself on it now when she gets up. She can be in the middle of a sensory overload meltdown and I will say, lets go swing, and she swings away her frustrations and can then move on.

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4

Hedgehog balance pds

Hot, hot baby

$24

These wonderful little pods are another product we use daily in our house. They are perfect for balancing on one foot, practice stepping while maintaining balance, another perfect prop to an obstacle course, can also be used to jump over/ stepping over, we use them for toe touching (standing on one leg and touch one using the toes on the other foot). Along with the many uses, the unique spiky feature also provides an excellent sensory input as well.

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5

Balance Board

Whoa!

$25

Hold steady! This product has been amazing since she was learned to stand. We first began using this product to practice balance. At 18 months old, she would stand on it holding onto a hula hoop and I would be holding onto the other side. Now we use it daily for many uses. As simple as standing on it and working on balance while playing catch with a large bouncy ball or standing on it while pulling window clings off and on our glass door. I even find my older kids with no issues absolutely loving this and using it as well. My 10 year old with ADHD loves standing on it at times when he needs to fidget while virtual learning!

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6

Scooter Board

Scooting around!

$18

The scooter board has been amazing. Another product that we have been using , easily for two years and still use. In the beginning she would sit on it criss cross and hold onto a jump rope and I would pull her. Sounds simple but the skill to sit upright while holding on took a lot of effort and practice both with the strength and motor processing. She has sat on her bottom and scooted both forwards and backwards using her legs, laid on her belly with legs bent at the knees and feet up to push herself across the floor using her arms and hands. This is another product my 12 year old also used as she was rehabbing her back after spinal surgery. This is a product I love because it can be used with kids for many reasons across a large age range. AND it comes in many colors!

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7

Foam Balance Beam

Put one foot in front of the other...

$33 BUY NOW

The foam balance beam! We have been using this since about 9 months old. Due to the CP and hypotonia (low muscle tone) my daughter could not push up on her arms at 9 months. We used this balance beam underneath her , across the chest, to prop her up a little to make it easier to initially begin pushing up on her arms. Later we used it for her to practice taking steps over. She also struggles with depth perception and clearing her feet when she walks so I will throw this on the ground somewhere around the house. I pick a new spot every day. It helps her practice awareness of her surroundings and continually practice stepping over objects in a safe manner. Of course we also use it to walk along and balance and practice that stepping one foot in front of the other! We are almost ready to upgrade to a larger one because she loves it that much!

Going into a new school year filled with hybrid models and distance learning means parents, teachers and caregivers can use a little support right now. Laurie Berkner is offering Music in the “Classroom” 2: Engaging, Entertaining and Educating in a Virtual World. This one-hour live-streamed seminar will include top tips for using Berkner’s songs in educational play or structured learning at home. 

Laurie Berkner

Music in the “Classroom” 2 will take place live on Thurs., Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Laurie’s Facebook page. This event is free of charge.

The August 27th seminar will be the second in Laurie’s Music in the “Classroom” series. The wildly popular first session garnered over 80,000 views and distributed more than 3,000 Certificates of Completion for teachers to use for continuing education credits.

“This fall, teachers and caregivers are entering a new landscape of having to provide at-home teaching or using blended learning models to share music with kids,” says Laurie Berkner. “I know they want to provide the most supportive experiences, but there’s no guidebook! So, I’m excited to share what I have learned from being a performer and educator – both in person and in virtual spaces – to try to make their jobs easier during this uncertain time.”

Laurie will address both virtual teachers and in-person caregivers, devoting 40 to 50 minutes to her presentation, to be followed by an interactive Q & A session.

Using her original songs, Laurie Berkner will present tips for actively engaging, entertaining, and educating kids, focusing on how to use music in virtual classes and settings. Through the lens of rhythm – both internal and external – Laurie will explain how to utilize songs to accomplish commonly-needed classroom goals like promoting physical movement, calming and focusing energy, transitions, and modeling positive and age-appropriate interactions (like taking turns).

A personalized Certificate of Completion will be available for anyone who watches the seminar and correctly responds to a quiz.

Though it isn’t necessary to watch the first session in the series, Music in the “Classroom” 2 will build on those ideas, which focused on how to create a set list and class structure using music. The first session can be re-watched on Facebook

“My music originated directly out of my work with kids in a classroom setting at Rockefeller University’s Child & Family Center, the West Side YMCA, and other preschools in NYC, so it’s literally tailor-made for in-home learning, story-times, classes, and therapy sessions,” explains Laurie Berkner. “One of my primary goals has always been to capture the natural musicality in every child and to help others inspire children to sing, move, and express their feelings.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Laurie Berkner 

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Well, kids…it has been an interesting time to be alive. That is. for. dang. sure. When COVID-19 first made the news I wasn’t too worried. I thought it was only a few cases and far away! In China! I was glad that we weren’t still living in Shanghai, but I thought it was contained and not very worrisome. And then it started popping up in the United States. I grew worried.

I went last week to Miami where I met with my surgeon. She looked over the labs that I get every other month and noticed that my Vitamin A, E, D & Iron were low. This was frustrating because I thought that all of my levels were normal but she found some labs that were not included in my online database. Because I have short-bowel syndrome my body has a hard time absorbing nutrients from a diet a person with all of their small intestine would have. I probably only get about 1/2 the nutrients you get. My food digests in my system in about 12 hours whereas the normal person takes 24-72 hours. Don’t tell me how I know this, but it involves corn and I’ll just leave it at that.

So why do I tell you this? Due to my condition, my immune system is compromised. In the past two years, I have been hospitalized 19 times and have had about 15 surgeries/procedures. I have had pneumonia three times and various infections due to my body having a low level of resistance to viruses and bacteria.

At my appointment, I told the receptionist that I had a lingering cough. No fever and no body aches just a cough. They led me to a small tent outside of the entrance where they monitored me for 20 minutes taking my blood pressure and temperature frequently. I was surprised but it was also reassuring that they were doing what they could to prevent the spread of the virus.

I asked my Doctor how she felt about the virus and if I should be worried. She looked at me and nonchalantly said, “Well for you, this would kill you.” She’s a peach, let me tell you. She really gives you the warm and fuzzies.

In the news, you have read that the people that are most at-risk are people that are old and those who have underlying health conditions. This is me. I am that person. I am the one that would get this virus and I would not be able to fight it. I have been in that hospital, I have been on that ventilator. I have had a 106.7 fever and I have been so depleted I could not find a reason to live.  BUT through countless prayers, fasts and therapy sessions I have found that reason. My family. They are what is the most important and I want to be here on earth to see Samantha finally learn how to tie her shoes, I want to see Preston using complete sentences. I want to be there for my kids for every break-up, wedding and school dance they go to.

I am the reason that you are staying at home. I am the reason why you are homeschooling your children. I am the reason why you are now forced to work on a laptop while sitting on a bed. I am the reason that you have been forced to play Candy Land for the 986th time today. You are isolating yourself because you want to save me, and I adore you for it.  I have been able to see many beautiful things during this isolation period. A neighbor posted on the Facebook page that she would run errands for those who are compromised. Beautiful. A sunset that I enjoyed because I had to go outside to get fresh air. Beautiful. The nurses and doctors who show up to work not knowing if they will come into contact with the virus but to save people on a daily basis. Beautiful. A man in Spain was leading a rooftop jazzercise class that people could join in by looking out their windows and following along. Beautiful. People are sharing their talents by providing kids online resources for free. Beautiful. Celebrities are taping themselves reading children’s books and posting them online. Beautiful. In Paris, people open their windows and applaud medical professionals for keeping them safe. Beautiful. My neighborhood is having everyone draw sidewalk chalk masterpieces so that children can go on a scavenger hunt on their walk. Beautiful. This morning I sat and played LEGOS with my kids because we didn’t have anywhere to be. Beautiful.

If this isolation has taught me anything it has taught me to be still. To be present with my children. To prioritize and assess the needs of my family. I encourage us to spend this time to relax. The world is becoming increasingly distracted and busy. Be still. Have a diet coke. Take a nap. Watch too much Netflix. Play that board game you haven’t opened since getting it at Christmas. Bake the cake. Read the book. Do these things because you care and you want to help. And wash your hands while you’re at it!

So please, I beg you, stay home. Protect me. Protect Grandma Sally. Protect Shannon who is fighting cancer. Protect Danny who has type 2 diabetes. Protect Gina who has a heart defect. Do it for us. Old Navy can wait.

This post originally appeared on Gutlessly Hopeful.

Hi, i'm Cat! We live in Orlando, Florida where my husband works for Mickey Mouse (no, really). We have two kids, Samantha (5) & Preston (2). I suffer from a chronic illness called Short Bowel Syndrome. My ramblings are dedicated to travel adventures, nap time confessions and my medical journey. Cheers!