Self-Care for Parents – Back to School

By Tracey Dowdy

I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention, but 2020 has been a wild ride. It sometimes seems like we haven’t had time to catch our breath before the sky begins to fall again. Self-care has always been important, but perhaps never more so than in 2020. It’s also probably never felt more impossible. 

It’s why flight attendants tell you to put your mask on first in an airline emergency. You can’t take care of someone else if you’re gasping for breath. Yet, across the country, kids are going back to school on campus, and online, offices and workplaces are re-opening, and everyone is trying to find their new normal. How on earth is there time to care for oneself when you’re wearing so many hats? 

Coming out of quarantine, depression, anger, and confusion are all possible due to the loss of connection with others, making self-care even more critical. Implementing a few simple changes to your routine can clear your head, refresh your spirit, and equip to save the world once again. 

In the words of the great Gloria Estefan, get on your feet! The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of movement per week, which is just over 20 minutes a day. Have a dance party with your kids, grab a quick walk around the block or do some yoga before anyone else is up. YouTube and the Google Play and App store each have tons of free workouts if you need something more structured to get you moving. 

Not many things are better for your mental health than taking a break from social media. Simply putting down your phone and engaging in real-world conversation, making eye contact, and including physical touch boosts your serotonin levels. Create boundaries for when you are online and be sure to get your information from reputable sources like the CDC, WHO, and local health department.

Taking a few minutes a day to meditate or pray can help align your mind and put you in the right mindset to face the challenges of your day. If prayer and meditation aren’t your thing, read something inspirational, savor a cup of tea, do a breathing exercise, or unwind in a relaxing bath. All provide the same mood-boosting benefits. 

Despite the fact we’re all still social distancing, it’s never been more important to stay connected. Be intentional about creating virtual hangouts with your friends and play games, host a Netflix party or an online book club.  

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Best Gadgets for New Parents

By Tracey Dowdy

Being a parent is a challenge in any season, but parenting, while you homeschool and work outside your home, from home, is a whole ‘nother level – like running through a tunnel with a boulder coming straight at you Indiana-Jones-style challenging.

Anything that’s going to take even a little pressure off can make a massive difference for your family. These gadgets ranging from the inexpensive to the not-so-inexpensive just may be the solution to at least one of your challenges. 

The 3-in-1 Hatch Baby Rest doesn’t do double duty, but a triple duty. It’s a soothing white noise machine, a nightlight, and when they’re ready, an okay-to-wake light that you can control remotely from a smartphone or tablet running on iOS (11 or higher) or Android (Lollipop or higher). You choose the brightness of the light and the volume level, and you can select from preset light and sound themes or create your own. It stays cool to the touch even if it stays on all night. (Starts at $59.99)

Midnight feedings, the bane of the exhausted parent. No more measuring and mixing formula while your little one wails. Toss the portion of formula in the Baby Brezza Electric One-Step Formula Mixer Pitcherpress a button, and voila! The paddle mixes the formula without clumping or adding air bubbles, meaning less chance of the baby developing uncomfortable gas after feeding. Dishwasher safe, easy to pour into bottles, and at 28oz, it’s portable and perfect for parents on the go. ($19.99 + 10% off with code MIXER10)

Once you’ve filled the tub with water, drop in B&H’s Infant Baby Bath Floating Temperature Thermometer, and not only will it tell you the exact temperature of the water (F/C), it’ll let you know whether the water is too hot or too cold. ABS/PVC environmental protection material and Plexiglas material, BPA free, 2*LR44 batteries included. ($15.99)

If your little one needs motion to self-soothe, the Munchkin Lulla-Vibe Vibrating Mattress Pad can be slipped underneath your baby to calm her nerves and settle her down. It’s portable and easily fits in a purse or diaper bag, stroller, or car seat. Turn it on and off with the push of a single button, it has a 30-minute timer, has an easy-to-clean neoprene cover, and is battery operated and cord-free, promising 24+ hours of soothing vibrations for your little one. ($25)

Though it may seem a little “extra,” of all the items on the list, the ZoLi Buzz B Electric Nail Trimmer is the one I wish I’d had when I had infants and toddlers. I hated trimming my girls’ nails. It’s battery-operated, includes a storage case, and four cushioned pads with varying grits to safely file down those tiny claws. 

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Friday, August 28: Saluting Our Military

SALUTING OUR MILITARY

When: Friday, December 20, 2019
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

Join host Pam Rossi (@Always5Star) and the #VerizonSalutes team as we salute our military service members and their families. We’ll be expressing our gratitude to the men and women in uniform and their families for the sacrifices they make in keeping our country safe!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win one of TWO $250 Amazon Gift Cards!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VerizonSalutes) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/32pa1gr
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VerizonSalutes) on Friday, August 28 between 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

COVID-19 Back to School Checklist

By Tracey Dowdy

The Spring semester played out much differently than most of us anticipated, and despite our hope to the contrary, things are still somewhat uncertain as we kick off the 2020-21 school year. If your school district is offering in-person learning, the prospect of sending your child into a classroom this Fall may be daunting. 

But, rest assured, there are steps you can take that coupled with the precautions being put in place by administrators and teachers, will ensure your child is as safe as possible. 

Don’t send your child to school sick.  While this may seem like an obvious statement, it’s not uncommon for parents to send sick kids to school. The CDC has a checklist for parents that includes which symptoms to look for before you make your decision. Michael LaSusa, superintendent of schools in Chatham, New Jersey says, “First and foremost, parents should not send any child who is symptomatic of illness to school. This means that parents should develop a routine for quickly checking their child for fever in the morning and also confirm that their child does not have a cough or any other sign of illness. If a child does have a fever, the parent should not give the child fever-reducing medication and send her/him off to school, but instead, be sure to keep the child home.”

Backpack backpack. While classroom management can be difficult under normal circumstances, this year will prove even more of a challenge. School districts across the country have asked parents to provide their own school supplies as children will not have access to communal supplies. If you or someone you know is struggling to provide supplies, follow this link for a list of resources in your area.

Sanitize and mask up. Depending on your child’s age and cognitive ability, the prospect of them keeping a mask on all day may make you laugh harder than any stand-up routine. Do your best to model appropriate mask-wearing and encourage your child to wear their mask if they’re going to be in close proximity to others, such as on the bus. If possible, send them to school with at least two in case one gets dirty or breaks – you know they’re going to play with them and it’s not a matter of if but of when they’re going to break. It’s a good idea to ease them into wearing one for extended periods of time if they aren’t in the habit,” LaSusa says. “Parents should gradually build up face-covering ‘endurance’ in their children by having them wear a face covering for longer and longer periods of time. If a child spends zero time during the day right now in a face covering, then that child will have a tough time spending four hours wearing one when September rolls around. We need to build up this endurance gradually.” 

One thing that most children can comprehend is the importance of clean hands, whether through hand washing or using hand sanitizer. Look for brands that are at least 60% or higher alcohol-based, which kills most types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Maintain your safer-at-home protocols. Though it may seem excessive and like adding a greater burden on already struggling families, having your kids wash their hands and change out of school clothes as soon as they get home to keep your home as clean and safe as possible. “When children return from school they should immediately sanitize their hands,” advises board-certified pediatrician Dr. Candice W. Jones. “At the very least they should remove clothes/shoes and place them in the laundry or in a designated safe place for disinfecting. A shower would be great, but is not absolutely necessary.”

Stay positive.  Noreen Lazariuk, superintendent of the Sussex Charter School for Technology in Sparta, New Jersey says, “My advice is to stay positive. As parents, you are constantly teaching your children. Your example is one they are exposed to more than any classroom or teacher. If your children hear you speaking optimistically about the school year they will adopt that attitude.”

LaSusa adds, “I think we all need to maintain a sense of flexibility and patience, and also recognize that students are going to need some time to reacclimate to school, especially when the adults in their school are wearing masks and the whole environment looks different. We need to adjust the expectations we have for children and meet them where they are, not where we think they ‘should’ be.”

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Friday, August 21: Technology and Kids

TECHNOLOGY AND KIDS

When: Friday, August 21, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT
Join nationally renown blogger, Marybeth Hamilton (@BabySavers) at 3pm on Friday, August 21 as we chat about Technology and Kids
Moms and dads have an important role to play in helping their children develop safe and healthy tech habits but most parents admit they could use a little help. Join us as we share tips and advice, and explore the pros and cons of putting technology in the hands of children.
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win one of TWO $250 Amazon Gift Cards!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: GizmoWatch) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/3haqNWK
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#GizmoWatch) on Friday, August 21 between 8:00 – 4:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the chat! 

Deal-Finders for Online Shopping 

By Tracey Dowdy

Online sales continue to climb while we’re all in various stages of quarantining, yet at the same time, many families are tightening their belts as unemployment numbers are reaching historic highs. Under the circumstances, finding the best deals is more important than ever. 

Amazon has been my go-to for the majority of my online shopping for the past month mainly because of its massive inventory and low prices. Even if you’re shopping in a brick and mortar store, you can compare prices with Amazon by tapping the camera icon next to the search bar, and scanning the barcode. 

Amazon isn’t the only game in town nor are they always the best deal. 

At checkout, Retail Me Not’s Deal Finder will test every deal and apply the best discounts, so you don’t have to search and test them one by one. Deal Finder combines any available coupon codes and RetailMeNot exclusive Cash Back Offers and applies them at checkout.  

Honey compares prices between Amazon, Amazon’s third-party sellers, and other online retailers like Target and WalMart, and calculates estimated shipping costs and Prime status to ensure you’re getting the lowest prices. 

PriceBlink also offers price comparisons and coupons, but with a slightly different interface. Once installed on your browser (Chrome or Firefox), a yellow bar will appear at the top of the screen any time you navigate to an online shopping site. PriceBlink notifies you of available deals and coupons on the site and will let you know if a better price is available through another retailer. You can also track the price of an item over time, add items to your wish list, and find coupons on its website. 

If you’re as tired of Lysol and Clorox wipes being out of stock and never being able to get your hands on some because they’re always sold out before you get there, OctoShop is the answer. The app checks inventory across retailers to help you track down a product that’s frequently out of stock, though it’s less helpful at telling you at a glance if you’ve got the best price. To price compare, click on the OctoShop icon. Once installed, the OctoShop tab automatically appears above Amazon’s price. Clicking it tells you if you’re getting the best price, and what other retailer has the item available. The app allows you to set alerts for price drops as well as in-stock notifications from a variety of retailers.  

Privacy Note: The extensions on this list work by scanning every site you visit for potential coupons, which could potentially expose you to some security issues. Before installing any of them, it’s worth your while to check out its privacy policy. That noted, all the ones we’ve highlighted below promise to not collect any personally identifiable information.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Top Deals for College Students: Streaming Services

By Tracey Dowdy

Like everything else in our lives, students heading off to college will be heading into uncharted territory. While many schools are keeping classes virtual this Fall, some higher learning institutions are implementing changes to resume in-person classes despite COVID-19. Students will be required to be tested, wear masks, and maintain a safe social distance.

Secondary education can be costly, and the challenges that COVID-19 restrictions place on students means that money will be even tighter for many. The good news is, whether online or on-campus, students qualify for discounts on a multitude of products and services.

Students can start by asking what discounts are available on devices and software at the campus bookstore. If your student lives on campus, have them talk to the school’s housing department about any streaming services that may be available for no additional charge. Once they’ve done their homework there, it’s time to check out these deals. 

Spotify Premium with Hulu and Showtime

My recommendation is Spotify’s $5 ad-free bundle that includes both Hulu and Showtime. Purchased separately, they run $10, $6, and $11/month, respectively, for a total of $27, so the plan represents significant savings and a massive library of entertainment. Students who already have a premium account can switch to the student version. 

Amazon Music Unlimited

Separate from Prime Music included with an Amazon Prime subscription (or Prime Student), Music Unlimited is Amazon’s answer to Apple Music and Spotify. Anyone with a Prime Student subscription has access to Music Unlimited for just 99 cents per month, making it hands-down the most inexpensive music-streaming option.

Apple Music/Apple TV

In addition to hardware discounts, Apple offers its Music subscription service at half price for students – $4.99 a month vs. $9.99 – providing access to over 50 million songs. You also get Apple TV Plus free for one year. 

YouTube Premium

Regularly priced at $11.99 a month, students can get YouTube Premium for $6.99 with a subscription. Watch ad-free YouTube videos (also available to download them for offline viewing) and take advantage of unlimited access to YouTube Music. As a standalone service, YouTube Music is $4.99 per month for students (regularly $9.99). YouTube offers a free one month trial, so it’s a good idea to set a calendar reminder to decide before the trial period is up. 

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Online Cooking Classes for Families

By Tracey Dowdy 

I don’t know about you, but I’m one of the multitudes of Americans who baked – and ate – their way through quarantine. I watched hours of the Great British Baking Show, Nadia’s Time to Eat, The Big Family Cooking Showdown, Ugly Delicious…obviously, there’s a theme here. I perfected my biscuits, cinnamon rolls, quick white bread, an olive and rosemary crown, finally learned how to make the most of my Instant Pot, and pulled herbs from my garden to make vinegars and herbed butters. Some took more than one attempt – I’m looking at you olive and rosemary crown – while others require no skill at all – hello vinegars. 

Cooking together is a great way to connect as a family. Even young children can help with meal prep. Learning cooking and baking basics, nutrition, and how what we eat impacts our health and can broaden your child’s palate and provide life skills they’ll utilize the rest of their lives.

So whether you’re ready to set up a family throw down on Meatless Monday, or Taco Tuesday, or even if you’re looking for shortcuts to making meal time less of a battlefield, these online cooking classes are a great place to start. Plus, with many students returning to virtual schooling this fall, they’ll be able to make your lunch this time around. 

TV’s perkiest chef is hosting a 16-part live virtual cooking camp called Rachael Ray’s Yum-o! Cooking Camp. The camp is up and running and will continue throughFriday, August 14, with daily cooking classes at 2 p.m. ET that run roughly 45 minutes each. Classes are aimed at kids 8-15 Ray’s engaging style will draw budding chefs of all ages. 

You’ve probably seen videos of Delish’s delicious recipes in your social media timeline. Every weekday at 1pm EST they host a livestream on Instagram. Your whole family will enjoy getting creative and making easy and fun recipes with Joanna Saltz. 

America’s Test Kitchen Online Cooking School is ideal for newbies or those of us that want to get really good at cooking basics by explaining the science behind cooking in practical ways. Instead of memorizing recipes, you’ll learn techniques like folding rather than mixing batters, the difference between boiling and simmering, and how to choose the right pot or pan for the job.  

They’re offering a free, 21-day trial, after which monthly memberships cost around $20 per month or approximately $180 for the year.

If baking is more your thing, Cakeflix may be more your speed, especially if baking and decorating gorgeous, Instagram worthy cakes are your dream. With over 1000 online cake decorating and business tutorials from some of the world’s greatest cake artists, the possibilities are endless. Every week a new feature-length tutorial is uploaded and each is broken down into easy to follow steps with lessons ranging from beginner to advanced. They’re currently offering a 7-day free trial, after than plans range from $155-299.00 annually. 

Rouxbe is the world’s leading online culinary school. Using high definition videos, world-class instructors, peer support, and interactive assignments, their classes are more advanced and best suited for individuals who already have a working culinary knowledge or are currently working in the food industry. Membership is fee-based at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, but and you can get a free 30-day trial to see if it’s a good fit for you.

If you’re really serious about your culinary skills, Masterclass provides access to the elite of the culinary world. Think Gordon Ramsey, James Suckling, Wolfgang Puck, and Massimo Bottura plus a host of others. Learn knife skills, how to prepare the five French mother sauces every cook should know, wine appreciation – from the best in the world. You can access all of the classes for $180 a year, or if you’re not ready to commit, enter your email and explore a couple of classes for free. 

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Instagram Introduces TikTok Lookalike “Reels”

By Tracey Dowdy

With President Trump promising to ban TikTok unless it can find a U.S. buyer by September 15, Instagram’s timing on the release of its new feature Reels couldn’t be better. With Reels, Facebook’s – Instagram’s parent company – goal is not just to capture TikTok’s audience if the app does end up banned in the U.S. — it’s to snag them and keep them even if TikTok does find a U.S. buyer. 

Unsurprisingly, Reels is similar to TikTok as it lets you create short-form videos up to 15 seconds long, add popular music, and choose from a variety of filters and effects. The feature is contained entirely inside of Instagram; it’s not a new app. You can decide to make your profile public so you can be the next Addison Rae or Charli D’Amelio or keep your content private. Reels created under private accounts will only post to the user’s Feed and Stories.

As with other Instagram posts, users can save their Reels as Drafts while they’re a work in progress. When ready to go live, Reels can be users can be uploaded to Stories, Stories with Close Friends only, or as a D.M. 

To create a Reel, open Instagram, and tap on the camera icon. When the camera opens, slide right under the shutter to open Reels. You can record one video, a series of clips, or upload videos from your photo gallery, manipulate the speed, apply special effects, set a timer, and add audio. You can send Reels directly to your friends on Instagram because Reels lives within the Instagram app. 

Instagram’s product director Robby Stein said that while TikTok popularized the short video format, the two products are quite different. “I think TikTok deserves a ton of credit for popularizing formats in this space, and it’s just great work. But at the end of the day, no two products are exactly alike, and ours are not either. We’re going big with entertainment and [making Explore] the permanent place for you to go lean back, relax, and be inspired every day. It’s our hope that with this format we have a new chapter of entertainment on Instagram.”

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits, and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.