Children’s Books to Read in December

By Tracey Dowdy

December 1st ushers in a month of holiday celebrations. Some are familiar – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza – while others are a little more obscure, appealing to a, shall we say niche audience. I’m looking at you National Llama Day and National Bouillabaisse Day

With screen time for our kids at an all-time high, alternatives that provide a break, entertain, and dare I say, perhaps even educate, are a great idea. That’s where good old fashioned reading comes in. Here’s a list of books to get you and your littles through December’s snow days, meltdowns, bedtimes, and lazy afternoons on the couch. 

Llama Llama Holiday Drama – Anna Dewdney Llama Llama doesn’t like waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . yet Christmas seems to be so far away! But, a cuddle from Mama Llama calms and reminds our favorite little llama that “Gifts are nice, but there’s another: The true gift is, we have each other.”

The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever – Stephen Kroll  In the latest installment of this beloved series, Clayton the town mouse and Desmond the country mouse team up to bring the spirit of Christmas to Mouseville-in a big way. Who will find the biggest tree?

Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale – Eric A. Kimmel  Kimmel, author of the Caldecott winning Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, weaves a charming and imaginative Hanukkah tale that celebrates eight miracles: family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing, faith, courage, and love.

The Story of Kwanzaa – Donna L. Washington  From ancestors in Africa to slavery and the civil rights movement, Washington walks us through the the history leading up to the creation of Kwanzaa. Her captivating text is accompanied by gorgeous photographs of contemporary African fabrics and mixed-media illustrations. The book includes activities like how to make your own cow-tail switch and recipes for benne cakes.

The Crayons’ Christmas – Drew Daywalt  ‘Tis the season for writing out those holiday wishlists! But everyone–even the crayons–knows that the best presents are the ones you receive but those ones that you give. Duncan and his friends – including beige crayon who’s now allergic to gluten from coloring too much wheat and gray crayon, who’s celebrating Hanukkah – share how they celebrate the holidays. The book is clever, witty, and includes real letters from the Crayons that kids can remove from their envelopes to read, plus games, punch-out ornaments, a poster, and even a pop-up tree. 

Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever – Matt Tavares  Rudolph may get all the attention, but that doesn’t mean the other reindeer don’t have a tale to tell! Meet Dasher, a spunky reindeer whose dreams of a different life come true when she meets Santa. Fun fact: Only female reindeer still have antlers at Christmas; the males of the species shed their headgear before mid-December, so, all Santa’s reindeer are actually girls! 

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell! – Lucille Colandro  Both books are a joyful, rollicking, sleigh ride through rhymes, funny illustrations, and have endings that will have your little ones giggling again and again. It’s a holiday spin on the classic “There was an old woman who lived in a shoe…” that’s sure to become a family favorite. 

It’s Christmas, David!- David Shannon  David – star of the David books – is back and just trying to make it through ‘til Christmas without ending up on the naughty list. From resisting the temptation to peek at his presents to waiting in an endless line to see Santa, David’s all-too-familiar antics will have your kids laughing out loud. 

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.

Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? A Parent’s Guide

By Tracey Dowdy

Fears of a ‘twindemic’ – flu season colliding with COVID-19 – have led health professionals to encourage families to get their flu shot this year. Even a mild flu season has the potential to overwhelm hospitals struggling to cope with the recent surge in Covid-19 cases. Though there are still unknowns, officials are concerned large numbers of people will skip their flu shot this year in anticipation of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, increasing the risk of mass flu outbreaks.

As parents, it can be difficult to discern among common childhood illnesses like allergies, a common cold, or tummy bug. Factor in the flu, and now, COVID-19, and determining why your child is sick can feel overwhelming. 

This guide can help you prepare for the upcoming flu season, know what to do if your child is exposed to a virus, and which symptoms are important to watch for. 

Plan Ahead. 

In the words of the once king of the pride lands, Scar, be prepared. Pandemic fatigue is a real thing. Many families are exhausted by the strain of parenting, homeschooling, working from home, and supporting extended family and friends, albeit from a distance. Couple this with the holiday season, and the temptation to let your guard down rises. As a family, have a conversation about the importance of sticking to the guidelines as best as you are able. Take some of the stress of the unknown out by determining your plan B – or C, or D – should you be called back to in-person work, your child care falls through, or virtual schooling is extended. Make sure to wear masks, use proper handwashing techniques, and practice social distancing whenever possible. 

Watch for unusual symptoms.

Dr. Eric Robinette, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio, says even doctors struggle to diagnose the different illnesses without testing. “It’s pretty much impossible, honestly, to tell the difference (between flu and COVID). Cough, runny nose, sore throat — those are all shared by both viruses, so without doing testing, it’s pretty hard to tell.” He recommends that if there’s any concern about which condition might affect your child – cold, flu, allergies, COVID-19 – it’s essential to keep them at home. The only significant difference between the flu and coronavirus is the loss of taste and smell. If your child has symptoms like fever, dry cough, or loss of senses, get them tested as soon as possible, though there’s no need to panic. 

Know when and where to be tested. 

Testing options and positive COVID-19 test results vary depending on where you live. If you’re unsure whether your child has the flu or coronavirus, it’s better to start with the COVID-19 test as it is the more restrictive of the two should your child test positive. Remember, coronavirus has a long incubation period, so some individuals may not start showing symptoms for up to 14 days. “If I test you five days after you’re exposed to somebody with COVID and you’re negative then, I can tell you you don’t have COVID right now, but I can’t tell you that you’re not going to have it tomorrow because you could be incubating the virus,” Robinette says. He recommends maintaining a two-week isolation period after the exposure, even if the patient remains asymptomatic. 

Record details of the illness. 

Though it may seem excessive, if your child tests positive, having relevant information like when the symptoms first appeared, places you’ve been, and who you may have exposed, will help with contact tracing and potentially reduce the number of others who will be exposed. It’s unnecessary to inform your contacts if you have the flu, though it’s entirely at your discretion, Robinette says. However, it’s still a good idea to quarantine, though the timeline may change depending on when your child started showing symptoms.

Family practice physician Dr. Kristin Dean says, “If the child becomes sick, that sort of resets the clock. Then we think about the timeline in a different way … and we start a 10-day clock for symptoms. …Ten days after the onset of symptoms, you have to be without a fever for at least 24 hours, and you have to be feeling better. Those are the criteria that we look for to confirm the end of illness.”

Be prepared. Again. 

Knowing that there’s the potential to be quarantined, it’s a good idea to stock up on basic remedies like children’s and adult acetaminophen, hydrating liquids like Pedialyte or Gatorade, and tissues. Do your best to keep the patient isolated from the rest of the family, wear a mask when you’re near them, wash your hands often, don’t touch your face, and sanitize anything that goes in or comes out of their room to limit the risk of the virus spreading to another family member. 

If in doubt or if your child’s symptoms seem to be worsening, seek medical attention immediately. 

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.

Monday, December 7: Everything You Need to Know About 5G

THE 5G WORKSHOP
Everything You Need To know About 5G

When: Monday, December 7, 2020
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT
Thanks to the roll-out of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, the future is finally here! Still, it can be difficult to wrap your mind around the way this ground-breaking technology is poised to transform our lives – now!
Join host Marv Dorner (@bebizzy) and the #5GBuiltRight team at 3 pm ET on Monday, December 7 as they share Everything You Need to Know About 5G in this super-informative 5G Workshop and Twitter chat. We will explore this exciting next-generation technology and how it is already impacting the way we live, work and play!
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: 5GBuiltRight) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/3opAh3L
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#5GBuiltRight) on Monday, December 7 between 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the chat! 

Wednesday, December 9: Saluting Our Military

SALUTING OUR MILITARY

 

When: Wednesday, December 9, 2020
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm ET
11:00 am – 11:45 am PT
Then continuing on YouTube
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm ET
11:45 am – 12:15 pm PT
https://youtu.be/Qa-ZidzERzw
Join host Pam Rossi (@always5star) and the #VerizonSalutes team at 2 pm ET on Wednesday, December 9 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!
We’ll begin the chat on Twitter and finish the discussion LIVE on YouTube from 2:45 pm ET.
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/33KfBM2
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VerizonSalutes) on Wednesday, December 9 between 2:00 – 2:45 pm ET and then on YouTube from 2:45 pm ET https://youtu.be/Qa-ZidzERzw.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

Friday, December 11: The Connected Life

The Connected Life

When: Friday, December 11, 2020
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm ET
11:00 am – 11:45 am PT
Then continuing on YouTube
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
11:45 am – 12:15 pm ET
https://youtu.be/mJcrTXK2YsQ
The wireless revolution is no longer just about smartphones and tablets. Faster networks and smarter apps have fueled a whole new generation of connected devices that can enhance our lives at home and at work.
Join host Melissa Chapman (@MelissaSChapman) and the #MobileAndHome team at 2 pm ET (11 am PT) on Friday, December 11 as we explore these exciting innovations and discuss why a fast and reliable Internet connection is more important than ever!
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: MobileAndHome) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/3gjEUJO
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileAndHome) on Friday, December 11 between 2:00 – 2:45 pm ET, and then from 2:45 ET on YouTube https://youtu.be/mJcrTXK2YsQ.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

How to Donate to Charity at No Additional Expense

By Tracey Dowdy

Now that 2020 – a year that has felt more like a decade – is drawing to a close, you may be looking for ways to end on a high note. One of the most positive ways to wrap up such a challenging year is by donating to a charity that’s near to your heart. And before you say, “I can’t afford to give, I should be receiving charity!” these options make giving simple and, in most cases, won’t cost you a dime beyond what you were already spending. 

Before you donate to any charitable organization, do a little homework. Sites like GiveWell.orgCharity NavigatorCharityWatch, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance rate charities and will verify whether the organization is registered to raise money in your state. 

Giving Assistant is like having your pwn pocket-sized personal assistant who takes care of your charitable donations. Simply shop online through your desktop browser to earn cashback on your purchases. Then simply choose to donate all or a portion of your rebate to the charity of your choice. There are thousands of stores to choose from, 

Altruisto is a Chrome browser extension. Through its 1000+ partner stores, a percentage of your purchase becomes a charitable donation to underfunded charities vetted by GiveWell.org. For example, your purchase of a $150 tablet from Microsoft means a family gets enough clean, safe water for a month. 

Benefit is a mobile app that enables you to support the charity of your choice through purchases like groceries, Airbnb reservations, plane tickets, or your morning Starbucks. Each purchase earns between 2% – 20% of the transaction total sent to the cause of your choosing. Only downloaded, simply have the cashier scan the barcode on your phone in-store or enter the redemption code in the gift cards section when shopping online. At the end of the month, Benefit sends a check to the charity you’ve selected. Alternatively, you can choose Life Expenses, and the money comes back to you each month.  

If you’re an Amazon shopper, use Amazon Smile or Amazon Red. With Amazon Smile, shop as you usually would, and Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of all eligible purchases to the charity of your choice. You can choose major charities like the United Negro College Fund or choose something closer to home. Among my options were a local elementary school and a poodle rescue. Items purchased through Amazon.com/RED raise funds to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis around the world. 

Finally, Charity Miles is one of the top-rated free Fitness and Health apps in the Google and Apple app store. Once you download the app, choose from a rotating selection of charities. The app will log your movement – walking, running, cycling, dancing – and corporate sponsors donate based on your activity level. 

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.

Give the Gift of Streaming

By Tracey Dowdy

Though there has been much progress on getting a vaccine approved to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the CDC warns we’ll still be wearing masks and social distancing for the next few months. Once approved, the goal is to have all those who choose to be vaccinated receive the vaccine by the end of 2021.

That means that for the foreseeable future, we’ll continue to spend time at home, and with the colder months upon us, we’ll be indoors. That means finding ways to entertain ourselves and stave off cabin fever. And, with the holidays just around the corner, this year’s most popular gift may be the gift of a streaming service. 

Not only can it help keep your quarantine team entertained, but you can also share with extended family and friends, near or far, through features and extensions like Teleparty (formerly called Netflix Party), Disney Plus GroupWatch, and Amazon Prime Video Watch Party.

Here are a few options:

Disney Plus allows you to gift a one-year subscription for $70 (it usually costs $7 a month, saving you $14 over a year). When the subscription is up, the recipient will have the option to add their payment details and continue subscribing. Go to Disney Plus to purchase a subscription, enter the recipient’s email address (must be a U.S. resident, new subscriber, or willing to create a new account), choose a delivery date, and write a personal message. On the date you’ve chosen, they’ll get an email with instructions on how to redeem their gift subscription. All Disney Plus subscriptions include Disney Plus GroupWatch, which syncs your streams so you can watch any title on Disney+ with your personal friends and family virtually through the app. 

Though You do not need to have an Amazon Prime membership to use Prime Video, it can’t be gifted as a stand-alone service. It is bundled with an Amazon Prime membership ($119 a year or $13 a month), bringing plenty of perks besides streaming. To gift someone a Prime subscription, go to Amazon.com/giftprime. Login to your account and choose either the one-year or three-month option. At checkout, you’ll enter the recipient’s email, the date you want it delivered, and be able to write a personal note.

To gift a Netflix subscription, you’ll need to purchase a gift card online through AmazonWalmartBest BuyTargetNewEgg, or Kroger. You can buy in-store at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, 7-Eleven, Dollar General, and Safeway. Gift card values range from $25 to $200, and Netflix subscriptions range from $9 to $18 a month, depending on the number of screens you choose to stream at the same time and if you want HD. The recipient can use the gift card for new or current subscriptions with the card’s value applied as a gift balance. Netflix notifies account holders when the balance is running out. The subscription includes Teleparty, which synchronizes video playback and adds a group chat feature to Netflix, Disney, Hulu, and HBO (subscriptions to each required for all participants).

Hulu also offers gift cards ranging from $25 to $100 that you can purchase online or in-person (TargetWalmartBest BuyKroger, and Paypal. A subscription to Hulu costs $6 a month with ads, $12 a month to go ad-free, or $55 a month for Hulu Plus Live TV. The recipient can redeem their gift card through their Account page on the app or website. If they are a new subscriber, they’ll need to update their payment details after the gift card balance is up, or Hulu will cancel the account.

 Video streaming isn’t the only game in town. Spotify is a great option for the music or podcast fan in your life with a Spotify Premium individual plan costing $10 a month. You can buy eGift cards online at TargetNewEggKroger, and PayPal or purchase physical cards online at Amazon or Best Buy, or in-store at Walmart, Target, Staples, CVS, 7 Eleven, Kroger, and Simon Malls. Choose from $10, $30, $60 or $99. Note, gift cards can be used only for Premium Individual plans — you can’t use them for Premium Student, Premium Family, Premium Duo, or trial offers. 

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, December 18: New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions

When: Friday, December 18, 2020
Starting on Twitter
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm ET
11:00 am 11:45 am PT
Then continuing on YouTube
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm ET
11:45 am – 12:15 pm PT
https://bit.ly/37y0U0S
Making New Year’s resolutions is easy; keeping them is a whole lot harder! Join host Sandi McKenna (@SandiMcKenna) and the team at 2 pm ET (11 am PT) on Friday, December 18 as we say goodbye to 2020 and share tips and tools for making and keeping resolutions for 2021!
We’ll begin the chat on Twitter and finish the discussion LIVE on YouTube from 2:45 pm ET!
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: CareSmart) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/37jPM7m
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#CareSmart) on Friday, December 18 at 2:00 pm ET and then on YouTube from 2:45 pm ET https://bit.ly/37y0U0S.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

Last-Minute Gifts They’ll Actually Love

By Tracey Dowdy 

It never fails. You think you’ve wrapped up – pun intended – the last of your holiday shopping. Then you’re invited to participate in a virtual Secret Santa, a friend or coworker drops off an unexpected gift, or plans change, and you’re suddenly short a present. 

Take heart; all is not lost. And, since 2020 has changed the way many of us shop and transformed our homes into spas, entertainment venues, playgrounds, and restaurants, your options for that last-minute present have never been better.

2020 may be the year of the subscription box. For foodies or adventurous eaters, chose from monthly subscription boxes like a subscription to Bokksu or Fulton Fish Market’s Fish Drop

If tea is their bag, consider Sips By, or for the coffee lover, choose Trade, which allows you to customize your coffee selections from top roasters. Choose Flaviar for the whiskey lover in your life or a wine subscription for the aspiring sommelier. There are boxes for pets and their peoplefashionistashealth and wellness, self-care, beauty, and even boxes designed especially for vegans and carnivores. If you haven’t a clue what they’d like, Mouth offers the “gift of good taste.” Now, who wouldn’t love that? 

An Audible membership is another great option for readers and non-readers alike. Even if they don’t enjoy reading, Audible allows them to listen while they work out, commute, fix dinner, or relax at the end of another long day. Choose from a one, three, six, or 12-month subscription, and each month the recipient will receive a credit to use toward an Audible audiobook — existing members will get all of their gifted credits at once. A Bookshop gift card supports indie booksellers, and small bookstores, one of the many businesses hit particularly hard this year. Choose an amount between $25 to $500, which can be spent at different bookstores through the Bookshop portal.

Since we’re all eating at home more but still trying to juggle work and manage our unofficial second jobs as teachers, consider a meal subscription like Hello FreshDaily HarvestBlue ApronPlated, or Purple Carrot (which specializes in vegan food). Membership plans vary, but each ships recipe cards and pre-portioned ingredients to your house in insulated packaging. They only send what you need, so there’s no food waste or leftovers.

Keeping all those plates – literal and figurative – spinning is exhausting. A subscription to HeadspaceCalm, or Aura apps is a thoughtful gift for anyone trying to go into 2021 with a healthy mindset. Each has different strengths, but all will help settle your mind, take control of spiraling thought patterns, and help you fall asleep at night. Pro Tip – Matthew McConaughey narrates “Wonder,” one of Calm’s Sleep Stories selections. A bedtime story from McConaughey? You’re welcome. 

One of the best gifts you can give is a MasterClass subscription. With over 70 classes from famous teachers like Neil Gaiman, Gordon Ramsey, Margaret Atwood, Judd Apatow, and Anna Wintour, your giftee will love sorting through which experts stories, skills, shortcuts, failures, and successes they want to explore. 

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.