text:
Armchair Expert: Experts on Expert with Wendy Mogel is Fire
If you follow us on Twitter (therelevantdad) you may have seen that we are obsessed with Dax Shepard's new podcast Armchair Expert. He has upped his game with a new series on his feed called Experts on Expert and his first guest is the amazing Wendy Mogel. Trust us this is a MUST LISTEN. It's like she knows all of the deep parenting worries that we all have…well, duh, of course, she does she is the expert in this shit. Please take a listen, it will make your day and make you a better parent instantly.
In this inaugural episode of Experts on Expert, the Armchair Expert speaks to author and child psychologist, Dr. Wendy Mogel about human patterns of behavior, the impact of social media on the family and the importance of free-reign grandparenting. Wendy gives advice on how to speak to children and Dax asks for reassurance on his parenting strategy. The two of them breakdown the moral dilemma of behavioral diagnoses, the role of fear and Wendy discusses a study that uncovered the one thing every child wishes they could tell their parents.
Dr. Wendy Mogel is a practicing clinical psychologist in Los Angeles, New York Times bestselling author and international public speaker.
Healthy Kids Love Nurture Life
If you are a Millenial you surely have tried or at least know about the wave of meal box services that have taken over most podcast and Facebook advertising spots in recent years. Have you tried one? They can be great especially for weeknights when you get home late from work or a recital and you don't want to think about cooking from scratch. But the big problem is there is no way that your three-year-old is going to eat Spicy Polano & Enoki Mushroom Tortas. You know what they might eat though? How about Orange Chicken with Fried Rice or Peas & Cheese Tortellini! Simply put, kid food jazzed up a bit.
Nurture Life is a meal box service that is for your kids and your busy life. You simply enter your child's age and their dietary restrictions and their team will curate a weekly menu plan for you. Then every week it shows up on your doorstep like some magical food fairy has blessed your house and cured your picky eaters once and for all.
The meals come cold ready to re-heat and in perfect healthy sized portions for your growing kids. You don't have to worry about reading the sides of mac and cheese boxes to see if there is anything icky inside anymore. The Nurture Life "team of chefs and pediatric dietitian create meals that are designed and portioned to meet each child's nutritional requirements. We prepare, cook and package all of our meals in our state-of-the-art kitchen, eliminating cross-contamination with the most common allergens."
What we love the most about Nurture Life's meals for our toddlers is that we don't have to worry about them getting all of the nutrients from their meals what we pretend to give them normally. Yeah, you don't have to pretend that those french fries you threw in the microwave are a suitable veggie. These meals are simply perfect for any family.
Outdoor Toys For Kids
When you have cut the grass a few times, the flowers have all bloomed and your beer fridge in the garage is beginning to be stocked with light beer you know that it's almost summer. We have talked in the past about making the most of your yard and this summer should be no different. Here are a few of our new favorite outdoor toys for kids (and adults) this summer.
Wonder Wave ($199)
Wave goodbye to humdrum days! Fun for one (with room for friends), the amazing WonderWave is a creative cascade of color that brightens kids' days in limitless ways.
Step2 Hot Wheels Extreme Thrill Coaster Ride On ($270)
Bring the excitement of the amusement park to own backyard. Little ones can push the coaster car up the non-slip step ramp to the platform peak all by themselves to help enhance their gross motor skills
Fun outside inflatable water bouncer includes climbing wall, two slides, and splash pool
Rollors Backyard Game for Kids, Groups of All Ages & Families ($50)
Rollors is a super cool new game which combines horseshoes, bocce ball and outdoor bowling. The large wooden pieces included in our backyard game set are easy to grab, making this yard game a great choice for kids of all ages.
You Should Pack Up + Go
Looking forward to your next vacation is essential to staying sane if you work a 9-5, or have kids, or work at all, or just being a human really. Once you have a couple of kids you find yourself dreaming of mini trips away from them. You at first feel super guilty about it but don't. It is so important to have alone time with your significant other. (What a weird term significant other is right?) It's important to have alone time with your kick ass and foxy other. That's better.
Anyways, we are strong proponents of the weekend getaway, the three-day lover's retreat, the backpack soiree, which is why we love Pack Up + Go. This unique travel service gives you a brief survey on where you live, your budget, your passions and places you have been. Then the magic happens. They take care of everything for you and the best part? They keep everything a surprise to you. You will get a packet in the mail a few weeks before your trip with some suggested items to pack, the forecast for your destination and where/when to be on your departure day.
"A few days before your trip, you receive an envelope in the mail, which you do NOT open just yet. This envelope contains directions to your accommodation, and your city guide. Since you don't have time to do research on your destination, we do it for you! We'll send you off with a curated list of recommendations for everything from cafes to nightlife to rainy day activities. We promise you won't be bored wherever you go."
Ummm, does this sound like a parents dream or what? If you check out the testimonials online everyone has glowing things to say about Pack Up + Go. Once we get the littlest out of diapers and formula and can actually afford this service we are sooooo there. If you take a trip through this site please let us know!
Netflix Parental Controls Update
Finally, Netflix has given us a more granular way to control what content we let out kids consume on their platform. This level of protection should be standard on all media platforms. Not only have then introduced PIN protection but will also display the rating levels before each program on their platform so we can better understand what our children are watching. As an added bonus adults can block individual programs from being streamed even if they are classified within an accepted rating class.
h/t Netflix Netflix Parental Controls Update
The Last-Minute Valentine's Day Bailout
Oh shit…Valentine's Day is like right now. You've known that for weeks but you still haven't picked up anything yet, have you? Thought so. Sure, you could overnight something on Amazon but she'll see right through that. Besides, she may not even want stuff. Chances are she just wants some downtime to herself. Here are some last-minute ideas that could potentially save your ass this year.
Flowers from Urbanstems ($35+)
Sure, flowers die and it's kinda cliche, but you should still get them anyway. If you don't have a garden where you can pick your own, Urbanstems is a new startup that offers a selection of fresh, seasonal bouquets hand delivered within hours via bicycle in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and DC areas.
Breakfast in Bed (or Out)
The point is: don't let her cook. Find an easy recipe on Yummly and let her stay in bed while you cook (tip: make sure you have some Nutella on hand. Moms love Nutella). The kids will probably want to help, too. If you're the type of guy who can't even make toast, then take her out to brunch or, better yet, pick up her favorite breakfast dish from her favorite restaurant and serve it to her in bed.
Make a Card
Any guy can swing by the corner drugstore the day before and pick from a limited/terrible selection of Hallmark cards. But don't. Make your own. It doesn't have to look nice. The most appreciated cards we've ever given our wives were made in Microsoft Word and printed on computer paper because the sentiment and words came 100% from the heart.
NFL PLAY 60 Turns 10
Huge congrats to the Play 60 team who has brought this important program all over the country to enrich kids lives. You all should be super proud of all the great things you have done.
Ten years ago this week, at a playground in New Orleans, we launched NFL PLAY 60 – an important program to keep kids active and healthy.
PLAY 60 has helped children get their necessary daily physical activity. Our players recognize the value of staying healthy, and it's important that our youth also understand the benefits of exercise, whether through organized sports or playing outside with friends.
Since Oct. 9, 2007, millions of kids and thousands of communities have become more physically active through PLAY 60. With the help of NFL teams, players and partner organizations, more than 2,000 PLAY 60 events are held annually, and more than 250 NFL Youth Fitness Zones have been constructed nationwide. As a result, more than 16 million kids are getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day through PLAY 60 programs, play spaces and events.
It is exciting to see the positive impact PLAY 60 has had over the last ten years, but we have more work to do. Together with our players, teams and partners, we will continue our efforts and inspire kids to lead healthy lives for decades to come. Roger Goodell
The Camp Kit
Not every dad was an Eagle Scout so you can imagine the trepidation when their kids say they want to go camping. Where do you even begin? You have a couple sleeping bags and a water bottle but that won't get you very far. What if we told you that you could rent camping and backpacking equipment in a handy kit for your first foray into the camping lifestyle? The Camp Kit is an amazing service for a newbie or even seasoned trekker. Not only will you have everything that you need to have a successful camping trip, you will look cool doing it. Click buy below for more info.
5 Minute No Bake PB Granola Slice
Listen, guys, this treat is the bomb. It's so good. We found Pic's Really Good Peanut Butter awhile back and have been making yummy after school snacks with it ever since. Just peruse their Instagram account and try not to crawl through the screen and eat it all.
5 Minute No Bake PB Granola Slice
(V) (VG) (DF) Serves 12-14
An easy and really good quick slice for when you need a little pick me up and best of all its good for you!
Dry Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup puffed brown rice
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup ground flaxseed
Wet Ingredients
½ cup honey or maple syrup
½ cup Pic's Smooth Peanut Butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a large pan blend the wet ingredients and warm on a low heat just to make everything a bit softer.
Mix very well to bring it all together (It will look curdled but don't panic, keep mixing)
Remove from the heat and add the dry ingredients
Mix thoroughly to combine well and make sure all the seeds are well distributed
Pour the mixture into a shallow lined baking tray and press down firmly (I like to use a wide-bottomed glass)
Pop into the fridge to firm up for at least an hour then cut into slices.
Store in the fridge.
The Road to Family Adventure Starts with the New Airstream Basecamp
Many of us likely have a dream of taking the family on an epic road trip around the country, making memories that will last a lifetime. Problem is, you drive a small SUV or crossover since you couldn't stomach getting a minivan or the thought of a gas guzzling full-size SUV – you know, vehicles with towing capacity. Allow us to revive your family road trip dreams thanks to the all new Airstream Basecamp – a modern trailer for the modern family. Designed to be towable with a variety of small and mid-sized SUVs and Crossovers, Basecamp was hand crafted in Jackson Center, Ohio and comes loaded with features like convertible rear space for eating, sleeping, lounging or storing gear, a large rear cargo hatch and flexible storage space with tie downs, a bathroom with toilet and shower (including shower head pass through), a kitchen with a cooktop, stainless steel sink and refrigerator, and a wireless Bose Bluetooth Soundlink Color speaker. It's the lightest trailer in the entire Airstreem fleet with a base weight of just 2,585 pounds. National Parks, you're on notice. We're coming for you.
Let's Go (Back) to Chipotle
Remember that time everyone was freaking out because people were getting E coli at Chipotle? Neither do we (selective memory FTW) – besides, shorter lines are awesome. In an effort to put all that lost business behind them, Chipotle now has a new trick up their sleeve to lure you back to their restaurants: free tacos for your kids. "Every Sunday in September, kids eat FREE when you buy a burrito, bowl, an order of tacos or salad." They'll even throw in a free Dragons Love Tacos activity sheet to boot. Nice touch there but, seriously, you had us at free tacos (we'll be fine). Get the deets here.
The Average Truebill User Saves $512!
"Are you really still paying for that?" When you have kids you pay for a lot of things. Diapers, wipes, food, bottles, binkies etc. Then you add on all your normal bills and life becomes stressful. In your 30's you begin to pay for so many different things you start to lose track. Take this for example just the other day my darling wife says "what did you buy at Amazon last week for $9?" "Nothing as I recall." Well, it turns out when we cut the cord last year but wanted to watch Homeland (Quinns not dead) I added on Showtime to our Prime account. Well, it's been months and I had forgotten about it and we haven't watched Showtime in Prime in that ensuing time.
Truebill would have fixed that. Truebill is an app that scours all of your subscriptions and keeps you up to date on what you are paying for, when and how much. You have a one-stop shop where you can cancel and unneeded services instantly and use that money for more important things like late night Wendys runs. All those handy subscriptions really add up by the end of the year so just think about how much money you could be saving with this FREE service. Download today and thank us later.
Hey Man, Organize Your Music Already!
If you are a Spotify user like most of us are you probably have tons of playlists and starred songs that you never get back around to. Between all the podcasts you have to listen to and you know, being a dad where is the time? Well, a beautiful man named Paul Lamere has got your back. He created a super awesome way to keep your music organized in an endless about or ways, well, not endless that would defeat the point, right? So now, you can choose your mood, your genre preference, your favorite musical era and more with a simple mouse click. Here is how:
With Organize Your Music you can easily organize your saved music. Just follow these steps:
- Select what music you'd like to organize: Your Saved Music; Music you've added to playlists; Music in playlists you follow; or all of it.
- Click on Organize your Music. If this is your first visit, you will be asked to …
- Login with your Spotify credentials. Organize Your Music will place all of your tracks into a number of bins. There are Genres, Moods, Decades, Popularity and more, bins with more being added all the time.
- Pick pick one of the bins. You can listen to previews of the songs in the bin. If you like it you can …
- Save the bin to Spotify as a playlist
Don't worry. Organize Your Music will never modify any of the songs in your saved music or playlists. It will only save new playlists for you, and only when you explictly click on the save button.
Mix the Perfect Cocktails Effortlessly – EZ-Drinks
Look, we can't all be hipster bartenders from Williamsburg mixing up cocktails like we are gunning for an alcohol soaked Michelin Star, now can we? In fact these days it's hard to find the time to mix more than two kinds of booze together without screwing it up royally. That is why we here at Relevant Dad normally stick–to–beer. When we found EZ-Drinks on Kickstarter we knew we had found the best tool a dad can have for entertaining. With the pitcher and cocktail rulers, you can make 20 different drinks that will impress your friends and woo your wife. With EZ-Drinks you can become a flawless bartender 48oz at a time. The best part of EZ-Drinks is that you can take it on the go. Take it to the tailgate, take it to the beach, take it to your buddies house for football Sunday, take it camping, just don't let your son take it to college. He has to pay his dues with cheap beers and cheap shots. Back this Kickstarter now and enjoy drinks by the pitcher full very, very soon. read more…
Why Parents Love Para'Kito
With all of the recent news about mosquito-borne illnesses, we wanted to share with you a great brand we first found when vacationing abroad. Para'Kito is the global leader in mosquito protection and it's now available in the states. Parents love and trust Para'Kito because it is DEET free, easy to use/apply, and it only uses natural-based active ingredients like citronella, rosemary and geranium oils to repel those pesky bugs. Their repellents come in a few different forms like the refillable band & clip, a roll-on gel, and a unidose gel. We used the refillable bands (they last for two weeks) while on vacation in a swampy part of Italy last year upon a local's suggestion. What we loved was the comfort and protection our family had. You almost forget you are even wearing the bands they are so stylish and comfortable. While the summer here in America ramps up so does the threat of itchy swelling bites and rapidly spreading disease from mosquitoes. The bands and clips are perfect for your camp bound kids, your weekend hiking adventures or just for playtime in your backyard. The whole family will look stylish in the wide variety of bands. We love the Brazilian band the most. read more…
Make A Whiteboard Wall
For this #dadhack you will actually want your kids to draw on the walls. No Mr. Clean Magic Eraser required! Here is what you will need:
- A wall.
- A large whiteboard. We suggest a magnetic one like this 6'x4′ Lorell we have in the office.
- Screws & a screwdriver.
- Lot's of cool accessories. Like these alphabet magnets & these Mickey Mouse Clubhouse magnets & these Crayola Dry Erase Markers and for sure this amazing magnet set from Tegu.
- Kids.
Cover photo via /u/0x7262.
Walkie Chalk
It might not happen this summer or next summer but sometime soon dad you gonna realize that you old AF. We're not really sure how old, old AF is but it's somewhere between the ages of, "I can do anything, I am invincible" and "I was making chalk drawings in the driveway with my kids and my back seized up and now I am watching reruns of Martin while I lay on the couch icing my oblique." Luckily some other adults probably had the same problem and invented Walkie Chalk, which to be honest is so simple that we are kicking ourselves that we didn't think of it first. Walkie Chalk is the perfect sidewalk chalk holder that allows everyone from your toddler to your grandfather to easily and ergonomically partake in the beautiful art of chalk drawing. So all your sidewalk Picassos can save your back and knees and join in on the fun with Walkie Chalk. Oh, and yeah kids love it too!
Far Out Galaxy Frozen Yogurt Popsicles
When we saw Lunchbox Dad snap a picture of these Galaxy Frozen Yogurt Popsicles we thought it was just a new snapchat filter, but nope here they are for real! Check out how easy they are to make below.
Don't forget to follow Lunchbox Dad on Snapchat at lunchboxdad and you can find us at @relevantdad on Instagram.
Healing Music For Children's Hospitals
When my wife and I were finally alone in the wee hours of the morning after our daughter was born we didn't know what to do. Was this real? There she was, this beautiful sleeping human that we had created had my wife had given birth to all day the day before. Here we were, this new family, worn out, blissful, and totally unable to calm down to sleep. So, we put on JJ Heller's album I Dream Of You which is a gentle collection of lullabies not only for a new life but for a new family. JJ and her husband Dave have heard many such stories over the past couple of years of new families in peacefully moments, happy moments and incredibly sad moments in those early days in the hospital playing their music to help families love and grieve. Now they have started a mission to get their album into as many children's hospitals nationwide because music is love, it is life and it brings us all a little bit closer in times of joy and need. So, for every album that you buy, they will donate one to a hospital in need. – Relevant Dad Shawn (iTunes, Amazon, or shop.jjheller.com) read more…
Get Picnic Chic With Case of Bass
We saw the sign (dad joke…groan) and that sign lead us to Case of Bass and now we want them all. The Relevant Dad offices are in desperate need of a good speaker system so we can play all of the "listen to this" selections from our Culture Checklists. Sure we could go super modern or even retro modern but who loves modern anyways? We fell in love with the idea and style of these handmade portable speakers. Yes, the key word here is portable, never will a group of fathers be as cool as us when we bump The Avalanche's new jam this summer at a picnic with the fam. We love the Debonair Class but there are styles for every type of dad out there. Check them out. Pictured is the Moto Gucci which is beautiful right?
Why Don't You Own A S'Well?
Please for the love of your child's green, green earth put that plastic water bottle down and click through to buy a S'well. What do you need to know about S'well bottles? Well, for starters they are the trendy item to have in Manhattan right now, you can't ride a subway without seeing a kajillion of them. Sure they are trendy but they are also the most practical bottle we have come across in forever. Cold for 24 hours (we tried it, it's true) and hot for 12 (if you don't drink your coffee within 12 hours we don't want to know you) what's not to love about that? An added bonus is the amount of good S'well is doing in conjunction with Unicef. A clean planet with clean water for everyone. Now that is something us fathers can endorse. read more…
Q. "What do you want for Father's Day?"
A. "Nothing"
Look, now that we are fathers ourselves we get it. We don't NEED anything, not really. Sure it used to grind our gears when our own fathers answered that question with a shrug and either, a. "Nothing really" or b. "socks and underwear I guess." Truth is we do need some new socks and underwear but we won't make our kids or wife buy them for us. So, this one if for you dads who still have a father around saying "nothing" and for you kids and ladies who find it increasingly hard to buy something for your dads. (It shouldn't be!)
Here is what you get for the dad in your world who says they want "nothing" for Father's Day. You get them exactly that. Nothing. Century 21 has teamed up with the small town of Nothing Arizona to lease off small plots of land for 24 hours on Father's Day. Daddy wants nothing so daddy gets nothing. Dad can find his plot on the map of Nothing and will walk away with a lease certificate that you can fold up and slide into that handmade card.
We took the liberty of gifting ourselves a plot (No. 769941). So, for one day 6/19/16 relevantdad.com will not only run a parenting website but will also be landowners in Arizona. Maybe we should move the office there for the day, taxes are cheaper we hear.
Visit https://www.givedadnothing.com/ to find out more.
Find the Right Summer Read with Book Marks
Review aggregators have been helping us find the best in culture for years now. Rotten Tomatoes is basically the only place you need to go to find a good movie and Metacritic has been the go-to source for finding the most critically-acclaimed music, TV and games (we know they cover movies too but our loyalty stands with RT in the movie department). For some reason there's never been a sure-fire way to find a good book. Until now. Book Marks is the newly launched service from Literary Hub that aggregates book reviews from over 70 newspapers, magazines and websites helping you find the books with the highest praise faster. The site is easy to navigate whether you're looking to browse fiction or nonfiction, and you can quickly find the best reviewed or simply browse by genre. Considering it just launched yesterday there's already a lot there but we believe it's only going to get better with time as more reviews are added. Of course, we fully understand that what makes a "good book" a good book is totally subjective. But we look at it like this: Dads have seriously limited time to read these days. So before you crack that 700-page doorstop you think you want to read, do a quick search on Book Marks and make sure it's going to be worth your time.
How Cool Is Action Movie Kid?
"When my son says get in the boat. I get in the boat" says Daniel Hashimoto who is the dad to Action Movie Kid. Action Movie Kid is one of the luckiest kids around since his dad Daniel works for Dreamworks and many other visual animation studios. In the duo's latest video James aka Action Movie Kid is steering a giant playground ship when he yells for his father to get in the boat. You can soon understand why as the swells grow rapidly and things take a turn for the worst. What will make you love this Youtube series is that this father just takes everyday situations from his son's life and turns them into giant adventures. In other words, he is just seeing things through his growing son's eyes. Imagination is a beautiful gift. Check out Daniel's book Action Movie Kid, a tale of a kid who defends his own tiny universe from monsters and aliens alike. With a little editing software and a childlike imagination your kid can be the next Action Movie Kid.
Family Friendly Netflix Streaming Categories
End the hassle of scrolling through page after page of Netflix movies trying to find the perfect flick for family movie night. Netflix has tons of secret unpublished categories and we have curated a list of family friendly Netflix streaming categories for you to peruse. So pop up that popcorn, fluff the pillows on the couch and pull your offspring close. It's family movie night guys. (Insert crowd cheers.)
Movies Aimed at 8-10 Year Olds
Cinco de Mayo Recipe
Not your average margarita, the Queso Fundido Con Chili a la Tequila. For those of you that failed high school Spanish that roughly translates into "The best chili you will ever eat and oh yeah it has tequila in it BAM". We assure you that this chili will supplement your famous margaritas this Cinco de Mayo and you will be the hit of the party. Want to make this recipe with your kids? Just don't add the tequila. read more…
Flybrix DIY Drone – The Toy That Can't Be Outgrown
When we were at Toyfair earlier this year we came across a whiteboard where people were jotting down things under the prompt, "What Will Be Hot in 2016?" We saw a variety of answers but the one that had "Yes! This!" written underneath it was – "Drones". We are seeing a market saturation on drones so where does a parent begin when shopping for one? Well, why not start from scratch and build your own. Flybrix is an amazing little company poised for a huge 2016 with their DIY Lego drone kits. What we love about these sets is that the complexity of the builds can grow in difficulty with your kid's ages. We reached out to the Flybrix team because we just imagined their office as a super fun Lego World with drones buzzing around overhead carrying the latest Slack messages from desk to desk.
"Staff meetings are just as boring at Flybrix as any other company, sorry to say. But where things really do take a turn is when we're working on the product. When we're experimenting with new features and new builds that's where all hell breaks loose! "
Now, that sounds more like it! We love it when the companies we find drone on and on about their products. (Pun intended.) It tells us that they are just as passionate about building you and your kids a great toy as we are in sharing exciting new things with you all. Passion is beautiful. When we asked what kids can learn from Flybrix they said: read more…
World Village Playset – China
In case you haven't noticed, China is on a lot of peoples minds lately. Not the least of which would be Donny Trump as you can see here. If you want your kids to learn about the World's other major superpower you may want to check out World Village Playset's China edition. This beautifully crafted set will educate your whole family on the culture, language, people, geography and people of China. The set includes a travel journal, puzzle pieces that will enhance your language skills and a heirloom quality playmat that will be cherished by your World travelers. Our favorite part of the set are the story starter cards that host prompts that will turn your dining room table into incubators for wild adventures as told by your kids.
35 Money Questions You Should Be Able to Answer By 35
Outside of our weekly Culture Checklist "Read This" picks, we don't usually re-post links we find on the internet but we felt this one was feature-worthy. If you're anything like us, the excitement of becoming a father was muddied by the disappointment that your college didn't offer a Life 101 course so that someone could clue you in to all the "adult" stuff coming your way post graduation. Buying a house, saving for retirement and your kid's college all require some quick real-world education. This blog post from the investing app Acorns does a great job spelling out all the personal finance lingo that accompanies responsible adulthood. It's basically a digest of all the questions you were too embarrassed to ask, from what's a CD to what's included in PITI. Wherever you are on your life journey, you'll probably find something in here that's good to know. Check out the entire piece here.
New App Alert – Return-A-Kid (Beta)
Sometimes things just don't work out when you bring your kid home from the hospital. Listen, kid. Your mother and I tried to conceive for four years- and we couldn't have been more excited when you were born- but this just isn't working out. We get it, and so did a couple of entrepreneurial guys from Brooklyn when they found a vaguely written loophole in the Affordable Care Act stating that:"
"Sec. 0401. Establishment of parenthood may be reversed and placed back upon the hospital or medical center of the juveniles origin at any point in the first 6570 days of a minors life. Participants can file form 0401-17 with their local HHS office for return instructions."
Because of that loophole in the law, Return-A-Kid was born. As of right now the beta pilot program which is accessible in only available in select cities (New York, San Francisco, LA, New Orleans, Atlanta & Chicago) but the company plans to roll out nationwide by the first day of Q3 2017.
So how does it work? You download the Return-A-Kid app from the iTunes or Android store and submit your address. This will tell you if you are a candidate to return your child to the hospital. If you are, you will be prompted for your confirmation number that you received when you submitted your 0401-16 form. Return-A-Kid will mail you a packaging kit that includes a comfortable crate (be sure to choose the correct size for your kid), padding and snack pack for your child. You then simply choose from an available pickup time and "viola!" you're back to peace and quiet again. If you're too busy to be bothered by the return process, a premium VIP service is also available where a certified Return-A-Kid Technician will come to your house and handle the return process for you. There are also several add-on amenities for the transit crate if the shipment back to the hospital is longer than 24 hours. This just proves that yes, there really is an app for everything. Available here or on the buy link below.
Toddler Travel Bed
Looking for that travel transition between the pack and play and the fold out couch for your toddler to sleep on? The Shrunks has this awesome toddler travel bed that blows up in seconds and is comfy as it looks. Feel free to use it inside for movie nights, outback for that first trial campout, at the beach for a quick nap or in a hotel at Disney. The places to sleep with this are really endless! The bundle comes with the bed, a carrying case, a sleeping bag that zips into the bed & a handy foot pump. Don't worry about travel your kid will feel right at home in this thing. read more…
You're Too Old for SXSW Anyway
As you were changing diapers and getting breakfast on the table this morning, young and carefree artists around the country were packing their suitcases and catching a flight or loading gear into a van en route to Austin, TX. We went a couple years ago and while it truly was an experience of a lifetime, the extremely late nights, copious amounts of Lone Star, and painful high-pitched ringing in our ears that prevented us from actually falling asleep as the sun was coming up left us boarding the plane home with one thought on our mind: When did I get so OLD? On the surface, it's easy to get swept up in a melancholy lust for a responsibility-free life but, damnit, you're a dad now and you've got shit to do. For those of us who cannot attend but still want in on the party, there's an app for that. Specifically, if you're a cord cutter, you can now download this free app on Roku which allows you to watch livestreams of concerts March 16-19. Sure, it's not exactly Rainey Street at 2am but for now, the comfort of our sofa with a good beer in hand is a pretty good deal until we get the opportunity to go back again (and we will).
Let Google Help You Plan Your Next Family Vacation
The weather is uncharacteristically warm today and that has us thinking of one thing – when is my next vacation? Unsurprisingly, the folks at Google knew what we were thinking before we did and have just announced a new feature called Google Destinations. It's not an app or a device you can buy, but rather a new way to plan travel by manipulating search terms on your mobile device. Simply think of place you might like to take the family, type it into your Google search field and add the word "destinations" at the end of it. You can then refine your results by selecting travel dates, number of travellers and what your budget is as well as toggle the dates to see if travelling at a different time of year will be less expensive. Once you've settled in on a destination you can even get itinerary recommendations. The weapon of choice in modern parenting is the smartphone. Now when it comes to planning family vacations, Google just gave you the nuclear option.
AeroPress by Aerobie (Yes, That Aerobie)
Most Millennial parents will totally remember tossing around the Aerobie in the back yard right? I think there is still one stuck in a tree at my parents house come to think of it. It makes total sense that the same company that created our childhood pseudo frisbee now will be making your favorite coffee press…right? Trust us, if you are a coffee lover you have to try this AeroPress. It makes the smoothest, richest coffee we have ever had at home. This little guy is also perfect for travel so don't be afraid to throw one in your go bag.
Technology Will Save Us
A "Relevant Dad Toy Fair NY16″ pick – one of the best products we found at Toy Fair.
Technology Will Save Us is a UK based startup focused on enabling families and kids to learn while creating, using some pretty great tech along the way. We met them at Toy Fair NY and fell head over heels with what they were all about. Their pitch to us "All of our products are vehicles for education that encourage everyone to make, play, code and invent with technology. Using everyday life as inspiration, our kits tap into the hobbies and passions that we love – music, gardening, cycling and gaming." Sold. So let us run you through some of their kits that we absolutely love and think you and your kids will too.
DIY Gamer Kit: Make it. Play it. Hack it. Code it. Then enjoy the games you invented on the console you built. ($98)
DIY Synth Kit: Discover the joys of electronic music by building your own synthesizer! ($40)
DIY Speaker Kit: Amplify your world by turning an object you love into a unique and portable speaker. ($39)
DIY Thirsty Plant Kit: Build a solar-powered moisture sensor to keep your plants happy. ($32)
Okay, kids sing along with us. "The Apple Watch is connected to the…iPhone and the iPhone is connected to the wifi & the Fitbit is connected to the Andriod and the Android is connected to the internet and the internet is connected to…" everything. Even things we wish it wasn't. The internet is part of us and we are part of it. Which as parents can be super scary sometimes! We know you have read all the horrifying new articles or have seen Scott Pelley at 6:30 offering a dire warning about the bad parts of the internet that our kids stray into but still we have to embrace it as a necessary tool right? In many ways, we would be doing our kids a disservice to shut them out of the web completely but we know how easily it is to click here or there and end up somewhere truly sketchy. Enter Kiddle. Kiddle is "Google search" powered 3rd party search engine that is supposed to be very visual and kid safe*. This is a handy tool for parents because "sites appearing in Kiddle search results satisfy family friendly requirements, as we filter sites with explicit or deceptive content." The search results are also organized in a very kid friendly manner.
The first three results will typically be sites actually made for your kids! Kiddle not only weeds out the smut but it provides your child with interesting and engaging content. Kiddle also does not collect any personal data from your kids which is pretty important these days. Kiddle will give you some peace of mind when your kids are searching online, but still be a #relevantdad and keep tabs on what your kids are connected to anyways. A safe child is a happy child.
*Some users are finding sites/references that are slipping through the filters so like we said, always double check what your kids are searching for.
Yuggler – Never Hear "I'm Bored" Again
Eventually the new toys lose their luster and there is no one left to snapchat so your kids will sprawl on the floor and whine that they are "booooooored". Maybe you can take them to that same trampoline park again, or that childrens museam that is from the 80's again, or on that same hike around that same pond…again. Look, we get that it can be tough to find new things to do with your kids but our friends at Yuggler have changed all that. This app is the family go to for "DISCOVERING, PLANNING, and ENJOYING kids activities." You can even find local deals that will leave your wallet fat so you can hit up that froyo place that just opened up. The app is free so download it via the link below and check it out today!
Little Loving Hands
Children are inherently good. Before the seeds of selfishness take root it's smart to nurture that goodwill and teach your kids about the importance of doing things for others and how rewarding that can be. Little Loving Hands is the most unique take on the subscription box we've seen to date. Each month your child will get a new craft project in the mail to make something for a different organization in need. Then you get to do some fathering and teach them "the importance of who, why, and how they are helping." Then simply send the finished craft back in pre-paid envelope and relish in the fact that your kid is pretty damn amazing.
Sippy Sure: The Medicine Dispensing Sippy Cup
A spoonful of sugar may indeed help the medicine go down but we are not about to wind up our two-year-old with a mouthful of it. There is a better way to help your kids receive that awful round of antibiotics for their ear infection and it looks very familiar. Chalk this one up as a dad hack, from us to you. The Sippy Sure medicine dispensing sippy cup was the work of a Dr. dad who had a bit of trouble trying to syringe medicine into his toddler's mouth, an act we know first hand to be traumatizing for everyone involved. You simply measure out the correct dose and the sippy cup dispenses it into your child's favorite drink at a 4 to 1 ratio so they never know they are even getting it. Finally, calm within the sickness. Tell your kid we hope they feel better.
That Dragon, Cancer
What does a father do when he loses his son to a 4 year battle with cancer? How do you turn that horrible grief into something meaningful to honor your son's sweet life? Ryan Green has created something so beautiful and so poignant that it's hard to put into words what it's like to play. The Podcast Reply All does a fairly good job at explaining it, but you really have to play the game to understand their son Joel's life, their journey as a family, and a parents grief. That Dragon, Cancer is "an immersive narrative video game that retells Joel Green's 4-year fight against cancer through about two hours of poetic, imaginative gameplay that explores faith, hope and love." We all hope as dads that we can create a World for our children that is full of love and hope. A life that is full of lessons of caring and patience. Ryan and his wife Amy have given us all a gift in a game that makes us weep. And love. And care even more. And pray for a little boy we never knew, but we may as well have. We don't label much as MUST HAVE here but if you buy one thing this week make it That Dragon, Cancer. Also, just if you can, go home tonight and make your kids some pancakes. "Joel loved pancakes."
Stop Spending More Money Than You Need to On Unglamourous Products
We spend our money on the things we need to buy and the things we want to buy. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive. We all know the perks of being an AmazonPrime member and the convenience of Amazon in general, but did you know about their private label brand? The AmazonBasics line pretty much consists of stuff you need to buy but hate to spend money on at a fraction of the cost that the name brands offer. Let's put it this way: if you bought all 10 recommended products below, you'd spend less than $150 total, compared to several times that if you bought the name brands. Spend money smarter in 2016. You've got college educations to save for. read more…
Kamigami Programmable DIY Origami Robots
There are a lot of app-enabled toys on the market but no app-enabled robots that you can build and program with your bare hands. A team of engineers from UC Berkeley are behind these origami robots and after a successful Kickstarter campaign are accepting preorder. "It's a great educational tool for kids that want to get an early start in robotics, engineering, and biology" and this is easily one DIY you'll enjoy just as much as your kids will. One thing is clear: the robo-apocalypse is imminent.
Viddy DIY Pinhole Camera Kit
We've found that for all the high-tech devices that our kids have at their disposal, it's the old school, low-tech stuff that they marvel at. We're thinking everything analog is going to be big in '16. The new Viddy from The Pop-Up Pinhole Co. is a pinhole camera kit that ships flat and folds into a camera in under 30 minutes. Just pop out the pieces, fasten the buttons and load the film and you're ready to go. It's a great project for small hands and is a hell of a lot better than giving your child their own Instagram account.
8 Entrepreneurial Skills to Teach Your Child
Whether you've resolved to start your own company this year or if you already run your own business, you'll find there are a lot of parallels in building a company and raising a family. Any entrepreneur can tell you countless life lessons they've learned along the way. Check out this great infographic for eight entrepreneurial skills that will help your children foster "creativity, self-confidence, positive thinking, and motivation, so that they could form the next generation of geniuses and leaders."
10 Amazing Animated Films That Aren't Disney/Pixar
In the realm of children's animated features, Disney/Pixar casts such a big shadow that it's easy to not even notice any other animated features exist. However, there have been a bunch of amazing films released over the last five years that you might have overlooked. Here are ten picks from the last five or so years ranked in order of Rotten Tomatoes ratings that are worthy of your family's time investment this weekend. read more…
Capture That Winter Action
Mountain climbing, sky diving, trying that new Vietnamese place downtown… where is the adventure in your life? If Santa didn't get you a GoPro for Christmas but you still want to get in on the action-cam, uh, action, check out the YI from Chinese tech startup Xiaomi. This sleek little camera shoots 1080p video at 60 fps, has 2.5 hrs of battery life, weighs only 0.15 lbs, and is a fraction of the price of a new GoPro. And if you think you don't need an action cam, just tell us your kids wouldn't love re-watching videos of sledding adventures this winter. Exactly.
Keep the Kids Busy With This Craft on Christmas Day
Christmas = family. And most likely wine. Many bottles of wine. So as the adults enjoy their pinot noirs, keep the kids busy with the corks from the bottles. Seriously! This craft is super easy and makes a nice holiday keepsake, too. Check out the step by step instructions over at Jen Kim Made and, of yeah, be safe and have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Design Minded DIY Projects For Kids
We're always looking for screen-free, open-ended playtime with our kids and believe that tinkering is an important element of childhood that should be constantly nurtured. Koa Koa is a new subscription service out of France that delivers fun, educational and creative craft activities to your door every month which really takes the pressure off you to come up with projects on your own. Thanks to Koa Koa's lead designer, Oscar Diaz, a London-based designer & tutor at the Royal College of Art, the finished pieces look more like something that belong in MOMA and less like something the TSA would question.
DIY Netflix Smart Socks
It happens all the time. You put the kids to bed, grab a beer / pour a glass of wine, start watching Netflix and just as the second episode is about to start you look over at your wife and find that she's already fallen asleep. The frustrating part is trying to figure out when she fell asleep and you end up having to re-watch what you already saw the night before (#firstworldproblems). If you've got some time off over the holidays, Netflix has a DIY project right up your alley: Smart socks that automatically pause your binge viewing when someone falls asleep. Though the cost of materials can add up to much more than your average pair of socks, the process actually isn't that complicated. Since we're a little too old for the "Netflix and Chill" DIY Switch, this new project certainly seems to have millennial parents like us in mind. Check out the video below for more info and click here for instructions on how to make them.
Have A Monthly Adventure With Little Passports
As a parent it's sometimes a huge challenge baking up fresh and exciting ideas on things to do with your kids. Teachers are not the only ones sitting up at night racking their brains on what to draw out for the next days lesson plans. What can you come up with that will be fun, informative and take up some time? Want a little help in that department? Little Passports is a wonderful monthly subscription site that helps you curate wonder and adventure in those little minds of yours. What you get is a monthly kit full of souvenirs, activities, photos and adventure that will introduce your learner to the wonders of geography, cultures and the World at large. Your first month alone your child will receive a suitcase filled with all the gear they will need to fulfill each subsequent month's activities. So plaster that wall size map in their room and watch them fall in love month after month with the many wonders of planet Earth.
Dad Hack: How to Survive Your Family's Thanksgiving Arguments
We posted this in the lead up to Thanksgiving last year and, honestly, we'll keep posting it as long as Vox keeps publishing it. It helps to know what you're talking about when getting into arguments over politics and society with loved ones. This year's round-up includes primers for six topics including vaccines, Donald Trump, Syria & ISIS, Benghazi, Black Lives Matter, and Bernie Sanders so you're a little more prepared to debate with facts since opinions are like assholes – everybody has one and most of them stink. Check it out here.
RD Guide to Thanksgiving: SECRET Ingredients
A side note leading up to this. I am a relevant dad. I am a chef in NYC. I am incredibly frugal. Here is a list of #dadhacks and or/secret ingredients that I have used over the years to create a uniquely delicious (yet seemingly traditional) Thanksgiving feast for my family. Best of all, each item is available on Amazon for less than $10. Every dad has his secrets… a relevant dads are just better. #fathering #secrets #thanksgiving
Secret #1 – Add this to gravy for the richest, deepest flavored gravy ever.
Secret #2 – Dust the top of the turkey with a bit (or a lot) of this before roasting.
Secret #3 – Make your own dressing. This base mix in particular is used by more "fancy" restaurants than you would think.
Secret #4 – Make a pureed soup like butternut squash or pumpkin and blend it with a teaspoon of this. Silkness x100. No one has to know.
Secret #5 – My favorite secret ingredient. Add a teaspoon or two of this to all of the above secret ingredients for guaranteed questions of "why is this so good" from all of your guests.
*Photo credit: the hilarious @DaveEngledow
RD Guide to Thanksgiving: Xpassion Baking Mat
The importance of cooking a "perfect" bird has been held for generations as a "Dad is handling that" item. However, with the recent culinary explosion of interest in cooking and food, relevant dads can take this to the next level. We would go as far to say the Xpassion Baking Mat is the best $10 invention for cooking a relevant dad's Platonic Ideal of a Thanksgiving turkey. The textured silicone allows for the free-flow of air all around the bird, to ensure COMPLETE cooking while allowing fat to flow away and pool for the perfect gravy (later-on). A true #dadhack, and also available in time for the big day via Amazon Prime. #fathering
Reuters TV App Brings the News to You
Dads are busy. Dads want to know everything. Dads have short attention spans. This is why dads need the new Reuters TV app in their life. Reuters has been one of the most trusted names in News for decades (160 years, in fact) and their new app is kind of a game changer. Imagine you're a producer of a nightly news program deciding which pieces to air and in what order. It's kind of like that. Content is frequently updated throughout the day so your personalized program evolves as news breaks. You can even set the program length from 5 to 30 minutes depending on how much time you have, skip the stories you don't want to watch, live-stream events, and download programs for when you're offline. Did we mention the slick-as-hell interface? Well, it has a slick-as-hell interface and works on all iOS devices including the new Apple TV. Perfect for cord cutters, busybodies always on-the-go and progressives tired of the 24-hour news cycle but still want to keep up with news. Yeah, you need this app.
Boy or Girl? No More Guessing.
One of the more awkward interactions new parents can have is correcting a stranger in the super market about the gender of your new baby. "Oh, thank you but she's actually a girl." It's the worst. 99% of all newborns look the same, so why do people always assume? Yeah, my daughter likes to wear blue. So what? Now there is no reason to let people guess. We found this wonderfully clear cut bib that will negate all of the awkward interactions with the assuming public.
Because You Forgot: Here are 101 Costume Ideas for the Whole Family and 9 to Avoid
Admit it. You starting giving some thought to this topic a while ago but then life happened and now Halloween is just a week away and you're still you're looking for costume ideas for the whole family. Worry not, relevant dads. We're here to help you out with a bunch you can make at the last minute and some you can buy and get in time with expedited shipping. Let's get started.
You'd be surprised how much you can make with stuff around the house. Here are 5 easy last minute costumes from The Toy Insider.
In fact, homemade costumes are a guaranteed win so here are 9 more great and creative last minute DIY ideas from Cool Mom Picks.
For those looking to eschew the "pink princess" girls-costume stereotype, Any Smart Girls has 4 clever ideas for you.
Is that kid dressed like Hunter S. Thompson, you ask? He is, and Flavorwire has another 24 great kids costumes for literary snobs to gush over.
But seriously, you can't go wrong with costumes for kids based on books so here are 12 more from the Harper Collins Tumblr.
Maybe you don't want to go all-out for Halloween but still want to give your kids a taste of the holiday spirit? My Baba has 10 pieces to consider.
Oh, and Dog-Milk doesn't want you to forget about the other kids, either.
Now that the kids are done, what should you wear? Check out these geometric masks High Snobiety found on Etsy.
What about your wife? Here are the (real) sexiest Halloween costumes for moms from Toulouse and Tonic.
But under no circumstances should you or your wife wear any of these 9 Vox found.
One last pro tip: Before you decide on a costume for anyone in your family, be sure to check Frightgeist to see how popular it is. It's the only way to know how truly unique your idea is.
Dad Hack To The Future
Unless you just arrived from the 80's chances are you already know that it is "Back To The Future Day" here on the internet. Great Scott! We also think that if you are a millennial parent you probably love these movies and can't wait to share your love for the trilogy with your offspring. What better day to start that journey than today? So here are a few gems we pulled from around the internet today to help you get into the BTTF mood. It may be a school night, but your family has a movie to watch! No not Jaws 19! Back To The Future!
- Watch Back To The Future with your Amazon Prime membership.
- 30 years later, Doc and Marty sit down to discuss how close we've made it to the future….
- Want a pair of Nike Air Mag sneakers? Well, they're real…and they're spectacular.
- It's long past time for a family dance off to The Power of Love. Huey Lewis FTW!
- Let your kids play some Back To The Future themed Jetpack Joyride.
- Buy a working hover board. No really… Back to the Future Miniature Levitating Hover Board
Must Have Halloween Apps
The spookiest day of the year is just a few days away everyone! No, not tax day. We still have a few months until that horror show. We are talking about Halloween here folks. So how do you get into the ghoulish spirit with your iOS obsessed kiddos? We have curated a list of some must have Halloween apps to get into the spooky spirit this year.
A StoryBots Halloween: We spent the most time playing with this app. Create a jib jab dancing video with you as a zombie, mom as a ghost and all the kids as Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula or a werewolf.
Free Halloween Sounds Pro: This is your go too sfx board for your cackling witches, howling wolves, creaking floor and all around spooky music. You can even delay the sounds to add an extra level of fun for your kids.
Pumpkin Creation: Have your child choose from dozens of features to create a pumpkin, then share their work with the world. Or just the grandparents, they will love it.
Dead Yourself: Turn yourself and your kids into a "walker" from the Walking Dead and show Mom when she first wakes up. BOO! Maybe don't do that right when she wake up. Give her some space.
Ghost Radar: Did you feel that chill enter the room? Feel like someone is watching you? Open your ghost radar app and check, just don't be surprised at what you might find.
200+ Scary Stories: Turn off the lights, get into the pillow fort the kids made and read them a ghost story while you eat all the fun size candy they hauled in on Halloween. This app is a perfect way to end the night.
Glympse: Keep track of your whole family as they terrorize the neighborhood asking for candy. Know where your preteens are at all times or how close your wife is to being back with the group after taking Timmy home for a pee break.
Preserve Your Old Photos With Photomyne
Sure, it may be fun this coming Thanksgiving to dig in the attic for old photo albums to show your kids what their dad looked like as a seven year old. Or for photos from that Winter Grandpa decided to grow an awesome beard. (Note to self, grow a beard this Winter.) While you are rummaging through those old shoe boxes filled with pictures why not preserve those memories digitally with Photomyne? You simply open the app, take a picture of the group of photos you want to capture and they do the rest. Crop, straighten and save by dates or albums of your choosing. You can digitally preserve decades of memories in no time at all. Nostalgia at your fingertips, yeah, we dig this app.
Baby Wearing for Moms & Dads: The Bitybean
When you are traveling with a baby, less is better, efficient is best. We have been checking out various baby carriers here at Relevant Dad HQ and in doing so decided on a winner. What if we told you that your baby carrier could fit into your back pocket or your wife's purse and only weigh 8oz? Bitybean is a compact carrier that allows you the freedom to be ready for anything when it comes to lugging your kid around the trails of Vermont the beaches of California or anywhere in between. We sent our reviewer on vacation with his wife and baby to test the Bitybean out. They enjoyed miles of hikes, trips around the grocery store and walks downtown in Burlington Vermont all with their little one snug in the Bitybean. The one aspect that stood out the most for them was that the Bitybean was easily swapped between petite mom and dadbod dad very quickly which is a perk not all carriers can claim. Small, portable, lightweight and extremely breathable, when it comes to being on the go with your kid you can't do any better than this. Get out and adventure!
DAD HACK: Vessel for Leftovers
This Relevant Dad Hack Magivers dinner with the use of a pumpkin, Sunday night leftovers, and increased monetary savings. Whats the hack? Right now there is a surplus of fall vegetables; namely sugar cube pumpkins, kombucha squash, and fairytale pumpkins, all at the lowest prices you can find all year. Given the fact that you can hollow out a pumpkin, and you have Sunday night leftovers like Indian curry, BBQ pork, or Sausage and peppers, simply combine the two with the addition of a little cheese, bake at 350 for 45 minutes and voila. Healthy / Cheap / Easy Dinner. Pumpkins and squash are vegetables after all. #fathering
Favorite stuffed recipes Here is #1, Here is #2, and Here is #3.
6 Common Mistakes Parents Should Avoid Making When Searching for a Preschool
Presented by Noodle. Noodle is an education website helping parents and students make better decisions about learning.
Looking to find the right preschool for your child? Starting the preschool search can be a challenging task for parents. How do you choose which one will be the best fit for your whole family? And where will your child be happiest? To help parents answer these questions when choosing a preschool, we've put together a list of common mistakes parents make and how to avoid them.
1. Don't trust the word on the street.
Talking to your friends, family, and neighbors is a good place to start on your preschool search, but take their opinions with a grain of salt. Your sister may love her daughter's preschool — and maybe your niece is having a great experience — but that doesn't make it the perfect fit for your unique needs.
In the end, trust your gut and go with the school that works best for your child and your family.
2. Don't fall for a strict academic curriculum.
It's important to research the academic standards of your preschool of choice. You want to make sure the teachers are experienced and well-qualified. Find out the state requirements for teachers and the facility you're looking into. Every state has its own preschool regulations. To learn how preschool works in your state, check out this guide.
Look for programs that engage and balance the development of social skills, imaginative play, math concepts, storytelling, physical activity, and more. Overall, you're looking for a well-rounded preschool program to offer a solid foundation for your child to learn to read, write, and do math.
3. Understand the school's disciplinary philosophies.
How do teachers respond to a child's difficult behavior? How do teachers say "no"? Knowing what disciplinary techniques are being used will help parents identify the ways in which teachers interact with your child. It's important that parents spend time observing the classroom before school starts. Here are a few things to look for:
● Do teachers use time-out?
● How do the teachers respond to a crying child?
● How do the teachers respond if a child hits or bites?
4. Don't allow your child to make the final decision alone.
"Daddy, I want this!" Yes, we've all been here. While it may be tempting to give in to your soon-to-be preschooler, parents know best — and they need to make an educated decision. Give your child the opportunity to spend the day at a preschool and take the time to listen to how she spent her time. After the visit, examine both the school and your child's feedback to decide whether this preschool is right for you.
5. Know what your family needs.
Where is the school located? If an emergency happens, who will be closest to get your child? Can you afford the preschool? Answering these questions as a family will help guide your preschool search. If it doesn't meet your family's needs, you may regret your decision down the line.
6. Know what's expected of you as a parent.
Many preschools expect parents to participate in fundraising and volunteering to help support the preschool. Parents should find out what is expected of them, both financially and in terms of time. Preschools often host co-ops on scheduled days that require parents to volunteer in the classroom. Many preschools also have an open-door policy — offer parents the chance to visit whenever it's convenient for them.
A Little Donut Maker for Little Donut Lovers
We don't know about you guys but our kids love donuts. Cake? Pass. Ice cream? Eye-roll. But ask if they want to get donuts and they'll act like the rage virus infected zombies in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later. Our kids also really like "helping" in the kitchen (we use this term loosely), so this make-your-own-donuts kit was kinda a no-brainer. The donuts truly are miniature – about the size of a quarter – but just the right size for tiny hands to decorate with frosting and sprinkles after the dough is nuked in the microwave. The tiny tray, ingredient packets and microscopic spoon are all included and, you know what that means? No dishes to do when you're done! Just throw them in the trash! Pretty sure the Yummy Nummies Donut Delights Maker was designed with dads in mind. Pretty tough to screw this one up.
Go To the Museum This Weekend… For Free
Listen up, parents! Smithsonian Magazine is running an amazing program this Saturday, September 26th, where you can get two free tickets to participating museums across the country. "Museum Day Live! unites a spectacular array of museums across the country around Smithsonian's commitment to make knowledge accessible to everyone." There are options for adventure in all 50 states so there is really no excuse not to take advantage of this opportunity. Click here to find out more about this program and to download tickets for your local museum.
DAD HACK: Push For Pizza App
Remember the scene in Back to the Future II where "Ma" microwaves a pizza from a Pop Tart-sized pouch, instantly turning it into a pizza that feeds a family of six? What a #dadhack, right? Well, meet its successor. The Push for Pizza app circumvents the inconvenient/bothersome steps (pulling the little pizza out of the wrapper, placing it in the Black & Decker Hydrator, waiting for the pizza to Hydrate) with one button. Your favorite style of pizza is saved, along with your cc and tip info, and literally all you have to do is push a button and the pizza shows up. Works exceptionally well for busy parents (and me later tonight). #theneweasybutton #fathering
Know All The Math
There are two types of dads in the world: Those who understand their kid's math homework and those who don't. Most of us fall into that latter category when it comes to arithmetic more advanced than point spreads and how many fantasy points we need Drew Brees to have on a given week to win. So when our kids ask us to check their homework we get a tinge of dread. If only there was an app that would allow us to check our young Einstein's algebra homework without breaking into a mental sweat. Wait…someone made one? Check out Photomath. Photomath is the World's first smart camera calculator that reads and solves mathematical problems in real time, making math easy and simple. This is a great tool for kids to grasp their math homework and parents to help them untangle the web of simple and complex equations. Not only does Photomath instantly solve equations it also lays out the solution step by step so your kids (and you) can learn a thing or two about binomial theorems without having your eyes glaze over.
Dad Hack: Wellnessfx
Relevant Dads want to be around to see their kids grow. Eating healthy, working out, going to the doctor, are all good, but truly understanding what is going on inside your body takes a bit more research. A deeper dive. WellnessFX is that deeper dive. They analyze your blood sample in different ways that go far beyond a regular checkup – ie blood count, blood sugar testing, performance testing of the thyroid, kidney, and liver functions, as well as reproductive hormones if you want to add more kids to your burgeoning clan. Definitely a must do for all of us who care about having a long healthy life watching our kids grow up. #fathering
Cool Kickstarer Alert: The World's First Real Constructible Rides
From the stroller to the ride on toy to the tricycle to the training wheels to the fixed gear to the mountain bike, your kids are going to be on wheels their entire lives. What if you could buy a kit that allowed you and your child to create and build rides that could be changed as they are outgrown or as your kid tires of them? Infento makes this a reality and the only tool you'll need is the ubiquitous allen wrench. Each kit allows you to build anywhere from 6 – 11 different rides that range from the toddler-appropriate to the teenager. We put our stamp of approval on this because of all that quality father-son/daughter bonding time spent building and creating but we have to admit, they look pretty badass, too. (This Kickstarter is already fully funded).
Get the Hell Out of Here. For Free.
"Marvel at the St. Louis Arch, the Florida Keys, and the Frederick Douglass house. Listen to wolves howl. Walk in dinosaur tracks. Look up into the inky night sky, and reach for the stars!" These all sound like some pretty great things to do, right? Well, President Obama had made it pretty easy to visit more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters in America. The initiative called Every Kid In A Park allows all 4th Graders to log onto www.everykidinapark.gov and print a pass to visit a long list of parks nationwide. Not only do your little ones get in for free but so do you! The initiative will continue year by year with new groups of 4th graders in hopes to usher in a new generation of stewards to America's public lands. So get those kids outside and learn a thing or two yourself. "Because no matter who you are, no matter where you live, our parks, our monument, our lands, our waters – these places are your birthright as Americans." – President Obama
Dad Hacks: Keeping Up With the New Star Wars Toys Dump
Today is the day all the new toys and other licensed merchandise for the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie is getting rolled out. The media is freaking out. Geeks are losing their shit. You've probably already seen the DD-8 Droid by Sphero making the news elsewhere this week, but did you know there's also everything from Light Saber chopsticks to a $4,000 Millennium Falcon kids bed was also announced? Frankly, we can't keep up. And, honestly, why even try when Gizmodo's TOYLAND is absolutely KILLING IT with their coverage of the product roll-outs. As of this writing, in addition to the three aforementioned items, we also know about Death Star bean bag chairs, new LEGO sets, a line from Hot Wheels, the return of Micro Machines (hell yeah!), a roaring Chewbacca mask to accompany you new Chewbackpack and Nerf crossbow, and so much more. Not your thing? We can cover you there. Maybe this other Star Wars will float your boat.
Put Your Kids to Sleep Faster With This Book
Isn't it fun trying to get your kids to bed at night? Whether you're rushing home from the office in order to see the kids before they go to bed, or whether you're home with them all day long, the fact of the matter is you are usually worn pretty thin by the time bedtime rolls around. Eager to put the kids to bed so you can spend some adult time with your spouse, anything to help get them to sleep is welcome. Introducing "The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep," a new book written by a behavioral psychologist that was designed to do exactly that – get your kid to doze off before you reach the last of the 26 pages. It encourages the parents to yawn while reading and is written in a way that should help children relax, focus and eventually fall asleep. We're not saying this book is magic, but it's basically magic.
Make Your Own Wu-Tang Guess Who? Game
We like '90s rap, things that make us laugh, and easy DIY projects. If you were to create a Venn diagram of these three interests, dead center would be this make-your-own Guess Wu? game. Pop over to Vice's music site, Noisey, for a printable template of the Wu-Tang Clan members to apply over the faces on your family's copy of the Milton Bradley classic. Of course, assuming your 8-year-old doesn't have a deep knowledge of Inspectah Deck mixtape appearances or Ghostface Killah's back catalog, you could make this a "teachable moment" and teach your kids about the history of hip hop and the importance of forming a clan – I mean, making friends.
Find the Best School for Your Child
From choosing the best preschool to touring colleges with your kid, you will be making several decisions about your child's education in the years to come. Noodle.com is an alternative to those ubiquitous ranking systems that are pretty much meaningless. Instead, Noodle.com aggregates data from a variety of educational review sources allowing you to research and compare education providers so that you can ultimately find the school or tutor most appropriate to meet your child's needs. Their articles also cover a broad variety of topics so useful it's like having your own personal education expert on demand. Oh, and do you know what else is cool? It's totally free.
Dad Hacks: A Playlist for Newborns
We're long-time listeners of NPR's All Songs Considered podcast over here at RD (think of it as audio cliff notes for what's happening in music today). So when co-host Robin Hilton went on paternity leave for a couple months, he came back with what we thought was a great question: What's the first song your newborn child should hear? The episode gets into a great discussion of whether lyrics matter or if it's about the feeling of the music and you should definitely take 10 minutes to hear it here. So why is this a "Dad Hack"? Because they put together a listener-recommended playlist of songs on Spotify for your consideration.
Talk to a Human the Next Time You Call Customer Service
We feel bad for customer service reps. The only reason someone is calling them in the first place is because something is wrong. Then after you've unsuccessfully maneuvered the phone directory to talk to a human, you're pissed, they're annoyed, it's a lose-lose situation. Not anymore. Next time you need to call any customer service department make sure you consult www.gethuman.com first. Search for the organization you're calling and it will tell you the number to call and what digits to enter to skip the phone system and get to a real, live human being lickety-split. This is what the internet was created for.
Midnight Feeding Care Box
For those of you who don't bleed blue and yellow, understand that Zingerman's Deli is one of America's retail food capitals. Their Midnight Feeding Box is an great gift to send to new-parent friends and/or yourselves. It's filled with a mini Sourcream Coffeecake, a mini Hot Cocoa Cake, two Black Magic Brownies, Spanish Olive Oil Tortas, Belgian Butter Cookies, Ginger Chime Candies, Spanish Marcona Almonds, Smooch Lion Gummies, Dulce de Leche Caramel Cream, John Macy's Cheesesticks, and a darn cute Zingerman's bib. PRO TIP: Zingerman's chocolate challah bread (makes the best french toast!!!), butternut squash oil, and pickled raisins are also well worth an impulse buy.
Golf can be too expensive, too time-consuming and, the way you slice the ball, way too frustrating. But you still love it and you want to pass that love on to your kids by making it as exciting as possible. Enter Topgolf. Picture a driving range on steroids that doubles as your local sports bar. "You can challenge your friends and family to addictive point-scoring golf games that anyone from the hopeful pro golfer to your neighbor's 7-year-old kid can play year-round." Plus they have TV's in every bay, a bar, an extensive menu that will keep everyone happy well into the evening, and a complete absence of teenage girls on beer carts which, at your age, is officially creepy anyway.
CAMPING WEEK: Discover Outdoors Hiking Tours
For the Relevant Dads living in a forest of skyscrapers, we need to get out once and a while to experience mother nature. Our friends at Discover Outdoors have curated a number of backpacking and camping trips for literally any schedule and budget, including this summer's "HIKE-A-THON". They do the planning, you just have to show up. If only other things were that easy… #fathering
Note: A portion of every purchase at Discover Outdoors funds an underserved urban student to experience the outdoors through the Discover Outdoors Foundation.
CAMPING WEEK: The Essential Checklists
Forgetful: No. Prepared: Yes. A checklist is the easiest way to make sure (at the very least) you can get to your campground, have everything you need, and maybe even have some fun and relax. Here is a list of lists we've compiled to make your trip a bit easier, and also have the choice of who you want to listen to.
Instructables: HERE
Pro Camping Store One: HERE
A Super Long one: HERE
Wild Card HERE
BONUS: Bear Grylls Survival Kit
Netflix: Nostalgic Kids Shows
Netflix is very smart. The huge market of dads now has an excuse to watch their favorite Saturday morning shows from childhood. #genius . Okay, maybe we are going a bit too far by assuming it was their main motivation, but who cares. More Pee-Wee, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, and classic TMNT is enough for us to justify the $7.99 streaming charge.
DAD RECIPE: The Shandy
ALERT: College level blackouts do not mix well with 2am feedings. Moreover, summer day-drinking while grilling, 4th-of-July-ing, or "social-tasks" like visiting your wife's best friend that require consuming different levels of alcohol, need to be approached with careful planning. The shandy, much-like other "sessionable" libations from across the pond, is a fusion of two essential summertime beverages: Beer & Lemonade. The Shandy provides you the opportunity to enjoy yourself, with a lower ABV beverage, that doesn't make you feel like you've sacrificed anything (ie gluten free pizza, veggie burgers, seeing eye-to-eye with your mother-in-law)
1. Ratio: Beer / Lemonade = 1:1
2. Process: Lemonade first. Tip glass. Slowly pour beer.
3. Ingredients: Don't be lazy and buy cheap lemonade. Shandys suck with bad lemonade no matter how good the beer. For the beer, stick with citrusy Wits and Heffenwiessens.
4. Secondary Rules: Ice is usually a no-no, and for that matter, so is fruit. But if you must, just make sure it's in a red solo cup, so none of the other dads will see how fancy you are.
Vacation season equals a serious strain on your wallet. And there's nothing worse after a long flight with whining children than overpaying for some base-model rental car that smells like carpet cleaner and broken dreams. Silvercar is a game changer, trying to shake up the car rental industry the same way Uber shook up taxis. What they offer is simply no BS: Get a silver Audi A4 starting at just $59 a day. That's it. Sound too good to be true? Download the app (on iPhone & Android), enter your travel dates and just try calling us liars. The startup is run by the former CTO of Zipcar and is currently available in 10 major airport hubs including SFO, LAX, ORD, & AUS. You may not own an A4 at home, but we think you deserve to look like you do on vacation.
5 Getaways You'd Appreciate for Father's Day
We love our children, we do. But after going across the country sans kids for a friend's wedding recently, my wife and I remembered why we fell in love in the first place – we're both pretty awesome. Something we haven't necessarily forgotten but something that gets pushed to the side as we attend to the kids' needs day in and day out. Our three-day getaway wasn't just fun, it was rejuvenating and we came back to the kids ready to parent our asses off. So maybe the only thing you really need for Father's Day tomorrow is to book some 1-on-1 quality time with the woman who made you a Relevant Dad in the first place. Here are five suggestions from Airbnb that will recharge your batteries (and hers) and make you a better dad in the process.
Blow Sh*t Up With Arnold Schwarzenegger
If you're ever dreamed of running away from an explosion with Arnold Schwarzenegger yelling "Keep yah head daaaaghhwwnnn," (and who hasn't), well, now you can. For bids as low as $10 (and as much as $50k), you can win the experience of blowing shit up with Arnold. Airfare, 4-star hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the site of destruction are included and proceeds from this once-in-a-lifetime experience will benefit After-School All-Stars (ASAS) who provide "comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and in life."
How many books have you bought on Amazon that are sitting on your shelf, unread? Together, we have dozens, maybe hundreds. There's a better chance they will be puked on then read. It's not only a tease, but it is a waste of money. Enter Overdrive; the app that saves the day. How? (1) Log into said app, (2) enter your library card information, (3) search thousands of books for free and download at will. Even audio books. The latter will get the most use. #fathering
TREE BOOK TREE: The LITERAL giving tree
So we all have a ton of children's books. Hit or miss for the most part, but they definitely ALL kill trees. Well, Pequeño, a children's book publisher in Argentina has set out to correct that problem. Their new line of books, Tree Book Tree, are "plantable," so after you and your child are done reading you can walk out the back door, dig a hole, throw the book in the hole, and it will grow a new tree. Hacking ecologically-responsible-reading. #fathering
Google Photos
"Photos are moments in time we never want to forget. What if there was a home for all of these moments."
Earlier today Google announced Google Photo, a single platform to store, edit, sort, and share all of your photos. Just reading about this app for Android, iOS, & web has us seriously salivating at its amazing functionality. We have tons of photos of our kid's birthdays, Christmases, Hanukkahs, and Halloweens spread out between different clouds and devices. Plus all of our old analog photos are still sitting around waiting to be sorted someday have been waiting for this. Google Photo may not be the first platform of its kind but, come on, the name Google goes a long way in our book. Maybe this is the inspiration you finally need to put all of your memories in one place. Spend less time trying to find that shot of your daughter covered in birthday cake from last year and more time being in the moment. #DadWants #DadHack
GET ME OUTTA HERE: La Purificadora
Sure, you're probably scrambling to make some last-minute summer vacation family plans just like everyone else is. So we thought this would be a good time to remind you how miserable this past winter was and that -we hate to say it- this coming winter is going to be here before you know it. Therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to plan ahead and book your next getaway for you and your spouse. La Purificadora in Puebla, Mexico is part of the collection of Design Hotels that really is a steal. What was a 19th-century factory is now a chic 26-room sanctuary for rest and relaxation built by Carlos Couturier and Moises Micha. The spa offers several body and facial therapies not to mention "resting" therapies which, let's be honest, sounds exactly like what you need. Book your winter getaway now and you'll be counting the days until summer is over.
How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Backyard
Kids tend to love the outdoors and have an infectious curiosity about all living things. Of course, a city-boy like you may not know the first thing about wildlife. Thankfully, the folks at Custom Made have a great article about how to get the most out of nature in your backyard. Not only will your kids wonder at the cool insects, but by maintaining a wildlife-friendly backyard you'll also be doing something good for mother nature. Check it out here.
How to Keep Your Kids Safe on a Smartphone
Like it or not, the internet is a scary place and definitely not a place you want to leave your kid unattended. Whether you're afraid of your toddler spending thousands on your iTunes account on in-app purchases or have a school-age child and no clue what the kids these days are up to, you need to take 5 mins and read this infographic.
The Wonder Weeks
Life with an infant is like witnessing a pendulum of frustration and joy. Laughing one moment, crying the next. Wanting all of your attention today, and then acting like they don't know you at all tomorrow. You will probably spend hours of your life just watching them in fascination asking yourself, "what is going on in that cute little head of yours?" This is why we love The Wonder Weeks, a fantastic book ($15) and app ($2 on Android and iOS) that will better help you cope with the stormy periods and turn those tough weeks into the wonder weeks they are meant to be. The Wonder Weeks focuses on ten major developmental leaps in your baby's first two years of life and the tools presented will help you understand what your child is going through, what signs to look out for and how to better handle each developmental leap. Graduating to toddlerhood is hard, but it is also wonderful.
Everyone has a raging case of Spring Fever right about now and with Spring comes the urge to do more outdoors: maybe tackle that landscaping project, build that deck, or finally plant that garden. The problem is most of us don't know the first thing about planting a garden. The Nourishmat is a clever tool for those of us who are green-thumb wannabes. The kit includes 82 non-GMO seed balls and a weed-blocking mat with holes perfectly spaced to grow the nearly 20 different plant types including all the garden staples. It's a great project to take on with the kids since all kids love playing in the dirt and (not to mention the hand-eye coordination they'll practice putting the seeds in the correct holes) and you don't even need much space (just 6′ x 4′). Who knows, you may even end up reducing your grocery spending this summer!
Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away!
Infant CPR Class
The sheer amount of dangers our children are faced with can be overwhelming. One large checkbox for us was learning how to give CPR to a child. It was surprising how little we knew about the warning signs, the method, and pretty much everything else relating to CPR. You can hire a professional to come to your home for a one-on-one training, through your hospital or Google, or for about $40 sign up for InfantCPR.com and watch the class as many times as you want. Highly recommended for grandparents, nannies, and babysitters as well.
Cosmetology Success Story
This Single Dad Had A Cosmetology Lesson So He Could Give His Little Girl Fabulous Hairstyles. Click here to read more.
Choremonster App
Setting up a smart home has always been a dream of ours. In 2015 we're actually getting pretty close, and Choremaster is a notable tool. Choremonster is the "controller" of your childrens chore list. You add their chores, rewards, and point system, and the companion app holds them accountable. It automates follow-up and management, and allows you to get back to your ideal weekend activities again. Relevant Dads heart technology. #fathering
The Ultimate Art Cheat Sheet
Art is subjective, but as we've stated in the past, dads know everything. So therein lies the difficulty of talking to your kids about art. Next time you have plans to head to the museum with the family, take some time brushing up on your art history with this handy cheat sheet. You'll finally be able to tell the difference between the Renaissance and Baroque movements and sound like you actually know what you're talking about. Cue the eye-rolls.
Superbowl Waffles
Wings, fries, and pizza, are all crowd friendly super-bowl bites, but are usually made by picking up the phone. Why not wow the kids by pulling yet another secret recipe out of your back pocket? Superbowl waffles are strait-cron, and afford a bevy of topping opportunities from chicken (Rosco's style), to queso & salsa, or organic ketchup like Sir Kensington's. #fathering Thanks to recipebyphoto.com for the inspiration.
2015 Winnebago Brave
Grampa had it all figured out. That's why the Winnebago is relevant again, and also thanks to a 2015 brand update. The classic retro styling of the original, with the necessities of 2015 cross-country trips ie HDTV, retractable moon-roof, automatic stairs, 30K BTU furnace, and a HD patio speaker system for late night screenings of Frozen. Plenty of room for trips when you kids are young or old. "I can get 70 miles per gallon on this hog." – Lloyd Christmas
NO AD App
It's virtually impossible to avoid being bombarded by advertisements these days. Everywhere you look there's a billboard, screen or pop-up competing to capture your attention (and you already know Relevant Dad is the only place you need to go when you're looking to buy something, anyway). This ingenious augmented reality app replaces top 100 NYC subway ads with a rotation of digital artwork from various artists making it a truly unique and surreal experience. Now a trip on the subway with the kids can be like a trip to the museum without the cost of admission.


text:
'Rough Period' for Hong Kong in Next Six Months
Hong Kong will see a 'rough period' in politics over the next six months and possibly a new mass street protest, says Danny Gittings of the University of Hong Kong. The WSJ's Ramy Inocencio recaps July 1st protests marking the city's return to China.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the ... these are scenes coming from right here on call in July first when the city marks the seventieth anniversary of its return to mainland China ... this year the territory sought one of its biggest protests on record ... and with the five hundred people were arrested the scale which is actually never been seen in this territory Iranian sensor for Asia Today joining me here in the Hong-Kong Studios is Danny Giddings University of Hong Kong associate professor ... of law that Daniel you've been here for a very very long time ... put this into context how significant was the turnout for this year ... this is that they will ... everyone agrees this is the biggest of the committee is ... is given all the biggest turnout ever ten years or so ago ... we had these huge protest against the national security holes in Hong Kong which were then abandoned but ... some said it will be one of the biggest unknowns arate know why are we getting discrepancies in the turnouts of protest organizers say ... a roughly half a million people policeman the authorities say nearly one hundred thousand ... while they are counting different things the pieces fell one point the protest organizers ... of talk about people who might join any of the protests ... but having said that still that doesn't explain the size discrepancy ... I hate it being the case for the book is the piece we get a very low figure ... annual denies this week a very high figure we generally assume ... that the truth is there somewhere the middle right so where would you put that for this year ... up by toxic precisely but a couple of times ... take no other reason for the growing frustration that were seen over these years ... is coming from Beijing but a small from ... bureaucrats here ... in Hong Kong rate the rate accommodation is great dissatisfaction with the ... other the organization I think really ... the trigger this time the trigger for the ... last run-up was this white paper issued by Beijing which ... many people in Hong Kong CEOs and for the weblog go home ... right now for what are people who may not be falling Hong Kong politics of what did that play paper actually saying what a white paper said that even although all ... right some system for one country two systems ... Hong Kong he's essentially left to govern itself ... China still has all the cool comprehensive jurisdiction which ... many people it means complete control ... of four aspects of governments and local ... group and did you try to be positive about everything here what do you think could really be done to ease the pressure between ... them the politicians and the people here what it can anything be done really you need some kind of silly suggestion from China ... from Hong Kong government but of course they will take their lead from China ... it's happened in the palms with you at the protest ... and may be considered she just turned in to calm down but ... the ball really isn't that cool ... looking ahead later this year ... and you mentioned earlier that said ... maybe we might see another protests which would be fairly unprecedented are all for the July first protest and the June fourth protests ... why would that come up with twelve late this year we enter the stall to see ... the shape of ... the ... catwalk China envisages elections in Hong Kong next time ... um when you actually see at the moment we just guessing ... when you actually seawall that proposals off ... and assuming they are on a light on many people in home call ... and ask very lucky to Texas for another round of protests and so looking ahead for the next six months for destroying the second half of the year ... overly optimistic overly pessimistic ... we have erupted in Mexico ... the Pinnacle dynasty off US dollars debt with a small one and on the Fed's ... last Gill Street occupation of the city ... the candidates are rough times people things given to ... hit rough patches ahead that doesn't bode so well but we will be picking up on on it ... and any may be one of the Bakken is to destroy houses ... are much appreciated things from the University of Hong Kong for more this ... for The Wall Street Journal The com Iranian Senseo in Hong Kong ...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Today was the start of start to our Spring. Yesterday was the "official" first day of Spring here in the U.S. To celebrate we made sure our grow lights were in working order, tightened up the screws and bolts on the seed starting rack, then started making soil blocks and newspaper pots (which we learned how to do in Master Gardener Class last Monday, thanks Hannah!!).
Today, after church, we got our tomatoes started for the main thing as well as some others, but I don't have my list at hand. It was a whirlwind day with the kids, hubby, and I working together. We also got a pretty good little snow shower, but no accumulation and it changed over to rain after about an hour...which has now tapered off completely and is only dripping from the trees and eaves a bit.
Another Spring, another season of life and love...what are some other changes on our farm and in our family this season?
*I applied to the local YMCA for a membership and we are going to be able to enroll the kids in swimming lessons. They are extremely excited, as are we. I wanted them to have the best swim instruction available as well be able to enjoy free swim and family swim time...what a blessing!
*I am launching my own business called Blessings Unlimited. We sell Christian home decor, gift ware, serving dishes, cards, all kinds of beautiful things. I don't have my website up yet, but my team leader's site is lynngrueneich.blessingsdirect.com so check it out to see what kinds of wonderful things we sell and how we can help your Blessings be Unlimited!
Well, that is all the updates for now.
Hope you have an awesome week, and may your Blessings be Unlimited!


text:
Ok I bough new shoes yesterday and I wore them in at home. Wrong! I wore them out because well they're new and I love them. So I came home with a whopping fluid filled blister on each reddened heel. After a bit of google's-your-friend, I decided to pop them last night, so swabbed down with disinfectant, disinfected some pointy nail scissors, jabbed a hole at the bottom and pushed the fluid out (are you all enjoying the detail over your sammies?), disinfected again, covered with plasters in a cross. Left overnight. Epsom salt bath this morning and all clear to run, good as gold and completely painless.
Of course you can just leave blisters to heal but not if you're a stubborn runner. Important to keep them clean, obviously disinfect your scissors or needle if you're popping them and don't tear the covering skin off. Best to leave it.