All I Want for April is Acceptance.
In March of 2014, I sat in a small sterile office at the local children’s hospital with my husband and youngest son. He was 2 1/2 years old at the time, and we were waiting for the conclusions of an autism screening that involved several helping professionals and lasted 4 hours.
Thank you to my dear friend Terra for writing this piece so we can all learn from her. You can follow her podcast Normal with Autism, on Instagram for more amazing content.
All I want for April is acceptance.
In March of 2014, I sat in a small sterile office at the local children’s hospital with my husband and youngest son. He was 2 1/2 years old at the time, and we were waiting for the conclusions of an autism screening that involved several helping professionals and lasted 4 hours.
We wanted to hear the good news that all the therapies and work we completed over the last 12 months paid off in helping him catch up developmentally.
In March of 2013, my son Finn was diagnosed with epileptic encephalopathy. A hazardous form of epilepsy that impacts his learning and development in very negative ways. I stopped working as a mental health therapist and devoted myself to being his full-time caregiver. I spent many hours and days with Finn in therapies and doctor visits, working on everything from speech to matching skills. It was all to help his development move forward as his seizures had significantly impacted his growth.
We sat waiting for the developmental doctor to give us the results; I held my breath, hoping for good news. Her following statement, Finn has severe autism and needs help right away, was not a surprise, but it was not what I wanted to hear. His actual written report included the statement “Finn is at great risk for mental retardation…” should he not receive interventions. I remember leaving the office confused and grief-struck. I was confused because I could not fully grasp what it meant for my child to have an autism diagnosis. Grief-stricken because of the looks on the physicians’ faces, I knew it wasn’t good.
Today, in 2021, I can tell you I thought his autism diagnosis was a tragedy in 2014. I am a mental health professional, and I did not know a lot about autism. I knew enough to understand it wasn’t something you wanted your 2-year-old to be diagnosed with. I also knew enough to know that the words the doctors used at the time to describe his high support needs scared me into many sleepless nights figuring out how to get him into full-time behavior therapy as quickly as I could. I also felt less alone when people bought puzzle piece cookies or wore blue on April 2nd, world autism awareness day. My friends would tag me in posts saying they were lighting it up blue for Finn. In the end, I do not fault them at all. And I realize now those efforts were about me and not about what my son needed.
Today, I know better. Now, I know that my son being autistic is not a disaster. Autism is not the catastrophe that I pictured. What is distressing is that seven years later, I still fight every day for my son to be accepted as the entire, complete, worthy human being that he is. Even more problematic is the knowledge that as he gets older and bigger on his way to becoming an adult disabled male, some in my local community will fear him simply because he is autistic. Acceptance will grow rarer as the years pass.
Why, after all these years, puzzle pieces, and lighting it up blue, is it still difficult for autistic people to be accepted? The difference is the passive awareness that many folks still engage in and the active acceptance that is harder to do but worth the work. An author for an Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) post states, “Awareness is all about creating a sense of urgency and fear. Awareness efforts present us as a problem to be solved…Acceptance comes from a place of understanding…Understanding takes work. People first need to acknowledge us as individuals- three-dimensional, growing, developed characters. We are not all the same, and we are not but a collection of deficits.”
My son is not broken, and he is not a collection of deficits or things he can not do. What would life be like for your child if the only focus from the adults in their lives were on what milestones they did not reach? If you ever want to find out, I invite you to join me in the next Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting with my local school district.
You might be asking me now, “Terra, what can I do instead of light it up blue for April?” Here are some questions to ask yourself and ways to practice acceptance of autistic people every day.
First, ask, “Do I rely on autistic people or their caregivers to educate me about autism?” If the answer is yes, you have some work to do. Start with a book by an actually autistic individual. “The Reason I Jump” is a great one. While writing this, I googled “autistic authors,” and I need to get to my local bookstore soon. The list I found is extensive.
Second, if you are a leader in a community space (i.e., church), ask yourself, “How would my organization respond if a family and their autistic loved one walked into this space tomorrow to hang out with other members in their community?” For example, if you are a church, would the autistic loved one be welcomed into the worship space just as they to hear the message from the pastor. If the answer is no, you have some work to do. Many families with autistic loved ones experience conditional acceptance based on ignorance and lack of willingness to make space for that family to show up fully as themselves. Ask how you and your other community leaders how can we support that family in a way that treats them like everyone else.
Finally, ask yourself do autistic folks and organizations that actually support autistic people show up in your social media feed. If the answer is no, you have some work to do. Some of my favorite folks to follow are https://www.instagram.com/the.autisticats/
And a great organization to check out is autisminblack.org
Acceptance is a verb. Do the work. Take the action. My son and all the kids and adults like him thank you in advance.
More about Terra: I am a wife, mom, podcaster, writer, therapist, daughter and friend. I work hard to keep all those plates spinning and humor is my coping skill.
My two boys, Q and Finn are my favorite human beings on the planet. Finn was diagnosed with epilepsy and autism before he turned three years old. He is a non-speaking kid that has a lot to say. Q is growing up way to fast and likes to bring it up every day by saying how much taller he is than me. My husband and I have been together since we were 19. Our family motto is “Making it up as we go along”.
Diving Deep Into My Meditation Practice | Intro to Meditation + Mystical Series with Wild Sage Collective
It was this moment that popped out to me when I was in need of a personal reset earlier this year. I knew this was the moment I needed to dive deeper into my meditation practice and have something steady that I could use to feel peace and calm when life seemed so uncertain.
I was first introduced to Erica from Wild Sage a few years ago as I sobbed through a meditation she was leading. I was sitting there holding my Modmala with a full-on ugly cry, gasping for air, and sobbing-induced hiccups. When the meditation was over, I apologized to her for sobbing through the meditation and thanked her for being exactly what I needed during a very difficult part of my life. I don’t remember her exact words but I know that she was calm and comforting and I left feeling like I could breathe. For the first time in weeks, I could breathe.
It was this moment that popped out to me when I was in need of a personal reset earlier this year. I knew this was the moment I needed to dive deeper into my meditation practice and have something steady that I could use to feel peace and calm when life seemed so uncertain.
A quick Facebook message to my friend, Erica, and I was signed up for the next Intro to Meditation + Mystical Series 1:1
Meditation
Fine-tuning my mediation practice was the main reason I wanted to sign up for this series. I needed help working on ways to practice while at home with everyone at home. Working 1:1 with Erica I was able to troubleshoot all of the things so I could come up with options that work best for me. I knew this was the best option for me because Erica is a rule-breaker and with the life, I live I need to be able to meditate and focus on different elements of a mindful practice in unique ways that don’t follow the typical rules.
A few of the ideas we came up with -
Meditate while nursing and snuggling the baby in the mornings while the house is still calm
Creating a special space for myself that’s only for me and visit that space when possible or needed
Connect in nature. Taking a walk alone, focusing on the sounds, my breathing, and the little things I’d miss otherwise.
Journaling
One of the first things Erica suggested was journaling. This one was hard for me. I’m a perfectionist and journaling is something I struggle with because I feel like when I put pen to paper I need to write something beautiful not to mention I need a new notebook that inspires me. I couldn’t start journaling until I could get a brand new notebook and feel inspired to write something beautiful.
When I told Erica about this she laughed, not at me, but with me. She completely understood where I was coming from but gently encouraged me to just do it anyway. Just write - it can be one word or more. It can be in a brand new notebook or a scrap piece of paper. Just write down your thoughts.
Listening to her advice was powerful. I started writing just like she said and it was so freeing. Releasing those thoughts onto paper helped me sleep better, allowed me to confront certain feelings head-on, and just helped get me ready for great meditation.
Chakra & Crystals
I knew very little about chakras and crystals before this 1:1 series with Erica. Erica broke it down for me in such a way that it was easy to understand and remember. I still took lots of notes and refer to her website often for refreshers.
My favorite meditation is currently the one where I call in my different chakras, ask them for any messages, and thank them. It is truly one of the most powerful things I took away from my journey with Erica.
I actually shared more about crystals on Instagram - head over there to check it out.
What is Intro to Meditation + Mystical Series 1:1?
In this 1:1 series with Erica, you will walk through a customized 5-week journey learning about how to cultivate & maintain your meditation practice while diving deep into & demystifying ancient wisdom teachings. Learn about chakras, crystals, meditation, your personal birth star mantra, and so much more. It’s completely customizable to what you want to learn and truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
I plan to keep going through so stay tuned on social media and the blog to keep learning. If you reach out to Erica - tell her I sent you :)
5 Books Every Girl Should Read
Every girl should have a library filled with books featuring strong women, inspiring role models with powerful character traits, that leave them inspired and empowered to dream. The books on this list do exactly that. Written by very talented artists the books on this list are perfect for girls 9-12 (and older).
Every girl should have a library filled with books featuring strong women, inspiring role models with powerful character traits, that leave them inspired and empowered to dream. The books on this list do exactly that. Written by very talented artists the books on this list are perfect for girls 9-12 (and older).
With messages and stories filled with courage, hope, and promise - the books on this list are perfect for girls of all ages, but especially for those in 4th-8th grade.
The Better Day Book
We recently came across this book and we love it. It’s such a cute way to remind yourself that you are in control of your own happiness. This beautifully illustrated book explains 52 ways to have a better day and is such a gentle reminder for all of us that we have the power to shift our perspective and create happiness for ourselves. It also includes a few pages for journaling or note taking and 16 tear & share happiness cards that you can hand out to others when you feel inspired to do so.
Grace not Perfection
I am a huge fan of @emilyley 💕 I love watching her run her business with purpose and grace, I am often influenced by her style and product recommendations, and when she shared that she wrote this amazing book for young girls I knew we had to pick up a copy for our oldest daughter.
We have had such beautiful conversations inspired by the words in this beautiful book. I’m trying my very best to raise my little humans who are kind to others and, more importantly, kind and loving to themselves.
If you have a young daughter I highly recommend this book. It will be so good for her and if you can use it as a special way to spend one on one time together it’s even better 🥰🥰 Promise.
Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls
I love reading this book and the rest in the series with all of my kids, especially my daughters. The empowering stories of real life women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amelia Earhart, Jane Goodall, and so many more.
The Gutsy Girl
This book is filled with stories, activities, and tips to inspire girls to go after every single dream they have and to always pursue a life of adventure. We just started this one and have been really loving it. I’ll report back when we finish.
Brown Girl Dreaming
Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world.
How To Create a Paper Mache Globe
One of my absolute favorite memories as a child was making a paper mache globe in art class. I loved being able to get messy while creating something really cool. I’ve always wanted to recreate this activity with my kids and now that we’re at home a lot more it seemed like the perfect time to do just that.
One of my absolute favorite memories as a child was making a paper mache globe in art class. I loved being able to get messy while creating something really cool. I’ve always wanted to recreate this activity with my kids and now that we’re at home a lot more it seemed like the perfect time to do just that.
As a child, I remember this project taking multiple weeks to complete and requiring multiple steps to get us to the end goal. As a mom, with four kids a project that could take weeks to complete seemed like a lot so I kept putting it off. I was never ready to commit and I didn’t want to start just to give up on it because life got in the way.
With extra time at home, I decided that now was the best time to try and make our own paper mache masterpiece because we had the time to dedicate to it. Honestly, I’m glad we decided to give it a go because it didn’t take weeks to complete - more like a week. It took a looooooong time to dry but that’s expected. Once it dried, the rest of the project flew by.
To get started
This project is a messy one, be sure to prep your work area. We used newspapers we were going to recycle to cover our table. You can use whatever you have but it’s important to protect your workspace.
Gather your materials
Find a space to store your project while it dries. This project will take up to a few days to dry so it’s important to have a place to store it while it dries that won’t get in the way of everyday activities.
Supplies Needed
Punch Balloons - Any balloon will do but I found the punch balloons to be the best for this project because it has the rubber band at the end that will help you hold it as you apply paper mache and paint.
Paper Mache Paste - This stuff is gold! It makes creating the paper mache so easy.
Bowl (just big enough to allow the balloon to rest nicely on it)
Ready to Recycle Newspapers
Scissors
Creating Your Globe
Prep your workspace and layout all of your supplies
Create the paper mache paste following the instructions on the box
Cut newspapers into long strips
Blow up your balloon to the size of a small soccer ball
Let’s Get Messy
Lay the newspaper strips on the balloon one at a time while applying the paper mache paste with a paintbrush. Apply generously
Rotate the balloon to add newspapers and paste to all sides
Do not leave any part of the balloon visible, cover everything!
Let sit for 1-2 days to dry
Once it’s Dry
Have fun painting the entire globe BLUE (Don’t make my mistake and paint it all green, I had to completely redo it) after all most of the world is made up of water :)
Once the paint is dry take a sharpie and draw the different continents
Paint the continents green.
That’s it! Your globe is ready to be displayed. A few notes - if you made sure to cover every single inch of your balloon you can then pop the balloon so it doesn’t shrink but don’t do this unless every single inch is covered with newspaper and paper mache. Also, it’s going to be bumpy - that’s okay - the earth is not flat so use this as a really good conversation starter with your kids.
Talking Points
I used this time to talk to my kids about the earth, ways we can protect it, and answer all of their questions.
How old is the earth?
What uses the most energy in our home?
How can we protect the earth?
What can we do as a family to help protect the earth?
Where does our power come from?
Where does our water come from?
Tips for Creating a Positive Work From Home Mindset
I’ve worked from home with kids since 2014 so I’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to pull it off successfully. Working from home, especially with kids takes a lot of dedication, flexibility, and patience. When I first started working from home I’d get so mad at myself for “wasting” my day
Thank you Tandem for sponsoring this post and thank you, 614 Mom readers, for supporting the businesses that support 614 Mom. As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own.
I’ve worked from home with kids since 2014 so I’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to pull it off successfully. Working from home, especially with kids takes a lot of dedication, flexibility, and patience. When I first started working from home I’d get so mad at myself for “wasting” my day but if I’m being honest those days were never wasted. They were spent doing the other things I loved so much - snuggling my babies, keeping the house clean, meeting up with friends so our kids can play, and volunteering at my kids’ school. The only time I wasted was the time spent feeling guilty for not being tied to my computer all day long.
Once I learned to be patient with myself and flexible with myself I was able to find so much joy and freedom in my work. As a recovering 9-5er, I required some time and experience to be able to shift my mindset to be able to enjoy the freedom instead of feeling guilty for it. Luckily, once I found that mindset I’ve been happier than ever before.
Embrace the Flexibility
Some people thrive off of perfect schedules, color-coded to-do lists, and very strict timelines. When you own your own business and you’re working from home with kids you’re going to need to embrace the flexibility that it requires. There are going to be days that your kids are struggling with schoolwork or they get sick, you may have a day that every single thing that could go wrong, goes wrong. The best way to get through that is with a strong mindset and the ability to be flexible with yourself, your kids, and your work. I can’t speak for every situation but know this - the world won’t fall if you need to take time for yourself or your family and your kids will be okay if you need to tell them that you must prioritize work at that moment.
No. Is a one-word sentence.
You are not going to be able to do it all and it’s okay to say no to anything that doesn’t fit within your defined goals. I have had to learn to scale back with volunteer work, some speaking engagements, evening events that take me away from family time, and I’ve had to be that totally mean mom that said no to my kids ;) Everyone survives and everyone is happier.
My family is happier when I don’t over-commit myself, my work is stronger when I stay focused on what really matters, and they find someone else to lead that project for the organization that I love so dearly.
Hire Help
When I first started staying home with my kids I had the “I can do it all” mindset and while I can a lot, I can’t do it all and do it all well. I’ve accepted that sometimes I need to ask for help. Once I got past my initial “I can do it all” mindset I started LOVING the freedom that hiring a babysitter would bring. I was able to get work done, attend a therapy session, or run errands while the kids were happy! My cup was full because I wasn’t as stressed and the kids were happy and my to-do list was shorter.
A local Columbus business, Tandem, is a fantastic way to get the help you need. Tandem is a FREE service to help parents find quality childcare. I love Tandem because they take care of the reference checks, background checks, and it’s completely free. Whether you’re looking for a one time sitter or someone to help ongoing, Tandem has you covered.
Parents simply submit their request on sitticonnect.com and the Tandem team will send your request out to all of the sitters. Once the sitters accept your request you can view their bio, connect with them, schedule interviews, etc. You then get to decide which sitter is the best fit for your family. These are all things I love so much - I like being able to interview the sitters and having the final decision on which sitter is best for my family.
Take Care of Yourself
There are so many articles out there dedicated to self-care and it’s important to remember that self-care doesn’t always come in the form of bubble baths and spa days. Often it comes in the form of going to bed at a decent time and not overextending yourself late into the evening, sometimes it is saying yes to projects you are passionate about (or no to things that aren’t for you), and ya sometimes it’s buying yourself that new pair of shoes because damnit you worked hard for it. You know what you need. Take care of yourself because your family and your work will notice the difference between the version of you that is rested and at peace and the version of you that is stressed and overwhelmed.
Get a babysitter for a few hours and go get coffee, meet your spouse or some friends for lunch, enjoy your favorite hobby. This is important because your mental health is so important.
Be Kind to Yourself and Others
There are going to be times you drop the ball or overbook yourself or you have to take a day off because you have sick kids or an emergency pops up. Be kind to yourself. Things happen out of your control and sometimes life gets the best of you. It’s okay. It will all be okay.
Be kind to others - it’s true that you don’t/can’t fully understand what someone else is going through. Show kindness when you’re frustrated, confused, annoyed, or angry. It will cause you more anguish by holding onto anger that you don’t need. That doesn’t mean you can’t say no if it turns out the situation isn’t for you - but you can walk away with kindness.
Have some fun and embrace the joy!
Your mindset is going to be the difference between excelling at work from home life or feeling overwhelmed by it. I hope these tips help you create a life filled with joy and purpose as you walk the crazy world of working from home as an entrepreneur with kids.
Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Those Spending More Time at Home
This year we have been forced to slow and spend more time at home. It seems only fitting that you may want to add a few items to your holiday wish list that focus on making that time at home even better. Or maybe you’re shopping for someone who is now working from home or spending more time at home than ever before - this list is for you! I’ve got ideas that any homebody will LOVE!
I’ve been living the work from home mom life for years. This photo is from 2017 and gosh, I just love that little boy.
Comfy Blanket - Can you ever have too many blankets? The perfect gift for anyone but especially important for those who spend a lot of time at home. While comfy blankets are amazing, Gravity Blankets and Heated Blankets are other great gift options.
Wireless charger - Last year at Christmas I bought my husband this stand and it’s by far one of his most used gifts. He set it up next to his computer and his phone is almost always fully charged for those conference calls or games of Golf Battle.
Massager - When our offices were closed earlier this year we both started working from home and our necks and backs could feel it. So much time spent at a computer, working from the couch, and just normal stress of 2020. I bought this neck massager randomly one day and we love it so much. It’s used pretty frequently.
Slippers - Cozy slippers are essential during Ohio winters. My husband loves these ones that our son bought him last year and I really enjoy my UGG slippers.
Essential Oil Diffuser - An essential oil diffuser is great for every room in your home, I turn them on as part of my morning routine and the home smells great and feels so peaceful all day long. I love this stone diffuser, as well as this smaller one.
Candles - I’m obsessed with candles. Give me all the things that smell delicious and they make a great gift for everyone.
Fun Door Mat - Fun door mats add a fun pop of personality to your front door and I’m a fan!! These are a few of my absolute favorites...
Tea Pot/Coffee Maker/Mugs - Everything they need for a perfect drink at any time of the day. I personally love this teapot and coffee maker. For mugs, I think it’s important to have fun and bring in some personality. I personally love this one and of course, this one too.
Manicure/Pedicure Kit from Olive and June - This has been a new favorite of mine because they provide you everything you need for a perfect mani/pedi from home. They use quality ingredients and it shows as you end up with the perfect mani.
A Good Book - You can find all of my book recommendations here.
Noise Canceling Headphones - This was a game-changer for me this year. They are so helpful in keeping me focused while working.
Space Heater - For the one who has everything a great space heater or air purifier is the gift they’d never think to ask for but love to have.
Happy Shopping!
7+ Local Kid Stores to Shop Year-Round
I have found some of the best gifts by shopping for my kids at local Columbus shops. Unique finds that I would never find in a big box store and my kids LOVE them. I’m sharing some of my favorite Columbus Kid Stores today on the blog. Shopping small is more important than ever! Make that shopping list and then visit these stores to get something great for everyone!
Shopping small has always been very important to me. Every single purchase with a small business makes such a difference in the lives of countless people including the business owner, their staff, families, other local businesses they do business with, and so much more. It’s no surprise that 2020 has been hard on small businesses everywhere and now as the holiday season approaches it’s even more important than ever that we support our local business community.
I have found some of the best gifts by shopping for my kids at local Columbus shops. Unique finds that I would never find in a big box store and my kids LOVE them. I’m sharing some of my favorite Columbus Kid Stores today on the blog - but please comment and tell me if there is one I missed that you think I should explore. :-)
Cub Shrub
Cub Shrub is full of fun modern items that spark inspiration and imagination. It’s always the first place for gifts and adorable clothing. This year I bought the holiday tattoos, a handful of books, and this Dr. Fauci ornament. As time gets a little closer I’m sure I’ll be adding some other fun goodies from Cub Shrub under my tree.
The Mini Label
Created by a fellow 614 Mom, The Mini Label has the most adorable baby clothes. They are super soft and the colors are perfection. My youngest will have a few sets under the tree this year.
Coco Beans
Is someone in your life expecting or do you have a sweet little babe yourself? Coco Beans provides better sleep for little ones using the natural magic of silk. They are currently running a campaign to help get their business started. Share the holiday magic by helping a small business thrive while getting your little one a 100% silk crib sheet (estimated ship date Feb 2021)
Learning Express
We love exploring Learning Express. They have all of the super fun toys my kids love so much and a few that we’ve never seen before. It’s a perfect mix of educational toys and those super popular must-have gifts.
Naturally Curious Kids
Kids learn so much through play and Naturally Curious Kids has some of the best toys that help encourage learning through play and I’m a big fan. Some of the items we’ll have under our tree this year include so many of the art supplies, this mix & bake mixer, and dimpl toys for the youngest member of our family.
Wonderville Studios
Local author Jason Tharp has amazing books, T-shirts, and other cool things to help inspire kindness and positivity for your young readers. Shirts that say Kind is Cool and even some fun mugs for that coworker you got in the holiday gift exchange.
Packrat Comics
Packrat Comics in Hilliard is one of a kind. I’m talking truly special. They have comic books, toys, and graphic novels plus so much more. If you have a superhero fan on your list this is a must.
Shopping small is more important than ever! Make that shopping list and then visit these stores to get something great for everyone!
20+ Fun Ideas to Enjoy This Holiday Season
Whether we like it or not this year is going to be much different than years in the past. We are going to be home a lot more and looking for ways to create new memories when our normal ways of enjoying this holiday season are canceled or moved to virtual events due to the pandemic. This list has classic traditions, fun new twists on our normal favorites, and some new ideas to feel more festive this year.
Whether we like it or not this year is going to be much different than years in the past. We are going to be home a lot more and looking for ways to create new memories when our normal ways of enjoying this holiday season are canceled or moved to virtual events due to the pandemic.
Instead of being sad that so much is happening out of my control, I’m deciding to embrace this year and use it as an opportunity to get creative and start new traditions. I thought I’d share some of the newer events on our holiday bucket list as well as our full list of tried and true fun traditions to help inspire you to create something similar. You can also make it super easy on yourself by downloading this FREE holiday bucket list template.
Things to Keep In Mind
It’s important to keep in mind that everything on your bucket list should be heavily focused on what your family LOVES. If you aren’t excited about the activity or even the thought stresses you out, it’s probably best to skip that one. You want this list to spark joy for every member of the family.
Let everyone participate in making this list. By encouraging every member of your family to participate in adding activities to the list you are creating a feeling of inclusion and love. If you bring the list to your family already completed it’s probably going to feel more like a chore list that may get forgotten.
You don’t have to break the budget to create lifelong memories as a family. There are so many ways to create memories with what you already have or would only cost a few dollars. It could also be a lot of fun to have a zero spend bucket list where your entire list is filled with free activities. Make it your own.
New Bucket List Ideas
Go wild with outdoor Christmas Lights - every year we do a little decorating but this year I plan on going a little extra on our decorations. We need it. Christmas decorations are good for the soul.
Drop off Holiday goody bags to our neighbors and friends - We normally enjoy this holiday season with our friends and family so instead of getting together we will drop off little surprises periodically to spread the holiday cheer.
Make Reindeer Food - while this is something that so many people do every single year, it’s nothing we’ve ever done before so I think it will be the perfect year to start this new fun tradition
Play Secret Santa for a special friend - One of the best parts of the holiday season is showing love to your friends and family. We plan on being a secret Santa to a very special family that we love so much. It will be so much fun and I cannot wait!
Write letters and special gifts to family members we won’t be able to see over the holidays. We will miss our family so much this winter (hopefully we can safely see as many as possible) so we will break out the pen and paper to write old school letters and make a few special gifts to mail to grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and cousins to let them know we love them.
25 days of Christmas books - Another tradition I’ve heard about before but we’ve never taken part in is the 25 days of Christmas books. I will find 25 amazing books, wrap them up, and then every night we will unwrap one to read. I think it will be a great way to keep the holiday cheer going all month long.
Try new Christmas crafts. Let’s be honest we have a lot of extra time at home (even when it doesn’t feel like it) so I’m stocking up on arts and crafts now so we can try a few new things. I’ll be sure to share on Instagram stories what we get ourselves into.
Old Favorites
Matching Pajamas for Christmas Morning
Grinch themed movie night complete with cookie baking
Decorate our Christmas Tree and home the day after Thanksgiving
Make Grandma’s Homemade noodles
Write a letter to Santa
Candy Cane Hide and Seek
Decorate a gingerbread house
Make Cider/Hot Chocolate
Bake all day long!
Make homemade Christmas ornaments
Watch our favorite Christmas Movies
Sing our hearts out to Christmas Carols (maybe even learn a few of these on the piano)
Drive around looking at Christmas Lights
I hope this list inspires you to create something magical for your family this year.
Best Places to Buy Matching Holiday Pajamas for The Whole Family
The best places to find this year's annual holiday pajama set for the whole family. Everything from the classic plaid to fun characters and my absolute favorite - The Grinch! Enjoy, and don't forget shipping cut off dates are earlier this year.
Since I can remember my mom would get us matching pajamas to open on Christmas Eve so we could all wake up in the morning with super cute, festive matching pajamas. This was well before Instagram worthy photos and carefully curated feeds, so I like to say I have loved this tradition before social media made it cool. :-) I’ve carried this tradition on with my kids and it truly makes me so happy to find our annual Christmas PJs every year and the kids love it too.
I thought I’d share my favorites with you! A friendly reminder to make sure you buy earlier than you think with all of the shipping delays we may face this year as well as normal sellouts (in some sizes) with some of the best ones.
Hannah Anderson
Hannah Anderson PJs are some of my favorites year-round! The quality is top-notch and the designs are so cute. I love the ability to mix and match between designs and types of PJs. They also have fun characters like Star Wars, Grinch, and Marvel as well as some other characters that aren’t holiday-themed.
Pottery Barn Kids
Pottery Barn Kids flannel pajamas are some of the best pajamas in the world. Hands down. They are so warm and cozy and last forever. We bought the Grinch flannel pajamas a few years ago and my kids wore them until they just couldn’t fit anymore (I’m talking at least two years because I accidentally bought the wrong sizes). We may actually go with these again this year.
Primary
Primary is a brand I’ve loved for years but I don’t ever remember seeing their Christmas pajamas until this year. Let’s just say I adore these so much. We love Primary because of the very vibrant colors and minimalist designs. The holiday pajamas are so stinking cute. I personally love the Rainbow Fair Isle pjs. They would even be perfect for pajama day that last day of school before winter break.
Monica & Andy
Monica & Andy - I first fell in love with Monica & Andy when I was shopping for new baby clothes lately. I love their stuff and was so excited to see these Christmas Lights matching family pjs. Made out of 95% organic cotton, they are such a fun, modern twist on the classic holiday pajama. I love them so much.
Gap
Gap - The Holiday Pajama sets from Gap are a great way to fit every member of the family’s unique personality while still matching. There are a variety of combinations that you can choose from including nightgowns, donuts, Star Wars, Marvel, and more. Truly something for everybody.
I hope that something on this list helps spark your holiday joy this year! I’d love to see your holiday pajamas so be sure to tag me on social!
Gifts That Give Back | Holiday Gift Guide | 614 Mom
Buying gifts for the ones you love is always a special time. I’m always looking for gifts that bring happiness to the ones I love. Sometimes that’s an experience, sometimes that includes a really messy slime kit ;-) and sometimes it’s as simple as purchasing an item that gives back to others. I’ve put together a list of items that give back to some really cool and unique causes. From toilet paper to dolls - the list below has something for everyone on your list. I know my VSCO girl is going to love the bracelet below that supports The Sea Turtle Conservatory.
Buying gifts for the ones you love is always a special time. I’m always looking for gifts that bring happiness to the ones I love. Sometimes that’s an experience, sometimes that includes a really messy slime kit ;-) and sometimes it’s as simple as purchasing an item that gives back to others. I’ve put together a list of items that give back to some really cool and unique causes. From toilet paper to dolls - the list below has something for everyone on your list. I know my VSCO girl is going to love the bracelet below that supports The Sea Turtle Conservatory.
