How to Help: Flint Water Crisis

The Flint water crisis weighs heavy on my heart, as it does on all of yours. As Michigan readers are certainly aware by now, children under the age of six will be the most horribly affected by lead exposure; babies fed formula mixed with tap water will suffer the most. It is so painful even to think about, and everyone wants to help out in some way.

I've seen a lot of information about bottled water drives being shared on Facebook, but monetary donations will make long-lasting change possible. Early intervention for developmental issues, access to healthy food, and early childhood education are all crucial to minimize the impact of lead exposure. Please consider a contribution to the Child Health and Development fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.

Here are a few links on the topic:

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who brought the lead poisoning to public attention, regularly updates her Twitter.

My friend Nonie wrote a great reflection on a talk by Dr. Hanna-Attisha at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

A fantastic Q&A with Dr. Hanna-Attisha about how parents can help their kids exposed to lead.

Dr. Paula Schreck and the Michigan Breastfeeding Network recommend for breastfeeding mothers to keep breastfeeding.

Like Michael Moore or not, he's from Flint and in a unique position to advocate for the community.

How the mother of three children with lead poisoning became an advocate for lead-awareness.

Hug your babies tight. Xoxo, Sarah

(Photo of Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha via Detroit Free Press)

A2 Park Passport

Have you heard about the new A2 Park Passport initiative? You can get a FREE pass to golf, boat, swim, and ice skate at a City of Ann Arbor park facility - plus a map of some of Ann Arbor's best hiking trails.

This is a great way to discover outdoor activities with your family that you might not have otherwise tried. Your kids will be thrilled to try something new...and to see their parents try something new! It's an opportunity to show your kids the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone, staying fit, and spending time outdoors.

After completing all four free activities, participants will receive a prize and entry into the grand prize drawing: A 2017 season pass to the city park facility of your choice. (I would love a season pass to the pool!)

Only 700 Park Passports are available as of last month until October 2016. You can pick up your Park Passport at any city park facility during open hours, or attend a Saturday kick-off event, always at 2-4 p.m.: Feb. 6 at Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena, March 19 at Mack Indoor Pool, May 7 at Huron Hills Golf Course, and June 4 at Gallup Park Canoe Livery.

Thanks, Alex, for the heads up!

(Photo of Gallup Canoe Livery via City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation)

On-the-Go Toy Kit

Our next door neighbor and Luisa's best friend recently celebrated his second birthday. It was so nice to hang out with friends, eat good food, and watch the little ones play. This will sound funny to you Michiganders, but I'd never been to a basement party before and I thought it was brilliant. Most houses don't have basements where I'm from in North Carolina! The party vibes were so nice and casual, and it was easy to keep the kids contained in one room in the basement. Juan and I dream about a finished room in our basement one day.

My friend Caroline had a genius idea: Every child left the party with a goodie bag filled with perfect on-the-go toys. Think tiny containers of Play Doh, a small Slinky, miniature bubble wands, tiny balls and plastic animals... Caroline told me that the toys are perfect to keep in a lunchbox to take with you on a trip or even just to a restaurant. That way your child has a kit ready with special toys that they don't see every day to entertain themselves. I love the idea, and can't wait to try it out tomorrow at dinner with my in-laws. :)

For every day, I keep a small set of Tegu blocks in my purse for Luisa. It's just the right size and has saved the day a few times already. She loves it, and it also makes a great birthday gift. If you'd like, join my Facebook group - I always post when Tegu pocket pouches go on sale.

(Photo from Luisa's first birthday party)

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Valentine's Gifts for the One You Love

I love to give art as gifts to friends, family, and especially to Juan, my husband. On occasion, I've even given my own drawings and paintings. There's something so special about receiving a lovely work of art to hang in your home. For those of us on a budget and with limited time on our hands, art prints are a perfect, meaningful gift. With Valentine's Day just two weeks away, I'd love to share a few beautiful art gifts from Minted for your love.

A foil-stamped Michigan map really makes a statement. (See all foil-stamped art here.)

Light in Dark by Jihye Back Kim has such a strong focal point and gorgeous colors.

Far Far Away by Andrew McClintock. Read the artist's statement, it's not what you think it is... ;)

Minted has a great selection of limited edition art prints, photo gifts, and custom gifts. Plus, enjoy 15% off all art gifts at Minted with code VALENTINE16 through this Sunday, 1/31. Thanks, Minted!

P.S. Be sure to join my Facebook group for deals on Valentine's Day gifts and more!

(Top photo of Shannon Althin's living room via Cup of Jo)

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This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated a small percentage if you make a purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Ann Arbor Kids Steals and Deals possible!

What's Your Parenting Motto?

I tend towards high strung, so during my pregnancy with Luisa, I focused on positive thinking...not just for the birth, but for parenting later on. I could imagine how easy it would be to get caught up in a whirlwind of anxious thoughts: What's wrong? Is it because she didn't nap long enough? Is it because she's teething? Is it because that 1/8 teaspoon of avocado that actually made it down her esophagus is giving her indigestion?

So, I came up with a phrase I could say to myself over and over, my baby motto: Babies be babies. Sometimes they cry for no reason, or they need to nurse all day long, or they won't sleep, or in newborn Luisa's case, they sleep all the time (don't be too jealous, it created other problems). Whenever I was struggling as a new mom, I said to myself, "Babies be babies," and didn't overthink it. It allowed me to do what I had to do to meet her needs without worrying. Who cares if she's teething or not? Being a baby is reason enough for behavior that doesn't make sense, because babies don't make sense.

In the last couple of weeks, Luisa has become a full-on toddler. I still tell her she's my baby, but she sure acts like a two-year-old all of a sudden (her birthday is coming up). I have a toddler motto now: She's struggling more than I am. When she's crying because she wants to undo her own buttons, yet can't figure it out herself, and won't let me help because that would be the worst thing ever... When she refuses to put on her mittens to play in the snow, and cries because we're leaving as a consequence... When she wants something else to eat, yet can't figure out what... She's more frustrated than I am.

I haven't quite found my peace with this new phase, but it helps to turn on teacher mode (I was a teacher and then a counselor in what seems like a past life). I'm a bit rusty after mothering a baby. Babies' wants ARE their needs, and you never need to be in teacher mode; you exist in mama mode 24/7, seemingly forever. Teacher mode is sort of like channeling an alpha dog's or a CEO's energy: calm, quiet, and in charge, with a commanding presence. I'm sure parenting a toddler will put me back into practice in no time. :)

What's your parenting motto? If your kids are older, how many parenting mottos have you had as they change? ;) I'd love to hear your thoughts!

BST to Save Money

The best way to afford the adorable, high-end children's clothes you love is to BST (buy, sell, trade). You can save money by buying used clothes from other parents, or by buying the clothes you want new and then selling when your children have outgrown them.

BST groups abound on Facebook and can be location-specific (like Ann Arbor High-End Kids Clothes BST) or brand-specific (Hanna Andersson, Tea Collection, Mini Boden, Matilda Jane, Janie and Jack, and many more). BST can seem like a hassle at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy and addictive. 

To keep the resale value of your kids' clothes high, it's important to keep them nice. In our house, Luisa has to earn the privilege of wearing clothes during meals. I find it way less of a hassle to undress her before meals than to treat laundry stains. If you do have to treat stains from playing outside or eating, Resolve Max Power gel will save the day. Wash the clothes inside out in cold water and consider hanging to dry. 

Once you're ready to post the clothes for sale, be sure to read the BST group's rules (usually in the pinned post of the Facebook group). This will make it easier for you and ensure that your post won't get deleted because you inadvertently didn't follow the rules. Iron the clothes just a little, if needed, and take good pictures with your phone (or DSLR, if you're feeling ambitious). Honestly describe the condition of the clothing and price it fairly. Remember, you'll make more money by selling for a fair price than you will by pricing it so high that no one wants to buy it. 

Here's an example listing that I recently sold on a Tea Collection BST group: "VGUC 3-6 months romper from Morocco. No signs of wash wear or fading; would say EUC, but VGUC to be safe. $15 shipped." You can describe clothing as NWT (new with tags), NWOT (new without tags), EUC (excellent used condition, practically new), VGUC (very good used condition, possible slight wash wear), GUC (good used condition, more wash wear and fading), or play condition (stains, small holes, or other damage). It's better to underestimate the condition of the clothing than to risk overstating its condition. 

Once someone has decided to buy your clothes, send them an invoice via PayPal. After they've paid, weigh the clothing and packaging together with a kitchen scale. You can enter the weight of the package and print a shipping label on PayPal, tape it to the poly mailer, and leave it in your mailbox with the flag up. (Poly mailers are the cheapest packaging for just 1-3 items of clothing; more than that, your best bet is a USPS Priority Flat Rate padded envelope.) So easy - you don't even have to go to the post office!

On local BST groups, on the other hand, you'll usually meet with a buyer in a public parking lot or just leave the clothing in a bag on your porch with a jar for cash (ppu, or porch pick up).

Have you tried BST? What are your favorite kids' clothing brands? I'd love to hear!

P.S. Buying clothes in advance and stashing is another great way to save money on adorable kids' clothes, if you buy during end-of-season sales. (What you wanted to buy may be sold out by then, though.) If you buy clothes on sale and resell later, you can really save money!

(Top photo by me of Luisa in our all-time favorite outfit: the Tea Collection Matisse dress from Morocco, spring/summer 2014.)

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Toddler's Day Out: Preschool Playtime at Gym America

Have you heard of Preschool Playtime at Gym America? My friend Pooja invited me to join her there this morning and I am so glad we went. Luisa had such a blast exploring the balance beam, trampoline, soft gymnastics floors, climbing bars, play equipment, and more.

You can go to Preschool Playtime every Monday and Friday, 9:45 to 10:45 am, until June 11. The cost per session is only $5 per child! Children who are walking up to five years old are welcome, and parents can wear or carry non-walking babies. Certified staff supervise the entire play session (and help the kids take turns on the trampolines :), but parents must stay with their children at all times. You can leave your things in cubbies in the locker room during the play session.

Luisa was so thrilled to try new things and see what she could do! I was impressed by how brave she was, climbing up high and jumping into the ball pit. I can't wait to see her try the swinging rope one day when she's a little bigger. I highly recommend Preschool Playtime, and can't wait to go to Gym America again before the season closes.