Costumes - Make sure your little ones costume is comfortable and big enough to go over a snowsuit if needed. Considering how temps can drop quickly in the evening, being able to layer clothes/sweater/jacket either under or over a costume is key. If your little one is walking on their own, make sure to have some sort of reflective fabric on their costume. Toddlers and young children can get super excited and dart off quick.
Transportation - If you're little one isn't walking yet, or is in their toddler years, it's a good idea to have a stroller/wagon available. This is also good for the inevitability of you having to carry the candy bag home ;)
Pre-trick or treat meal - Over the years I've learned to make sure my kids have at least a snack before going out. Depending on their ages, they might be excited to get going, but having a good dinner is the best way to keep from trying to eat all the treats along the way. Another lesson we *may have* learned the hard way is don't cook chili when you'll be out with out a bathroom ;)
Hydration - Having a water bottle handy is a great idea. Dehydrated kids (and parents) can make for a long night and meltdowns.
Enjoy the night - Halloween can be scary for little ones, if you come across a home that's too spooky for your child, skip it. Toddlers can also get overwhelmed seeing so many big people (older kids, teens, adults) dressed up in outfits they don't understand. Make sure to remind them that everything is pretend and they are safe. The biggest thing is to have fun. Follow your little ones lead, take your time, and take lots of pictures! They'll only be this little for a little while :)
Want a chance to win a Mini Self Care box? Head over to our Facebook group and enter our giveaway!
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Try out these tips to help ease Braxton Hicks contractions.
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If this is your first baby, here's a little run down on what these Braxton Hicks contractions are all about. They are caused by the tightening of the uterus as it readies itself for birth. They usually appear three months before your due date and intensify in frequency until the day you go into labour. However, these "practice contractions" can also be experienced much earlier on in pregnancy. Some people don't notice them at all, while others get them fairly regularly.
While it's normal to experience Braxton Hicks contractions at any point during your pregnancy, they tend to first be noticeable in your second trimester as your body releases hormones to prepare for labor. That's why they are also sometimes called "practice contractions". If these contractions become too frequent or painful, you should notify your care provider, but if they're infrequent and not painful, there's no need to worry.
The best way to cope with Braxton Hicks contractions in the third trimester is to get a good nights sleep. Along with creating a good sleep routine, here are a few other ideas that might help ease these false contractions:
Remember you are not alone in going through this. Braxton Hicks or false labour is your body's way of preparing for baby to arrive. So there is a purpose to the discomfort. If anything, it'll give you a chance to practice your breathing ;)
Have you been experiencing Braxton Hicks yet? Let me know any of your tips or tricks in the comments. I'd love to hear how you handle them!
First off, whether you're a seasoned parent or brand new, there is no way to be 100% ready. But there are a few ways to help make the transition a little easier. Check out our short (less than 10 seconds long) video on ideas.
]]>First off, whether you're a seasoned parent or brand new, there is no way to be 100% ready. But there are a few ways to help make the transition a little easier. Check out our short (less than 10 seconds long) video on ideas.
Here's the run down if you're not in the mood to watch the video :)
What are some ways you're preparing for postpartum? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to have some new ideas to share!
Looking to get a head start on your postpartum essentials? Head over to our Postpartum Box ;)
]]>I’ve been a birth doula for nearly 16 years and in this time doulas and their awareness has increased by leaps and bounds. We are however still a little miss represented in the media and many people confuse doulas with midwives.
Birth Doula Basics
A Doula for every season.
There are a few different types of doula as well. As I mentioned above, I am a birth doula, which means my main focus is pregnancy, birth and immediate postpartum. There are postpartum doulas, who focus on postpartum recovery, newborn care and all things after birth. There are even doulas for loss who can help navigate miscarriage and stillbirth.
In all situations we act as a companion that is non-medical. We can help as a sounding board to discuss tests and procedures, help make plans for future needs and provide education for the various stages of pregnancy & postpartum. We offer non biased support during your times of transition.
Working as a doula.
Being a birth doula has been one of my most rewarding careers. It is always such an honour to be invited into the birth space of any family. The doula lifestyle is not for everyone though, when I would have a full client load, it could mean I was on call for several months at a time. Having a young family in my early doula years was somewhat difficult. There were times when I couldn’t make plans or times when I missed family plans. My kids were usually pretty awesome about it. When I would get home from being gone all evening (or several days) they’d often ask how the parents were doing and they’d ask about baby stats. My kids have enjoyed hearing all the baby names over the years!
We’ll be posting doula facts and information all week long on our social media, feel free to join us on IG and FB. Do you have any doula questions?
]]>Today we're going to discuss breast/chest feeding, and offer a few tips to help along your journey. These are some things that helped myself when I was breastfeeding my littles.
I hope some of these tips can help you. When I first became a mother and started breastfeeding I didn't have a lot of support. Nowadays the internet has all the information! If you ever have questions, please reach out. Bundle of Joy Box is founded by a couple of moms who've been through a variety of concerns. We may not have the exact answer you're needing but we are always happy to try and help you find it. It takes a village, right?
Are you a breast/chest feeding parent? What words of advice would you offer a new family?
* I am not a medical professional. All information is for educational purposes and comes from own experience as a mother and birth doula.
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We're hoping to help you out with some of our favorite ways to get comfortable. We can't promise a solid 8 hours, but hopefully we can help a little.
We hope some of this helps. Let us know if you've tried any of our suggestions. What are your favorite tricks to get sleep? Feel free to share your ideas with us!
*Information given is for educational purposes only. Please discuss medical concerns with your practitioner.
]]>I want to take this as a little opportunity to share some of our up lifting moments and help you plan for the holidays by supporting local (Canadian makers).
First off, we are extremely grateful to have had so much positive feedback and support since our launch almost 9 months ago! Our little vision to connect Canadian families to Canadian makers has come to fruition and we love hearing from customers about how our boxes have brought them sunshine and joy this year. From people expecting their own little Bundles of Joy to people sending birthday gifts to family they couldn't celebrate with this year, we've been brought to tears a few times. We really thank you.
We've also made some amazing connections with makers and creators nationwide. It's been eye opening to chat with vendors all over our beautiful country. Every province deals with things in their own ways and every little area has seen its share of ups and downs. Creating these connections has helped give us the feeling that Canada is maybe giant in land, but we are all one sweet community.
Which brings me to "shopping local" this holiday season. I know your social media and emails are probably full of companies and people shouting about shop local. Which is beautiful, but also overwhelming. Everyone is still busy, and we don't all have the time to run around to every local shop trying to find the perfect gift. I wanted to take a moment to share a Canadian company that has managed to gather some very spectacular businesses in to its directory. They have also recently launched a discount club, which saves you even more when shopping from it's vendors. Shop Local Canada has an amazing variety, and you can check out tons of Canadian based businesses. All from the comfort of your cozy jammies.
If you've purchased from us in the past and would like to re buy from any of our makers, head over to our Creators/Suppliers Page. We are updating it weekly now as we are getting a variety of new items in :) Our suppliers are wonderful, so if you purchase from them, please be sure to say hi for us.
Once again, thank you all for the phenomenal support over the last several months. We are truly honoured!
-Natasha
P.S. We have a Cyber Weekend sale coming up November 27 so be sure to sign up for our newsletter for details.
P.P.S. Affiliate code above will reward us if you purchase from there.
]]>In alphabetical order:
Avent - This was a favorite of mine personally as it's what I knew from when my children were small. They are easy to wash, nipples come in various flow levels and they do the job.These are easy to find in stores and run about $25 on Amazon for a 3 pack.
Boon - This bottle is a favorite of Winnies. She's tried out every bottle on this list and this was a winner for her. She especially liked the silicone pouch design; it helps for reducing colic and no plastics touch milk or baby. She purchased at Superstore and can also be found on Amazon for around $25 for a 3 pack.
Dr. Browns - Several doula clients of nine have really liked this bottle. One thing they pointed out with this one was the vent system which really seemed to help with colic and reducing spit up. These can be found on Amazon for about $30 for a pack of 3.
Tommee Tippee - I haven't tried these myself, but several people have suggested them. These also have a vent system to hep with colic. They can be found on Amazon for around $30 for a 3 pack.
As every baby is different, you may need to test out a few bottles before finding your perfect one. Things I like to keep in mind when I am purchasing bottles is the ease of cleaning, nipple styles, do the bottles come in various sizes and how easily can I get replacement nipple/lids/etc.
Something else to look at when purchasing bottles, if you are a pumping parent, check and see if the bottle will fit directly on to your pump. I know when we traveled to BC last summer having the bottle fit the pump was really convenient for Winnie. She was able to pump in the back seat while on the drive and she didn't have to worry about transferring over to a bag immediately; which helped reduce any spills.
If you have a favorite bottle that's not listed, let me know! We love hearing from you.
* We are not affiliated with any of these products. This blog is for informational purposes only.
]]>Spinning Babies - Spinning Babies is all about fetal positioning. Packed full of videos, resources and tips on how to help baby get in the optimal position for birth. Spinning Babies is a favorite of mine for clients looking to practice positions for early labour and birth. It also has wonderful activities to do during pregnancy to help baby get/stay in a great position.
Evidence Based Birth - Evidence Based Birth is a wealth of pregnancy, labour and birth information and just as it's called, is backed by evidence and research. Quite often when you get a bit of advice and are wondering if it holds merit, you wonder how to validate it, this is the site to use to search up said advice. If you're looking at building a "birth plan" this site can help you sort out questions, needs, wants, etc on basically any procedure, medication or concern you have. When clients ask me about various care providers recommendations, I always suggest a look at Evidence Based Birth.
KellyMom - KellyMom is primarily a breastfeeding site, which is great to look into and plan around during pregnancy. The other wonderful part of this site is that it isn't just about breastfeeding; KellyMom offers resources for many stages of pregnancy, postpartum and parenting in general. This site currently has some really great information regarding Covid-19 and infant feeding, mental health and well-being to discussing Covid-19 with your children.
The Birth Hour - The Birth Hour is a podcast full of a variety of pregnancy and birth stories. Part of learning about pregnancy and birth involves hearing the stories of others. This site also has resources for pregnant and postpartum families. Their blog encompasses everything from morning sickness to postpartum depression. While we hope you're not dealing with either of those things, we know that many people are and this is a good place to look for hope and ideas to help get you through it.
Pregnant Chicken - Pregnant Chicken came across my feed several years back and was mostly a satire/comedy site on pregnancy, or so it seamed. It has turned in to much more than that over the years. This site still uses humour to discuss pregnancy and parenting, but it has many wonderful resources, tips and ideas for navigating everything from birth prep to parenting.
There are many other wonderful websites out there, these are just a few of what I normally suggest to my clients, friends, family... If you have a favorite pregnancy, birth, parenting website please drop a comment. We love gathering information for new families.
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It’s incredibly early in the morning when I write this, and I am watching my 1 year old daughter happily bounce in her jumperoo even though she is far older than most babies to continue to enjoy it so much. But who am I to deny her such delight? Plus it gives me some much needed rest before the craziness of the day starts. Very early wakes up still throw me for a loop, but if you had told me a few years ago I would be regularly getting up at 5 AM with only about 6 hours of sleep for an entire year I would have thought you were nuts. But that’s what happens before you have kids. You think you’ve felt fatigue, stress, anxiety and fear. But really you have NO IDEA what those are until you have a miniature version of yourself that relies solely on you and your ability to make decisions. All of the sudden you question every sneeze, thoroughly exam every mark, and know far too much about someone else’s poo habits.
My life is my home
But know this, I love the new life I have. Its scary and every day I question myself or something about her development, even a year later. She’s already a headstrong beautiful girl, and her dad and I know that she is going to be one spirited handful. But she’s the exact split image of us two, and it’s pretty incredible to witness her figure new things out, each and every day. You see them growing and becoming their own little person, but then you stare at your phone for hours on end when they are asleep, breathing in all the innocent sweetness of them as newborns. That’s one of the hardest parts of being a parent. You’re torn between enjoy the sweet moments of them when they were just little squishy balls of cuteness, to being present enough to enjoy the small moments that happen here and now, but then also worrying and dreaming of what their future’s potential may be. Sometimes I miss my simple life before her. But that’s all life was until I had her. Simple. Now my life is so full of love, so spontaneous yet planned, so full of people and things that I realize the true value of, so important. I have lot in my life that I would fight for now, and that’s why the last week has been a real test of just how Mama Bear I can be.
It’s a crazy world we live in these days…
Not only is it a time during a crazy pandemic that has almost crippled some world economies, but it’s also the time in which my husband and I bought a house, moved to a new town and are celebrating the growth of our daughter from becoming a baby to a full fledged toddler. It’s been a fast paced last 7 months, and the one thing that I thought would be constant was my job. Being a receptionist in a natural health clinic was not some goal I had as a child, but it had been a constant in my life for the last 2 years, and I had finally found somewhere that I enjoyed. But this pandemic has thrown everyone for a loop, that’s for sure. The whole world is scared, anxious, uncertain and constantly questioning.
But for now, I’m enjoying my coffee watching it rain outside while my rambunctious one is now asleep for her nap. I’m wondering what the upcoming week with my new job will be, how I’m going to balance being a mom and wife while also training in a job field I am completely fresh to. I’m trying to push the worries of the crazy big world off to the side to focus on my small little world, my family.
- Erin Uhlman, The Barista Mama
]]>5 of my favorite easy, portable (kind of), toddler approved snacks coming up :)
Cheese & crackers. This is probably a pretty normal snack. But if you're afraid that your little one is eating the same old cheese and crackers every day, switch up the crackers. There are so many flavours and style of cracker. My kids really enjoyed (and still do) the swiss cheese looking ones. You can also try some of the veggie flavoured varieties; red pepper, spinach, kale... I'm no Pinterest mom, but you can create your own little lunchables fairly easily.
Hummus & crackers or veggies. I'm from Newfoundland, and until I moved out west I didn't really try hummus. But since realizing the high protein value, it's a favorite around here. I also really love that it's super easy to make at home, so if the store brands are too spicy for toddler taste buds, you can make a very plain version for your little one. We keep cans of chickpeas in the cupboard all the time now!
Lentils/beans. With toddlers wanting to feed themselves, finding easy finger foods can sometimes be tricky. Believe it or not, canned lentils/chickpeas/beans can be an easy cool treat for them. I like chickpeas once again for this as they are relatively soft and are a perfect finger food size. Just open the can, put them in a bowl in the fridge to chill, and you have an easy protein snack on a warm day.
Watermelon cubes. Some melons are harder to chew, which is why I like watermelon cubes for little ones with few teeth. The texture of watermelon itself almost dissolves in your mouth. And, we all know there is nothing more refreshing than cool watermelon on a hot day.
Berries. Who doesn't like a good variety of berries? When my grandson is over he often munches on raspberries, currents, blueberries, etc. And when they aren't in season, we have a bag of frozen mixed berries; just take a cup of frozen berries out in the fridge over night, and bam, easy snack. Of course you can always make smoothies as well.
Also, keep in mind that there are many great prepackaged snack options out there for babies and toddlers. Don't feel bad if you're passing your little one cheerios or prepackaged snacks. None of this is a competition. While enjoy making at home for my children and grandson, sometimes having a handy squeeze tube is great!
What are your favorite snacks ideas? Let me know in the comments :)
I'm not a dietitian or nutritionist so if any of these are allergy triggers or what not, please make sure to follow your care providers advice.
]]>Don't pressure your older child to "love" baby immediately. Bringing in a new addition can be an uncertain time for your older ones. There will be lots of changes, and your child may not feel included in what's happening. Give your older children space and time to adapt.
Get your older child involved. To help with these uncertain feelings, let your older child pick out a toy for the new baby. Bring them when you're picking out baby items (diapers, clothes, etc). These simple tasks can show your older child that their opinion and concern for baby is important to you, which helps to solidify their understanding that you aren't replacing them.
Find books about new babies. Reading stories about how new babies act, what they wear, eat and so on will help your older child understand what to expect of their new sibling. Even books about baby animals is a great start. Talk about the size difference in a toddler, older child, parent, etc. There are so many wonderful books out there that can help explain what a new baby does.
Get them their own baby doll. You want to share how to nurture and be gentle to a little baby. Show them to be soft and quiet with their special little baby, and remember to tell them "good job" when they're holding their little doll/stuffy.
Share pictures of them as a baby! This one is great for both teaching your child what to expect from a new baby and for solidifying your bond with your older child. They can see how careful you were with them, how much you loved them as a baby, and they can see how important this baby is to you all.
Finally, as the days get busier with a new baby, remember to seek out time for you and the older child. I know first hand how hard this one can be, but it's so important. Anything from a full on date with dinner and a movie to a 5 minute walk outside helps remind your older child that they are just as important as your new bundle.
Do you have any other tips? Please leave your thoughts below!
]]>If you're wanting to create designated play bins with a specific touch and theme, that's also ok! This post is about showcasing how simple (and cheap) sensory bin creation can be. You only need 3 things!
First off, my grandson still likes to taste almost anything he holds. In creating this bin I had to make sure the items were not a choking hazard to him, and that if he did try and eat some it had to be safe. I decided on rice krispie cereal for the bulk of the bin. I grabbed some finger puppets that are a decent size (will not get stuck in the little dudes throat) and an 8x10 bin with lid. Now, if you have the cereal and bin in your home already, you're halfway there. If not, these items and toys can be purchased at the dollar store or grocery store for less than $15. My house is over run with teenagers, so I don't have many "baby" toys around, although the collection is growing much to my husbands protests...
Anyways, it really is simple. I poured about an inch deep of krispies in the bin. Tossed in the finger puppets and prepared for cereal all over my living room floor. In reading about toddler use of sensory bins, I noticed a few parents explaining that you do have to teach your kids to use the bins properly. Which just means reinforcing that the cereal stays in the bin, otherwise you will end up with a bit of a mess. Initially there was a knee jerk reaction, "I thought the point of sensory playing was playing on their terms". I didn't really want to have to sit and determine the fun for my grandson. In this case though, it isn't so much as structuring the play, but helping him understand consequences and him learning that some things go in some spots. Neither of those are bad, we teach our children these things all the time without always consciously realizing it, as the goal is to create good humans.
BossBaby loves it! I sat on the floor and we talked about the toys colours, pretended to walk them through the cereal, bury them, make little paths. Then I sat back and watched him create his own joy. I did remind him cereal goes in the bin. But I also let him crush some on the floor, which I probably wouldn't have done if we had carpet. If you do have carpet I'd suggest laying down a tablecloth of shower curtain if you want an way way to contain the spillage, because it will happen.
Overall he sat and played for about 30 minutes. Which, considering a toddler attention span, I thought it was pretty good. He liked having a new toy to play with, and I can change out the toys inside so it can always be "new". Overall, this little task is a win.
One more thing I'd like to ad, you do not have to go out and buy brand new items for this bin. Anything can be a sensory toy. And once your little one is out of eating everything you can also switch out the cereal for dried beans, rice, beads, etc. Part of the fun in these bins is re learning how kids see the world. Talk about shapes and colours. Ask them how it feels to smash the cereal. Creating experiences isn't supposed to be stressful. Here's a couple other ideas for changing out the toys.
Have a great week!
- Natasha
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Off the top of my head, I always suggest switching to smaller meals. Keeping your meals light and easily digestible seem to help a little. Keeping super greasy foods to a minimal can also make things easier. If this isn't your first child and you're busy with older children, work or life in general and can't plan small meals regularly, snacking throughout the day is a great way to get in the extra calories while also not overloading your tummy. Some simple snack ideas could be hummus and crackers/veggies, soups, fresh fruit and smoothies.
There are candies geared towards morning sickness. I found them amazing when I was pregnant with my fourth. If you can't get your hands on pregnancy specific candies/lozenges, you can also try ginger style gravol. Actually, ginger teas have been known to help in pregnancy as well. You can quite often find specific tea blends for pregnancy that also have a variety of herbs to help with many things.
If you're looking into alternative health practices, acupuncture and/or acupressure does wonders for nausea! Many acupuncturists have taken training specifically for pregnancy needs, try and find one that can also show you pressure points for at home use. Normally these points are easy to find and can be done anywhere.
Consider taking your prenatal vitamins at a different time during the day. I've talked to so many people that find their nausea starts within half hour of having their prenatal vitamin. Something as simple as taking it in the evening instead of the morning could be the trick to easy some symptoms. If that doesn't work, speaking with your care provider about a different brand or type might be worth it. Some people do horribly on the traditional large hard tablet and do wonderfully on a gummie variety.
If you are taking supplements and don't mind looking at something new, Vitamin B6 has been studied to help with nausea. Some prenatal vitamins might have it, but you might need a little more.
Another little tip that I've learned as a doula is using aromatherapy. Peppermint/minty scents seem to work well as an anti nausea aid. They can also be used on a wash cloth during labour to help get rid of the pukey feelings that can happen then. Just a tiny drop on the damp cloth, and inhale a small bit. I use a wash cloth so it can be rinsed in the scent is too strong.
If you are diagnosed with HG unfortunately there may not be a lot that can help. Most care providers will offer medications (which are deemed pregnancy safe), and possibly IVs in severe cases.
Trying to stay on top of things while pregnant can be hard, so don't feel obligated to do all the things. If you find one that works for you, go with it.
Best of luck! If you have any other tips or tricks that worked for you, please share with me. We really appreciate your feedback.
- Natasha
*Remember I am not a medical provider. I have over 15 years working with pregnant families, however before changing medications, supplements, etc I suggest talking with your midwife or care provider.
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Since I've survived 4 pregnancies, I figured I should give you some tips on staying cool and comfy this summer.
1 - Comfy, cotton clothes. When I was pregnant my skin was supper sensitive, and fabric of any sort used to bug me. Since I couldn't be naked, I found some really great tops and low rise shorts that were high cotton count with a little stretch. The more natural the fiber, the better it felt. This might be a bit TMI, but I also really loved bamboo underwear!
2 - A small portable fan. If you don't have an air conditioner or if you work somewhere without air conditioning. When I was working I had a small fan near my til that I'd move around to where ever I was stationed. At home we didn't have air conditioning, so I had to do the same. Nowadays, you can get those little fans that plug right into your computer, I think those would have been a life saver to have handy. Another great fan tip I've picked up as a doula is about a little battery operated fan that has a squirt bottle attached. Clients have loved them in pregnancy, and they are also super handy while in labour!
3 - Frozen fruit in ice water. I still always keep my water bottle full and next to me, but having some frozen berries tossed in helps keep the water cooler and adds a little fun. The little bit of flavour and sugar probably helps some too. When you're at home, keep a jug of cucumber water in the fridge!
4 - Peppermint foot lotion. Seriously, if I were ever pregnant again, this is on my top 10 of must have things! Whether you're working and on your feet all day or simply chilling at home watching movies, it feels so good to have your feet rubbed for starters. Second of all, the peppermint helps cool those doggies down, and in turn helps cool you off. If you want a double treat, find a minty foot soak to start off with ;)
5 - Rice bag. Remember those magical microwave bag thingies? Those are great! Pop it in the freezer and you can have an instant cooled neck and shoulders after a long hot sunny day. If you don't know where to get one, or want to try that asap, just fill a sock with rice. This also doubles as a great tool for labour, you can heat it up and put it on your lower back during contractions :)
Bonus #6 - A kiddie pool. If you have the space to get a little inflatable pool, do it. Just enough to get your butt and feet wet. I know you can sit in the tub, but on hot evenings while you're having a BBQ on the deck, that little pool is heaven!
Any tips you can think of? Tell me below! We might feature them on social media. And don't forget to share this blog with any expecting friends who need summer pregnancy tips!
Enjoy your weekend!
Love,
Natasha
]]>I know, some people still aren't sure about the bees. They buzz, fly in your face while gardening and can leave a tender sting if provoked. But trust me, we need the bees and I'm so glad there is an actual World Bee Day to help raise bee awareness. If you haven't heard yet, bees are pollinators. They are a huge help with our food supply, which is why people are encouraged to plant bee friendly flowers and leave the dandelions in the spring.
We have several bee friendly creators in our boxes, and I wanted to do a little shout out as a thank you for the work they do.
Just for fun, here are 5 cute bee facts:
Thanks so much for learning about our little creators, both the bees and suppliers ;)
We have so many outstanding makers who work hard to provide wholesome foods, reusable home care products, sustainable self care items... I think we'll just have to create some other national days to highlight some more!
Have a bee-eautiful day!
- Natasha
]]>Immediately upon meeting Wayne I was at ease with how the day would go. I had never been professionally done up, and was initially a little nervous. I honestly never put on more than moisturizer and mascara most most days, so a full face and hair seemed a little daunting. Wayne was sweet enough to explain everything she was using, and had the patience to work on me while I sat fidgeting. The look she put together had me glowing, and I have never forgotten how her and the photographers made me feel that day.
Fast forward to the launch of Bundle of Joy Box. I've followed Wayne on social media for years, and she has recently started her YouTube Channel doing tutorials and unboxings. I felt I had to reach out! Not only do I love sharing our Momma Boxes, I love when I can collaborate with other local talent. I reached out over social media a few weeks back, explained what we are doing here, and asked if she'd be willing to give us a shout out. Wayne got back to me with ideas and excitement to work together. It was awesome!
We've been trying to get our name out to Edmonton area businesses regarding our pregnancy and postpartum subscription boxes, so having an Edmonton local promote us would be wonderful. We also wanted to showcase part of our new Momma Care line, so we figured we had to get Wayne our Mega Momma Box!
Just this past weekend we dropped off the Momma box for her to review. I think she did a beautiful job and I just want to say thanks!!
Check out Wayne K Artistry on Facebook and Instagram
If you're a local artist, vendor, creator, maker... and want to collaborate on items in the box or share what we have to offer, please reach out! We aren't just a pregnancy & postpartum box ;)
-Natasha
]]>Our first post comes from a friend in Calgary. Thank you Marissa for sharing this with us.
I have 2 kids. My daughter is 11, and my son is 9, we live together in a small main floor home with my fiancé (not their bio dad). Parenting through this pandemic and physical distancing has been a challenge in so many ways, and I think our situation is a little bit unique.
My ex husband and I share our children 50/50, and we’ve tried to maintain that part of our routine since school is out. My ex hasn’t lost his job and continues to work, so my fiancé and I have the kids during “school hours” during the days to allow my ex husband to keep working.
At first when school was cancelled, my fiancé, ex husband, and I agreed we’d follow the sample schedule the kids school gave us to work through school work, and PE time, plus family time. So on my ex husbands days, he’d drop the kids off with us at 9am and we’d begin “school”.
It was a nightmare. First day went well, second day was alright, and by the third day we were getting stressed out. We thought it would help the kids to keep to a routine similar to school to help them cope with what is happening in the world. I thought it would mean they would be occupied and I could work on my own studies as I’m a full time student at SAIT, and my fiancé was laid off from the hospitality industry.
This routine was not working. My kids can’t just be distracted from the world and think everything is fine.
I had to realize they are struggling as much as we were struggling. I’ve completely changed my ideas on how I would teach and parent through this pandemic. My kids miss their friends, and school, and the only way they feel normal is to talk to their friends.
I’ve given up on screen time rules. My daughter is attached to her iPad all day playing video games and chatting with her friends. And that’s okay because she’s scared of what happening right now. She finds comfort in her friends and if being connected for the entire day helps her through this uncertain time, then so be it. If it keeps her from crying everyday then She can absolutely have unrestricted time on her iPad.
My son is the introvert, he doesn’t mind staying home all day and being alone, but even he is struggling with this. He hides in his room, plays on his iPad to distract himself from not being allowed to go out into any shops with me. His iPad is saving his mental health.
We stopped following the schedule from the school. We do 30 mins of literacy if we feel like it and then 30 minutes of math. But I’m disregarding due dates or deadlines the teachers are giving. This isn’t a time to stress about school work, and is about just making sure we survive mentally through this as a family.
It’s been a big lesson in letting go for myself, not only as a parent, but also as a post secondary student. I’ve gone from a GPA of 3.8, to just having to be okay with a pass. This isn’t normal, and we shouldn’t be expecting ourselves to be at our best right now, and that includes our kids. We all deserve some slack to just make it through this pandemic.
We all deserve some slack to just make it through this pandemic.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
If you want to be featured in our Parenting During the Pandemic blog, please send us an email, bundleofjoybox@gmail.com. We look forward to reading and hearing everyone's perspective.
]]>We've recently had the pleasure of being (virtually) interviewed by Krystal of Modern Mama Edmonton. She is doing a weekly blog post showcasing local area small businesses. In this economic time, that's such a thoughtful thing for her to be doing. Many small businesses are definitely feeling the crunch, and we really appreciate her sharing the small business love.
If you aren't familiar with what Modern Mama is all about, it's a national organization created to get new moms out. Built around creating a supportive community for parents, they offer insights and services to help beat some of the isolation being a new mom can bring. They have locations nationwide and help new parents find services by reviewing what's happening in their location. As a new parent, we don't always have time to do everything, so it helps narrow down what each parent would enjoy most. Very cool!
With social distancing and isolation in the forefront of everyone's agenda these days, having an online resource that keeps up with small businesses is a wonderful service. Be sure to have a peak at their other reviews, information and parenting resources.
Have a look at our interview. There may even be a special promo code in there ;)
Have a great week!
Love,
Natasha
]]>Unfortunately in the meantime the world has taken a painful hit with Covid-19. We initially weren't sure if we should, or even will still, launch for April. After many heartfelt chats on how to proceed, we're adapting. We currently do not have the subscription option available for ordering. With shipping times being uncertain, we do not want to promise that we can send out items/boxes that we may have difficulty getting or providing. What we have decided to do in the mean time is offer everyone the current boxes and an extra coupon code in each box to offset the cost for reorders. This isn't how we wanted to start off, but in such times we need to be flexible.
Winnie and I have also heard from people that they still want a box! Which makes our hearts melt, and solidified the decision to launch. So, we are plugging along and are looking forward to sharing our service with you all.
Make sure to take a moment and sign up for our newsletter. We are working on intros to our suppliers so that you can follow up with them for future needs. And, we'll be sending out pregnancy and postpartum related content to help you pass the time :)
If you are a creator and would like an outlet for your items, please submit an application.
Love,
Natasha
]]>The summer of 2019 my first grandchild was born. My eldest daughter Winnie, was looking for ways to reduce home waste for her growing family. While looking at makers and products in Canada, she wished there was an easier way to find the people making these things. And she also wished that she could get a mix of items to try out, instead of travelling all over town with a new baby. We started talking about a subscription box.
Wouldn't it be great if during your pregnancy you could get a box each trimester, with pregnancy support items, practical use items, and snacks?! Oh, and some extra special items to help keep your pregnancy glow! And, because we understand postpartum is also a time of healing and bonding, you get a box for that, too.
This is our vision, Bundle of Joy Box is a mother-daughter start up, on a mission to bridge the gap between growing Canadian families to Canadian makers. We aim to curate our boxes to not only be beneficial for new families, but the planet we co-exist on.
Thanks for reading. Don't forget to sign up for our pre sale code!
Love,
Natasha
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