Survival Tips for New Parents

Since the New Year has finally arrived, I started thinking about what I would’ve loved to have known before I became a new mom.  As you may or may not know from previous posts, I had done research on what it might be like for me having a disability and being a mom as much as I could through books but, looking back now, I’ve learned some things as the years have gone on, that not only would’ve been helpful to me for certain reasons, but would’ve made the journey of parenting a bit less stressful.  My hope is to inspire people, disabled as well as not disabled alike, and put more ideas in their toolbox of parenting to make their days a lot more productive and a little less stressful.  Included are three things I’ve found most important so far that I wish I would’ve known, but am glad to have recently discovered, that have been of great help to me.

Organization is a big thing, especially right before baby arrives.  We spend lots of time painting rooms, buying cribs and washing clothes before the first time our baby will wear them.  This is very important and part of the excitement of our little one’s arrival. Although this can be a very hectic time, it would also be a good idea to reorganize your home too. Places like the kitchen might be a good place to start. This would help so that during those 2 a.m. feedings, you have a good idea exactly where things can be found.  As our kids get older, this idea will help make it easier to organize things like toys, books and even games.

Make a simple routine commonplace.  At first, there’s more times than not an adjustment period to your babies sleep habits.  Once that has been worked out, it’s a good idea to get them into a routine that works for you and your family.  It may take some time to figure this out, but the benefits can be many and help your child in a variety of ways.  It helps set expectations at home and at school so that they have a predictable environment where they can feel safe and secure.  This is also helpful to you as their parent because you can have a better idea of how you’ll be able to get certain things, like laundry or paying bills done in a timely manner.  Although these may not be our favorite things to do, it’s no doubt a stress reliever one they’re done.

Find fun and low or no cost “baby and me” activities to help in the development of not only your baby but also for yourself as a parent.  Local libraries and community centers have great activities and resources from almost birth for you and your baby.  Starting early to develop not only your bond with your child, but also bonds for both of you in your community is a great resource.  Not only can your child play with friends their age but, you could also connect with parents and get advice on different aspects of parenting, or even the name of a good pediatrician in your area.

Everyone parents differently, and there is no one “right” way to do it.  It’s really all about what works for you and your family.  You may decide that none of these ideas are for you, or all of them work great.  It might be that this post gets you thinking about what might work for you and how to implement it into your life.  It’s never too late to try and make changes to improve your home life in ways you see fit.  Lastly, enjoy your baby at every stage of their growth and development.  The time passes very quickly, and before you know it you’re wondering where your baby has gone.  Hopefully these tips can help you maximize your enjoyment, time and memories you make with your child,  while minimizing the everyday stress that’s a normal part of life.

Thanks for reading..

cr

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Instacart Review

Modern conveniences exist everywhere you turn in today’s world.  Grocery shopping is now no longer any different.  Instacart is the service where you can order groceries and other items from a selection of stores online.  Once you’ve submitted your order the items are delivered right to your door the same day.  It’s been a while since I posted about the service, however I hadn’t used it at the time.  Recently, I decided to use the service to see what it was all about.  I’m very pleased to say that my experience was very good.  Although I still plan to go out to purchase my groceries, I wanted to talk about my overall experience.  Not only can a person with a disability use this service but, it’s also extremely handy for people in a pinch to shop for their groceries.  Let’s be honest, who hasn’t had the occasional unexpected visitor suddenly appear at their front door? Instacart is a way your food problems can be solved with a click of your computer’s mouse.

Upon signing up for the service, there’s a two-week trial period to try it out to see if it’s going to work for you.  After signing up one of the tricks no one tells you about is to follow the specific sales that are posted at the online store and not necessarily the ones in your local supermarket circular, even if you’re shopping at that supermarket’s online presence through Instacart.  The idea is that Instacart is its own company.  Although your items do come from the store you choose, some of the prices are different.  There’s also a service fee that’s charged when you pay for the items in your shopping cart that can be waived.

It’s just like shopping online but has its perks. Once I’ve chosen my items, I pay for my purchase and can then choose the time I want my groceries to be delivered to me.  The cool thing is once a shopper has been assigned your order, you get a text message to let you know they have started to shop.  Also, if there’s an item you’ve picked that’s out of stock, you’ll get a text message telling you what’s going on and letting you know if there’s a substitution for the item.  My Instacart shopper has also texted me to make sure the substitution is acceptable.  When the shopper is at the checkout, you’ll also receive text message to give you a status on your order.  Finally, you’ll get an estimated time of arrival for your groceries.  The shopper arrives within the window of time stated and has been friendly and helpful with my items.

At the end of the day, this service has many benefits for many people, including people with disabilities.  Although there’s a membership fee for the service charged after the trial period, the overall benefits and cost savings that might come from its use for your situation might sway you to find a way to include it in your budget.

It’s no secret that technology and its advances have changed the way we interact with different aspects of society.  Being able to buy groceries online and have them brought to your door the same day is just another example of this.  It solves a problem and enhances people’s independence. Not only is this now another convenience we can all experience in everyday life but, more importantly and I believe unknowingly to its creators, addresses a population’s needs that had previously not been thought of in the past for various reasons.  Yet another layer of empowerment has been made available that everyone can experience just by sitting in front of their computers.

Student Disability Services and their Expanding Possibilities

It’s back to school time once again.  For most students, this means shopping lists of new clothes, shoes and books, just to name a few things.  If you’re a college student with a disability, it’s also time to get the required paperwork in to the Students with Disabilities Office at your college or University so that you can get the accommodations you might need to complete your coursework in each class.   The Office of Students with Disabilities Services that’s available at Colleges and Universities does a good job helping those students navigate the academic part of being a student.  There are however gaps in the services provided that can and should be filled.  This article will outline some ideas that might make the experience students gain from utilizing the services provided a fuller one in what it is to be a college student.

Although historically this office was started by students with disabilities, the human touch of this idea is almost nonexistent.  Colleges and Universities should allow this to also be a place where students can gather and talk with other disabled students about experiences like dating and socializing in a college atmosphere that’s specific to them. Even if the specific office isn’t used as an area for this type of dialogue to occur, something like having a mentor, in the form of an older student to share advice from a disability standpoint would be beneficial to all students involved.  This idea would also help the student develop socially if, for example, it is their first time away from home.  Most of the time college is a young adult’s first experience in the “real world”.  It could even be a comforting thought to have a “buddy” waiting for them on their new adventure.  This idea doesn’t have to be mandatory but, at least be offered to new or transfer students so they get the opportunity to participate in such a program.

Workshops packed with valuable real-life information could also be offered.  As a result students could increase their base of information and be more informed about the world around them outside of academics. Guest speakers or webinars should be offered to students so they get the full experience of what it means to be a young adult.  A survey could be conducted to find out what topics students might be interested in getting more information about.  A range of topics could be offered in a relaxed environment, and would also be another opportunity for students to socialize with each other.  Additionally, it could be an opportunity to make connections out in the community that might benefit students in the future.

Finally, transitional information for things like housing and employment options for people with disabilities could be available.  This would be particularly helpful so those students who are going to live alone for the first time after college won’t be so apprehensive about the experience.  The services various offices of students with disability services make available on all campuses are invaluable to each student they help.  They provide services and supports to those students that utilize the office and help engage students on different levels as well as in different areas.  These are simply some suggestions which could only enhance the experience of being a college student with a disability.

Potty Training Made Easier

Potty Training your toddler can be a daunting task for any parent, much less one who has a disability.  When I started training my son during the day, I’d lead him to the bathroom every twenty to thirty minutes so there wouldn’t be the inevitable accident most parents dread.  This went on until he got into a routine and no longer needed supervision.  I was so proud that not only did he gain a bit more independence from me but, that was less time I had to worry about changing diapers. Step one was complete.  The next phase was night time training. This was something I wasn’t looking forward to in the least.  I’d been told stories about how I’d be changing sheets at 3 o’clock in the morning and having extra loads of laundry to look forward to.  Needless to say this  wasn’t appealing to me at all.  At the same time, I knew I’d have to take the bull by the horns sooner or later and pretty much conquer the unknown.

We started the journey of night time training by implementing the idea of using the bathroom before nap time.  My idea was not to inundate him with the full transition all at once.  I also took an extra step and bought a plastic mattress cover that I placed underneath the sheets.  Then, we made a trip to the store and I bought extra underwear along with a few extra sets of pajamas.  Surely, I thought to myself,  this was going to equal so many more loads of laundry than is normally the case.  While going through the aisles, I stumbled upon Goodnites Disposable Bed Mats.  I decided to give them a try and put them on top of my son’s sheets to see what would happen.  I figured at the very least, they might save me from doing some extra laundry.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the few times I needed to change them (yes, and it was at 3 in the morning), they were absorbent and did not even wet  down to the sheets in the slightest.  It’s not generally been my habit in the past to use my posts to review products, or endorse one thing or another either way, however, I feel I’d be doing readers a disservice if I didn’t attempt to give tips to parents who are both disabled and not disabled on ideas that might help getting through these milestones a bit easier.

Because of the limited use of my hand, I found changing the pad, instead of changing his sheets to be fast and easy.  One pointer I can think of is to be careful when you are initially putting a pad on the sheets.  The adhesive side of the pads are super sticky so be prepared to immediately put it down on the mattress.  If not, it’s possible that it will stick together.  This could be an unnecessary headache, especially at 3 in the morning.  The only extra suggestion I have as far as using this product would be to buy a few packs at a time, at least in the beginning.  In the end, this product has made the experience an even easier task to tackle then I originally thought it would be.  It’s also made the transition for my son to be fully toilet trained faster than expected.  As a result, he has become even more independent than before, and wakes up dry every morning.  This makes both of us proud that we’ve conquered yet another goal together with shining success.

Thanks for reading..

cr

Where Grocery Shopping Just Became Easier..

Who doesn’t love shopping on the Internet these days? One of the supermarket chains in the South East just took this idea to a whole new level. As of today, Publix Supermarkets now offers a service through a company called Shipt. This is how it works: you pick out your groceries through an app and your groceries can be delivered to your door in as little as an hour.

This is a great idea for those people who have difficulty getting to the store because they don’t drive or have a hard time getting out of the house all together. I’ve heard of other supermarkets in various states providing similar services but, am really happy that Publix has stepped up to the plate to offer this service to their customers too.

While there is a charge for the service, they also provide free deliveries of your groceries on orders over $35. In the long run, it’s really not bad since more than likely you’d have to pay someone to help you get to the store anyway. Lucky for me, Publix is the grocery store where I shop on a weekly basis.

Just think how many people this service will be able to help. Even if you forget a few things at the store, and don’t have time to go back and get them, this alternative can be of great assistance. In a subsequent post, I’ll rate the service and talk in depth about my overall experience. I’m really excited to see how this piece of technology actually works since I think it’s pretty cool to take care of your grocery list right from your smartphone. While they advertise that they have a wide variety of items for you to choose from, I even read that if your item isn’t available for some reason, your shopper will text you with other items that are at the store which are similar to what you need. Lastly, it’s a great resource to have available that will make living independently for many people that much more easier.

What do you think about having this option available in your area?

For more information check out the link below:

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/shipt-offer-publix-online-grocery-shopping-home-de/nnX6m/

Thanks for reading..

cr

Caitlyn Jenner’s Speech has Potential to Reach Many

This past week, Caitlyn Jenner accepted The Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPYs. Since the announcement that Bruce Jenner, an Olympic Medalist and past spokesperson, was transitioning to become Caitlyn Jenner people have voiced mixed reactions on every form of Social Media. I didn’t get to see the speech on television when it aired, but caught it the next day on YouTube.

At first, I, like a lot of other people, felt like Noah Galloway should receive the award. Now, I feel like I understand why Caitlyn Jenner got it instead of Noah. In my opinion, the simple fact that Caitlyn Jenner gave such an eloquent speech with such a powerful message, not only about and for the transgender community but, also, if we step back for a moment, a message that could be applied to the disabled community as well, is a sign of courage all by itself.  The main theme of her speech was about acceptance, no matter our differences. If we really take a moment to think about it, acceptance as a whole is what everyone ultimately wants.

In Caitlyn’s speech, she talks about the transgender youth that are bullied and even commit suicide because they’re just trying to live the way they’re most comfortable in their skin. I have to admit, I remember seeing Bruce Jenner on cereal boxes as a kid and yet no one knew the suffering he was dealing with in private. I can also think about how many kids in school may get bullied and made fun of just because of their disability. I read an article saying that if Caitlyn Jenner helped one transgender youth with her speech, that made her a hero. What if her speech also helped someone with a disability, because somewhere along the line that person felt different, and as a result not adequate?  I’m not sure that’s the case but with the wide reach of the internet, anything is possible.

Whatever opinion you have about Caitlyn Jenner and what she chooses to do with her life is your own, and really not what I’m trying to focus on here. The fact that someone is attempting to use their lives to knock down barriers so that we become more compassionate to one another is what stuck out to me. Although she isn’t the first, or only celebrity to do this, I have to applaud her for being vocal on a subject that so few people mention, even in a whisper. I hope more celebrities speak out and use their names to help gain acceptance for all groups that have been coined as “different” in today’s world.

Only through acceptance of one another, no matter our differences, can we all be afforded the opportunity to experience life to the fullest. Such opportunities have the potential to open doors for things like gaining employment, having more relaxed conversations with people about dating and disability, addressing our healthcare concerns, and even being parents with a disability if that’s what we choose to pursue. The potential for open dialogue on these and many other issues has just increased tenfold because of one person’s speech about acceptance in our society.

Thanks for reading..
cr

Proposed U.S. Bill Helps Traveling Parents with Disabilities

Summer months are a time for kids to be out of school. It also makes me think about lazy days drinking lemonade to cool off from the hot sun, having barbecues and family reunions, just to name a few fun things. It also stirs up images of taking vacations with family. Thinking about what part of the country, or even the world, you’d like to see, or what adventure you might go on to get a break from everyday life are fun and necessary for most people to “recharge their batteries” from the stresses of life.

Have you ever thought about traveling with your baby? For most parents, while there’s lots of planning that needs to happen for the event, others may sometimes be nervous about this undertaking. Parents with disabilities may even think this isn’t a possibility for them at all. Luckily, there seems to be hope on the horizon. There’s a proposed new U.S. Bill trying to make lactation rooms available to breastfeeding mothers. The room also has to be accessible to people with disabilities. I realize that traveling with a baby or young child isn’t the easiest thing to do when you have a disability. But, due to small changes like this, we could have the opportunity to share in experiences and memories with more ease and less anxiety about the experience. People may not have given the idea of traveling a second thought but maybe now, with this new proposed Bill, parents with disabilities can think a little bit more about the possibility of travel with their families.

While the Bill isn’t intended to focus directly on parents with disabilities, I feel like it’s another step in the right direction. Whether you breastfeed your kids or not, it’s a great idea to have a room at the airport accessible to parents with disabilities to tend to their baby’s needs. I wonder how many more parents with disabilities would entertain the thought of traveling with their families, or even by themselves with their babies and young children, if they felt like airports and other entities that facilitate travel would be more welcoming to them?

Would more accessible services to parents with disabilities make you more willing to go on vacation with your family?

Thanks for reading..

cr

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-airport-breastfeeding-duckworth-met-20150526-story.html