Positive Parenting News

I'm not talking about "positive parenting" (but if you haven't heard of it, google it - it actually is positive!). I'm talking about news for parents that is happy. We're constantly bombarded with a litany of awful things in our news - which has a variety of causes, of course, but it can certainly be disconcerting - even depressing. It's not exactly easy to find the "good stuff" amidst all that - so I've been on a mission to find some for you.

How about the Roots of Empathy program - an elementary school model designed to teach children compassion? That is pretty cool, if you ask me.

Or Rowan O'Neill, who saved a choking baby's life in Australia - a perfect stranger, who saw an immediate need and filled it? That little girl lives because of one man's doing what needed to be done. Amazing.

Antoinette Tuff prevented a mass school shooting a few days ago - by being compassionate. Hope you heard about her! (Maybe she should get involved in Roots of Empathy?)

Have you heard of Little Free Library? It's a mission to promote literacy and build community... and of course recycle :) There's at least one right in our back yard, too - check out the children's garden at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton! (Picture above)

This may not sound good, but it's really quite positive - a study recently showed that a low fat diet in infants and toddlers correlates to being overweight as adults. What's good about it? We're studying what we can do with our children to make them healthier adults - and it looks like one of those things may be including healthy fats in their diet! (No, don't rush to Burger King... but maybe take a second look at avocados!)

What good news have you heard lately? What's the news for your family? Let's hear from you!

Cost of a Nursery - Inexpensive Furniture and Decor

There are many different ways to do a nursery, and many ways to do it on a budget - you don't have to give up style or a personalized experience to do so!

If you already have a crib, update your bedding, rug, maybe even the lighting. Little things can make a big difference. Repaint your room (we sell Lullaby Paints!). Repurpose a dresser into a changing table/dresser for your little one! Let's talk about just the basics, if you're starting from the ground up...

Oeuf's Rhea crib is sleek, stylish, modern, and well under $1000. A splurge on your chair is Monte's Alto rocker, also still under $1000. You could always reuse a crib or a chair that you already have and cut your budget down to almost nothing, while still giving yourself a new, stylish nursery!

Crib - Oeuf Rhea - $670
Dresser - repurposed from another room or purchased used - $100 + $50 for paint
Rug - Shaggy Raggy rug from Rug Market $200 (depends on size)
Art - DIY - $50 for canvases and paint
Sheets - Two extra sheets from Crib Critters - Total $37
Crib set - Two piece set from New Arrivals $206
Chair - Monte Alto Rocker $795

Total for a whole new room: $2212. Remember that you could definitely do this on less with more repurposing, but if you don't have a crib or chair that would work, they are included here!

Red Tricycle and Daisy Baby!

We've partnered with our friends at Red Tricycle DC and we are giving away a $500 Gift Certificate! Don't forget to vote for Daisy Baby - we've been nominated for two categories! http://ow.ly/nBtne http://ow.ly/nBto1

Have you heard of Red Tricycle before? It's a cool service (FREE!) that lets you know about fun, family-centered things to do in your area - events, food, activities... it's pretty fantastic. And every year they have an awards ceremony, where locals vote on their favorites in a bunch of categories! We're so excited about being nominated, and also that we've partnered with Red Tricycle to offer a gift certificate in their giveaway! So, head over and vote for us, and enter to win!