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Becoming a Parent During COVID-19

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We are surrounded by images of blissful motherhood on social media, TV and in magazines. But many new mothers experience some distressing feelings after giving birth. That’s normal because the responsibilities of being a new parent are both tough … and exhausting. Fathers are also at risk of depression after the birth of a baby, and the risk goes up significantly when the mother experiences depression too. 

New parents need plenty of support during the best of times, but when faced with hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, new visitation rules for delivery rooms and the general uncertainty about how coronavirus affects our lives, the stakes can feel especially high.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your plans for support after childbirth from family and friends have probably been changed or may have even been cancelled. Losing your support system can make it harder to figure out a smooth transition to parenting. 

Fortunately, help is available – from family, peers and providers. However, support looks a little different now. Most providers are using telehealth visits for most of their visits, and support groups have moved online. 

Below are resources for providers, support groups and ways that we all can support parents and families during this uncertain time.

These groups and resources can offer the chance to communicate with people who get it. We hope these make the day-to-day challenges, fear and overwhelm a little easier to take.

gender reveal

10 Creative Ways to Do a Gender Reveal During COVID-19

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From the moment you start sharing your pregnancy news, the first question you probably get from everyone is “Are you having a boy or a girl?” In recent years, a popular way for expecting parents to reveal the gender of their new addition has been by hosting a gender reveal party with family and friends.

However, with social distancing practices still in effect due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents-to-be are having to get creative with how they share the news. But luckily, you can still have an exciting gender reveal party with your closest friends and family by inviting them to join the reveal remotely, thanks to Facebook Live, IGTV, Zoom or Google Hangouts.

If you find yourself stuck on how to reveal your baby’s gender to friends and family, then keep reading for creative gender reveal ideas for all types.

Bath Bomb Reveal

Either make your own gender reveal bath bomb or buy one online. When the time comes, fill a plastic container or your tub with water, and drop the bath bomb in, letting it reveal if it’s a boy or a girl. Guests can watch live as the bath bomb fizzles!

Water Balloon Fight

Host a virtual gender reveal party where you and your partner have a water balloon fight while the rest of your family and friends get to watch! Lay 10 water balloons out in a row and let your guests vote on which one to throw next. Have one filled with either pink or blue colored water so that, when it breaks, the gender is revealed!

Sing It, Baby!

Make a specific playlist filled with songs with titles like “Let’s Hear it For the Boy” or “I’m Just A Girl”. Send it out to family and friends as a musical way to share the news.

Blowing Bubbles

Each expectant parent blows a bubble with either pink or blue bubblegum. Then, the parent with the incorrect gum color has their bubble popped during a virtual session!

Sibling Love

Make a custom shirt for your baby’s older sibling in either blue or pink and snap a family picture to post on social media. Cute messages like “I’m the Oldest!” are always a winner.

Booties Reveal

Another good way to tell your loved ones is to buy or make a set of crocheted booties in blue or pink. Then, ship them out and wait for the delighted phone calls!

Cake Pop Reveal

Make cake pops with white cake inside, colored blue or pink depending on your baby’s gender. Get your video camera going as you feed one another a cake pop and reveal the color inside to everyone watching! We also love the cakes that explode with a colorful candy treat. 

Gumball Guessing Game

Mail your tribe a bag of gumballs filled with an equal number of blue and pink gumballs. Add one extra gumball to the bag that’s either pink or blue, depending on your baby’s gender. Have everyone look at the bags and try to guess the gender before they dump them out and quickly count the gumballs during your virtual party for the big reveal.

Dress Up the Pup

If you’re already a parent to a fur baby, feature your pet in the big reveal video by dressing them up in a special t-shirt, collar or accessory and then calling them into the room with you while you’re streaming with family and friends!

Blacklight Reveal

Write the gender in blacklight markers on a white poster board. When everyone has joined your virtual gender reveal party, flip off the lights and turn on your blacklight flashlight for the grand reveal.

 

kids helping during covid

Simple Ways to Care for Each Other

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kids helping during covid

Self-isolating is a new thing for most of us, but all this distance from one another doesn’t mean we can’t still work to keep our community connections strong. Whether you have time, money or even just a phone, there are big and small ways that you and your children can help others.

Help Your Community

  • Only buy what you need, so everyone in your community can get what they need.
  • Give to your local food bank. They all need help and contributions, especially those in communities hardest hit by COVID-19.
  • Give blood. According to the American Red Cross, there is an urgent need for blood due to the coronavirus outbreak. Find a blood drive near you.

Help Families  

  • Shop or run errands for quarantined parents who need to stay home or can’t take their kids out in public areas.
  • If your employer allows you to “gift” your sick time, donate some to a coworker who needs to be off to care for themselves or family.
  • If you’re a parent who’s home with your kids, consider doing a virtual story hour, featuring celebrities reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Each celebrity-read story can keep several kids entertained at a time!

Help Small Businesses

  • Shop locally wherever you can.
  • Buy gift certificates now for your favorite local restaurants and use them later.
  • For local cafes, book shops and other small businesses with online shops, give them your business online.

Check on Elderly Neighbors

  • Although necessary, social isolation for seniors can be lonely. Text, phone call and email them, especially if they live alone. Send them funny memes or GIFs to cheer them up. Don’t forget about them and make sure they have social support. 
  • Offer to pick up and deliver their shopping, treats or other things they might need, while taking precautions to keep yourself safe. Your time and efforts could be a big help to someone needing support.
  • Have the kids draw pictures and write letters to local seniors in nursing homes who can’t have visitors at this time.

Share Positive News and Acts of Kindness 

  • There are so many examples out there of people helping one another. Share those stories on social media. Talk about those with your friends and family. 
  • Spread the word about how you or your family is making a difference to inspire new acts of kindness within your community. 
  • Share with each other Tips for Managing Parenthood Overload During Stressful Times.
shepherd center mask donation

Colgate Mattress Shifts Gears to Make Masks During COVID-19 Pandemic

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shepherd center mask donation

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlanta-based Colgate Mattress™️ has shifted the focus of a portion of its factory employees from handcrafting crib mattresses to creating masks, which will be donated to Shepherd Center. These masks are a collaborative effort across the company, from hospital outreach to mask design to sewing and manufacturing. Together, the Colgate family is aiming to donate about 3,000 masks by mid-April. 

“When COVID-19 began impacting our community, we knew we had to help,” said Colgate Mattress Vice President Richard Wolkin. “As a manufacturing facility, we have the unique ability to repurpose some of our supplies for our healthcare workers. We have worked tirelessly to manufacture a mask that can be utilized to better protect our healthcare providers.” 

Colgate Mattress™️, the nation’s oldest family-owned manufacturer of crib mattresses and accessories, is committed to supporting its local Atlanta community during the recent coronavirus pandemic. In response to the shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, Colgate is taking actionable steps to manufacture necessary masks at scale. Shepherd Center, also an Atlanta mainstay, is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions. 

Over the course of three days, Colgate Mattress developed a mask prototype in conjunction with Shepherd Center and accelerated manufacturing efforts to produce about 500 masks per day. The company is committed to continuing its mask development to aid the local healthcare system and to help fill the shortage of PPE for local medical personnel and first responders. 

“We’re grateful for and inspired by local businesses such as Colgate who have pivoted on their own business model to help organizations get the equipment they need,” said Sarah Morrison, PT, MBA, MHA, president and CEO of Shepherd Center. “We know that many organizations are experiencing shortages of PPE, and we’re grateful to Colgate for committing to keeping our patients and staff safe. Community support is always vital, but even moreso during this challenging time.”

Colgate Mattress also continues to manufacture and provide parents with high-quality crib mattresses and accessories. The company has been an industry pioneer, being the first to manufacture polyurethane mattresses, foam crib mattresses and dual-firmness mattresses from its home base in Atlanta, Georgia. 

“We’ve been a part of the Atlanta community for 65 years,” Wolkin said. “Through our mask-making efforts, we’re honored to give back to the community that has given us so much in a small way. “

For more information about Colgate Mattress, visit ColgateKids.com.

 

stressed parents working with baby

5 Tips for Managing Parenthood Overload During Stressful Times

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stressed parents trying to work with baby

When daycares and schools close, the mental load of parenthood increases. If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, like millions of other parents out there, this one’s for you. Here are 5 tips for managing parenthood during this stressful time.

Stay home, and stay connected 

Social distancing and “shelter in place” mandates may require us to stay in our homes, but that doesn’t mean we have to completely isolate. It’s important to stay in communication with family, friends and neighbors, as well as find ways to keep calm. Use the phone, text, video chat and email – all means possible – to stay connected to people who matter to you. Especially those who can help provide a sense of calm.

Ask for help

Now is the time to turn toward each other. We are here to help each other out, so avoid being a do-it-yourselfer when you’re not qualified. Reach out to a clear-thinking person to ask what she thinks or what he would do about stockpiling food, taking that road trip, talking to little Suzi about what’s going on with grandpa in the hospital. You may choose not to follow their advice, but it’s always helpful to have another perspective.

Don’t procrastinate about preparing

Anxiety can mount if we postpone or ignore expert counsel. Inaction will make fear grow. If you haven’t done your best to get a couple of extra weeks’ supply of food or medication, do it today. If you feel frozen, ask a buddy to push you to act and help you make wise decisions about how much you need of what.  

Remember to self-care

Now, more than ever, self-care is essential. Slow down, engage in healthy practices and try to continue regular routines that bring comfort and stability. Conversation, exercise and spiritual practices are good starting points. And don’t forget about the healing impacts of making art, singing, journaling and being useful to others. Make a point to find a little peace of mind, even if you start with just one thing.

Place your baby (safely) to sleep, so you can recharge

While your little one sleeps, you will have a little time to refuel your mothering self. Take a hot shower, watch the latest episode of her favorite TV show, or even take an online yoga class. 

Colgate Mattress offers the following advice for baby’s safe sleep:

  • Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress covered with only a tight-fitting crib sheet.
  • Use a wearable blanket or other type sleeper, instead of  blankets, to keep your baby warm and safe during sleep.
  • Crib bumpers, wedges and positioners should never be used in your baby’s sleep area.
  • Do not place any other items in the crib.
  • Always place your baby on his or her back for sleep.

A note from your friends at Colgate Mattress. Do not let fear stop you from acting with clarity, compassion and courage. Unfortunate things happen, but it is still possible to move forward with love and hope.