We all have grand ideas of all the things we will do differently this year, and that kick off to the new year makes such a convenient place to start. But unfortunately, most of us lose interest or give up on our too-challenging pledges before the groundhog does or does not see his shadow. So why not break them down into baby steps, and remember that a whole lot of falling happens before they learn to run.
We found some easy hacks to tackle some of the more common parental resolutions.
I Will Get Outside and PLAY with My Kids!
Blast Golf 360
Having a great swing will surely motivate you to hit the links. If you can’t let go of your love of tech, at least combine the fun of analytics with moving those muscles. Bring the kids to the driving range and compete on an even playing field for the perfect swing. Bonus, most OC courses have Kids Play Free or discounted junior rates so you can make it a family affair.
$149, www.BlastMotion.com
Schwinn Phocus
Take a lesson from your younger self. Little could make your heart soar more than a shiny new bike. Why not treat yourself to a stylish ride to show off at the local park? We love the Schwinn Phocus’ sturdy frame, smooth ride adding to effortless speed and cute sea foam hue (which happens to look pretty great with that OC glow). Your little ones will be inspired when they see mama (or pop) go and you’ll soon find you’ve created a habit while setting a healthy example for your kids. (Also comes in a guy version!)
$499, www.Schwinn.com
Delta Mach One Complete Scooter
When was the last time you went to the park so YOU could play? These durable scooters are stable (thanks to a wider deck and higher bars) to handle taller adult riders, making zooming down the paths with your kids a blast. Enthusiasm for a good time in the fresh air is the easiest way to draw them away from their screens and tech.
$279, www.DeltaProScooters.com
diono Quantum Stroller
We are blessed with beautiful sunny days and a wealth of recreation areas with perfectly paved paths. Everyone feels better with a little fresh air, but many parents of newborns worry their about their little one’s delicate skin. This lie flat stroller is perfect, with a smooth suspension and expansive sun shade eclipse canopy to keep baby safe. The multi-mode travel stroller offers six configurations and featuring diono’s Smart Seat, grows from newborn to young child.
Get Better Sleep
Lulla Doll
If your little one is struggling with separation anxiety at bedtime, this new doll could do the trick. The Lulla doll is a sleep companion that imitates closeness to a caregiver at rest, with soft natural cotton and soothing sounds of real-life breathing and heartbeat (recorded from a yoga teaching mom).
$69, www.lulladoll.com
Snooz
From the early days of shusssshing, to adult life where too much noise (or not enough) can cause sleep disruption, the sound of a fan is a surefire snooze enhancer. Problem? Not everyone likes the feel of a fan and little ones without great temp control can get irritated by the breeze. This white noise gadget encases an actual fan, for all the whirs without the brrrrs.
$79, www.getsnooz.com
IMAGINE Mermaid Pillow and Velvet Blanket Set
If you need a little motivation to get your little one back into their own bed, this sweet set inspires dreams of imagination (and the flip-sequins provide a trance of their own). We love the whimsy of the design!
$97, www.mermaidpillowco.com
Tulo
Mattress-in-a-box brands have revolutionized the bedroom, making it super simple to swap out worn mattresses and upgrade to new memory foam or cooling gel options. But much like Goldilocks discovered, many mattresses were too hard or too soft, with no way to gauge before the big unboxing. (Re-boxing to return is a whole different critter.) Tulo is the first to take your preference into account. Pick from soft, medium or firm — juuuuust right.
$399, www.tulo.com
Snurk
This boutique bedding brand from Amsterdam got a big bump from the movie Wonder, as many scenes in the promo showed the main character pondering the universe while nestled into his Astronaut duvet. We think your little space cadet will think its out of the world, too (if not, the Ballerina style should have them grand jeté’ing for joy!).
From $119, SnurkLiving.com
CouchBed
If musical beds and bunking-in sibs causes chaos during sleepovers or when family visits, we think you’ll love this cool-gel, memory foam mattress-meets-sleeper sofa. Simply flip the back of the couch forward and it nestles perfectly into a queen size bed. (Twin available, as well.)
From $399, www.CouchBed.com
Twinkle Twinkle, Washable Rug
Lorena Canals floor coverings have long been a fave for nurseries, with the washable rugs making quick work of erasing spit up or…the other kind of blowouts. Their newest soft grey design with a sprinkling of stars inspires a restful repose. Tricolor stars, grey/blue.
$200, www.lorenacanals.us
Nest Bedding Bamboo Sheets
Sleeping on bamboo might first sound like a unique spa treatment, but this oh-so-soft eco-material not only features natural anti-microbial properties that keep things fresh, but keep you cool or warm when you need it most. Maybe having sheets you can’t wait to slide into will help you hover over that “play next episode.”
$109, www.NestBedding.coms
Bring Back Dinner with the Family
Hello Fresh
These fast and easy recipes were designed by nutritionists and chefs. If you are starting your new year with a determination to add a few more veggies into the mix at dinner, this company has you covered. Try the Veggie Plan which creates meals with plant-based proteins, grains and seasonal produce.
Dinnerly
This West Coast meal kit delivery offers bang for the buck at half the cost of other options. This is the homecooked family meal for those on the go, with 30 minute recipes and no more than six ingredients.
Martha and Marley Spoon
Martha Stewart is known for her attention to detail and going the extra mile for an experience, so it is no surprise the recipes arriving in the Martha and Marley Spoon are filled with ingredients like artisanal cheese and grass-fed beef that add flair and flavor. (We loved the Smoked Chicken Arugula salad!)
Sun Basket
Created for those who crave their CSA’esque abundance of fresh, organic produce – this service take a bite out of Food Deserts (spots where no healthful, fresh food can be bought locally) and ensures sustainable, eco-friendly meals are heading toward your table.
Blue Apron
Sustainably sourced seafood, no hormone added meat products and fresh produce delivered quickly to maintain nutrients are key. We love that these meals are delivered in a refrigerated box to keep our food safe, even if that meeting runs over or someone forgets to pop over and tuck the package inside.
iRobot Braava jet 240 and Braava 380t
While there is yet to be a subscription service box that magically cleans up the mess after, the Roomba came close. But a sweep doesn’t necessarily cut it when it comes to cooking. Enter Roomba’s little sibling, Braava. Program the robo-mop to clean up drips and drops to keep your home healthy and safe, or just tap the button and let it use its Smart Nav tools to cover every inch. Braava, indeed!
Kidstir
Get the kids in on the action and make teaching them to cook even more seamless, with these kits that not only include kid-friendly dishes made by simplified recipes that are easy to follow, but also arrive with kid-sized kitchen tools to help.
Soupman Soup Subscription
When you are seriously pressed for time, a nice bowl of soup always hits the spot. Whether these Seinfeld-featured soups fit the “nice” theme (NO SOUP FOR YOU!), they do hit the spot for a speedy, but hearty meal delivered straight to your door.
Helix Pressure Cooker
When the pressure’s on…well, dinner gets made twice as quickly. If subscription box services aren’t your thing and you just want to stick to family favorites passed down through the generations, you can still squeeze in a quality meal by slicing and dicing that cooking time. Bonus for busy parents: One-Hand System makes for easy and secure opening and closing.
www.FagorAmerica.com
Shlage Connect and Shlage Sense
If you are worried about your packages sitting in the sun, or being left to tempt passersby, you might want to have a neighbor or friend pop over on delivery day. While this used to lead to hassles and confusion about where your house key is, or who warrants the right to know where the key is hidden, Schlage’s newest tech to the rescue. These Smart Locks can be programmed with numbered codes for the keypad (which you could then change once the favor is complete) or operated by app remotely.
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