Show Notes: Episodes 13-24

We hope you were inspired by Part 2 of our ongoing series on Mothers in Politics!  Get to know our guest Rep. Kim Schrier, her story, and her legislative priorities.  

Curious about what running for office is like?  Take that first step and check out these resources.  As Rep. Schrier said, some of the best advice she got was: "Win or lose, you will respect yourself more having gone through this process ... Look at it like a journey. You will like yourself better at the end."

• Run for Office has an easy tool for discovering which offices you are eligible to run for, and you can then take their free online course on how to seek elected office!
• It's time to close the gender representation gap and elect more women to office.  She Should Run has ideas on how you can help, whether you are a woman who wants to run or someone who wants to support them.
• Higher Heights for America has webinars, trainings, and several resources specifically for Black women interested in political office.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

Thank you to our co-hosts, Dr. Jacqueline Dougé of What is Black? podcast and Dr. Nevin Heard of Flesh & Bold podcast, and to our special guests Dr. Lauren Smith and Dr. Letitia Dzirasa!  

• Ready to get vaccinated? Click on the CDC's "How Do I Get a Vaccine?" tool to find your local health department's requirements and appointments. 
• Want to learn more about COVID vaccines and equity?  The Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Leads have some trusted and shareable resources.
• Wondering what to expect after getting a COVID vaccine?  Here's the CDC's latest guidance and some considerations about taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen before or after getting the shot. 

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

We loved talking with State Senator Dr. Au, and we hope you were just as inspired as we were!    

• Learn more about her personal story and her priorities on her website.
• Are you considering entering politics? Dr. Au has graciously offered to connect by email with anyone who wants advice on their own potential run!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

Is wishful thinking not enough to help you reach your goals?  We've got you covered!  

• Need some inspiration for New Year's resolutions?  We love #3 and #11 on this list!
• Check out the Wellness Wheel that we discussed in this episode to help you think through the elements that make up your wellness.
• Now that you have the wheel, you can personalize it and try out activities to support your wellness -- in any month of the year!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

Going "bananas" looking for engaging, science-based sources for kids' nutrition?  We've got you covered with resources that are great for kids and adults.  We also link to organizations that help provide healthy foods to people who are struggling during these tough times.

• The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets the recommendations for how many fruits and vegetables we should eat each day, with helpful charts based on age and gender.
• The USDA site also has interactive games on healthy eating for kids and teens.  Some activities also include a guide for teachers and parents!
• Check out these 10 quick tips to make fruits and veggies more appealing to kids. #2 is Lanre's favorite and #1 is Lisa's!
• Due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, many children have lost access to school meals, and now 1 in 4 children in the US are at risk of hunger.  No Kid Hungry is a nonprofit working to fill those gaps and could use your support!
• With job losses and small businesses going out of business, food insecurity rates are rapidly rising. You can find a food bank on the Feeding America website and donate to their cause.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

Ready to learn more? Check out these resources on pain management options, the opioid crisis, and how to teach kids to talk about their pain.

• The WHO Analgesic Ladder for Cancer Pain gives an overall idea of how doctors tend to think about stepping up or down on pain medications. 
• The Health & Human Services website has a helpful overview on the opioid crisis, and Kaiser Health News gives you the latest on the crisis.
• Is your child in pain? Here are some tips on explaining pain to kids, including some questions to prepare for if you are seeking medical attention for your child's pain.
• We love OXO for their kitchen gadgets that are easy on the joints and great for people with pain from arthritis and other conditions.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  

Sleep training your baby and teaching older kids healthy sleep habits isn't easy!  On this episode, we share lots of expert tips, and we'd love for you to share your experiences with us on social media!  Also, we discuss the latest on sleep safety for infants and how can you know if your child has a medical problem affecting his or her sleep.  Here are some resources to help your kiddo get more sleep and for you to help others.

• Are you looking to get a free crib for a baby, or to donate a crib, or to to buy a crib and other baby products while contributing to charity?  The Cribs for Kids nonprofit organization is a great place to start! 
• Thinking about trying the "Cry it Out" method but want to be sure it's not harmful to bonding with your baby?  Here is some scientific data to give you confidence in your choice.
• Lanre's favorite method: There is more than one way to "Ferberize" your sleep training, but this is a great primer that will walk you through the Ferber process.  In our podcast episode, we describe an even simpler way to try this.
• Lisa's go-to book: The Sleepeasy Solution is similar to the Ferber concept and has extra chapters on naps and how to handle developmental issues that can disrupt your child’s sleep. 
• Here are even more ideas for helping your baby or older child reach that holy grail of blissful sleep: 
  • Zero to Three summarizes several different methods based on research.
  • Today's Parent magazine describes a few popular methods and provides tips on when to start sleep training.
• Can you relate to any of these common sleep problems in infants and toddlers?  Zero to Three provides science-based recommendations on how to handle these challenges.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!   

Environmental justice is a huge issue and can feel overwhelming. What we can we as individuals to protect the environment and to advocate for equity in local and national policies?  We would love for you to try out our suggestions and share your own ideas with us on social media!

• Justice starts with being educated on the issues.  Check out these EPA webinars for the public.  If you need some motivation from young people doing amazing things, "A Seat at the Table" is a great place to start!
• EJSCREEN is an environmental justice screening and mapping tool.  Find out what the risks are in any neighborhood or town for lead, ozone, and other exposures.
• What the Eyes Don't See is Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's groundbreaking account of how she blew the whistle on the Flint lead water crisis and inspired a generation of child advocates.
• We have a choice on which businesses and nonprofit groups we support.  Here is a comprehensive list of organizations who focus on various aspects of environmental justice. 
• United by Blue sells sustainable clothing, accessories and home goods -- and they remove one pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every item purchased!
• Ready to speak out?  Find a list of your elected officials and let them know how you feel and what they can do to help.  You don't need to be an expert!  Just remember, they are working for you, and they want to hear the concerns of their constituents.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!   

Did one of the products in this episode catch your ear?  From electronics to food, we've got you covered! None of these are affiliate links and some lead to lists of options; we're truly just sharing items we've loved. Whether you're already a fan of these products, or you're trying one out for the first time, hit us up on social media and let us know what you think!  

Electronics and accessories

• Kids' timer to keep them motivated and keep things moving
• Laptop stand-up desk to keep the blood flowing between your Zoom meetings
• Gizmo smart watch to give your younger kids a way to call or text you before you're ready to give them a smartphone
• Anti-fog cloth for glasses and goggles, a lifesaver for our new #masklife

Home

• OXO digital leave-in food thermometer to get the perfect meat every time
• Instant Pot because what else can quickly make oatmeal, salmon, chicken, soup, and rice and more right on your counter?
• Slow cookers are the best - toss in the ingredients in the morning, and come home to a hot dinner!
• FlexBrew coffee maker to brew just one cup or a whole carafe, perfect for working from home
• Fabric steamer that's great for quickly getting the wrinkles out of your clothing at home or when traveling
• Air purifier, great for reducing dust and other allergens especially if the family is home more than ever - and this one comes with covers to match your decor!
• Sistema lunch cube for a cute and convenient way to pack your kid's lunch and snacks in one handy package
• Shredder to help you safely cut down on the clutter at home (we've had good experiences with this one)
• Kid's beds with built-in bookcases, the perfect space-saver for small rooms
• Charcoal sachets to remove odors without adding new scents, because the only thing worse than the smell of old fish is the smell of lavender AND old fish

Toys and Games

• Sushi Go, a fast-paced card game that might end with a call to your favorite sushi restaurant for delivery
• Puzzle mat to roll up and store jigsaw puzzles that you want to finish later
• Labyrinth, a spatial and problem-solving game - we're not sure why it's so addictive, but it is!
• Indoor playsets for basketball and other sports to let kids exercise inside during bad weather
• Ticket to Ride, a train adventure game for vicarious travel fun 
• Magna-Tiles for having a blast creating 3-D structures while building math and spatial skills
• No Stress Chess, it's like chess with a cheat sheet to help new learners pick up the skills in a flash!
• Electronic writing boards with an LCD screen that make writing and drawing even more fun
• Rush Hour, a sliding block game that uses logic and is definitely more fun than a real traffic jam
• Moonjar because it's never too early to teach kids how to save, encourage them to share, and show them how to spend wisely
• KidiZoom camera for hours of creative fun, taking photos, making videos, editing, and playing games

Art and Fun Stuff

• LittleSplashesofColr, an Etsy site with watercolor paintings that are adorable for kids' rooms and beautiful for parents to love too
• CustomFlag on Etsy, where you can create a fun and meaningful home addition to showcase your family's heritage
• Vintage Pearl, a great place to find a customized necklace or other piece for yourself or a loved one 

Food

• True Citrus, crystallized citrus packets for water that contain just citrus juice and oils (no sweeteners) to help you drink more water
• Trader Joe’s dark chocolate covered espresso beans are sooo good ... just trust us!
• Smashmallows, especially the chocolate and coffee-dipped version, are perfect when you need a little treat (or a lot, we won't judge!)

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!   

Wondering how to get sweeter dreams?  We share lots of ideas in this episode!  Here are a few more resources with tips for getting better sleep, learning if you have a sleep disorder, and finding blue light filters.

• Read more about the common sleep disorders we talk about in this episode, and discuss with your doctor if any of these seem all too familiar.
• Have to use a device close to bedtime?  Here are some links if you're shopping for blue light filtering glasses and other blue-light blocking products to help your mind wind down when on a screen at night.
• Do you know your ideal sleep window?  Check out our Physician-Mom Hack of the Week in this episode and learn more on this site.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!   

Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, or pumping?  Or know a woman who is?  Share these resources that have helped us in our breastfeeding/pumping/supplementing journeys and as we have counseled other families.

• It's never too early (nor too late!) to seek help, and meeting with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a great place to start.  Find one easily here.
• You don't need to go overboard with tracking every minute of your baby's day!  But sometimes it's helpful to note feeds and diapers as you're keeping an eye on your baby's growth or if there are multiple caregivers.  We like this paper version, or you can check out this list of apps (#15 is a personal favorite!).
• You'll find a multitude of lactation-boosting recipes online, and this one for lactation cookies contains those 3 key ingredients we discuss on this episode. If you prefer smoothies, this lactation smoothie recipe is easy and delicious.
• Did you know that the laws that protect breastfeeding in public and pumping at work are a little different in every state?  Find out your state's laws, and how the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) supports nursing moms, here.
• Paid family/parental leave is critical for the health of babies and parents, but the statistics we share in the episode show how just a privileged few get this benefit. The Zero to Three organization shares the tools we all can use to advocate for better paid family leave benefits.  They have social media graphics, op-ed talking points, and more!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!   

Let's talk about birth order! Firstborns, middle children, babies of the family, or onlies … how do these family positions affect your children’s personalities? How do they affect our own personalities as adults? And what does the science really say about this?  Check out these links to learn more!

• Dr. Kevin Leman's The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are is an in-depth look at birth order and personality.
• Meri Wallace's Birth Order Blues book examines birth order from a parenting perspective.  She analyzes how the birth order of kids and their parents affect child development.
• But what does modern research say about birth order?  These articles in The Atlantic and The Washington Post outline current scientific positions!
• How does your birth order impact your parenting style?  And what can you learn from other parenting styles?  We think this article from Parents magazine is fascinating!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!