How to Celebrate Earth Day While Social Distancing - 30 Ways to Connect Outdoors & Virtually

Hug a tree, not each other.

It’s how we’ll be celebrating Earth Day 2020, in the face of this global pandemic.

This pandemic has undeniably reshaped life across our beautiful planet. Cities have shut down, businesses have closed, restaurants are solely offering takeout, sports seasons have come to an unexpected end, full time jobs are being done remotely and the kids are home from school. Sigh, the kids are home from school. 

Safe to say, this pandemic has affected each and every one of us.

One thing it hasn’t affected is our ability to celebrate Earth Day. With social distancing in affect, we may not be able to hug each other, but we can definitely still hug a tree and celebrate Mother Nature and the planet we call home.

How did Earth Day begin?

In 1970, US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin had the idea for a national day to focus and raise awareness on environmental challenges. On April 22, his idea inspired 20 million Americans (at the time, 10% of the US population) to take to the streets, college campuses and cities to demand a new way forward for our planet. 

The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement, and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event. Earth Day was, and continues to be, a unified response to an environment in crisis.

This Wednesday, April 22, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. 

With social distancing guidelines still in place across the world, Earth Day will look a little different this year. But rest assured, it will still take place. 

While in-person community events are out of the picture for the most part, there are still many ways to celebrate Earth Day's 50th anniversary whether it is virtually online, at home or in your neighbourhood.

Here are 30 ways to that YOU and your family can celebrate Earth Day, while social distancing.

How to Celebrate Earth Day While Social Distancing

OUTSIDE

1. Create some sidewalk art with chalk - bring a smile to those passing by!

2. Have a picnic on your porch or in your backyard (if weather allows). 

3. Green your space! Build a vegetable garden in your backyard. Plant some vegetable seedlings indoors. (Most suppliers such as Home Depot Canada, Canadian Tire, Lowe’s, etc. will allow you to order supplies online and pickup curb-side.)

4. Create a fun social distancing mood board, such as this one we did. Have some fun with it, and make it outdoors related!

4. Hang a birdhouse or bird feeder and watch who visits. How many different types of birds do you see?

5. Take a walk around the neighbourhood and look for flowers.

6. Go on a neighbourhood scavenger hunt. One of ours can be found here.

7. Ditch the single use plastics! Decorate a reusable water bottle.

8. Teach your kids about the 3 Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle!

9. Take the opportunity to do some spring cleaning around the house and in the garden. 

10. Start running, or sign up for a virtual run! This website has a comprehensive list of virtual runs from across the world, all supporting different charities. 

11. Go for a walk and collect sticks, leaves, etc. Bring them home and create your own art project!

12. Play with bubbles! (You're never too old to play with bubbles.)

13. Get up early to watch the sunrise. Stay up late to watch the sunrise.

14. Pull out your camera and go on a photo safari around your neighbourhood.

Remember, before going outside check your local restrictions before heading out and stick close to home, so you don’t spread the virus elsewhere.

And if you can’t get outdoors, here are some ways to celebrate Earth Day from the comfort of your home. 

VIRTUALLY

15. Support local - shop online at your favourite small shop, order takeout from your favourite local restaurants or even buy a produce box from your local farming co-op. 

16. Inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers and conservations in your house with Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants. Live stream topics include oceans, biodiversity, women in science, space exploration, ocean plastics, climate change and more. 

17. Check out one of the many amazing documentaries about animals and the environment on your favourite streaming service. Our favourites can be found on Disney+ and Netflix.

18. Check our your favourite zoos and aquariums to see what virtual learning resources they are offering. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has a comprehensive daily calendar of live streams and activities. 

19. Tune into Earth Day Network’s Earth Day Live 2020 - they have an all-star lineup of speakers and performers. The 15-hour stream will run from from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. 

20. Take a virtual tour through a US National Park, such as Yellowstone National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska or Joshua Tree National Park in California, to name a few.

21. Check out Earth from space with Google Earth. Can you find where you live?

22. Check out "NASA Science Live" on Wednesday at 3pm EST (NASA TV and YouTube), featuring NASA experts discussing how NASA plays a big role in understanding and improving the earth.

23. Check out virtual programming offered at your favourite museums and science centres.

24. Go ‘scuba diving’ on the Great Barrier Reef with Sir David Attenborough (think Planet Earth) as your guide. Learn about the animals that call this reef home, its importance in our everyday life and the threats it faces. 

25. Check out the cherry blosson "Bloom Cam" at the National Mall, a 24/7, live, real-time look at one of the most popular and beloved sites in Washington, DC. The blossoms signal the arrival of spring and symbolize hope, renewal, and friendship.

26. Start to plan your next vacation. There are lots of great online resources to inspire you travel plans, including Lonely Planet, Frommer’s and even social media. Search your favourite travel-related hashtags on Instagram - #travel, #goexplore, #wanderlust, for example.

27. Create some earth-inspired art! There are many great resources online to inspire your own art project. For example, the Bob Ross ‘Joy of Painting’ series is available to watch on YouTube, where you can learn to paint a beautiful landscape. 

28. Explore available online environment related curriculum activities with you kids. If you are a  water lover and city dweller like me, these activities to help understand the urban watershed may be of interest to you. 

29. Use the US Environment Protection Agency's online Carbon Footprint calculator to learn how you daily activities affect the environment. 

30. For those high school and university students and parents looking to learn more, check out Coursera, which offers courses, certificates and degrees online from world-class universities and companies. Check out this free course about exploring the Arctic, offered by the University of Colorado. 

Also, don’t forget to check out these 50 essential outdoor activities for Spring for more things you can do with your family this season. 

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. 

How will you celebrate Earth Day while social distancing? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

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Tips for Moving With Young Kids

Moving with children is exciting, but also challenging. The transition can be incredibly stressful, not just on the parents, but also on the young children. Today, I’m sharing our recent moving story - specifically how we moved from a 750 square foot condo to a two-storey farmhouse - and some tips we learned for moving with young kids.

The other day, I was talking with a friend that recently sold her 1 bedroom plus den condo downtown Toronto, and bought a 4-bedroom house in the ‘burbs, backyard and double garage included.

She told me how nervous she was, moving out of the city, into a big house, and most importantly, uprooting her little ones from their current routine.

“Trust me”, I told her, “You will question the decision for a few months after you move in, but man oh man, the SPACE! Just think of all the space.”

I, of course, was speaking from recent experience - having sold our condo in late summer, and moved into a two-storey house just down the street.

We loved our condo, don’t get me wrong. It’s was ours, it was shiny and new, it was where we brought home a baby, it was our first home. But, it was also small. And everywhere we went, we could see or hear each other. Space was an issue. Peace and quiet was an issue. Privacy was an issue.

And so, we bought and sold. And while our new house may not be big by any means, it has space. Oh, the space. The separation. The (sometimes) peace and quiet. And, the (sometimes) privacy. 

When we moved into the condo, Morley was just two years old. Knowing it may be a tough transition, I researched the heck out of it, interested in learning how we could minimize the stress on all three of us at the time. 

And so, going through it not once, but twice in the past year and a half, and not with just one kid, but most recently, with two in tow, you could say I’ve learned a thing or two about moving with young kids.

Is your family planning an upcoming move? Are you worried about the stress it may cause your young children? Check out our tips for moving with young kids. 

Tip for Moving with Young Kids

Set the tone. 

As parents, our children look to us for guidance, especially in new situations. This means that when you are stressed, your child takes notice. While easier said than done, it is important to manage your own anxiety, not just when it comes to moving, but in your every day. It is important to set a calm tone in your home, especially before, during and after a big transition such as a move.

Talk to your child. 

Sure, they may not 100% understand what’s going on, but talking them through it definitely helps. Repetition is always important when it comes to learning for little ones, so talk about it often. As we packed up our belongings, we constantly talked about “Morley’s new house”, in hopes that it would get our oldest excited. 

Keep a routine. 

Moving is a chaotic and stressful time, and also a time that routine couldn’t be more important. Schedules and routines offer children feelings of safety and security. Children learn to expect what happens next in a day to day routine, and they can feel confident in that. Knowing what comes next helps new situations feel less stressful.

For our youngest (who was just a year old at the time of our recent move), that meant keeping her bedtime routine in check - bath, book, bottle, bed. 

When it comes to bottles, Philips Avent has been our go-to for both girls. The Philips Avent Anti-Colic Bottles with Airfree Vent BPA-free bottles are designed to reduce colic, gas and reflux. The shape of the nipple allows a secure latch and stays full even when the bottle is horizontal, allowing baby to drink in an upright position so that they swallow less air as they drink. The bottle itself has an ergonomic shape for maximum comfort, making them easy to hold and grip in any direction. At the time of our move, I was transitioning our youngest from breast feeding to bottle feeding (just to add another stressor in there), so the design of both the bottle and nipple helped to ease this transition. 

Recognition. 

Little kids recognize places that we frequent, so seeing as our new house was right around the corner from our condo, from their favourite park, from grandpa and from daycare definitely helped. Between selling and closing, we would occasionally walk past the new house to get them familiar with it. They are such creatures of habit, so showing our oldest that we would still be in the same area, and (for the most part) follow the same routine, definitely helped. 

Allow them to participate. 

While still young, having them feel involved is a way to help minimize stress. She may not have been able to help in the actual move, but we got her involved in other moving-related tasks. Unpacking their room first allowed them to have access to all of their regular items. We also let our oldest pick out her own paint colours. Pretty soon, there will be a pink and purple wall (sigh).

Be present and supportive.

During a move, it can be so easy to get hung up on your “to do” list - cleaning, painting, decorating, etc. It is important to remember to carve our some family time, to be present and provide support and TLC when needed.

Major life changes are challenging and stressful - not only to adults, but especially to small children. Our children look to us for guidance during tough times, and as parents, we can offer a lot of help to make the transition easier - offering comfort and support by maintaing a positive attitude, clear and constant communication and a good routine. It may be a stressful time, but getting them excited for the move by talking about your new home, walking the new neighbourhood and allowing for their involvement are sure to help ease the transition.

It is also important to remember, children are incredibly resilient. They are capable of more than we expect, so when all is said and done, I’m sure they will surprise you. Ours did.

Have you moved houses with young children? What are some of your tips for easing the transition? I’d love to hear!

*Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Philips Avent. I received products and/or compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions and advice shares are 100% that of To & Fro.

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Tips for Surviving a Sleep Regression

Sleep and regression. Two words that go together like oil and vinegar. Also see, every parent’s worst nightmare. But have no fear, check out these tips for surviving a sleep regression. 

I should preface this post by saying our two daughters are two VERY different sleepers. Our oldest (now almost 4) was an amazing sleeper from day one. She set the bar high in the sleep department, and we knew that. Once we welcomed baby number two, we knew we were doomed. Sleep would not be in our cards. And man oh man, were we right.

For those unfamiliar with sleep regressions, it is typically a period of time when a little one, who was previously sleeping well, experiences a temporary setback in sleep patterns. During a regression, they will go from sleeping soundly to waking up frequently during the night, are harder to calm or settle before sleep, wake up early from naps, or fight nap times altogether. In many cases, it’s a combination of all three – which can be extremely exhausting and frustrating for parents. The most common time frames for sleep regression to occur are when baby hits 4 months, 9 months, and 18 months of age.

We recently hit the 18 month regression. Also probably the worst. Why? Because baby (or should I say, toddler) now knows what she wants and when she wants it. And she can vocalize it. Add in teething and some serious separation anxiety, and we’ve got one hot mess. 

Did I mention that sleep regressions can also last up to SIX weeks? Yep, you read that right. When you’re running on little sleep, six weeks can feel like an eternity. 

BUT, fear not. You will get through it. While there is no secret recipe to “fix” any sleep regression, there are ways to minimize the sleepiness, for both baby and yourself. From parent to parent, here are my tips for surviving a sleep regression. 

Tips for Surviving a Sleep Regression

Consistency. Try to stick to the routine. Remember that this is a confusing and probably overwhelming time for your little one too. Even though sleep regressions are bound to mess up your usual schedule, you should try to keep up your nap and bedtime routines. It may not happen when it normally does, but in a time where your baby is experiencing and learning new things, it helps to keep some things familiar.

Comfort. During this time, baby will likely be more clingy. Providing comfort items to help them calm is key. Items such as a stuffed animal, blanket or bottle.

Our youngest, Berkley, has really taken a liking to her blanket. Philips Avent Natural Bottles are also always on hand in our house. These BPA-free bottles have an ergonomic shape for maximum comfort, making them easy to hold and grip in any direction. The ultra soft nipple more closely resembles the breast, making an easier transition from breast to bottle.

Support. Does baby seem hungrier than normal? Don’t be afraid to give your baby those extra feedings or snacks. The developmental changes and growth spurts that your baby often experiences during a sleep regression will usually increase their appetite.

Ask for help. This one may be hard, but it is important. While you do your best to take care of your baby during sleep regressions, remember to take care of yourself too. Sleep regression for baby often leads to sleep deprivation for parents. If you’re able to, take shifts with your partner. You can’t be the best for your babe if you don’t take care of yourself first. 

All kids are different. Some go through it, some don’t. Some go through it early, some go through it late. Saying sleep regressions happen at months x, y and z is not set in stone. All kids are different. 

Remember, it will pass. When you’re going through it, you may wish time to move faster. But remember, you will get through it. It won’t last forever. It doesn’t mean all hope is lost and you will never sleep again.Time is already such a thief, don’t wish it away any faster. Remember and cherish these moments, despite how terrible you may feel at the time. 

What are your tips for getting through a sleep regression with your little one? I’d love to hear!

*Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Philips Avent. I received products and/or compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions and advice shares are 100% that of To & Fro.

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100 Night Endy Mattress Review, From an Honest Preschooler

The holidays are just around the corner, which for many families (including ours), means go go go. At the end of the day, all you want to do is rest your head on something comfy and enjoy a long winter’s nap. Am I right?

It’s been 100 nights since Morley got her very own, Canadian-made Endy mattress. And as promised on Instagram back in September, here is HER 100 night Endy mattress review.

When we moved into our new house at the end of August, the transition was a bit tough on the girls. New surroundings for a toddler and preschooler take a bit of time getting used to. 

Our oldest, Morley, had a hard time settling into her new room. She would always end up in our bed because, according to her, our bed was comfier.

We knew we needed our bed back. And we knew just the way to do that - to get her her own Canadian-made Endy mattress, so she didn’t have any excuses to stay in her own bed.

It’s been 100 nights since her new mattress arrived, and well she hasn’t had a perfect track record of staying in her own bed, we’re working on it.

And because it’s HER mattress, I thought she would be the best to give a 100 night review. Because while she may not be the best sleeper, she’s pretty damn honest.

100 Night Endy Mattress Review, From an Honest Preschooler

Mom: What do you think of your new room?

Morley: I like it.

Mom: What about that big, special delivery did you get a few months ago?

Morley: [Thinks about it for a minute…] A new mattress?

Mom: Why did you get a new mattress?

Morley: Mine wasn’t comfy.

Mom: Is this one comfier?

Morley: Yep.

Mom: So comfy that you’ll stay in your own bed from now on?

Morley: No, cuz some nights I’m scared.

 Mom: Why are you scared?

Morley: Because I think there’s a monster.

Mom: Where does the monster come from?

Morley: I don't know...??? 

Moving on...

Mom: Do you think your sister likes your new mattress?

Morley: Ya, she always climbs up on it.

Mom: Do you think she’d like a new mattress one day?

Morley: Ya, I can share it with her one day!

Mom: So, I’m guessing you’re happy with your new mattress?

Morley: [the sister love continues…] Ya, I can cuddle with her. And we can share stuffies.

Mom: That’s such a great idea!

Mom: Do you wake up feeling refreshed?

Morley: Ummm…. ya.

Mom: Are you going to sleep in your own bed tonight?

Morley: [long dramatic pause] Ummm…. No.

Mom: Well, at least you’re honest.

And if that honest testimonial doesn’t make you want to get one for yourself, maybe my thoughts will…

The Pros:

• Endy products are made right here in Canada. That, I can support.
• Your order is delivered right to your door, absolutely FREE. (If you don’t own a car, this is key!)
• The mattress comes tightly packaged in a box, saving space in your home while you wait to set it up (or remove your old mattress).
• As an added bonus, the Endy box makes the perfect toddler and preschooler “play house”.
• The set up itself is impressively easy. You take the mattress out the box, lay it on your box spring or bed base, remove the plastic covering and voila - within minutes your mattress is ready to be tested!
• The Endy Pillows are incredible, and depending on what type of sleeper you are, you can even customize them by removing or adding some of the foam. They are also hypoallergenic and come with a 60-night risk-free trial and a 3 year manufacturer warranty in case something goes wrong.
• The Endy Pillows are also super easy to wash (speaking from experience, and a recent round of the stomach flu that hit our house. Sorry, TMI.)
• The Endy Sheets are 480 thread count, 100% sateen weave cotton and feel like hotel sheets. They also come with a 60-night risk-free trial and are also protected by a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
• The mattress has very little motion transfer. (I’m sure my husband appreciates this when I get up to comfort a sad kiddo in the middle or the night.)
• Their return policy is pretty key. If you don’t like it, you can return it within 100 nights. No questions asked. (I honestly don’t know who would though.) Also to note, Endy works with 124 local charity partners across the country to pick up and donate your mattress if it doesn’t make it past the 100 Night Trial.

The (Not So Conny) Cons:

• While the Endy Mattress is packaged in a box for easy transport, the box is pretty heavy. You may need assistance to move it to its final resting spot.
• When we first opened the mattress, it did have a bit of a chemically smell, but that dissipated fairly quickly.
• It does take a few nights getting used to. Definitely not a bad thing considering what we were feeling was the support our old mattress lacked.
• Starting at $675 for a Twin, it is a bit on the pricier side if you’re on a budget. BUT then again, what is a better night’s sleep and your overall health worth to you?
• Our biggest dislike is that we didn’t get one for little sister. Despite still sleeping in a crib, she seems to enjoy it just as much as the rest of us! I can see many nights her trying to sneak in with big sissy.

Conclusion:

I know what you’re probably thinking - “They got it for free. If they had to spend the money on an Endy, would they?”. Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes, we did get this sleep set in exchange for an honest review, BUT if we had to do it all over again, we absolutely would still choose Endy. And once our youngest is out of her crib and into a “big girl bed”, we probably will buy one! In our honest opinion, it is worth every single penny. Your sleep and well being is worth every single penny.

The Endy Mattress is incredibly comfortable, providing support in all the right places. I wake up feeling refreshed - no kinks in my neck, no sore back, nothing but refreshed. Well, refreshed as a mom of a near 4 year old and 16 month old can feel…

Stay tuned for Endy’s BIG Boxing Day deals! To learn more about this Canadian-made mattress, visit endy.ca.

Do you have an Endy mattress? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thinking about buying one, but have questions first? Ask away!

*Disclosure:  I received this ENDY sleep set in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% that of To & Fro.

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Holiday Giving: Five Organizations That Support Young Families in the Greater Toronto Area

As the holidays approach, we naturally shift our attention to finding the perfect gifts for our families and friends. But, they aren’t the only ones who need our care this time of year.

In the Greater Toronto Area, there are many organizations accepting donations for those in need during the holiday season, and beyond. Read on to discover five local organizations that support a demographic near and dear to my heart - moms and young children!

Last year, we adopted a “24 Days of Kindness” challenge with our preschooler - a way to teach her how to be kind (not just around the holidays), and the importance of giving back.

One of her challenges was to select a charity to donate to. As an animal lover, she naturally chose the local animal shelter, where we donated a bag of dog and cat food to animals in need.

This year, we’ve opted to give to a cause close to our hearts - new moms and young children in need.

Even in the best circumstances, parenting can be quite the challenge. But for some, even affording the basic necessities is a struggle. It’s no secret that babies need a ton of stuff, but all of that stuff comes at a hefty cost. That’s why so many shelters and charities that serve women accept donations of baby gear, maternity gear and beyond. 

In the Greater Toronto Area, there are so many fabulous organizations accepting donations this holiday season (and beyond) - in the form of money, time or gifts.

So what will we be donating this year? When donating to organizations, we choose brands that our family knows and loves, and uses every day! Philips Avent is one of those brands.

From the very beginning, we have been a Philips Avent family. Some of our favourites? 

Philips Avent Natural Bottles - These BPA-free bottles have an ergonomic shape for maximum comfort, making them easy to hold and grip in any direction. The ultra soft nipple more closely resembles the breast, making an easier transition from breast to bottle.

Philips Avent Anti-Colic Bottles with Airfree Vent - These bottles are designed to reduce colic, gas and reflux. The shape of the nipple allows a secure latch and stays full even when the bottle is horizontal, allowing baby to drink in an upright position so that they swallow less air as they drink.

Philips Avent Soothie Snuggle - The same great Soothie that many families and medical professionals know and trust, but with a soft, lightweight snuggly toy to help make babies feel secure.

If you have gently used baby gear that you’d like to donate, or if you’d like to give the gift of brand-new items, money or even time, here are five fabulous organizations in the Greater Toronto Area that are in need.

The New Mom Project

The New Mom Project was started to provide marginalized families with basic baby necessities to get them off to a great and loving start. Since 2014 they have helped over 1000 families!

What they accept: Donations of gently used or new items and distribute them to families in need. 

The Birthday Candle Project

The Birthday Candle Project believes that every child deserves to be celebrated. Their mission is to bring joyful birthday celebrations to children living in women’s shelters in Toronto. They partner with organizations and individual families to collect unused (or gently used) party supplies, and then through a little creativity and magic, build parties for children who deserve to be celebrated!

What they accept: New or gently-used party supplies, birthday gifts and gift cards. They also have an option of building a Pack-a-Party. 

Toronto Diaper Bank 

The Diaper Bank of Toronto helps fill a critical and otherwise unmet need for diapers among the most vulnerable in our community. They believe that clean diapers are a basic need for babies and their caregivers, yet 1 in 4 children in Toronto live in poverty and these families are at risk or have experienced diaper need.

What they accept: The Diaper Bank accepts financial support, but also loose, opened and new packages of diapers. They will also accept wipes and formula. 

Jessie’s Centre

This organization helps young mothers with kids and those expecting by providing them with resources. Their mission is to nurture the healthy development of pregnant teenagers, young parents and their children.

What they accept: The centre is always on the lookout for baby clothes, clothes for young women, and maternity wear.

Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough

The Boys & Girls Club of East Scarborough provides services to 5,000 low-income children and youth from the surrounding area. Services include licensed childcare, early-years programs, before- and after-school programs, sports and recreation clubs, and leadership development. 

What they accept: This holiday season they are looking for donations for The Holiday Box (a program that gives families small items they need for day-to-day life), Sponsor a Child (a program where you purchase gifts, clothing and groceries for a child) and their Toy Drive (where you can drop off an unwrapped toy that will be gifted to a child).

This holiday season, celebrate motherhood by giving a little bit of yourself to the mothers who don’t know you but need your help!

How do you give back? Do you have a charity that you donate to around the holiday season, or beyond? I’d love to hear!

*Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Philips Avent. I received products and/or compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions and advice shares are 100% that of To & Fro.

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