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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commissions earned help support my small business, and my participation in this program comes at no added cost to you. You can learn more about this program here.
Amazon Prime Day is almost here, and this year it is running for two days! Be sure to check out all the great sales on June 21st and June 22nd!
Don't forget... to take advantage these deals you need to be a prime member, so be sure to sign up now!​ Amazon offers a free trial, but if you are anything like me, you'll get more than your money's worth out of Prime.
Here are just a few of the deals that stood out to me!
What you'll find:
Disclaimer: While I have not tested all of these products, I've only listed items that are highly rated or that I have my eye on for my family if we haven't already tested them ourselves! Additionally, these deals may not be available for the entirety of Prime Days, so be sure to order immediately if something stands out to you!!
Kitchen Deals for Busy Parents, including up to 50% off products you'll love
Amazon Prime Day Deals for Kids, Lead Up to Prime Day Deals for Kids, and other great Amazon Deals for Kids
 
20% off of a cool kid's microscope for your mini scientist
 
20% to 30% off of creative play that teaches life skills
      20% off Learning and Wooden Toys
 
And Even MORE!!!
    Amazon Prime Day Deals for Parents
Don't forget to grab something for yourself this Prime Day! Here are a few deals you might love!
 
Save $15 when you spend $100 on your first Prime Wardrobe order. Be sure to use PROMO CODE PRIMEW15OFF
Click here to learn more. Or, get 30% off select small brand beauty products! Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals   
Want more great Amazon Deals you'll LOVE? Stay tuned to this post and my socials for updates as we get closer to Prime Day!!
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Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commissions help support my small business, and my participation in this program comes at no added cost to you. You can learn more about my participation in this program here. This article does not offer (and should not be interpreted as) medical advice, and is for informational purposes only. Always speak to your doctor regarding specifics related to your medical care.
Summer can be tons of fun, but it comes with some unique challenges for food allergy families. Here are a few basic tips for staying safe with food allergies this summer!
1. Keep your epinepherine temperature controlled.
You may find yourself asking: What temperature should I keep my epi pen at?
Your epi pen should ideally be kept at room temperature, but that can be challenging during the hot summer months. So, how can you keep your epi pens temperature controlled*? Here are a few tips!
2. Prioritize skin care during the summer months, but always read labels on skincare products
Skincare is vital all year round, especially for those with sensitive skin and/or food allergies. Broken skin allows allergens an access point to cause contact reactions, or can result in rashes that could be confused for allergies. Summer sun, water play, heat, and sunscreen are all harsh on skin, making prioritizing skincare particularly critical during the warm months.
Be sure to check out my top summer skin care tips for kids with sensitive skin here.
However, skincare and cosmetic products are often the source of nut and seed oils, as well as other top allergens. That means you should always read the labels of your sunscreen and other skincare products in order to ensure they do not contain your allergens.
Sesame oil is one common ingredient in a variety of skincare products that may be hard to identify, because it is not always labeled clearly; sesame is commonly referred to as sesamum indicum on cosmetic labels. Be sure you know any and all names for your allergens, so you know specifically what to look for.
3. As always read every label, even if it is a product you have consumed before, and bring safe foods with you.
4. Always communicate about your allergy needs and comfort levels with others around you.
If you have a child with a food allergy, be sure to communicate with any caregivers about allergy action plans. If you will be the caregiver, or if you have food allergies, it is still important to communicate about your comfort level if you will be in close proximity to others. Why? Many skincare and cosmetic products contain common allergens. If there will be food present, there is also a concern of cross contact or accidental exposure. It is always a good idea to communicate about food allergies with those you spend time with, because it allows others to take precautions with where they put their plates down, where they eat (and how they clean up their space), and what products they wear.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BRING TWO EPI PENS WITH YOU!!!
You should always have at least two epi pens on you at all times. This ensures you will have a second dose should the first not be effective. That is particularly relevant during summer months, when many travel to destinations that are far from emergency services and/or hospitals. And don't worry; epinephrine is a safe medication! Never be afraid to follow your allergy action plan, even if it includes the administration of epinephrine.
Be sure to share this post to help keep other food allergy patients safe and healthy this summer!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commissions earned help support my small business, and my participation in this program comes at no added cost to you. Click here to learn more.
As my litrle guy gets older, he has taken more and more interest in having his bedroom be more than just a place where he sleeps. So, we figured it was time to make his room more of a big kid room, and opted to start with a reading nook (since he loves his cozy tent corner in his playroom so much). Putting this together was super easy.
The finished look!
Some of the other room essentials my little one loves are his hooded dinosaur blanket, his large giraffe, his weighted dinosaur plush (our OT prescribed weighted items, and we ensured the weighting was appropriate for his size), and his road rug.
The room is still a work in progress. We'll be upgrading to a big kid bed soon, and have been changing his decor from safari to dinosaur (since he is totally at that age!!). Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make progress on his big kid room!
Be sure to pin this so you can easily reference it later!!
The teacher in me loves creating great activities for kids, and holidays are an amazing opportunity to share them with you! With Father's Day approaching, I have put together a number of printables, all available FOR FREE. Last week I published an exclusive Q&A About Dad activity, for my newsletter subscribers, and now I'm bring more exclusives to the Mindfully Scientific Caregivers Group!
These four coloring pages are great for little kids who aren't able to make their own cards yet. Create beautiful homemade Father's Day Cards by having your child color the pages (make sure to edit your print settings to scale down the size!). Then paste onto coloring sheet onto folded construction paper to create a card. Help them sign the inside, and you are done!
You can also have your children color the sheets and put them inside of a store bought card. Or, use these in your classroom if you are a teacher! However your kids play, these coloring pages are perfect for them!
BE SURE TO HEAD OVER TO THE GROUP AND JOIN NOW TO GRAB YOURS!
Looking for even more Father's Day content? Head over to my Father's Day blog post, with gift and celebration ideas perfect for every family!
Living in Central Westchester County: Pleasantville, Armonk, and Chappaqua
It has been quite some time since I've shared what I have been working on over atWestchester County Mom! If you are local, you definitely need to check out three of my latest pieces, though. Once of the coolest features on on the website are the community spotlights. From the best places to brunch in Westchester County, to community spotlights, you can find recommendations for anything you'd want or need.
I recently published three local spotlights for communities I love:
These central New York communities offer something for everyone; great schools to hiking, amazing food to cultural festivals. Each has a unique vibe, but one thing they all have in common are they are excellent places to raise families. Be sure to click below to read each feature. ​
​Do you live in Westchester County, or a surrounding area? If so, what are some of your favorite places? Comment below to share!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commissions earned help support my small business, and my participation in the program comes at no added risk to you. You can learn more here.  New Sensory Bin Inspiration! Summer Themed Sensory "Beach"Sensory play continues to be a family favorite, and with summer approaching, it was time to bring the season to the sensory bin! But why stick with a basic kinetic sand sensory bin? I upped the ante by including water beads (for some extra texture contrast). Putting together this sensory activity is easy with a few simple items:
Water beads can be a choking hazard, so this may not be appropriate for younger toddlers (and make sure to monitor a child of any age, especially if they may put the beads in their mouth or nose). That said, this is a great preschool activity (and can be a good toddler activity for the right child, with supervision). Looking for more sensory bin inspiration? Check out my growing library of ideas, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!And check out more great summer content:
 
NEW TO THE RESOURCE LIBRARY!!!!
Free Fun Father's Day Question and Answer Printable for Kids, plus 15 more fun questions to ask kids about their Dad!
Grab your copy of this question and answer activity for Father's Day! Guaranteed to get some laughs from Dad, this Q&A for kids is perfect to include in a scrapbook, picture book, card, picture frame, or on its own. Want to see how your child grows? Have them do one every year! "Kids say the darnedest things", am I right?!
You can get yours by subscribing to my mailing list here. There are loads of other great, free printables available on my subscriber's library, too. I'm always adding new content, so once you sign up, check back regularly. Also follow me on social media for updates (my newsletter will be coming out soon with updates as well). 
Are you looking for great gift or celebration ideas for Father's Day? I have you covered with this Father's Day post (more ideas are being added regularly). There are also free cards available for immediate download there.
If you do this activity with your child, be sure to tag me on my social media accounts! I'd love to see what creative thoughts they have about their fathers.
Want to elaborate on this activity? Try some of these questions out:
Have other fun questions to ask the Dads in your life? Comment below to share!
Be sure to share this article!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commisions earned help suppport my small business, and my participation in this program comes at no added cost to you. You can learn more here. Nothing contained in this article constitutes medical advice. Always speak with your doctor for information about your family's health.
Chances are, someone you know, and love, has a food allergy. With how common food allergies are, you wouldn't think there would be a lot of misinformation out there. And yet, myths abound.
Food Allergy Awareness Week runs from May 9th to May 15th, 2021, and May is Asthma and Food Allergy Awareness Month. ​In honor of the occasion, and in line with my mission to continue providing evidence based parenting and caregiving solutions, I've put together a list of 8 common food allergy myths, and the related facts. How many of these myths have you heard? 
Myth: Food allergies and intolerances are the same.
Fact: Food allergies and intolerances are not the same thing. Thet are two separate medical conditions, affecting two separate systems. Food allergies are the result of an immunological response. In contrast, intolerances are a gasterointestinal disorder. Food intolerances are also not typically threatening. In contrast, food allergies can be. 
Myth: If you have a mild allergy, you can eat small amounts of your allergen.
Fact: 1. There is no such thing as a mild food allergy, only mild reactions. 2. If you have a food allergy, you should avoid ingesting any amount of your allergen.
Never, ever feed someone with food allergies any amount of their allergen, for any reason. Food allergy support groups are filled with anecdotes of family, friends, and educators giving people their allergen because "a little bit can't hurt". "A little bit" of someone's allergen can be enough to kill them. If you do not understand someone's allergen, ASK. Do not, for any reason, make assumptions or executive decisions about what a food allergy patient can or should eat. Ever.
Myth: Not all food allergies are life threatening. Peanut allergies are the most severe.
Fact: Any food allergy has the potential to be life threatening. 
Myth: If you have always had mild reactions to your allergen, you are not at risk for anaphylaxis.
Fact: Past reactions ​generally do not predict future reactions. Any food allergy patient can be at risk for anaphylaxis! 
Myth: There are only 8 food allergens: peanuts, treenuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, fish, and shellfish.
Fact: There are more than 160 identified food allergens!!!! With the passage of the FASTER Act in 2021, there are now 9 top allergens (#9 is sesame). The FASTER Act goes into effect 1/1/23. 
Myth: You can tell if a product is safe for a food allergy patient to consume by reading the label.
Fact: Labels can tell you if a product is NOT safe, but not if it is safe. Companies only have to disclose if their product contains the Top 8 allergens, and do not have to disclose risk of cross contact.
Myth: You should only epi if your throat closes, or you can't breath
​Fact: Signs of anaphylaxis vary. Speak to your doctor, or see FARE's action plan to learn more. You'll notice that symptoms are not just confined to the respiratory system. Allergic reactions can affect the skin, nervous system, cardiorespiratory system, eyes, and even the gasterointestinal tract. My reactions to peanuts have varied from hives to an itchy throat and swelling of my lips and mouth. I have also experienced severe headaches. I have family members who have had severe GI symptoms, but no skin or respiratory symptoms. Other family members have profuse hives, GI symptoms, and wheezing. Knowing all the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, and acting early by administering epinephrine, can save a life. Your individualized action plan will be the best source of information of when to administer epinephrine, so be sure to obtain one from your allergist if you do not have one (and follow it closely). 
​EPI FIRST, EPI FAST!!!
​*When prescribed by a doctor, administered under the guidance of a medical professional, and/or used as directed. Always speak with a medical professional to see if epi is right for you. Also note, in some places, epinephrine is a component of first aid kits. In these regions, epinephrine has been deemed safe enough to administer when anaphylaxis is suspected. Do not rely on this article to dictate if epi is the correct medication for you, or your family.
Want to learn even more about food allergies? Be sure to visit Food Allergy Research and Education! Also, check out my list of 5 things I've learned as a food allergy parent, and visit my food allergy portal for even more food allergy family resources and blog posts!
Food Allergy Research and Education also has a section on food allergy myths and misconceptions. You can find that here.
Be sure to share to help raise awareness!
Find the perfect gift for dad, or way to celebrate the fathers in your life! I'll be adding to this post periodically with new lists, resources, and printables, so check back regularly!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. Commissions earned help support my small business, and my participation in this program comes at no added cost to you. You can learn more here.
Great Father's Day Gifts
Free Printables - Great for Gifts, DIY Cards, and More!
FATHER'S DAY "ABOUT MY DAD PRINTABLE"
Sign up for my email list to get access to this printable, and loads more great free content in my subscriber's library!
Free Father's Day Cards - Printables for Instant Download
You can also download one of two Father's Day cards instantly below! No strings attached!
FREE FATHER'S DAY COLORING PAGES!!!
Grab your free Father's Day coloring pages over on the Facebook group! While I share many exclusives with my email subscribers, I also offer Facebook group only exclusives such as these:
Make Memories: The Best Father's Day Activities
With food allergy awareness week around the corner, I am back with a new printable available for immediate download. This free food allergy advocacy resource has 100% no strings attached! Why?
Because raising awareness about food allergies is life saving work, and to make a difference we need to include our children in the discussion.
Food allergy bullying is a common problem, and one way to combat it is with early education. Food allergies are a life threatening disability. There is nothing funny about that.
You can find more tips for addressing bullying over food allergies here.
Stay tuned, because even more printables are coming soon!!! And be sure to participate in Food Allergy Awareness Week from May 9th - May 15th. Food Allergy Research and Education has a ton of activities planned; you can find the entire schedule here.
Or, check out my last blog post for access to tons of graphics, an overview of FARE's event schedule, and more!
And, of course, the real reason you came to this post.... the printable! You can download it via the image, or click on the file below.
Free Kids' Food Allergy Awareness Printable for Immediate Download
Be sure to share this post to help other families raise awareness about food allergies!
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Information on this webpage is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Nothing on this website, or its subsidiaries, constitutes medical or psychological advice. Always speak with your individual practitioners. Entire terms of use and disclaimers can be found here.