Supporting the Blind

Do you, or do you know someone who is blind? Many people are born with blindness while others become blind at some point in their life. No matter the case of why and how they are blind, as a friend, relative or associate you need to equip yourself with information and resources.

Blind Relative

If you have a relative who is blind do you know if they have considered a service dog? While many blind people are able to get around relatively fine, they may struggle with emotional support. This is the perfect situation for a dog from https://superdog.com/ The other kids in the family may need that extra love as well, making a support dog perfect for your family.

As a relative you need to try to consider how you can set up your home to make visiting you easy. No one wants to feel like a burden. Be honest and just ask them what you can do to make visiting your home easier. It may be as simple as moving a coffee table to keeping all the doors opened. Once they visit your home enough they will be able to navigate it feeling much more confident.

Blind Employee

Have you recently hired someone who is blind and knew so by it being on their resume? Did someone on your payroll recently become blind? While you may not want to make them feel odd by drawing attention to them, they do deserve to have you address the situation to the staff, especially the other employee they will be working with directly. You can simply reach out to https://www.speakers.ca/ and see if they have a speaker who can talk to your staff. Talk to the HR department and see how they think the situation should be addressed.

Blind Neighbor

Many people enjoy getting to know their neighbors and becoming friends with them. If this sounds like you be sure to not ignore your blind neighbor. They are just like you, only they cannot function the same with their eyes. When you have a block party, or do some fun neighborhood games – like “You Have Been BOO’d” on Halloween consider gifting to their home. You can order a custom braille letter so they truly feel included in the fun.

Blind Child

Was a child born into your family with blindness? This may have been a surprise to you. There are plenty of support available for you. There are many variations of blindness.

The main 4 are: CVI
CVI, or cortical/cerebral visual impairment, is the leading cause of modern day blindness in children. Unlike ocular forms of visual impairment, CVI is a brain-based disorder, and often coexists with an additional visual impairment.

Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic disorder, which affects up to one in 4,000 people in the U.S. and across Europe, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. People with this eye condition often have trouble seeing at night and experience a loss of peripheral vision due to the gradual breakdown in cells of the retina. It’s most commonly detected in early childhood, and can lead to total blindness later in life.

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is another one of the leading causes of vision loss, affecting an estimated 10 million people in the U.S.

There are a few types of this condition, but the most common is called dry macular degeneration. This type of visual impairment is found in adults, and causes a person’s central vision to deteriorate. In children, a genetic disorder called Stargardt Syndrome looks very similar to macular degeneration because of the way both conditions affect one’s vision.

Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disease which occurring in babies born prematurely. It begins when blood vessels in the eye leak or bleed, resulting in scarring of the eye and retinal detachment. Although surgeries can lessen the severity of the visual impairment, children born with the condition often have little to no eye sight. – Content credit is to : https://www.perkins.org/stories/four-prevalent-different-types-of-blindness

While many blind people are able to get around relatively fine, they may struggle with emotional support. This is the perfect situation for a dog from https://superdog.com/ The other kids in the family may need that extra love as well, making a support dog perfect for your family.

 

 

Updating Your Home For A Wheelchair

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Many people buy a home and never think they will need to make it wheelchair friendly. If this is true for you, then you understand the stress and work that is involved with the adjustments. You may now have a relative in a wheelchair that needs to reside with you. You may have a family member who had a life experience that lead to a life in a wheelchair. No matter how you got in this situation you do not need to fear. There are plenty of resource to aid in this life change. Be sure to take care of yourself and the one in need.

Ramps

To start off you may need to quickly install some form of a ramp. This is the main way the wheelchair can easily get in and out of the home. You can grab some ply wood from a local hardware store to get something quickly. This however is not a safe for the long term solution. You can find many semi and fully permeant ramps. You may care more about the aesthetics of this ramp as it will be seen outside your home and is part of your homes curb appeal. The most common ramps are wood or metal. Consider which would fit your situation best.

 

Stair Lifts

If you have a multi-level home you have to install a stairlift. Typically, stairlifts can be fitted to most stairs, providing a seat and electrical ramp that can be permanently attached to a staircase. Many have a weight limit, so this needs to be considered at the beginning of your research. Do you want the style that the chair folds up to allow easy access to people who are going to be walking up and down the stairs, or can you have the option to have the seat out at all times? Some are battery operated and others need to be hooked up to the electrical system in the home. Check out a site like Savaria.com to explore these and other options.

 

Wheelchair Lifts

Wheelchair lifts are much more industrial and have a larger compacity. A wheelchair lift allows a person and their wheelchair to remain together as the wheelchair is moved up or down. Oftentimes people install a wheelchair lift outside their home instead of a ramp. This is perfect for landscaping that does not allow for a ramp to be used. There are inclined options and vertical options, so you need to look at the space you are considering to install this device and make the call on that. To learn more about wheelchair lifts and their uses click over to Silvercross.com

 

Residential Elevators

A lot of people think of residential elevators as just a fun feature in luxury homes. They are fun, and are used for mansions and high end homes, but it is not only them that choose to install these types of elevator. If you need to have an elevator installed consider the look you desire. There are many sleek and fashionable choices now available.

Keeping Fresh in Chi Town

Chicago – the Windy City. Man, how great is this city?!

All 4 seasons, huge variety of people and businesses and after hours party life.

The only thing lacking is a beach – oh wait – Chicago does have one on Lake Michigan. They do have it all.

 

If you are looking to keep fresh while living or visiting Chicago you need to know a few things.

The Food

Chicago style deep dish is legendary for a reason. It’s unique style makes it appealing to all crowds. There are a chains like Lou Malnati’s and single standing legends like Bonci and Pequod’s. When you go downtown check out the food trucks like The Happy Lobster, Three Legged Tacos or The Fat Shallot. They will not disappoint.

If you are looking to host a dinner party or business dining event then you know you have to keep it classy. You could rent out a party hall or a banquet at a hotel – but I say go with the best personal chef chicago to keep those standards high.

The Cars

If you love cars then you are going to love Chicago. Do you have a sweet whip you are looking to show off. Then downtown is a perfect place. If you want to cruise around try heading up north to some of the suburbs. If you want to make your car stand out you should consider getting it customized. You can get a new “candy coated” dashboard, racing steering wheel, or add some leather to warm it up. Check out Craft Customs to see what upgrades you would like.

If you want, you can also rent a luxury car. There is DS Luxury Exotic Car Rentals and Veluxity Exotic Car Rental Chicago to consider. You can rent them for a few hours or the whole day. This is a fun way to add some romance to your next Valentine’s Day out. Show off to the new snack you have been eyeing. Hot cars make for fun times.

The Look

You probably already look drip, but always looking for some new shine. Are you a shoes guys? A slick suit? Are you the one who loves to shine with things like Stndrdz diamond cuban link chain and custom pendants?  Anyway you shake it, you need to be fresh downtown Chicago. Talk to your friends and ask them what new brands and swag they are looking for.

Don’t worry about buying outfits just because your friends are wearing them. Chicagoans have style and individual looks. Be yourself, don’t just blend into he backdrop.

The City

When you in Chicago it is fun to see the tourist stuff, it is by no means lame. Have you heard of the Chicago Bean? It is a perfect photo opportunity. The museums are very engaging and will provide a great time. The Field Museum boosts a huge collection of dinosaurs, you can get lost in the 3 floors and 500,000 square feet. Check out the store too, it has some fun pieces. The Shedd Aquarium is well worth the money. You can explore all types of marine life and watch a dolphin and seal show – if you sit in the first row, be prepared to get a few splashes.

Wall Decor Made Easy

I love decorating and hanging things up on our walls. I’m not sure I’m very good at it, but none the less, I do it anyways.

I’m all about easy and cheap decor, and things that look good of course, so canvases are my go to.


CanvasDiscount.com has given our home some updates that I have been looking for since we moved in last September. I was able to get multiple canvases for such a small price.

Like so small.


I received five canvases in total, three 8×8, one 10×14, and one 16×20. The price point on each product is very good, in my opinion. The 8×8, for instance, is just $5. Seriously affordable for anyone!

I’m glad that I ended up getting a few different sizes because I was able to compare the quality of the canvases as the size increased.

The canvases pictured directly above an below are 8×8 and 10×14.

I am very pleased with the 8×8 size. The canvas is wrapped very well around the wooden frame and is very tight on the front side. As the size increased, I did notice a decline in quality, though. The 16×20 I am disappointed in. The canvas is saggy and not tight on the front. When I look at the canvas as it hangs on the wall, I can see the sag, and it makes me a little sad. To be fair, I don’t think that anyone else will notice this, unless they are very closely inspecting it.


The canvases do not come with hangers on them, so that is defiantly something to consider when ordering. Their is an option on their site to have a hanger set included, for just $4, which is totally a fair price. You will have to install the hangers on the backs of the canvases, so just keep that in mind.

I would have preferred the canvases to have hangers already included on them, but this is not a make or break decision for me. I easily hung them up with a simple nail in the wall. Simply set the wooden frame of the canvas on the nail, and center to your desire. No hangers needed!

Ordering is a breeze. Just simply choose the product you want to create, upload your photo(s), choose the size, adjust the format, and add to your cart.

The page does time out pretty quickly, so when checking out, just be sure you’re ready to go so you don’t lose your work and have to start over. This happened to me a few times, which was disappointing, but not a huge deal.

In my older boys bedroom I have created a photo wall, which I actually love. Its taken time, but overall the cost has been low and it’s very low maintenance. We’ve used a few different canvas brands, and CanvasDiscount allowed us to get our last canvas and finish the wall.

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Overall, I love the canvases that CanvasDiscount sent us. They brighten up the walls of our home, and make me feel happy and joyful. And really, that’s what a home is supposed to do, right?

Use code: MAMATHEFOX15 for 15% off any canvas print from CanvasDiscount!

Spring Looks – Freshen Up Your Look

With spring around the corner you can probably feel the warmth and freedom of a sunny day. Being in the Midwest, I thrive on sun, and we only get it so many day of the year. This doesn’t stop me from trying to be joyful, see the best in a situation and to march forward. Because I won’t be seeing the sun for a while it makes this a perfect time to do some shopping and freshen up my 2021 spring look.

Jewelry

I always like to wear jewelry, whether I’m spending the day at home, running errands, or meeting up with some friends. You tend to feel a little more polished as a result. Even simple earrings can enhance your dull-dressed appearance. Additionally, pairing a boring outfit with 14k gold moon and star earrings can elevate the entire look of a dress. All in all, even a spartan accessory can add style and sophistication to a plain, vapid dress. The little bling, that fun something extra. Take a look at your jewelry armoire. What are your favorite pieces? Why are they your favorite pieces? Do you prefer to stick with long style necklaces or are you a hoop earring gal? If you know you never wear any bracelet’s, cool, don’t waste you time considering that fun new one you saw at the mall – you are not going to wear it no matter how cute it is. Personally, as I already mentioned, I love a new pair of earrings. They can be simple or extravagant. I never seem to get tired of a new pair of earrings. If you need hypoallergenic earrings check out Simply Whispers. Head over to your local Target and check out the clearance jewelry – a chunky bling necklace always comes in handy on a Friday night.

Business Trips

You may fall into the category of the business trip professional. Apart from setting up your itinerary with the help of agencies like Uniqueworld London DMC, you might be the type of person who dresses business class! Someone who occasionally, or more often than not, has to travel daily or even overnight trips. In order to spruce up your travel gear, try to look into some new travel bags, accessories or workwear melbourne (or wherever you reside). Go to the clearance section at TJ MAXX or HomeGoods, you can find name brand products at a discount here. If you need to get some blue light blocking glasses for all that screen time or a sharp new watch then check out Lapiazzastore.com

Casual Friday

Does your work offer a casual Friday? The day to be comfy and dress down is always sought after. You can work even better when you are not wasting time fixing the zipper on your high waisted skirt, or fussing with your pantyhose. Each work environment has its limits on what they consider to be casual. You may be allowed to wear jeans and the best laid back t shirts, while other employers would consider kaki and loafers a dress down day. Talk to your friends at work and see what their plans are for their dress down days. You may get some inspiration from them. or even a shopping trip together to think of new ideas.

Whichever route you choose to jump into a fresh start this spring be sure you do it with a smile and keep within your budget.

Easy Ways To Turn Your Home Into An Eco-Friendly Haven

Many of us are on a mission to live greener lifestyles and do our bit to protect the environment. If you’re looking for easy ways to make a difference, here are some tips to turn your home into an eco-friendly haven.

Switching to renewable energy

Renewable energy is clean and sustainable. More and more of us are switching to solar and wind power and taking advantage of innovative solutions that enable us to run appliances and heat our homes while also reducing our carbon footprint. If you haven’t already made the leap, you can read more about community solar projects at choosesolar.com or investigate installing solar panels at your property by contacting local companies. Changing to renewable sources of energy can save you money, especially in the long-term and it may also make your home more attractive to buyers if you choose to sell. But, therefore you call your local solar company, make sure they have enough experience in what they are dealing. It’s always better to do some research, check their website to ensure you get good service.

Image by https://pixabay.com/photos/solar-system-roof-power-generation-2939560/

Insulating your home

Many of us experience a significant increase in our expenditure on energy in the winter. If you’re spending too much, this could be a sign that your home is failing to retain heat. Insulation provides an effective solution. With insulation, you can trap warm air and prevent heat loss, creating cozy, comfortable rooms and eliminating the need to run radiators all day long. There are several ways to improve insulation, from investing in double glazing and adding loft and cavity wall insulation to using draught excluders and filling materials from hardware stores to plug gaps in doorways.

Natural materials

If you’re planning to spruce up your home, you’re about to embark upon a renovation project or you have grand plans to extend your kitchen, try to use sustainable, natural materials or opt for recycled building materials. Using natural resources can provide incredible aesthetic benefits, as well as promoting sustainability.

Picture via https://www.pexels.com/photo/living-room-with-rustic-theme-4050318/

Adding greenery

Adding plants and flowers to your home is a surefire way to enhance the look of each room, but it can also have a positive impact on air quality and mental health. Studies show that plants can boost productivity and lift our mood.

Recycling and upcycling

Recycling is an effective means of reducing waste and ensuring recyclable materials can be used again. If you get into the habit of recycling, it will soon become part of your daily routine. As well as recycling paper, cardboard, tins, glass and plastic, it’s also a great idea to try and repurpose anything you don’t want or need. If you’re having a clear-out, set out piles of stuff you could donate, sell or upcycle. Upcycling is a brilliant way to breathe new life into old furniture and create pieces that suit the style and aesthetic of your home. From tables and chairs to couches and chests, there’s scope to use your creativity to transform almost any item that has seen better days. If you’re looking for inspiration, there are some great ideas in this article https://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g2315/creative-ideas-for-upcycled-home-decor/.

Image from https://pixabay.com/photos/plastic-bottles-fishing-net-netting-388679/

Have you started the year with a desire to do your bit to protect the planet? If so, there are some very easy ways to turn your home into an eco-friendly haven.

How to Plan a Stress-Free House Move

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Whether you are moving states or a new neighborhood, there is no doubt moving house is an emotional time. But once you’ve sold your home to a new homeowner or company providing We Buy Homes in Lafayette LA services, you’ve already done the hard part. Deciding to move house in the first place is one of the biggest decisions that you’ll ever have to make in your life. Though checking out properties listed on websites like North Gaia can help to make your choice significantly easier, there is still something that will make the moving process hard to bear. Make sure to hire such professionals, and talk to Ship Vehicle customer support before hiring them it will take away half of your stress. However, you have to think about the bigger picture. Just think about the exciting times you will have in your new home once you have completely moved? This is definitely something you should focus your mind on.

Moving home can be incredibly exciting. But if you were to move the things in your home by yourself, without the help of a removal company, it can be all the more stressful. You would have to take into consideration, the transportation aspect, insurance and a lot more. If you want to focus more on the exciting aspects of moving while minimizing the stress, you have come to the right place. In this post, we will talk through how you can reduce the stress involved in moving home, and instead look forward to your fresh start in a new house. Here are the tips that you need to know to take the stress out of moving:

Get to Know Your New Neighborhood

Making the transition to living in an unfamiliar neighborhood can be a daunting prospect. The best thing that you can do to help settle in faster is to visit your new area a much as you can to familiarize yourself with your new home’s location. Exploring your new area is an excellent way to tackle some of those stressful admin tasks associated with moving, such as figuring out which doctor’s office is closest and registering as a patient, and planning your route to work. You will be able to settle into your new location far more easily when you have already found your way around.

Hire a Moving Firm

Hiring a professional moving firm has to be one of the most effective ways to beat the stress of moving. Moving day will run so much smoother when you have professionals handling the process for you. Using their knowledge and experience house removal companies will get your belongings loaded up and on their way to your new home with minimal effort from yourself.

If you want to secure the best house movers, be sure to schedule your moving date with them as soon as you can so that they don’t get booked up before you manage to secure a date with them. There are some transport & freight companies adelaide (if that is where you are moving) that provide moving services and can transport your goods and belongings safely over long distances. Make sure to hire such professional, it will take away half of your stress..

Declutter Before You Pack

If there’s one thing that sends many people’s stress levels sky-high when moving, it’s the feeling of being overwhelmed by too much stuff. Realizing just how much stuff you own and wondering how on earth you will pack can create a stressful situation. Before you start panicking about how much you have to do, try and reduce the number of items you take with you to your new house.

Before you even start to pack, you may find it helps to go through your stuff and get rid of anything that you no longer want or need. Decluttering before a move is an excellent way to make it feel like a fresh start on your new home, and most importantly, means that you have less to pack. There’s nothing worse than opening up boxes of stuff in your new home and wishing that you hadn’t brought it with you as you have nowhere to put it all. If you start decluttering early, you will have plenty of time to ensure that you only take items that you want to your new home.

tart in a new house. Here are the tips that you need to know to take the stress out of moving:

Safety Tips to Follow When Teaching Teens to Drive

Having kids is a dream come true for so many people, but every new mother and father quickly learns that being a parent also comes with a seemingly endless list of challenges and responsibilities. And even as your child gets older and grows into a teenager, they may become more independent, but they’ll still need your help time and time again.

One of the key moments when teens need to turn their parents for guidance and assistance is when they want to learn how to drive. Moms and dads can be very helpful in this situation, and it can be a great way to prepare your teen for the perils of the road and give them the knowledge they need to stay as safe as possible. You will need to teach them not only how to be safe when driving a car, but how to make sure the car is physically safe to drive. This includes ensuring that maintenance is carried out at all times from oil changes to changing their tyres, which can be done in a few ways such as finding the best fitting tyres online or going to an auto shop. Maintenance is key to safety.

At the same time, it can feel quite intimidating to even think of sitting in the passenger seat beside the child you raised and watch them control a car with their own hands and feet. In this situation, it is very likely that most parents will make the definitive decision to book their child in for Driving lessons Gosforth, or somewhere that is conveniently located for you, so they know that their child is learning to drive in the capable hands of a professional driving instructor. Most people decide to do this when learning with their parents (or children) is something that is not of interest to them.

However, if you decide that teaching them is something that you want to do, it is very likely that many parents hesitate or feel anxious about this experience, but with the right approach, it can be a pleasant and rewarding endeavor for both you and your child.

Empathy and Understanding Are Key

There are certain qualities you’ll need to demonstrate when teaching your teen how to drive in order for both of you to have the best possible time. Two of the most important qualities of all are empathy and understanding, and if you can muster up enough of each one, you and your teen can actually have a great time together.

It’s important to be empathetic throughout the process, putting yourself in your teen’s shoes, remembering the excitement and anxiety you also felt when you were their age, learning to drive for the first time. By understanding their position and acknowledging that they make mistakes, you’ll be a much more patient and approachable teacher.

Patience Is Essential Too

Following on from the previous point, you’ll also need to be very patient while teaching a teen to drive. It’s not as simple as sitting in the passenger seat, going over the basics, and then watching your teen drive around without any worries at all. There will be problems, mistakes, misunderstandings, and challenges along the way.

It’s up to you to be ready for those challenges as they come, responding correctly, and remembering once again to be understanding towards your child. Getting angry and losing your patience will only cause problems in the long run, so it’s much better to take deep breaths, calmly explain what went wrong, and proceed from there.

Safety Is of the Essence

One of the big worries that flows through a parent’s mind when their teenager starts learning to drive is the thought of them out on the roads, in a car filled with friends, having to navigate the often dangerous roads and highways of the world without your protection. So, before you hand over your car to your child, make sure you take the four wheeler to a local shop providing good Auto Mechanical Services. This might ensure that the car does not have any kind of sudden problems in the midst of their lesson.

It’s perfectly natural to have this kind of concern, and there are plenty of reasons behind it. After all, auto accidents are one of the leading causes of teen deaths. This is why it’s vital for you, as the driving instructor, to stress the importance of safety to your teen. Remind them about buckling up, following speed limits, obeying signs, avoiding distractions, and never drinking and driving.

Be Present, Alert, and Adaptable

When you’re teaching a teen to drive, you may not actually be in direct control of the vehicle, but you’re still the only qualified driver in that space. This is why you have to be present and alert, keeping an eye out for any hazards, acting as concentrated and focused as you would if you were actually driving, and taking any necessary action if dangers arise.


You also have to be able to adapt to different situations. Remember that every teen is different. Some of them will be quite comfortable, confident drivers without needing too much time, while others can be much more hesitant and nervous behind the wheel. They may panic at the last moment which can lead to driving test cancellations. However, practice can help ease the doubts. Adapt to their needs and skills and guide them the right way.

Conclusion

Teaching a teen to drive can feel like quite an overwhelming challenge at first, but by following these tips and having the right approach, you can help your child learn the skills they need to thrive on the roads. Just make sure to progress gradually, always starting off in an empty parking lot or safe space and then building up towards driving on small streets later on. With patience, empathy, and focus, you can help your teen become an excellent driver.

Healthy Home Lives Start With Making The Right Additions

 

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A winning home environment has always been the platform for building a better life. However, the importance of your property in your daily life has scaled new heights in the post-coronavirus era. Its impact on your health is something you simply cannot afford to ignore.

 

We often worry about whether the property is in good health. Right now, though, you should turn your focus to whether the home promotes personal health. Here are five focal points that will guide you to a better solution in 2021 and beyond.

 

#1. A Better Sleeping Environment

 

Given that it takes up approximately one-third of your life, it makes sense to start with your sleep patterns. Finding a mattress with a firmness level that matches your needs is the first item to consider. This should be accompanied by the right pillows and bedding for a good night’s rest.

 

Further bedroom upgrades include using sunlight blocking blinds or getting a better HVAC system. When supported by habitual changes that encourage better sleep, you will wake up feeling less stressed and more energized.

 

#2. A Cleaner Living Environment

 

Air pollution is a major cause for concern when spending more time at home. Good air filtration is a great place to start. However, you also need to take proactive steps to maintain clean kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Otherwise, mold and germs may cause respiratory problems.

 

Many homeowners find that decluttering the home makes life a lot simpler. There will be fewer tough spots to reach as a direct result of this. Further tricks can include using robotic vacuums and appliances that automate cleaning tasks.

Credit: PIxabay CC0 License

 

#3. Increased Time Outdoors

 

Your backyard is the perfect place to spend time outside without the fear of contracting the virus. In turn, you will notice a reduction in stress levels while the boost of vitamin D will aid physical and mental wellbeing. This setting is also the ideal place to enjoy a little light activity by gardening or swimming.

 

Of course, you won’t have the motivation to spend time in the garden if it doesn’t look and feel right. Outdoor patios provide the perfect environment for long afternoons in the sun. When supported by the right furniture, you’ll be set for years of joy.

 

#4. Healthier Eating Habits

 

The human body needs to be fueled in the right way to stay fit and healthy. The home surroundings will have a huge influence on your decisions. Something as simple as keeping fruit on display and naughty treats locked away can have a positive influence. But you must look to do more.

 

There are several gadgets to deliver convenience on a daily basis. A fat griller is a very popular solution, as are slow cookers. You can find plenty of online recipes to boost your repertoire of nutritious and delicious foods.

 

#5. Good Mental Health

 

Promoting physical health at home counts for very little without the presence of mental health elements. A digital photo frame that plays back your most magical memories is the easiest solution. Meanwhile, choosing your favourite colour schemes or celebrating hobbies are useful too.

 

While a good night’s sleep will certainly aid your mood, you should also think about the bathroom. When you are blessed with a space where you can shut off from the stresses of life, the emotional benefits are huge.

 

Owlet Smart Sock

As a soon-to-be-mama, I have rosy colored dreams of watching my little one snoozing away in the bassinet next to me! Taking in her little features as she smirks or grimaces in her sleep…wondering what her infant mind could possibly be dreaming about when she’s so new to the world.  But then I think about myself trying to actually fall asleep with her nearby and the dream bubble is popped! Suddenly, I realize the challenge that is to come in not staying up all night at the ready to tend to her needs.

The Owlet Smart Sock includes just that, a sock, that fits littles from 5 lbs. up to 30 lbs.  This soft, little sock, though so petite in size, is capable of so much!  First, it connects to your phone through bluetooth providing you with all of the data from your baby’s previous night of sleep.  What data? The Smart Sock not only measures oxygen and heart rate, but also measures sleep trends including total hours slept, number of wakings, sleep quality and more.

Personally, as a first time mama, I am particularly interested in the sleep trends feature of the Owlet.  As I am educating myself for the transition ahead to parenthood, baby sleep schedules and rhythms appears to be a hot topic among new parents with a lot of different schools of thought on how to approach baby sleep.  I appreciate the fact that Owlet will automatically log my little one’s sleep times so that I don’t have to…which means one more item off of my plate and a little more space freed up in my mind that is already running on limited storage (Thank you, pregnancy brain!).

From what I hear those nights can be a blur and I think it will be encouraging to wake up and use our nighttime data to help make decisions for our day.  For example, maybe I didn’t think we got a lot of sleep the night before, but then realize on the app it was more than I thought – what an encouragement!  Or on the opposite hand, maybe I wake up the next morning and realize we didn’t get much sleep at all the night before…well that calls for a jammies day and a cancelling of my to do list.  In the sleepy newborn haze, it will be so easy to lose track of time.  I think that the Owlet Smart Sock can help provide me with real data to assist me in navigating the drowsy 4th trimester.

Additionally, the kit includes a Base Station that provides a drop area to charge your Smart Sock quickly, which is especially convenient if you are taking it on the go or forget to charge it during the day and bedtime is getting close.  The Smart Sock battery lasts for 16 hours at full charge.  However, in just 20 minutes of charging you will get 8 hours of battery life, while a full charge is available after 90 minutes.  To charge, you simply place the sock on its resting place in the Base Station…no wires to fiddle with at all which means its easy to do one handed while enjoying those early morning cuddles.

Owlet has thoughtfully considered ease of use when designing their products.  From the convenience of data collected right to your phone to the efficient and petite equipment they provide that doesn’t feel bulky or overwhelming, their design is sleek and practical.  To read more about Owlet or shop their Smart Socks and accessories, check out their website or find them on Instagram.