The Whatever Mom

On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery

On The Seventh Day of Service Make A Furry Friend

On The Eighth Day of Service Express Your Gratitude

On The Ninth Day of Service Share Your Spirit

On The Tenth Day of Service Give the Gift of Your Best Self

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

10
Dec
2015

On the Tenth Day of Service Give the Gift of Your Best Self

categories: Healthy Moms, Holiday Fun, Mommy Wars, Parenting

Our nine days of service have included some great experiences to share with the kids. I hope you enjoy the simplicity and are inspired to find creative ways to include your kids in service to others. Now, I am going to suggest you give back in a way only YOU can. Give a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger your best self.

How can you help?

See another mom at school drop off who looks overwhelmed? Ask her out for coffee. As moms we don’t take the time for ourselves, we so easily give it way. But, if we schedule time with someone else we are more apt to follow through. Connecting over coffee will give both of you time to recharge.
See a neighbor who lives alone? Don’t just drop off a note, knock on the door. Invite them over for tea and chat for a while. If they aren’t able to make it out of the house take them a meal and stay a while to talk. Giving someone your full attention even for fifteen minutes of small talk could mean the world to them.
See someone who needs a shopping cart? Offer them yours. Give them a big smile and wish them a great day. The thoughtfulness of strangers can be very uplifting.
Is there someone you miss talking to? Put away the to-do list and pick up the phone. Give them a call and check in. Ask how they are doing and find out what’s new. You’ll be glad you took the time to catch up.
Look at people’s faces while standing in line at the grocery store. Talk to them about the weather. Notice something about them you like: a scarf, a pin, their shoes and give them a compliment. Talk to the cashier about how busy the store looks today and thank them for their service. It can be rare that someone tells us something nice about ourselves that even the smallest compliment can give us a boost.

I know all of my service posts have featured small acts with big impact. I’ve showed you how to package up gifts and cards and send them out to people in need. But, not all of us need material things. Some of us just need to be recognized. Some of us just need a little kindness in our day. Like a pebble dropped into the water the ripples travel outward until they join the current and create a big wave. Together we can start a tidal wave just by being our best selves this holiday.

On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery

On The Seventh Day of Service Make A Furry Friend

On The Eighth Day of Service Express Your Gratitude

On The Ninth Day of Service Share Your Spirit

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

09
Dec
2015

On The Ninth Day of Service Share Your Spirit

categories: Uncategorized

I LOVE Christmas caroling! In fact, while I was in high school some friends and I started our own tradition of late night caroling. We used to get together at my friend Annie’s house for a sleep over to celebrate her December birthday. It was perfect timing for caroling! We waited for her mom to fall asleep so we could sneak out and attempt to annoy the neighbors by knocking on their doors after curfew and singing carols. Turns out the neighbors weren’t annoyed at all! They loved it! So, we sneaked out again the next year! (We were SUCH rebels!).

This weekend my family and I joined local friends at a nursing home for a Christmas carol sing along. My friend Erica has arranged this wonderful event for years now. She makes sure to include everyone from age 0-100! This year was my first time attending and it was a lot of fun! Some of the residents truly enjoyed seeing the little children. My girls were able to chat with one resident who misses her grandchildren. She helped my girls feed the fish in the small fountain and enjoyed listening to all their stories. It was so heartwarming to see the interaction!

How can you help? Contact a nursing home or senior residence near you and ask if they already have carolers coming. If they do not, ask if you can bring your friends and family with little kids to spend some time caroling for the residents. You can carol through the halls from room to room in true caroler fashion, or assemble in the activity room. If you are affiliated with a scout troop invite them along. The more the Merrier! If there is time you can assemble some cards, or holiday crafts to bring along for the residents (or even the staff) to enjoy.

Erica and her family brought along a stash of festive hats and head bands and some simple instruments for kids could use. There were jingle bells, tambourines and plenty of shakers. She also brought along song books for carolers to hold and prompted us along while singing.

Be sure to bring along festive hats and song books for carolers.

There is so much learning that transpires when different generations mingle. Teaching our kids to extend the holiday spirit to seniors who are missing their families is a great way to help foster compassion and empathy. Most importantly, showing our kids how to treat our elders is modeling for them how we would like to be treated one day.

On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery

On The Seventh Day of Service Make A Furry Friend

On The Eighth Day of Service Express Your Gratitude

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

08
Dec
2015

On The Eighth Day of Service Express Your Gratitude

categories: Family Fun, Holiday Fun, Organizing, Parenting

I’ll never forget the Christmas my brother in-law Joe was serving in Iraq. The entire holiday season felt off because we were all so worried about his safety on the other side of the world. We built care packages for him and included items for him to share with the members of his unit. We wanted to be sure if anyone was missing letters and packages from home there was enough for Joe to share. Thankfully, he was only gone for the one Christmas and returned home safely shortly after.

During his time on active duty I helped host a collection drive and assembled shoe boxes of supplies to send to our soldiers. Since then I have remembered to send letters and cards at Christmas. This year, I have found a great organization that makes it really easy for parents and kids to give back to members of the military: Operation Gratitude.

There are several ways you can share your support through Operation Gratitude. One of the easiest and least expensive ways is to assemble a care kit. This small kit of personal care items is included in care packages shipped to 150,000+ deployed Troops, Recruits, Veterans and Wounded Warriors. These kits are a valued contribution to the packages. Most requested items include: Lip Balm, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Roll-on Deodorant, Razors, Individual packets of moist towelettes, Hand/Foot Warmers, Foot powder (travel size).

You and your kids can shop for and fill one bag, or invite friends to donate items and have a stuffing party. Fill a gallon sized Zip Lock bag, or a clear toiletry travel kit with your care items. (All of which can be found at your local dollar store). Be sure to include a personal letter, or card for the recipient.

If you are unable to assemble kits because of the cost, or maybe you just have really little ones and it’s hard to get everyone out of the house, write a letter! Your words of encouragement and gratitude will go a long way. Yes, even the scribbles and stickers from a small child will help brighten someone’s day!

Sharing in this simple activity is a great reminder for children how important it is to lend our support and say thank you to our military. It helps instill gratitude for those who are serving to keep us safe.

On The Second Day of Service Host a Coat Drive

On The Third Day of Service Make a Special Delivery

On the Seventh Day of Service Make a Furry Friend

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

07
Dec
2015

On The Seventh Day of Service Make a Furry Friend

categories: Uncategorized

My kids have been asking for a puppy, or any pet for that matter, for the last year. We lost our beloved Kodiak just days before my girls’ second birthday. He passed away suddenly at age 16. He was my first “baby” and my constant companion for 13 years. I was deeply saddened when he passed and now three years later, I am ready to think about bringing a new pup into our lives.

But, I am still worried my kids aren’t exactly ready yet. So, to satisfy their love of animals and to help them mature in their understanding of the responsibilities for caring for a pet, we began volunteering at the SPCA. This is our first official volunteer work outside of the house. This summer we made a cat bed from a recycled tire. The girls LOVED it and they were rewarded with spending time with the kittens.

I asked what else we could do to help and the youth director suggested we look at the wish list on the website. The list includes things from office supplies to dog and cat food to medical supply needs. You might be wondering why the SPCA would be asking for so much. Well, it turns out the SPCA is not funded through any grant, or government agency. Each animal shelter has to raise their own funds to care for the animals and keep their building operating. The SPCA in your town most likely provides inexpensive shots clinics, animal adoption clinics and even advocacy for animal abuse. There is a team of amazing volunteers that finds homes for animals rescued from abuse.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

How can you help? Find your local ASPCA shelter and visit their website. Make a donation right online, or find their wish list and make a shopping list of supplies. You can ask your friends and family to donate items from the wish list in honor or in memory of a beloved pet. Kids can help sort items and deliver to the shelter. Take your kids shopping at the pet store, or have them help you fill a cart on Amazon.com and have the items shipped to the shelter. You can do which ever is easiest for you to do!

Teaching our children compassion for animals reaches further beyond their interaction with just animals. It fosters compassion for all living things.

On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery

On The Second Day of Service Host a Coat Drive

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

06
Dec
2015

On The Sixth Day of Service Rise Together

categories: Family Fun, Friday Favorites, Holiday Fun, Organizing, Parenting, Party

As we are counting down the days until we wake up on Christmas morning surrounded by our families, there are thousands of children in our foster care system just hoping for a family for Christmas. Currently there are around a half of a million children in foster homes in America; many of them waiting to be adopted by a forever family to call their own.

This statistic is pretty heart breaking. But, to hear that foster kids are handed two trash bags upon entering foster care tugs pretty hard at my heart strings too. They move from home to home with their belongings in plastic bags meant to carry garbage.

Kids in foster care get two trash bags to carry their belongings.

My friend Rachel adopted her beautiful little girl from foster care. At her celebration party Rachel and her family collected comfort items to donate to our local foster kids. They decorated canvas bags and filled them with teddy bears, toys and hygiene items. They donated the bags to the local foster care division at the Department of Social Services.

How can you help? Contact your local Department of Social Services to ask for a list of needed items and arrange for a drop off date. Ask your friends and family for bags and the needed items. Host a get together to decorate the bags and fill them. Kids of any age can help stuff items into a bag and help bring comfort to these vulnerable kids.

The GIVEBACK BOX can assist 10 children in your local community with Care Packages this holiday season.

Not sure you have the time to get out and gather up the items yourself? Together We Rise makes it even easier! Make one online donation of $50 to sponsor a sweet case and you’re done! Sweet cases are duffle bags filled with comfort items and hygiene items and it gives children in foster care a more dignified way to move to a new home. You can sponsor one case, or call upon your friends and family to split the cost of a Give Back Box!

For a $250 donation ($25 per person times 10 contributors) you can purchase a kit filled with all the items you need to stuff 10 sweet cases. Host a get together in your home, or round up co-workers at the office to decorate and stuff the bags. Then, deliver to your local foster care agency. Shipping is FREE on the first 20 bags. LAST SHIPPING DATE IS DECEMBER 14TH via FEDEX.

Whichever way you choose to give back it will have a great impact on a child going through a difficult transition. This is a great way to help instill compassion in your young children, and it gives them greater perspective that some kids just need a family.

Watch this clip to learn more about sweet cases:

On The Third Day of Service Make a Special Delivery

On The First Day Of Service Host A Food Drive

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

05
Dec
2015

On The Fifth Day of Service Give Some Swag

categories: Family Fun, Holiday Fun, Organizing, Parent, Party

My twins birthday is just before Christmas. So, I often like to tie in a holiday give back to their party or on their actual birthday. I found a local agency near me that offers a Birthday Booth. Families who utilize the food pantry began asking for help to provide a birthday cake for their child’s birthday. The director of the agency decided to take it step further and offer a birthday swag bag and one free unwrapped toy along with the cake.

What is a birthday swag bag? It has party supplies (decorative plates, napkins, cups, etc) and a few decorations for a family to enjoy at home. It can also include a gift card from a bakery to purchase a cake. Kids can feel special getting a party of their own and parents can feel relieved being able to recognize their child’s birthday.

Families who face food insecurity often have difficulty providing a birthday party even for their family at home. Friends of mine who are teachers share that they often host (at school) the only party some of their students will get. But, the birthday booth will help kids get a special party with their family.

How can you help? If there isn’t a specific agency in your area that offers a birthday booth, perhaps you can ask a teacher at your child’s school to start a birthday closet. Teachers often know which families need the help and can hand out swag bags. Ask your friends and family to help you stock the closet by dropping off items at your home. Host a party where the guests can help pack the bags then you can make one easy drop off. For around $10 or less you can fill a small gift bag with coordinated essentials like a table cloth, paper plates, cups, napkins, crepe paper, a package of balloons, a birthday banner and a package of birthday candles. All of these items can be found at the dollar store, or on clearance at other retail stores.

If that sounds like too much for you to coordinate and it’s easier for you to make a donation online here are a few places to donate: The Birthday Project Birthday Wishes The Birthday Box

I am very fortunate that I have some seriously generous friends who donated enough supplies to fill 25 swag bags. After rounding up the donations at my home, the girls and I sorted, packed and delivered the bags on their actual birthday. They got to see the birthday booth in action and I felt like we gave an amazing gift on the day I received my two most precious gifts!

On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery