The 4 Best Maternity Winter Coats

If you’re pregnant during the chilly months, you’ll want to invest in one of the best maternity winter coats to keep you warm in frigid temperatures. The best maternity coats are ones that can accommodate your growing belly with enough fabric to keep you and the bump covered. Extra features like adjustable ties to loosen or tighten the coat can also be super helpful to ensure your coat fits well your entire pregnancy.

Since you’ll be wearing your maternity coat during winter, you’ll want to make sure that it's at least somewhat warm. Thick and cozy puffer coats or water-repellent parkas with a fuzzy lining are likely going to be the toastiest options, while lighter-weight coats made from materials like fleece may work if you don’t experience particularly extreme winters or if you’re just naturally warm because, you know, pregnancy.

If you aren’t thrilled about having to spend money on a maternity coat you'll only wear during your pregnancy, consider purchasing a convertible coat that you can wear during pregnancy and beyond. Often called three-in-one coats, these products usually feature a removable fabric panel to give you a little extra room during pregnancy. When not pregnant, you can wear the coat with the panel over a baby carrier to keep your little one warm, or remove it entirely.

These four maternity coats are all perfect for winter, ensuring that you stay amazingly warm in even the coldest weather. Functionality aside, these picks are all super cute, too, because everyone deserves to feel both cozy and stylish.

[[Since none of these are available in a 3X, can we add one or two options that are?]]

1. A Convertible Parka With A Faux-Fur Lining

The ultimate combination of fashion and function, this stylish maternity coat from Seraphine will be your new favorite piece in your maternity wardrobe — I mean can you even with that stunning slate gray color? The parka features a faux-fur lining that’s warm and cozy, side zipper pockets for securely carrying a few essentials, and a weather-resistant outer shell that’ll ensure you stay dry.

If you’re worried about outgrowing your maternity coat during your pregnancy, that certainly won’t be the case with this pick. For one, it has an empire waist with drawstring ties so it’s easily adjustable. And it even comes with an extra zip-off panel that allows you to expand the size of the coat while pregnant or cover up your baby in their carrier once they're born (so yes, you can wear it when you're no longer pregnant).

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "The one maternity item I invested in, and was worth every penny! It looks nice, fits perfectly, and very warm for New England winters...but not the warmest coat which is perfect because the hormones alone keep you warm enough."

• Available sizes: 2 to 14

2. A Swing-Style Winter Coat

If you’re looking for a dressier maternity coat, this one from Momo Maternity fits the bill. The pleated coat is made primarily from a combination of wool and polyester (with a polyester lining), so it’s amazingly cozy and can wick moisture if you get too warm. Moms-to-be will adore the swing fit of this pick, which is loose enough to accommodate a growing bump in style. The coat has four pockets (two interior and two exterior) to keep essentials easily within reach and a button closure with hidden snaps.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Finally a maternity coat that has space for those of us who go straight out! At 6 months pregnant, I have already maxed out the belly size on most maternity coats that I have tried in my usual size small, but if I go bigger than the small, the shoulders are so wide that I look like I'm playing dress-up in clothes too big. This coat is just right. It has more than enough room in the belly to grow, but still looks cute and fitted for those of us who are still working and want to look tailored and professional (not to mention cute and attractive!). I've gotten lots of compliments and requests by friends to steal/borrow it when they are pregnant."

• Available sizes: X-Small to X-Large

3. A Quilted Winter Coat

This quilted maternity coat will help to keep you and the bump toasty all winter long. The black puffer-style jacket is made from 100% polyester (with a polyester fill) so it’s warm and water-resistant — perfect for those winter days when it’s snowing or sleeting. An empire waist and an adjustable drawstring ensures that the coat will continue to fit even as your bump grows. A front-zipper closure with snaps, multiple pockets (both on the interior and exterior), and a removable hood are just a few extra features that you’ll surely enjoy. And this pick is even quilted for added style.

The coat is currently only available in a couple smaller sizes, though hopefully Amazon will get more sizes back in stock soon! In the meantime, it's worth noting that some reviewers report that the coat runs large and you may want to size down.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "I love this maternity coat! I weighed 160 pounds [pre-pregnancy] and I'm currently 7 months along at 190 pounds. I bought a large and the coat fits nicely with some extra room to accommodate the weeks to come. The fit is [flattering] and the coat is not too bulky but not thin either. I can easily wear a sweater under the coat for an added layer of warmth if needed. I like that there's a drawstring in the back of the coat to help draw in the coat which flatters my baby bump."

• Available sizes: X-Small to Small

4. A Convertible Fleece Jacket

With more than 300 reviews on Amazon and a solid 4.4-star rating overall, this convertible fleece jacket from Smallshow is totally raved about on the site, and it’s largely because the coat’s versatility is nearly unmatched. The convertible coat essentially has three main uses — wear it as a regular jacket when not pregnant, or insert the fabric panel to gain a little extra roominess during pregnancy or to wear the coat over a baby carrier (this one even has a small hood to cover the baby’s head) once your little one is born.

The jacket is made from a thick fleece material that many reviewers commented was shockingly warm, though many also noted that it's easy to layer this coat with other maternity pieces for additional warmth, if desired. The jacket features side pockets to stash a few small essentials and a hood to keep your head warm.

Choose from four colors — black, blue, gray, or wine. Be sure to buy the version that's a three-in-one coat or both the two-in-one jacket and the maternity panel, as the maternity panel and baby carrier-covering jacket (sans maternity panel) are also sold separately.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This jacket is thick and cozy, good quality. I first wore the jacket with the infant panel when I was 8-9 months pregnant. [...] Now when I have my 11-pound baby in a front-pack carrier, the baby fits perfectly in the jacket panel. At this point, the hood for the baby is a little big, but he'll grow into it. I can also wear it without the infant panel, and it looks like a normal jacket."

• Available sizes: Small to XX-Large

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The 5 Best Organic Toddler Pillows

Like many parents, you may be seeking the best pillow for your precious little one to rest their head on. The best organic toddler pillow is certified organic — with the labels to back it up —and comes in a smaller size that’s comfortable and safe for supporting your toddler’s head.

Important Labels

While a lot of products claim to be organic, a certification will clearly identify which ones use truly organic materials. A Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification quickly tells you an item is made from at least 70 percent certified organic fibers, with some offering as much as 95 to 100% organic fibers; it also ensures it's made through environmentally and socially responsible practices. Though it’s not exactly an organic certification, you may also be interested in pillows with STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX labels. This means that the product has been independently tested with strict criteria and found to be free of harmful substances; the institute looks at everything from the outer material to the zippers and lining.

Pillow Materials

For a totally organic pillow option, both the cover and the fill will come with a GOTS certification. Pillows with natural wool fill will be temperature-regulating and can keep your toddler more comfortable year-round, but this luxurious filling is also more expensive and usually isn't machine washable, though its cover can usually be removed and washed. For an affordable-yet-comfortable pillow, most toddler pillows have only organic cotton covers paired with synthetic fillings. These down alternative fills are typically made from polyester and are conveniently machine washable, which is helpful with toddlers who tend to be messy. Some pillows also use TENCEL, a natural eucalyptus-based fiber, that is breathable and moisture-wicking.

Pillow Size

Toddler pillows are smaller than standard pillows to better fit their smaller heads and beds, and the smaller size is also safer to avoid overwhelming a sleeping toddler with extra material. Toddler pillows usually measure 13 by 18 inches or 14 by 19 inches and are designed to be not too soft or firm for proper spine alignment.

If you're not quite sure if your toddler is ready for a pillow, know that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends not giving a pillow until the age of 2, and many of the pillows below are designed for toddlers ages 2 and up.

With all that in mind, here are the five best organic toddler pillows.

1. The Overall Best Organic Toddler Pillow

The best organic toddler pillow is organic inside and out with 100% pure certified organic wool filling and a 100% organic cotton shell — both GOTS-certified. This 14-by-19-inch pillow's cover is machine-washable, but the pillow itself should not be washed and instead seasonally air-dried.

This densely fluffy pillow, recommended for ages 2 and up, is filled with wool balls the size of pearls for soft and temperature-regulating support that maintains its shape over time. Though an investment upfront, reviewers noted this toddler pillow was suitable even for 7- and 8-year-olds, so it's one that will see years of use.

A helpful review: “I was very apprehensive of purchasing such an expensive pillow for my toddler, however, I really did like the organic wool/cotton elements of the pillow and that it was a small business, made in Canada product. I have not been disappointed. The pillow is of really good quality (I love the thickness of the cover) and my son sleeps much better with the pillow which has more loft to it than cheaper pillows. [...]”

2. A More Affordable Wool Pillow

Maybe you want a more budget-friendly pillow that still skips synthetics for your toddler? This pure wool toddler pillow is OEKO-TEX certified and the merino wool filling is enclosed in a 100% cotton shell. Keep in mind this pillow isn't GOTS-certified organic like my top pick, though it is natural and nontoxic.

The pillow measures 14-by-19 inches and the manufacturer notes this pillow can be periodically machine-washed on a delicate cycle. A recommended age range is not listed for this pick.

A helpful review: "My child is finally sleeping! The pillow seems to be very comfortable and doesn’t make my baby sweat. It is worth the money."

3. A Fan-Favorite Toddler Pillow With An Organic Cotton Shell

Here's a tried-and-true cotton toddler pillow with over 3,000 reviews on Amazon. This pick uses a GOTS-certified organic cotton shell and synthetic cluster fiber filling and both the pillow and shell are machine washable — reviewers even noted it maintained its shape really well after several rounds in the washing machine. This pick is designed for ages 2 and up.

This 13-by-18-inch pillow is made by a family-owned company, and the price point is reasonable enough to get an extra one to keep at grandma's house or daycare.

A helpful review: “I bounced back and forth between several organic pillows, but ultimately chose this one due to all the positive reviews. My son is still under 2, so we have been using this pillow without a pillow case just to be on the safe side. The pillow is nice and small for a toddler and the filling is just perfect so that his head is supported well, but not overly elevated. It took him a week or so, but now he is sleeping on it or cuddling with it every night! This is a great little pillow!”

4. An Organic Toddler Pillow That Stays Cooler

This machine-washable toddler pillow uses TENCEL in its filling and in the bonus included pillowcase for added breathability and moisture-wicking properties that help toddlers who sleep hot remain cooler and more comfortable during the night.

The pillow cover is GOTS-certified cotton around a fill of 30% TENCEL fibers and polyester clusters. The pillow is 14-by-19 inches and the provided pillowcase's flap design keeps it snugly and smoothly on the pillow. It is recommended for children ages 2 to 5 years old.

A helpful review: “[...] This pillow is absolutely perfect for little bodies getting used to sleeping in a real bed. I'm no longer trying to prop her upper body on a regular pillow once she's fallen asleep so that she's not in a weird position. My daughter loves it so much that now we even travel with it - fortunately, it's small enough to fit in her bag. It's machine washable [...] this is definitely a great pillow for 2-5 year olds."

5. A Cotton Pillow With A Cute Pillowcase

It's hard to resist the very cute pillowcase on this cotton toddler pillow. The OEKO-TEX-certified cotton pillowcase features the alphabet and animal illustrations that appeal to the toddler crowd, plus it's a highly rated pick with over 13,000 reviews, but keep in mind that this one isn't GOTS-certified organic. It also comes in six other patterns and colorways, including animals and plain white.

The cover on this 13-by-18 inch pillow is also OEKO-TEX-certified cotton, and the polyester fiber balls filling the pillow are designed to maintain their fluffiness after a cycle in the washing machine. It is recommended for ages 2 to 5 years old.

A helpful review: "The cutest gift ever! I told my daughter she got a package & she was so excited. It’s the Perfect size to safely use for a toddler. I love that the material doesn’t smell funny & that it’s machine washable! It also came with a cute animal cover. My little one loves looking at the animals & naming them."

Nice To Have: An Organic Pillowcase

Keep your toddler's new pillow clean with an organic toddler pillowcase that's machine washable. This GOTS-certified cotton pillowcase, with a tight percale weave, fits standard toddler pillows measuring 13-by-18 inches or 14-by-19 inches (that covers all of the pick on this list), and the envelope-style closure ensures a snug fit on the pillow.

Choose from six prints, including trains and animals, and consider picking up a couple of pillowcases to always have a clean one on hand or simply alternate between cute motifs.

A helpful review: "So cute!! Got this for my toddler daughter’s first pillow and she is obsessed with it. She won’t sleep without this pillowcase on. And I love that it’s organic and free of all that terrible stuff. Will buy more to give her some variety."

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The 6 Best Kiddie Pools

On hot days, who can resist a refreshing pool? Kids will be thrilled to splash outside, and with the right setup, you can rest easy knowing they’ll be entertained for a while. The best kiddie pool is age-appropriate — whether you have toddlers or teens — and fits your home’s storage space.

Inflatable pools, made from plastic or vinyl, are a popular type of kiddie pool, and they’re convenient to deflate and store. That said, you do have to blow them up. The easiest way to inflate one is with an electric air pump (good news: I’ve included a reliable, affordable one on my list below). It's best to place these lightweight kiddie pools on grassy areas to help prevent holes or tears, but for longevity, look for ones that include repair patches.

A hard plastic pool doesn’t need to be inflated and is more durable, plus it doubles as a sandbox when it’s not being used as a pool — but you’ll need to set aside some room for storage. Either way, larger kiddie pools that you can't easily flip over should have drains that ease the process of removing the water after each use (something you'll want to do to avoid some pretty serious germs).

Kiddie pools can be as simple as a small, round wading pool or come decked out with slides, sprinklers, or other accessories that promise hours of entertainment. Your kid’s age will help determine what kind of kiddie pool is appropriate for them, and I’ve included age-appropriate picks for toddlers as well as pools with enough room for you to cool off, too. While these pools are shallow, adult supervision without distractions is a must to ensure safety.

With all this in mind, here are the six best kiddie pools to add to your backyard for hours of fun — buy one now before they sell out!

1. The Overall Best Inflatable Kiddie Pool

• Dimensions: 58 x 13 inches
• For Ages: 2 and up

There will be no regrets about adding this highly rated kiddie pool to your backyard. This inflatable vinyl round pool — with over 3,000 reviews on Amazon — has enough room for multiple kids ages 2 and up, and it's so affordable you might want to go ahead and grab two pools for playdates.

There's no drain hole, but this lightweight pool is easy to flip over to let all the water out. If any holes or tears appear over time, it's a quick fix with the included repair patch.

A helpful review: “I waited until the end of summer to write a review for this pool. It really stood the test of time. I pumped air into it only once in the beginning and it hasn't deflated since. The quality on this is excellent. My 3 year old had enough room to play in it. I'd say it can fit 2 toddlers easily. You really can't go wrong with INTEX brand. We've used their air mattresses too and they are all great quality.”

2. An Inflatable Pool Large Enough For A Family

• Dimensions: 120 x 72 x 22 inches
• For Ages: 3 and up

Here's a large kiddie pool worth investing in for the whole family to cool off together. This full-sized inflatable pool maintains a 4.5-star rating with over 10,000 reviews on Amazon and it's made of thick and durable PVC that will last.

This rectangular pool comfortably holds up to two adults and three to five kids ages 3 and up. The walls are particularly sturdy thanks to an exhaust valve designed to prevent leaks and three individual air chambers that also make it a little easier to inflate with an electric air pump. A curved drainpipe and two drain holes make emptying the pool basically effortless, and it comes with two repair patches.

Looking for something similar on a budget? Here's a slightly smaller but more affordable kiddie pool for the family.

A helpful review: “This blow up pool is amazing and a great size for our family of 5! It can easily fit two adults and several kids comfortably. It was very easy to assemble, good quality and is holding up well even with daily use. It’s important to place it on a level surface. We placed padding underneath it to offer further protection from the elements. Highly recommend it! Kids love it and it can fit multiple floaties!”

3. This Fun Inflatable Kiddie Pool With A Slide

• Dimensions: 100 x 77 x 31 inches
• For Ages: 3 and up

If your kiddos have the energy to burn, they'll have a blast with this slide kiddie pool. This inflatable pool has a small pool and a larger wading pool connected by a slide, and it comes with an inflatable palm tree and sprinklers on the side of the larger pool. Attach the pool to a hose, turn on your water, and your kids will have everything they need to splash around.

This large pool comfortably holds multiple kids ages 3 and up. There is a drainage plug on this highly rated pool and it comes with a repair patch.

A helpful review: “We purchased this pool for our 5 1/2 and 3 year old. This pool is nice and large and has plenty of space for both of my kids to play and splash. My husband has even spent some time in it with them and still left plenty of room to play. The spray that comes out of the sides is a ton of fun and the slide is just right for my kids. [...] It isn't depicted on the Amazon picture, but there is also a little inflatable landing pad at the base of the slide, which is a nice touch. One thing I didn't realize when I ordered is that both pool areas have a drain on the bottom, which I was very pleased to see. [...]”.

4. A Shaded Kiddie Pool For Toddlers

• Dimensions: 37.5 x 37.5 x 50 inches
• For Ages: 2 and up

The best kiddie pool for toddlers is a smaller pool that's perfect for a couple of little ones to splash and play. This hard plastic tub comes with toys and an umbrella for some shade; it's like a water table and kiddie pool in one.

This pool has two molded-in seats for kids 2 and up underneath the umbrella, and there are grippy designs on the floor for traction. Toys include three funnel cups and a spinning water wheel that attaches underneath the umbrella.

Tip this highly rated pool over to empty it, and keep in mind that it does have to be stored in full so reviewing the dimensions is key.

A helpful review: “Perfect little pool for toddlers. I like that it is made of thick hard plastic instead of just the blow up kind because at this age, toddlers need something to grab on to and this pool gives them the stability they need when they fall over. The little umbrella works pretty well keeping the sun off them too. I would recommend storing the umbrella when not in use to prolong the life of it though.”

5. This Uniquely Foldable Pool

• Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 11.8 inches
• For Ages: Not listed

With a 4.5-star rating on Amazon and over 19,000 reviews, this foldable kiddie pool is a bit of a cult favorite. The pool is made of thick and high-density fiberboard covered in durable PVC with a slip-resistant bottom, so there's no inflation needed. When not in use, it can be folded for compact storage.

This pool is sturdy enough to hold up to use by dogs, but it’s a great size for kids, too. The manufacturer doesn't specify an age minimum for this pool, but reviewers report using it for toddlers and up. Before air-drying the pool and folding it, a drain valve makes quick work of emptying the pool.

A helpful review: “I know it's supposed to be a pet pool but we bought the size Small pool for our almost 2 year old twins to replace the blow up pool we bought last year. We got sick of the blow up pool because we didn't have a place to store it while it was blown up, and hated blowing it up and the time consuming task of collapsing it every time we wanted the girls to use it. This pool is so great for what we need. It's the perfect size for our kids to cool off on a hot day. So easy to pop up, so easy to collapse, and so easy to store! It even comes with a plastic carrying case. While we use it on our porch, I'm also excited to bring it to the beach with us this summer. So easy to travel with! I'm telling everyone with small kids to buy it.”

6. A Splash Pad For Little Ones

• Dimensions: 60 x 60 inches
• For Ages: 1 and up

A splash pad with sprinklers is another appealing option for little ones, especially if they don't swim yet. Running through the sprinklers or sitting on the shallow splash pad will entertain and cool off 1-year-olds and up. Plus, the splash pad is decorated with the alphabet and cute animals that will attract a toddler's attention.

This highly rated pick with over 14,000 reviews is a breeze to inflate and is just as easy to tip over to drain since it doesn't fill up with more than an inch or two of water. A repair patch is included for any tears or holes that develop.

A helpful review: “Cutest little splash pad to keep your little one entertained and cool in the summer! My son loves it! It’s easy to hook up to the hose. If you don’t have grass I would recommend putting a tarp down underneath it so it doesn’t get super dirty but even if it does just hose it off. Fit my husband and 1 year old with room for baby to play.”

Nice To Have: A Pump That Does All The Work

An electric air pump will quickly fill up whichever inflatable kiddie pool you choose, and the nozzles with this pick fit most valve sizes. It's a powerful yet compact pump that will be totally worth it to speed up the pool process on hot days. The airflow is 650 liters per minute, and it's a much-loved air pump with a 4.6-star rating on Amazon and over 10,000 reviews.

A helpful review: “This pump is amazing! It is fairly small so it is great for travel and we use it for inflating our kiddie pool for our daughter and any air mattress. I highly recommend!”

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71 Love Captions For Instagram For Couples, Parents, Children, & More

It’s that time of year. Cupid is afoot and Conversation Hearts are on grocery store shelves. You know what I’m talking about, that L-O-V-E stuff. Whether you're celebrating a sweetheart, bestie, or your newborn baby, the gesture of a public display of affection can go a long way, so here's a ton of Instagram captions are all about love that are perfect for your Instagram feed on Valentine's Day.

Romantic & Sentimental Poetry Captions

• Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours
• My heart is ever at your service
• “I do love you more than words can wield the matter.” — William Shakespeare
• “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” (Hamlet, Act II, scene ii)
• "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways," — Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• "The paper is full of every kind of blooming horror / And you sit wondering / what you're gonna do. / I got it. / Come. And be my baby" — Maya Angelou
• "She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies, / And all that’s best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes" — Lord Byron
• Two heads, one heart.
• "I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees." — Pablo Neruda
• "So many people advised me against you. How glad I am we could not resist." — Lee Ann Brown
• "I love her, and that’s the beginning and end of everything." — F. Scott Fitzgerald
• "I’ve tried so many times to think of a new way to say it, and it’s still I love you." — Zelda Fitzgerald

Funny & Cheesy Caption Ideas

• “The course of true love never did run smooth.”
• #mancrushmondayeveryday
• My main squeeze.
• 10/10. Would swipe right again.
• "It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them." — Agatha Christie
• I like you even when I’m hungry
• "Love is something sent from heaven to worry the hell out of you." — Dolly Parton
• Besides chocolate, you're my favorite.
• I shave my legs for you.
• "It wasn’t love at first sight. It took a full five minutes." — Lucille Ball
• "I love you and it’s getting worse." — Joseph E. Morris

Great Song Lyrics About Love

• "Home is wherever I’m with you." — Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
• "Until the day is night and night becomes the day, I’ll be loving you always." — Stevie Wonder
• "You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose, I'm winning." — John Legend
• "You make me feel like dancing." — Leo Sayer
• "There's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love." — Bob Dylan
• “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no make-up on. That’s when you’re the prettiest, I hope that you don’t take it wrong.” — Drake
• "It’s like I’m standin’ there you know, appreciatin’ God’s design, And then you showed up, it’s like you read my mind" — Black Star ft. Talib Kweli & Yasiin Bey, “Brown Skin Lady”
• "And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while... " — Bruno Mars
• "Now you're lifting me up instead of holding me down, stealing my heart instead of stealing my crown." — Kasey Musgraves
• "God only knows what I'd be without you." — Beach Boys

On Point Movie Lines About Love

• “I’ve come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is, and always will be, yours.” —Sense & Sensibility
• “I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly.” —You've Got Mail
• "I wish I knew how to quit you." —Brokeback Mountain
• "To me, you are perfect.” —Love Actually
• "Here's lookin at you, kid." —Casablanca
• “It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” —The Fault in Our Stars
• "It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other." —Good Will Hunting
• “Some people are worth melting for.“ – Olaf, Frozen
• “I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” —When Harry Met Sally

Best Quotes About Love for Kids

• I love you for the baby you were and the man (or woman) you are today.
• You are the best thing I've done with my life.
• I love you to the moon and back.
• You are my sun, moon, and stars.
• When you were born, everything else became a little bit less important.
• You may wonder sometimes why I do what I do. Just remember, my child, my every thought is for you.
• See the stars? I made a wish on one, and I got you.

Love Notes for Grandparents

• “A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.”
• “Love is the greatest gift that one generation can leave to another.” – Richard Garnett
• “Grandparents are the best kind of grownups.”
• “Parents know a lot but grandparents know everything.”
• “If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.” – Italian proverb
• “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” — Alex Haley
• “Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven't thought of yet.” — Gene Perret
• “I'm not spoiled. I'm just well taken care of by my grandparents.”
• “Grandparents are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they're there.”
• “Grandparents make the world a little softer, a little kinder, and a little warmer.”

Sweet Words for Your BFF

• "Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you." —Misty Copeland
• "A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden."
• "In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips."
• "It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter." —Marlene Dietrich
• "If we treated ourselves as well as we treated our best friend, can you imagine?" —Meghan Markle
• "A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are."
• "Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer." —Ed Cunningham
• “A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.” —Arnold H. Glasgow
• “The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” —Elisabeth Foley
• “A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.”–Bernard Meltzer
• “Awards become corroded. Friends gather no dust.” –Jesse Owens
• “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”–Amy Poehler

When in doubt, Google your favorite musical artist, film, or book, and and you're likely to find just the right words to tell someone how much you adore them.

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21 Photos Of The Queen With Her Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren

Sometimes it's difficult to remember that the royal family is just that, a family. With all the pomp and circumstance, all the princes and princess and dukes and duchesses, they are still parents, grandparents, cousins, brothers, sisters. As so strongly evidenced by a scroll through these photos of Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She might be the longest reigning monarch the United Kingdom has ever seen, but to these people she is quite simply "Gran."

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are parents to four children together: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. From those children, they are now grandparents to eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Each of her grandchildren are reportedly close to her in different ways. According to royal expert Robert Lacey, Prince William has received important mentorship from the queen over the years as heir to the throne, according to People. While his brother Prince Harry reportedly has enjoyed a more casual relationship with his grandmother, so much so that he rather famously gave her a shower cap one Christmas that read "Ain't Life A B**ch," according to The Daily Express.

Like most big families, everyone has their own role and cute nicknames for each other. In private, Prince William and Prince Harry reportedly call the queen "Granny" or "Gran," while her great-grandchildren call her "Gan-Gan," according to Marie Claire. And from the looks of these photos, she enjoys this role quite a bit.

Bonding Over Polo

Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a little bonding time at a polo match in 1987 with young Princes William and Harry.

The Heir Has Arrived

Queen Elizabeth's formal portrait with her new grandson Prince William and his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, in 1983 can't hide her joy at his arrival. Also look at how Prince Philip beams and the Queen Mother looks on with pride.

Prince William, The Charmer

Prince William was the apple of everyone's eye at Prince Harry's christening in 1984, especially his proud grandmother.

Keeping It Casual With The Kids

Queen Elizabeth's two grandchildren from daughter Princess Anne, Peter and Zara Philips (now Tindall), hang out with her at the Windsor Horse Show in 1984. Peter is actually her first born grandchild.

Fun With The Fire Engine

Prince William, Zara and Peter Philips, Princess Diana, and Prince Charles joined Queen Elizabeth to check out a fire engine at Sandringham in 1988.

Leading By Example

Queen Elizabeth shows Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, how to greet well-wishers on Christmas Day in Sandringham, 1998.

Holding Hands With Harry

Easter is also a big time to get the family together for the royals, and Queen Elizabeth helps out with her grandkids at St. George's Chapel in Windsor in 1989 by holding Prince Harry's hand. Years later he would marry Meghan Markle at that same spot.

Horses & Granddaughters

Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Lady Louise is the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. At the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2010, she looked like she was ready to follow in her grandmother's footsteps as a lover of horses.

On The Queen's Knees

Zara Philips sat perched on her grandmother's knee to watch polo in 1984 like it was no big deal.

Give Us A Kiss

At the wedding of her oldest grandchild Peter Philips in 2008, Queen Elizabeth stopped for a little kiss from her grandson Prince Harry.

Always Happy In Scotland

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice joined Queen Elizabeth for a walk at Balmoral in Scotland along with their uncle Prince Charles, a place that remains very special to the whole family.

Just Gran & Her Grandson Sharing A Laugh

Prince William and Queen Elizabeth share a laugh at the 2005 Braemar Highland Gathering at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park.

Always With Those Horses

Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Zara Tindall shares her grandmother's love of horses and can also make her laugh, apparently, as she did at Royal Ascot in 2007.

Surrounded By Grandsons

In 2015, when Queen Elizabeth was at the Trooping The Colour in honor of her birthday, she stood with three grandsons and one great-grandson. Prince Harry and Prince William were there as were young Prince George and her youngest grandson from Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, James.

She Gets A Kick Out Of Her

Queen Elizabeth looking all adoring at her great-granddaughter Princess Charlotte in 2017 at the Trooping The Colour really warms the cockles of my heart.

All Dressed Up For Trooping

Two of Queen Elizabeth's great-granddaughters, Savannah and Isla Philips (children of Peter and Autumn Philips), are not often seen out with their great-grandmother. Which is why this shot from the 2015 Trooping The Colour is so precious.

All The Cute Babies

Queen Elizabeth's great-grandson Prince Louis, youngest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, really stole the show at the 2019 Trooping The Colour.

Never Too Old To Kiss Gran

In 2004, Queen Elizabeth gifted her grandson Prince William with a kiss at his polo match in Windsor.

Gaining A Granddaughter

When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, Queen Elizabeth gained a granddaughter-in-law. And she couldn't have looked happier about it than she did at Royal Ascot that year.

Stepping Up For Gran

After the coronavirus made a royal Christmas gathering at Sandringham impossible, Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoyed a distanced visit with the Queen in 2020.

Princess Beatrice Matches Her Gran

Princess Beatrice might not be a senior member of the royal family, but she's certainly close to her grandmother. As evidenced by this photo of them together at Royal Ascot in 2009.

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Movie 'Pieces of A Woman' Is A Groundbreaking Look At Infant Loss

The film Pieces of a Woman begins with a visceral 30-minute, uncut scene that demolishes every expectation the viewer has about how childbirth is depicted on film. In real life, labor is a painful, emotional process, and it doesn't always end the way one has imagined it. In Pieces of a Woman, the birth scene culminates with the lead character, Martha, played by Vanessa Kirby, holding her newborn baby, who unexpectedly dies in her arms. The rest of the film is a portrait of the aftermath of a tragedy: a mother, isolated in grief, and her family, struggling to cope, all in their own way, never quite connecting.

Kirby, predicted to be nominated for an Oscar for her performance, told Romper that she had been looking for something that represented women in a new way and when she read the childbirth scene, she was sold. “I realized that with my eyes I had never seen [a birth], on script or screen…,” she says. “We've seen death on screen so much but rarely seen birth.” Kirby was so moved by the script for Pieces of a Woman that within 24 hours of reading it, she flew to Budapest to meet with the screenwriter, Kata Wéber.

The script began as a political play for Polish theater, about a midwife famously put on trial in Budapest. Wéber's husband, Kornél Mundruczó (who would go on to direct the film), encouraged her to instead draw from their own personal experience with pregnancy loss — something, he said, they'd never really addressed as a couple. “I would never compare our story to the one in the film,” Wéber said, “but still, there are those things you just don’t talk about.”

“...it’s about the huge connection with the baby, which is stronger than anything. It is actually the experience of the biggest love. We are also the mothers of the babies we lose.”

Just because they aren't talked about doesn't mean they don't happen. One in four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage. And according to infant mortality statistics, 2.4 million children died globally in the first month of life in 2019 — which amounts to roughly 6,700 stories like Martha's each day.

Wéber told us she wrote the film to portray beauty in tragedy: “In the ‘stuck’ bereavement process, it isn’t about not moving on — it’s about the huge connection with the baby, which is stronger than anything. It is actually the experience of the biggest love. We are also the mothers of the babies we lose.”

Kirby said she wanted to represent women, “as they really are,” in a way that was unflinching, “without making it more comfortable for the viewer.” As she had never experienced childbirth herself, Kirby prepared intensely, observing deliveries in a labor ward and spending time with mothers who had lost babies. “The one thing that [these women who had experienced infant loss] all had in common,” says Kirby, “was this silence around it, and this feeling that society doesn’t want to hear about it.”

This film builds a window into those unspoken stories of parents and their lost children all over the world. The complexity of feelings a pregnant person experiences during pregnancy and after childbirth (the perinatal period), even when there is no pregnancy or infant loss, is vast and given little attention. One in seven women experience perinatal depression, and between 15 and 29% experience a mental health issue.

This film builds a window into those unspoken stories of parents and their lost children all over the world.

Wéber says the team talked many times about how to illustrate grief. “It’s like the hummingbird — it’s so fast that when you see it, it’s almost like it’s not moving at all. It was so much that Martha could not express it anymore.”

In the real life stories they collected, people frequently wanted the mother to grieve in a certain way or shamed them for either acting too normal or not normal enough. Kirby says, “Martha learned that in order to stay — to be safe — she has to act like everything’s OK.”

Ellen Burstyn, who plays Elizabeth, Martha’s mother in the film, also points out the sense of shame. She says, “It’s a feeling of not succeeding, as if something was done wrong.”

Kirby adds, “The women said things like, ‘Oh my God, was it that paracetamol I took? Was it because I did Pilates?’” She relates this back to her character: “Martha was expected to achieve and be perfect, and the one thing she felt she should be able to do, she essentially feels like she failed at.”

Ultimately, Wéber says that this is the very thing she wanted to bring to life: the isolation, the silence, the different ways we experience bereavement and how that process affects our other relationships. Wéber wanted to show the gap between intention and effect, the way well-meaning loved ones can hurt us in their attempts to cope. “I have warm feelings for the characters even though they behave in an extreme way,” she says. “They come from the right place but don’t help Martha.”

Shia LeBeouf plays Martha's husband, Sean, a recovering addict who in the wake of loss turns to substance abuse and infidelity. Elizabeth, a survivor of the Holocaust, becomes focused on suing the midwife despite Martha's resistance. As Burstyn puts it, “I think their relationship is like many mothers and daughters that I’ve witnessed, where the mother takes the kind of overseer position and wants to improve whatever it is the daughters doing and the daughter always resents that, of course, and resists it.” Burstyn describes her character's frustration with the way her daughter handles her grief: “[Martha] seems locked up and not communicating and not expressing. And [Elizabeth] wants to shake her up a bit and talk about it and, you know, grieve. And, of course, she is grieving in her own way. Which is different from Elizabeth's way. I think that happens a lot with mothers and daughters. Mother wants the daughter to do it her way, daughter wants to do it her own way, whatever it is.”

Kirby, for her part, says she could see where Elizabeth, Burstyn's character, was coming from. “Being a baby in the Holocaust and learning from generations that in order to survive, you just have to keep going and carry on. You don’t have time to stay in your feelings.”

Ultimately, Martha's breakthrough comes when she returns to her own memory of her time with her daughter before she died. “That minute was probably the most loving, profound moment of her entire life, more precious than anything else,” Kirby says. “Her beginning to face that memory meant that she can begin to heal.”

“I think this is a story of female courage and the absolute magnificence of women,” says Kirby.

“I hope that in some tiny little way this movie begins conversations and begins to hold space for people and their losses and their grief — and maybe they feel a little bit less alone because of it.”

Pieces of a Woman is available to stream on Netflix.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety during pregnancy, or in the postpartum period, contact the Postpartum Health Alliance warmline at (888) 724-7240, or Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. If you are thinking of harming yourself or your baby, get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or dialing 911. For more resources, you can visit Postpartum Support International.

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29 Date Night Ideas For Parents In 2021

It's hard for parents to snag a night out — always has been. Finding the time. Finding the sitter. Paying the sitter. Affording the date after you've paid the sitter. Coming up with fresh new ideas. That was all difficult. But now we've even thrown a pandemic into it! But don't worry: I've got you covered with some date night ideas for parents (and some date day ideas, too, for love knows no constraints of time). Whether you're looking for a regular, weekly outing or a special occasion like Valentine's Day, these ideas all take budget, time, and COVID into account. In other words: we're moving far beyond dinner and a movie. (Though, I'll level with you: I'll be the first in line for dinner and a movie once those things are safe to do again.)

You'd be surprised at the options we still have!

Outdoor Date Ideas

Hike

There's something restorative about being out in nature, and it can give your relationship a boost. There are lots of resources and apps to help you find the perfect hike for you.

Walk In The Park

Because, let's be honest: some of you don't really like hikes and that's OK. You can still take a nice walk.

Bird Watching

Grab a book (or a birdwatching app) and head to a local wildlife conservancy. If you thrive on playful competition, make it a contest to see who can spot the most species. And even if you don't see any birds, you've spent a lovely day outside with your partner.

Canoeing

I'll admit I have a soft spot for this idea because it was my parents' first date and they decided to get married, like, a day later, so I'm convinced there's something magical about canoe dates! Rentals are available in many areas.

Go To Water In General

Beaches, lakes, and rivers are naturally relaxing, especially when you're used to going to these places with kids and now, all of a sudden, you don't have to worry about watching anyone.

Gardening

If you have a backyard, great! If not, see if there are any community gardens with space or looking for volunteers. Gives a whole new meaning to getting down and dirty with your partner.

Ice Skating

Either you both know how to ice skate and you can glide together on a nearby pond or rink or one or both of you are as precariously balanced as newborn fawns and you'll have to cling to each other the whole time. Either way it sounds fun.

Skiing

See ice skating! (Though, admittedly, this is a more expensive day than the other suggestions.)

Camping

If you already have camping equipment (a tent and some sleeping bags is all you really need), campsites are generally pretty inexpensive. Sure, you don't have the same amenities as you would in a luxury hotel (or, like, at home), but it's a night away from the kids and I'm sure you'll find a way to pass the time in those close quarters with no Wi-Fi.

Date Night Out On The (Socially Distanced) Town

Drive-In

It's the perfect socially distanced night out. Entertainment, privacy, and time away from the kids. (If there are no drive-ins near you, this is something you could potentially do yourself in your backyard.)

Horseback Riding

My husband and I did this for our wedding anniversary this past year because it was a good socially distanced activity, but we vowed we'd be doing it again even after COVID wasn't a concern. Trail rides are relaxing and novel and, even if you've never ridden before, the horses know what to do.

Vineyard or Brewery

Because so many of these locations rely on outdoor space under normal conditions, many of them have been able to remain open in spite of COVID, providing a nice day or evening out for parents who just want to throw a few back and not deal with loud, crowded bars (or loud crowded, child-filled houses).

Outdoor Concert

We may not be ready for indoor live music just yet, but many outdoor venues have space enough to more than adequately provide social distance to enjoy the show.

YouTube Date Night

Paint-Along

Paint-Along classes have become popular date night destinations. But with the magic of the interwebz, this is something you and your partner can do at home! Various YouTube channels are dedicated to just this. Just make sure you get your materials ahead of time and that your kids are well and truly asleep, because god knows the last thing you need is a toddler demanding they be allowed to use oil paints...

Yoga Class

Online yoga has been clutch during the pandemic. Why not try stretching and breathing along with your partner. It's an out-of-the-norm activity and, at the very least, you're getting a nice little exercise in!

Couples Massage (With An At-Home Twist)

This one is for sure a winner in my book. Look up different massage technique videos and try them out on your partner. (Probably want to make sure the kids are asleep for this one, too, because we know how one thing can lead to another with massages.)

Game Date Nights

Board Game

Because when is the last time you sat down with a board game? Dust off an old classic ( I like Jenga) or try one you haven't done before.

Zoom Trivia with Friends

I thought this would be awful (who wants one more Zoom meeting at the end of a day, honestly) but after I did this as part of a group date night, I'm sold. It's a fun way to chill with other couples that breaks up the day to day routine.

Batting Cages

Look, I'll level with you: this sounds like my nightmare, but I recognize that there are people with more athletic ability and better timing and depth perception than I have who would probably like this. And since it's usually outdoors and separated from others (you have your own cage!) it's COVID-safe and budget friendly.

Golf (Traditionally, Mini, or Range)

Golf is naturally socially distanced. Play a few holes, head to mini golf, or just wail on some balls at a driving range.

Subjective Guess Who

This Tik-Tok trend has been a favorite date night game for my husband and me: make value judgments on the various characters and see if you and your partner are on the same wavelength. I even bought Guess Who to do this and, I have to tell you, it's probably the best $9 I've spent in months.

Solve A Mystery

Games don't have to be competitive: you can go with a cooperative mystery game. Think of it as varsity level Clue (though, honestly, Clue is a good one, too). My personal favorite is Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective but there are many to choose from!

A Quiet Date Night In

Backyard Picnic

It's so simple but so, so lovely. Sometimes all it takes a quick tweak of location to make everything feel fresh and fun.

Fire Pit

Before I bought Guess Who, my fire pit is the best purchase I'd made in months. It comes in a bit pricier, but when I think of all the future date nights (and, when we can see people again, parties) that will be held out there, it's so worth it.

All About Us Session

The guided journal All About Us has been out for more than 20 years, but it remains relevant for couples today. With questions about romance, sex, and life goals, it's a great way to prompt discussions with your partner. (And it's long, so it's probably good for a few evenings of entertainment.)

Teach Each Other A New Skill

Do you know how to cross-stitch? Does your partner know how to build things? Have they asked you to teach them how to knit? Why not dedicate time to teaching one another something fun?

Play Bartender

I see one of two options here: you can either learn how to make some craft cocktails together (your library almost certainly has a few books on the subject and, failing that, there's the internet) or you can grab "flights" of wine or beer and make your own tasting.

Go Through Old Albums

Recall forgotten memories, tell favorite stories, and cry together as you realize how big your kids have gotten.

Play Restaurant

This is a date night that involves your children, if they're old enough, which means it's not a "real" date night, but it's still cute. Have them play server/chef and let them create a magical evening for you at home. It'll probably be a microwaved pizza, but it's a nice way to show them that time together as a couple important. (Just, like, have the fire extinguisher ready, just in case.)

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Why Do Toddlers Love Bananas? Experts Explain

One of the first whole foods I ever gave my oldest son was a banana. He gobbled it right up and has seemingly been on a banana kick every since. Especially as a toddler, bananas were his go-to snack, and I know I wasn't the only toddler-mom buying a bunch of bananas twice a week. But why do toddlers love bananas so dang much? I think every parent has a certified "nana" lover on their hands.

"Toddlers likely enjoy bananas because they are sweet and fun and easy finger foods," Dr. Sarah Schaffer DeRoo a pediatrician with Children's National Hospital tells Romper. Toddlers are also constantly on the move, so it makes sense that they would love food that is easy to hang onto while they explore. A banana just checks all of the boxes for toddlers. They're sweet, easy to hold, easy to chew, and nutritious. Not to mention, they're also familiar. Because so many parents feed toddlers bananas from an early age, the familiarity of their mushy texture and fruity taste makes them extra appealing for toddlers who tend to be picky eaters by nature.

Not only do they tickle a toddler's tastebuds, but the nutritional benefits of bananas are also right on target for their needs. "Bananas are full of fiber, vitamins, and micronutrients — plus have a subtle sweetness that kids enjoy," pediatrician Dr. Natasha Burgert tells Romper.

Burgert says that although she doesn't typically hear about toddlers in her practice having a strong preference for bananas, that "toddlers will prefer food items they are most often offered."

When it came time to introduce my oldest to solid foods, fruits, and veggies, a banana was easy enough to mash up with a fork and give him a spoonful of without too much prep work or thought. "A banana is a great first food because it is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to prepare for a baby who has few, if any, teeth," Schaffer DeRoo says. "Children are unlikely to have a food allergy in response to bananas, making it an attractive early food."

Additionally, Burgert explains that parents who are interested in introducing their children to foods with a potential allergen can use bananas as a vehicle to do so. "Updated recommendations encourage parents to offer a wide variety of foods to infants. There is no 'best' first food. Bananas, however, are simple to mash or blend in order to offer a quick food in a safe way" she suggests. "Bananas are also very tasty when blended with a small amount of creamy peanut butter, allowing a first food to also provide protection against food allergy."

Now an 8-year-old with an appetite that just won't quit, my oldest son is still a banana-loving guy who will grab a yellow crescent-shaped fruit over most others when he wants a quick snack. "A benefit of eating bananas is that they contribute to a child’s daily servings of fruits and are a healthy snack choice," Schaffer DeRoo tells Romper.

When faced with the choice of a bag of chips or a banana, I'm happy to report that, just like he did as a toddler, my son will gladly reach for a banana. Maybe it's more of a habit than anything, but I'm definitely not complaining.

Experts:

Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP, pediatrician in South Overland Park, KS

Sarah Schaffer DeRoo, MD, pediatrician at Children's National Hospital

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The 5 Best Detergents for Cloth Diapers

Committing to cloth diapers hinges on being able to maintain them. For your baby’s daily messes, you’ll need a heavy-duty cleaner you can rely on for properly cleaning your reusables. The best detergent for cloth diapers uses a formula with surfactants and enzymes to really clean soiled diapers and skips additives that can build up on the diapers over time.

Cloth diapers end up, well, dirtier than a standard load of laundry, and you’ll need to choose a detergent with a formula that’s up to the task. Look for ones with surfactants that allow detergent to better mix with water and enzymes that efficiently break down stains. Enzymes will give the surfactants an extra boost. In addition to what to look for in a detergent, it's also good to know what to avoid. Look for detergents free of optical brighteners, fabric softeners, and fragrance to mitigate build-up or absorption issues in cloth diapers. Gentler formulas without fragrance or dyes are also preferred for a baby’s sensitive skin.

Over time, detergent build-up creates a film over the fibers of a cloth diaper, which can lead to a distinct smell when the diaper is soiled and can also irritate sensitive baby skin; this calls for a process called "stripping," which requires a soak in a laundry treatment or "laundry booster." The stripping process removes build-up for cleaner and more absorbent diapers. Some boosters are also useful for getting diapers cleaner in homes with hard water.

Choosing powdered or liquid detergent for cloth diapers is really just a matter of preference. Powdered detergent tends to be more affordable and can come in a more eco-friendly container, and it may be more effective in soft water versus hard water. Liquid detergents are increasingly popular, but keep in mind that liquids make it easy to use too much detergent, resulting in more build-up.

Here are the best detergents for cloth diapers, as well as some laundry boosters and cloth diapering accessories that will make your life easier — and cleaner — too.

1. The Overall Best Detergent For Cloth Diapers

The overall best detergent for cloth diapers is this highly rated pick from a brand you'll recognize: Tide. Its formula contains enzymes and several biodegradable surfactants, including nonionic surfactants that don't bind with certain ions in hard water for a better clean. Tide's Free & Gentle formula skips dyes and perfumes so it won't irritate your baby's bottom, and this detergent cleans cloth diapers thoroughly in soft or hard water, making it a great place to start with cleaning cloth diapers.

The powder version of this dermatologist-tested laundry detergent cleans up to 68 loads, but it's also available as a liquid detergent if you prefer it (with enough for 64 loads in a bottle). This detergent is designed to be safe in high-efficiency washing machines. If you have an HE machine, you'll love that, in a quick cycle, this pick offers up to six times the cleaning power of other detergents, according to the manufacturer.

A helpful review: “Big fan of this detergent. It gets my cloth diapers clean and smelling like nothing, which is how I prefer them."

2. The Best Budget Detergent For Cloth Diapers

The best budget detergent for cloth diapers is a much-loved one with over 4,500 reviews, and it might have something to do with this box setting you back just $5. This powder formula is also tough on soiled diapers with a combination of enzymes and biodegradable surfactants, including some non-ionic surfactants that help it clean more effectively in hard water. It's also free of perfumes and dyes.

Keep in mind this affordable pick does use some brightener, which will whiten diapers but also means you may need to strip your diapers to remove build-up when using this formula. It's also worth noting you'll likely be stripping your diapers periodically anyway, and I have just the thing for it further down on this list. This box is enough for 40 loads of laundry.

A helpful review: “When I first started cloth diapering I was really having a hard time getting them thoroughly clean. Even after two wash cycles they'd still have an odor. I tried changing everything about my wash routine; different detergent, extra rinse cycles, extra washes, different temps, and load sizes but still no luck. I was finally ready to conclude it might be my washer when I tried this powder on a whim. It completely solved my problem! It's such a great price and product I've started using it for both diapers and all our other laundry. Everything comes out smelling fresh and clean.”

3. The Best Natural Detergent

If you prefer to choose plant-based products when possible, here's the best natural detergent for washing cloth diapers. This liquid detergent is a concentrated one designed to be used in cold water that provides up to 128 loads in a high-efficiency washing machine or 64 standard loads. Its plant-based surfactants remove tough stains and odors without brighteners, artificial fragrances, or preservatives and it contains enzymes. Grapefruit seed and citrus extract in the formula leave a light clean scent. Several reviewers confirmed that this detergent works for soft and hard water, but that it's a good idea to include baking soda or washing soda if you have hard water.

With a 4.7-star rating, shoppers love this pick, with some noting a little bit of this concentrated formula goes a long way with cleaning each load.

A helpful review: "This bottle may seem small (64 oz/ half gallon) compared to the detergent available in warehouse stores, but it lasted our family of three for an outrageously long time- at least 3 months-with use in an HE washer and was the right size to store in a cupboard. The clothing also felt clean and fresh. It doesn't have a heavy scent and also scores well for being environmentally friendly."

4. The Best Detergent Booster For Diapers In Hard Water

For homes with stubbornly hard water, this laundry detergent booster is a must. The mineral-based formula softens water in a laundry load, which allows your hard-working detergent to really clean those messy cloth diapers. Adding this powder to laundry loads along with your regular detergent removes tricky stains and deodorizes clothes and diapers and it's also a fantastic ingredient for stripping diapers. With an impressive 4.9-star rating after nearly 8,000 reviews, Borax is a cult-favorite cleaner. Using the recommended 1/2 cup per load yields 65 cycles with this 4-pack.

A helpful review: “We have extremely hard water where we live in the Pacific N.W. I have been using Borax for a few years. I put one half cup in every load of laundry. My whites stay white. I bleach my washcloths in my top loading washer. [...] We love Borax, it instantly softens the water in the washer, makes your laundry soap work better, your clothes will come out of the washer smelling sweet and clean! [...] Stains come out of clothes with Borax.”

5. A Laundry Treatment For Stripping Cloth Diapers

This hypoallergenic laundry booster for stripping deeply cleans cloth diapers to expel odors and detergent build-up. The biodegradable formula rewards your laundering efforts with ultra-clean diapers that are more absorbent and won't irritate your baby's bottom with old detergent. They come in convenient, travel-friendly packets with 10 packs per order.

This highly rated powder is powerful enough to work on diaper stains and those left behind from coffee, grease, tea, or blood to restore clothes and remove any dinginess. The booster is made without parabens, brighteners, and artificial fragrances, and it can be used for presoaks or prewashes and regular laundry loads.

A helpful review: “I’ve read horror stories about stripping diapers, but this product makes stripping a breeze. I bought all my diapers pre-loved, and most had huge detergent build up! It was causing my baby to break out in a rash. After soaking in RLR, and flushing them well, I’ve had no issues! Definitely will be buying again.”

Nice To Have: A Diaper Sprayer

A diaper sprayer will help you stick with a cloth diaper routine by easing the cleaning process. This 4.8-star rated kit created by parents makes pre-rinsing soiled diapers less messy and less fussy. The kit comes with a sprayer and everything you need to install it on a toilet, and the shield with a diaper clip contains the mess while spraying and later folds flat for storage.

For something similar but about half the price, this highly rated diaper sprayer is another top pick. Just know this sprayer isn't bundled with a handy shield pan.

A helpful review: “If you are going to do cloth diapers, this is a MUST BUY! This made cleaning out the diapers an absolute breeze. After a year and a half of using it, everything has still held together well. The sprayer has a high force of water, making it very effective in getting everything off the diaper. It is easy to use, easy to grip. The shield is obviously of good quality, the clip is strong and sturdy. [...]”

Also Great: An Alternative To Disposable Baby Wipes

As you cut down on waste with your cloth diaper collection, consider this French diapering lotion that functions as an alternative to disposable baby wipes. Apply the cream to a cotton pad or washcloth during diaper changes to clean baby's bottom – there's no need to rinse it off. The six-ingredient formula is USDA Certified Organic, and it replaces baby wipes, diapering ointment, and diaper cream with one bottle. Extra-virgin olive oil and beeswax soothe baby's sensitive skin, and this fragrance-free formula is safe to use with cloth diapers.

A helpful review: “Life changing. We paired this with our cloth wipes and cloth diapers. It DOES leave a slight residue on the wipes even after washing, but that's because it's full of wonderfully moisturizing oils that keep babies bottom soft and clean. Prevents rashes and does not stain cloth diapers. Doesn't have a smell really other than faintly of honey. So happy to have found this product. If you have a sensitive skinned baby, want to be environmentally friendly, and/or are looking into options for diapering I definitely recommend this product.”

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13 Sexy Valentine's Day 2021 Zoom Date Ideas

If you’ve been out shopping lately, you know that the shelves are lined with everything pink and red, rosy and heart-shaped. But even if love is in the air, the pandemic is putting a pause on any real ways of celebrating it outside of your home. That’s okay, though, because you can always get (ahem) inspired with these sexy Valentine’s Day Zoom date ideas. From nice to, well, naughty, don’t let the distance stop you from a night of red-hot romance.

Tech can be another toy in your arsenal of adventure and romantic intrigue come Valentine’s Day, even if you are spending the night apart. And sure, would it be more fun if you and your sweetie were canoodling on the couch together? Of course. But you can learn to build on the excitement so that when you are able to see each other sans a mask and six feet apart, you’ll, you know, want to head straight to the bedroom... or even the kitchen floor.

But until that time, you can zoom in on these Zoom ideas to test out on Valentine’s Day. Because staying healthy (and apart for now) is truly the sexiest thing you can do for each other.

1. Play Card Games

And no, we’re not talking about Solitaire here, although it’s kind of appropriate. There are plenty of card games that you can play as a couple, no matter if it’s a first date or the fifth. “Go on Amazon or Etsy and buy one of those "Ask Me/Tell Me" type of games,” relationship and dating expert Lauren Peacock tells Romper in an email. “This is great for any stage of a relationship, and you can always learn something about your partner.” Plus, depending on the questions you ask, it can be a great way to feel flirty.

2. Cook Together

Tempted to try a super spicy chicken vindaloo recipe? Well, gather up the ingredients and make it a Valentine’s Day dinner. “Cook a meal together over Zoom,” suggests Peacock. “It'll be fun seeing how you each prepare the meal.” Then, sit down to eat together, even if you’re miles apart. After all, cooking together can help heat things up in the kitchen... or even the bedroom.

3. Create A Craft

If you can’t be together for V-Day, you can come up with something fun and cute to do together. So see who can DIY the best by picking a project to do via Zoom. You can send your sweetie the materials so they have it, and then set a timer and begin. Says Peacock: “This is a great way to show your creative side and your own personality through art, and you’ll be left with sweet mementos for each other when you’re done.” Because channeling your inner artiste is kind of sexy, indeed.

4. Take Out Some Toys

Listen, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And if all the talking is turning into serious foreplay, why not whip out a toy (or two) and have fun? “A sex toy during intimate moments online will help in making the overall Valentine's Day experience more pleasant and intensifying the sexual pleasure between couples,” Prismila De Guzman Kristensen, a sex expert and co-founder of NOTI tells Romper. Just be careful about your privacy during the video call, and only allow your partner to record the call if you want them to.

5. Take A Walk Together

Just because you can’t see each other doesn’t mean you can’t step out together. Put on some sneaks and take a nice stroll together, advises Samantha Moss, a relationship expert. “With applications like Zoom, you can feel like you’re really taking a walk together with your partner,” she says. “Open your Zoom application as you take a walk so you can soak up your surroundings together.”

6. Have A Movie Night

If the last time you were in an actual movie theater was pre-pandemic, you might be fiending for a flick. Well, you can watch a movie virtually with your loved one via Zoom. “With the help of Zoom’s screen share feature, you can definitely enjoy a movie date night for Valentine’s Day,” says Moss. Just pop some popcorn, and put on a rom-com… or something so much more scintillating.

7. Play Truth Or Dare

Sure, the last time you might have played it was at a 6^th grade sleepover, but times have changed. And depending on how you approach it, it could make for a super sexy night for all. “The partner will answer if it's a truth and corresponding punishment if it's a dare,” Michelle Devani, a relationship expert tells Romper. “Stripping off one clothes at a time or shot of alcoholic drinks must be provided as a punishment.” And when you’re down to your bra and panties, it’s up to both of you as to where the game (and the night) goes.

8. Be A (Nude) Model

Remember that sexy scene in Titanic where Rose tells Jack: "I want you to draw me like one of your French girls."? Well, break out your own beret and disrobe to your partner’s delight. “The most exciting way is if you both participate as a nude model,” says Devani. “It will create a sensation for both of you, and lead to a night of romance.”

9. Set Up A Surprise

Surprise and spontaneity are a great aphrodisiac. So why not Uber order a surprise meal for your partner? “Choose what you think might be their favorite meal, and ask them to do the same,” April Brown, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist tells Romper. “Order it around the same time so you can virtual share in the surprise.” While apps and entrees might make for an amazing evening, it’s up to you both to determine what dessert will be.

10. Shake Your Groove Thang

Forget the fact that you’re not in the same room (or maybe even the same state). Put on your dancing shoes, pump up the volume, position your camera, and just dance! “Choose any kind of dance (preferably those that don’t need you two touching) like belly dancing and step dancing,” Sam Whittaker, a relationship expert tells Romper. “You can practice the steps together, and dance to your heart’s contentment.” Best part: you won’t have to worry about stepping on your sweetie’s toes.

11. Masturbate

If you’re feeling frisky, there’s no better day than V-Day to show your love — self-love, that is. “On Valentine’s Day, claim your space, grab your laptop, pour a glass of champagne and get ready to masturbate (yes, masturbate) with the one you love,” Deborah K. Krevalin, LPC, LMHC, a psychotherapist and relationship expert tells Romper in an email. “It is a very natural, personal expression of self-love and sharing that with someone else can be beautiful not to mention sexy as hell.” It’ll qualify as the best Covid-safe sex of your life.

12. Do A Virtual Hug

One of the biggest struggles with Covid is the lack of cuddling couples can do if they’re not in the same household. But you can still vibe together by doing a virtual hug. How? Alexandra Holovitz, a tantric sexuality coach and hypnotherapist explains: “You both sit and look into the eyes of one other while taking a nice deep breath and hugging yourselves,” she says. “Energy transfers via screens as well, so this will still create deep intimacy and connection between parties.”

13. Eat Sensually

Slurping your soup is not the way to get into a sexy mind frame — but eating in a sensual way certainly is. Shop for some surefire sexy foods (think strawberries, chocolate dips, whipped cream, and champagne). Make it a game by seeing who can lick or suck the food the sexiest way possible, and get ready to eat your way to an erotic night.

Don’t let Covid crush your flirty feelings towards your partner. Even if you can’t canoodle in person, you can always still ramp up the romance via Zoom. It’ll be total foreplay before you see each other again — and rip each other’s clothes off.

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The Best Shows About Space For Kids That You Can Stream Now

There's really no downside to encouraging a love of outer space in your kiddos. And while family visits to the planetarium might not be feasible during a pandemic, these 10 kids shows about space will keep their intergalactic curiosity peaked from the comfort of your home. From imaginative animated series, to pint-sized space documentaries; this list is sure to spark an interest in the worlds beyond our own.

Aside from interesting facts about the planets, a working knowledge of outer space has multiple benefits for kids. By learning about what lies beyond our own atmosphere, kids get a glimpse into what makes planet Earth so special. And once they understand that uniqueness, they are more likely to be interested in conservation and environmental science at a young age. Additionally, learning about space can help foster an interest in science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and more. With a growing need for new minds in STEM fields, there is truly no drawback to getting your kids' minds working early.

Along with endless resources about outer space online, educational and inspirational programs geared towards younger viewers can be a great tool for fostering an interest in learning more about our galaxy. Here are a few great shows to get you started.

What's Up In Space: The Solar System For Kids

This fun, educational series approaches space-related topics at an age appropriate level, answering common classroom space questions in a refreshing new way. Each episode features a mix of animation, colorful illustrations, and live-action scenes. This award-winning series has had great success in both homes and classrooms, so your kids are sure to love it.

Watch for free with an Amazon Prime membership.

Space Racers

Space Racers is an animated preschool series that introduces young children to the worlds beyond our own. The show follows the adventures of the Stardust Space Academy cadets, a group of young planes out to explore the galaxy. In the course of their explorations, young viewers will get an education on scientific exploration and investigation, as well as the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

Watch all three seasons on Netflix.

Ready, Jet, Go!

Ready, Jet, Go! is the story of three kids who get to know an alien family and learns quite a bit about science and the solar system along the way. A central focus of the show is the evolutionary nature of science, and how our understand of it changes as people make new discoveries. Who knows, maybe it will inspire your kids to go on to make a discovery of their own one day.

Watch it on PBS Kids.

The Planets

Another fun documentary series, The Planets reviews cutting-edge discoveries about the planets, explains the origin of the sun, raises the question of life on other planets, and more. While it may not be flashy enough to entertain preschoolers, older kids will learn a lot from the eight 50-minute-long episodes.

Check it out on YouTube TV.

Miles From Tomorrowland

If you're looking for an action-packed series that is set in space, you've found your jam. Space adventurer Miles Callisto is little boy ready for anything the universe throws at him. Follow his travels through the universe with his family and his best friend, a robo-ostrich named Merc. Each episode features an interesting fact related to outer space or science that guides the storyline.

Watch on Disney+.

The Magic School Rides Again: Kids In Space

Who better to take your kids on field trips into outer space than the one and only Ms. Frizzle? She and her magical school bus full of curious kiddos, along with the help of her pet iguana, are headed to infinity and beyond in this special. With episode runtimes of just 25 minutes, even the most distractible of children are sure to tune in for this one.

Stream it on Netflix.

Bill Nye the Science Guy: Outer Space

If you're looking for a little bit of nostalgia thrown in with your kids' education, Bill Nye the Science Guy is here to lend a hand. Each episode of his show teaches kids a specific topic in a natural science, outer space included!

Watch them on Disney via YouTube.

How the Universe Works

Mike Rowe takes viewers on a journey through the cosmos that goes over our own solar system, distant galaxies, and even travels back in time to the Big Bang. Another series aimed at older children, these eight episodes are 50 minutes long.

Watch it on Netflix.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

While not every episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is set on Mars, the Martian Mickey episodes have become a staple in my home when my toddler is looking for a bit of outer space in her day. She watches these episodes on repeat and has been begging to go to Mars herself ever since.

Watch it on Disney+.

Star Wars Rebels

A kid-friendly approach to the popular film franchise, these intergalactic adventures will give them a peak into the Star Wars universe along with an exciting introduction into outer space.

Watch it on Disney+.

With offerings for kids of all ages, you should be able to find something on this list for your little ones — whether they're in preschool or grade school. Happy watching!

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