Mom Edition: August Edit
free toddler entertainment, the best tent and a little blue car (and truck)
Welcome to the mom edition of my monthly edits, where I share what my toddler son and I most used, wore, played with and more every month. We spent half of August at the beach and the other half in bed (ugh Covid). As I’m sure you’ve experienced, it’s very different getting sick when you’re a mom. But as exhausting as it was, I weirdly loved isolating at home with my munchkin. Seeing your child smiling up at you is truly the best medicine.
Read: The Little Blue Truck
While we were home, we spent the majority of the time cuddling, sleeping and reading stories. My son’s current fave is The Little Blue Truck. It’s funny how often kids don’t like something at first — and then become obsessed with it later. When my mom bought it for him months ago, he had zero interest. After last month, I can now read it with my eyes closed. “Now I see a lot depends on a helping hand from a few good friends!”
💛 I constantly update my Baby & Kids Books list with books we love and read on repeat! 💛
Saved: Shopping Carts
My older dog had to have an emergency procedure last month, which resulted in more vet trips than usual. My vet is in a shopping center with a market. So how did I entertain Preston while we waited for his brother? I let him push around a shopping cart. He loved it. It helps you get your steps in. But the best part is it’s 100% free entertainment.
p.s. Don’t mind the pajamas. Chubbs had an 8am appointment that day.
Used: Push Car
The majority of the time, my son walks our dogs with me. But every morning, I push him in his blue car. It was was a birthday present from his bestie and he feels super cool holding the steering wheel and honking the horn. I love how it makes breakfast on the go a breeze. We wake up. I heat up a waffle or make him a smoothie. And we immediately head out the door for a walk before it gets too hot.
My only complaint about the car, which comes in a bunch of other colors, are the cup holders. The kids ones fit most of my son’s cups. But I don’t have many cups that fit the grown up holder on top. And if I put a can in it, the liquid usually spills. But other than that, I highly recommend the car, especially if you have a kiddo like mine, who isn’t into strollers.
💛 I also update my Baby & Kids Toys list with what is most loved in our home. 💛
Played: Pop ‘N’ Go Tent
I wanted to buy this tent last summer. But the thought of setting up a tent at the beach as a single mom with a baby and two dogs prevented me from adding to cart. Then my mom actually got the tent (it doubles an indoor playpen) for one of her dogs. Once he healed from his surgery, she gave to us as a present. It’s so good I wish I had bought it last summer! It’s on sale right now, too.
I thought the company was exaggerating when they said it’s easy to set up. But the first time I brought it to the beach I was by myself with my three boys. And it’s just as easy as they claim. I had a little trouble breaking it down at first. But I eventually got the hang of it.
The canopy it comes with is super helpful, especially for a child who wants shade and a mama who could use a little sun! You can separately purchase a playmat to put inside. But I solely use the tent for the beach. So a playmat is not necessary at all. We either leave it as is or throw a beach towel inside.
Speaking of beach towels, these are the ones I’ve been using for years. I love them even more now that I have a kid. They’re on the smaller side. But because they’re thin (aka not bulky) you can stuff multiple towels in your beach bag. When there’s an inevitable spill you just swap it out.
Localed: Farmer’s Market
My son is now at an age where he thoroughly enjoys Farmer’s Markets (hello samples!). We’ve gone to quite a few now. His favorites are always the ones that have House of Buns. Kiddo is obsessed with the bbq pork steamed buns!
Learned: ChatGPT for parenting
I often use ChatGPT to edit my Instagram captions for SEO. But never did I think to use it for toddler recipes or bedtime stories! I found
Immediately after reading her post, I opened up ChatGPT and typed in: Act a children’s author and write a story about a toddler boy named Preston and his two dogs, Chubbs and Jack Jack. They love going to on adventures to the beach, watching trucks and eating pizza.” Would ChatGPT’s story be a best seller? No. Was it typed out in under a minute and oh-so-adorable? Totally.
Laughed:
Quoted:
Respecting a child teaches them that even the smallest, most powerless, most vulnerable person is worthy of respect. And that is a lesson our world desperately needs to learn. — LR Knost
Another good way to get that lesson across? Horton Hears a Who!
A person's a person no matter how small. — Dr. Seuss
During our reading marathon last month, we also read a lot of Dr. Seuss. It was so fun revisiting all childhood faves. Hope you have a wonderful September mama!
xx, Sydne