Mother’s Survival Kit

Ever have those days where you just need a fairy Godmother to show up with a magic wand and make things better?

Earlier this week, I mentioned that my kids have been sick. What I didn’t share was that my youngest son was hit hard with the influenza virus that is going around. He was so sick that he actually ended up being hospitalized for complications from the flu.

The day after he was released from the hospital he was still feeling weak, tired, and nauseous. And I was feeling a tiny bit extremely overwhelmed. That afternoon the doorbell rang and I was surprised with a package from The Motherhood. I had completely forgotten that they were going to send me a few of their favorite things as part of the #TMSelects Program. I didn’t know what the package would contain, but I was absolutely delighted to discover items that would make my life easier while I was taking care of a sick child.

The #TMSelects package included a S’well Bottle, which keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. Prior to the box arriving, I kept making myself a cup of tea, being called away, and then discovering a cold cup tea a couple of hours later. I know most people think of a stainless steel bottle as something you take with you when you leave the house to stay hydrated, but there isn’t a rule that says you can’t use one at home to make your life easier…or improve the quality. Because it is the little things, such as hot tea, that can make a rough day a little more pleasant.

Cooking was not happening in my house while my son was sick. Even if I had the energy, he couldn’t handle the smells. I don’t even want to admit how many of my meals were made of the LÄRABARs that were in the #TMSelects box!  Since  LÄRABARs are both gluten and dairy-free, my older kids were able to snack on them too. We were all thrilled to find a product that we were able to eat and also tastes great.

Makeup wasn’t happening. And I may have used The Motherhood scarf one day to cover my hair. Don’t judge! (Maybe I should make a video showing 3 ways to rock a scarf and disguise the fact that you haven’t washed your hair for 48 hours.) Since we live in the high-desert, the main reason I wear any products on my lips is to protect them from getting chapped. I didn’t have time to put on makeup for a couple days, so my lips were chapped. The first thing I did when I opened the #TMSelects box was to rip open the EOS Lip Balm package and apply it. I had never tried EOS lip balm before, but I have been wearing it non-stop since it arrived. It is paraben-free, petrolatum-free and phthalate-free, but most importantly it made my poor, neglected lips feel great.

Ever try to dress a sick kid to take them to the doctor? And then just give up and take them in mismatched pajamas?  Then when they cry over having to put on shoes debate whether to let them just go in their socks? Tell me it isn’t just me! Wild Explorers kids’ moccasins are a pair of the handmade shoes that are so soft, smooth, and comfortable that it is easy to get even sick kids to put them on. Because they are made of leather they offer more protection than socks. Besides being comfortable, they are fun. Which is exactly what my sick little boy needed!

Now that my son is feeling better and I am moving beyond survival mode, I am looking forward to using and enjoying the items in the #TMSelects box under more favorable circumstances. I am especially looking forward to framing the hand-drawn artwork created by Stretch, The Motherhood’s Art Director!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.