Pest Free Playpen

Keep your child "bug free" by using a twin or crib fitted sheet over the top of their playpen while outdoors.  Make sure your baby/child cannot pull the sheet down onto themselves (strangulation/suffocation hazard).  p.s. Twin fitted sheets make GREAT seat liners for tilt-n-space pediatric wheelchairs too.

Tissue Box = Tubie Box

Use a small/cute facial tissue container for used tubie covers. Put the mesh bag inside like a bag liner for easy grab-and-go to the wash.  (Tip credit: Adorabelly Design creator Julie)

Don't be shy...ASK ASK ASK!

The attached photo is a popular list that we post to our facebook page often and it is always one of our most shared posts.  We ALL need help in some meaningful way, but daily burn-out, exhaustion, and being sometimes overly self-sufficient leaves us desperate for help but not always knowing how to ask.  Sometimes, it takes just a quick moment of bravery to blurt out to our needs to our closest friends, families, churches, and supporters.  BE BRAVE, ASK!!!!  You may actually receive some relief in the form of REAL HELP, not just an empty promise of help.  Some of the things we recommend gifting to caregivers and families impacted by medical crisis and/or special needs are attached in the photo.   YOU CAN ASK friends for things like restaurant gift cards, meals (in non-returnable containers, gas gift cards, grocery gift cards, auto club memberships, coffee, cash, hospital parking tokens, movie subscription services, or even much needed supplies for your child.  No one will ever really help if you keep up the facade that "everything is okay" which only truly builds resentment and frustration in you, and the people you love.  Ask, and maybe you shall receive.

Gifting for Children who have No Interest in Traditional Childhood Toys

Many children with special needs cannot or will not play with traditional childhood "toys", so what do you buy them for birthdays, holidays, and/or special occasions?  The first rule of thumb is ALWAYS ASK THE PARENTS FIRST.  While you may not want to buy hand sanitizer for a child, or diapers, or any other care supplies...these items are NEEDED for the daily health and well being of the child - so there is never any better gift than LISTENING to the parents and buying what the child NEEDS.  If the parents aren't of any help though, what should you do?  In the attached photo are some great ideas that can brighten the life of any child with special needs.  Get creative, have fun, and think about small but meaningful items that may bring a little joy into the special occasion you want to celebrate for the child and with the child.   p.s. Gift certificates to mega-marts, large grocery/homegoods stores, gas stations, and restaurants always make great gifts for special needs families too!

Inexpensive Egg Carton Choice Board

Looking for a simple way to use PECS (picture exchange card system) or photos to help your child communicate by making choices without having to be an arts and crafts expert or buy expensive laminating supplies/velcro/photo pages?  Take any size egg carton, cut the lid off (if there is a lid), turn it upside down and cut small slits in the bottom of each egg receptacle - just small enough to fit a photo or "playing card size".  Use the slits to place PECS or photos in a upright position and allow your child to make choices about their lives either visually or via fine motor skills (pointing, taking, or grasping).  Use smaller count egg cartons if just starting out with choice making so as not to overwhelm the child with too many choices.  p.s. Use an old deck of playing cards to mount photos or PECS.

Shoe Matching

Help your children find shoes that match or decipher left from right by cutting a large waterproof decal/sticker in half and placing each half into one shoe.  Makes it easy for kiddos to know which shoe goes on which foot, or for children who have difficulty with matching pairs or visual impairments (color distortions) make a match every time.  (Tip Credit: OneCreativeHousewife.com, with edit by Mommies of Miracles)

Laundry Basket Bathseat

The bathtub can be a pretty big place for a toddler, and especially too big for a child with special needs).  Kids outgrow baby bathtubs faster than they outgrow clothing sizes, but you can make bath time a bit easier, more contained, and less frustrating for your children (who can sit independently) by keeping all of their toys within reach by using a simple laundry basket.  First - NEVER LEAVE BABIES OR CHILDREN ALONE IN THE BATHTUB - now that that's out of the way, we can enjoy this simple tip!  Even when you're sitting right next to the tub, it can be a pain having to reach for every toy that floats away from your toddler. Plus, it's more fun for kids when they can reach things themselves. A well-positioned laundry basket can even help prevent slipping and bumps on the head from faucets.  It's easy to keep clean, dries quickly, and is easily replaceable for resizing.   (Tip Credit: Lifehack.org)