Franklin Goose

Choosing a Mattress

Knowledge is such a double edged sword.  I love to research.  I did it all from pregnancy, breastfeeding and birth to baby gear, clothing, paints etc.  I research or seek out information about food and chemicals, and our environment.  Basically I never rely on my government or manufacturers to “take care of me”.  I feel I have to fight to find the knowledge to make educated decisions on what I believe is best for my family.  

That being said there is such a thing as too much knowledge.  I sometimes get frozen in the decision making process because I either do not have the time or the means to make what I may deem to be the “right decision”  for us.  

I am in that crossroads right now.  We bought a house last year and my husband and I have decided to make “bunk beds”  for our children. (I’ll give you a sneak peak later.)  This means we need a new mattress for our toddler son since he is still in a toddler bed with a crib sized mattress.  What to do?

 

 

 

Our budget only allows for us to go out and get a cheap mattress at Costco or some other mattress store.  The problem being that I know that those mattresses contain harmful and toxic materials.  I want to turn a blind eye and buy it and pretend that I do not know the harmful effects of those chemicals.  But, I just can’t.  For 3 weeks now we have been waffling about this decision, knowing that we really can’t afford the organic mattress.  

What it ultimately comes down to is, do we save now on the product and pay for it later in health care expenses?  We have decided to pay for it now and buy an organic cotton and wool mattress, without the use of toxic fire retardant chemicals.  I don’t know where we will cut the cost but I will feel very happy knowing my son is safe and sound in bed at night.

When There Are Monsters Under The Bed

(emily)

What do you do when your child tells you that they're afraid of a monster under their bed? Or that there's something hiding in the corner of their room? Just as each child is unique, so is each fear, yet one common factor for everyone, even adults, is that whatever we fear it is very real for us. So how do we comfort children in the face of their fears? 

Here are four ideas we hope will help and inspire you on those nights when your child can't sleep in the dark. 

 

Nightlights

If your child has a fear of the dark or trouble sleeping, try a nightlight like the Boon Glo. Nightlights provide just enough light to comfort a child without hindering their sleep. What we love about the Boon Glo is that the three Glo balls stay cool to the touch so your child can pick them up and hold them close. 

If nightlights aren’t for you, then try leaving the hallway light on. That way your child is reminded that you’re close by and he or she is safe.

 

Monster Spray

Monster Spray is a very popular idea on Pinterest. 

What you’ll need: a spray bottle, tap water, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Mix the water and lavender in the bottle, and at bedtime let your child give a few short blasts in all the areas monsters like to hide.

Monster Spray helps your child take action against his or her fears. Using an essential oil for a scent make the spray a little more special. We like lavender because it’s so soothing, especially for right before bedtime.

 

Guardians & Friends

I love Mums n Posies dolls like Ben. 

Give your child a nighttime guardian. This could be done in several different ways. If your family has a dog, you can send him in to sniff out any monsters that might be lurking in dark corners or under the bed. Once your dog has given the all clear, your little one will know it’s safe to go to bed. And if necessary the dog can stay for the night.

Or find a soft toy that can stand in as your child’s special nighttime guardian. A stuffed animal or doll would work great, or you could make your child a monster friend!

If your child has a Little Green Love Vampire Hat, why not let your child sleep in it as extra “armor?”

 

Tell Stories

 
If your child is unable to sleep, ask him or her to tell you a story. Sheri does this with her granddaughter, and it really works. Stories help because they distract children from their fear until they feel better and can fall asleep. When you and your child share stories with each other, your child is comforted by the resolution and happy endings of those stories. 

Stories can also help change how your child looks at their fear. With stories, you can ask a child to imagine a different scenario. If there's a monster under the bed, is it possible that it's not scary and dangerous? Maybe it growls and snarls because it doesn't know how to speak, and it needs a friend to teach it how. Help your child take control by turning the tables on his or her fear.  

 

How do you address fear in your family? What has worked for you and your children?

Perspective

(sheri)

About a week ago we went geocaching with my niece, nephew, sister and brother-in-law. We had never been before and had no idea how much fun it could be. It was a beautiful winter day, and our little Belle Island was packed with people and rain puddles (which was all my 2 year old nephew needed for fun).

 

As we walked the island looking for our treasures we laughed, we talked, we played tag (my 4 year old niece has just gotten really good at this and after a few rounds I was quickly reminded I had wanted to start exercising this year to get into better shape). I stopped a few times to Instagram some photos and immediately had 2 little volunteers anxious to help with the photographing. I handed over my phone and watched them take pictures.

When I got home that night I had a laugh with J. at the pictures P. & H. took. Most were of their own fingers over the lens or the ground and then a lot of our knee caps, bums, hips and thighs. As I reviewed the photos it started to sink in that this is the way they see the world. Their perspective is much different than mine, luckily I don't look at bums and thighs all day, but I also miss the tiny little details they do. I forget to find wonder in the small things. I forget how fun it is to collect rocks, jump in rain puddles, whisper so you don't wake imaginary bears, and to run up to someone you are with and give them hugs and kisses for no reason. I forget what all of these things mean in the course of a day. I forget the importance of being silly, of taking a moment to show love and to get muddy and not care.

 

Life from a 2 & 4 year olds perspective isn't really all bums, feet and thighs it is magical, joyful and new. I am so blessed to share this with them, to help cultivate it, but even more blessed to have them remind me that not everything has to be so serious and grown up all the time. A little bit of puddle jumping and tag really can make a big difference.

 

Baby Shower Swag

Due to inclement weather last week, the bi-annual Franklin Goose Baby Shower event has been postponed to January 29. This event is currently full.

UPDATE: Once more due to Virginia's snowy weather, this event has been postponed to Wednesday, February 5. 

 

 

We wanted to extend a big Franklin Goose thank you to the manufacturers who have contributed to our Franklin Goose Baby Shower Goodie Bags! Baby Shower guests will receive a Kushies reusable tote bag filled with several amazing gifts, including

 

An Honest disposable diaper and travel-size Healing Balm

 

A Bumkins zippered pouch

 

A travel-size pack of GroVia BioWipes

 

Samples of Earth Mama Angel Baby Morning Wellness Tea and Natural Nipple Butter

 

A pair of Bamboobies Nursing Pads

 

A sample of Rockin Green laundry detergent

 

An American Red Cross First Aid Kit

and

A Beaba fork and spoon!

 

Thank you again to Kushies, The Honest Company, Bumkins, GroVia, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Bamboobies, Rockin Green, Tomy and the American Red Cross, and Beaba for all of these wonderful gifts!

To all of our lovely Baby Shower guests, we can't wait to see you on Wednesday!

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Charcoal Bamboo Coth Diapers

(sheri)

About a month ago one of our staff members came to me and told me she had tried a new diaper we HAD to carry. I was overwhelmed, because it was the Christmas season so I told her we would someday and thanks so much for the recommendation. So, she told me again, then she sent me pictures, then she talked to me about it at work, then she talked to Stefanie (our cloth diaper guru), then she came back to me about it again. So, I figured I had better listen because this girl, loves her cloth diapers, and really, really knows what works. The company is Lil Helper, they are Canadian and amazing! They make an incredible diaper and we are so excited to be carrying them!

I thought I should share our love for them so here are some of the reasons we just can't get enough of Lil Helper charcoal bamboo diapers:

1. Charcoal bamboo has amazing absorbency! I mean seriously amazing, like after a 3 hour nap an almost 1 year old wakes up dry, amazing.

2. The overnight inserts last about 12 hours.

3. They don't show stains (the liners and the lining are a pretty grey color)

4. They are incredibly soft (even after washing)

5. They are one size, 7-35 lbs & with the 2 included inserts you should have great absorbency the     whole time as well

6.  Lil Helpers Charcoal bamboo is 100% organic

7. Charcoal bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, deoderizing & anti-bacterial!

8.  For every 3 diapers sold Lil Helpers donates 1 cloth diaper to a needy Canadian family

9.  As long as the covers don't get soiled you can continue to reuse them by simply changing out the     insert. Yep, that means a very affordable diapering option for you!

10. They have really cool prints and colors (I know it seems shallow but I can't help myself I love the     cute cloth diaper prints.)

I hope you give these diapers a try, or at least use the inserts in the diapers you already have (they snap into a best bottom cover perfectly). I think you will love them and the extra sleep you get at night.

 

 

It's the Little Things

(kathryn)

One thing I have to remind myself of as a Mother is to stop and smell the roses.  To enjoy the little moments when they occur.  I get so caught up in getting where we need to go and daily chores that I often don’t let myself enjoy motherhood.

This morning we woke up to about 1/4” of snow.  Which may as well have been 3 feet to my kids.  They were so excited.  They begged me to go outside to play in the snow before we shuttled them off to school.  For a split second I thought “but i was trying to get to the gym this morning before work”.  Mind you the gym is a luxury for me.  I rarely make time to go but desperately need to for my physical health and my mental health.  So the selfish side of me just wanted to get out and fulfill my needs.
 
I thought better of it and we quickly got dressed (amazing how fast they dress themselves when they want to do something), suited up and out we went.

 

 
Their screams of laughter and excitement filled the neighborhood.  We made snowballs, and a “snowman” with that 1/4” of snow.  We brought some inside to conduct an experiment.  But most of all we made a memory and I am so happy that I seized the rare opportunity to enjoy the snow with my 2 buddies.
 
It doesn’t take much to excite them and as parents I think we forget that 1/4” of snow is thrilling when you are 3 feet tall.  

Do you have moments like this? What are your favorites?

You're Invited To The Franklin Goose Baby Shower!

Ladies, you are cordially invited to our bi-annual baby shower event on Wednesday, January 22. It's going to be so much fun! We'll have games and giveaways, plus food! We'll also have discussions on parenting and motherhood, and on what baby items you actually need. 

We will also be featuring baby shower decor that is eco-responsible because we love being green!

This baby shower is for expectant mothers only, and space is limited, so please RSVP early. You can reserve your seat by calling us at (804) 355-0595 or emailing us at [email protected]. 

We can't wait to see you! It's going be a great night!

Parenthood

(kathryn)

 

As the newest member of the Franklin Goose team I have decided to write a post each week about parenthood from my perspective.  Nothing revolutionary just a peak into the life and thoughts of a mother with 2 kids, ages 4 and 2.  Maybe some tips and tricks, hopefully some random knowledge, and some humor.  

The funny thing is that I have been a mother now for 4 years and I still can’t quite get used to it.  I still think I can have a Saturday or a whole weekend to myself to sleep late or read a book. I keep wondering when it will sink in that this is my new life at least for the next 16 years.  

 I do know those years will go by very quickly and I will be back to having free time again and then I will be missing the kids being around.Which, is one of the first things I learned about parenthood, your feelings and emotions are all over the place, one minute you are calm and happier than you have ever been and the next you are in tears and completely out of patience.  

Parenting is the ultimate journey and such a learning experience.  I thought I was finished with my education but I am back at it.  I read all about pregnancy, then birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering when I first started this journey. Now, I am reading about discipline. Who ever knew it could be so hard.  Who ever knew it could be so fun.  

I look forward to sharing my journey with you and hope you will continue sharing yours with us at the store and on the web.

DIY: Scarf of a Thousand Chains

(emily)

At the beginning of the holiday season, one of our customers came into the store wearing a beautiful scarf she had made. When Sheri and I asked her about it, she directed us to the website Delia Creates where we found a tutorial for the Scarf of a Thousand Chains.

I took up crocheting once in middle school, made a snowflake ornament for my great-grandmother, and then promptly lost interest, so when Sheri suggested I try to make this scarf, I was hesitant. But what’s great about this scarf is that it’s a very easy crochet project and perfect for a beginner.

The Scarf of a Thousand Chains is simply that, a thousand chains. A strip of leather or fabric is used to wrap around the knotted ends. The first time I tried, it took me just a little over 1 episode of Psych on Netflix to complete. 

I tried several different yarns before deciding to use a chunky yarn. Using thinner yarns looked okay if they were doubled up, but I think the chunky yarn makes the scarf cozier. 

Once I got comfortable with the stitch, I got a little creative with my scarves. I made several scarves for various family members.

 

For the purple and gold scarf, I did 500 chains of each color and then yarned over the 2 strands together. For my sister and my 15-month-old niece I made matching scarves, the smallest with just 500 chains. I used a purple batik fabric for the decorative piece. 

 

If you’re looking for a beginner’s project for yourself or a child, or if you’re an expert crocheter and you’d like something easy to do on a cold January night, the Scarf of a Thousand Chains is a great option. 

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New Year Excitement

The one thing I don't like about new years is the resolutions. I don't make them, I am realistic enough about myself to know that more than likely I am not going to stick to them just because they are New Year's Resolutions and I feel like the expectation is to fail. I try really hard to work on things all year round ( except I can't seem to get the whole exercise thing worked into my schedule, I keep hoping the guilt will somehow morph my 40+ year old muscles into toned ones. I will let you know how that goes, so far, no success).  Here are some things I am excited about this year:

1. We are bringing a lot more unique, handmade and hard to find products into the store

2. Our babywearing, car seat and stroller sections are growing and growing

3. Our furniture offerings will be growing this year too!

4. We will be doing a lot of great activities and events this year that we haven't done before (thanks Stefanie)

5. We are offering a newborn diaper rental (available now)

6.  I have a bunch of family members with milestone birthdays I can't wait to celebrate!! (and someone else turns 40 so I won't be alone in this over 40 category anymore)

7. One of my favorite family members is getting married to a great guy, in a great venue (can't wait to be there)

8. My amazing (step) Granddaughter will be here spending more time with us this summer, which means more roller coaster rides, trips to the Smithsonians, dancing and singing contests and other general silliness

 

9. I finally bought furniture for my office/craft room at home so I can't wait to work on some projects for the store, my family, and non-profit organizations at my beautiful desk and mid-century modern credenza!

 

10. We are going to start a video campaign for the store that I can't wait for! (except that it means I have to be on camera more, perhaps I should rethink the guilt as a fitness program idea...)

What are you excited about this year?