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1. Pre-cooked dinners. I’m not talking about a Hello Fresh type meal kit, where you have to assemble and cook. I’m talking about caterers that parleyed their unused cooking skills during the pandemic to pre-cooked, re-heat only meals that have meat and vegetables included. 30 minutes in the oven (a little longer if it’s straight from the freezer) and you have a family meal on a busy night! And they deliver! In my area, my go-to places are Chef Mario’s and Donovan’s Dish.
2. Full day, in person school. How did we ever go so wrong and think our kids’ learning from their bedrooms wouldn’t affect them? The classroom setting has always been the best for intellectual and social development. And the time away from each other gives parents and children something to talk about at the end of the day!
3. The Gabb Wireless phone. It looks like a smart phone, communicates like a smart phone, but ISN’T. There is no internet or social media access allowed on this phone. It is solely a communication device (phone and text allowed) and let’s face it, there is no middle schooler that knows how to communicate without one. There are plans that allow for group texting and picture sharing as well as a plan that doesn’t allow those. They are adding new features soon like Gabb Music and a gaming platform. It has a fairly decent camera, a calendar app, calculator app, and some of the other most popular apps. Your child will FEEL like they have a phone, but will still be kept safe from the dangers of the internet and social media. Win-win for everyone!
4. Lands’ End Rash Guards. Saving my life at spring and fall baseball games! They are stylish enough to wear away from the pool or beach and keep my skin protected from the sun during those marathon baseball tournaments. On cool days, they keep me warm and on hot days, even the long sleeves aren’t so bad. You’re hot anyway sitting out there, at least you’re protected from sun burn and the shirts can get wet to cool off, but dry quickly.
5. GCI Rocker Chair. It’s portable and easy to fold up. It’s great for outdoor sporting events when you don’t want to or can’t sit in the bleachers. Plus it has a mesh back which is very helpful on hot NC baseball days.
6. Friends re-runs. There’s something about this group that never fails to make me smile. I remember where I was when Ross and Rachel first kissed and how sad I was to say goodbye to them at the end of the show. When my day has been complicated & busy, I watch an episode before bed, remember my uncomplicated, less busy 20s and fall asleep with a smile on my face.
-J in NC