From free to $80 a month, here's a list of the things that made my foray into parenthood better for me and my baby.
1. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton is a true saint, in my opinion. Imagination Library is a non-profit started by Ms. Parton in 1995, and is active in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada. Children whose parents register and are approved to participate in the Imagination Library get one free book a month from ages zero to five years for free. I signed my daughter up, and all I needed was my address, my name, her name and her age, and I got approved within 24 hours.
To see if your town or city participates in the Imagination Library, go here.
2. The Peanut app
Whether you're a mom who's married, flying solo, new, or has been doing this for a while, the Peanut app is for you! Launched five years ago, the Peanut app was made by a mom for moms, and is designed for women to find mom friends, ask and give advice and just have another adult to talk to! This app has made me feel really supported and is a fun way for me to be a part of a dating app even though I'm married.
If you'd like to give it a try, download the free app here.
3. WIC
I don't know anyone who couldn't use a little help with groceries every now and then, especially as your kids (and their appetites) grow. An acronym for Women, Infants and Children, WIC provides free food assistance for children under five and women up to six months or a year postpartum, depending on whether they're breastfeeding or not. It's different than food stamps, and you can be eligible for WIC whether or not you receive food stamps, although receiving food stamps increases your chances of eligibility.
In my experience, WIC has helped my family pay for groceries, and it's actually helped my family eat healthier because they only pay for healthier foods.
4. Lovevery toy subscription
This one is a little on the pricey side. At $80 every two months for the first year of baby's life, it's definitely an investment. But honestly, I'm so glad my husband talked me into it. With Lovevery, I don't have to be constantly buying toys for my baby, and I know that the toys we are getting are not only fun, but will help with her mental and physical development.
5. A stroller with big wheels
This is usually referred to as a jogger stroller, but I'm not a jogger. Before my daughter was born, my dad was adamant that my husband and I get a stroller with big wheels rather than one of the tiny-wheeled ones you see at Walmart. It took some looking, but I finally found one in my budget, and I am so glad I did! Especially living in Montana where the winters are snowy and the terrain is rugged, I feel like my daughter and I would've gotten stuck in so many outdoor situations if we had a stroller with smaller wheels.
6. Old Navy
I know this one may seem a little weird, but bear with me:
-Old Navy always has great sales, I'm pretty sure there's always at least one thing that is 30% off.
-The clothes are super cute
-It can be a one stop-shop for clothes for the whole family
I honestly think both me and my wardrobe, and my daughter's wardrobe would be lost without Old Navy.
If you've made it this far, I hope that some of these things help you. Did I miss anything? What products have made your life as a mom easier? Let me know in the comments!
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