eSCAping Type 1

I don’t know if other parents find this sort of thing helpful, but I love hearing about what other people are doing with their kids.

Do I always agree with them? Nope. And then do I immediately comment to tell them what they’re doing wrong and how they’re a horrible parent? Also no.

Parenting is like politics: everyone thinks their way is the best, and they’re not afraid to tell others that what they’re doing differently is wrong. “That’s the way we’ve always done it” apparently trumps any new methods. We all know how much courage social media inspires.

So I already know not everyone is going to agree with this post. But before you tell me how screen time is hindering my child’s brain development, let me assure you that only one recommendation is actually for babies, and it’s ok if you skip it. (Plus the teacher in me will argue that visual and audio activities are equally important to kinetic ones, and the Ataxia in me limits the motor activities I can do with my kid, but to each his own.)

Tiny Beans.

There are lots of apps like this, where you can upload daily pictures of your baby for only family members to see.

Download one. Now. You won’t regret it.

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One reason I love Tiny Beans is that I had to sign viewers up with their email. So I know exactly who can see Leo’s pictures, because I was in full control of the Members list.

I like being held accountable for adding a picture every single day. And it’s automatically saved, so I can very quickly and easily go back to February and gush over how small he was. Or revisit his first smile in April. Or when he tried watermelon in July.

Relatives who don’t have social media tell me all the time how much they appreciate the app. Plus that sense of privacy is hard to come by these days.

 

Google Doc Baby Book

Is there an app for this? Probably. 

But, as you might know from my Teaching Posts, I have a slight Google Doc obsession. It’s where I type all my blog posts, and where I’m forever working on that novel, and now where I keep a weekly (ok, monthly) account of my baby’s life.

I really love how easy it is to add pictures. And I can include links to any current events I mention, since 2020 makes me sound like I’m making things up.

 

Huckleberry

There’s a whole lot of timing that comes into play with a newborn, and this app (plus the whiteboard on our fridge) helped me adjust and kind of keep track of everything.

Trying to remember when the baby ate and when he had to eat again was all my life was for the first few weeks. Some families can get into a routine right away. It took me about 5 months. 

This app lets you record everything in detail and even offers “prime nap timing” suggestions based on what you document each day.

Hey Bear!

I don’t know who loves these YouTube sensory videos more, me or Leo. Made specifically for babies, each “episode” features high-contrast animations dancing to various music.

You could put on rainbows and clouds bobbing softly to classical music, or (Leo’s favorite) vegetables disco dancing to an upbeat tune. 

Instant attention-grabber. So many to choose from. No talking/singing. Completely free. Highly recommended.

Share your own recommendations below! Suggestions are NEVER bad, even if you don’t agree with them.