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Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches are the Bane of My Existence
FRIDAY NML BLOG
Let’s just say there was a time in my simple young life, when an occasional PB&J would light up my face like any other child in the free world. These were easier times…happier times. An era when kids didn’t have to worry about much: just hop on the bike, head home from school, have a bowl of Cheez-its, watch an episode of Gilligan’s Island and then run back outside to join your friends to play whatever was going on in the neighborhood that afternoon.
Well brothers and sistahs, things have changed and I know I am NOT the first to tell you that!!! When my babies came into the world, my anxiety levels compounded like wart remover:
- “What am I going to do with these gi-normous breasts after they stop producing milk?”
- “Suppose someone tries to break into our house and take our infant, and I’m watching it on the baby video monitor, only to realize that the video channels are crossed and it is my neighbor picking up their child to give their baby a bottle in the middle of the night and mine is sound asleep and fine!!” (True story…happened to a friend!)
- “Or worse…what if my child has to sit at the dreaded PEANUT TABLE at the school cafeteria in grade school!” (This is not a joke…a real fear of mine and I say a prayer for every parent and child who has to deal with this allergy. Scares the living tar out of me!
Well, fast-forward six years and here we are – thank heavens – not at the peanut table, but in our own version of “peanut hell.” My child will ONLY eat PB&J for lunch. I know…Nurse Mommy can’t get her child to eat? Yes! Shut it. Either can other specialists and doctors, so there!
So we figured this would be a stage which would eventually pass, and with patience we would keep her eating healthily with fruits and veggies (which she loves), whole grains and dairy; and just not obsess about her obsession, while making her lunch for school.
Then the GREAT day came…duh, duh, dunnah!!!!!
“Mom, tomorrow I’m going to buy my lunch at school.”
(After almost needing a Depends a few decades early, I knew it best not to get overly emotional, or show any emotion, for that matter.)
“Sure. Whatever,” I agreed nonchalantly. “What are you going to get?”
“They have Peanut Butter and Jelly!!”
OF COURSE THEY DO.
(2012© Hatton, all rights reserved)
PEDIATRIC TYPE 1 DIABETES: NOT THAT SWEET OF A DEAL
previously published in Simply KC magazine January 2012 issue
If you think there aren’t many children suffering with diabetes in our country, think again. The Nemours Foundation reports, “Every year in the United States, 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and more than 1 million American kids and adults deal with the disease every day.” These are otherwise healthy kids who just hit the gene pool lottery and came out with a life-long illness which at first is all consuming to the entire family.
What is Diabetes?
Glucose, the primary sugar our body uses to produce energy, comes from foods and beverages we consume. Without glucose our bodies wouldn’t be able to perform daily functions. When consuming glucose, in normal functioning bodies, the pancreas will release insulin, which then triggers body cells to accept the glucose – then the “energy” leaves the bloodstream and begins performing. If this process doesn’t occur, then an overload of glucose stays in the bloodstream, resulting in a host of other health problems. “Type 1 diabetes (formerly juvenile diabetes) results when the pancreas loses its ability to make the hormone insulin,” reports Nemours. “In type 1 diabetes, the person’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Once those cells are destroyed, they won’t ever make insulin again.”
Signs & Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes isn’t an easily diagnosed disease, and symptoms are typically as follows:
- Weight loss – body breaks down stored fat and muscle to gain fuel for deprived cells.
- Frequent urination –kidneys flush out high levels of glucose from the bloodstream through urine.
- Extreme thirst – more urination…dehydration.
- Extreme fatigue or tiredness – not able to process glucose correctly, which lowers energy levels.
Changes in Family Life
Lifestyles don’t always change dramatically; but at diagnosis, younger children and teenagers are most challenging. With little ones, the fear of pain is always an issue and no fun for the “Stick-er” or the “Stick-ee.” Luckily, it will become easier over time.
Adolescents are challenging on a different level – imagine that! They usually don’t struggle with testing or injections, but the commitment to their health and not wanting to be different from their peers is a HUGE blockade. Angela Turpin, MD, Director of the Children’s Diabetes Center at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, sees numerous diabetics in the area. She clarifies the daily protocol for type 1 kids as this:
- Check blood glucose levels frequently – using a finger stick and a meter reading machine. Dr. Turpin says, “Our goal for blood glucose testing is at least 4-6 times per day. Typical times to check are before and 2 hours after the 3 main meals and at bedtime.”
- Insulin injections – an adult can do this for younger kids, older youth can perform this skill themselves or insulin pumps can automatically give doses for those prescribed by the physician. “About 90% of our patients are on insulin pumps,” reports Dr. Turpin. “We really promote pump therapy because it allows us to administer insulin in a way that better mimics a healthy pancreas. Additionally, pumps provide more freedom and flexibility for the patients than injections.”
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet – keep track of carbohydrates, starches and simple sugars (empty calories) and balance them with proteins and fats.
- Exercise regularly – “Everyone needs exercise to stay healthy,” says Dr. Turpin. “For those with type 1 diabetes it is also an excellent way to help keep blood sugar levels in target, as exercise helps bring blood sugar down.”
- Keep all follow-up appointments – remaining close to your diabetes health care team is mandatory for obtaining optimal results.
Treating Type 1 Diabetes
A diabetes management plan is crucial for every child. The health care team will establish short-term and long-term goals for the youth to assure they will maintain normal development. Emphasizing the child needs to keep his blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. Intestinal digestive juices destroy insulin if it is swallowed, so insulin unfortunately can’t be given in pill form. Nemours says of type 1 diabetics, “Insulin is the only medicine that can keep their blood sugar levels in a healthy range.” It’s hard to explain to a child that insulin can only be given by injection or insulin pump, but hopefully, in the future there will be less painful methods for these kids.
Fueling Your Child
“Foods containing (carbohydrates) cause blood sugar levels to go up the most,” reports Nemours. “Foods that are mostly protein and/or fat don’t affect blood sugar levels nearly as much.” Eating meals and snacks at regular times helps to keep blood sugar levels normal. Dr. Turpin states, “We educate our patients on carbohydrate counting and use a ratio of insulin to carbohydrates to adequately control blood sugar at meals and snacks. While we do not typically restrict carbs or empty calories, we certainly promote healthy eating habits overall.”
Nurses Tip
Since it is necessary for all children (humans) with medical disabilities/allergies wear a medical alert ID – don’t get lost in the dark ages! Lauren’s Hope is a website that offers trendy, kid-friendly medical ID bracelets and other jewelry which “combines safety with style.” Plus, they have glow-in-the-dark diabetes wrist bands. Way cool! Check them out at http://www.laurenshope.com.
Stacey Hatton, is a pediatric nurse, mother of two and freelance writer. You can find her humor blog at http://nursemommylaughs.com.
TV’s Like Crack, but the Good Kind
I hate to be the one to come out and admit it, but my children have a bad crack problem. Every night around 4:00 PM, they curl up on all fours in the middle of the living room, resting their chin in their v-cupped-shaped-hand-rest – and with bootie up in the air and full crack showing, they watch their favorite TV shows ‘til Big Mama gets grub on the table.
Yes, I know there are other ways to get my flailing preschoolers entertained. We have tried many methods. Here are a smattering of our attempts, flops and failures.
1) Help mommy make dinner (you can only imagine the extended cleanup time.)
2) “Go see who can clean their room the fastest and then you will win a cool prize.”
3) Go find your own fun outside…in the 9 degree weather.
4) Play outside with your friends. Good luck finding one outside!!
5) Paint in the basement. (Big, bad, no, no!!)
6) Art project at the kitchen table (every 2.135 seconds … “Mom?”)
7) Go ride your bikes, scooters…did I mention it is 9 degrees and their tuckus’ will freeze to the metal?
8) Draw with chalk in driveway (a summer sport)
Then it turns to the not-so-pretty…
9) “GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!!!!”
Then back to pretty…
10) “How about a Disney movie until dinner?” (Only 2 hours long and the experts say that kids are allowed 2 hours of daily screen time, so don’t roll those eyes at ME!!)
It’s bad, I know. I swore I wouldn’t do it. But I know if I had someone else’s kids who were sweet, quiet and polite before dinner time, the TV would remain off, but mine only decide to be like this at this time of the day. So whatcha gonna do?
So until they grow out of the “witching hour” or the “daddy hour” or whatever you want to call the blasted hour when every freakin’ mother in the free world is pulling her hair out and cursing her children while trying to make a well-balanced and tasty meal, the kids at my house will continue to show me some crack, giggle at the screen and I will keep just an ounce of sanity while whistling while I work, until my prince comes (home)!
2012© Hatton, all rights reserved.
Heading into 2012, Literally Speaking
previously published on January 7, 2012 in The Kansas City Star
The final weeks of 2011 were to be calm, pleasant and focused on family, all the while devoid of stress.The presents were all nestled under the tree and holiday cards were dashed away by government employees muttering prayers of keeping their underappreciated jobs. Hopes of relaxing among kinfolk and roasting marshmallows by the hearth were next on my to-do list. But as all holidays and dreams go, it didn’t quite go as planned.
Instead 2011 closed with a bang forever engraved in this mother’s memory. Not by grandiose fireworks or with the eternally anticlimactic “Christmas crackers” — those blasted end-of-dinner-foil-wrapped-pull-toys opened by great-grandmas. (And after consuming one too many glasses of Riesling, then donning the paper hat from her cracker, she replaces her dentures with orange rinds and sings Auld Lang Syne. Is that just my family?)
Oh no, if my relations are to ring out the old year, we’re going to ring that bell! Therefore, in honor of decked halls, my youngest decided to clang the back of her cranium with such force on a franchise restaurant’s steel bench that I, a pediatric nurse, will never be the same. She’s fine now. Me…not so much.
If you have ever experienced a cut to the head — minuscule or large — you are well aware it can gross out well-seasoned medical staff and create superb plots for Hollywood thrillers, South Park episodes and video games (rated “M” for mature audiences).
Thankfully, my daughter did not lose consciousness, orientation or innards, so I was able to jerry-rig a contraption that got her noggin to temporarily cease bleeding and avoid more screaming by calling an ambulance. Boys may think ambulances are cool. Girls, not really.
So with a little scotch tape, a fry chef hat and a bean bag toy, (not really, but that would have been a cool fix), my youngest was stable and we headed to the ER. Then I attempted the most difficult task of all: contacting my husband.
Apparently when I’m in an emergency situation, I can only effectively handle the role of nurse. Not mom, wife, or transportation gal. Example: I speed-dialed my neighbor three times trying to reach my husband. She finally said she would take over and call my husband since I was incapacitated. Thank you, neighbor No. 1.
My next problem was getting my oldest picked up from school in 30 minutes, but alas, I wasn’t capable of doing that, either, or even figuring out how to get someone to pick her up. So I called responsible neighbor No. 2. She was going to pick up my child, so I needed to call the school to arrange it stat. Love her! For this lack of parenting 101 skills, I’m sure to get Mom of the Year.
Three staples in my precious cherub’s head later, a hug that lasted until she said, “Mom, are you done yet?” and ice cream and toys a-plenty, we all managed to survive my child’s first concussion.
I say “first” because if you notice the size of her mother’s head this is to not be the last of her head bonks. With our genetically enlarged craniums (due to the extra brain portion which is explicitly used for sarcasm), gravity will surely play another nasty role in the ringing of her bells.
Until our next adventure, I hope you and yours have a safe and conscious 2012!
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric registered nurse, writer and public speaker. Her humor blog can be found at http://nursemommylaughs.com.
Cold and Flu? Not You!
previously published in KC Parent magazine January 2012 issue
Yes, once again we have hit the cold and flu season like a bag of bricks, and it’s a challenge to avoid catching these nasty germs. But if you follow a simple rule, you have a better chance of saving yourself some misery—not to mention some cash on the tissues and cough drops.
People often find it difficult to tell the difference between the two most common winter illnesses. Consider this information:
Common Cold Signs and Symptoms (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Sneezing
- Stuffy/ runny nose
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Watery eyes
- Mild headache
People generally contract a cold from a cough or sneeze or direct contact with infected persons. Colds normally resolve within 7 days, but some can last up to 2 weeks. Symptoms appear 2-3 days after exposure.
Flu Signs and Symptoms (AAP)
- Sudden fever and chills (normally >101°F)
- Head and body aches
- Extreme fatigue (more than usual)
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Stuffy or runny nose
Usually after a week or two, most symptoms have disappeared. “However, it’s important to treat the flu seriously,” reports the Nemours Foundation, “because it can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening complications, particularly in infants, senior citizens and people with long-term health problems.”
Hand Washing vs. Hand Sanitizer: Proper hand washing often is the best method to prevent common winter maladies.
Using soap and warm water and rubbing thoroughly for at least 20 seconds is recommended—which just happens to be the duration of the “Happy Birthday Song” repeated twice. “An alcohol-based hand cleanser or sanitizer works well, too,” says the AAP. “Put enough on your hands to make them all wet, then rub them together until dry.”
Hand Washing Facts:
- Use warm water.
- Use whatever soap you like. Antibacterial soaps are popular, but regular soap works fine. If you suspect that your hands have come into contact with someone with an infection, think about using an alcohol hand sanitizer.
- In public restrooms, consider using a paper towel to flush the toilet and open the door, because toilet and door handles harbor germs. Throw the towel away after you leave.
(Nemours Foundation)
Final Words to the Winter Wise: While washing your hands more frequently and exposing them to the colder elements, use mild soaps with warm water to avoid chapping. Blot hands dry and, finally, apply a moisturizing lotion with no added fragrances or dyes.
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN and freelance writer.
Twin Babies Hilarious Conversation (Video)
Who ever says twins don’t have their own language have never seen this video! Enjoy…
Nurse Mommy’s interpretation: Future debate team leaders tackle the great Sock vs. No Sock debate! Rivoting!!! I think it’s a draw…
Ear Infections…Why Do You Plague My Child?!
previously published in KC Baby magazine Winter issue 2011-12
Your infant cries more than usual, refuses feedings, has a discolored runny nose and tugs at her ear all morning long…what is your first thought? Colic? Not hungry? Coming down with a cold? These are common signs of an ear infection, and you DON’T want to ignore these symptoms. Call your pediatrician right away.
“Next to the common cold, ear infections are the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States,” reports the Nemours Foundation. So it is a good idea that parents become familiar with these symptoms and prepare for what to do.
What Is an Ear Infection (Otitis Media)?
Basically, the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum), which happens to be shorter and more horizontal in younger children than adults, gets full of fluid from either a common cold or allergies; and without proper drainage, a secondary infection can occur, causing a fever, ear pain and a red, bulging ear drum. Ear infections usually start on the third day of a cold. Otitis media peaks at the ages of 6 months to 2 years; however, the infections can remain a problem up until 8 years of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP).
Dr. Scott Dattel, a pediatrician at Kansas City Pediatrics, says, “When a young patient presents with clear nasal drainage, no fever and the pediatrician has ruled out all signs of a bacterial infection, they will have the parent watch the child carefully for 3-5 days. However, if the child isn’t getting better, the clear mucus turns green and a fever goes higher than 101 degrees, the child needs to be rechecked, and a course of antibiotics will probably be required.”
“I find antibiotics a necessary evil for an infant with an ear infection,” says Heidi Prentice, an Overland Park mother of two girls. “I don’t think it is fair to let the baby suffer with the pain, fever and sleeplessness that my baby gets with her recurring ear infections. I also don’t want to chance hearing loss. However, I found that using saline rinses at the first sign of the sniffles can oftentimes prevent an ear infection altogether.”
Preventing Recurrent Infections
- Stay Away from Tobacco Smoke – Make sure that no one smokes in your home, the car or at the daycare where your child stays. Exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the frequency and the severity of your child’s ear infections.
- Breastfeed Infants for at Least 6 Months – This can actually prevent early ear infections. With bottle-feeding, babies tend to lie down to drink their bottles, causing fluid to pool in that middle ear. Try to keep them more upright for better results.
- Fewer Exposures to Large Groups of Kids – More kids to breathe on, more colds, more risk of turning into ear infection…the circle of ear infection life!
- Good Handwashing – Do I need to explain this one again? Let’s all try to do better, right?!
- Keep Immunizations Up-to-Date – Certain vaccines, such as the pneumococcal, flu and Hib can keep your child from getting sick and progressing into an ear infection.
Ear Tube Surgery
“Ventilation tubes are tiny plastic tubes that are inserted through the eardrum by an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) surgeon, which allow fluid to drain out of the middle ear space and allow air to re-enter,” reports the AAP. “This reduces the risk of recurrent ear infections and returns the hearing to normal.”
Parents often debate whether or not to treat their infant with antibiotics for ear infections; but it is imperative your child be seen by a medical provider who can fully assess the situation and determine what is best for your baby. If the infection is severe enough and left untreated, further complications can arise. Please let your doctor advise you closely in these decisions!
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN, mother of two girls (one with ear tubes, one without) and a freelance writer in Overland Park, who is so glad the days of monthly ear infections are over!
Giving Children Caffeine: What are you Crazy?!
previously published in SimplyKC magazine in December 2011 issue
by Stacey Hatton
PARENTING
Caffeine, which unfortunately is my middle name and comprises 58% of my blood fluid, may not be the healthiest choice for adults – but you can bet your bottom dollar it certainly is NOT for your child! If you think caffeine is found only in pick-me-up adult beverages, you would be mistaken. It lurks everywhere. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, which not only can be found in coffee and soda pop, but chocolate, cold medicines, diet pills and some pain relievers.
Caffeine is a Drug
The Nemours Foundation reports caffeine may be fine for adults, but can have ill health effects on kids, especially younger children. Some of these symptoms may be a jumpy or twitchy feeling, anxiety, or an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Nausea, headaches, depression, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating in school can also be related to children consuming caffeine. “The United States hasn’t developed guidelines for caffeine intake and kids, but Canadian guidelines recommend that preschoolers get no more than 45 milligrams of caffeine a day. That’s equivalent to the average amount of caffeine found in a 12-ounce (355-milliliter) can of soda or four 1.5-ounce (43-gram) milk chocolate bars,” states Nemours Foundation. Caffeine is labeled a stimulant, or drug, since it stimulates the central nervous system. The adrenalin rush for an adult is similar to what children experience. The problem is it takes quite a bit less caffeine for a child to feel these effects than adults.
Research Findings (Source: The Nemour Foundation)
- Children are 60% more likely to be obese if they drink one or more 12-ounce sweetened soft- drinks every day.
- Children who drink these caffeinated beverages do not get enough calcium from milk, which is necessary for healthy teeth and bones. (It can even decrease bone mass density, by interfering with the ability to absorb calcium correctly, eventually leading to osteoporosis.)
- Caffeine may lead to fibrocystic breasts, or worsen lumpy and painful breasts.
- Replacing water and milk with sweetened caffeinated drinks is also damaging to your child’s teeth. The high amount of sugar from these beverages is shocking and incredibly acidic, which erodes tooth enamel. This can lead to dental cavities (caries).
- Caffeine acts as a diuretic by eliminating excess water from the body via the kidneys. If too much caffeine is consumed, dehydration can occur.
- In regards to the wives tale of caffeine stunting your growth, it is a fallacy. There is no research to support this; however, I like to tell my kids that it does since I am 5 feet tall. Puts the fear in them!
- Normally caffeine will pass out of the body within a couple of hours; but if a child is sensitive to it, they could feel the stimulant up to 6 hours.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping caffeine abruptly, even with children or young adults, can cause the body to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. It is important to decrease the amount slowly so that the child’s body doesn’t miss the “drug” and have feelings of: tiredness, irritability, severe headaches, nausea and/or vomiting.
Replacing Caffeine
“Caffeine may have a negative effect on a child’s nutrition if caffeinated drinks replace healthy drinks such as milk. A child who consumes caffeine may also eat less, because caffeine reduces the appetite,” reports the National Institute of Health. Offering water, low-fat milk, and small quantities of 100% fruit juice are better substitutes for sugary, caffeinated drinks. Older children can have an occasional soda, but if sugary drinks were the only beverages available when they were younger, they probably will reach for it as a teen.
Finally, just because chocolate has trace amounts of caffeine in it, don’t insist your child pass on every hot fudge sundae. Moderation is always key for everything you put in your body! Just don’t pour yourself a cup of Joe and then fill up your kids’ sippy cups to give them their morning preschool boost. Kids have enough battles to fight throughout their lives. Please don’t get them started early on the caffeine rollercoaster!
The many gifts of the holiday season
previously published by The Kansas City Star
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Stacey Hatton Commentary
Every year during the holiday season, a surge of nausea and a tight ball creeps from my lower abdomen and parks itself somewhere between my upper chest and throat.
Sometimes it rears its sappy head when I hear an old song that reminds me of relatives who have passed away or my children ask a question about giving a toy to orphans. Or some Hallmark Cards or silly coffee TV commercial will turn me into a blubbering fool. Why is it that I am the Queen of Laughter for the remaining 11 months, and then, BAM! — Black Friday is done and I’m a mess?
I’m sure genetics has a lot to do with it, but I’ve wanted all of mankind to experience a special holiday season for as long as I can remember. Chuck Dickens nailed it on the head: “God bless us every one!” Love that guy.
As a pediatric nurse, there is a special section of my heart carved out for every Tiny Tim. When kids are sick I want to give everything to help them and their families feel better physically, mentally and spiritually. When I first became a nurse, the first job I received was a pediatric cancer nurse.
I know it sounds awful, but it was truly a gift! I was so excited to get a job working with children that I didn’t really process what I was going to experience. What these kids endured was horrific, and furthermore, I had to be part of the process of implementing their pain. Surgery was a blessing for them. Chemotherapy was treasured. It was their medicine of hope — and I had to remind myself of that every night on my drive alone back to my home, while tears poured down my face.
After I learned the medical side of my job, I decided I had to make drastic changes in order to mentally survive. Laughter and fun needed to enter the workplace for sheer survival. I started with the staff. We would go out after work to support each other and focus on the love and light in our jobs. This released tension and made it easier to return to work to provide positive care to our beloved patients.
Some of the seasoned n
urses had already been bonding with patients in a humorous manner. There were tickle fights with stuffed animals and bedside water fights — staff versus parents using huge medicine syringes. The children, families and staff started to release some of the pain, anxiety and nausea — and all were laughing together. Miraculous medicine!
So I added my own brand of fun: wacky puppet shows, costume parades, bedside song and tap dance productions. Not only did the kids request more songs and fewer nausea and pain meds, but I wasn’t crying as much on my rides home — a big improvement for all.
Even though I am no longer working with these beautiful children, it’s at this time of year when I think of them most, remembering the year I worked Christmas morning and watched them open their gifts Santa had hand-delivered to the floor. The joy on their faces was unmatched at any other Christmas I have witnessed since — true appreciation of the spirit of giving! Honestly, it was my favorite Christmas, too.
With the economy the way it has been lately, this holiday season isn’t going to be joyous for many persons around Kansas City. Even in Johnson County, there are numerous families going without and not able to provide food and gifts for loved ones. I hope other families who have a surplus will share some of their gifts with those in need. Food, clothing, money, toys are all in great demand.
And for those of you who are struggling this season, many blessings to you, and try to focus on this: laughter is a wonderful gift, good health is another and spending quality time with your family is truly immeasurable. Some of those families in the hospital I took care of aren’t able to do that anymore. Priceless are those laughs together, and may you and yours have many to add to your memory bank!
Stacey Hatton is a pediatric registered nurse, writer and public speaker. Her humor blog can be found at http://nursemommylaughs.com.
Good Deeds Holiday Shop 2011: Bloomingdales and Children’s Mental Health
Once again Bloomingdales and Child’s Mind Institute are partnering to raise funds for these special children. Please check out these gifts if you can’t think of something to give to a friend or loved one during the holidays. A percentage of the proceeds will go to this campaign. ~ Nurse Mommy
The Child Mind Institute has partnered with Bloomingdale’s again this year for a wonderful selection of gifts that give back. A portion of proceeds from sales of these Good Deeds holiday gifts – and 100% of net proceeds from the Bloomingdale’s Bid for a Dream Holiday charity auction – will be donated to help support our mission to transform mental health care for children everywhere.
Bloomingdale’s has been an extraordinary partner, sharing our dedication to children’s mental health and making a significant contribution to the Child Mind Institute through many special in-store promotions and online initiatives. We’re grateful for their continued support, and we’re proud to present the 2011 Good Deeds holiday collection. STAR-STUDDED HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS BY RADKO Celebrity-designed ornaments crafted by Christopher Radko, exclusively for Bloomingdale’s. $40 each $5 of every sale goes to benefit the Child Mind Institute Ornaments available in-store as well as online at bloomingdales.com.
Bloomingdale’s has gathered an exclusive network of celebrities and fashion designers to light up the holidays with one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments handmade in Poland. These Christopher Radko ornaments will be sold exclusively at Bloomingdale’s during the 2011 holiday season and are sure to become collectibles.
$5 of every sale benefits the Child Mind Institute
BLOOMINGDALE’S LITTLE BROWN BEAR 2011 HOLIDAY ECARD
Send bear-y merry greetings to friends and family with this fun ecard. Free
SEND ECARD NOW
Bloomingdale’s will donate $1 to the Child Mind Institute for every ecard sent this holiday season
Send bear-y merry greetings to friends and family with this fun ecard. Free
SEND ECARD NOW
Bloomingdale’s will donate $1 to the Child Mind Institute for every ecard sent this holiday season
THEODORA & CALLUM EXCLUSIVE BLANKET SCARF
Exclusively at Bloomingdale’s—warm, earthy tones add worldly style to this patterned scarf from Theodora & Callum.
SHOP NOW
15% of sales will be donated to the Child Mind Institute
BID FOR A DREAM CHARITY AUCTION
The Bloomingdale’s “Bid for a Dream Holiday Auction” lineup is full of spectacular travel options that will also benefit the Child Mind Institute. The auction is live now and runs through December 12. All net proceeds will help us accomplish our mission.
