Bedside Charging Organizer Perch for Students

Technology 

by Gabrielle, College Student and

Mommy Blog Expert Intern

Essential Student Tool for New School Year

I don’t think I'm alone with both high school and fellow college students in regularly working on class assignments and projects from my bed or reclining while scrolling through emails or texts on my phone. Likewise, I doubt I'm the only girl or guy in my generation who finds myself faced with that irritating low battery alert, forcing me to begrudgingly interrupt my workflow or recreational time in search of a pesky, out of reach outlet to power up my phone and other devices.

 

MBE partnered with Squirrel for this story, post contains affiliate links

Introducing the Squirrel

I’m a student, I get it. I know how challenging it can be to claw my way back to motivation in instances like these when you run out of power. In fact, that and all the clutter on the bed can drive a person nuts. The aptly-named Squirrel, invented by Steve Luhrs (a Dad first, Founder second), circumvents these issues. This sleek charger which doubles as a bedside perch is constructed of 100% recycled post-consumer plastic, embodying the Squirrel brand's commitment to sustainability. The handy easily transportable shelf fits between a mattress and box spring, sporting a thin, yet surprisingly strong and sturdy board and quality metallic-feeling poles that hold up its frame. 

Pictured below: That's our adorable new puppy who loves chasing squirrels, "helping" me with the Squirrel unboxing and review. 

Bedside Storage, Charging Station All-in-One

True to its namesake the Squirrel, who in nature always likes to have his nuts and nesting materials well-organized and easily accessible, all in one convenient place, this dual bedside organizer and charging station sports an assortment of five different sized plastic storage compartment cubbies. 

The smaller ones are just right for pencils, drawing tablet pens, wireless earbuds, keys and whatever else you'd like to have at your finger tips. The medium sized nooks are capable of supporting a full-size water bottle, drinks and snacks -- a must when you're in the middle of an intense study session or just chatting with friends or having some non-stop fun online. The unique, flatter compartments are spacious enough to hold things upright, like folders, a Kindle e-reader, an iPad or SurfacePro, and for animation and design students like me, a personal drawing tablet and stylus. 

Its front is equipped with dual charging ports (USB - A and C applicable), to which I can easily charge my phone using my own charging cable as well as another device simultaneously. Hidden in the back compactly stored, you'll find a generously elongated 9 foot black cord plug which thankfully is capable of reaching even the more awkwardly placed electric outlets in most bedrooms and dorm rooms. To make this your own, reflecting your unique personality, there's plenty of space on the front of the perch to add things such as the stickers, like I have in the picture below, or to glue on your choice of other decorative items. 

Simple to Setup and Use

Squirrel installation is relatively straight forward, quick to setup and easy to use. Opening the modern, lightweight recycled box packaging, you'll see two QR codes, the left for a virtual PDF of the setup instructions and the right to access the brand's website. The former displays extremely clear cut, helpful visuals alongside the instructions for no-nonsense assembly. 

To set up next to your bed, simply slip the two sturdy poles into the displayed piece, slide the flat board onto the poles’ end and insert that portion between your mattress and box spring, plug in its super long electric cord and your own personal cable and it’s ready to go. 

Keep in mind that the Squirrel charging capability does need to have its own cable plugged in to actively charge your devices. If your nearest outlet is behind your bed, the device's cord may be in the way. Yet, I have found these details to not necessarily be a deal breaker. The ample included power cord is already thankfully long enough to simply drape it off the edge of a bed. 

It can be so annoying when you're in mid project or have to awkwardly maneuver yourself into uncomfortable positions just to be able to keep devices alive during both school work and recreation time. Right? 

The fact that I no longer need to get up from my bed and interrupt my creative workflow more than outweighs minor worries. While its cord tends to stick out when in use, that does not outweigh the relief of knowing I won't be constantly concerned that my devices will run out of power. 

For certain, Squirrel is a product I have definitely benefited from and have enjoyed using. I look forward to having my new study buddy Squirrel beside me for the fall semester and beyond. When I'm at home, whether I'm doing homework or class projects, having some fun smartphone fun online or just enjoying snacks and a drink from the cubbies, I'll never have to fear my devices giving out on me at the worst times from now on.

More About The Squirrel

The eco-friendly Squirrel, is constructed of 100% recycled plastic and is available in your choice of colors on Amazon including Black (as featured in this review) Grey, Blue, Light Blue, Pink and Red. Whatever color you choose to match your room's vibes, this functional perch will help you cut down on bedside clutter while keeping your devices fully charged and is perfect to use as a floating night table organizer and charger for small spaces, students at home, and college dorm rooms. 

When you order direct from the brand's Amazon Store, satisfaction is quaranteed and returns are free. There is no cost for shipping if you're an Amazon Prime member. If you're not yet a member yet, you can still get free shipping on this item, by signing up for a FREE 30 Day Trial to Amazon Prime now.

Squirrel is not just for high school and college students. Tweens, adults, parents, and grandparents will also appreciate the many benefits of this innovative bedside storage caddy equipped with two USB - C and A charging ports to charge two devices at once. This would make a great gift for yourself or the student in your life. It also makes a thoughtful present for a child who has gone off to college and is living on campus, it can be shipped directly to the student.

Disclosure: Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon affiliate program and I receive a small bit of compensation, at no extra cost to you, when you click on one of the links in this post and make a purchase.

Kidspace Campout Kids Family Exhibition

Family Fun

by Rachel Marks, Kids Editor
Mommy Blog Expert

Our Adventure at Kidspace Campout

MBE partnered with Kidspace Children's Museum for this story

My husband Chaim and I always enjoy Sunday outings, going to engaging places like Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena, California with our three little explorers: sons Izzy (6) and Ori (3) and daughter, Arya (20 months). Our latest family adventure found us experiencing Kidspace's Campout themed children's special exhibition -- which runs all summer through September 15. This was a day filled with fun, laughter, learning, plenty of perfect photo opps, and some seriously magical moments for us all.

Activities for Every Child's Age Group

When we arrived, we headed straight to the indoor area to check out "Campout" at the Roberts Pavilion. Arya was absolutely fascinated by the moving butterfiles fluttering around. Ori and Izzy, on the other hand, were instantly drawn to the Ant Tunnel where they had a blast climbing through it, their laughter echoling through the pavilion.

After exploring indoors, we mad our way outside to the bike's highway. The boys eagerly navigated their trikes over the faux "Golden Gate Bridge" and through a tunnel. Izzy really enjoying giving his younger brother Ori a ride. Seeing them work together was such a proud moment for us as parents. Arya watched them with wide eyes, clapping her little hands in delight as she rode he own age-appropriate bike in "Kirby's Pit Stop."

Family Memories and Fun Photo Opportunities

Next up was the campfire sing-along, a definite highlight of the day. To set the mood, first Arya and I spread out a blanket, and then all the kids sat down to join in the fun. They loved the hands-on music experiences of playing drums and using shakers as they sang along to familiar songs like "Old McDonald," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and "If you're Happy and You Know It." Watching our kids sing along with the ther families assembled around the pretend cambire with the other families and engaging staff members was so fun.

After the rousing family sing-along, we ventured to the Creative Campgrounds area. Our middle child Ori was in his element, pretending to play in his camper with a "lake" view. He was so imaginative, and it was wonderful to his witness his creativity and role playing in action.

We also checked out the newest permanent exhibit, Arroyo Pequeño. This extension of the Arroyo Adventure delves into the delicate ecosystem of the Arroyo Seco. The kids loved observing the signs of native wildlife and Izzy was particularly fascinated by the koi pond.

 

There is really so much to do throughout Kidspace, you and the kids might also want to check out the Camp Craft Cabin to create your own camp swag, string togther a friendship bracelet, and more. For budding little fishermen and fisherwomen there's also a Go fish activity where kids can put on a life vest, grab a net, and go "fishing" in Winding Willow Lake, a blue sand play area with a real boat and whimsical toy fish to "catch."

After all the fun and excitement, the event wrapped up with a sense of contentment and a sprinkle of magic. It was a day well spent, exploring nature and summer's delights without leaving the city. Kidspace truly outdid themselves with their memorable Campout Event, creating a wonderful, safe space for familites to bond and make lasting memories.

I highly recommend checking out this Kidspace special installation which will be ending in mid-September as well as their permanent exhibitions and upcoming limited engagments. They consistently deliver on bringing out the best in every season and create unforgettable experiences and fun unique outings for families, creating cherished memories for both kids and parents.

In addition to enjoying the special Campout events and activities, families can delight in popular ongoing exhibits including twirling the Butterfly Kaleidoscope, spinning on Los Trompos, building roadways at Ramps and Rollers, and getting hands-on with science in the Physics Forest.

About Kidspace

Visit kidspacemuseum.org for hours, activity schedule and to reserve general admission tickets for Kidspace Children's Museum, sign up for a Family Membership, and to discover more about Kidspace offerings year-round. Kidspace is geared toward kids ages 6 months through 10 years-old. For the youngest ones, for crawlers and non-crawlers there are age-appropriate toys and areas to explore. For the older kids, there are fun, educational, and hands-on opportunities to discover. The children's 3.5 acre indoor and outdoor space features 40 interactive exhibits with daily events and special monthly programs. Stay in the loop on everything Kidspace is up to by following their social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. 

Kidspace is located at 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91103; phone 626-449-9144.

Kids Food Allergies Resource for Parents

Wellness 

5 Things to Know About Food Allergy Testing, Treatments 

GUEST POST

By Kimberley Yates, CEO and Founder 

Latitude Food Allergy Care 

Readers Note: This guest post is for informational purposes only and it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.

As many as 32 million Americans currently are impacted by food allergies. Diagnoses continue to grow at epidemic rates. While expertise is needed to accurately diagnose and properly treat this growing portion of the population, misinformation is rampant. Many people are unaware that safe and effective treatments are available for food allergies for babies, children and adults. These treatments have the power to keep patients safe and possibly allow patients to enjoy the foods they’re currently allergic to.

1. Food allergies can affect anyone, at any age, and change over time

Food allergies often present early and dramatically in a baby or young child’s life. For the parents of children with food allergies, this might mean a jarring first trip to the emergency room. But new allergies can turn up later in life, too. In fact, food allergies can develop, and change, at any age.

Some food allergies, such as cow’s milk or eggs, have high rates of being outgrown in childhood. Others, such as peanut and tree nut allergies without treatment — could be life-long. Shellfish allergies can also present later in life. Just because a patient was told they were fatally allergic to 10 things as an infant or toddler does not mean those allergies can’t be outgrown, or that new allergies can’t be gained. 

Periodic testing with an allergist is essential. Oftentimes, a fresh diagnosis allows patients to open up their diet, and bring foods they enjoy back into their lives.

2. Finding a qualified food allergy specialist is imperative

While food allergies have risen dramatically in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, the number of physicians specializing in food allergy diagnosis and treatments have yet to catch up, making it very difficult for patients to get the care they need. 

In addition to working with your pediatrician, it’s very important to find a food allergist who’s motivated to get to the bottom of your child's allergies. Not all allergists are trained in or specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. The best, most qualified allergists are well-informed on the latest research and are specifically trained in food allergy. 

3. Common misdiagnoses can lead to unnecessary restrictive diets 

Without thorough testing, it’s easy for patients to confuse and conflate food allergies, sensitivities, and other medical conditions. In one study, researchers at National Jewish Health in Denver conducted "food challenge" tests on 125 children with allergies and eczema and found more than 50 percent of the kids could tolerate foods they had been told to avoid. 

Misdiagnoses may result in an overly restrictive diet with unnecessary food avoidance, which can adversely impact quality of life. 

Many young adults, for example, might have been advised to avoid entire categories of foods such as tree nuts if they had a diagnosed peanut allergy. The best food allergy care involves working with a specialist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and work to reduce the foods that a person needs to avoid — lessening the emotional and physical burdens of managing food allergies. 

4. Inconsistent and inaccurate information is rampant

Because of the risk and anxiety food allergies can cause, families are desperate for answers and want to understand their options. While there are a growing number of resources for families impacted by food allergies, it’s important to point out that information can vary drastically from source to source. For example, not all clinicians are aware that proactive treatment options for food allergies exist, and therefore may not recommend them. 

It is important to continue to seek out accurate information. If you do not like what you are hearing or aren’t getting the answers you are looking for, it's a wise idea to get another opinion.

5. Treatments for all ages, start as soon as allergy is suspected

True food allergies do not need to be tolerated, and avoidance is not the only solution. Life changing treatments are available for patients of all ages — including babies, older children, and into adulthood. 

The most effective and life changing treatment available today is Oral Immunotherapy. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) desensitizes patients to foods they’re allergic to through exposure to small quantities of the food allergen over time. 

Patients can be treated for a single allergen or for multiple foods simultaneously, which allows for a significant improvement in quality of life in a short amount of time — often less than 12 months. Treatment can be started as soon as an allergy is confirmed. 

Over the last decade, clinical trials have proven OIT to be both safe and effective, especially in the youngest patients. 

At Latitude Food Allergy Care, data reveals a 92 percent success rate among all OIT patients. For patients 3 and younger, the success rate is even higher at 97 percent. OIT offers the ability to live more freely, and some young patients may never know they had a food allergy. 

In addition to OIT, the FDA recently approved the biologic Xolair (omalizumab) as the first medication approved to reduce allergic reactions to accidental exposures. Xolair does not remove a food allergy but can provide a layer of protection against reactions. Xolair may also be used alongside OIT, offering another very safe option for treating a food allergy. 

Ongoing research offers the potential for an even wider range of food allergy treatment options in the future, but OIT and Xolair are available now — already impacting the lives of tens of thousands of families across the country. And food allergy specialists do exist to help families best navigate their testing and treatment options. 

Kimberley Yates, CEO, Latitude Food Allergy Care

About the Author

Kimberley Yates (Grosso) is the mother of Tessa, Reese and Alyssa and CEO and founder of Latitude Food Allergy Care. Finding a cure for her daughter Tessa’s multiple severe food allergies drove Kimberley to raise the resources for a clinical trial using Oral Immunotherapy (OIT), which led to the founding of the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, a world-renowned food allergy research center. After nine years at Stanford, she started Latitude to increase access to life-saving treatments.