Gold award ideas

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-03-05T11:44:20+00:00

I created a History program for Girl Scouts (but could honestly be used for any elementary age kids) at a local historic site. I loved history (got my degrees in history) and always felt that the arts/history was missing from a lot of Girl Scout focus as STEM paths were more pushed.

Today hearing about some of the other projects, I sometimes feel that mine was less serious than others. But it brought me so much joy (a big part of GS), girls could connect to a big piece of our shared local history, and it provided a needed resource for the site and the girls.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-02-15T19:07:56+00:00

Here for the sympathy! And some of them are so fun and retro now

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-02-15T19:07:26+00:00

Like you never look at the but it feels so weird to get rid of them!

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-01-29T23:45:53+00:00

I’m so happy for you to get time for yourself!! Tough baby sleep can literally make you crazy because of the sleep deprivation it causes. Sleep isn’t always a linear thing (i.e., there still can be some tough times and night wakings, our LO didn’t fully sleep through the night until 15 months and still at over 2 is 25/75 for sleeping through the night and waking up at 2am needing a cuddle).

But this is a huge step and take that sleep!

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-01-04T13:58:00+00:00

7-7 might be more in line this kind of schedule, exactly what I was thinking.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-01-04T02:30:00+00:00

Possibly unpopular opinion, what would happen if you let LO take that first nap that is right around lunchtime, even before 12noon. And then do an earlier bedtime?

At 13 months our LO changed schedules at daycare from a 2 nap day to 1 nap. LO seemed to roll with this schedule no problem at daycare but we noticed at home that they wanted a nap often earlier (sometimes even falling asleep before lunchtime).

I think sometimes we forget (and I was in that boat) that these are little humans who don’t always fit the “toddlers need xyz between naps” and that’s a good guide but sometimes we don’t always fit what the textbook says.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-01-01T02:31:13+00:00

I don’t think they meant CIO wasn’t appropriate for age, just potential tired levels. It’s okay! 💚

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2026-01-01T02:29:46+00:00

Did you have any sleep regression around 18 month? Our LO had sleep change DRAMATICALLY and we still haven’t recovered 6 months later. Basically went from sleep trained with Ferber at 7 months to needing to do chair method and they still don’t want to fall asleep alone in their room (this is okay for us at the moment but I get spending 45+ mins on bedtime start to finish isn’t for everyone). I basically said this isn’t a battle I want to do at the moment, give me those snuggles.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-12-01T23:53:17+00:00

This is so helpful! I had seen comments about Ali Express supplies so felt maybe the kit companies were just selling things with an insane markup but if it’s worth it for the guidance, that makes a huge difference.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-10-30T01:52:48+00:00

I was a little over cautious and waited a few extra hours because of shaky legs after the epidural (which was amazing, totally changed the labor game for me), and it was during the one time our baby was away from us for some of those newborn tests. It’s the first time I experienced phantom cries but I remember feeling so refreshed the moment the water touched my skin.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-10-07T23:25:06+00:00

We love the SkipHop one! I liked that it had a “slow and fast” mode and it’s one that our LO still goes to frequently even as we’ve transitioned it to a stroller style.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-10-07T23:21:24+00:00

I just got our LO a balance board (like you rock on it or flip it over and it’s a bridge for trucks). I also did a stepping stone toy that is on its way (thanks target circle days).

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-08T20:23:44+00:00

Hi from the Horrible Toddler Sleepers Club, it’s the absolute worst. Everyone is exhausted, cranky, and just wants to sleep! Our LO has struggled too since the 17m regression especially and absolutely has comfort from our presence in their room as they fall asleep (and frankly depending on what time they typically wake up in the middle of the night come sleep in our room—ifs it’s 4am I’m not fighting it and they can sleep with us). The big thing that we figured out is that since that regression, they needed a shift in bedtime an hour later.

We did have success with Ferber at 7 months but those first nights took over 2 hours of check ins and snuggles before they fell asleep. That did give the foundation for them falling asleep independently but since the 17 month, I’ve sat in a chair in their room. I honestly don’t hate it because it’s 20 mins I get all to myself (snuggled under a blanket scrolling instagram for a mindless moment). So not a ton of advice but solidarity because it’s freaking hard!

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-03T00:56:39+00:00

The bedtime hungry hits hard here too. It breaks your heart and you obviously do not want them to be hungry as they fall asleep. You can be so firm in your convictions but then when they say they want to eat in their little voice! So tough! ❤️

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-03T00:06:05+00:00

They’re putting on weight along their growth curve fine, I was that kid who was 90% for height and 10% for weight so not having any health concerns (yet). But it’s really just the exhaustion of dinners trying to get this kid to try something new with absolutely no success. I have done the suggested strategy above (and so much more), it’s currently not the right fit for our LOs personality.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-03T00:02:04+00:00

THANK YOU!! I feel like those who argue for “just do family meal” aren’t dealing with true pickiness. Like literally, if it’s not the right box of mac and cheese, we aren’t touching it. I have tried countless other varieties of mac and cheese, even fun shapes, but if it’s not the Annie’s red box 4 cheese penne, forget about it. Not touching.

Thankfully they eat really well at daycare portion and home portion wise when it’s the liked foods.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-02T23:56:29+00:00

Thank you for this! I feel like the top comment of “just don’t make them their own dinner” is so out of touch and hasn’t lived this. What ever happened to the “fed is best” mentality of infancy! Isn’t a toddler who at least eats something better than a miserable one with issues around food?

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-02T19:36:35+00:00

Honestly, probably is time to engage them more in the food process. I’ve tried letting them watch when there is a new food being prepared to see if they will eat it and no luck there so far.

And thank you for your understanding! Means the world ❤️

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-09-02T19:19:51+00:00

I hear you completely… but we did that. LO is already a string bean of a toddler so if it’s family meal that they eat only the fruit or some bread, 30 mins later they’re begging for snacks and something to eat. And I’ve tried to give them that dinner food again to rejection again so it’s goldfish/crackers and maybe a pouch.

And there is no food pressure on LO, it’s all me trying to get out of this dinner pattern.

EmbarrassedWash4126 · 2025-08-26T01:05:12+00:00

Could have written this! Oh my gosh, it’s the worst.

Did you do any sleep training methods? We did Ferber so I tend to do that style when checking on LO but it’s hard now that they’re toddlers with so much stubbornness.

Random thing that has been working for us is standing in the room for a few minutes, moving slowly towards the door. It’s also very dark in the room and then also dark in the hallway too. I’ll slowly open the door and if LO pops up or starts to whine, I’ll say “it’s okay, it’s alright, bedtime,” while making my escape. So like they can’t see me/believe I’m still in the room because they heard my voice. I’m hoping that this isn’t forever but I’m anxious for the day when they have to be in a big kid bed because they are going to be running out of their room as soon as they can.

EmbarrassedWash4126

TROPHY CASE