Back to school is a hectic time for all of us. There are so many supplies to buy, activities to schedule and homework to do. I have an advantage that I work from home and can spend time with my kids at school. I get to see them flourish everyday. I know how fortunate we are to have schools to go to each day. Not every one in the world is so fortunate, especially young girls in countries around the world. There are children in Ethiopia who cannot attend school due to the time consuming task of fetching water for their families. My girls are so lucky that they just have to worry about getting good grades and being kind to others.
I'm one of those moms who likes to be prepared at all times. I am teaching my kids the same. Even though I am usually at school while the kids are there, sometimes I just can't always be around. That's why I send my girls to school with an emergency kit. There is so much that can happen and if they are prepared, I know they will feel more confident, especially at 12 and 10, when most girls start to feel self-conscious about their appearances.
Creating an emergency kit is as easy as can be. I just grabbed a cute bag and included some essentials for life's little emergencies. To assemble an emergency kit, you will need the following:
1. Cute bag. I love a fun cosmetic bag and when I saw this at the store I knew it was a winner! 2. Travel size hairspray. Styling products like hairspray help with the perfect ponytail and top knot. Hairspray is also awesome to help quick-dry nail polish!3. Hand sanitizer. Gotta keep those germs away!4. Sanitary napkins. We've already dealt with first periods in our home and a sanitary napkin is always an essential. It sucks to get your period at school, but at least they know they have protection.5. Emergen-C®. Being in a classroom all day is an easy way to get sick and we try to prevent colds as much as possible. Emergen-C® is packed with B vitamins, antioxidants+, electrolytes plus more vitamin C than 10 oranges^. With over 20 flavors, there are plenty of delicious varieties to choose from. +Zinc and Manganese^ Based on the USDA.gov nutrient database value for a large, raw orange.
6. Lip gloss. Lip gloss in a fun flavor is always great for chapped lips.7 Nail file. A nail file is so easy to carry around and perfect for fixing a cracked nail.8. Travel size hand lotion. Very important for dry hands.9. Bandages. It's so hard to get a bandage at school so I make sure they carry their own just in case of a small cut or scrape.10. Hair ties. It's hot in Florida and even though they go to school with their hair loose, they always end up with a pony tail when I pick them up.11. Bobby pins. Bobby pins help with cute updos throughout the day.
I check their emergency kits often and replenish supplies as necessary. Can you imagine if all girls had one of these kits in their backpacks? I feel like they gan just a little more confidence knowing they are prepared for anything!
Raising confident, educated girls is so important to me. It makes me so sad to think about all the young girls around the world that get pulled out of school everyday because they need to help their families survive. Remember I mentioned the children in Ethiopia? Well, I have partnered with Emergen-C and have taken on the #40Pounds Challenge! For every #40Pounds Challenge picture uploaded to Instagram, Emergen-C® will donate $5 to charity:water to help fund projects that bring clean, accesible water to communities in Ethiopia. Clean water in Ethiopia means more children in school! Let me tell you, I tried carrying these packages of water bottles (about 50 pounds) and I have no idea how children in Ethiopia can do this everyday......
Remember to pick up Emergen-C® at your local Walmart to create your own emergency kit and remember to take the #40Pound Challenge on Instagram!