Edition #231 | Read time: 5 Minutes
Hi Mamas,
Happy Tuesday. 🤍
Can you believe we're already heading into July? And a holiday week, no less. We swear it was just the last day of school. 😂
Some of you probably let out a giant exhale the second you put up your out of office message.
Others are thinking, Whew... now I have to figure out what we’re doing, what I’m feeding these people, and how to keep everyone entertained.
We’re getting to that point in summer where our brains are saying, Yeah girl... circle back. I cannot make one more decision right now.
If that’s you, enter us!
Consider us your unofficial Fourth of July planning committee. This week, we’re helping lighten the mental load with ideas you can steal, save, and actually use so you can spend less time planning and more time playing this week.
Enjoy!
—The Carry™ Team
📚 One more thing before you go...
It’s the LAST WEEK of our summer book giveaway!
We’ve been giving away a copy of Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey every week this month, and this is your final chance to win.
Just leave a comment on today’s newsletter, and you’ll be entered to win. Good luck! ☀️
This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:
🇺🇸 Your July 4th Plans
💻 OOO Messages Worth Stealing
🎇 Firework Mom Hacks
If you’re looking for an easy way to stock up on summer snacks, pantry staples, and household favorites, Thrive Market has become one of our favorite load-lessening hacks. We love having our go-to essentials delivered right to our door, especially during busy summer weeks.
And because you’re part of the CARRY community, we’ve got a pretty sweet deal waiting for your first order HERE. 🤍
We’re all about making holidays memorable...without making them more work. Here are a few ideas you can steal for next week.
Throw on a family-friendly patriotic playlist while you’re grilling, swimming, or hanging out.
App: 7 Layer Flag Dip. Or, if assembling is more your speed than cooking, try this easy platter instead.
Dessert: THIS Trader Joe’s hack or a patriotic ice cream option!
🎯 Stack the Stars: Players have one minute to stack red, white, and blue plastic cups into a pyramid, then take them back down before time runs out.
💦 Water Balloon Toss
🌭 Hot Dog Hustle: Race across the yard while balancing a hot dog bun on a spatula. Drop it? Head back to the start!
✨ Glow Stick Grab: Scatter glow sticks around the yard at dusk. Players have one minute to collect as many as they can.
🍉 Watermelon Crawl: Roll a small watermelon from Point A to Point B using only a pool noodle (or whatever you have on hand). Fastest time wins.
If you’re lucky enough to be putting up an out of office message this week, why settle for “I’ll respond when I return”? Here are a few that made us laugh.
I’m currently celebrating America’s birthday with my favorite people, a questionable amount of potato salad, and zero plans to check email. I’ll be back on [date]. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [name].
Currently unavailable due to fireworks, family, and fierce competition in a backyard cornhole tournament. I’ll respond after [date].
I’m currently testing the theory that a long weekend can solve at least 87% of my problems. Results available after [date].
I’m away from my desk with limited access to email because sunshine > screen time this week. I’ll get back to you when I’m back in office on [date].
Thanks for your email. I’m currently taking a staycation to recharge my batteries (and maybe go outside). I’ll be back in action on [return date].
Bonus: Outsource your email to the horses in Iceland. Yes, really.
💤 Put the kids in pajamas before the fireworks.
Do a quick change before heading home. If they fall asleep on the ride back, you can carry them straight to bed.
🎧 Pack headphones for little ears.
Fireworks are magical...until they’re overwhelming. A pair of noise-reducing headphones can be the difference between tears and a great night.
✨ Bring glow sticks.
They’ll keep kids entertained while you’re waiting for the show to start and make it much easier to spot your people in the dark.
🧺 Bring an extra blanket.
One to sit on. One to wrap around sleepy kids for the ride home.
🚽 Make one last bathroom stop before the show starts.
Trust us on this one. 😂
🐶 Bonus: Don’t forget about the pets.
If your furry friend is easily spooked or needs a little extra comfort during fireworks, make a plan for them, too.
Other things you might want to remember: Camping chairs, bug spray, a portable fan, water bottles, and plenty of snacks.
“I’m supposed to work like I don’t have kids and parent like I don’t have a job.”
If that sentence made you nod your head, you’re not alone.
A new Pew Research study found that 70% of full-time working parents regularly juggle work and parenting at the same time, and moms continue to carry more of the invisible mental load than dads. It’s a validating read that puts words and data to what so many of us feel every day. Read it here.
We wrapped up our month-long Momfessions series on The Paula Faris Show! We saved one of our biggest conversations for last: youth sports.
Paula is taking a quick summer pause, so now’s the perfect time to catch up on any recent episodes you may have missed.
Today is the last day to save on one of our CARRY favorites! Toups & Co.’s BOGO 40% off sale ends TONIGHT (if you’re reading this on 6/30). If you’ve been meaning to restock your favorite clean beauty or skincare products, now’s the time before prices return to normal.
Looking for more CARRY-approved favorites? You can shop all of our favorite brands, products, and exclusive discount codes here. 🤍
Boy moms showed up loud and proud last week! 💙 Here are a few of our favorite responses from the conversation...
“Being a boy mom is the best!! I wouldn’t change it for the world!! My boys may be 23 and 17 but they are still my “babies” and my whole heart.”
“I love being a boy mom! 30 (DPT), 27 (Finance Associate), and 21 (college senior). I've been lucky to have raised boys who became good men.”
“I love being a boy mom! Just about every time I’m convinced I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m doing everything wrong, my 12 YO proves me wrong. He helps at dinner time, makes lunches and has a summer job.”
“I'm still fairly new to being a boy mom (he's 4) but I am definitely loving it so far! We are trying to do our best to make sure that he grows up to be a very good man.”
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