Are you looking for products that are gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin and better for the environment? Enter Pura, a baby care company that creates eco-friendly products that parents love. Pura’s diapersOpens a new window they are made from 100% organic, toxin-free cotton and are biodegradable tissuesOpens a new window they are made of 99% water and aloe vera. Both are complete game-changers for parents who want affordable products made without harsh chemicals and allergens – essential for baby’s delicate skin. And you can find them at WalmartOpens a new window!
See what these four parents have to say about Pura’s super comfortable absorbent diapers and soft yet durable wipes, perfectly designed to be kind to your baby’s delicate bottom.
Kelly
Kelly shares why she was excited to use diapers and wipes that are made from more sustainable, plant-based materials.
Ryan
Ryan discusses why he wishes he had discovered these diapers sooner.
Titilayo
Titilayo shares why she’s happy with these leak-proof, eco-friendly diapers that are also allergy and eczema safe.
Dr. Sasha
dr. Hackman, a mom and gynecologist, wants to make the planet a better place – one diaper at a time.
– Two cars chase another car on narrow winding roads: men in cars shoot each other, one driver is hit (blood spatter) and the car goes over the edge and down a mountain, one car has a flat tire and crashes into a wall and two men they approach from another car, but are hit by powerful weapons and fall dead (we see blood on their bodies). Several men pull on the cable to reach the second floor and the pole breaks leaving the man hanging from the side of the building; he agrees, is chased by the police, shoots a guard in the chest (we see bullet holes, but he’s wearing body armor) and the man jumps off the balcony and lands on a car parked below (he looks unharmed, but he’s moaning). ► Several men go through the building, over the roof and down to the second floor where they search for the jewel and panic when the doorman returns and almost get caught. ► Police are looking for a car that is driving away from the building. Two cars rush out of the storage container and rush towards the plane in the hangar where the men in the cars shoot at the men unloading the plane, handcuff them on the ground and pull the pilots out of the plane, while one man breaks into a secure container on the plane and steals a package. Two men force two others into a car and chase, two men have sacks over their heads, put them on a ship that sails away and threaten them and push them into the water; one man panics saying he can’t swim back to shore because he has negative buoyancy and another says there are sharks in the area. A man in shackles is taken to a transport vehicle, two helicopters block the vehicle on the road, and armed attackers take the man away, cutting his shackles and door. Men in two cars speed away while being chased by a police car; they escape and hide in a storage container that is driven away. People pour gasoline on the car and set it on fire (we see smoke). ► A man interrupts a dance between another man and a woman (the first man’s ex), he headbutts him, they fight by exchanging punches, the other men join in the fight and they are escorted out of the bar and confronted by the cops outside. The police hold the men at gunpoint, handcuff them and take them away. Two men riding motor scooters crash on the ground (one man has a bloody lip). People break into the protected vault in the diamond district, and people plan to break into the protected diamond district. ► A man hears a noise in his apartment and finds a man eating and drinking; they talk briefly, one man pulls a gun on another man, and the other man pushes a table, distracting the man, takes the gun and points it at him. A man gets into a car with a woman and tells her that another car is following; she does so and the man takes her to a storage container where he interrogates her and threatens to send her to China; the woman then threatens to reveal the video of the man having sex with her. Two men look at a very large gun in the back of a car. ► One man says his father was killed in front of his eyes when he was a boy. A man says his father was shot in the hip when robbers entered his store and thought they were going to shoot them. Several men argue about another man joining their jewel heist team. We hear the news about the robbery at the airport. A man asks a woman, “Where are my two boyfriends?” The man says, “French food sucks.” The man says he’s had enough of being a hunter. A man says, “I tend to hurt people’s feelings.” People watch a soccer game and argue about offside calls, goals, and the coach. ► A man rips the hand dryer off the toilet wall when it’s not working and throws court documents on the floor in frustration. A man urinates in the urinal and we hear a flush. A man eats a piece of paper after another man reads the information written on it.
The characters are inspiring, the story elements are fascinating, and the visual effects are breathtaking, but Aeronauts it still falls flat. Writer-director Tom Harper reveals an actual record-setting balloon ride in real time, which creates a problem: It is a lot happy floating time before nature threatens the expedition. One result is a lot of wistful glances at the sky paired with “important” conversation that is an obvious addition. Another solution is to retell Wren and Glaisher’s backstory and motivations through flashbacks, a standard cinematic device that doesn’t work smoothly here. Sometimes it feels like they’ve jumped forward in time or you’re not sure whose story we’re watching. Chances are, some kids will be confused, and since the technique is used a lot, that’s a problem.
This is particularly disappointing given the film’s potential to positively influence young people. Throughout Glaisher and Wren’s adventure, scientific experimentation is exciting. Yes, there’s a lot of fiddling with gauges and talk of structural integrity, but the idea of using scientific research to improve and save lives in the background of the storm Twister the proportions are stunning. Wren embodies what it means to be brave in terms of stepping outside of Victorian gender roles to pursue her passion, as well as being fearless. Playing her, Jones feels regret and caution as she rediscovers her will and courage. When she climbs to the top of the balloon to break the ice preventing descent, it’s an exciting moment for the women: With dramatic flair, Amelia uses her heel to break the symbolic glass ceiling. The beautiful footage of a balloon gliding through the sky and weathering a storm is the stuff artists dream of creating, and – given the death-defying action and stunts – the result is a cinematic marvel. However, just like some scientific investigations, Aeronauts it may have all the elements of success, but the outcome does not produce the desired results.
Finding the perfect home decor piece, whether it’s a staple piece or the perfect complement to what you already have, can be difficult (if you’re not looking in the right place).
Over the past few years, Facebook Marketplace has become a hot spot for people looking for great deals on everything from antique furniture to cookware. You can find almost anything on the platform, but finding what you really want, at a price you’re willing to pay and in your area can take some skill.
For beginners, it can be a difficult process when it comes to navigating the site smartly. We asked the experts to share their best tips for finding your dream piece on the website.
Meet the expert
Victoria Meadows is the owner and interior designer at Victoria Meadows Interiors.
Ilia Cleanses works at a home improvement company, Hefty Berry.
Dig deeper with keywords
It might make perfect sense to you that the table or chair you’re desperate for should be listed under “farmhouse” or “mid-century modern.” However, not all minds think alike. The seller may not know or use the same terminology that seems so obvious to you.
So you search for keywords you think are correct and come up empty. This does not mean that the item is not among the thousands and thousands on the platform.
“Sellers who are rushing to clean out their garages won’t spend much time researching exactly what the item they’re selling is technically called,” says Victoria Meadows, owner of Victoria Meadows Interiors.
“The best way to find fantastic merchandise is to search for ‘vintage’, ‘antique’ or ‘old’ and the color or type of item you’re looking for.”
Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decorating ideas, design tips and more!
Make technology work for you
When you search for specific items, website bots take into account – the market is no different. Your searches go into what the platform will show you.
So if you don’t see what you really want, keep pumping that descriptive information into the search engine. Eventually, you might just hit something and find exactly what you’re looking for.
Don’t settle for big-box reproduction, says Meadows. Take your time to look for the right thing. Chances are you’ll find it eventually.
Do your research
As with any online purchase, delving deep into the quality and authenticity of the item is a wise move. Many of us have probably experienced the disappointment when an online bargain turns out to be a bust. Protect your time and wallet by doing your homework.
Ilia Mundut, who works at the home improvement company, Hefty Berry, says that you need to dig into the dimensions of the object, as well as fully understand the description.
She also suggests checking the prices of similar items on different websites, if possible, to make sure you’re getting the best price. Read reviews of what you plan to buy to make sure it will work for your plans.
You work on weekends
Many sellers on Facebook Marketplace post their wares on the weekends because it’s time for them to rest and declutter their homes.
“Granny garage cleanouts tend to happen on Saturdays and Sundays, and things can sell as quickly as they were listed,” says Meadows.
Negotiate nicely
When you find the perfect thing to complement the look of your home, but the price seems a little too high, back off. If you can wait to get it, then make an offer that suits you. Facebook Marketplace isn’t a store, so prices aren’t always fixed.
A friendly bargain can get you a bargain on an item you really want. However, understand that salespeople do not appreciate brashness. Even though you’re negotiating online, you’re still communicating with another person, so act like you’re talking to them politely in person.
A good experience now could pay dividends later with a discount, a bundle of similar items, or information on where to find other decor to complement your treasure.
Be ready to download it now
Never underestimate the power of immediacy. An ad might generate a lot of lukewarm interest, however, a mere statement of “interest” often does not translate into a sale.
One big differentiator? If you know you want a particular piece and are willing to pay what is being asked, be sure you are willing to pay and pick it up right away.
“Sellers looking to drop their inventory quickly will get a hint that you’re more serious than a standard ‘is this available,'” says Meadows.
It may seem like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack when you jump into Facebook Marketplace, but this is far from the truth. Being persistent, changing your searches and being prepared at all times will help you find the perfect piece that your home needs.
As you enter the final weeks of pregnancy, your nine-month to-do list may seem like it’s coming to an end. Go to gynecologist appointments – check. Take a birth class – check it out. Set up a nursery – check. Buy diapers – check. Prepare for postpartum body changes – hmm.
It’s normal to feel a little in the dark about what’s happening to your body after giving birth. Everyone is quick to talk about how to take care of your baby, but taking care of yourself is another story. In fact, only 47% of mothers leave the hospital feeling ready to take care of themselves after giving birth, according to a BabyCenter study. But that’s ending now, thanks to nurse Sara, BSN, RN, EFM-C, mother of three and “Labor Junkie RN” on social media. She talks about the postpartum symptoms that she experienced firsthand and that shocked her patients the most.
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1. Expect vaginal bleeding, even if you have a C-section
Maybe a friend suggested you buy postpartum underwear pads. ‘My period yet?’ you may have wondered. It won’t happen yet, but those thick pads will come in handy during your recovery. It is very common and completely normal to bleed for up to eight weeks after giving birth. Yes, even if you had a surgical birth.
“After the baby is born, the placenta detaches and leaves behind an open wound on the inner wall of the uterus where it was attached,” explains Sarah. “We see vaginal bleeding and spotting as it heals and closes over the next six weeks.” If you had a caesarean section, the bleeding may last less, but it still occurs.
Read more about postpartum bleeding here.
2. You will continue to have contractions after the baby is born.
They won’t be as intense as 10-centimeter contractions, Sara says. But expect severe pelvic cramps in the first few days after giving birth, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
“This is actually the body’s way of trying to prevent postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss that could be very serious),” she explains. “After your baby is born, we deliver the placenta and there’s an open wound where it was previously attached to the lining of the uterus.” Because of this, she adds, the uterus, which is a muscle, tries to prevent bleeding by contracting tightly, narrowing the blood vessels to the uterus and slowing the bleeding to a safer rate.”
Although mild pain from contractions is normal, tell your doctor if you experience severe pain or have additional symptoms such as fever, pain when urinating or an unpleasant discharge as these could be signs of infection.
Read more about postpartum cramps and contractions here.
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3. Night sweats can hit you right away
After giving birth, there is a huge change in hormones: Your body experiences a sharp drop in estrogen. “For a lot of people, this causes postpartum sweating,” says Sarah. “I experienced them with my second child and, frankly, I hated it.”
Often these sweats occur at night, just when you are trying to get as much sleep as possible with your newborn.
“That was true for me, I would wake up at night completely wet as if I had just stepped out of the pool,” she adds. “It can help keep your room cool at night and have some water around until things settle down.” Try setting your thermostat somewhere between 65 and 68 degrees, and make sure those maternity-friendly postpartum pajamas are made from comfortable, breathable fabrics. Luckily, those bouts of middle-of-the-night sweats should only last a few weeks after giving birth.
Read more about night sweats after childbirth here.
4. Your hair will fall out in clumps about four months after birth
Don’t panic, this is completely normal and that will start growing again! It can be alarming to see a lot of hair being washed down the drain when you shower, but know that this is an expected result of hormonal changes after childbirth.
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“During pregnancy we often see a lot of hair growth from taking prenatal vitamins and all that extra blood volume to feed the baby and the placenta,” says Sarah. “Then 4 months after 50 to 90% of us are born with postpartum hair loss.”
Why after four months postpartum? Your progesterone levels during pregnancy have extended the growth phase of your hair – less shedding each day. So when your hormone levels drop after giving birth, more hair goes into a resting phase and then falls out three to five months later. “Thankfully, this is almost always temporary, and once your baby is a year old, we see the shedding diminish and we start to see fuller hair.”
Invest in strong hairspray and cute headbands as you navigate regrowth.
Read more about hair loss after childbirth here.
Remember: the postpartum experience can feel different for everyone. If you are worried or have questions about your recovery, your provider can help you along the way.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
The animated take on the classic story is cute but restrained.
Not present
Not present
Not present
Parents need to know
Parents need to know this The little prince is based on Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s beloved book, but is not a strictly faithful retelling of the story. Instead, it focuses on a young girl who befriends an old man next door, who is actually the Aviator from the story. He tells her how he met the Little Prince many years ago. The animated film takes a lot of liberties, but the underlying message is the same as the book, and it’s important: Take time to enjoy life. However, it is an important topic for people of all ages The little prince has always been a fairy tale that resonates more with adults than with young children. Additionally, the latter part of the film has some surprisingly dark moments that might be a little too much for younger viewers — for example, when a girl is trapped in a factory and threatened by a machine (part of another character’s plan to imprison her longing for independence). There are references to/implications of both death and suicide. And the Girl has a complicated relationship with her mother.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Some parts of the film are surprisingly dark, like when Little Girl is trapped in a factory and threatened by machinery (part of another character’s plan to extinguish her longing for independence). References to/implications of death/death and suicide.
Language
very little
“Stupid” is used.
Positive messages
a lot
Themes include compassion, empathy and integrity. The key takeaway is that sometimes you have to let go of your schedule and plans in order to enjoy the moment. In this busy, modern world, where children are under pressure and overloaded from a young age, sometimes they don’t have the opportunity to just be children – which is not good.
Positive role models
some
The Aviator doesn’t always follow the rules, and some of his plans are downright dangerous, but his heart is in the right place, and his instincts to help teach the Girl to find joy are spot on. And while the Mother clearly loves her daughter and wants only the best for her, some of her plans are stifling the Girl’s spirit.
age 8+
Based on 16 parent reviews
May 25, 2021
age 5+
Wonderful story, lush production
I feel like I was watching a different movie compared to the other reviewers here. The film is intense, philosophically dense, thoughtful, poetic… But there are layers. Younger children will not see the darker messages. Older kids might actually be aware enough to notice, but it’s a sad world if we let kids watch violent and shallow superhero movies, but are embarrassed by a movie that challenges rigid thinking and institutions! It is a flight of fancy and deserves a war. Everything from the music to the voice acting is top notch. Something to keep in mind is that the basic story is French in origin and it is to be expected that there is a deeper range of emotions involved in the film than we are used to in English speaking countries. Open your mind and heart and your child will benefit
April 25, 2017
age 7+
I entered the theater completely blind. I was really disappointed when I left it.
First of all, this is completely family friendly. Nothing wrong with that. My friends and I went to see it and neither of us understood most of it. Also, the little girl literally ran away from home and left her mom only to see her very old neighbor whom she barely knew. Also, she tried to move in with him. Isn’t it illegal to move in with a non-family member without the guardian’s permission..?
What is the story?
In THE LITTLE PRINCE, a mother (voiced by Rachel McAdams) plans her daughter’s life, starting with a rigorous curriculum to ensure she gets into the right school. A girl (Mackenzie Foy) is so busy that she barely has time to meet the strange old man next door (Jeff Bridges), but eventually he convinces her to take a break so he can share some stories about his time as an aviator – – and how he once met of the titular Little Prince.
Is it good?
The little prince it’s not ineffective — in fact, it’s quite mobile; it’s just not as captivating as it could have been. And that’s at least partly because it’s not exactly like a cult book, even though the themes are very similar. The movie is mostly about the Girl and what she learns from the Aviator, which is a departure from the book (more about what the Aviator learns from the Little Prince). It offers the same basic message, just told in a very different way, which may very well affect how the audience receives the film.
The parts that stick tightly to the text will be magical and otherworldly, thanks to the animation. (And, of course, the source.) But the bits added to frame the story—especially the third act—are pretty predictable (albeit enjoyable) and detract from the tone of the book. The resulting juxtaposition turns out to be somewhat disturbing: the depth of the source material is diluted by overly direct (and slightly uncomfortable) additions.
Talk to your kids about…
Families can talk about it The little prince‘s dark/scary scene. What makes them scary? How much scary stuff can little kids handle?
What is the Aviator trying to teach the Little Girl? What do you think of the mother’s plans for the girl?
How does the story illustrate compassion, empathy, and integrity? Why are these character strengths important?
The film uses two very different animation styles. What does this show the audience? How do the images correspond to different moments in the film?
If you’ve read the book, how is the movie similar and different? What do you think about framing the story of the Little Prince with the story of the Little Girl and her mother? Does this structure change the meaning/impact of the story?
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews that will be published on an ongoing basis. You can help us help children
Many houseplants are easy to grow, even if you’re just starting out on your journey as a plant parent. Low-maintenance varieties such as spider plants, pothos, ZZ plant, and aloe vera can withstand the occasional misstep, tolerate a wide range of conditions, and survive occasional (or frequent) neglect.
Then there are the fussy, high-maintenance giants of the houseplant world: your light-loving bird of paradise, moisture-loving Boston fern, and colorful crotons, which have a habit of dropping those rainbow-hued leaves if you sneeze in their direction.
Another houseplant that’s known for dropping its leaves without warning? A lush, dignified fig with fiddle leaves, which can go from being the star of your plant collection to a large twig seemingly overnight.
Why the Fiddle Leaf Fig is not a houseplant for beginners
Spruce / Adelyn Duchala
With its large, lyre-shaped leaves and ability to grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, it’s only natural that newbie houseplants want to try growing this beautiful tropical tree.
Native to the rainforests of Central and West Africa, figs have evolved to thrive in warm, moist conditions with very well-drained soil and plenty (but not too much) of indirect light. They even benefit from being a little pot-bound – a pro for any budding gardener.
That sounds like a lot of plants we grow indoors in temperate regions, doesn’t it? But fiddle leaf figs can be happy in the conditions you give them for months or years, then suddenly suffer with what seems like very little (or seemingly no) change in care.
Too much or too little water, insufficient light, the shock of a sudden change in growing conditions – all of this can cause terrible leaf drop. First, the leaves begin to turn yellow at their bases, then develop brown spots, and then fall off completely. Once it starts, there is nothing to do but try to save a few cuttings with healthy leaves and try again. You may be able to nurse a stripped fig leaf back to life, but its leaves will not grow back in their original places.
If this wasn’t traumatic enough for the novice gardener, the fact that fiddle-leaf figs tend to be more expensive – especially if you buy them as beautiful, tall specimens. That can be a lot of money to gamble on such a finicky, fickle plant.
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Why the rubber factory is an alternative for beginners
Spruce / Jason Donnelly
If you’re a novice gardener looking for a tall houseplant with jungle green vibes, there’s a safer bet than a fig tree. Instead of blowing your houseplant budget on high-risk figs, try starting with its laid-back cousin, the rubber plant. This fellow Ficus it grows faster, is just as beautiful and much more forgiving – not to mention generally more affordable.
If it’s dramatic height you’re after, rejoice – rubber plants can grow rapidly, up to two meters each year in optimal indoor conditions.
Types of rubber plants
There are many varieties of rubber plants with exciting variegated leaves in shades of red, cream, pink or yellow along with green. One, ‘Triangularis’, even sports leaves in a three-sided shape reminiscent of a fig leaf.
In addition to their beauty and height, rubber plants are much easier to care for than fiddle leaf figs. Their Achilles’ heel is overwatering, so err on the side of neglect and you’ll be fine – especially in winter, when they benefit from little or no water. Keep them away from sudden temperature changes, give them lots of indirect light and average humidity and watch them thrive.
Even better? Rubber plants are very easy to propagate—which means if you run into problems, you can try growing some healthy growing tips into new plants, or enjoy sharing props from a healthy plant with friends.
Part of the joy of houseplant care is learning from your mistakes. I’ve learned more from the specimens I’ve killed (or nearly killed) in my 15-year plant journey than the ones I’ve helped thrive. But there’s no reason to invest big money in a fiddle leaf fig when you’re just starting out. Instead, save your pennies and wait until you get used to something lighter and more affordable, like rubber.
BabyCenter series “So this happened” shares personal stories about the rewarding, complicated, or downright messy parts of the pregnancy and parenting journey, from people in the trenches.
Katie Florio as told by Caroline Picard
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Childbirth is often compared to running a marathon. Mine was a bit short — maybe because I was actually training for one when I was pregnant.
I’ve been a runner since the fourth grade. I ran in college at Penn State and continued after graduation, fitting in two runs a day while working as a financial advisor at Goldman Sachs. My husband and I knew we wanted to have children, but I also had a longtime goal of qualifying for the US Olympic Marathon Team. The annoying thing is that your first years of running are also your first years of giving birth.
So I did something a little crazy: I qualified for the trials in December 2022, got pregnant and had a baby in 2023, and then ran to the trials in February 2024 as a new mom. Crazy, right? Little did I know it was just the beginning. Not only would I complete a marathon four months after giving birth, but I would do another one nine months later – and win.
I ran throughout my pregnancy and almost immediately after giving birth
Let’s back up for a moment: running while pregnant was difficult. My mileage dropped and my pace obviously got a lot slower, but I kept at it. I worked with my gynecologist, trainer, pelvic floor physical therapist, and sports medicine specialist before and after to stay in shape. I continued to run until I was 35 weeks pregnant – it just became too uncomfortable and I felt like I was waddling instead of running. After I stopped, I got in the pool and swam laps to keep up my cardio.
When I had my son Nick in October 2023, he popped right out. I was incredibly lucky – I was able to get pregnant quickly, and had a relatively easy pregnancy and delivery. But I would still have to run a marathon when I was four months postpartum to compete in the Olympic races.
Running as a mom can have its perks. You don’t even have time to think about skipping training.
Four and a half weeks after having Nico, I got the go-ahead from my gynecologist to start running again. It was difficult. Between breastfeeding and waking up at night, the newborn period definitely took its toll on my body.
My husband Paul has been very supportive, making my training possible. He took care of all our meals and made sure I stayed fed and fueled. He even rode his bike next to me while I ran, playing music and passing me water to keep my energy up. My maternity leave was also long enough – five months – that I could just focus on looking after Nico and training.
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On those early postpartum runs, I would run with both the music and the baby monitor cranked all the way up. Once I heard Nico cry, it must have been a few seconds, and I immediately called my husband asking him to check on the baby. Looking back now, I know he was just fine, but I was definitely worried about leaving him. Parenting is a pretty selfless task, and running can seem like a selfish hobby. At the same time, I know it’s important for Nico to grow up seeing me succeed in other things as well.
Running as a new mom brought me so much joy – and I was stronger than ever
Almost four months to the day, I held the starting line at the team races in Orlando, Florida. I knew I wasn’t going to qualify for the Olympics or beat many of the incredibly fast women on the field, but I was so grateful to be there. I was laughing the whole race, and afterwards I got so many messages from spectators and volunteers who could tell how much fun I was having. Other than that, I ran pretty well. My time was 2:49, 6:29 pace – just 14 minutes off my pre-pregnancy qualifying time.
After the trial, I wanted to keep running. I signed up for a ten-mile race and then a half-marathon and PR-ed (that is, ran a personal best) in both. Training for each race, I got stronger and stronger.
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Running as a mom can have its perks. Mom friends in my running group like to joke that there’s no time to even think about skipping a run. Just like before having children, you might dread a hard workout and might put it off for a few hours or a few days. Now you can either finish it or it won’t happen at all, so it forces you to do it.
There was also a mindset shift for me where I was so happy to be back running. Plus we sleep trained Nick and that helped a lot because I finally started sleeping better too.
Knowing that I was in really good shape, I decided to sign up for the Philadelphia Marathon and set a new goal: I wanted to win a medal.
Winning the marathon exceeded all my goals
The Philadelphia Marathon is my local race: I grew up outside the city and live downtown less than a mile from the starting line. I’ve run it twice before and really wanted to see how I’d do now that I’m faster than ever.
I set myself goals A, B and C. At the very least, I’d like to PR. If I could finish in the top five, that would be even better. But what I really wanted was to earn a place in the top three.
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I was 13 months postpartum on race day, and the weather was perfect for a marathon: high 40s with 0% chance of rain. For the first six or seven miles, I ran in a pack with five or six other women, one of whom was my teammate at Penn State. It was really fun to run with her, and I was lucky because the race organizers asked my coach to follow the elite women. He ran with us for about nine miles, keeping us steady.
The whole first part of the race I tried to stay patient and catch the crowd. I remember thinking, “I feel good and I definitely think I can medal today.”
From miles 10 to 15 or so, the lead group was down to just the three of us. Then it was just me and another woman. I knew he had a much faster PR than me, and I wasn’t really sure what to do. Then a man I know from the Philly running community walked past us and said, “Katie, if you want to win this, you have to make a move now.”
Just because you have kids doesn’t mean your running career—or any other part of you—is over.
I was hurt at that moment. It’s not easy to tell yourself “just run faster” when you’re 20+ miles into a 26.2 mile race, but I knew I had to do it. Otherwise, the other women would beat me in a head-to-head sprint near the finish line.
At mile 23, I ran my fastest mile of the race in just five minutes and 40 seconds. I felt that the other runner was not following me, but I had no idea how far behind she was. That’s something I learned about running in the fourth grade: don’t turn around.
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The last mile of the race is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The track was packed with people cheering, playing music and throwing confetti. I could hear them shouting my name and I kept repeating the mantra in my head: my city, my victory.
When I crossed the finish line I immediately saw Paul – he had snuck in to see me finish. His hug afterwards was the best. I was in complete disbelief that I had won. I couldn’t wait to see Nick – I thought about him all the time during training, through all the hard times. In the future, I bet he’ll be pretty proud that his mom won the Philadelphia Marathon.
After the race, things got crazy
After winning the race, I had what I like to call my “48 hours of glory”. People were shocked that I did it so soon after giving birth.
That night, a local news station asked me to come into the studio the next morning. The next day, more interview requests came in The Today Show he asked me, Paul and Nico to come to New York so we could appear on the show. They even gave Nico a The Today Show-branded overalls to wear.
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I haven’t checked my Instagram account in a while, but when I did, I saw that the Philadelphia Eagles invited us to come to the game. We had to stand on the field for warm-ups, and then in the first quarter they showed us and my marathon victory on the Jumbotron.
So many women have since told me that winning inspired them. A friend decided to sign up for the marathon after having a baby in August. It’s exciting to see other people realize that just because you have kids doesn’t mean your running career—or any other part of you—is over. You can still get faster, stronger, better. And I like to believe that and myself.
I want to keep running. In the long term, I would like to participate in Olympic experiences again. Maybe I’ll be in better shape and I could finish in the top 25. At the same time, I know I want to have more children. While it’s definitely hard to balance my goals of being a runner and being a mom, now that I’ve won a marathon with my son, I know that anything is possible.
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
Frequent cartoon violence in an action-packed superhero story.
Not present
Not present
Parents need to know
Parents need to know this Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United is a 2014 computer-animated game in which the two titular heroes work together to stop the Red Skull from sending an army of Hyrdra Brutes to conquer the world. Cartoon violence is relentless. Characters often fight and do battle – either one-on-one or against massive armies – using every weapon at their disposal. It’s more of a “noir” version of Captain America and Iron Man, and this, along with frequent violence, makes the film best for older kids and up.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Frequent cartoon action violence throughout the film. The characters are constantly fighting, firing all the weapons at their disposal, whether in hand-to-hand combat or in battles with large robot armies. Hulk hits characters in the head with shields, often smashing them and throwing them around.
Products and purchases
some
Captain America and Iron Man are characters available for purchase in many forms — graphic novels, comics, action figures, lunch boxes, apparel, etc.
Language
none
Captain America was cut off before he could finish his sentence, “Kiss my star…”
Positive messages
very few
While an argument could be made that Captain America and Iron Man put aside their friendly (and not so friendly) competition to work together to fight evil, and that Iron Man learns discipline and self-control, the plot and story are a bit too cartoony to many positive messages would appear in this one.
Positive role models
very little
Although heroic and dedicated to fighting evil, these versions of Captain America and Iron Man are too noir and cocky to be considered positive role models.
Videos and photos
age 7+
Based on 1 parent review
What is the story?
Captain America (Adrian Pasdar) and Iron Man (Roger Craig Smith) are somewhat friendly rivals who engage in combat training – Captain America tends to be more deliberate and logical, Iron Man to “fly by the seat of his pants”. But when the Red Skull (Liam O’Brien) and his assistant Taskmaster are determined to create an army of Hyrdra Brutes to conquer the world, Captain America and Iron Man must work together, respect each other’s fighting styles, and find a way to stop the Red Skull from carrying out his evil plans.
Is it good?
The best aspects of IRON MAN & CAPTAIN AMERICA: HEROES UNITED include the action and animation. The action is relentless from the first minutes of the film and does not stop until the very end. That alone makes things interesting. The animation is pretty amazing, especially in the way these fight scenes are presented. If this was all there was to the film, it would still be a delight.
However, the dialogue and story part are not that strong. Some of the dialogue is corny — especially the scenes where Captain America and Iron Man mock each other in a cheeky way. The story is confusing at times: we know the Red Skull wants to conquer the world and has serious fascist leanings, but the story about “repulsor cannons” and other high-tech weapons is unnecessarily complex, especially for young superhero fans. Also, the convenient arrival (SPOILER ALERT) of the Hulk seems a little too easy. That being said, this film is worth watching for its beautiful animation and non-stop action; Fans of Iron Man and Captain America will find something to enjoy.
Talk to your kids about…
Families can discuss cartoon violence. How is violence depicted in this film, and how is it similar and different from the way other films – animated or fiction – depict violence?
How are Captain America and Iron Man represented in this film, and how are they similar and different from other representations in comics and films?
In what ways do the Red Skull and the Hydra Brutes seem similar to WWII Nazis?
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews that will be published on an ongoing basis. You can help us help children