Thank you to Big Blue Swim School for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I think we can all agree that swim lessons are extremely important, and possibly even life-saving, for our children. But what happens when you show up to that first day of lessons, and it’s all screams and tears from the kiddos? Let me be the first to say that I’ve been there. And not even just on the very first lesson. Sometimes swim lessons are a child’s first activity ...
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Day Trips and Activities within 3 hours of Chicago
As I was thinking of ways to entertain my children during the unusually long upcoming Chol Hamoed Pesach (2022), I started to dread the idea of taking the kids to another trampoline park or museum every day. So I decided to think outside of my normal, go-to activities, and instead expanded into some unique day trips (or even overnight trips). If you're looking for the regular Chicago activities, check out this post. Or if you're just looking for a good park, check out this post. But if ...
5 Books to Grab for Passover Reading
Every time a big Jewish holiday is coming up, I get my hopes up that I'll actually have some time to myself to read. Here are 5 books that I've either just read or are on my list to read this season: 1. Group by Christie Tate When I say you need to read this book... you need to read this book. It was a totally raw and emotional read that everyone who's ever been to therapy needs to read. It's VERY authentic, so I would not recommend for teenagers. This book will make you believe in ...
Our Favorite Kindle Fire Kids Apps for Kids Under 10
I'll be honest with you. Our family is largely screen free. I'm not a screen-free preacher, but this sort of just happened to us over the last 3 years, and it works for our family. We aren't against screen time at all, but we limit it to travel and sick days. We don't have a TV, so we knew we had to get devices for our kids (ages 5 and 6) for screen time. The Amazon Kindle Fire Kids Tablet fit the description for what we wanted. The most important factor was being able to limit what our kids ...
My Trip to Miami: What to Eat, Where to Shop and What Beach to Lay On
Updated as of February 4, 2024 Over the last few years, I've had the privilege to spend time in Miami for work and vacation. I totally understand why "old people" like to spend their winters there. And I also now understand why so many Orthodox Jews migrate down there as well. The kosher food scene is pretty insane. Although I'm no Miami expert, this post is a culmination of where I ate, what I ate, what was good (and not), where to shop and how I try to travel there on a budget. Keep in ...
When it doesn’t pay to be “plus” while traveling
I travel pretty frequently for business, and recently we also took a family trip. I’ve also been my heaviest weight during these last few months of travel. There are incidents that happen during my day-to-day life that remind me of my weight. For example, getting out of breath while taking the stairs, my back hurting while washing dishes or having a hard time getting off the floor. But when I started flying more frequently I was shocked at how difficult it is for a plus size person. I ...
Indoor Winter Activities for Families and Kids in Chicago
While I watch a blizzard dump down outside my office window, I thought , "What better time to write a post about indoor activities for families and kids in Chicago?". I can't believe I haven't written this post sooner. This won't be a comprehensive list, rather a list and review of a few activities that my family enjoys in the Chicagoland area. Make sure to check out each place's website or social media page for more information and for updated Covid policies. Our Go-To Indoor Chicago ...
Let Walmart+ Make Your Vacations Easier
Thank you to Walmart+ for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. We just recently returned home from a 5-day family vacation to Orlando, Florida (yes, Disney was involved!), and we rented a house instead of staying in a hotel. It's so nice to be able to have so much space and a private pool. But renting a house also means that we had to provide some basic home essentials, like toilet paper, tissues, dish soap and ALL of the food. We didn't want to shlep ...
Tips for Traveling with Type One Diabetes
** I am not a medical professional. I'm a mom and wife of Type One Diabetics. This post is simply my experience of what has worked for my family when we travel as a family of diabetics. I hope some of these tips can help you! As always, consult your medical professional for any medical questions. We've traveled a handful of times since my son (5 years old) was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in January 2021. I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of what to bring and how to always make sure ...
Orlando Family Trip Itinerary and Resources
My husband and I surprised our two kids (5 and 6 years) with a 5 day trip to Orlando. I didn’t plan too much in advance, aside from our day at Magic Kingdom (more on that later). Since so many people have been asking me about our itinerary, I decided to make a comprehensive post about the details of our trip with plenty of resources for both families and people who keep kosher in the Orlando area. Pre-Trip: What I Packed and Prep If you think it takes months and months to prep for a Disney ...
Disney’s Magic Kingdom Itinerary and Tips To Make the Most of Your Time
I am by NO MEANS a Disney expert, like so many women. I’m a planner by nature, but we scheduled this trip very last minute (less than a week out), so I couldn’t plan as much as I thought I needed to. Would I have been able to maximize our time a bit more with more planning? Maybe. But I went in with realistic expectations, meaning that I knew we wouldn’t get to everything, but we would have the most fun with whatever we did, and our entire family had one of the best days of our lives. With that ...
Swim Lessons: Beyond the Pool
If you've been around here for a while, you know that the Goldwaters are BIG FANS of swim lessons from a young age. Both of my kids have been in lessons since they were two. Putting them in lessons was always something I knew I wanted because my child drowning is one of my greatest fears. So I placed a very high value on water safety. And with two kids who can swim independently in the pool and one child who is swimming laps and even butterfly (!), I can say that this was absolutely the right ...
2021 Reflections and 2022 Goals
2021 has been a WILD year to say the least. I love taking this time, as the calendar year winds down, to reflect on the highs and lows. It helps me unload and measure what went well and what could have gone better. Oftentimes, we think of what's going "right" and "wrong" in the moment, but it's important to look at the big picture, and this time of year is always opportune for that. On that same note, getting my thoughts and goals for the coming year down on paper is important too. We think of ...
What to know before you ski with kids
Skiing has been a favorite sport of both my husband and mine since we were kids. We knew that we would want to introduce our kids to this sport from a young age, and we've been fortunate enough to make that happen. But skiing with kids isn't always as glorious and adorable as you may think. It's an effort to even get to the bottom of the mountain with the kids, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Skiing is such a wonderful sport, both as an individual and for a family to do ...
Early Access to the Walmart Black Friday Deals with Walmart+ Membership
Thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. The season of giving is upon us, and as always, Walmart is giving us the Black Friday sale of our dreams to help us do so. What's different about this year's sale from Walmart, is that for the first time ever, Walmart+ members are getting exclusive first dibs on all of the Black Friday sales that Walmart has to offer. Even though Chanukah and Black Friday are basically at the same time this year, I ...
Plus Size Outerwear from Nordstrom
As a plus size woman, sometimes I find it difficult to find winter jackets and outerwear that fit and also don't make me look like a huge marshmallow. Here are a few picks I found at Nordstrom, specifically made for plus size women, that will look fashionable and fit this winter season. Click the images to shop! Stay warm! The links in this post are affiliate links. That means when you shop through my links, at no additional cost to you, A Glass of Goldwater receives a small commission. ...
6 Ways to Feel Better in Your Body
If you've been hanging with me over on Instagram lately, you'll know that we've really started to dig deep into the conversation surrounding body positivity, plus size beauties and why there aren't more options in mainstream clothing for us curvy girls. I really wanted to share some tips about feeling more confident in your body, and I knew there was only one person I could ask to help me out -- Rivky Itskowitz, the founder of Impact Fashion, created her brand on the basis of size inclusivity ...
Seven Ways to Ease the Back to School Transition
I am SO excited for this guest post. Let me tell you about my friend BrookeLynne Dukes. She is an Early Childhood Educator turned Parent Coach. What's a parent coach, you ask? She works with parents 1:1 to help them learn tools to be the best parents through all trials and tribulations of parenthood. She also brings the Insta world some pretty amazing free content that is definitely helping parents heal from their own past traumas and work on themselves as parents too. So when I wanted a post ...
What to do when your kids outgrow their clothes
Summer vacation is a great time to get your home organized for the upcoming school year. I like to tackle projects around the house, and getting my kids' clothes set for the next size and season is always one of them. It can be really overwhelming to decide what to do with your kids' clothes when they outgrow them. And if you don't do anything, the drawers and closets become one organize mess where you can't find anything at all. So I'm sharing some tips to help alleviate that stress and ...
The Anxiety Trap: Guest Post By Gila Glassberg
I'm so excited to introduce my FIRST of, hopefully, many guest posts. Gila Glassberg is an Intuitive Eating RD who "helps women break away from diet culture and heal their relationship with food". We talk about anxiety a lot here, and I'm really excited to share her beautifully composed "anxiety process" with you. The Anxiety Trap: A Process Anxiety is an old friend of mind. I lie in bed wondering if the food was put away after spending hours cooking it- why ...
Are your kids afraid of the doctor?
Before I became a mother, I always thought that all kids were afraid of the doctor. I didn't like going to the doctor as a kid either. I was always afraid of a shot, finger prick or the DREADED strep test (that I still have apprehension toward as an adult). But when I became a mother and we started having to go to the pediatrician pretty often, and now especially having a child with diabetes and celiac, I thought, "Why does it need to be this way?" If my kids freak out every time we go to the ...
Picky Eaters and Type One Diabetes
One of the greatest challenges I've been gifted as a mother is having an extremely picky eater. You can read more about our journey with Feeding Therapy (2017-2019) in this post. The other challenge I have been gifted is having that same picky eater also be a Type One Diabetic, and not eating and having diabetes don't really mix well together. Some backstory on our picky eating journey. Having a picky eater can be very anxiety-inducing, especially for a new mother. Our journey with food ...
Miri’s Preschool Graduation with the Chinet Brand
Thank you to the Chinet Brand® for sponsoring this post and our graduation celebration! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I can't believe it! My oldest baby is graduating preschool, as she heads to Kindergarten in the fall. I love any good cause for celebration, and Preschool Graduation is definitely one of those milestones to make special. We knew we wanted to keep the celebration fairly small due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I personally love a small, family gathering ...
First things first: What to know when your child is first diagnosed with type one diabetes
The content of this post is friendly advice and experience from a mom of a Type 1 Diabetic. Nothing should be taken as medical advice, and you should always ask a medical professional when making medical decisions. My son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, at the age of 4, in January 2021. Since then, numerous moms of newly diagnosed kiddos have come to me asking for advice and tips after just finding out their kiddo also has Type 1. My advice has been well-received, so I hope it's ...
Summer Must-Haves with Walmart+
Thank you to Walmart+ for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the posts that keep A Glass of Goldwater up and running! We are finally seeing summer temps in Chicago, and I couldn't be happier. You're pretty much guaranteed to find us outside for the next 4 months. Our family pretty much spends every waking moment of summer in our backyard, enjoying our garden and pool or on day trips taking advantage of outdoor activities in ...
All I want for Mother’s Day is a Full Night’s Sleep with Mattress Firm
Thank you to Mattress Firm and Sleep.com for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I've officially been a mom (2 times over) for 5 years, 3 months and 22 days, but who's counting? In that time period, I can count the number of times I've gotten a "full night's" sleep. I am exhausted. And I imagine that a lot of other moms out there are exhausted too. Even when we CAN manage to get a solid 8-hours, it's just never enough. I know this a stage that I'll survive, ...
RODAN + FIELDS NEW SOOTHE line revolutionizes skincare, motherhood and then some
Thanks to Rodan + Fields for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. As a busy mom navigating my son’s new superhero status as a T1D warrior, it can be hard to make health and wellness a priority. Well, that just got A LOT easier with Rodan + Fields (R+F) SOOTHE Regimen. Focusing on my skincare has become even more important to me as I’ve gotten older. Taking care of my skin has become a form of self-care and is an essential part of my ...
My child has Type 1 Diabetes, please respect my food decisions
** This is an op-ed, experiential piece. It is not to be taken as medical advice. For medical advice, please consult your doctor. I don't know about you, but from the time my kids were babies, I've been very particular with what they eat and drink. No sugar until 2 years old worked for my oldest. Then my son, well, he got sugar a bit earlier, 'cause second children. LOL I would have continued to not give my children sugar and junk until they were older, but the influences of outside ...
How to support a friend whose child has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness
On January 28th, my family got some news that changed our lives forever. After noticing some signs that were concerning (more about that in this post), my 4-year-old son was sent to the ER with a blood glucose level of 510. That's very high, in case you were wondering. Shortly after we were admitted to the hospital, it was confirmed that my son has Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Initial feelings. I'm torn. On one hand, I'm relieved. T1D is a totally manageable and livable diagnosis. T1D ...
How I found out my child had Type 1 diabetes: Signs and Symptoms you may not know about
**I think it's important to make the disclaimer that I am NOT a medical professional. Everything I share here is told through the lens and experience of a parent, and parent only. PLEASE consult your own medical professional if you have any concerns regarding your own child or yourself. I'm one of the lucky ones. I know, it's funny to say that because my child was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the young age of 4-years-old. But I am lucky. Why? Because we caught it early enough ...
I Sparked Joy in my Pantry!
I've been going through my house, room by room, closet by closet and organizing everything. I've realized that clutter and messes often trigger my anxiety. It's that inner-clutter / outer-clutter thing (so says my therapist). Anywho, today was pantry day. I did it without the help of a professional organizer, and I am so dang proud of myself, and I feel so much lighter. She's a real beaut. Step 1: Clear everything out of the pantry. This works with whatever area you're working on. I ...
2020 Reflection and Looking to 2021
It's the final day of 2020, and I'm with the rest of you when I say, "I truly can't believe we made it!" It's definitely been the weirdest and most unexpected year of my life. I never would have thought we would have faced the things we did, but we somehow managed through it. I've said it before, but I don't entirely hate 2020. It really did force me to spend so much togetherness with my family, and there were many moments that I truly treasure. A favorite is how much we were all ...
Thank Your Delivery Service Helpers with Walmart +
Thank you to Walmart+ for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm so excited for this post because thanking our delivery service helpers is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season. This year it was made extra easy with the help of Walmart+ . What do I mean when I say "thanking our delivery service helpers"? Our mailmen and women and everyone else who delivers packages to our house (Walmart+ delivery people included!), work ...
Why You Should Keep Your Child In Swim Lessons this Winter with Big Blue Swim School
This post is sponsored by Big Blue Swim School. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. If you've been here long enough, you know that I started Miri in swim lessons when she was only 6 months old. Then, it was really just for fun and to get her comfortable in the water, but as she got older, it became much more than that. I've loved the water my entire life, and I want nothing more than to give that love over to my children, but without the proper safety and lessons, swimming can be ...
Small Business Gift Guide 2020: For the Home
Small businesses have taken a huge hit in 2020. This season, I have dedicated my Holiday Gift Guides to supporting ONLY small businesses. What’s better? All of the featured businesses are woman-owned! Please join me and support small and local businesses when you’re shopping this season. See details below for exclusive discount codes as well! And stay tuned for a BIG giveaway, launching over on Instagram during the week of Chanukah (Dec. 10 – Dec. 18). 1801andco Acrylic Wall ...
Small Business Gift Guide 2020: For the Ladies
Small businesses have taken a huge hit in 2020. This season, I have dedicated my Holiday Gift Guides to supporting ONLY small businesses. What’s better? All of the featured businesses are woman-owned! Please join me and support small and local businesses when you’re shopping this season. See details below for exclusive discount codes as well! And stay tuned for a BIG giveaway, launching over on Instagram during the week of Chanukah (Dec. 10 – Dec. 18). Valeri’s Hair ...
Small Business Gift Guide 2020: For the Men
Small businesses have taken a huge hit in 2020. This season, I have dedicated my Holiday Gift Guides to supporting ONLY small businesses. What’s better? All of the featured businesses are woman-owned! Please join me and support small and local businesses when you’re shopping this season. See details below for exclusive discount codes as well! And stay tuned for a BIG giveaway, launching over on Instagram during the week of Chanukah (Dec. 10 – Dec. 18). Waterdale Collection Knife ...
Small Business Gift Guide 2020: For the Kids
Small businesses have taken a huge hit in 2020. This season, I have dedicated my Holiday Gift Guides to supporting ONLY small businesses. What's better? All of the featured businesses are woman-owned! Please join me and support small and local businesses when you're shopping this season. See details below for exclusive discount codes as well! And stay tuned for a BIG giveaway, launching over on Instagram during the week of Chanukah (Dec. 10 - Dec. 18). 1. Lovey & Grink Chanukah Pajamas // ...
Black Friday Guide 2024
It's tiiiime! Black Friday Weekend and Cyber Weekend are HERE! It can be overwhelming to shop all the sales, so I've done the dirty work for you. Enjoy my comprehensive Black Friday Guide for all of the best deals you don't want to miss from Amazon, Target and Walmart. Click each image to shop! Happy Savings! Black Friday Guide 2024 Links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning that the Alyssa Goldwater Collective earns a small commission when you purchase through these ...
Holiday Gift Guides 2024
Wow, it's been a minute since I posted on here. I hope you're all having a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate, and if not, I hope your week has been good. Here are all of my Holiday Gift Guides for 2024. These gift guides are intended to help you shop for everyone in your life, no matter their likes, dislikes or relationship. Hope it helps you shop for your loved ones this holiday season. Click to shop! Happy Holidays! Holiday Gift Guides 2024 Links in this post may be ...
Why You Should Start Altering Your Clothes
It is very rare that I find clothing, especially online, that I feel compelled to have it right then and there. You know those types of purchases and when you stumble upon them, it always feels so good. It’s like the piece was made for you! While I wish this happened more often than it does, the reality is that clothing brands don’t typically make clothing that fits a girl who is 5’2”, wears a size 18/XXL, and follows certain modesty standards when it comes to clothing. While brands are making ...
