11 Readers Share How They ‘Just Add Water’
Eight years ago, a reader named Chloe wrote a comment that became a parenting motto for the whole Cup of Jo community:
“My favorite parenting advice is, ‘If they are crabby, add water.’ This has served me well over the years and believe it or not, with a 14, 10 and eight-year-old, I still use it. Run a bath, take a shower, water the garden, wash the dog, have a hot drink, have a cold drink… just add water. It works 99% of the time.”
Since then, the phrase has helped so many parents, including myself. I think of it every night, as I bathe my baby Evelynn in our kitchen sink, soothing away her witching hour mood. Photo evidence above! Here, 11 more readers share how “just add water” saved the day…
“This picture was not taken at the height of summer, but rather in early March when it was technically too cold for car washing. But it was the end of the day, and I was desperate for an activity that would last until my husband got home and I could finally take a break. Adding water did the trick!” — Claire
“My son and I are lucky to live five minutes from a jetty, so we often walk over for ‘a few quick flicks’, as he says. I read my book or work on a knitting project between requests to untangle his fishing line. He likes to change his rig every couple of minutes if he’s not getting any bites, so he’s always busily chopping up a selection of stinky baits and rummaging around in his tackle box. We rarely catch anything, but it’s a lovely, peaceful way to spend time together outdoors after a busy day.” — Lauren
“Whenever the cooped up-ness of rainy days gets to me, I announce a rain walk. Lately, my kids have insisted on abandoning umbrellas and raincoats to see who gets the most soaked!” — Jessica
“I have come back to this bit of Cup of Jo wisdom so many times over the years (both as parenting advice and for myself!). In the midst of my divorce, whenever things got too serious, my daughter and I would head to the beach. This beach photo was taken right in the middle of my separation. We started every day with a dip in the sea. What a dream.” — Christa
“When my kids were little, sensory bins were all the rage. Rice, beans, and a few toys never failed to give me a moment of peace. One morning, on a whim, I decided to let my toddler ‘water’ my fading floral arrangement. What started as a simple outdoor activity turned into a fully immersive rose-petal bath for one very exploratory toddler.” — Miranda
“My two-year-old, Beau, running merrily towards the biggest puddle after a morning of rain. Tongue out, zero inhibitions, slap happy after a visit from his favorite garbage truck. Levity — in every sense of the word.” — Ginelle
“Every summer, my kids and I do an ‘Open to Close Day’ at the science center, the library, and the public pool. We arrive when the place opens and stay until we’re kicked out — and pool day is always the longest challenge and greatest fun. We tell our friends they can meet us when they want (‘Don’t worry, we’ll be there all day!’). We read books and play games and have pizza delivered for dinner. But honestly, we don’t have to do much because the kids love the water and never get bored!” — Emily O.
“When my eight-year-old is wiped out and grumpy after school (as she often is), I have her take a bath and water ‘the garden’ (mostly weeds). She feels great afterward!” — Katherine
“Most days, I ask myself why we ever moved out of the city and back to my childhood home, in a rural town outside of Oslo. The commute wears you down, and the big garden is constant work. But then, summer finally arrives in Norway, and everything is green and the sun never sets. You just turn the hose on and the kids and dogs and plants come alive — with zero effort on my part.” — Helle
“‘Just add water’ has remained one of my most consistent parenting mottos over the years. When our boys were younger, they often disagreed, and this led to hurt feelings and harsh words. But the bath always brought them back to themselves and each other. Sometimes they needed a little extra enticement (seen here: an egg cream and a favorite hat), but by the time the bubbles subsided and the water turned tepid, they were both giggling and ready to take on the world together. They’re older now, so bubble baths aren’t common anymore. But just last night, my teenager was getting overwhelmed with school tasks. I walked him to the shower, and no further instructions were needed. Thanks, Joanna, this one truly never fails.” — Purnima
“My son has been sick constantly since we put him in daycare, and this last bout really had him down — fevers, cough, the whole shebang. None of us have been sleeping well and even though he seemed to be getting better, he was still grumpy (uncommon for our smiley guy!). We went out and bought this little splash pad, and he was thrilled to pieces while playing on it! He slept through the night again that evening, and is back to his cheerful self.” — Rebekah
When have you used the CoJ parenting advice “just add water” with the kids in your life? We’d love to know xoxo.
P.S. Some of our favorite advice for new parents and how to inspire kids to play on their own.
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107 commentsMy autistic daughter had a huge meltdown last week when we were at the library. Nothing was helping, it went on for an hour. I was stuck, having walked there. Couldn’t get her home, couldn’t stop the meltdown. I finally suggested a swim off the jetty across the road. Australia, so it’s winter. I carried her over, she went in the freezing water in her underwear and within seconds she was giggling and happy once more. We borrowed a towel from a wetsuit clad water polo player, then she curled up on her sun-warmed labrador. Thank goodness for easy access to water, and warm dogs.
When I was in nursing school,(back in the 70’s), I would take a shower in the evening. Just letting the water run over me was great, came out with a better attitude toward instructors and classmates and the whole shebang. Or I would go to a nearby park and just swing! and swing and swing. Both were calming and soothing!
Has it really been eight years since I discovered the best—and simplest—parenting hack through the Cup of Jo community? My son is turning 9, and I’ve used this advice countless times. It never fails. Just the other week, I shared it with a co-worker, who immediately decided to try it with his 2.5-year-old son. A big thank you to the CoJ community for sharing so many thoughtful ideas over the years—this one has truly stood the test of time.
Not just baby to teens. I was in my early 30’s when my fiancee (now wife) and an older friend got to comparing notes. They figured that when it looked like I was going to get cranky, or just overwhelmed and leave, that if I was given a glass of water I would probably drink it and calm down. Small risk I might return the water without the glass? (No, my doctor was not interested in finding out why.)
“Just Add Water” isn’t just for babies or kids. As adults, when difficult conversations or arguments happen, run a hot tub of water, both get in naked and get to the discussion. It is hard to stay angry with a wet naked person sitting in front of you. We call it “water therapy” – We’ve been together 45 years.
Donna – love this!!!
Gosh I remember in the first few weeks of having my baby I was overwhelmed with ppd, my son struggled with other breastfeeding , and just the consuming every day exhaustion of being a new mom , a hot shower, even a brief one, made me feel like I could make it another day.
Yes! When we had our newborn during the height of the pandemic, my husband and I were alone with the baby without friends or family. We called it the Daily Shower Project and the project was literally making sure we each had 10 minutes alone to shower so we could keep our sanity. 10/10 recommend for new parents.
I like to give my toddlers spray bottles filled water and let them ‘wash’ windows or plastic toys or mist the plants….hours of fun!
What a joyful article. Such simple things to do with kids. So enjoyable and lovely to read.
We have a family friend that used to give our toddlers a popsicle (!!!) while they were playing in the bathtub. It was so magical for them to eat a special treat in the bath and all the sticky washed down the drain. Now, at 10 and 13, they’ll still grab a fun snack if they’re headed to reset in the tub.
We do this! My kids always beg for a popsicle bath on hot days
I remembered this advice when my now 13 month old was a newborn. One day he was soo fussy and nothing seemed to work, so I decided hey, let’s try a bath. I took him into the bathroom, turned on the tub and he instantly stopped crying! Turned out we didn’t even need to be in the water, just hearing it worked well enough! For several months, the go to move at extra fussiness was standing in the shower listening to the water.
We’re fortunate to live 5 minutes from the Columbia River, in Oregon, so that’s our go-to for “just add water” — my kids know the packing drill and load the van on their own. Sometimes I order a pizza. Pizza and river-beach is a life saver.
My young toddler spent an hour experimenting at the kitchen sink on Sunday. Standing in his toddler tower, deep in concentration, pouring and washing and drinking, only asking for help (“uh-oh!”) when a cup or bowl fell beyond his reach. He was also SO excited to use a towel to mop up the water under his feet when he was done.
omg the towel, sobbbbbbb — that is so cute!!
OMG Jannelle. I literally haven’t even read this piece yet. I raced to the comments because I just had to say, ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT BABY?!?! that might be the cutest baby I have literally ever seen. My god. Truly so freeeeakin’ cute!!! Ok now I will read the post.
Same, Josephine!! That is one cute baby!!
My little one (almost 3) hates to take baths (my almost 10 loves them still!). But this summer is her first where she’s allowed in the big pool at our swim club, and she’s in the pool all day – learning to swim, dipping her face in, jumping off the side. She let me wash her hair last night without a struggle, and the kids are both so tired from long days of fresh air and swimming and playing with friends. Our whole family feels relaxed now and I’m looking forward to the rest of our pool summer.
I’m going though a tough season and sometimes, after daycare pickup, I’ll take my son straight to the beach while we wait for his dad to get home from his long commute. He likes to play in the sand, but the icy cold water on my toes does seem to calm all the angst and grief.
This popped up EXACTLY when I needed it. My 5-year-old was bouncing off the walls (and hammocks. and swings. and couches.) at our vacation rental yesterday evening, even after a full day of camp. It was sticky and hot and my husband was out on a run. Queue the irritation! So I tossed our son in the car and drove a whopping 8 minutes for a dip in a local lake beach before dinner. We both felt much better after!
This is so funny! Yesterday my tween granddaughter was bored waiting for her grandfather to get home so she power washed our Adirondack chairs! It kept her busy and took one thrift my to do list.
Jannelle! I just want to add —- Evelynn is gorgeous and looks so much like you!
I use this on the biggest “kid” in my life – me! Just yesterday I was having “a bit of a day” as we say in my house (West Wing fans will get the reference!). I was emotionally overwhelmed and on the verge of a meltdown (I think my husband would probably say I was already having one…) and so I shut my computer, and threw myself into the pool. Instead of swimming laps, I just splashed about, floated on my back and dunked my head under. I immediately felt better and lighter. “Just add water” never fails no matter the size or age of the kid.
I have a waterproof kindle, so if I’m really overwhelmed, I go take a shower and read a chapter. I like to give myself a really good scalp scrub. If I’m still a bit grumpy I’ll put on lotion in the steamy shower and hang out a bit. Bonus is I can’t hear whatever chaos is going on outside.
I don’t have kids, but this works so well for me as a 26 year old. Be it a pool, lake, creek, or bathtub i feel refreshed and happy as a clam. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that a “short bath” does not exist for me. If i have anywhere to be in the next 2 hours, forget it.
I’ve consistently thought of the mantra “Just Add Water” since hearing it here — eight years ago, apparently (!). I use it with my nephews: a water toy, an invented “soup” concoction, watercolor paintings. I use it with myself: a hot tea with cream, a cool rinse on a hot night, a break to water the plants. Today I live in a town with a large lake and, many mornings, walk the beach peninsula with my dog. Year round, ice or sun, dark or light, there’s a group of mostly women, mostly older, who take a plunge in the lake from 6:30-7:00am. I time my walks to see them and hear them; their laughs echo off the water across the beach. I don’t know them but I admire and appreciate them. Just Add Water!
100% agree with Just Add Water! When my kids were younger and we were in the middle of those times when if feels like the adults never get a second to complete a thought, let alone have a conversation, we started doing dinner at our local splash park. Nothing fancy, just a picnic blanket, a Costco rotisserie chicken, some pitas and hummus, raw veggies, whatever. The kids would run over, take a few bites and then run back into the water, and we could eat our dinner and chat, mostly uninterrupted. Pure bliss. I also discovered that sitting down and having a drink of water instantly soothes almost any fall, bump, or scratch a kid can get… well, a drink of water, and a bandaid.
Also pretty sure it was here that I got the idea to put a cranky toddler in the bath in the daytime with a bunch of duplo. Saved my sanity more than once!
Always works! I am currently counting down the days to two weeks by a lake. A daily first thing in the morning cool water swim is true magic. But my best just add water was the many months long daily 3 pm popsicle all four of us had during the pandemic. It made such a difference on those rough endless days.
On a rural well here and can’t help but calculate everyone’s water use- oh to be in the city!
Ohhhhkay my oldest 2 kids are now teenagers and I STILL do this! Pool day OR go take a shower!! Water helps reset us somehow. Amen amen.
I Love how Christa’s cat is enjoying the beach ;) also…add water is definitely a thing! I’ve used it many times before I knew it haha with my twins boys ( 22 yo as we speak!) who were….something (!)when they were little. I was not fast enough to send the pic, but I once took them to the park with their bikes – they must have been 9 y o at the time- and the ended up biking over the water fountains on a hot summer afternoon. Everyone was leaving before the storm, and i still picture my two sons completely soaked head to toe, dripping clothes, smiles up to their ears , happy as clams! everyone was in a better mood , although we did get some weird looks on the way home !
Magnesium baths and ice cold dips in the sea. Pain panacea x 2.
One year my kiddo had a particularly difficult school year. After a tough day we would go to a local lake and chuck rocks in the water until he felt better.
When I was 9 months pregnant with my first baby (now 12.5 in the blink of an eye), my friend gave me a free week at a very chique gym with an indoor swimming pool. We were living in the Amsterdam, and it had become impossible to ride my bicycle. I felt so large and slow and cumbersome, and had terrible acid reflux. I was also living far away from everything and everyone familiar, but as soon as I put on my bikini and slipped into the pool, I was weightless and felt held.
It feels like sports haven’t caught up with climate change and my kid has soccer games in the heat of the afternoon (come on folks, let’s move the times for everyone’s safety!) The kiddos can really lag but we started bringing a big spray bottle of water to the games and the kids love spraying each other down. Start running, instant AC! Repeat often.
Anyone else wish they had this on a tshirt?? 😏😏 https://viraltee.co/s/ideas-gal-b16?color=pink&style=tee&fit=standard&placement=center&size=medium&frame=0
What a cute tee shirt!
I love this! Ordering immediately. We all need one!
Mary, I love this!! Purchased!
It works for tired adults during a move in the summer heat of AZ….dip in the pool. It works for a wife whose husband is ill and it’s been a 48 hour day in Florida…walk on the beach. It works for post log splitting/stacking in Minnesota on a humid day….break time drink of water by the lake. And it definitely works when the mood feels not right for anything except a shower!!!
Hi Jo and team, Would be possible to share about the earthquake in Venezuela and ways to help the Venezuelans? Gracias! Thank you for put together this amazing community of amazing souls ♥️
My 3 year old has loved playing at the kitchen sink since he was old enough to climb up onto his tower. I give him different things each time- the salad spinner, the turkey baster, the moka pot. Sometimes he brings a million hotwheels cars and plays carwash; sometimes he wants to give little plastic animals a bath. Perfect way to buy myself 30 minutes to cook dinner.
This post is so timely. I have an anxiety disorder and it’s flared up these last 5 days or so. The physical symptoms are really uncomfortable, especially the aching and tightness in my chest, shoulders, and ribcage. I hadn’t been able to get any relief despite doing all the things in my DBT toolbox and every breathing exercise known to (hu)man. Just now, though, I thought about this article and the “just add water” trick that I use on my daughter regularly. This time I used it on me. I paused my pushing through, turned on the fountain in my garden and broke out the watering can to water my plants. Those ten minutes were the first hint of relief I’ve had— thank you.
Sending a big hug of solidarity.
I literally offer them a drink of water in the middle of whatever they are discordant about and they never turn it down. Everything shifts after that. I have Chloe’s original post to thank for that! Thank you : )
Co-sign! Make it sparkling water, and *POOF* tantrum be gone’
Loads of bath time, sprinklers and playing in the rain while growing up for my three, who are now 14, 16 and 17. I didn’t realise how effective the “just add water” tool had been for my kids until my 17 year old daughter was relaying a conversation about her friend going through a tough time, “and I just told her Mum, to do what you always say – go get in the shower and wash it all off. And she did and she couldn’t believe how much better she felt!” What a wonderful thing to pass on to our children so they can pass it on to others.
8 years ago already?? Oh wow, time flies!
My thoughts exactly haha
My girls are 22 and 26, and have rarely gotten along for more than short periods. We’re in Maine this week for our annual family vacation, and mostly they have been tolerating/ignoring each other. But a couple of days ago my husband and I were up on the deck and we heard laughter and splashed from the dock and looked over to see the two of them joyously goofing around. It didn’t last long, but it was a few moments of magic, thanks to adding water!
My kids were small – around 3 and 5 – and it was a hot, sticky, grumpy summer afternoon. We had a spray bottle left on the counter from giving my husband an at-home haircut. At a loss for what to do next, I grabbed the bottle and started running around, spraying them playfully saying, “down, kitty!” The combination of spray and play was magic, and moods transformed.
This is so funny. My kids would have loved this and laughed hysterically if I had done this when they were little. I don’t think at 17,19,and 22 it will have the same effect now tho. Bummer.
Water is truly a wonder – essential, powerful, but also finite. Where I live, every gathering begins with a land and water acknowledgemen, which honours the Indigenous stewardship of these resources we often take for granted. Find out where your water comes from – you might be surprised!
That hat & beverage is the vibe goals!
I saw that photo and could help seeing him 20 years later in a hot tub in Switzerland with a glass of wine, lol
Total cuteness alert!
This just add water idea was given to me by my mom. When my son and his besties were elementary school aged, they were bored in the summer and looking for something do so. My mom put the sprinkler under the trampoline, and it was a hit. The weeds under there were glorious for a few years, as the boys wanted to bounce with water everyday!
Wow, love this so much! I am not a parent, but I always think of this tip from Chloe when I have to calm my *own* nervous system, or sometimes even that of my partner! A walk to the lake, a shower, a splash in some puddles, even just a glass of water… it does the trick!
One day my 4yr old was in a total spiral. I was tired of listening to the screaming (and trying hard to keep myself calm) so I put her in the shower. I told her that she didn’t have to get under the water but she was not allowed to get out. She stood on the side of the shower, cold and screaming, for several more minutes before deciding to venture under the water. The minute she stepped into the water her whole demeanor calmed down. Later as I was helping her dry off, she looked at me and asked, “Mommy, why was I crying earlier?”. This confirmed to me that when she gets worked up, she really has lost touch with reality and needs help breaking the spiral. Just add water for the win!
My 7 and 10 year olds have been fighting and bickering a lot lately and I totally relate to Purnima in that adding water often soothes the friction. When they start going at it I tell them to take a swim in the pool or to go “wash” my car (which is really just go play with the hose). Or I’ll ask them to collect garden herbs so they can make us all a cup of tea. 9 out 10 times the bickering turns to giggles. For kids and adults alike – when all else fails, just drink a glass of water.
I have implemented this advise and shared this advise countless times since I read this on CoJo many years ago, and I just had a full circle moment with it last week. When I was particularly upset about something, my eight year old daughter came over and gently placed her hand on my back and asked me if I need a glass of water. My heart flutter in my chest and through my tears I told her, yes, I think that is exactly what I need right now. In that moment I felt cared about and seen, and I hope that is how it makes her feel when she is the one on the receiving end of it. Given that she modeled it back to me, it clearly helps! It also made me realize that the advise is not only applicable to children. I can’t quite tell if the magic is in the water itself or in the care with which it is offered, but either way, it can help anyone find their footing.
Oh, this made me tear up, Lindsay! What a beautiful testament to your relationship with your daughter.
These are all so heart warming! I buy glow sticks from the dollar store and when the winter blues set in, we break them out for a glow stick bath (nightlight + glow sticks + fun music)! However, I recently learned how bad they are for the environment, so I’m wondering if anyone knows of more eco friendly alternatives. Maybe a disco ball?
I once bought a disco light (it is just a little multi color light projector that has a remote to switch up colors) and thought it was the best purchase ever! I would turn it on for mini dance parties or just to make cleaning my room fun. I bet that would be exciting for bath time! (would need to plug in away from water, of course)
I hung a mini disco ball from my two-year-old’s curtain rod, so the afternoon light hits it, and we have “disco parties” when the light spins around the room. It’s just us spinning around in his room, but he loves it, and it’s adorable.
No kids but I bought a galaxy projector for my room and my cat LOVES it. He chases the lights across the room. It broke recently and he’s been real sad. Would be great for a bath too!
My granddaughters used to love play with their Barbies, Barbie bathtubs and pool. I would give each girl a cookie sheet to put all the water filled things in and they would play for hours!
I’m 40 now, but I used to love this too as a girl!
Mine is a little sad (for now), but really poetic? Because of this cup of Jo community, I chose water as my motto / North Star for the year of 2026. I don’t make resolutions, but mostly pick a focus or concept to be inspired by? This year, I picked “(just add) water” and was curious where it would lead me: more baths, more hydration, more vacation at the sea, …? Well. Sadly, end of April, my boyfriend of 5 years broke up with me. I was so happy with him and planning on having children together (I am 35 years). The break up is really hard – I was so devastated and cried so so much for 4 weeks straight. And during that time I texted a friend: “My motto for this year was “water”. Who would have known it would come in the form of a million tears?” Well…I am slowly starting to heal and getting better and guess how I am doing it? Correct. By adding water – swimming weekly, going for walks in the rain, …
The sun comes out after every rain storm. So sorry you are dealing with this difficult time. Wishing you well!
I’m reall my sorry about the breakup. But I’m also curious if you feel comfortable sharing … what made him do that out of the blue ?(if it felt out of the blue to you?) and if you saw him as your future father or your kids and he did not do you think that you missed something ? No pressure at all I know the grief is still so intense.
So sorry this happened to you. I dealt with a devastating break up in the past and the unique pain is so difficult. It will get better with each day, each cry, each step forward.
I’m so sorry for the loss you are experiencing, it can be so painful not only to lose your person but also the future you were planning together. I’m so sorry for all of the tears, but I’m so glad you are holding on to your north star to help you get through it. It truly can be a balm in almost every situation. When the problem or the pain is deep it doesn’t necessarily cure it, but it will typically make the pain more tolerable in the moment. I hope you find your way back to happiness soon, warm thoughts and hugs from South Dakota
I love this. My mom loves telling everything the story about how being pregnant with me gave her the worst morning sickness she’d ever seen (she was a nurse). Nothing helped (and there were fewer remedies back in the 80s). She tried every trick in the book. She was living (and still lives) in the Rochester, NY area at the time. But managed to fly down to visit family in Florida. The first day there, she walked into the ocean and just floated. It was the first day she hadn’t been sick since her morning sickness started. After a week of floating, it never came back! And I came out a water loving baby, who is now a water loving adult.
What a lovely story. I love the image of her floating in the water with her pregnant belly, finally getting relief!
I love this <3
Just add water is advise I lived by when the kids were younger. Splash pad, impromptu lake swims (clothes and all!), baths as a cure for grumpiness, walks/wades at the beach. Last summer my kids and I went for a walk at a beach. The intention wasn’t to go for a swim, but the waves were just perfect. So, into the waves we all jumped for an hour or more. It was such a great connection activity for us – my kids are 3.5 years apart with one in the early teen years. It can be hard to find something to do that pleases everyone at our differing ages and stages, so this was perfect.
Loved the comment and photo from Purnima. Also, I love that name. It was my grandmother’s name. Beautiful.
Look at all these gorgeous kids. I was just telling one of my friends who is a mom about the “just add water” concept. She has an above ground pool in her backyard and her 14 year-old had a bad day, so she suggested they float in the pool. Mood softened. My just add water for myself is letting the hose soak me a little bit as I water my hydrangeas. Then I fill my birdbath and birdfeeder and feel like mother earth.
Christa with the CAT at the beach! Swoooon.
YES! Hahaha I am so curious of the logistics of this cat situation.
Same! Does the cat think it’s a giant litter box?
Same! Just came to ask about the cat.
Same ! So curious about the cat 🐱
New dream, unlocked.
Same! How does this work?
The all day public pool sounds so fun. I’m in Seattle area, and while we have pretty amazing water access to lakes and the sound, the pool situation is pretty dismal. There are very few outdoor public pools, and as far as I know, they all have limited open swim with rigid 1-hour timeslots (ie you pay for a one hour timeslot, and can’t stay longer). There are a lot of membership only pools which are community/neighborhood based or have years-long waitlists to join. It’s such a bummer!
But you have the coolest neighborhood wading kiddie pools: spots to save water usage and built-in community building. And they are big! We were there for a summer and still talk about them. The one in Wallingford was my favorite. You should do one of them instead!
I would love to “settle” for beautiful Seattle parks with lakes or the ocean! Magnuson Park, Green Lake, Golden Gardens, Discovery Park… you can’t go wrong. At least we couldn’t when we lived there with kids. And parks are a magnet for other kids in the summer for sure. Instant playdate.
Elisabeth & Wyoming Mom, I definitely don’t take this amazing place for granted, I LOVE seattle area beaches on the lakes and sound, and my kids spent a lot of time in the wading pools when they were little (our favorites are Ballard and Soundview).
I used this trick with my son when he was about 3 to 7. We did a thing called “truck wash” where we’d pull out the hose, some buckets, and a sponge or scrub brush and he’d clean all of his construction vehicles. It kept him happily busy for hours!
Works for me as well – after a long day, the best thing is to swim. It’s like meditation for me. Second best is watering my yard.
Oh my gosh, that baby splash pad is so adorable and I could’ve def used when my teens were small. Running through the sprinkler helped back in the day, but now body surfing with a boogie board on Lake Michigan once a summer is our getaway!
I had forgotten this post but love these stories and this reminder! I live near the ocean and am learning to surf, but health stuff and life (not to mention winter!) have made it a little difficult to really get in the groove. This summer I promised myself to go to the beach 3x a week. I don’t always make it, and I find that I’m only surfing once a week, but a walk along the shore and a full-body dip does help enormously even though even the ocean can’t fully chase my anxieties away. I will now add a big glass of water or a shower (my kingdom for a bathtub) when the beach is out of reach.
Lavender foot baths 💜
Years ago I read an interview with Larry David (maybe in the NYTimes?) where he said “if you feel bad, take a shower. And if you still feel bad, take another shower.” Adding water works for people of all ages and walks of life. Magic. These photos alone are a total mood-booster! Thank you
Just last night, my college-age 19-year-old son came into the my bedroom late. It had been a hard day and he was tired, sad and overwhelmed. I pet his hair for a bit and told him to take a shower and hop in bed and tomorrow would be better. Just add water even works for young adults!
Whoa, this is timely! I was just telling my sister about the ‘just add water’ concept from CoJ last night!
My 3 yr. old granddaughter loves to wash dishes, and insists on wearing her “kitty apron”. It’s a yellow half-apron with a vintage kitten print that MY mom made in home ec class! And it has pockets. ;)
The best cure for my daughter’s toddler rage was to put on an apron and hand wash all of her play kitchen tools. The warm water, the bubbles, the apron and having the kitchen to herself.
Something nobody ever told me is that you should never ever give an infant water to drink. It’s dangerous for them. Just an FYI!
True, from birth to 6 months, babies should only consume formula or breast milk.
I love that bath photo so much, Purnima. Something about the hat and the fancy glass really tugged at my heart. What a special treat and a way to make your kids feel so safe and loved. All of these photos and examples were wonderful.
Works for me too and I am 68. Fed up? Bath. Hot and annoyed? Shower. Grumpy? Water the plants. Not sure what to do with yourself today? Head up to the river for a walk. Want to start the day well? Early morning swim. At the very least, you get cleaned up and at the most you are feeling much happier. Better than chocolate. Does having a very cold, very dirty Martini count?
Oh, it definitely counts!