Sanctity of Human Life

Today is the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, sending the issue of abortion back to the states. At One by One, we celebrate this anniversary because we believe firmly in the sanctity of human life, but we also recognize that women facing unplanned pregnancies are often alone, scared, and unsure what to do next.

Our message to any woman who is worried about a pregnancy is simple: you do not have to go through this alone. One by One mentors are available to walk with you in this new chapter of life – not only through your pregnancy but also through your child’s early years.

Keep reading to see why we believe every life is valuable and how we support new moms.

Should My Baby Wear Shoes?

There’s no way around it: baby shoes are adorable. Whether you’re looking at Mary Janes, name brand tennis shoes, or Doc Martens, there’s just something about the tiny shoes that make you want to hand over the cash.

But should you? You may be surprised to learn that answer is most likely no.

National Day of Prayer

Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled*! This is the theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer. Observed every year on the first Thursday in May, the National Day of Prayer is a dedicated time when we, as Americans, can come together to pray for our country and its leaders in all levels of government, our families, our churches, and more.

At One by One, prayer is an important part of our work day every day. We begin every week in prayer for our moms, our mentors and other volunteers, our staff, our supporters, and our communities. And it’s not unusual to hear staff members on the phone praying for the people they’re speaking with or to see them gathered in the hall praying over a specific concern.

But if you’re a new Christian, new to prayer, or someone who’s just exploring Christianity, you may be wondering what you can do – or how you can pray – on this day. We have some suggestions below to help you participate in National Day of Prayer as well as ways you can pray for our ministry. We hope these ideas will help you deepen – or discover – a relationship with the Lord today and every day moving forward.

Spiritual Growth through Service

Are you looking to grow closer to the Lord, but you’re not sure how? You already do “all the things:” participate in church, pray, read your Bible, but you feel you’re missing something. Are you actively serving others? Could that be what you’re missing?

We know the excuses: “How can I make a difference?” “I don’t have anything to offer.” “That’s really not needed.” And perhaps the most common excuse: “I don’t have time.”

Now consider Galatians 5:13 (NIV): “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

As Christians, we are commanded not only to serve but also to serve humbly and in love. Keep reading to see just five benefits of taking this command seriously and how One by One may be the perfect place for you to serve others.

Mother's Day is Extra Special at One by One

Mother’s Day is special to many of us as we honor our moms as the women who were always there for us – kissing boo boos, mending broken hearts, cheering from the stands, and supporting us through thick and thin throughout childhood and into adulthood as we formed families of our own.

Many of us wonder how we would have made it without the love and support of our moms, grandmoms, and aunts. But the unfortunate reality is that not everyone has the love and support of a mom or mother-figure. Many One by One moms are alone: many have lost their moms, are estranged from their moms, or live far away, so they lack the support from their moms that they need and crave.

That’s where One by One comes in. Keep reading to see how we support pregnant and new moms and how you can honor your mom this Mother’s Day by supporting or serving One by One moms.

Car Seat Safety

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths for children ages 1 – 13. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), car crashes in 2022 were responsible for 1 in every 4 unintentional injury deaths of children 13 and younger. The Department of Transportation reported in 2022 an average of 3 deaths and estimation of 429 injuries in children every day due to traffic conditions.

You can help to protect your child by using the correct car or booster seat. According to the IIHS, simply making sure your child’s car seat is in the back seat instead of the front seat reduces fatal injury risk in children up to age 3 by 75% and in children 4 to 8 by almost 50%. Keep reading to find out what type of seat you need to protect your child.

Holidays Got You Stressed? De-Stress with Our Tips and Enjoy Your Christmas!

Although Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be one of the most stressful. There are work parties, school parties, church parties, family events, friend events, cooking, shopping, baking, wrapping, church plays, pictures with Santa, travel plans, outings to see live nativity scenes and neighborhood lights, and – of course! – that pesky elf on the shelf! We’re exhausted just thinking about it all!

But there is hope. Keep reading for 10 easy ways to de-stress this holiday season so you can enjoy time with your family and – most importantly – focus on the birth of our Lord. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

How Grateful Children Make for Happy Parents

What if we told you that moms are happier when their kids express gratitude? According to a new study from the Journal of Positive Psychology, just hearing your child say thank you can reduce your stress level and improve your mental well-being.

That should be reason enough to keep teaching your kids to say, “thank you,” but according to this study and others, that’s not the only reason. Keep reading to learn how expressing gratitude is good for you and your kids.

What Size Diaper Does My Baby Need? 7 tips to help you know when it's time to size up

It’s no question: diapers are a necessity when you have a baby in the house, and many will argue it’s hard to beat the convenience of disposable diapers. As new moms know all too well, babies go through A LOT of diapers! So you stock up – and suddenly your baby is outgrowing her current size.

New moms may not realize diapers are sized based on a baby’s weight, not on his or her age. A good rule of thumb is to check the size guidelines on your preferred diaper brand’s box and follow these 7 tips to help you know when it’s time to size up.

Summer Reading Fun

In our last blog, we talked about why it’s important to manage screen time, especially for young kids. In this blog, we’re going to make that job a little easier for you!

Many organizations offer free summer reading challenges that provide incentives such as free meals, movies, books, and more to encourage your kids to read over the summer. Why is this important? Children who read over the summer tend to maintain or improve their reading levels and improve their knowledge, emotional intelligence, focus and concentration, vocabulary, writing skills, memory, and analytical thinking. That’s quite a list! Reading also provides a nice break when needed from the summer heat or rain showers.

Below is a list of great summer reading programs to check out. Want to do your own? We have a Summer Reading Bingo game inspired by Imagination Soup that you can download – and ideas to start your own kids’ summer book club. Check out these summer reading programs, and let us know of any we missed. Happy reading!

Should Your Baby / Toddler Play on iPads or other Screens?

What do you do when you just have to get something done? You have laundry, dishes, and other chores that sometimes just can’t wait. As the old saying goes, dinner’s not gonna cook itself!

So how do you keep your baby or toddler entertained while you complete the task that can’t wait? It seems that more and more lately parents are allowing their kids to be entertained by screens in restaurants, in stores, in cars, and in homes as a way to keep kids entertained and quiet.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics may cause parents to rethink this strategy. This study included more than 7000 children and found that babies exposed to more screen time at one year of age are likely to demonstrate developmental delays by ages two and four.

Finding a Trusted Babysitter

Whether it’s date night, girls’ night out, or a doctor’s appointment, sooner or later a new mom will need a sitter to watch her baby. You might have an easy solution if you have family nearby just waiting to babysit your precious baby. But what if you don’t have family available or willing to help out? How do you find a sitter you can trust to keep your child safe? Keep reading for some tips on hiring and setting expectations for a sitter.

Exercise during Pregnancy Part 2 - What should I do, and how do I know if I should stop?

In part one of our blog on exercise during pregnancy, we talked about the benefits of exercising while pregnant and provided some basic guidelines for you to follow. As we discussed, while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says it is generally safe to exercise if you’re healthy and your pregnancy is normal, you should always talk with your doctor to get the official OK and recommendations tailored to your needs.

Once you have your doctor’s ok to workout, where do you begin? Keep reading for a list of good exercise options, exercises you should avoid, precautions to consider, and warning signs to heed.

Exercise during Pregnancy Part 1 - Should I or Shouldn't I?

The days are getting longer and warmer, and, if you’re pregnant, you may be wondering if it’s ok to get outside and exercise. For most pregnant women, the answer is, “yes!” According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if you’re healthy and your pregnancy is normal, it is safe to start or continue regular exercise.

Of course, you should always discuss your exercise plans with your OB/GYN during early prenatal visits to get the official OK and talk about what exercises are and are not appropriate. If you’d like to know the benefits of exercising while pregnant and some general guidelines, keep reading. Be sure to check back for our next blog discussing exercises to consider, exercises to avoid, and warning signs that signal you should stop exercising and call your doctor.

Focusing Your Kids' Attention on the Cross instead of the Bunny at Easter

As Easter approaches, your kids may be getting excited about Easter baskets and egg hunts. They may be picking out Easter outfits and looking forward to a day out of school on Good Friday. These traditions are certainly fun, but our kids need to know Easter isn’t about the bunny; it’s about the cross. They need to know Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead so we can live with Him in heaven when we die. If your kids need to be reminded of the importance of Easter, try out one or all of the fun activities below.

Recharge Your Mom Battery

As a mom, do you ever feel like the Energizer Bunny?

It seems some days you’re running nonstop chasing kids, doing laundry, prepping meals, all until your battery just dies and you collapse into bed.

It doesn’t matter how much you love your family or how much you love spending time with your family – there are just times you need a break.

If this sounds familiar, you’re in luck. We have some great suggestions to help recharge your battery!

Volunteer with Us to Serve Pregnant and New Moms!

As National Mentoring Month comes to a close, are you looking for a way to serve others? At One by One we have many opportunities for you to help change the life of a pregnant or new mom and her baby. Of course, mentoring tops our list, but there are many other ways you can join us. Keep reading to see how you can help!

Celebrating Life - How One by One mentors support moms who choose life for their babies

For most women, finding out they are pregnant is a cause for celebration. But imagine you weren’t planning to get pregnant. And maybe you’re alone – because you live away from family or because your family (and maybe even your boyfriend) don’t support your decision to keep your baby. Where do you turn? How will you do this on your own?

The answer is – you don’t have to do it alone. At One by One, it’s always been our goal to walk alongside new moms throughout their pregnancies and at least until their babies turn one. Our mentors love and support our moms without judgment. They provide friendship, support, and parenting education to help moms learn to parent well. We want every mom to know she is not alone - because we are here to help.

How to Keep Your Child Focused on Jesus at Christmas

December is here, and Christmas is just around the corner! For many of us, Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year,” so it’s easy to get caught up in all things holidays: decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, parties, and more. Imagine how easy it is for our kids to focus on Santa, gifts, and parties! If you’d like to teach your kids more about the true reason we celebrate Christmas, we have 10 great tips to help you keep your kids focused on Christ this Christmas.

Avoiding Stress during the Holiday Season

The holidays are just around the corner! If you’re like so many of us, you’re looking forward to the fun, but your stress level rises every time you add an item to your to-do list. From buying groceries to decorating to planning and attending events, to traveling/hosting family members, to buying presents…. If your blood pressure is rising as you read this list, we have some great tips to help you destress – and dare we say enjoy?! – this holiday season.

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