Last night as I stepped up to pay for my groceries and saw the customer ahead of me was a mom. The cashier had the manager looking at her receipt and notifying her she had purchased the incorrect milk for her WIC voucher. She was getting ready to put everything back and get the correct milk when out of my mouth came "I can pay for it." and before I knew it the transaction was done on my credit card. She looked at me and said "You didn't have to do this.". I responded "Yes, I did. I've been where you are at.".

There were two thoughts that I had from this experience as I drove home.

1. How many of us are willing to help out a mom? Do we judge or think, yes I remember those days, bummer for you? Step up and commit to helping a mom. Kindness has many forms of currency.

2. Do people know that even though right now I can purchase the food I want to eat, there was a day as a single mom I didn't have those options? We don't know where people have come from or where they are going. Lets commit to stop shaming and judging moms.

Share your stories and let us see kindness in action. 

We have all been there, you are invited to a baby shower and are now trying to decide to shop for a gift off the big box store registry or purchase something else. Today we are encouraging you to shop local for the baby shower gifts. Here are a few recommendations.

Do you know a quilter or knitter? They may be willing to do something on commission for you OR possibly they have an inventory they would have you look through to purchase. Baby blankets will never go out-of-style. Many kids carry around their favorite blankets that were handmade with LOVE.

Families with newborns sometimes would like to have help with cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, babysitting, yardwork or other non-material items. We really love the Babyli.st app. Babylist allows new moms to add non-material items to their registry. Get creative and make up some coupons for your baby shower gift. 

Give a gift certificate to a professional photographer or a gift certificate to purchase photography prints and/or frames. These images are priceless! 

Pregnant in Minnesota has local maternity products and services to make sure you have the best baby shower gift for your special expecting family. If you don't see your favorite maternity or baby business, please let them know to request their FREE Birth Business listing.