Thankfully, kids seem to be spared from the worst of coronavirus, mostly showing mild (if any) symptoms. But that thin silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic became fuzzier this week, as health officials report an uptick in deaths of children from a mysterious inflammatory disease similar to Kawasaki disease, with a constellation of symptoms like high fever, terrible belly pain, and even heart issues related to coronavirus. In an emergency advisory posted Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are calling it multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C. (Other doctors are referring to it as pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, or PMIS). As of Friday, more than 200 cases of suspected MIS-C or PMIS had been reported in at least 20 states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, where up to five children have died from it in past month.

How worried should parents be about MIS-C? We reached out to doctors at two of the nation's top pediatric hospitals, and came away with some reassuring guidance about what's still (phew) a rare occurrence in kids. Still, docs say there are five things all parents should know about COVID-19 and MIS-C. For more expert tips about keeping families safe and healthy, check out our posts about social distancing with kids, getting through pregnancy and childbirth during coronavirus, and how and where to get a coronavirus or COVID-19 antibodies test.

Small businesses have been particularly hard hit by stay-at-home orders across the country, including Mommy Poppins and the many local businesses we’ve introduced you to over the years. In response, a new normal has been created as children's birthday party providers, class programs, and now camps are adjusting by going virtual. To help support these local businesses and provide a place for families to find these top programs, we created Poppins@Home, a micro-site offering free and affordable, parties, classes, and other enrichment activities for children and families. Find it at learn.mommypoppins.com. 

The website already has dozens of free programs and more are being added daily. Programs include free dance activities from Dance Theatre of Harlem, Mandarin classes, cooking classes, and preschool STEM classes, among many others. Virtual birthday parties have also been increasingly popular, and we have a variety of affordable options to choose from. We hope you’ll consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together!

The coronavirus pandemic is moving so quickly that we're all suffering from information whiplash. But one constant since the outbreak began is the need for coronavirus testing, and with the country inching toward re-opening, the need for wide-spread coronavirus antibody testing is equally critical.

Antibody tests can determine whether any of us who haven't had confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been infected without realizing it. There's been discussion about the possibility of herd immunity, especially if, as some have speculated, the virus has been circulating even longer than initially thought.

And, of course, there is emerging evidence that kids—once thought to have a natural immunity to the COVID-19 pandemic—might be asymptomatic, still shedding virus, and prone to severe complications long after it leaves their systems. This makes testing for the active virus or coronavirus antibodies even more critical.

With that in mind, we've dug into some of the questions we've heard from parents, to try and get clear and concise answers when it comes to testing for both active coronavirus infections and the disease's antibodies. For answers to more coronavirus-related questions, be sure to see our posts dedicated to coronavirus FAQs for parents and parents-to-be. 

The Class of 2020 will go down in the history books: the kids who didn't get a prom, didn't have a graduation ceremony, didn't get all of those fabulous, end-of-childhood parties, all thanks to the Coronavirus. But despite life being put on pause, major life milestones are still happening, including graduating from high school. And while the graduating class of 2020 won't be shaking the principal's hand and receiving diplomas in person right now, there are so many great ways to celebrate all your kid's hard work over the past twelve years, virtually, at home, and socially distanced. From online graduation ceremonies with major celebrities to taking grad photos on the porch, you can help make wonderful memories with your own "coronamencement," social distancing and all. So get the cap and gown ready, grab the camera, and read on for some great ways people are celebrating the graduates in their families.

And from everyone at Mommy Poppins: Congratulations, #Classof2020!

Central Florida local businesses need our support now more than ever. We've shared some of our favorite independent toy shops and bookstores with delivery or curbside pickup around Orlando, as well as restaurants providing brunch takeout options.  Now we want to highlight some additional small businesses that are either open under the 25% capacity guidelines or offering delivery or pickup.  Consider shopping local when in search of birthday gifts, teacher gifts, and Father's Day gifts. Even if your favorite stores are closed right now, you can still support them by purchasing gift cards to use when they reopen. Remember, when you buy directly from one of these companies rather than a third-party service, you can ensure that more proceeds go directly to the local business itself.

And while you're showing your support for the businesses you love, we hope you'll count Mommy Poppins and our small business partners among them. You can support Mommy Poppins by sharing articles you find useful with friends or on your social media channels, checking out our directory of virtual classes, camps and birthday parties and telling businesses you found them through Mommy Poppins. Also, as part of our effort to keep our local parent writers and this website afloat and support some of our favorite family businesses, we've created Poppins@Home, a platform for small businesses to share free and low-cost online classes and birthday parties with kids all over the country. Please consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together!

Pizza places, children's clothing stores, kids' classes...Boston families rely on local businesses for food, gear, learning, and fun. As many restaurants and retailers struggle to stay afloat amid coronavirus closures, they need our business more than ever. Whether you order a meal or sundae kit, or a fashionable face mask, or sign up for a virtual family fitness class from one of these Boston-area companies, you're doing your part to support local small businesses—while giving your kids something interesting to eat, do, or learn while social distancing. (Bonus points if you order delivery or curbside pickup directly from a business when possible, since it allows all of the profit to stay with the small business).

And while you're showing your support for the businesses you love, we hope you'll count Mommy Poppins and our small business partners among them. You can support Mommy Poppins by sharing articles you find useful with friends or on your social media channels, checking out our directory of virtual classes, camps and birthday parties and telling businesses you found them through Mommy Poppins. Also, as part of our effort to keep our local parent writers and this website afloat and support some of our favorite family businesses, we've created Poppins@Home, a platform for small businesses to share free and low-cost online classes and birthday parties with kids all over the country. Please consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together!

After spending a little money for the greater good, check out our stay-at-home guide for hundreds of free ways to keep kids engaged and entertained.

Due to coronavirus, local businesses in Philadelphia and throughout the Delaware Valley have been impacted by the ongoing stay-at-home orders. With restrictions still in place, small businesses are adapting to the "new normal" while serving the community and keeping customer safety at the forefront. But Philly families can help support local businesses in lots of ways.

Buying books and toys at local shops to keep young minds engaged and entertained, order delicious take-away meals to satisfy ravenous appetites and take a break from cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, and purchase gift cards for future use. Remember: When patronizing local shops, you directly make a difference to a family. (And when possible, consider contacting restaurants directly instead of using a third party service to help keep the profit at the small business). 

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up a list of 27 local businesses offering pick up and delivery options. Refer to this list when need a jolt of coffee, a sweet (or salty) treat, or gift for your little one. Shop local! Together, we'll make it through!

And while you're showing your support for the businesses you love, we hope you'll count Mommy Poppins and our small business partners among them. You can support Mommy Poppins by sharing articles you find useful with friends or on your social media channels, checking out our directory of virtual classes, camps and birthday parties and telling businesses you found them through Mommy Poppins. Also, as part of our effort to keep our local parent writers and this website afloat and support some of our favorite family businesses, we've created Poppins@Home, a platform for small businesses to share free and low-cost online classes and birthday parties with kids all over the country. Please consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together!

For ideas on how to stay active and safe during these times, browse through our Stay-at-Home Guide with over 100 resources of things to do.

With the economic crisis surrounding the pandemic, local businesses are looking for new ways to reinvent themselves and stay afloat during quarantine. Restaurants, small markets and toy stores have become accustomed to serving customers curbside, as well as offering local delivery. Other businesses, such as pharmacies, craft stores and clothing shops have used their creativity to think outside the box and serve their customers safely. Some food establishments have put together DIY food kits as a spin on take out, while still offering ready-made meals to go. Craft stores are now packaging kits to bring home to restless children. Many of these local businesses give back to the community with donations of goods and services to frontline workers.

Help support businesses in your area by continuing to purchase their products, consider buying gift cards for future use as well, and order directly through local restaurants, rather than a third-party delivery service, to help keep all of the profits with the company.

Read on for a sampling of local businesses throughout New Jersey that would appreciate your patronage. Be sure to check out all all kinds of businesses in your town.

And while you're showing your support for the businesses you love, we hope you'll count Mommy Poppins and our small business partners among them. You can support Mommy Poppins by sharing articles you find useful with friends or on your social media channels, checking out our directory of virtual classes, camps and birthday parties and telling businesses you found them through Mommy Poppins. Also, as part of our effort to keep our local parent writers and this website afloat and support some of our favorite family businesses, we've created Poppins@Home, a platform for small businesses to share free and low-cost online classes and birthday parties with kids all over the country. Please consider trying a few of these fun, affordable, and creative classes—and spreading the word among your friends—as yet another way to support, uplift, and get through these challenging times together! And for hundreds of fun ideas during quarantine, browse our Stay-at-Home Guide.