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Vacation Planning: 8 Secrets to a Great Family Vacation

by LifeAsMama January 9, 2020

Bringing kids on vacation may seem like a crazy idea, especially if you are eyeing a relaxing getaway. While it may be true that they can often be a bit of a pain in the ass, letting them join your trip is an experience that can indeed be one for the books.

If you think that traveling with the whole family is more stressful than it should be, then you are probably planning it the wrong way. Challenges are sure to join your trip as well, but that doesn’t mean that you let them take the wheel and dictate the mood of your entire vacation.

To avoid any of the stress hazards that alarm you just by thinking about getting on a plane with the fam, here are some eight secret recipes to a great family vacation.

Set goals and expectations

Learning what you want and what you want everyone in the brood to experience will help you set the theme for your trip.

Do you want to spend a couple of days at the beach? Or do you want to go on a little adventure and hit the mountains (that are kid-friendly, of course) instead? You may also want to explore a new city and hop around museums and galleries.

Whatever you feel like doing with the rest of the family, make sure that you have set your expectations for the entire trip. You may want to ask your kids some suggestions on what they want to see so you can plan accordingly.

Decide where to go

Now that you know what the family wants and what feels convenient for everyone, this is the perfect time to pick which destination you are heading to.

Take note that you have to consider kid-friendly destinations. Just because some tourist destinations look good in photos doesn’t always mean they are perfect for children. You don’t want to ruin the trip by choosing the wrong place to visit, and you end up being more stressed than relaxed.

You might also want to consider the dates of your trip. Research what the weather is going to be like when you’re there. Ask yourself whether you are ready to take the kids into such a particular weather situation.

Find the right accommodations

Finding the right accommodation means you have figured out what works best when you have your kids around. What you need to understand is that although hotels may seem like the best option for a family trip, renting homestays is ideal just because you have plenty of space to move freely.

Find unique things to see and do

When you take on a trip with the family, it’s a great opportunity to make lasting memories—something that the kids can keep in their treasure trove of happy days until they grow old.

Traveling doesn’t always mean you have to go where the rest of the crowd is heading to. Finding new stuff to do and new places to explore other than the usual touristy stuff that we’re so used to should always be on your itinerary. As you may know by now, kids can get bored quickly, so to set a day of discovery for them can heighten their excitement.

Create your travel itinerary

If you’re the organized mom who loves to make lists of everything up to the smallest detail, creating itineraries is your jam.

Find a way to break your day’s activity into morning, afternoon, and evening. This is to ensure that you don’t exhaust your kids by putting in so many activities in one day that you forgot to take a break and rest.

Build your travel budget

You don’t want to go over budget, so setting your travel expenses right before you board the plane is a good way to manage the matter.

It’s time to bring that good old calculator out and see how much you are willing to spend for the entire trip, including emergency purchases when your kid is throwing a tantrum.

While you’re at it, don’t be too stingy to a point where you don’t enjoy much of the local delicacies around or not wanting to spend on a museum entrance fee just because you are on a tight budget. Make sure that you still have room for some enjoyment despite budget constraints. That’s what a travel budget planning is for.

Pack wisely

You may have mastered to pack your own suitcase for a trip, but since this time you are about to bring your kids with you, it’s time to up your packing game and do it wisely!

I’m sure you already know what essentials to bring and what types of distractions to leave behind. Apart from what suitcase to use to maximize space, you also need to identify the best carry-on luggage to bring with you, especially when you are traveling with a baby or a toddler. That’s how your packing skills will be tested. It’s like solving a puzzle where you ask yourself, should this item be in the suitcase or inside my carry-on?

Don’t stress out – you’re on vacation!

And the topmost secret to having the best vacation is just to chill and don’t stress too much. After all, you took this trip to enjoy and bond with the family.

Some situations may frustrate. That’s a given, but don’t let it consume you. There are some things that are inevitable, and to stress yourself out for a matter that you don’t have control over is pointless. Just try to see the silver lining in everything, and you’re off to a great adventure!

No matter how many problems you have encountered or any situation that has tested your patience, if you’re happy and the rest of the family is happy, then there’s nothing to worry about.

indoor activities A family draws on paper lying on their free time on the floor in the room.

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7 Awesome Indoor Activities to Do as a Family This Winter

by Jennifer Landis December 17, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

As freezing temperatures and icy conditions roll into town, it can be challenging to figure out how to stay entertained. There comes the point when no amount of outerwear will keep you warm enough to warrant a day outside of the house. Thankfully, there are plenty of indoor activities that you and your family can try this winter. Here are a few ways you can remedy that inevitable bout of cabin fever.

1. Get a Little Crafty

Crafts are an excellent means for your family to have fun, be creative and learn something new all at the same time. You’ll most likely already have the necessary materials and ingredients on hand to make some of these masterpieces.

Slime:Elements like glue, shaving cream and contact lens solution come together to make a squishy material that is so much fun to play with. Add food coloring and you’ll get a vibrant, gooey mixture perfect for hours of play.
Homemade playdough: Your kids will love customizing their very own playdough. Store it in an airtight container and it lasts for months.
Origami: Try your hand at making a variety of origami art This is a unique and enjoyable skill that everyone can learn.
Glow bubbles: Next time you’re at the store, pick up some non-toxic glow sticks. Your kids will spend hours with these bubbles.
Paper bracelets:With some paper and a little paint, your family can make beautiful paper bracelets.

You might also want to take a trip to your local science center, where you can do a ton of other interesting learning activities.

2. Build or Visit a Play Area

If you’ve never built a fort out of pillows and blankets, or a house out of a big cardboard box, then you’re in for an exciting experience. You can push chairs and couches together to construct walls and a support system. Lay a blanket between them as a makeshift roof. Before you recycle that old refrigerator box in your basement, bring it out so your kids can make it into a house. Have your them decorate with drawings and make it their own.

See if there are any indoor play spaces near you. Many have inflatable structures and bounce houses that are perfect for kids — some of which even allow them to play as various objects and characters. Let their imaginations run wild!

3. Try an Indoor Sport

There are several sports you can modify so that you can play them inside of your home. Create a soft landing space with pillows and blankets. Then, start a wrestling tournament between friends and family. Set up basketball hoops on either end of a room – you can make them with cardboard and tape. If you don’t have a small ball, you can use balled up socks instead.

Your family can also go ice skating at a local rink, try indoor rock climbing or head to a trampoline park. These are fantastic ideas to blow off steam and remain active when it’s cold outside.

4. Have a Scavenger Hunt

Put together some clues and hide items around the house for your family to find. Be as creative as you wish! You can do a theme, like a treasure hunt with riddles written in pirate lingo, or be a little more straightforward. This activity allows people to work together to solve problems, which is a handy life skill. Check out some of these pre-made clues to help get you started.

5. Bake Treats

Baking is a terrific way to bond as a family. Grab a box mix at the store or pull out the flour and sugar to start from scratch. Should you find yourself stuck inside all day, there are plenty of simple recipes for kids to start with. You can use fun cookie cutters and shapers and let your kids decorate to their hearts’ content. Doing this is an excellent way for them to get a little messy and learn the basics of cooking at the same time.

6. Make a Reading Nook

Make a quick trip to the library and pick out a few favorites. When you get home, set up a cozy reading nook, which can also work as a fort for even more fun later on. Your family will love to snuggle up and dive into a book for the afternoon. This is an excellent opportunity to implement more consistent reading in your house. You can also use this spot to play board games.

7. Watch a Movie

When all else fails, movies are there to save the day. Set up an area in the living room and pick out a couple of movies you and your family love. Pop some popcorn, make some yummy drinks and have yourselves a movie marathon. You can use this as a way to wind down after an action-packed day.

Have Some Fun!

With this wide range of activities in your arsenal, you’ll be ready to face the frigid winter days head-on. These ideas will help you introduce entertaining and educational opportunities to your family – all while staying warm.

Family

7 Ways to Host a Holiday Your Family Won’t Forget

by Jennifer Landis December 6, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This year, though, you want to make your holiday season even more special than the last. You’re envisioning an unforgettable meal full of new traditions that you can carry into next year and beyond. Fortunately, we’re here to help you do just that.

1. Set up a Movie or TV Marathon

After a big holiday meal, all you want to do is cozy up in front of the TV…before you dig into the leftovers, anyway. Rather than watching whatever’s on TV, make the holiday viewings part of the celebration. Let every member of the family choose a movie they want to watch, and play them in succession. Or, you can rotate each year and let someone pick the theme for your marathon.

Other families have gone with TV show marathons much to the same happy effect. Watch every holiday episode from your favorite series, or gather one episode from all of the shows you like. They’ll make your big day even more festive, and you’ll look forward to re-watching your shows each year.

2. Volunteer

Before you sit down for dinner, help others to have the holiday of their dreams. Sign the family up for a volunteering session at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. After you serve a tasty meal to those in need, your dinner will taste even better. Or, do a charity road race in the morning before your holiday dinner. That way, you can help others, and you’ll feel extra hungry by the time dinner rolls around.

3. Decorate the Tablecloth

Every year, the family comes over for the holidays. The kids will grow up and start bringing their kids — and the tablescape will always change. But you can make your tablecloth into a memory of the current setup by allowing everyone to draw on it and decorate it. Let little ones draw a picture or sign their names. Once the grown-ups have done the same, the piece will be complete.

Next year, you can lay out the same family table cloth and let everyone add to it. Or, you can keep it as a memory of the beginning of your new holiday traditions — a memory you can revisit every year when you eat this festive meal together.

4. Prep the Turkey Differently

You could go traditional and prepare your holiday centerpiece in the oven. Or, you could try a new method to spice up your feast with fresh flavors. For instance, plenty of families smoke their turkeys as opposed to roasting them in the oven. You don’t need any special appliances to smoke a turkey for your feast either. Instead, you can pop your bird onto the grill and cook it with spices and citrus for a flavorful, smoked dinner.

You might also consider frying your turkey. This option will require you to buy a fryer, however, and you’ll have to follow very strict instructions. If you do, the process will result in a savory centerpiece for your feast. Try it once, and you might find yourself a new holiday meal tradition.

5. Have a Birthday Party

If you only get to see certain family members during the holiday season, make the day into a celebration of more than one holiday. Throw some candles into one of your desserts, preferably some sort of cake. Then, sing Happy Birthday to everyone who has had their big day so far this year. Let them blow out the candles and kick off a new holiday tradition for your family.

6. Make the Wishbone Into a Game

You’ll remove the wishbone from your bird before you eat. After that, it’ll dry up in time for the ceremonial snapping of the wishbone. Whoever gets the larger half will get their wish — at least, that’s what legend tells us.

But who gets to play the wishbone game? Make it into a random draw so that it’s a fun addition to your meal every year. Put everyone’s name into a bowl, then choose two lucky players. They get to snap the wishbone this year, but you’ll have to wait and see who gets the next chance.

7. Don’t Skimp on Breakfast

When you focus on your holiday dinner, you might forget the rest of the day’s meals. However, if your family tends to eat the feast later in the day, you should try to incorporate a family breakfast into the day’s festivities. You don’t want to stuff yourself, of course, but you don’t want to be starving and miserable until dinner either. Be sure to serve up a substantial breakfast to get you through cooking and into dinner in the best of spirits.

Be Thankful for New Traditions

You have a lot to celebrate over your family holiday feast. Still, you can make the holidays your own with a few new activities or dishes on your table. Start planning now, and you’ll be able to try some of them out this year. Bon appetit, and enjoy a season of gratitude with the ones you love most, creating new memories and traditions along the way.

Family

7 Important Things Every Family Should Know

by LifeAsMama November 15, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

As hectic as family life may be sometimes, there are so many moments of joy we share with our families that make it easy to forget about small disagreements or meaningless arguments. That being said, creating a positive and functional environment for our family to thrive in takes time, patience, and effort, but the end results make it worth our while. With that in mind, there are a couple of things every family should know in order to create an environment where it can grow together. Scroll on to learn what they are.

Introducing positive discipline

While many families tend to think about discipline as a way of punishing children, it doesn’t have to do with threats and negative behavior. Although the word discipline is nowadays used as a synonym for punishment and has a negative connotation, there is one method that helps revert the essence of the word back to its roots. The word itself comes from Latin and its original meaning is teaching, and the method that makes use of this approach to discipline is positive discipline. In essence, positive discipline denotes an objective approach of parents to their children’s behavior, centered around the claim that ‘there are no bad kids, just bad behavior’. Therefore, if a child does something wrong, the solution is not to point out their mistakes and bad behavior, but to show them how they can make things right and set everything straight. Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn, be empathic and respectful, and set boundaries so that the mistakes don’t repeat.

Building healthy eating habits starts at home

Just like introducing discipline takes time, building healthy eating habits isn’t something that happens overnight. Children learn from their surroundings and people they spend the most time with, so it’s up to parents to show what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle and be good role models. Use your actions to send a message – try some healthy recipes, reach for healthy snacks, and ask your kids to give you a hand when preparing a meal. Assign them with simple tasks and let them help somehow even if it’s something as simple as measuring out the ingredients. Also, take them grocery shopping and ask them to give suggestions for a weekly meal plan. This will help them form healthy eating habits in childhood and set them up for success health-wise.

Taking good care of your family’s health is crucial

Aside from introducing healthy eating habits, another way to preserve your family’s health is to make sure you’ve got a good health insurance plan. Having health insurance is a necessity that can help set your mind at ease since you won’t have to worry about medical expenses eating into your savings in case of an emergency. Considering how most of us don’t have much time to do research on our own, it’d be a good idea to use services for health insurance comparison online – these will help you better understand and compare a variety of health plans and choose an insurance option that suits your needs best. With the help of experts, you can switch to a health insurance policy that will help you save money in the long run.

Communication as a way of inclusion

Building good family relationships is crucial for maintaining harmony and balance within a home. Communication is an important component in establishing healthy relations between family members, and it’s one of the ways to make everyone feel included. Take some time in a day when you’ll all just sit down, listen to each other, and express your opinions and feelings without being judgmental. Be open-minded, and employ positive communication to let everyone know that they’re valued and understood. Remember to give them your full attention, and avoid using a smartphone during the conversation as it can be distracting. Be open to your family members expressing any emotion, be it anger, sadness, joy, or worry. Finally, don’t forget to praise and encourage them by expressing love and appreciation.

Spending time together – quality vs quantity

Spending time with your family members should be about finding ways to make the most of the moments you share without focusing too much on quantity. Instead, emphasis should be placed on the quality and how you spend your time together. It doesn’t have to be at home – it can be something as simple as taking a trip to the store, going for a walk, or enjoying a delicious family meal in a nearby restaurant. Even a car ride or dinner at home can be a great opportunity to ask your family members about their day and catch up. Find some activities you can incorporate into your weekly routine and use this time to have fun together and strengthen your family bonds.

The importance of teamwork

While family time is important for building relationships, introducing activities that encourage teamwork is a great way to improve the way your household functions. Keeping the house clean and tidy shouldn’t be one person’s job. Instead, household chores can and should be divided among family members. Even the children can help – just make sure you assign them with age-appropriate tasks. You can also consider giving them an allowance to motivate them to do even better. By assigning everyone with chores, you’ll encourage teamwork and make every family member feel like they’re contributing to the household.

Working on marriage to help parents stay connected

Even though being a parent can be exhausting, you and your spouse need to find a way to stay connected when you’re away from the everyday, mundane activities. Think of the ways you can spend some quality time with your partner, and try to fit that into your schedule, no matter how packed it may be. Surprise your husband with a romantic date night, and slip into something that makes you feel attractive. New moms, be sure to update your wardrobe with essentials that make you feel good so you look polished and put-together every day – you’ll feel much more desirable and confident. Use ordinary moments when you’re relaxing to show your affection and remember to give him compliments from time to time. Select one day of the week when you’ll have time just for the two of you, and plan out some fun activities to simply enjoy each other’s company and reconnect.

Although it can be stressful and hectic sometimes, nothing can replace the joys of living a family life. These tips will help you build a happier, stronger family and maintain a healthy, positive atmosphere in your family home.

About the Author

Mia Taylor is 33 year old blogger who writes about beauty, fashion and travel. She had always been passionate about fashion and over time she had developed a style of her own. Mia loves to mix and match and get inspire girls with her advice about outfit and accessories. She loves telling a story about her travels, providing beauty tips with readers.

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4 Awesome Ways Life is Becoming More Family Friendly

by Jennifer Landis November 14, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

You’re more than a professional — you’re a parent, too. The working world wouldn’t have been so kind to you in the past, as businesses kept themselves completely separate from your familial responsibilities. Now, though, parents can breathe a sigh of relief as more and more companies implement family-friendly policies. Their programs can help you be both a better employee and a better parent — a win-win for everyone involved.

Here are four remarkable ways your professional life could become more family-friendly.

1. Non-Traditional Work Schedule — or Location

Not everyone aspires to work 40 hours a week, and employers are starting to realize that. Instead, they’re offering their staff the opportunity to work on a handful of different trajectories. Some have staffers working the traditional nine-to-five schedule, while others put in reduced or part-time hours. This swap gives parents more family time than they would have had during the workweek.

Nowadays, both parents have been able to spend more time with their children than in the past. Nevertheless, a few extra hours to play together, prep meals and shop uninterrupted would all benefit working parents.

Companies have helped the moms and dads on their payroll by offering more remote working opportunities. A day at home can hugely benefit a working parent — imagine being able to get through all of your laundry while you worked.

You could reconfigure your schedule around doctors’ appointments, after-school activities or school pick-up. You can even work when you have a little one who’s at home sick for the day. Lots of bosses will also allow their staffers to work from home to deal with family issues that pop up, which is supremely helpful to professional parents.

2. On-Site Pump Rooms and Daycare

Even if you can’t work at home or on your own schedule, your company can make the office more conducive to your family life. For one thing, employers can and should provide nursing moms with a place to pump. Such a resource will allow new mothers to work comfortably all day long.

Some businesses have taken such a resource one step further by outfitting their offices with an on-site daycare. They then provide childcare services for free or at a discount for their employees. Of course, not every business has room to build a daycare on-site. In this case, you might also consider asking for partial or full reimbursement for the childcare you need while you’re at work. Plenty of businesses have stepped up to defray the costs of such necessary services.

3. Family-Friendly Parties

Once upon a time, it seemed that every work party took place at Happy Hour. Now, though, more companies include their staffers’ children in the celebration. Work parties and picnics now come with a slew of activities for little ones, as well.

For instance, a company might buy a block of seats at a baseball game for its employees and their families. When kids arrive, they’ll have more than just the game to entertain them — some stadiums now include playground spaces where children can let off steam. And these areas have plenty of kid-friendly fare for sale, too.

Planning a family-friendly day for your business can take even less planning. Even a barbecue in the park will do the trick, so long as a playset or space for the kids to run around is available.

In a similar vein, many companies allow their employees to throw parties for each other on the premises. Perhaps someone’s expecting a child — an in-house baby shower would be a sweet gesture from colleagues. Plus, the company can chip in for a small gift as a token of appreciation and respect for this huge life step.

4. Cross-Training and Career Planning

What happens when a working parent has a sick kid at home? If they stay home, the team might be left without someone to pick up the slack. It’s not the parent’s fault, of course, but such a setup leaves everyone in the lurch.

Of course, you want to keep in your coworkers’ good graces by making sure all important projects are completed promptly. So, companies have started cross-training their team so that one member can fill in for another who’s out of the office. This program helps to remove the guilt many parents feel when their kids’ issues keep them home.

Employers have also begun to ask each employee what they envision for their future with the company. These feedback sessions are essential, as they help hone a person’s potential and direct their career path.

A conversation with a working parent might reveal they want to take on different workplace responsibilities to balance out a busy home life, for example. The only way you can accommodate these needs is to ask. So, implement such a system or request one with your manager. In the end, an honest discussion and an altered list of responsibilities will better serve both the company and the employee.

A Better Life for Moms and Dads

You should never have to choose between your family and your career. As it turns out, modern businesses believe that, too. The above four changes prove some companies want to make your professional and personal lives work for them and for you. That’s great news for all working moms and dads who love both their job and their kids — you can do it all.

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5 Steps in Planning a Road Trip with the Kids

by LifeAsMama October 28, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Road trips are part of the fabric of American culture. A great, flexible and affordable way to see the country, many people favor long drives over air travel to get around. Of course, whilst road trips are fun and exciting some of the time, spending long hours and days cooped up in a car on the road can have its challenges. When you add the kids into the equation those challenges can amplify. However, with a little preparation and some ‘off-road’ thinking, you can anticipate and negate the problems commonly faced when you take your family on the road and maximize the fun.

Packing and Preparation

Being well prepared is key for any long journey. Gone are the days where you and your partner could just throw a bag in the trunk, jump in the car and GO. With the kids in tow, a much greater degree of preparation is necessary. As you aren’t limited by airline luggage restrictions, packing doesn’t need to be as restrained as you’re used to. Depending on how long you’re going to be on the road you should aim to pack one appropriately sized bag per passenger. That way you can factor in all gear for all types of weather, and various types of footwear to suit any terrain, meaning you can enjoy all the sites and attractions along your way. Make sure you pack at least one or two in-car bags full of snacks, cleaning wipes, extra layers and emergency supplies (more on these later). Also, give your car a good service before you set out.

Choosing Destinations

The key to a successful road trip with children is planning where you will end up each night. It’s important to remember that with kids you need to allow more time for everything – from packing up the car to visiting tourist attractions and stopping for restroom breaks. When choosing your nightly stopovers it may be a good idea to go for places that include breakfast so you can fuel your troops before you start – this will eliminate the need for an early stop and get you on your way more quickly.

And of course, the big question is where you actually want to go – the Coasts are ever-popular choices, packed full of stunning nature, exciting cities and towns and classic destinations. Whether you’re discovering the gems of the East, like Niagra Falls or taking in the splendors of the Sonoma Valley on the West. Choose what you want to see and do, and leave enough time to see and do it – there is no point in rushing through amazing attractions just because you need to keep on schedule. Getting the kids involved in the planning process is a great way for them to feel more involved, and make the days more goal-oriented – much better than being sat in the back seat feeling aimless for hours at a time.

Fun and Games

And talking of long highway journeys, it’s important to remember that children have a much lower boredom threshold than adults. While you may be content to gaze at the passing scenery and listen to the gentle hum of the engine for hours at a time, the little passengers in the back will be getting increasingly restless. Have a selection of car-friendly games and activities planned out. In the mornings the kids are going to have much more energy, so games with lots of interaction are best (‘I spy with my little eye’, or other classic car games are great). In the afternoons the chances are that everyone (except, hopefully, the driver) will be getting a little drowsy, so more relaxed pursuits such as drawing, reading or watching movies on phones or tablets can work well. If you want to add a bit of road trip education into the mix then getting the kids to read the map or the GPS and give directions (probably best to supervise unless you want to end up lost) is a great way to get them involved.

Emergencies

Back to being prepared. Make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit – bandages, plasters, gauze, antiseptic, treatments for poison oak or any of nature’s other miseries are all a must – and travel sickness treatment to alleviate everyone’s suffering. Make sure you take all medications for the whole family and keep them somewhere secure where only the adults can access. Keep track of where you are and make sure you have all the appropriate emergency numbers (the local coastguard if you’re by the sea, or the forest rangers if you’re in the wilderness, for example). As with any adventure – hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Snacks and Meals

It’s almost a tradition to hit the junk food when you’re on a road trip. Outlets seem to be placed every few miles along the way, and it’s quick and easy. However, you don’t really want your kids eating fast food constantly, so planning healthy alternatives to munch on for the trip is essential. Choose fruits that aren’t too sticky and messy, such as apples and pears, and make sure you have a selection of nuts to nibble at. Sandwiches will replace burgers and hotdogs easily enough, and are easier on the wallet as well as the waistline.

The key to a successful road trip is, at the end of the day, enjoyment. However, preparation ahead of time, and the ability to quickly address your little troopers’ needs, whether they be appetite, health, boredom related or anything else will mean less on-the-road stress and more road trip fun. For all of you.

About the Author

Bethany Seton is a real estate agent from Melbourne. For the last two years, she decided to leave her office job and follow her passion for writing and traveling. Currently, she travels with her laptop and writes for various blogs, hoping one day she will gather all the experience she gets in one book.

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Teach Them Right: The Benefits Of Having Pets For Kids

by LifeAsMama October 11, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

All pet owners know how much our furry little friends make our lives better. A pet near us means we will be healthier, happier, stronger, and more open to people and to life. Namely, a dog, a cat, a bird, a hamster, all of these are companions that give us unconditional love.

We all want the best for our children, we want them to grow up strong and healthy, adventurous and stable, curious and imaginative. We strive towards preserving that childlike wonder and innocence in the modern world, while still teaching them how to actually survive in it, how to not be lead astray by their own wonder and curiosity. The article below notes the benefits pets have for our children, both in terms of their physical and their mental health, their responsibility, and their empathy.

There are tangible, biological benefits to health and stress reduction

There are two very important ways a pet improves your child’s health. First of all, it reduces the stress your child feels throughout the day. Remember, just because your kid doesn’t have your obligations doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t have any stress. School, preschool, it can all be difficult for your child. With a pet, they get some comfort. Petting an animal lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

The second way pets help is through lowering said stress hormone. Cortisol messes with our immune systems, it puts a strain on them, making us more susceptible to diseases and just getting sick. Furthermore, being exposed to a dog’s or cat’s germs form a young age means you are building up their immune system from an early age. You are essentially toughening them up through exposure.

Finally, they will just get a lot more exercise since they are going to walk them regularly, as well as playing and roughhousing. Anything that pries them, and you, away from a computer or smartphone screen.

Responsibility and confidence

Many parents get their children a pet as a way to teach them how to be more responsible, surer of themselves. Namely, getting a pet means they have very strong, important motivation to actually learn how to be responsible. You can bury them in chores, bribe them, threaten them with curfews and lower their pocket money, but you can get much better, more organic results with a pet.

Namely, a pet is a living, breathing thing they love and care about. There is no better way to motivate them to learn how to be responsible then to care about their favorite member of their family.

On a practical level, this means they will get up at the same time every day (or most days) to walk the dog, or to feed the cat. They will clean up after their pets, taking care of bird cages, litter boxes, and hamster wheels. You can even send them to the pets store if they’re old enough.

On your part, you need to teach them properly, instead of them getting the animal, or themselves, into trouble. Talk to your veterinarian, and give very clear instructions when it comes to diet. Read articles from good websites, like, Totally Goldens, or maybe pick up a magazine recommended by your vet. Your child will most likely want to feed your pets as much as possible, just because they see that they like it. You have to explain to them why this doesn’t work. Or, they may not understand why walking your dog is so important, or why you can’t feed xyz to your pet.

Help children develop empathy

A pet gives unconditional love – they do not judge, they don’t care who you are, where you come from, who your parents are – a pet will love you and your child unconditionally. They give comfort, support, they listen intently… You, your kids, your family are the number one thing in their lives. They are the best, most loyal friends anyone can hope for.

This showing of unconditional love can teach your children how to be loving back, they help them build empathy. Furthermore, caring for a dog or a cat or whatever pet you have teaches them to be empathic, to put the needs of someone, or something, else in front of their own needs.

They also get the opportunity to practice their verbal skills even when they are not in the company of other people. Young children will get to talk a lot more, they will communicate to their pets, explain things to them, in general, keep their minds occupied.

Conclusion

A pet can do wonders for your children’s development. It teaches them what unconditional love is, what it looks like. You can also help your kids develop empathy, as well as work towards improving their verbal skills and communicative skills. They will become more confident and responsible by taking care of the pets, and they will also be healthier due to lower stress and regular exposure to their furry best friends.

About the Author

Kimberly Anderson is a simple girl that has a weak spot for dogs, cappuccino and sleep. She’s also a writer and everlasting enthusiast who believes that there is nothing better starting your day with a hot cup of coffee.

Baby Family Marriage Motherhood

Newborn Babies and Marriage: How To Keep Your Relationship Alive During Those First Few Months

by LifeAsMama October 9, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Having a child is, undeniably, one of life’s greatest joys, but when you have a newborn your priorities will instantly change. Learning to parent alongside your partner takes up a large bulk of your time as a couple, alongside the usual household chores, early mornings and day to day jobs, many couples often find that they spend less and less time as they once were, which can be hard to adjust to.

Adjusting to these new demands as parents and finding time to nurture your marriage or relationship is important for your mental and emotional wellbeing – you’ll likely find that you need one another’s support now more than ever! There are some simple things you can do which will keep your relationship thriving during those first few months of adjustment and keep you both, and your new bundle, happy.

Make A Date

Before your baby was born, you probably thought your schedule was busy enough. Now, it probably feels overwhelming, what with working, cleaning, feeding and caring for your new baby. Inevitably, your time together spent as a couple is likely to have been sacrificed. By arranging a date where you will both spend time together means that you will likely make this into a habit and this comes with great benefits for you, your partner and baby.

Your dates might start as a coffee or glass of wine in the kitchen after you’ve put the baby to bed, talking about your day, but when you feel ready to leave your newborn for a few hours, this could turn into a movie or dinner date. If you don’t quite feel ready to leave your baby yet – and this is fine – then why not take turns cooking for one another during the week? Spending time together and alone should be a priority and made into a regular occurrence, no matter what you decide to do.

Show Your Affection and Appreciation

Think back to when you first began dating. You likely called your partner just to say “hello” or ask how their day was and this doesn’t need to stop just because you’ve had a baby! Whether you leave a note for them in their pocket before they head out for work, make them a cup of coffee in the mornings or just buy them their favourite treat after a long day – it doesn’t need to be a huge romantic gesture, just something which shows them that you’re thinking of them, it could even be taking their diamond jewellery engagement ring or your wedding rings to get polished!

Make Time To Switch From Mom and Dad to Wife and Husband

Just because you have a newborn doesn’t mean that you’re now known as Mom and Dad. It is important to be firm with your parenting routines so that you get time to make that transition after a long or tiring day. Once you’ve put your baby to bed (hopefully for the night!), it’s time to switch back to you. Whether you decide to take a nice long shower with your favourite products, have an uninterrupted hot drink or just sit and watch your favourite tv show together for 20 minutes, whatever you need to do to make this transition, make time for it. Being parents is a 24/7 job which never ends, but you and your partner will feel better and find it a little easier if you are both happy and find time for yourselves. It’s important to remember that you are both on the same team – there are no winners or losers!

About the Author

Natalie Wilson is a freelance wellness and lifestyle writer. She loves researching and writing about new wellness trends and topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest news. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog or browsing her nearest bookstore. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.

Marriage

Simple Tips To Spice Up Your Marriage

by Guest Contributor October 8, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Every relationship is unique, but what they all have in common is that they require work. As time goes by, you may begin to notice that the passion between you two has cooled down. Sometimes, it’s because we did something that hurt our partner’s feelings or it may be an everyday routine that has to lead you to this place. No matter the reason, if you want to spice up your relationship it’s time for some action. Sure, good communication is essential in every relationship, but sometimes, simple words just aren’t enough. They say that actions speak louder than words so let us guide you through some small things you can do to warm up a cold relationship.

Don’t make assumptions.

This sounds easy, but the reality is that sometimes it’s really hard to resist the whirlwind of bad thoughts when we notice that our partner behaves differently. Mastering the ability to control your thoughts is a wonderful virtue both in and out of a relationship. If your partner has just come home in a really bad mood, don’t snap at them or take an interrogative approach. This will only make things worse. They will feel the need to defend themselves and instead of having a calm and reasonable conversation, you’ll probably end up fighting. Instead, tell them that you noticed the way they feel and ask if everything is ok. This approach will open the door to communication and in most cases, the truth will be a far cry from the assumptions you made.

Sweeten up your relationship.

Chocolate is without a doubt on the top of the list when it comes to ways of showing affection. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day, a birthday party, or a simple way to show some love to the people you care about, it’s been a part of different kinds of celebrations since forever. If you’re looking for a way to spice up your long-term relationship, go for some delicious chocolate goodies. Most people would agree that they love chocolate because it tastes good. On the plus side, it makes you feel good too. That’s because cocoa contains Phenylethylamine and serotonin, both responsible for lighting up pleasure areas in the brain. This is why it’s probably the sweetest aphrodisiac in the world. There’s a great variety of options to explore. White or dark, boxes or chocolate fountains, plain or flavoured, chocolate is an easy and tasty way to warm up your relationship.

Flowers are always a good idea.

Speaking of presents, the options are endless. Although you can surprise your loved one with a new gadget or a trip to a spa centre, some gifts are classics. Flowers will always be in style. A gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers is an effective way to express your emotions. This is especially a common gift in countries like Australia where the warm and sunny climate provides endless types of lovely fresh flowers perfect for any occasion. If you don’t have a flower shop nearby, do your research and explore the amazing choice of gorgeous flowers in Sydney has to offer. Flowers have a great deal of symbolism so take your time to get clued up about it. If you want to send the right message, make sure to pick the right types and colours of flowers together with an appropriate message attached to the bouquet. Many shops offer the possibility to order your bouquet online and they will deliver it to your home. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

Make a collage of your old memories.

Sometimes, in the craziness of everyday stresses and hectic schedules, we tend to forget all those wonderful times we spend with our partner. Therefore, if you want to warm up your relationship, one of the easy ways is to evoke those sleepy feelings. Collect all your pictures and memorabilia. Get yourself a nice board or even better – make one. You can find all the necessary materials in the local craft store. Be creative when it comes to the shape of the board and its decoration. Aside from the pictures which are touching enough, add some game or theatre tickets and other little things that will remind that person of all the happy moments you spent together. As a final touch, don’t forget to write something thoughtful about it. This is the sign of affection that will melt almost anybody’s heart.

Exercise together.

Finding a new and fun activity that you share is an easy yet useful way to bring you closer. Exercising has numerous benefits on its own, but doing it together with your partner will make things even more interesting. Exercising regularly will not only give you leaner muscles but it will put you in a better mood, too. Speaking of a better mood, your libido will get higher. Working out speeds up your heart rate and increases your blood flow, especially in the pelvic region. What’s more, it releases endorphins or so-called “happiness” hormones. Working out also efficiently battles stress, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest sex-drive killers out there. Hitting the gym together as a couple will introduce a new activity into your daily routine plus it will spice up things in the bedroom as well.

Give each other some space.

This may sound contradictory, but give it some thought. Spending time apart is as equally important as spending time together. Even though your partner’s friends adore you (and vice versa), both of you need to spend some time alone with your friends. Don’t make each other feel guilty about doing this and don’t check on each other every five minutes. Giving each other space will only bring you closer. Having separate social lives and being respectful of that will strengthen your relationship.

Final thoughts

Being in a relationship means that you need to shake things up a bit from time to time. It will keep the fires of passion lingering, which is very important. It will also improve communication and warm up the relationship that has turned cold. Sometimes it may seem like a challenging task, but with the right tips, you’ll soon bring back those sleeping butterflies.

About the Author

Stella Ryne is an art historian, traveller, conscious consumer and a proud mother. When she is not trying to improve the things around her (and herself, for that matter), she likes to lose herself in a good book. Stay in touch with Stella via Twitter and Facebook.

Baby Family Fun Health Home Kids Little Kid Motherhood Pre-Teen Teenager Toddler

Best Backyard Add-ons for Your Kids

by LifeAsMama October 4, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

For a family with kids, younger or older, no backyard can truly feel like part of home unless it is adjusted to children’s needs and interests. If you want your child to fall in love with the outdoors and the endless variety of activities it offers, start by transforming your yard into a children’s fantasy world. Though the options are many, we can elaborate on a few favorites that certainly won’t let you down.

1 – Outdoor chalkboards and easels

Have you noticed that your child enjoys the magic that a paintbrush or a simple colored pencil can create? Don’t hesitate to get a couple of chalkboards for your yard so your son or daughter can continue to nurture their talent. Outdoor chalkboards (or canvas on an easel) are a highly convenient solution for parents who wish to keep their children entertained while also avoiding having a big mess inside the house. If you want to do something even more interesting, you can turn part of the fencing into a big chalkboard wall.

2 – Yard sandbox

If you think back to your own childhood, you are more than likely to reminisce of your own little sand haven you loved to play in. Not only do sandboxes help develop an outdoorsy spirit in kids, but they also have multiple other benefits. Set one in your own backyard and your children will get a chance to further learn and improve their social, motor, and practical skills, grow genuine curiosity and eagerness to explore their environment through direct physical contact, and also stimulate and enrich their own imagination. These add-ons are physically beneficial as well, as they help kids strengthen different groups of muscles, especially those in the arms and hands.

3 – Child-friendly swimming pool

Okay, this one probably should be the first item here—undoubtedly, almost every child wants to have a pool at home. Funwise and healthwise, it goes without saying that swimming pools are an absolutely fantastic add-on for a backyard. They are an endless source of entertainment, not only for children, but for adults, too.

It needs to be emphasized, though, that they do require a higher level of supervision and caution on behalf of parents, so children should not be left alone during their fun time in the water. Preferably, for extra safety, you could also add a fence around the swimming pool to prevent children from accidentally falling in if they do spend part of their time in the backyard unsupervised. Whenever we are talking safety measures, the best thing is to consult specialists and professionals. Exterior are a really wise choice if you want the perfect combination of adventure and safety in your children’s swimming pool.

4 – Swings

Swings sound like a great option for backyards with limited space and if you prefer to keep your child engaged in a single activity for a longer period of time. Even in a smaller area where there isn’t much room for running or playing sports, a nice swing can give your child a sense of freedom, movement, and spaciousness thanks to its dynamic nature. Even on a cold and rainy day, your little one will probably ask to go and play on the swing rather than stay indoors.

5 – Hammocks and silly spinners

If you have bigger trees in your backyard, you could also consider getting a sturdy hammock and/or a silly spinner. They are both excellent alternatives for standard swings, not to mention that they are just as much fun. If you are in a creative mood, you also have the option of making a silly spinner yourself instead of buying one. What is more, you can ask your child to contribute to the process of making the spinner, for example to paint it. This will only make your son or daughter enjoy it even more since they will know they helped bring this creation into existence.

6 – Slides

Slides are also a truly convenient add-on, being that both younger and older children find them a lot of fun. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and are made from different materials, so it is easy to find a slide which will be suitable to your child’s age and physical characteristics.

7 – Climbing tires

If you have some old tires lying about in the garage, here’s a great way to recycle them. Turn these eyesores into an attraction by transforming them into climbing tires. What makes them such an excellent addition to your backyard is that little kids in particular seem to find them irresistible when learning to walk and establish balance, while also strengthening their muscles at the same time. Climbing tires are budget-friendly and even more fun when painted in bright colors kids will easily fall in love with!

In conclusion…

For any parent who wants to inspire in their child an affinity and respect towards the great outdoors, smartly chosen backyard add-ons are the right call. Allow your little one to explore and grasp the world through a thought-provoking, inspiring, exciting corner of their own home where they will feel safe and taken care of.

About the Author

Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.

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