Author: Rebecca Alston

5 Ways to Reconnect with Your Partner after Giving Birth

Parents already know that bringing a child into this world comes from an entire universe of intimacy, closeness, and love. Yet, when the baby is born, the focus can shift entirely to this new little earthling in your home, and you might feel that your bond with your partner is getting strangely neglected, despite being strengthened by your new family member. It might sound like a paradox, but sometimes the very experience that brings you closer can tear your relationship apart, precisely because your bond consists of so much more than expanding your family. 

Your relationship is based on so many other commonalities, shared experiences, and of course, intimacy, hence the need to reignite that flame and invest time and effort to reconnect with your spouse now that you’ve become parents. Here are a few suggestions that can help you grow your bond even stronger.

Find a shared activity

Restoring your health, energy, and endurance starts with your nutrition and exercise. However, instead of treating it as yet another chore, you can shift your perspective and look at your workout routine as another opportunity to bond with your partner. 

In fact, couples exercising on a regular basis can use this time to boost each other’s confidence, provide moral support, and help each other get strong and healthy. At the same time, this simple practice can bring you closer together and improve your quality of life.

Work on your intimacy

Post-partum depression, body issues after giving birth, complications, and a slew of other issues are so common among new moms that it’s not so strange that many new parents find it difficult to enjoy their love-making in the first months of parenthood. It can be difficult to regain your confidence, but you’re not alone. Why not talk to your partner, share your desires and fears, and explore your options together?

Perhaps if you browse through a fun adult shop and find creative ways to explore your intimacy, you can rediscover your sensuality and your connection to your partner. Sometimes a flattering piece of lingerie can remind you of your own physicality and slowly restore your confidence. Dedicating time to your intimacy can be a powerful way to strengthen your bond and your confidence, too. 

Make time for dating

Yes, we know that you’ll feel tempted to spend your free time wrapped in a blanket, asleep, whenever a grandparent volunteers to take care of the little sleepless rascal but consider other options, too. For instance, you can set aside a monthly date for you and your partner to go out for a romantic dinner, enjoy a picnic in the park, go for an afternoon of walking in nature, or anything you love doing. 

Dating in marriage is not just advisable, it’s necessary for your romance to continue evolving as you accept new roles in life, including the one of being a parent. 

Talk to a professional

Too many couples believe that counseling is their last resort, whereas in fact, they should treat it as a valid option when they notice they have issues in communication. To prevent neglecting your marriage, communication problems, and to prevent the loss of intimacy, you can talk to a professional marriage counselor and face your issues head-on. 

Work on your shared responsibilities

Conflict is natural, especially when there’s a misunderstanding and you’re too tired and impatient, which happens to us all – because, let’s face it, we’re all human. When you have this new life to take care of in addition to your own, the responsibilities are constantly piling up, and if you find yourself struggling, it’s natural to feel tense and exhausted. 

That’s precisely why you need to work through this period with your partner so that you can share your responsibilities and all the little daily tasks, find the time to rest, and you’ll feel appreciated, loved, and cared for. When you can manage that, you can reduce conflict, and you can find more energy to bond and be emotionally generous to one another.

Now that you’re parents, the stakes are all the higher for you to work on your family, on your bond, and to find time in this learning curve to connect with one another. It means relying on your support system, asking for help, sharing your insecurities and fears, and finding patience within you to recognize opportunities instead of looking for excuses to postpone your time together. Use these tips to bond, and you’ll enjoy your partnership and parenthood all the more for it.

How to Unclog Your Drains Without Dangerous Chemicals

Sometimes it happens that our drains get clogged. The water drains slowly and it can sometimes have a bad smell. It leaves us with a number of problems like not being able to use the sinks, bath or toilet. This situation usually sends us running for a bottle of chemicals for unclogging the drain. It is one of the most common methods for cleaning the drains. But, it’s also one of the very dangerous ways of resolving this problem. These chemicals are caustic, meaning they can damage your skin and eyes, and they can damage certain types of pipes. But, there are many ways with which you can unclog the drains naturally, without using dangerous chemicals. Read on to find out what they are.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

These are the two simple ingredients you probably already have in your home, and that don’t cost much. They create a chemical reaction because the soda is the base and vinegar is an acid. When you mix them together, a chemical reaction happens that will bubble and eat through the clogs. To unclog the drain using this method pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain and ½ cup of vinegar after that. Plug the drain and leave it in for an hour. After the hour, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Continue pouring water until the drain is unclogged.

Dish Soap and Hot Water

If you know your drain is clogged by grease, a good method is to use your regular dish soap and hot water to unclog it. To use this method, pour a good amount of dish soap down the drain. After this slowly pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. This should break up any grease clogs in your drain. This method should be done once a week to prevent clogs.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Another method of unclogging your drains with ingredients you already have in your home is using hydrogen peroxide. It’s good for disinfecting and can be great for unclogging your drains. Mix a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Let it foam and it should break up any clog in your drain.

Baking Soda and Salt

Another mixture for unclogging your drains that involves baking soda is adding salt to the mixture. Mix about half a cup of soda and half a cup of salt and pour it down the drain. It would be best to leave it overnight, or at least an hour. When the proper amount of time has passed, pour down a boiling pot of water and your drain should be cleared out.

Professional Help

If you have tried everything and your drain is still clogged, consider hiring professional plumbers that can solve your problem. Hiring plumbers that have all the right tools and don’t use harsh chemicals for unclogging blocked drains can be a lifesaver. They can solve your problem very quickly and efficiently. Not every clog is possible for a do-it-yourself unclogging, so save yourself the hassle and frustration. Another reason for hiring professionals is that having clogged drains increases the possibility for your pipes bursting and adding to the problem and whole cost of the operation.

Wire hanger

If the clog is persistent, it may be better to use a physical approach to the problem. Everyone has a wire hanger in their home, and it can be the perfect tool for unclogging the drains in your home. Take the wire hanger and straighten it as much as you can and then bend one ned to create a hook. Remove the drain cover and start fishing around. The hook of the hanger will catch hair and any big stuff that is clogging your drain. Try not to push the gunk further in. Have a bag to discard everything you pull out. When you are finished, run hot water and everything should be working nicely after.

Plunger

Plungers are one of the tools for unclogging drains and toilets that first come to mind. They are fairly simple to use, and you can do this very quickly. There are two types of plungers, one for the toilet and one for sinks. The toilet one is bigger and usually has a black cup. The plungers with shallow cups are for sinks and tubs. In order to use the plunger and for it to work, there should be water covering the drain. Place the plunger over the drain and push until it makes a vacuum seal over the drain. Grasp the handle and pump the plunger up and down quickly a couple of times. Pull it out and see if the drain has opened. If it’s necessary, repeat the process until the drain is opened.

If you have successfully unclogged your drains, there are steps you can take to prevent them from getting clogged up again. Swap out your normal sink stopper for a one that prevents any unwanted materials from going down the drain. Clean your drains regularly with baking soda and hot water. If you follow this advice, you won’t have any drain problems for a long time.

DIY: 6 Woodworking Tips & Tricks

Woodworking is one beautiful and incredibly engaging craft. Don’t believe us? Great pastime activities are the ones that provide you with good exercise and allow you to create something beautiful. Woodworking offers both these perks in abundance. If anything, mastering basic woodworking skills can help you keep your household in check without having to call the contractors for every menial chore.

Now, we know what you might be thinking – isn’t woodworking something that is primarily a boys’ game? We say, no – not at all. With enough hard work and a couple of tricks up their sleeve, everyone can achieve Ron Swanson-level of woodworking awesomeness. Well, we can’t help you with hard work, but here are a couple of useful tips and tricks that should put you in the right direction. 

Get your tools in order

Woodworking is an activity that heavily relies on various hand and power tools. If you want to ever make progress in this craft, you have to be sure your toolbox is not missing out on something important. So, let us take a look at some of the essential woodworking tools you absolutely need to own.

  • Level
  • Drill
  • Miter saw
  • Kreg jig
  • Sander
  • Clamps
  • Hammer
  • Chisels
  • Layout square
  • Screwdrivers
  • Sliding bevel

Avoid drywall screws at all costs

One would say that all the screws are pretty much the same. So, if you have a couple of drywall screws lying around, why wouldn’t you simply use them for your next woodworking project? Well, there is a difference. Namely, drywall screws are threaded full length. This means that while you are screwing two pieces of wood together the thread will grip the top part as well and that can force two pieces apart. Also, the hardened steel shafts of drywall screws tend to break during installation. So, definitely more damage than good.

Master the art of biscuit joints

Joints are keeping the pieces of wood together and provide your works with structural integrity. If you fail to learn to make good joints, everything you create will fall apart sooner than later. So, take some time to find out more about biscuit joints and do your best to master this technique. If you think you are out of your league, you can get yourself a biscuit joiner and start with easier projects like T-joints. When you cover these basics, you can move on to face frames and miter joints.

Know the moisture content of your wood pieces

If you ask any experienced woodworker what is the most common problem the craftsmen of this branch are having when working with wooden slabs, you’ll get one straight answer – moisture level. If, for instance, the pieces are too dry, the final product will easily crack. If too moist, the wooden pieces may shrink or warp as time goes by. So, be sure to thoroughly inspect all of the pieces before you start any work on them. One of the easiest ways to measure the wood moisture content is by using the professional Wagner moisture meters.

Understand different lumber species

The quality of your work will largely depend on the quality of the pieces you are going to use. Keeping that in mind, it is very important to be aware that, over your woodworking career, you are going to use a lot of different species ranging from cherry to mahogany, all of which present a unique set of perks and challenges. Take some time to learn all of their nuances. In the meantime, you can base your projects on pinewood which is reasonably durable, very affordable, easy to work with, and overall presents a great choice for beginners.

Find an easy way to check for right angles

In woodworking, squares are probably the only thing you are going to meet more often than joints. We know what you might be thinking now – tools like try square are pretty adept at checking if certain angles are right. To be quite honest, they are. But, what are you going to do when the pieces are simply too big for this neat piece of equipment? It’s simple, just remember the good old Pythagorean Theorem that says that a2 + b2 = c2. If the diagonal between the opposing corners lines up to this equation, the angle between two pieces has to be 90 degrees.

So there you go – six tips that will make your woodworking sessions easier, streamlined, faster and overall more fun. Woodworking is probably one of the most gratifying things you can do in your spare time. It also makes running a household so much easier. Why wouldn’t you push your skills on a new level and go one step further? Who knows, maybe this fun hobby one day even becomes your full-time job? There’s only one way to find out.

Keep Your Kids Healthy This Spring Season

With many bright and sunny days, spring is the perfect season for outdoor games and exploration. However, along with the days of extra fun for your kids, comes the higher risk of injuries, accidents, or diseases.

Here are a few essential tips on how to minimize those risks, and keep your kids healthy this spring season.

Use Sunscreen

Since your kids will be spending a lot of time outdoors, exposed to sun rays, you must take adequate measures of precaution.

The skin grows thicker as we age – the skin of the face, limbs, and trunk in kids aged two to 13 is significantly thinner than in adults and much more sensitive.

A study found that UV exposure during the first 18 years of our lives is the most critical when it comes to premature aging, skin damage, and skin cancer.

To minimize the risks of getting sunburns now, and severe skin damage later, your kids should be protected from UVA and UVB rays even during the cloudy days.

Make sure they have their sunscreen on 15 to 30 minutes before going out. If your kids will stay longer outside, ensure they/you reapply it often.

Using protective hats and clothing during outdoor activities is also advised.

Watch Out for Allergies

When the springtime comes, everything blooms, including our allergies. Kids can have as severe allergies as adults and can develop them anytime.

The most common symptoms of allergies include itchy eyes, ears and throat, heavy breathing, repetitive sneezing, and a runny nose.

There are many ways to keep your kids healthy during allergy season. If they already have a history of allergic rhinitis, they must start taking their medications early, at the end of March, before their symptoms begin to develop.

However, if besides these symptoms, your kid has a fever too, it’s more likely they are affected by the virus than a seasonal allergy. To make your kids’ immune system stronger, as well as ready to fight flu and infections, consider natural children’s supplements so that you’re sure they have all essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed.

Beware of Ticks and Insect Bites

Ticks are another risk related to the spring season and spending more time outdoors. They begin to hatch as soon as the ground defrosts, and since they carry and transmit Lyme disease, their bites can be extremely dangerous to kids.

However, to transmit Lyme disease, a tick needs to be attached to the skin for more than 36 hours. To reduce the risk of developing the disease, check your children for ticks before they go to bed. Pay special attention to skin folds and the scalp, as ticks love dark and warm places.

If you find the tick attached to your kids’ skin, have it properly removed.

Bites and stings of other insects, such as spiders, bees, and wasps can be harmful too and require a medical action. Teach your kids to let you or other adults know if they’ve been stung by an insect immediately.

If there are any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, nausea, dizziness, or a tight feeling in the throat, seek medical help right away.

It’s also essential to remove the stinger from the skin as quickly as possible and wash the area with soap and water.

Also, teach your kids how to minimize the risk of getting bitten or stung when they’re outdoors.

Develop Healthy Habits

You should make it your goal to use this spring season wisely, and bring more healthy habits into the life of your kids, and your whole family.

Your kids will best learn by your example, so consider focusing more on:

  • Healthy food. Spring is a perfect season to enrich your meals with fruits, veggies, and grain. Try to be more creative and include them in your cuisine the fun way, and teach your kids to like them. The health of your kids and their development largely depends on their nutrition, so try to cut down on the processed food.
  • Your kids need to take enough water whole year-round, but it’s harder to stay adequately hydrated during spring and summer. Teach your kids to always have their water bottles with them. Also, remind them to replenish themselves often.
  • Active lifestyle. Use the happy spring days to walk with your kids around the park, go jogging, hiking, or cycling. If they see how much you value physical activity, they’ll think highly of it too, so they’ll find it reasonable to engage in sports and lead a healthier lifestyle later on. However, to minimize the risks of getting injured, make sure your kids always have the proper gear.

Washing Up

Kids will be kids, and when they’re back home from the outside, they’ll be dirty.

However, while it’s almost impossible to change this fact, you can do a lot for their health by enforcing a good washing-up policy.

Teach your kids to wash their hands when they’re back from the outside, as well as not to consume food, touch their face, nose, or mouth with dirty hands.

By using the tips above, your kids will be protected this spring. However, if they acquire healthy habits, they will be in good health for many years to come.

Kevin has gone through an extensive home renovation with his son, which he has both

thoroughly enjoyed, and dreaded every morning. He is now the proud owner of half his dream house (the other half has been waiting for spring). You can read more of Kevin’s work on PlainHelp.

When Should You Consult A Top ENT Clinic In Singapore For Ear Nose Throat Disorder Treatment?

Most people suffer from ear, nose, and throat problems once or twice in their lifetime! Otolaryngology is the medical term and process that manages to treat conditions and disorders in the ENT region. It looks into other allied concerns in your neck and head as well. Both children and adults should consult an ENT expert when they face an ear, nose, and throat disorder due to cold, season change, bacterial growth, and other reasons.

 

Things ENT specialists do

Apart from graduating from a leading medical school, a certified and experienced ENT observes and treats ENT issues. They provide both medical and surgical solutions depending on the ailment and patient condition. To know more about this, you can check out ENT Clinic Singapore – earnosethroat.com.sg.

When should you opt-in for an ENT specialist appointment?

People usually brush off any minor ENT issues as something benign. A few conditions, like sneezes and ear wax issues, can get cured on this own. However, it is essential to visit an ENT if things go out of hand. The following pointers are helpful:

1. The ear conditions

Patients might have to check with an ENT doctor if they face an ear disorder. It could be in the form of ear infections, hearing loss, acute ear pain, tinnitus, disruption of inner ear balance, and the like. Sometimes, an expert ENT specialist also treats the ear issues that an individual has since birth.

2. The nose conditions

ENT specialists are known to treat issues like sinusitis and issues in the nasal cavity. These issues can also impact breathing, smell, as well as the patient’s physical appearance.

3. The throat conditions

ENT specialist treats and heals throat issues, which tend to affect a person’s speech, swallowing capacity, and singing ability as well. The ENT specialists also get trained to treat issues related to trauma, deformities, tumors, and other issues related to the face, neck, and head. The ENT specialists are equipped to perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries as well. These specialists have the required training in any following sub-specialty areas, listed below:

• Allergy
• Audiology/neurotology/otology
• Pediatric otolaryngology
• Neck and head surgery
• Reconstructive and facial surgery
• Rhinology which deals with treating problems related to the sinus cavity and nose.
• Laryngology specializes in treating issues related to swallowing and voice.

Choosing the correct ENT clinic or specialist

It is necessary to research and select the best ENT clinic or specialist. Else, you might not be receiving the best treatment. The following pointers can help:

• Make sure that your ENT specialist suggests the medical tests to detect the issue with your ear, nose, and throat.
• Check the history of the ENT specialist online. You can read the patient review and feedback, which will help you to make an informed decision.
• Always take a second opinion before you say yes to the treatment or surgery.

The ear, nose, and throat are delicate areas that need careful assessment and treatment. Hence, it would be best if you took the time to choose the best ENT specialist who can provide the best treatment, after correctly assessing the patient’s condition so that he/she can heal fast.  

5 Ways to Stay Sane As A New Mom

Having a baby is the most stressful, difficult task any human can undertake. After delivery, all the added expenses, time drain, emotional ups and downs, and general anxiety of parenthood can drive you crazy as a new mom.

Still, there is a lot you can do to keep your sanity during these stressful times.

Here are 5 tips to help get you started:

It Takes A Community

You’ve done enough. I mean seriously, you made the baby it’s time to call in the team to help raise the thing.

You can’t do it all. Getting your significant other and family involved is step one to staying sane as a new mom.  After all, they always say: ‘it takes a community’.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help as a new mom, whether that’s from your significant other, family, friends, or even online with organizations like The Mommies Network.

The Mommies Network is a nationwide organization that helps moms connect, establish a community and help each other out. The Mommies Network isn’t the only organization out there to help new moms either. There are dozens of organizations in the U.S that can help with everything from clean diapers to food and even education.

Babygaga.com has a great list of resources to help get you started if you’re feeling your sanity slipping as a new mom.

Maintain (at least some of) Your Diet and Exercise Routine

Maintaining your diet and exercise routine from pre-baby times is going to be nearly impossible as a new mom. Still, any effort you put towards exercise, upper cervical care, and diet will surely be rewarded.

Of course, this can be easier said than done given your ‘new mom’ time constraints. There will be times where you just don’t have time to feed yourself properly, what’s important is doing the best you can and not getting too stressed about what you can’t control.

Now is not the time for rigid diets, insane exercise routines, or focusing on your weight. Instead focus on eating quality foods, doing a little very moderate exercise and just getting healthy. You should also consider making premade meals, and avoiding constantly eating out—it’s bad for the wallet and the stomach.

Also, remember, your body has been through a lot, the last thing you should be doing is focusing on your figure. So don’t be afraid of Doctors’ increased calorie recommendations.

That’s right, Doctors recommend that women eat 500 calories more than their pre-pregnancy average after giving birth.  Take advantage of this while you can!

Don’t Forget To Take Some ‘Me’ Time

After you have a baby, the whole world begins to revolve around the newly acquired love of your life. It has to. Still, don’t forget to take some ‘me’ time. Leave the little guy with your family or something and go do something you love.

Or even better just sleep, watch tv, or take a shower. Really anything but working or raising children is fair game here.

Yes, you’re a mom now, but you’re also still you, don’t stop doing what you love, or you’ll lose your sanity and become resentful before you even realize it.

Go To A Class With Your Baby

Ok, so you can’t take your baby to a boxing class, and maybe they aren’t ready for SoulCycle, still, there are a number of classes you can take with your baby to help get you out of the house.

Baby & Me yoga workshops are some of the most popular classes for moms and newborns. They are also a great way to meet other new parents. I mean, who else would be willing to listen to your best diaper discussion for an hour?

Another common class for new moms is Music Together classes which involve singing, playing instruments and dancing along with your baby and other new moms.

Even if money is tight there are a number of free classes available to new moms at the YMCA or your local library. Getting out of the house with your baby by taking classes is a great way to maintain your sanity as a new mom.

Infant Care

Infant care is perhaps the number one way to ease stress and maintain your sanity as a new mom. Once your baby hits six weeks, it’s time to start looking for their day job.

Infant care has been proven to be good not just for stressed-out Moms, but for babies as well. The socialization process should begin as soon as possible and although you can’t leave your baby at infant care for more than 20 hours per week. Those 20 hours can be an absolute blessing—allowing you to take that ‘me’ time we talked about earlier.

Infant care can be expensive, but there are a number of options out there, even at more affordable rates. Still, if you want the best, like Phoenix Children’s Academy, you may have to pony up some extra cash. Your baby and your mental health are well worth it.

Above all, know that your baby will thank you for all the hard work you’re putting in right now, it just may take until they’re 30 and having kids of their own. But hey, patience is a virtue—right?

Having a baby can be a nightmare and a dream come true all at once. Hopefully, these simple tips will help make keep you sane through these insane times.

10 Home Maintenance Tasks Every Parent Should Know How To Do

Our home requires a lot of care and there are plenty of things we can do to make it comfortable, functional and in perfect condition for years to come. The key lies in a good organization, taking preventative measures as well as being prompt about any potential issues and it also requires a little time, effort and skill. There are some home maintenance tasks and repairs; everyone should know how to do – take a look at them!

1. Clean front-load washers

When it comes to home maintenance, there are some things on that checklist that we somehow forget to do. Cleaning front-load washers are one of them. Have you noticed that sometimes your clothes end up smelling icky after being washed? That’s because these washers are perfect for breeding mildew and mold. It’s essential to clean these washers at least once a month. It’s done quite simply: just set your washer to the hottest and longest washing cycle, add two cups of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda and let it run the cycle. After it’s done, take a damp cloth and clean the inside of the drum, and rubber seal.

2. Clean front-load dryers

The same goes for front-load dryers. The cleaning process is even simpler when compared to washers. Clean the dryer vent as well as the duct. Unplug the dryer and check the duct for lint. You might need to replace the duct if vacuuming it doesn’t help.

3. Take proper care of your garbage disposal

Your garbage disposal can easily start to smell bad. That’s because of all the food residue in it. You can eliminate the odor by pouring half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the disposal. Remember to put a stopper on it and leave it for a few minutes. Flush it down with hot water afterward.

4. Keep your drains clean

Keeping your drains clean is one of the most important things as far as home maintenance is concerned. This is one of those issues that can cause you a lot of problems and that will require you to hire professional help eventually. Unclogging blocked drains is something you can try yourself with a plunger and different chemicals. However, if it doesn’t work, you can always hire professionals to deal with your problem.

5. Keep your gutters leaves-free

The main function of gutters is to collect water and dispose it away from the roof and foundation. And if they are full of leaves, they can’t perform their function and they can easily cause damage to the foundation and invite pests. Make sure to clean your gutters at least twice a year.

6. Replace air filters

Replacing air filters is also an important chore that we often forget about. They have multiple functions that consist of supporting the longevity of the AC, conserving the energy of your home and preventing mold. You should replace them once a month.

7. Replace damaged window screens

During harsh weather conditions that our homes usually face during winter and fall, window screens can get easily damaged. In order to prevent them from causing further damage and being functional, we should replace any damaged ones when spring comes.

8. Clean the carpets

Our carpets are the spot to which we drag all the dirt from outside. We should vacuum and clean the carpets to keep them dirt and debris-free.

9. Get rid of clutter

Getting rid of unnecessary clutter is something that requires quite a lot of consideration and time. But once done, it makes your home a so much better place. Think about all the things you haven’t used for a while and get rid of them.

10. Replace batteries in safety devices

One of the things most often slips our mind: replacing batteries in safety devices. You should check if all the safety devices such as alarms and smoke detectors have functional batteries and replace them from time to time.

Doing these simple things around your home promptly can bring you years of peace and tranquility when it comes to more serious and demanding home maintenance tasks that require professional help.

Fun in the Sun: 5 Great Summer Activities for Kids

Looking to keep the kids busy this summer while they’re on school break? Get a few ideas using this list of summer activities for kids!

There’s nothing more exciting than summer break when you’re a kid, but becoming a parent can make that time of the year stressful.

If you have kids who will be home from school this summer, having a big list of activities is the best way to keep everyone in your family happy and occupied.

Do you need some inspiration to plan fun stuff to do in the summer? Keep reading to learn about five summer activities for kids.

 

1. Sign Up for Summer Camp

Learning how to find a summer camp that your kids will enjoy can help them grow as independent people and learn valuable skills.

Aside from having lots of fun with new friends who share their interests, they can improve their socializing skills and discover new hobbies. If a sleep-away camp is too scary for your child, there are plenty of day camps that are great for all personalities.

 

2. Go for a Nature Walk and Enjoy a Picnic

One of the best things to do with kids over the summer is to teach them how to explore and appreciate nature safely.

Going on a family hike can give you an excellent opportunity to bond, find new species of plants and animals, and take lots of memorable photos. After you’ve all worked up an appetite, you can relax on a blanket and share a delicious and nutritious picnic.

 

3. Try Fun Arts and Crafts

If you’re interested in finding fun summer activities, the good news is that there are plenty of simple woodworking projects for kids, arts and crafts projects that won’t make too big of a mess.

Your kids can have a blast making upcycled bird feeders, paper lanterns, tie-dyed shirts, and so much more. This comprehensive guide can teach your family how to do over 300 different kinds of crafts.

 

4. Have Fun Movie Nights

There’s nothing more low-key and entertaining than watching a movie for two hours. You can turn this activity into a special event by hosting movie nights complete with ice cream sundaes, popcorn, and other tasty treats.

If you and other parents take turns inviting other kids over for movie nights, then these events can be a great way to help every parent in your child’s friend group have some downtime for themselves.

 

5. Visit Local Attractions

Since businesses know that lots of families will be at home during the summer, it’s easy to find impressive deals on tickets to local attractions.

With so many great summer things to do, you and your kids can explore museums, aquariums, art studios, and amusement parks. Another benefit is that these activities are often educational, so you can keep their minds engaged while school is out.

 

Your Family Will Love These Summer Activities for Kids

Now that you know some of the best summer activities for kids, you can keep your family entertained during the warmer months. Plus as a side bonus, the kids will be making a mess elsewhere, so you don’t have to be house cleaning all the time!

Do you want to learn other ways you can help your family stay happy and healthy? Explore our site to find more helpful tips and guides.

Cute Baby Clothes That You Can Get In 2020

Kids like playful toys and clothes. If you choose the same dull things for your kids, then they will grow to be dull. Find cute baby clothes for your child.

There are a few basic needs that every human being needs to live — these needs include shelter, food and water, and clothing. 

Clothing has expanded beyond basic necessity and become a multi-billion dollar industry. Even baby clothes have a $135.5 billion market share. Although babies aren’t the most fashionably aware, the variety of cute baby clothes out there are hard to resist. 

Even babies should enjoy their clothes, but most importantly, they should keep them warm and comfortable. To find out where to find the best baby clothes in 2020, check out the guide below. 

 

Catimini

Catimini is a children’s clothing brand that offers quality designs to express a child’s individuality. Their company offers prints and styles that are unique and playful. 

For example, you can find newborn jumpers that are knitted, zipper hoodies, snap-fastened, or even reversible. These products are super soft and designed for layering. 

 

Mini Boden

Adults who know Boden will fawn over Mini Boden. This collection for little ones retains the same original spirit as the adult brand. These baby clothes are bright, inspiring, and adorable. 

This line has everything a baby needs. You can find clothes for every season and even swimwear. In fact, they’re getting ready to release new products in partnership with Warner Bros. and Harry Potter. 

 

Baby Gap

Some new families aren’t ready to drop $80 on a sweater. With Baby Gap, there’s no need to. Baby Gap is a globally recognized brand that’s easily accessible for most American families.

The best part of Baby Gap is their sales. At the end of each season, you can get clothes for next to nothing. 

 

Soft Gallery

Soft Gallery is a beautiful Dutch brand for luxury children’s clothes. It’s one of the priciest companies on this list, but you get what you pay for, as these clothes are top quality.

The organic cotton they use in their clothing is ideal for baby clothes. It’s ideal for clothes ar any age, really. Conventional cotton is treated with many pesticides that can be harmful to skin and health. 

 

Primary

The psychology of color is well documented. Who knows — maybe it can even affect a baby’s mood. 

To find the right color for your child’s mood, Primary has you covered. You can search for yellow to inspire energy and happiness. Or, search for blue to inspire relaxation and reinvigoration. 

You kind find virtually any type of clothing in a primary color, a related hue, or a unique, colorful pattern.

 

Meme

It might sound like a joke, but Meme is a hot, new children’s clothing company. In fact, the recently did a collab with Puma. 

Their designs are among the most inventive on this list. They definitely look like they should have their own show during Fashion Week. They’re a Seattle-based company that’s heavily influenced by streetwear and will have any child looking runway-ready.

 

More Cute Baby Clothes

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the cute baby clothes on the market. However, something even more important than appearance is quality. Try to find cute clothes with brands that don’t treat the materials in dangerous chemicals. Sometimes the cheapest option is the riskiest. 

For more helpful mommy guides, make sure to stop by our page.

How to Throw a Destination Wedding that All Your Guests Will Love

It doesn’t matter where you get married. However, it matters a lot how you greet and treat the guests who will come to attend your wedding ceremony. You need to be a little more careful in every aspect of your marriage ceremony when you decide to have a destination wedding to fulfill the dream you had.

Here are some practical tips/steps that can help you to please your wedding guests:

Choose an ideal place

There is a high possibility that you would already have a spot in your mind if you are willing to have a destination wedding. The place may be a gorgeous resort, a particular city of your choice or somewhere off your hometown/country. Whatever the selection you make, start knowing more about it.

In your search, you should keep the comfort of your guests in mind and select the destination where you can keep your guests busy in several activities before and after your actual marriage ceremony begins/ends.

Assist your guests to get ready

Your wedding day is a very special day for you. It is also special for your guests too. They need time for preparation, and you can help them in this regard. After selecting a venue for your destination wedding, you must share venue details with your guests. Ask them to start their preparation a little earlier and get ready before the scheduled time. You can send them a kit with welcome wedding signs and notes, describing date, place and instructions on how to get ready for that particular location.  

Offer transportation to and from

You are inviting people to attend your marriage ceremony, and so, you must take care of their conveniences. Whether you have chosen a city around your hometown or foreign place for your destination wedding, you must keep the transportation in your mind. Hire a small to big vehicle to let your guests from their house to an airport and vice versa.

Host an interactive meeting

In a destination wedding, people have enough time before, between and after a marriage ceremony. They can feel bored or lonely, especially when they are not well-familiar with each other. Before the departure for the wedding venue, schedule a day & time and request all your guests to attend this introductory meeting. On the arrival of all the guests, start introducing all of them to one another after refreshments. With this, you can assist all your guests to mingle with each other so that they can have a well-familiarity with all of them.

Do arrange for a cocktail after arrival at the venue

Reaching the venue of your destination wedding doesn’t mean that the marriage ceremony will get start soon. It will have a start as per the scheduled date and time. There is a gap between the arrival of the guests and the beginning of marriage rituals, even if you schedule the arrival of guests on your big day. Between that, you can treat them to their favorite snacks and wines. In order to escape from directing your people, you can indirectly help them to find their favorite drinks by sticking custom labels for wine bottles. They will be happy to find their preferred drinks without making any extra effort.

Book all the required services in advance

Whether your destination wedding is at a hotel or a resort in a far city/country, you need to take care of all your guests. Fix a seat for every guest and give a wake-up call facility for every morning. Talk to the associated staff and request them to ensure the availability of all the amenities for your guests. Moreover, you can start planning your wedding by exploring resorts, venues, and wedding packages at ParadiseWeddings.com.

Produce a Go Gift for all your guests

Greeting on arrival is not enough. You should take care of their departure too. In your destination wedding, there is a gap between your and your guests departures. So, you should have a proper arrangement for their departure. As your marriage ceremony comes to an end, request all your guests to leave for their home after taking rest. On their departure, present a Go Gift to all of them with a personal note. In the gift pack, ensure to include the essentials that can assist them to get rid of post-celebration outcomes.  

Conclusion

Planning a destination wedding takes time and money. In your planning, keeping the convenience of all the people helps you get the real price for all that you invest. Keeping everything, from the selection of a venue to departure, can make you all your guests happy in your marriage ceremony.