Author: Rebecca Alston

4 Ways to Make Your House Presentable to Prospective Buyers When You Have Young Children

Selling your home can be a daunting task, especially when you have children. It is not easy to make sure your home is ready at all times for potential buyers. Here are a few suggestions to make it easier on yourself and your children.

Make it a Family Affair

Moving can be difficult for children. They might not want to leave their friends and can be anxious about getting used to a new school.

Talk to them about the move and help them work through their fears and concerns. Enlist their help in preparing for the move, including keeping the house neat and clean. They will find some comfort when you make them feel like they are part of a family decision and planning for a significant event like moving.

How much understanding and help much you can expect from your children will depend upon their age. If your children are very young, you are going to have to deal with the messes they create such as:

  • Crayons or paint on the walls
  • Dirt and mud from their shoes on your floors and carpeting
  • Chocolate and other food stains on counters, furniture, and walls

If you explain to them the importance of trying to keep the house as clean as possible, you might have less cleaning up to do on a daily basis.

Get Rid of Clutter

Nothing makes a house look worse than clutter. This mean all the extra stuff you have hanging around your home. The last thing you want to do is drag your junk from one house to another. If it is broken, you don’t use it, or you don’t need it, get rid of it.

When you have children, you are going to have a lot more stuff lying around the house including their toys, bicycles, and other play things.

Your children’s fun things are the last items you want to store away because you don’t want them to feel like they are being deprived. However, it is perfectly reasonable to put away or store things they might not be using.

If your house is on the market during the winter, their bikes, pails, shovels, and baby pools won’t be missed until the weather gets warm again. They also won’t miss their sleds and ice skates during the summer if that is when you are selling your house.

Out of season items are not just for your children. Think about all those bulky winter clothes, boots, holiday decorations, skis, snowboards, skates, hockey gear, and snow tires that are taking up space in your closets, basement, and garage.

A helpful option is to rent a full-service storage unit where you can store some of these things. As this full storage provider, an alternative to the typical self-storage, operating out of Seattle says:

“If winter is your favorite season and storing away all these items is a sad move for you, don’t worry, they will only be away till the next year! For now, they are getting in the way of your clutter-free living”.

By storing these winter items in a safe place and out of the home you are trying to sell, you will be amazed at how much neater and less cluttered your home will look and feel to potential buyers.

Restrict Visiting Hours

Most realtors will tell you that you have to be available any time a potential buyer wants to view your home. For the most part, this is a true statement.

However, some people have found that it is much less stressful to ask for 24 hours-notice before a showing. They have also found that it is less disruptive to their children’s lives and schedules if they have a cut-off time such as when it is time for their children to go to sleep.

This is a decision you will have to make with your realtor or on your own if you are not using a realtor. It might extend the length of time your house is on the market if you limit when you will show your home. Look at the pros and cons and make the best decision for your specific situation.

Hire a Professional Cleaner

No matter how you try to keep your house clean, it will benefit you to hire a professional to do a deep cleaning.

There will always be dust build-up in hard to reach places and corners you might not be getting to on a regular basis. Even though it costs more money to hire someone to do the cleaning than if you were to do it yourself, it is a wise decision when you have children.

You will be giving yourself less stress and more quality time to spend with your children instead of wasting your valuable time cleaning and picking up after them.

There is no getting away from the fact that selling your home will be stressful. You can only do your best to make it easier by following some of the above suggestions. Remember that your children’s well-being is more important than a few toys or a little dirt on the floor.

Try not to get stressed over the little things and enjoy your children while they are young. You and your children will be better for it when you finally do move into your new home.

Starting High School: How To Help Your Teenager With The Big Transition

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Starting high school can be stressful for both parents and kids. However, as a parent, you have to put your stress aside and focus on preparing your kid for this new situation. Many conventional book authors think that you should be fully involved with their education, but is this really the best way to help your kid? According to the new research, this is the wrong point of view. The key is not to be overinvolved, but to communicate with them – you have to explain to your kids the value of schooling. Parents should talk about the values of learning and set a good example to them from an early age. So, let’s see how you can help them.

Balancing academics, sports, and social life

All of these three things are important, but make sure that your kid knows that school is their job. They should understand that school is not about making their parents happy – they should strive for success because that is good for them. Talk to your kid about the meaning of homework. Some schools no longer count homework for a grade, but it’s important because they practice skills and concepts taught in class by doing homework. Make sure they understand that. Further, sports activities are important because they will learn a lot about teamwork, discipline, goal-setting, leadership, independence, self-confidence, stress relief, etc. Talk about their interest in sports and encourage them to participate in some activity they like.

Nevertheless, don’t be too hard on them. They deserve some free time. Humans are social beings, so make sure that they have friends that are a good influence on them.

Photo credit Pexels

Set the example for your kid

Did you know that children imitate their parents from an early age? They will do what we do, not what we say, so make sure that your behavior is constructive. Don’t be anxious about high school and explain to them that this is an opportunity to learn new things, meet interesting people and find themselves and their hobbies. Present learning as an interesting, enjoyable and exciting process. Next, set a positive problem-solving attitude and let them see their problems as challenges that they can deal with. Don’t let them see you as another problem on their list.

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Make good choices

Teenagers sometimes don’t know a difference between good and bad choices, but that’s why they have school and parents to help them. However, you may not be in a situation to give your kids everything they need, although they are great in school. Solution? If you are experiencing acute economic disadvantage, and you’re not able to provide the equipment, resources, and support during high school, your kid can always apply for high school scholarships. If you do so, your kid will get a computer, internet, money for other equipment and access to tutoring and mentoring. They will appreciate that! So, keep talking with them about consequences and both short and long-term benefits of high school. Besides, that is also a good time to start talking with them about their career aspirations. There is always a solution to everything.

Photo credit Pexels

Dealing with teenage struggles

Your kid is a teenager, so problems are their thing now. They can love you and hate you at the same time, but sometimes it gets more serious than that. You have to keep communicating with them so you can notice changes in behavior. If you encourage honesty and open communication, your kid may open you about these problems. A school will call you if your kid has academic problems, but not about the other types of challenges teenagers have. They are going through big changes in their life, so sometimes is the best to collaborate with a school counselor because they know how to deal with high school kids. Unlike you, they will be able to look at the situation objectively and they’ll give advice and support to both you and your kid. Sometimes, we mean well, but somehow a situation turns from bad to worse. Don’t let it happen and ask for help.

You may plan everything in advance, but some things you just can’t predict. Keep an eye on your kid, but let them make their own decision. Some mistakes can make them learn more than your overprotection. Just the fact you’re reading this means that you are trying to be a good parent, so simply show your support to your kid and everything will get in the right place.

About the author

Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. You can find her online writing and giving tips about mental health, well-being, and healthy lifestyle at ripped.me. Claire on Facebook and Twitter.

The Benefits Of Professional Teeth Whitening

There are plenty of benefits that come with having whiter teeth (and wanting to smile more often). It’s not just about the aesthetic beauty of whiter teeth, it’s about your overall mood and self-confidence as well. Wanting whiter teeth is a common desire, but is it worth the extra cost to get professional teeth whitening at your Dentist’s office instead of opting for over-the-counter methods? The short answer is yes. Over-the-counter whitening treatments or whitening strips that you can buy at your local drug store are not going to yield the same results as a professional teeth-whitening treatment at your Dentist’s office. And this is why you should head over to http://apictureperfectsmile.com/ to check out some professional teeth whitening treatments.

Professional whitening may be slightly more expensive, but it should save you money in the long run since the results are more effective and last longer. In-office whitening with your trusted Dentist is the safest and most reliable way to get that perfect Hollywood smile. If you’re thinking of fixing stained, dull or yellow teeth, you’ll be happier with the results if you seek treatment from a professional. Below are some benefits of opting for professional teeth whitening, along with some general benefits that come with whiter teeth:

Customized Results

Dr. Cowen at Juban Cowen Dental Care reminds us that an in-office, professional whitening treatment is the best way to get a customized treatment plan. For example, if two of your teeth are much more yellow than the others, your Dentist can customize the whitening treatment to ensure those two teeth get extra attention. Only professional treatment can give you the customization and tailored results that you’re after. The drug store brand is a one-treatment-fits-all mentality, and it may not suit your specific whitening needs.

Faster and Better Results

Do you want whiter teeth, as fast as possible? Professional teeth whitening is the best way to get fast and amazing results. Some professional teeth whitening treatments can get you results in an hour, whereas over-the-counter whitening strips can take weeks to garner results. These results might not even be satisfactory after all of that waiting time. Not only will the results of an in-office whitening treatment be faster, but the results will be better (and whiter) too!

It’s Safe and Comfortable

Your professional service includes special attention to your sensitivities. If your teeth are extra sensitive, your Dentist will pay attention to this to ensure that you are comfortable during your treatment. It’s also much safer to get your teeth whitened professionally. You don’t have to worry about risking an over-application or damaging your tooth enamel.

Improved Self-Confidence

Confidence is attractive. Do you know what else is attractive? Someone who smiles. You’ll kill two birds with one stone when you get your teeth whitened because you’ll be more confident and you’ll be inclined to smile more. A beautiful smile is like a magnet – it attracts people all around you, and draws people in. Everyone wants to be around someone who smiles a lot – perhaps you simply need an excuse to smile more? Freshly whitened teeth can be that reason to smile more.

Better Oral Health

Another benefit of professional whitening treatment is better oral health. Your teeth are simultaneously being cleaned and polished with the removal of stains and plaque during a professional whitening session. Therefore, your teeth are getting cleaner, stronger and healthier. This improves your overall oral health, and this also improves your oral hygiene. (Teeth whitening can even improve bad breath!)

You’ll Gain More Trust And Notice Better First Impressions

Recent studies have shown that individuals with whiter teeth are seen as being more trustworthy, dependable, attractive, professional and successful. Whether it’s a job interview, a sales pitch, a first date or an important meeting, your white teeth will give you an added advantage.

A Better Mood

Studies have linked an improved mood with smiling more. Since your beautiful, white teeth will have you smiling more, it’s obvious that teeth whitening treatment can actually improve your overall mood.  The physical act of smiling induces a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain feel-good hormones including dopamine and serotonin. Smiling really is that powerful – it can reduce stress and trick your brain into feeling happier.

Informative Tips on Selling Your Home When You Have Kids

There are a lot of family activities that people can do, such as playing together, cooking together, or going on camping trips as a family. These activities are beneficial for your kids because these encourage interaction with the parents and it also allows you to have bonding time.

However, there are certain things in which you wouldn’t necessarily include the participation of your children, such as when you’re selling your house. A lot of homes are sold every year in the US. Numbers reached an all-time high in 2015 with 7.08 million existing homes sold in the country. The number dropped down to 5.51 million in 2017.

With millions of houses sold yearly, you could be one of those sellers in the coming years. However, it’s necessary to consider your kids when you’re selling your home. Most kids get attached and often have a bad experience when moving out. Check out this article to help you know how to make the house sale as a family affair.

Let your kids know about the house sale.

When you’re selling your old house and moving to a new home, all of you will transfer, and that includes your kids. Let your kids know about your plans ahead of time and don’t spring the news to them when you’ve packed your furniture and other things.

Kids might resent the fact that you’ve decided to sell without informing them. After all, they also live in the house, and even if selling your house counts as an adult decision, it’s better to ask or inform your kids about it.

It might be hard for kids to adjust if they’ve spent several years in that house and they have to leave all of their memories and friends behind. That’s why it’s best to open up your plans ahead of time so you can also help them adapt to the idea of moving to a new house.

Clean and prepare the house for possible clients.

Living with children, especially young ones, can mean messy surroundings. You might have to deal with crayon scribbles on your walls or food spills on the floor. You have to clean everything before putting your house up for sale. Here are some tips to help you get started.

● Crayon on the walls

It’s inevitable that your kids will reach for a coloring material and use the wall as a drawing board. Don’t fret because the scribbles aren’t permanent and there are foolproof ways to clean up the mess left behind by your toddler.

A damp rag dipped in baking soda can take out crayon stains. You can also try spraying WD40 on the wall and wipe it after with a rug. Scrubbing the wall with a non-gel toothpaste or rubbing mayonnaise on the stains is also helpful.

● Stickers on the wall

If you have new wall decorations in your house, such as stickers put up by your playful kid, you can remove it by dabbing baby or vegetable oil on it and leaving it overnight. If you don’t want to use oil, a sponge dipped in hot water will do.

● Messy chocolate stains

If your chocolate-loving kid has added chocolate stains to your sofa, you can remove it by taking out the chocolate pieces stuck on the couch. Dab on the area (start from the outer space) with a damp washcloth dipped in a solution made out of 2 cups of water and one tablespoon of liquid soap.

Rinse the area with a clean, damp cloth. Wipe it with a dry towel. You can also add a dry-cleaning solvent to help you get rid of the stain entirely.

● Mud problems

Did your kid ever walk on the carpet while wearing his mud-caked soccer shoes? Remove the stains by vacuuming the area for dried mud pieces. Use the same solution for chocolate stains and use a white cloth in dabbing the mud stains. If the stains are still visible, have your carpets cleaned.

Restore the rooms to its bare form.

If you’ve used the rooms for office, storage, or as your kid’s bedroom, you need to let the clients see it in its bare form. They can visualize what they’re going to do with that room when the house belongs to them, and they can’t do that if there are too many things stocked inside the rooms.

When it comes to your kid’s room, you need to remove the posters and other things hanging on the wall. If you can’t transfer the furniture, arrange it, so the place doesn’t look messy. Sell your home to buyers by letting them think of possibilities for it. They can’t do that if there’s so much clutter, so clean ahead of time.

Takeaway

Selling your house is an adult decision, but inform your kids about it. It will make them feel better if they’ll think that they are a part of the family decision. Help them in the adjustment process so they won’t resent the house sale.

Rooms of young kids need extra attention when you’re selling your house, so make sure to clean and arrange the furniture and organize the things in it to avoid clutter.

How to Help Your Child Relax at a Hotel

Keeping your child calm at a hotel is never easy. It’s a brand new environment and it can be boring for them when you’re not out and about.

Unless you’re staying at a five-star hotel where your every need is accounted for, you have to get creative. Here are some of the ways you can help your child relax at a hotel.

Plan Ahead

The first step is to plan ahead. Is the hotel you’re choosing used to catering to children?

There’s a big difference between Motel Six and the Hilton when it comes to this. Of course, you have to keep in mind you have a budget, but make sure you look into a type of hotel that’s likely to be quiet and a hotel that may have other families inside.

The goal is to avoid those toddler tantrums when on the road!

Keep Them Entertained

Make sure you have a smartphone or tablet with you for some entertainment time. It could involve playing a game or watching a movie.

But you should regulate their screen time. Don’t let them spend the entire night playing on your tablet. And make sure you’re supervising them at all times.

To keep yourself secure, you should install a VPN. Remember that hotel WiFi is a public connection so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you need help installing one, Troypoint offers a tutorial to help you do it.

Maintain the Same Schedule

Travelling is a lot of disruption for a child. This is part of what stops them from being relaxed in the first place. So try to maintain the same schedule at home.

For example, if they have a bedtime make sure they stick to the same sleeping schedule. If they’re used to having dinner at a certain time, make sure you have dinner in the hotel restaurant at roughly the same time.

Attempt to maintain a level of normalcy.

Does the Hotel Offer Kid-Friendly Activities?

The worst thing you can do is spend too much time in the room. Try to keep your child busy, which is also ideal for helping them sleep at the end of the day.

Look into whether your hotel has any kid-friendly activities for them to participate in during the evenings. This is where planning ahead really comes in handy.

Rearrange the Room

Most reputable hotels understand that families with children need to rearrange the furniture to accommodate the needs of their children. Always ask before you start moving anything around.

For example, you may want to move a couple of single beds together with young children. Sometimes you might want to move the beds further away from the window to counter any traffic noise outside.

Don’t Be Too Strict

These tips may imply that you have to be strict in order to keep your child relaxed. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The best way to help your child relax is to focus on family fun. That way they won’t have any time to dwell on any fears they have.

You know your child best and you know what makes them happy. Even if you’re on a business trip and not a family vacation, focus on your kids.

Last Word – Planning is the Key

Our number one tip is to plan ahead. Your choice of hotel will make or break your time away. Sometimes you may have to spend a little extra on a room to have your needs fulfilled.  But if it means your child feels more relaxed when they’re away from their familiar surroundings, it’s worth it.

Do you have any experiences taking your children away to a hotel?

Get Rid of Your Old Mattress in Two Easy Steps

For all the moms who have getting rid of that old mattress at the bottom of their priority list….

Find the next destination of the old mattress sitting in the basement collecting dust. Based on the condition of your mattress, we will help you decide if it should be recycled or donated – never dumped.

For all the moms out there itching to do some spring cleaning, you’re going to want to read this.

Have you ever wondered what to do with your old mattress? Maybe your kid’s old twin beds have been sitting in the basement for the last five years. Or perhaps, you’ve had a teenager leaving for college and you are stuck with their old furniture. How inconvenient.

Getting rid of a mattress is probably at the bottom of your priority list. Why? Because it’s a hassle. Who wants to lug an 80 lb bed through the house? You have more important things to think about.

For an item purchased every 7 to 10 years, it’s not surprising people have no clue how to get rid of it when it reaches the end of its life. The general assumption is to leave it on the curb for your city’s bulk waste pickup to deal with. Unfortunately, that’s illegal in most places.

That’s why we are giving you two easy steps for moving that old, lumpy mattress out of your house and onto bigger and better things (than rotting in the basement).

Step 1: Assess the condition of your mattress

If the mattress you are getting rid of belonging to a child, chances are it has a few rips or stains. If that’s the case, you’ll want to recycle your mattress. There are laws against donating mattresses in poor condition. This is for the health and safety of the next owners of your old bed.

However, if the mattress is stain free and appears to have no major rips or tears, that’s great! Consider donating your mattress to a family in need. You might even consider your own family member or friend that needs a new bed.

Step 2: Identify a charity or organization in your area that will take your mattress

Here’s the thing. Mattresses are 85% recyclable. That’s why you should avoid sending your mattress to the dump at all costs.

Thirty-three million mattresses are manufactured every year in the United States and 20 million are dumped. That’s a lot of mattresses to go in a landfill.

Based on the condition of the mattress, you should either find locations to recycle near you or call the local charity in your area to see if they accept mattress donations. It’s important to note, laws regarding reselling mattresses vary from county to county. While one branch of a charity may accept your mattress, another may not. All you have to do is make a few calls.

Regardless of whether you donate or recycle, the good news is most organizations will come to pick up your mattress for you! All you have to do is open the door.

Both of these options are just as simple as taking your old, lumpy mattress to the dump – not to mention, it’s better for the planet. And if you’re not in love with either, yard sale season is in full swing!

Once your old mattress is gone, find the next best mattress to replace it!

Happy cleaning.

The Hollywood Smile – Do’s and Dont’s

Everything that has a word ‘Hollywood’ in it always sounds so glamorous and magical. Having a Hollywood smile means having those flashing white, straight and beautifully shaped teeth, doesn’t it? And who wouldn’t want that? It’s not a secret that teeth are one of the sources of our self-esteem and confidence since they represent our good genes and self-care. However, no matter how good our genes are nor how hard do we try, sometimes we have to reach for professional help to get what we want. See what you should and shouldn’t do when you are chasing a Hollywood smile.

Do get braces/surgery if needed

Naturally straight and even teeth are not actually that common. Most of the people have something that is specific for them, like having bunchy canines or having a small gap between their front teeth.  Minor misalignments are normal, but there are cases where crooked teeth can really affect your dental health and cause problems in the future. Having braces for a year or two can be demanding and frustrating, but it will result in perfectly aligned teeth for which you will be grateful one day.

Also, having wisdom teeth cut out is very common need; they are an evolutionary residue and we don’t need them anymore. For some people, growing wisdom teeth are painful and can cause serious damage since there’s not enough space in their jaw for another set of teeth. Undergoing these procedures can seem easily avoidable at the moment, but in the long run, you will realize why they were so important. If you need professional help, you can consider Dental Specialists of Niles, P.C. for oral treatment solutions.

Do your research about whitening

If you want a real Hollywood smile, whitening is inevitable. However, be careful. There are many whitening techniques nowadays, from regular whitening treatments at the dentist to home kits and whitening stripes. Not all of them are safe as well. Home kits and stripes can contain Hydrogen Peroxide levels higher than recommended (6%, according to 2012 EU regulations). Any product containing a higher level than this is illegal and you should avoid it, if not report it. This boundary is set for a reason, since higher than allowed levels can cause severe pain, harm your gums, enamel and even nerves. Some mistakes can’t be fixed so easily, so it is better to be safe than sorry. After all, paying a visit to your dentist and having him consult you is always a good idea. It is for the best to hear the opinion of an expert.

Do conduct regular dental care at home

Once you have your teeth whitened, it doesn’t mean you can stop taking care of them. Regular washing, flossing, and mouth-washing will help maintain your teeth whiteness and make it last until the next dentist visit. Avoiding stained drinks can help protect your teeth as well. There’s no need to avoid them completely, only using straws when having black coffee or tea might help. Consider switching to a white wine instead of a red for a while.

Don’t exaggerate (in any way)

White and straight teeth do look appealing, but going too far can even seam repelling. There’s no need going to the extreme with whitening your teeth and looking unnatural and like you have implants. Once-a-year usage of white stripes is sufficient. As for dental-office based whitening, consult your dentist about the recommended frequency. When it comes to straightening your teeth, it may seem strange, but many people like when others have some misalignments. There are some very typical and cute dental ‘flaws’ which can make you unique and memorable. But, of course, if they are a source of low self-esteem, you should get rid of them.

Don’t forget fillings

When undertaking teeth whitening, the guys from the dental lab in Melbourne remind us that it’s important to remember that your fillings will not be acting the same way as your natural teeth. Whitening substances don’t have any effect on fillings. So it is the best, if your fillings are in an obvious place, to do the teeth whitening first and then change filings accordingly. Before doing so, make sure you chose a shade that will suit your face naturally. There’s a little hack to use- if you want to see what shade of white will look good to your skin, consider the color of your sclera as a guide.

Don’t neglect dentist examinations

Other than keeping your teeth straight and white, keeping them healthy is even more important. Even if they are not as white as you would want them to be, having healthy teeth will make you feel confident and make your smile more sincere. Regular visits to your dentist can prevent some dental troubles and help you save a lot of time and money. Also, going for cheaper options is not a good choice when it comes to dental care. Finding a good dental practice isn’t easy, but once you’ve found it, you won’t have to worry about visits to the dentist anymore.

Having a Hollywood smile is very appealing, but it requires a lot of work. Or at least some. You don’t need to have sparkling white teeth to have a nice smile, though. Take care of your teeth, don’t skip the dental exams and don’t avoid necessary operations and you will be halfway there. Whitening your teeth can be a finishing touch in your every-day routine of taking good dental care.

Mental Health Awareness and Working on Personal Development

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Attempting to juggle raising kids, keeping the house clean, being successful at your job, and staying in some semblance of physical fitness leaves very little room for taking time for yourself and leads to constant stress, which in turn can leave even the best of us in a state of disarray. If you are experiencing any mental health problems, these conditions can lead to you feeling overwhelmed and unable to function normally. A lot of people tend to ignore these issues and chalk them up to being tired or annoyed, but mental health issues are no joke and you need to address them just like you would any physical problem. Otherwise, you run the risk of an easily treatable condition escalating into something more serious. While sites like Rolling Paper report on some of the treatments or remedies that can be used to address mental health issues, it is not always as simple as a few lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma in today’s society regarding mental health issues, and a lot of people don’t talk about their problems or seek treatment, which is why it is extremely important to raise awareness about this important topic. Here we will discuss how you can improve various aspects of your life by dealing with problems you or your loved ones might be experiencing instead of ignoring them.

Photo credit Pixabay

Talk about it

As mentioned earlier, people are very hesitant to talk about their mental health problems because they are afraid they will be labeled as weak, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Studies show that around 20% of people experience some sort of mental health issues during their lives, which means most people already know one such person but are often unaware that anything is amiss. If you or anyone close to you have experienced such problems, make sure to talk about it openly so others who may also be suffering can know they are not alone and that it’s alright to seek treatment. The more people talk about this topic, the more people will be accepting of others with these issues, which creates an environment where people are more likely to try and find help for themselves or people they care about. New and effective treatments have been developed in recent years, including ketamine therapy for depression, so there are definitely more options to choose from.

Photo credit Pixabay

Work on your personal development

Stagnation is the enemy of progress and you should always be aiming to improve yourself, both personally and professionally. Competence breeds self-confidence, which often leads to more success in all aspects of your life. Want to be in better shape? Take up a new sport or activity. Trying to make yourself the best candidate for a raise or promotion? Attend business courses to improve your professional qualifications or even gain new ones. However, this can be very difficult if you are suffering from anxiety or depression, which is why awareness is so important. Once you are comfortable talking about any mental health problems you may be experiencing and seeking treatment for them, you will be able to refocus on your personal development.

Photo credit Pixabay

Help others cope

Mental health awareness is a good cause, but it’s only the first step. The next one is helping your loved ones who are experiencing these issues cope and find proper treatment. While symptoms and their severity can vary, if you suspect someone is experiencing a mental health issue, talk to them about it. Be compassionate and understanding, but don’t push them to talk about the topic if they are unwilling, just make sure they know you are there for them. A lot of the time, this will be enough of a push for them to open up about what they are experiencing. Additionally, always stand up against people who trivialize mental health issues by claiming you should just get over it or misuse the term. Last, but definitely not least, you should try to pass these values onto your children so when they grow up, they will not hesitate to seek help for themselves or their loved ones.

About the author

Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. You can find her online writing and giving tips about mental health, well-being, and healthy lifestyle at ripped.me. Claire on Facebook and Twitter.

You’re What? Tips For Unplanned Pregnancy

It was three months away from my 38th birthday. Life was going well. We had sold our lovely house in the city and moved to a “fixer upper” in the country with 6 acres of land. We had carefully constructed a 5-year plan.

Our son was a senior in high-school and his sister was just a year behind him.

We believed we could live in the house as we remodeled and repaired it, our children would both graduate and go off to college, and by then we would live happily ever after.

The Signs I Didn’t See

I was driving an hour each day to my job. But in our 5-year plan, I would “retire” soon so I gladly did it. What I was not expecting was car sickness.

I mean I was used to driving, I thought it must be the winding country roads followed by the city interstate.

By the time I got to work every morning, I was lucky to hold down water.

The Bad Day Gone Good

The Friday of that first week I told my boss I just had to go home. I was just too sick but I would go to the doctor and be back Monday.

The women in my department who were all in their 20’s had been teasing me all week saying: “You might as well face it. You’re pregnant.”

How absurd. On the way out the door, one of them tossed me a pregnancy test, and we all laughed.

I walked in the door of my house and the phone rang. My son had just had his first fender bender and he was okay but he needed me to come to help him.

I hung up but before my hand left the receiver it rang again. It was the principal.

My daughter had gotten out of line with a teacher and was suspended. I hung up the phone and ran to the bathroom before I was heading to the school. My purse was still on my arm and I saw the test and as a joke used it.

I finished up and the phone rang, I thought: “Really? What now?”

I rushed and grabbed it and got the message my husband’s uncle had passed away. It was expected as he had been ill in a nursing home a while.

I went back to the bathroom to get my handbag and looked down at the test which was vividly positive. I grabbed the box…thinking I read it wrong and the blue line meant negative.

But no…I was pregnant.

Shaken, I made my way to the door and the phone rang one more time. By now I am just like…whatever!

It was my husband. I said “Listen I can’t talk right now I am walking out the door, BUT.  Kevin wrecked the car, yes he is okay. Rachel back talked a teacher and is suspended. Your Uncle Charlie died. And – I am pregnant!”

I got dead silence. I said I had to go and I would call him back.

How We Broke The News

Eventually, the shock wore off and we kept the baby a secret until we knew everything was okay and it was a little boy.

The night we decided to tell the kids and grandparents, we had dinner. We ordered a blue sheet cake with white icing, and we decorated it with blue candy for our gender reveal party; we trimmed the edges of the cake. On top, we had one word written.  

It read “OOPS”.

Our son was born on New Year’s Eve that year, and he was perfect. No, we resisted the urge to name him OOPS.

The older kids graduated and my husband and I began learning to parent in a whole new world. It seemed all the rules had changed since our first go round.

We still have that 5-year plan and we still intend to use it. We just don’t know which 5 years it will happen.

What To Do In Case Of An Unplanned Pregnancy?

Granted we weren’t first-time parents, but at that moment we realized that there are so many people going through a pregnancy unplanned. There are so many things to take care of from day one – in your mind, in your approach to life and then the operative/administrative stuff.

So, for all of you who read my story and are going through the same, here are some awesome parenting and family-friendly blogs that you can head to and get many of your questions answered:

Kidsinthehouse.com

Kids in the House is the world’s largest parenting video library, with over 8,000 videos from 450 experts, including physicians, psychologists, researchers, educators and best-selling authors, as well as leaders of national organizations and other celebrated voices in our culture. Kids in the House provides a community where parents have the opportunity to hear and share different perspectives and get solutions for parenting challenges that range from pregnancy to paying for college.

Simple Mom Reviews

Amy is a mom of 4, licensed cosmetologist and licensed practical nurse who now runs a blog from home and enjoys extra time spent with my kids. On the blog you will find product reviews; including her love for subscription boxes, simple and fun DIY crafts, easy everyday recipes and more!

The Mom Kind

Welcome to the journey here at The Mom Kind. The editor is Alicia Trautwein (the blogger behind the scenes), a mom of four children, all with different diagnoses including autism, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, depression, restless leg syndrome, & sleep apnea. After her two youngest were diagnosed with autism just a couple months apart, she found herself front and center in bringing awareness to autism and teaching neurodiversity.

Happy Science Mom

 

 

Welcome to your toolkit for raising happy, balanced children. If you are concerned about your kids feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, moody, or uninterested in life and wondering what you can do about it, you can go to this website. Sandi shares science-backed tips, resources, and activities from the world of positive psychology to help you pass along skills to your children and teens so they can live joyful, fulfilled, and peaceful lives. She explores natural tools like mindfulness, giving, optimism, kindness, gratitude, and spending time in nature.

6 Ways to Relieve the Stress of Being a New Mother

Becoming a parent for the first time is overwhelmingly wonderful but also a little frightening and very stressful. Parenting will probably be one of the largest but also the most rewarding challenges you will ever encounter. There are so many important decisions you will have to make once you bring your baby home from the hospital. There are even decisions to be made before your baby is born. One of the main pre-birth decisions is to make sure you have everything you will need for the baby nursery. You want to make sure you purchase some essential items like:

  • Baby crib
  • Alarm or monitor
  • Dresser
  • Night Light

What are some of the things you can do to reduce the stress so that you can enjoy the joys of being a new parent?

Give Yourself a Break

It is very important to make sure you can take a break periodically to get away and tend to your needs, even if only for a few minutes. Of course, you will need a strong support system like friends and family, who understand this need and can take-over while you are taking that break. You can go shopping, take a walk, enjoy a cup of coffee, or take a bath. After your break, you will feel renewed to go back to your parenting duties with a clearer head and a better perspective. When you start feeling overly stressed again, it means it is time for another break.

Eat Chocolate

When all else fails, eat some chocolate. It is true that stress or emotional eating is not always a good thing, especially when done too often. But there is also no denying that chocolate can make you feel good. In addition, studies have shown that it can actually reduce stress. How about a nice piece of Matcha chocolate, a white chocolate with an herbal aroma and the bittersweet finish of real green tea leaves?

Ask for and Accept Help

Don’t be afraid to ask others for suggestions, advice, and help. You don’t have to do everything yourself nor are you expected to know how to do everything. Seek advice from other moms who have had the experience of being a mother. Seek advice from financial professionals to help you manage your funds more effectively. Every mother has been through the same feelings you are having such as financial stress, time-related stress, or a combination of both. Arrange to meet other moms, share your feelings and situations with them and let them share theirs with you. Having a strong support system around you will help relieve some of your stress as well as give you the opportunity to take a break when you need one.

Understand Your Body

It is important for you to recognize the signs of stress and how they affect your body and behavior. If you aren’t in touch with your feelings, they are likely to overwhelm you and lead to impatience, irritability, screaming, and lapses in judgment. If you feel your heart beating faster or your blood pressure rising, take a deep breath and a break if you can. Pay attention to the warning signs that your stress levels are getting to the boiling point.

Take Care of Yourself

If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your newborn. When possible, take those much-needed breaks. Do everything you can to get enough sleep. This might be rather difficult if your baby likes to sleep during the day and is awake at night. If you are able, sleep when your baby sleeps. Other suggestions on how to take care of yourself are:

  • Get a massage
  • Take long walks
  • Enjoy a bath
  • Sign up for a class
  • Do some gardening
  • Listen to music
  • Try incorporating essential oils like CBD oil into your routine

If you treat yourself with care and compassion, you will be able to give compassion and care. And that helps make you a better mother.

Try Exercise

You are probably thinking “how on earth you will be able to find time to exercise”? Did you know that there is a lot of research that shows how physical exercise is crucial in helping you manage stress? When you exercise, it literally makes you feel better, reduces anxiety, and calms nervous tensions. You don’t necessarily have to join a gym or start a rigorous exercise regime. Start slow and do what you can in the time you have. Don’t pressure yourself to do more than you feel you are able to handle. Just knowing that exercise can help you reduce stress should be the incentive you need to get started.

You can’t take care of your new baby unless you take care of yourself. The concept is akin to when flight attendants remind us to put on our oxygen masks first, then on our children. Make sure to take time for yourself, keep your stress levels in check, and enjoy being a mother.