10 Mental & Physical Self-Care Tips for Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the woman’s body is sensitive to any influences: hygiene disorders, infections, malnutrition. In order not to create unnecessary complications, to preserve her health and, most importantly, the health of the unborn child, a woman should know how to care for herself during pregnancy.

1. The most responsible period

The first three months of pregnancy is the most responsible and dangerous. At this time, the organs of the child are formed. Any negative factor, whether smoking or infection, can affect this subtle process. In the future, it threatens to malfunction of any system of the future organism or even disability. After learning about her important position, a woman should become extremely careful in everything. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with useful tips for pregnant women and stick to them.

2. Be attentive to health

On the other hand, her body is also undergoing significant restructuring. This is reflected in the worsening state of health of the future mother: there may be a pain in the lower abdomen, tingling in the chest, malfunctions of the stomach and intestines, nausea, dizziness. A woman becomes emotionally unstable.

3. To correct behavior

The early gestation period is dangerous to have a miscarriage. Its causes may not depend on the woman, for example, if she has a genetic disease. But more likely to avoid interruption will help the correct behavior of the most pregnant.

She should give up bad habits if they exist. By the way, experts advise to abandon them even earlier — about three months before the alleged conception, and this advice applies to both spouses. Do not lift weights, but to avoid falls, walk, not forgetting for a second about your precious fetus.

4. Hygiene

In the first crucial period of the formation of the fetus, many medicines are prohibited, especially antibacterial and antibiotics. Avoid any infection, avoid contact with sick people. The inflammatory process during this period, especially with a high temperature, can cause miscarriage. These precautions apply to the treatment of colds, it is desirable to use folk remedies.

5. Visit a doctor

Any changes in the state and sensations should not be ignored. They should be discussed with the doctor to avoid any complications in the further course of pregnancy. If you increase pain in the lower abdomen, even minor bleeding, low back pain, immediately contact the help of physicians, because it is a prerequisite for miscarriage.

6. Watch your skin

Carefully monitor the cleanliness of the skin, keep its healthy microflora, which is transmitted to the child. A warm daily shower or rubbing the whole body is very useful. Pay special attention to breast care, because they need to be prepared to feed the baby. After taking a shower, rub the chest with a hand towel. If the nipples are retracted, do a special message.

7. Proper clothing

With a growing tummy, clothing should be free, in any case, you can not tighten the waist. From the fifth month, wear a bandage that supports the stomach. This will also help avoid stretch marks.

8. Proper nutrition

Nutrition during pregnancy is often original because of changing preferences. But keep a balance: a quarter of the diet should be fish or lean meat, a quarter — dairy products and eggs, the best — vegetables, and fruits. Limit the use of sweets, smoked meats, spices. This also applies to strong tea and coffee. But from fast food, soda, chocolate, and pistachios is better to refuse at all, so as not to cause allergies in the child.

9. Get proper counseling

Be sure to observe during pregnancy with your doctor or any good specialist such as Dr. Rahul Sen. To register is better in the first days, as this condition was revealed. Complications are possible in the 1st trimester, so contact and expert advice is important. After the 12th week, genetic counseling may be needed if a woman is 35 years old. In the middle of the term, ultrasounds are usually done to determine if the fetus has defects. From the 28th week, you need to control the position of the child, which can be corrected.

10. Physical activity

Exercise should be moderate, fairly short walks or swimming. But do them only on the recommendation of a doctor and preferably under observation.

Bonus tip: try a weighted blanket to help relieve stress and anxiety.

Why Parents Send their Kids to Private Schools

Education is an important part of a child’s growth and development, as such choosing the school that they go to – could be one of the most important decisions you have to make. May parents are opting to put their children in private schools with the options ranging from boarding schools to preschools to give them a step up the academic ladder. Here we discuss in more depth why an increasing number of parents are going down this route.

More Academic Opportunities

The reality is, there are much more academic opportunities in private schools than you would normally get in public schools. This isn’t just in the classroom curriculum but with extra-curricular activities that are often available too. This kind of thing enriches their lives and education. You will also find that tend to go on to score top marks when it comes to entrance or enrollment exams.

Smaller Classes

A huge benefit to private schools is that the classes are much smaller. This means that your child will get much more one on one interaction with their teachers to help them with their development. There are also far fewer distractions which will allow them to focus more on their activities. This is particularly beneficial if you have a child that learns much better in small groups.

Greater Parental Involvement

In a preschool– you will find that parents are much more involved than they would be if their child went to a public school. This means that you can feel in more control over what’s going on with your child’s development – and will also give you a sense of security that they are progressing as they should be. They also tend to have much more of a community feel to them as they are smaller in size, so parents will get to know one another and can chat things through.

If you take a look at WinWood, a private preschool in Washington DC, you’ll see that they have something called MyToddlerLink which allows you to check on your child via video stream when you’re at home/work and can’t visit them. They also have an app that allows you to see status updates. This is an advantage that you can’t get with regular schools.

Having a Common Goal and Philosophy for Learning

As there are so many options when it comes to educating your children, it’s not surprising that parents are now opting to go down the route of choosing a private preschool that fits in with their own core values and beliefs when it comes to learning. This adds to the community spirit feel that a private school has too. Everyone has the same common goals and beliefs when it comes to education.

They go Above and Beyond

Private schools tend to go above and beyond with everything they do. They always have additional resources for children, they have more extra-curricular activities for them to explore – and are all about developing children for tomorrow’s world. This kind of vision is what a lot of parents find attractive about private schools and will put their kids in good stead for the future.

If you ever wondered why some parents to go down the route of private schools over public schools, hopefully, this has answered some of your questions for you.

3 Fun Woodworking Projects with Kids

Creating fun woodworking projects with kids is a great way for parents and little ones to bond while you are teaching them how to create wood based crafts for around the house. These easy projects below are great for kids to get involved with since they all use limited power tools and have easy assembly.

Bird House

Making a birdhouse is a right of passage for little ones and adults who are learning how to create crafts from wood working. The most basic design for a birdhouse is to create a standard box with an A frame roof. You can easily use an untreated 1×8 wood board to measure the birdhouse walls, roof and floor and then cut it with a chainsaw for cutting firewood.

Once cut, you will want to assemble the birdhouse with nails or wood screws. Adding some wood glue is always a good step to ensure that your woodworking projects have a stronger adhesive bond.

You will also need to have a power drill with a 1 inch to 1 ½ inch sawing bit to create the entry and exit hole. Once the hole is made you can pre-cut or drill a much smaller hole and stick in a slim wooden dowel as a perch for birds entering and exiting. If you cut the hole the right size compared to the dowel, then it should give you a tight fit, but again adding in a dab of wood glue will give it a better hold once weight is added.

With the basic design in mind, you can add onto the birdhouse by painting it a bright color, adding slats to the walls or shingles on the roof to create more layers in the overall finished house.

Tool Caddy

For girls and boys alike, creating this basic caddy is a great woodworking project that you can make together to help them store and carry important items. This basic box design is fairly easy to make and requires cut pieces of lumber plus a circular dowel that will become the handle.

To create a simple tool caddy, you will want to purchase and cut down a few 1x6s. You can then trim them down to your desired length for the width and height for the caddy. The sides of the caddy should be trimmed to a slimming angle going up to the predrilled holes for the dowel.

To attach the sides and the bottom you will want to use a brad nailer and some wood glue to give it an extra strength hold. The top handle dowel can be slid into the cutouts, which if cut to the dowels size will already be a snug fit. Adding in a few dabs of wood glue will ensure that the dowel handle doesn’t spin or slip with frequent use.

Soccer Goal

For the soccer star in your home, this is a great DIY project to make together before starting some basic soccer drills. You will need a few 2x4s to create a sturdy goal that can take a hit from the soccer ball being kicked into it as well as some soccer goal netting.

The basic shape of the goal is a rectangle in the front with two triangles on the side. The triangles need to have a right angle from the frame going up and the base on the ground. From the back bottom corner of the triangle you will want to add in a final long board that reaches from end to end of the triangles, this will create your steady goal stance. Finally use nails or screws to attach the netting, not allowing it to be too loose.

The age of your child will give you the best recommendation for goal size. Starting at age 9, your kids will need a goal that is 6 ½ feet high. The width of the goal will change as they age. For standard soccer practice at home, you can build a smaller framed goal.

Conclusion

These fun DIY woodworking projects for kids are a great start for families that want to learn how to woodwork. After you have tackled these projects, you will have the basic idea and skills to move onto more crafts that you can do with your kids help.

The Art of Choosing Rugs for Your Kid’s Room

While having wall-to-wall carpeting installed on hardwood floors might seem like a soft and warm option, it might not be so for a kid’s room. Considering the amount of ‘action’ the carpet in the kid’s room sees, it won’t be long before you have layers of dirt in dust trapped in its weave. An area rug, on the other hand, is a much better choice, as it’s easy to maintain, warm, and visually appealing. Children also love soft rugs as they provide a perfect spot for playing, reading, doing homework, or watching TV. Now, before you choose a rug for the kid’s room, make sure you’ve considered these.

Placement and purpose

While it’s obvious why having a rug on the hardwood or laminate floor is important, you also need to pay attention to other purposes of area rugs. Perhaps you want to use two smaller rugs to distinguish space between siblings in a shared bedroom, to create a focal point in a room with scattered furniture, or to create an activity area for your kid. Once you answer these, you’ll know where to place an area rug. In a room with a lot of furniture, the rug can anchor the place, and for an added visual harmony, make sure the capital pieces of furniture overlap the rug edges by a few inches.

Material and texture

The best kid’s room rugs are durable, safe, and easy to maintain. Rugs with good quality pads are best for polished hardwood floors, as they keep the rug in place and protect the floor from damage. Flat-woven cotton dhurries are thinner than most other rug options, but also very affordable and easy to maintain. Soft wool rugs are also a popular choice since they are naturally stain- and water-repellent. Wool rugs are, on the other hand, notorious for shedding, but the amount they shed decreases over time.

Pro tip: if you’re looking for a rug that works in every situation, try a synthetic one. They are durable, easy to clean and can take a lot of abuse. If you want to stay on the natural page, consider a jute rug. They are known for their durability and chemical-free manufacture, even though they are a little coarse on bare feet.

Shape and size

When you have settled on the material for your rug and where it should go, measure the area and think about the size and shape that will be the most effective. Large rugs are perfect if you want to cover the most of the space, however for an elegant accent piece, a smaller circular one is better. If your local vendors don’t have what you need, you may also look for rugs online as websites often manage their vast stocks by offering filtered searches, so you can find the size, shape, and even pattern you need more easily.

Rug and bed ratio

Since kids usually don’t have queen and king-sized beds, you won’t be needing a gigantic rug, but a rule of a thumb is to have at least 18 to 24 inches on both sides. On the other hand, if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a 5×8 or larger, consider getting runners on both sides. This way you can achieve the look of an oversized floor covering and make cleaning easier – vacuum the runners and mop the hardwood or laminate in between. Smaller rugs and runners often come in more colour and parent options, so you can even switch them out between the seasons – or drycleaner’s.

Colours and weaves

If your kid’s room already has a lot of patterns, a solid colour rug can balance the basic element and provide visual relief for your child. On the other hand, if the room is dominated by neutral shades or solid colours, a patterned area rug can increase the dynamics of the space. When it comes to weaves, flat weave provides a nice warm spot for play but is still flat enough for puzzles and building blocks. Loop-woven and shag rugs are not recommended as tiny things can sink inside and you or your kid may accidentally step on it later.

Among the many ideas that can transform the room of your little ones, an amazing area rug is a great place to start. A well-thought area rug can change the entire character of your kid’s bedroom and become their favourite piece of furniture.

How to Prioritize Exercise as a New Mom

Becoming a mother is an incredible experience. With all the rewards that come with it, so do numerous changes. When you become a parent, you get a completely new set of priorities and it may seem like the old habits and routines are far gone. With the new baby, sticking to your old way of life can indeed be challenging. There are days when you feel so exhausted that even brushing your teeth may seem like a struggle, not to mention finding time and strength for a workout. By now, you’re probably aware of all the benefits that exercising regularly has on your overall health as well as on your mood. Here are some useful ideas to help you incorporate exercise into your new daily routine and get you back in shape.

1. Make a plan.

If you’re one of those people who like to master-plan everything from grocery shopping to moving house, then you know how much easier things can get. If you’re on the other hand, more of a theory-of-chaos student now may be the time for a change of habits. Good planning is definitely half the battle, especially at this point when you feel like your whole life has changed. Making a schedule will give you an insight into the times when you can squeeze in your workout routine. Sometimes, you won’t be able to stick to it completely, but don’t let that get you down. The important thing is to try to be consistent as much as you can.

2. Exercise at home.

When you have a baby, you may find leaving home a bit more complicated than you thought. No matter the reasons, if you’re not able to spend time at your local gym like you’re used to, don’t worry. There are many other ways to do some much-needed exercise and one of them includes working out at home. Search the web and find some gym equipment online store where you can buy hand weights, jump rope and other similar equipment you can use at home. Pieces of furniture like a chair or a sofa may come handy too. Use the time to work out when your baby is napping or you have a family member around. Yoga is also a great choice to get your body perfectly toned and stretched at home and here you can get some inspiration and check the yoga pose library.

3. Take baby steps.

With the new schedule, you’ll probably find it challenging to set aside a full hour for a workout. That’s understandable given the circumstances. Instead of a long exercise, you can do shorter 10 to 15 minutes workouts while your baby is asleep or occupied. Aim for quality over quantity and make every minute count. Set realistic goals, and don’t be harsh on yourself if sometimes you can’t perform the way you would want to. Taking baby steps will make it a habit to prioritize exercise and with time, you’ll be able to make your workouts longer.

4. Exercise with your baby.

Even if you don’t have a babysitter, there are still a number of ways you can exercise with your baby. You can put a baby in a stroller and go for a walk. You’ll get your exercise and you’ll both get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. Inviting your friends to join you is a great way to socialize. When your baby gets older, you can switch to jogging. There is a variety of jogging strollers available designed especially for this activity. Another great activity you can indulge with your bundle of joy is hiking. Put your baby in a sling or a front carrier and let them enjoy nature together with you.

5. Find someone to watch the baby.

Whether it’s a partner, a babysitter or a family member, ask someone to watch the baby so you can exercise. Having this time just for yourself will mean a lot. You’ll be able to dedicate yourself to your workout routine without interruptions and worries. Depending on the amount of time you can get, you can go to the gym or exercise at home. You can even go for a run around the neighborhood. Talk to your partner and see if it’s possible for them to watch the baby before they go to work. A morning workout will boost your energy levels and keep them high throughout the day.

Conclusion

Learning how to prioritize exercise is a skill that can be mastered like any other. Although it may seem difficult at first, with the new baby and hectic schedule, it’s still doable. By exercising regularly, you’ll not only feel great but will also get more energy to tackle all the other obligations that motherhood brings.

Regaining Your Pre-Pregnancy Shape

Image source

Being pregnant is certainly one of the most amazing and most challenging parts of a woman’s life. Of course, if you live in Australia, the challenges of pregnancy are easily overcome because you have access to all the care that you need. Everybody talks about how important it is to take care of yourself during and after pregnancy, but how little time you’ll have to do so is usually underestimated. Your baby will have to be a priority for a long time but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your mental and physical health.

Being a new mother is hard for many reasons, one of the main ones being that your body needs to heal. As well as that, you’ll notice some changes and gain a new shape that you didn’t use to have. This can be fairly discouraging for most women as they are used to looking a certain way. So as not to take a toll on your confidence and self-worth, you need to make an effort to regain your pre-pregnancy shape. Every woman likes feeling beautiful, and getting your old body back can do wonders for your happiness. Remember, a happy mother makes for a happy baby.

1. The first days

It’s important to start exercising after the first few days of giving birth just so your body can get used to being active again. That being said, you can’t overdo it. You’re still very sore and sensitive from giving birth, which is evident even when you start feeling a little better after a couple of days. Ideally, you should let your body rest for one week and then slowly start exercising.

One of the best exercises you can do after giving birth is isometric exercises. They’re the type of exercise that focuses on building muscle through resistance. If you want to bond with your baby while exercising, a very simple thing you can do is lie on the floor on your back. Place the baby on your tummy then tighten your abdominal muscles and push the baby upwards as you breathe. You’ll be inhaling while you push the baby up and exhaling as you set them back down.

Walking is another thing you can do start moving. You’ll have a lot of obligations and responsibilities, which means you’ll be on your feet a lot. This is good news because walking is one of the most convenient things you can do to help your body regain shape. First of all, cardio is bound to build endurance and stamina, making you more capable of handling taking care of the baby and the house. You can also carry your baby and walk around the house with it. This way you’ll be strengthening your arms, tightening different muscles along your body, and bonding with your baby at the same time.

If you want to kick it up a notch with walking, you can always walk in place when you’re doing chores like washing the dishes, for example. Don’t be afraid to take solo walks outside the house, either. Building up your strength will get you ready to tackle the neighborhood and some surrounding hills, too. As your baby grows, you can even bring them along with you. You’ll be surprised how much muscle pushing a stroller around builds.

Image source

2. Establishing a routine

Now that you’ve started exercising in your first days of being a new mother, it’s time to start establishing a routine. The key to getting back in shape is to continually exercise. Building your routine is going to be hard in the beginning, because your schedule is mostly concerned with your little one right now. The gentle exercise you’re doing in your first days after giving birth will be an excellent path to a lasting routine.

Not only is it easier for your body as it gets used to exercising regularly, but it’s also much easier for your schedule. It’s better and simpler to fit in simple exercises into your day than to try to fit in full workouts right away. Build up to your final goal, don’t start at the ending.

More often than not, new Aussie mums have trouble starting their new exercise routine because they don’t feel it working. Saggy skin around the abdomen and breasts can be a huge disadvantage that hinders your success. Instead of becoming more confident as you exercise, you’re actually getting demotivated by the day as your skin is still saggy, no matter how good you may feel. This is why plastic surgeons in Canberra state that this is a procedure undertaken after pregnancy that focuses on the breasts and abdomen. It’s common for new mothers to opt for it because it sagging breasts and tummy are rectified with this procedure.

Thus, this can be the perfect boost you need to establish your routine. That’s especially true since you’ll be doing mostly light exercises in the beginning, and your body will have time to heal from the procedure while getting used to being active again.

The best practice for establishing a routine is to exercise at the same time every day or every other day. There must be a time in the day when you can just put the baby down and do your exercises. Even if it’s just half an hour, it will be enough to get you used to exercise at a certain time. If nothing else, you can always use the time when your baby is napping wisely. Other than that, you can wake up somewhat earlier or go to bed a little later. Whatever free minute you have in the day, use it to establish your exercising routine.

Image source

3. After six months and more

Once you’ve established your exercising routine and your body has mostly healed from giving birth, you can step it up a notch. Going slow and steady wins the race, and this is the time where you really get to prove that. When it comes to exercising six and more months after giving birth, you have a lot more options to choose from.

First of all, you can start with the pelvic tilt. This is a great way to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Of course, make sure that your abdominal muscles didn’t separate during birth before you attempt this exercise. If the doctor hasn’t informed you in the hospital, you can always check with them now. With your knees bent and feet flat, lay on the floor. Then slowly tighten your abdominal muscles as the pelvis rolls towards your upper body. Instead of using your bottom muscles to move, try using your tummy muscles.

Another simple yet effective exercise you can do at home is the swan stretch. This is an especially good choice if you have a sore back and want to strengthen your back muscles. You should lie on the floor with your palms on the floor beside your shoulders. Then simply lower your elbows to your hips and let the upper part of your body move off the mat until your ribs are lifted. Make sure that there is no tension in the lower back.

If you want to try something different, there’s always Yoga and Pilates. These two types of exercises are good for the mind and the body and work on strengthening your core. As well as that, you’ll learn just how strong your body is and improve your mental health. The best part about Yoga and Pilates is that they can be done at home and at fitness centers. This way, you can choose what’s more comfortable for you. Lots of YouTube videos will show you exactly what to do and how to move while you’ll still get to keep an eye on your little one. On the other hand, if you’re itching to get out of the house a little, you can always enroll in a class and meet some new friends.

Finally, one of the most fun things you can do to regain shape is to dance. Whenever you can, have a little dance party at your house. Play all your favorite tunes and don’t be afraid to really move your body. This activity can be fun for the baby, too. They’ll love watching their mum be happy and goof around, but they’ll also love to participate if you choose to dance together.

Conclusion

Even though the road to regaining your pre-pregnancy shape is long and tiresome, it’s worth it. Being in shape doesn’t just mean being beautiful and confident, it also means being healthy. Your body will be much stronger and heal more easily, allowing you to nail every new challenge as a mother. The basis for a strong relationship with your child and good mental health is being physically fit and able to handle your new life. You’re not just getting in shape for yourself, you’re also doing it for your child. We’re confident that with some dedication and time, you’ll be in your pre-pregnancy body once more.

What to Do When Your Child is Struggling in School

Let’s face it: school can be difficult for kids. Between extra-curricular activities, social pressures, and struggles with the material itself, it’s normal for children to have a hard time maintaining a consistently high level of academic performance.

Unfortunately, when their grades start flagging it can also have a snowball effect on their self-confidence, leading children to doubt their own abilities and wonder if they have what it takes to excel in academics.

If your child is struggling in school, simply telling them to do better is probably not going to be enough. Instead, you need to come alongside them and brainstorm positive strategies that will help them succeed. Here are three tried and true ways of boosting academic performance that can also have a major positive impact on your child’s overall self-esteem.

1. Structured Study Time

Children thrive on structure, and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to learning. Carving out a regular time in the day for the study is an important first step toward normalizing study as part of the day.

Not only will this make it easier for your child to focus on their schoolwork, but it will also make their learning more effective. Scientists who study learning have noted that students who study for shorter periods but spread their studying out over time retain more information. This is because the brain learns through repetition, and going over new material every couple of days increases the likelihood that it will be locked into the long-term memory.

2. Tutoring Help

Sometimes, your child just needs more help in understanding and applying the concepts they are learning in class. In today’s education environment, teachers are often overworked, and growing class sizes mean that individual students get less one-on-one time with their teacher. Many studies have shown that as class sizes go up, student performance goes down, so getting your child the extra support they need is essential.

The best way to do this is through after-school tutoring. Tutors can play a pivotal role in helping struggling students overcoming their personal learning challenges. Because they provide children with a safer, more personal learning environment, they can also tailor instruction to the student’s actual needs (you can learn more at Prepacademytutors.com about how to find a local tutor who can work around your child’s schedule and offer in-home instruction).

3. Practice Positive Reinforcement

Just because a child is struggling in school doesn’t mean they will necessarily apply themselves to improve their grades, and it can be tempting to try to manage bad behavior through punishment.

Unfortunately, you can’t force a child to learn, and punishment often simply serves to create a negative association with schoolwork. Positive reinforcement is a much better approach. If your child improves their grade by even a few points, reward them with praise and something they enjoy. Instill a sense that improved outcomes lead to more freedom and responsibility.

When your child comes home with another C on their report card, it can be hard not to feel discouraged. But it is important to remember that overcoming challenges is essential to learning.

By teaching them to structure their time, look for extra help when they need it, and by emphasizing positive reinforcement, you can use these difficulties as an opportunity to equip your child with the tools and strategies they need to deal with adversity will set them up for the roadblocks they will face throughout their lives.

6 Ways to Spend More Time With Your Children as a Working Parent

Between work and daily responsibilities, life for parents can get really busy. Finding time to spend with your family can get scarce when you’re a working mom or dad. Guilt about working full time will set in and the worry about not having enough quality time may stress you out. Many parents feel as if they aren’t allowed to have time to themselves, have a night out with their friends, or even go to the gym. You are not ditching your child when you choose to go do stuff for yourself or with yourself. It is needed to keep a parent in good spirits so they can parent to their best ability.

Though it is good to have time to spend away, the time you do spend with your children is of great importance. Children benefit from having high-quality time with their parents as it strengthens the relationship and builds trust and memories. As they grow up they will look back and remember the quality time that they shared with their parents and it will affect them positively.

Building a bond with your children not only makes you happy but the family as a whole. If you’re too busy with work and life’s duties are taking over your free time, try to set up dates or times specifically for quality time. How you choose to spend that time matters too.

Do more activities together

Those small tasks or activities you may do on your own could be accompanied by your child. Do more activities with your kids to create a family oriented home. Invite your child to help you with something to make your child feel involved in your life and to help bring some fun to a simple task. Take this chance to laugh and be silly with your child; they’ll love it! Make a little room for them in your daily activities.

Fix things together

Home improvements and small projects are perfect ways to get your child involved. Not only will this teach them how to fix things on their own, but it will bring you together. Working together on something and getting them to use their hands keeps them away from the tv and into using their brains. Explain how things work and what to do so they learn and as time goes on have them show you. Anything that needs fixing, big or small, could be turned into a fun family project.

Make dinner

The feeling of cooking dinner with your family is a memorable one. Getting your kids to help you cook a meal will be the easiest part about parenting as they will enjoy the process more than you. Pick easy meals to show them. Give them space and allow them to make things themselves. The children will get a lesson in cooking and you will get a closer bond with your kids. Add a theme to your cooking night like, pizza night and watch your kids light up with excitement.

Read together

Reading to your children and having them read to you is a special moment. This time is intimate and will make you connect with your kid on a different level. Allow them to chose what they want to read and have them decide who reads. By broadening your child’s imagination and vocabulary, reading is the best way to kill two birds with one stone.

Travel

Take the time to plan a trip and from beginning to end, involve your children. Ask their opinions on destinations and every aspect of planning the trip. Traveling with your kids creates memories that they will have forever and a special bond between you both. Taking a trip somewhere, it doesn’t have to be far, makes kids excited about spending time with their parents. Your travels do not have to be expensive for them to be memorable. Choose budget based destination ideas. Kids pay attention to different things compare to adults so, the luxuries you may appreciate don’t affect kids the same.

You can even do activities that require leaving the house to spend quality time. Take a trip to the museum or the park and kindle your friendship with your kids. A trip to the zoo will bring excitement to your little ones as they have the choice to become involved with the animals. Most kids are ecstatic to learn and this gives them the chance to with their parents supporting them.

Work from home

If you’re comfortable enough to change a large part of your daily life, think about working from home. There are many careers that can be done remotely these days so, take advantage of it. You will free up more time that you can spend with your family. Find a job that fits you to make your life a little more about your kids.

Jobs can be done at home:

Virtual Assistant
Translator
Medical Transcriptionist
Web developer
Freelance Writer
Nurses
Traveling Physicians
Virtual Doctor

How to Survive a Cruise with Small Children

Cruising is often thought of as the ultimate vacation: spending your day lounging by the pool, fruity drink in your hand and enjoying a beautiful sunset before dancing the night away and then spending the next day with your toes in the sand on a beautiful beach. If you’re a parent of young children though, the idea of “getting away from it all” while changing diapers, dealing with toddler tantrums and trying to keep picky eaters satisfied can seem overwhelming at best and the impossible dream at worst.

Cruising with small children doesn’t have to be complicated or scary! With a little preparation (and a healthy dose of flexibility!), you and your children can make a lifetime of memories aboard your favorite ship.

Planning Your Cruise

When cruising with small children, careful planning can make all of the difference. Before you book your cruise, it’s important to research your options and pick the ship and destinations that suit your child’s temperament.

Perhaps your dream is to sail on transatlantic cruises from Florida? Maybe you want to see all that Alaska has to offer? Maybe spending the day swimming with dolphins on the shores of Mexico is more your style? Whatever your dream cruise is, it is important to choose the right ship. Many ships today have abundant offerings for young children, from all-day childcare to pools and water parks just for the ship’s youngest passengers. It is important that the ship is a good match for your child’s temperament and personality. If you know your child will have a meltdown when hungry, for example, book your cruise on a ship with all-day buffets or kid-friendly food options. If your child needs to be in bed by sunset, look for a ship with early dining options and evening in-room childcare.

Ships with family cabins can also help make cruising with small children easier. Family cabins often have connected rooms or ways to section off a child’s sleeping area so that the adults can watch tv or enjoy conversation without waking up a baby. It is important to note that many ships do not have bathtubs in the staterooms, so if your child cannot use a shower, you might wish to pack an inflatable bathtub or plan on sponge bathing your child during the cruise.

Arriving at the Ship

When cruising with young children, it is essential to give yourself extra time to deal with diaper blowouts, hungry children or frequent bathroom breaks. If you can, plan to fly in a day early to account for any delays or last-minute issues. This also gives you time to pick up some snacks, diapers or other important items before you get on the ship.

When you first arrive at the ship, it is possible that your stateroom will not yet be ready for you. If you brought a stroller or a baby sling, start by taking a leisurely stroll around the ship to acclimate yourself to the ship’s layout—if you’re lucky, your little one will decide to take a nap during your walk!

Enjoying your Cruise

Cruising with small children might look a bit different than cruising with teens or adults. It is important to understand that many areas on a cruise ship are not necessarily baby-proof. Seek out safe places for your little one to freely explore. On many ships, there are designated areas designed just for young children. These areas are often staffed with caregivers trained to work with young children. During the day, childcare (or Kids Clubs) are often free of charge, allowing your child to play and enjoy their vacation with new friends while you enjoy some much-deserved kid-free time.

Evening childcare or in-room childcare is often offered at an additional charge. Check with your cruise line before embarking to see how in-room childcare works. For some cruise lines, these services can be booked before you board, while for others, in-room childcare is first to come first served.

Excursions and On-Shore Experiences

Many people find on-shore experiences to be some of the most memorable parts of cruising. When choosing your excursions, pay careful attention to the intended age of the excursion. Many cruise lines set age limits for excursions for the safety and comfort of all participants. Another consideration is the length and intensity of the excursion. If you have a child who is impatient with long bus rides or needs a middle-of-the-day nap, a long excursion might not be a good option. Look for family-friendly or child-friendly excursion options, especially if this is your child’s first travel experience.

Finally, it is important to remember that you and your child are on vacation! Relax, slow down, eat well and make memories. One of the best things for a child is to travel and experience the world. With careful planning, cruising with your young child can be a memorable bonding experience for your entire family.

Baby Sleep Tips That Will Result in Rested Parents and Kids

If you’re a new parent struggling with sleep, both yours and your baby’s, you came to the right place. Sleep is vital because it will help you have more energy to bond with your baby and reduce your risk of developing postpartum depression. Now, remember while we typically associate postpartum depression with women, new fathers can also experience this. It can get so bad sometimes that they can regret having a baby as a lot of things change when a baby enters the equation. One of those changes is not being able to sleep properly at night. Now having said that, here are some of the best baby sleep tips that will keep you and your child rested.

Understand baby sleep

Babies’ sleep routine isn’t the same as yours. Keeping your baby awake just to make them tired and sleepy can often have opposite results. There’s something called over-stimulation that will make it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. An overtired baby will sleep shorter, so keep that in mind.

Start with a swaddle

During the early months (four to five), babies have the startle reflex that makes them feel like they are falling constantly. This causes jerking movements that can wake up your child. However, if you keep them in a tight swaddle, it will prevent them from startling themselves while they sleep and allow them to sleep longer and better. When your baby is snug as a bug in a rug, you will also get to catch more sleep!

Try dreamfeeding

The dreamfeed is the feeding that you give your baby just before they go to sleep. This prevents them from waking up just as you get into your own bed which is the worst thing in the world for a tired parent. The dreamfeed will really help your baby get more sleep and give you some extra bedtime before getting up.

Limit day naps

Waking up a sleeping baby might sound cruel, but long day naps will definitely rob both you and your child of nighttime sleep. Make sure your baby doesn’t sleep more than 2.5 hours at once. Wake your baby up gently, offer to feed, keep them awake a little and allow them to grab another nap. If you feel like they need more sleep, prolong that one nap and go back on track with a next nap.

Invest in cozy baby clothing

Baby’s skin is very sensitive and even the slightest discomfort can cause irritation and even pain which will make it impossible for your child to get a good night’s sleep. Luckily, today you can find organic baby clothes made of bamboo that is stretchy and provides your baby with a perfect fit. These are super soft on your little one’s delicate skin yet are perfect for both sleep and daily activities. Plus, the cuteness factor is immeasurable!

Play some white noise

No one likes to miss a party, not even babies. If you leave your child listening to all the fun that’s happening around the house, it can be very hard for them to fall asleep. So, bring some party to them in the form of a light fan or white noise machine. Getting your baby used to noise will be super practical in the future when you have guests over or have a family outing. Your baby will probably end up sleeping right through the event without you having to shush guests.

Come up with good routines

Babies love a good routine. They bring some order into a chaotic world and provide them with a sense of safety. So, make sure to choose a good pre-nap or pre-sleep routine that works for you and your kid. For instance, you can take the baby to their room, close the blinds, turn on the noise machine, sing a song and end your routine with a few soft loving words. You can say “I love you and I hope you have a good nap”. A full bedtime routine might be a bit longer and can involve a bath, massage, reading a book and feeding. However, what’s important is to stay true to your bedtime routine as much as possible to cue the baby for sleep. Over time, your child will learn what follows after a bedtime routine and will instantly become sleepy.

Learn to move your baby

If your child falls asleep in your arms, it can be tricky to move them without waking up. However, there are a few tricks. Watch their eyes and see if their eyes are moving under the lids (this means they are in deep sleep). Wait until their muscles are relaxed and listen for deep breathing. You can even administer a little test: Lift your baby’s arm and drop it. If they don’t stir, you can safely move them. Still, try to be as gentle as possible when laying them in the crib. Keep one hand on their back and one hand on their tummy to provide a continuous pressure that eases the transition. If they start to move, pat their belly a bit before you pull away. Also, try to maintain the same position as you pick them up and lay them down (as flat as possible). If you struggle to keep the position while putting them down in the crib, grab a step-stool to make putting your baby down a bit easier.

Ditch harsh lighting

Sleeping in total darkness provides babies and parents with the tightest sleep. But, what do you do when you need to change a diaper or engage in a bedtime story? You need some lighting that doesn’t disrupt your baby’s inner clock. Luckily, there are light wavelengths that are less likely to awaken your child completely. White lighting that contains the blue part of the spectrum is the most harmful to sleep, especially when it comes to young children. So, if you can block that blue light, you might minimize the negative effects of lighting at night. Think of grabbing low watt amber bulbs that will provide you with enough illumination yet protect your baby from blue wavelengths. There are also blue light filters that can reduce the negative effect of viewing electronics at night.

Sometimes, even 5 minutes of extra sleep will mean the world both to you and your baby. So, keep these tips in mind and you’ll have a well-rested and energetic family!