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Ah, birthdays. A wonderful time of year… for your child, maybe. For you, the pressure is on as you race to organise every last element of the big day so that there are no tears, and yet, somehow, you still have to find time for all the usual routines involved with being an adult. It’s a stressful time of year, and there’s no beating around the bush with regards to that. Still, it doesn’t have to be quite so stressful, and you don’t have to worry about your child’s big day going out with a fizzle rather than a bang. Here is the ultimate guide to throwing the perfect birthday for your little one (or not-so-little one if your child is entering that awkward teenage phase).

A day out together.

Maybe you were expecting the first suggestion to involve some amazing material item that would make your child’s eyes light up, but, no matter how it may seem, the most perfect gift in a child’s eyes is time spent and memories made with their loved ones. I’m not suggesting that you cop out and simply take them to the park, as that is likely the way you and your family would spend time together on any average weekend.

Perhaps you could treat them to a theme park or zoo they either loved in the past or always wanted to visit because their friends told them it was cool. Well, there’s no better day to surprise your child with their favourite place in the world than their birthday. If you want to create everlasting memories of the best birthday they’ve ever had, your kid is far more likely to remember the year that they spent an incredible day at an incredible place with their family or friends rather than the year they received some fancy toy.

No novelty gifts.

Children grow up and change so quickly, which is why buying a present as a parent can be a very stressful experience. You want to buy something that makes them happy, but you just know that the action figure you bought last year was forgotten within days of their birthday. The problem is that, once the novelty wears off, so many of your expensive gifts are discarded. It can be hard to think of a solution, but perhaps the answer is to give your child a gift which keeps on giving.

Video games, films or action figures might bore your child eventually, but a subscription to watch all their favourite children’s shows or play online games with their friends, depending on how old they are, might be the perfect gift for them to use all year round. Whilst you’re doing your research, you could call DIRECTV and other such providers to figure out which kind of subscription package would be best for your child. It’s obviously a judgemental call based on the age of your kid, but as long as the subscription is suitable to their tastes, this could be the perfect gift in terms of it not being discarded five minutes later.

Throw the ultimate party.

Of course, no birthday is complete without the ultimate party. This could be combined with the idea for a day out that I mentioned above or, if you opt for another present, it could be a separate event.
Whatever the case, a party doesn’t have to be a lavish and expensive affair. All you need is a gathering of your child’s best friends in the entire world, maybe a fun theme involving costumes, some party games in the garden and, most importantly, cake.

You’ve dusted the furniture, swept and mopped the floor, vacuumed the carpets and squirted anti-bacterial spray all over the house in a valiant effort to keep your family safe from bacteria. However, before you rest and have your much deserved celebratory drink, make sure you haven’t missed a few tiny nooks where germs could be hiding.

The TV Remote

We never stop to think about where the remote has travelled every time it was misplaced. The floor, or between the cushions. It has been handled by anyone who has stayed home sick and been coughed and sneezed on. It has been put in the mouths of young children. If you have a pet, perhaps it has spent time in their mouths too. Everyone in the house has handled it in sickness and health.

Every once in a while you should wipe the remote down with an antibacterial towel. Even if you have everyone wash their hands before handling the remote, it’s better to err on the side of caution.

The Kitchen Sink

This is another high traffic area that you might not think about, even if you only have a compact kitchen sink. Just because you’re washing things whenever the sink is used, doesn’t mean the sink is clean after you’re done with it. Food particles left over from dirty dishes or plates left to soak can serve as a breeding ground for E. Coli and salmonella. Clean the sink by washing it with a solution of bleach and water once a day, then letting it run down the drain. Don’t forget to clean the plug, and around the faucet.

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Can openers

There are quite a few kitchen utensils that come into contact with a lot of food before they’re properly washed. Can openers are complicated because the food can get caught in their blades, which makes them very tough to get completely clean. The best solution is to wash them after every use to prevent the dirt from building up. However, if it has been a while, then soak the can opener in a solution of soap, warm water, and disinfectant. This kind of deep cleaning should also be applied to kitchen knives, rubber spatulas, and food storage containers. A good germ killing soak to try with your kitchen utensils consists of four cups of warm water, 25 drops of tea tree oil, 25 drops of lavender oil and 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide in a large tub or sink basin. Let utensils soak for 1 hour, then rinse clean.

The Bath Tub

Yet another area that may seem clean but might not be. Bathtubs and showers may be dirty because the water tends to get trapped in the pipes, and bacteria thrives in this environment. The water you’re using to clean yourself may not be as clean as you would hope. To eliminate bacteria in your bathroom, disinfect the tub with bleach and bathroom cleaner after you’ve finished showering, then pat it dry with a clean towel.

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Tea for two, and two for tea says the song. But there is more to tea than just a drink. It’s a ritual for some; it’s a health remedy for others. Whatever the reason behind your cup of tea, it’s your moment, your me time. So it may be interesting to dive into the world of teas and to discover how you love to enjoy yours and what this says about you. Put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy a read of tea.

You’ll have a cuppa?

Health Teas To Make You Feel Better

Some people are not tea drinkers. But they still keep a box of chamomile or mint tea in the cupboard above the kitchen sink. These boxes are generally kept for the days where nothing else can help. Camomile, for example, is a favorite when you have a stubborn tummy pain, as its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the digestive track. Health teas often don’t have much of a taste to them, but that’s not why you keep them. Peppermint tea is perfect to conclude a heavy meal: it helps you to digest and feel lighter.  

Green Tea To Slim Down

The green tea addicts have one thing in common: They are all very slim. That’s because green tea can help to boost your metabolism and therefore burn more fat. A study has proven that green tea increase the energy your body consumes by 4%, which is not much, but every little help counts when you want to stay slim. However, green teas can often taste bitter if they are prepared properly. Indeed, if you love a cup of this natural fat burning and antioxidant brew, you will need to pick a kettle – ebestpicks.com is a good address for it –  that comes with a choice of temperatures, as green tea needs to be brewed at 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Get ready to drink yourself slim!

A nice cup of green

A Nice Cuppa In The Afternoon

If you love the idea of a cup of tea and a sweet slice of cake, you have probably heard of the English afternoon tea that Victorians use to enjoy. Pinterest.com has a brilliant display of afternoon teas if you need something to visualize this yummy snack that consists of black tea, cakes, and sandwiches. Britons say the tea tastes better if it’s served in a porcelain tea set. We don’t know about that, but it certainly looks a lot sweeter!

Guilt-Free Vegan Teas

A new type of teas has taken the warm drink market by surprise in the recent years: The chai. Chai teas are a mix of tea and spices, and you can even find milk-free alternatives to keep it vegan-friendly and healthy. Most chai drinkers like to use almond milk, but soy milk and rice milk are also common alternatives if you have a nut allergy. Don’t forget the whipped cream on top of the chai latte; this is what really makes the difference between an average spice tea and a delicious treat.
Who doesn’t love a creamy chai latte?

Family life might be stressful, but the truth is that all too soon your kids will be grown up and will be flying the nest. So when it comes to making memories, you want to make an effort to make as many amazing memories as possible while your little ones are still young. Of course, with a hectic schedule and little free time, it can often be hard to find the time to make memories as a family. However, it’s so, so important that you do. The last thing you want is to end up regretting not making long-lasting family memories, as once that time is gone, you can’t get it back. With that in mind, below are some tips and ideas for making memories as a family that will last a lifetime.

Travel lots (or as much as possible)

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The time when all the best family memories are made is when you are away on holiday and the stresses and strains of day to day family life seem a million miles away. That’s why it’s so important to go on a family holiday each year, or more than one if possible, so that you and your little ones can make some incredible memories. Whether you choose to head abroad or stay a little closer to home, it doesn’t matter, just as long as you get to spend some quality time together.

Save plane tickets, concert tickets, and other reminders of family time

Don’t chuck your plane tickets from family vacations, concerts the kids begged you to take them to, or other events out, keep them as a keepsake. Put together a memory box and fill it with lots of bits and bobs from all of the different things you have done together as a family. One day you will love sitting down and looking back through them again. Remember, wherever you go and whatever you do, take lots of family photos and videos.

Record a family album

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Do your kids play musical instruments or love to sing? Then why not write a song as a family and record it on CD? Or, if there’s a song that’s special to your family for some reason, then perhaps you could make a record a cover of it? To do that, book a recording studio and send the recording to a company like Nationwide to be put onto a CD. Just think of how amazing it will be to find that old CD 20 years from now when your little ones are all grown up. If you aren’t keen to be part of the CD, why not get just your kids involved?

Be an active part of your child’s lives

Don’t waste precious time with your little ones by plonking them in front of the TV at the weekends or during school holidays. Instead, be a more active part of their lives and do things as a family. This could be playing board games, going for a lovely bike ride, going swimming at the local pool – find activities to do together that will allow you to make some lovely memories as a family.

Remember, once that precious time is gone you can’t get it back, which is why it’s so important to make lots of lovely memories with your children while they are still young.

We all know how hard it can be to look after ourselves when we’re on the move. Busy days at work and a happily chaotic family life can leave us stretched a bit thin. What’s more, it can feel like taking time for yourself is taking time away from family time. It’s all about getting the balance right. Here are some top tips for how to get the balance spot on, and how to look after yourself properly!
Food

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The food we eat can make us feel sluggish and lethargic or fuel us for our busy days. Ditched processed foods which are laden with sugar and start eating fresh homemade meals instead. Of course, when you’re on the go you can hardly whip up a nutritious meal, so planning is essential.

If you struggle to find time in the mornings to get everyone ready for school/work and make yourself lunch, do it the night before. If you’re having pasta bolognese for dinner, cook extra pasta. When the pasta is ready simply save some of the plain pasta for your lunch. Then after dinner toss through some lettuce and tuna for a quick and healthy lunch. In the morning you just have to grab and go. Similarly, if you’re having chicken for dinner, cook an extra breast (baking is best) and boil some extra broccoli. This is a great lunch, full of protein, for the next day.
Health

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Finding time to take care of your health is essential. Florida Woman Care of Jacksonville has a whole range of services for women concerned with their health. From the menopause to vaccinations, your health should be a top priority. Having a great diet is one thing you can do to improve your health. Keeping fit and de-stressing are other ways you can improve your health too.
Fitness is great for your physical and mental health. Taking the time to go for a walk or a run, is sometimes the only time we get to ourselves in a day. Use it as a chance to decompress and have some quiet alone time. Exercise also helps to stave off depression making us feel more positive and happy. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Keep your brain working to the best of its ability by taking the time to rest. Each day steal a few quiet minutes to meditate and contemplate. What did you achieve? What’s bothering you? Deal with the issues of the day and move on. Stress can invade our sleep and every aspect of our lives. Make sure you deal with yours.
Happiness

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Of course, our families, partners, friends, and loved ones provide us with ample happiness. It’s important, however, not to feel like a slave to our jobs and family responsibilities. Make sure you pursue hobbies which make you happy. Whether it’s going to the cinema, painting, or singing, practice your hobbies at least once a week. When you’re busy providing for others and being selfless all week, it’s okay to take some me time and not feel guilty about it.

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Planning a baby shower nowadays is kind of a big deal. It’s no longer sitting around and exchanging presents – there’s so much more to consider. Games, food, drinks, decorations … it’s all got to be delicately thought out and there are a lot of factors that will determine what sort of theme you’re going for. It can start to get expensive, so here as some top saving tips to get you on your way and give the new mom a shower to remember!

Games
There are so many different ideas floating around online for what to do in terms of games. Most of them don’t require too much in terms of expense, but there are certain things that may need to be bought – pens and paper, for example. Keep it on a budget and don’t go overboard … there can always be too much of a good thing, and while people may seem like they’re enjoying the games, it can become tedious after a while. Use it to break up the day rather than focusing the whole event around them. While you may feel like you need to fill the time the whole way through, the mom to be will be enjoying seeing all of her friends and family together one last time before her life changes forever. It’s a really special time.

Decorations
DIY is best when thinking about how best to prepare the room that you’ll be holding the baby shower in. Decorations can come in many forms, so try and think outside the box; instead of thinking what could adorn the walls, think about what could hang from the ceiling and be a centrepiece on the table. You could have a string of photos of the mom to be from when she was a baby herself – have a hunt around online for some great deals on photo printing such as tiny prints coupons. Try and make it as personal to the mother as you you can. A great Pinterest-inspired idea is to draw out a bare tree and have everybody put their fingerprint on it as the leaves. It is something that can then be put up in the new baby’s room as part of the decor.

Food

Food doesn’t have to be expensive, and your guests won’t be expecting a full-blown three course meal. Keep it light and keep it varied – that’s the best plan of action. This may be your biggest expense of the day, so try and keep reigned in on what you’re spending on. There is always so much food left over at the end of any party, and this one will be just the same. Think about the things that are usually left over at the end of any event you’ve been to (such as salads, certain sandwiches etc) and avoid placing them out. Take into consideration all the different diets that you may have to cater for, such as vegetarians and coeliacs, and make sure that you do a headcount of who’s coming at least a week beforehand so you know how much food to prepare.

It can be scary and stressful. But it’s something that every parent is going to experience at one time or another. That is the kids being ill or having an accident. But there are somethings that you can do that make it easier to cope with, and ensure that the kids get the best possible care that they need. Read on to find out what they are.

Don’t panic
One of the biggest things that you can do for the health and wellbeing of your child when they are ill or have been injured is to not panic. Of course, it’s the first thing your mind and body want to do, because the thing that is most precious to you in the whole world is in danger.

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But by keeping a calm head, you will not only help keep your little ones calm but also maximise your chances of assessing the situation correctly. Thus helping your child to get the right treatment for them in the quickest way possible.

Do identify the seriousness of the problem
Sometimes it can be pretty tough as a parent to decide what is serious, and what isn’t when the kids are little. Of course it easier to think that everything is serious, and should be checked out straight away. But after a few emergency room visits where they don’t do anything, you may start to think that you are a little over precautious.

So how can you tell the difference between an emergency and something that you should just keep an eye on? Well, first of all, no one is going to know your child like you know them. So if you feel that there is something seriously wrong you should always follow up on this instinct.

Secondly, it’s a good idea to keep a thermometer in the house. Preferably an electric one that can be used in the ear to get an accurate temperature reading. Then, remember that if you child has a fever of 104 F or over, it needs further investigation by a medical professional.

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Thirdly, anything that is encumbering their breathing is likely to be something of an emergency. Particularly for small children. So asthma or chest infections need to get checked out the straight way. Remember too, that if they are having real trouble breathing or are turning an odd color take then straight to the memory room or call an ambulance.

Lastly, use common sense. Forget worrying about bothering the doctors, with your kid’s health is always better to be safe than sorry. So it’s common sense to get things that you are worried about sorted as soon as possible.

Don’t use the wrong service
If you have decided to seek professional medical help, it’s important to realise that there is not only one option for this that you can choose. For immediate emergencies like broken bones, cuts, or concussion it always best to go to the emergency room.
But for things that need attention, but not are an emergency, you can get immediate medical help by going to an urgent care centre instead.

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This is a particularly good idea because you probably won’t have to wait as long to be seen. It also frees up the medical staff in the ER to deal with the more serious cases of trauma. Not to mention that it may be a lot cheaper for you.

Do keep you child as comfortable as possible
When your little one is ill or has had an accident it important to keep them as comfortable as possible before they are being treated. This is partly because being ill or injured makes them feel vulnerable, and they have fewer resources than an adult to deal with this type of trauma.

It is also because the body has a distinct way of dealing with a serious health issue that includes going into shock. If you don’t keep your little one warm and comfortable, it can result in shock, which can further complete their condition.

Of course, comfort is not to be thought more of than safety, though. That is why it is essential to remember that if they have been in a fall, or accident that affects the head, neck, or back, it is best to not move them. So wait until the medical team arrives at the scene and let them do it to prevent further damage to these areas.
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Getting the balance right as a parent is never easy. You want your child to grow up to be as smart, strong and happy as they could possibly be, as every parent does, but you’ve no idea how to best go about achieving that. Sometimes it can seem that being the fun parent who encourages creativity and messing around is the best route to take, but then you worry about whether your little one will make it in the brutal, real world. However, sometimes you consider being a strict parent who encourages intense learning and removes distractions, but then you worry about your child being unhappy and unfulfilled in life.

The key to good parenting is to teach and not preach. Much like everything in life, moderation is the answer, and you shouldn’t be forcing your child to go out and have fun or stay in and work hard; you should be teaching them about the merits of both elements of life. You should be guiding your child towards answers for themselves because the most important lesson we can teach the next generation is how to independently think. If you’re not sure how to get the balance between fun and seriousness, here are some tips for teaching your kids without preaching your word as if it was the law.

Find out what they love.

Instead of forcing what you think is the best route on your child, you should be harnessing their existing talents. Find out your kid’s passions because it’s far easier to help guide your child towards a secure and happy future when it’s a future they want. They might be young and their skill might not be fully formed yet, whether they’re talented at drawing or simply remembering historical facts, but if it’s something they deeply care about, then they’ll want to further themselves and improve their skillset.

This is where you should be stepping in to help teach them as the parent. You shouldn’t be preaching about the things you think they should be focusing on, as you might send your child down a path that doesn’t suit them and draw their focus away from the thing in which they actually had talent and potential. Don’t worry if they’re not displaying a genius level of talent right now. It’s okay for them to make mistakes, as long as they’re improving. Support your child’s passions, as you never know what they might blossom into.

Make learning and growing fun.

Telling a child to learn about something is always going to earn you a frustrated expression, but guiding your child towards education through something fun and relaxing is a great way to help them grow naturally. This doesn’t always mean dragging them to a museum or making them write a novel. For example, looking into ride on toys for kids might help you find a fun bike or even a battery-powered mini car to teach your little one necessary motor skills whilst they still have fun. Education comes in many forms, and it doesn’t always have to be school-based academia. You could set your child the task of budgeting the food you eat for the week, and see how they get on with adding everything up.

Teach them how to treat others.

This is another important one, as children follow by example. If you demonstrate kindness and affection to other people, your child will understand that this is the way people should be treated and learn to do so within their own interactions. Again, it’s not about preaching, but showing. Actions often speak louder than words, and your child will learn much more from seeing how you treat others than how you tell them they should treat others.

When you’re a mom, it can be hard to save money. It seems like it’s bleeding out of you during the first couple of years of your child’s life; there is always something that they will want or need that will require you to part with cash. It’s just the way it goes, and it’s one of the few things in this life that will never change. Looking towards the future can be a terrifying prospect when you’re taking their needs into consideration – think college, travelling, vehicles and anything else they may need to get them on their way. So what can be done to make sure that you – and them – are financially prepared?

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Start a Trust Fund
Trust funds aren’t just for the kids of the rich and famous. The biggest expense with them is hiring an attorney to execute your wishes, but it’s important to remember that once you have placed any money or assets into a trust fund, they can’t be withdrawn again. This is probably why they are so associated with the rich – remember Logan Huntzberger’s Dad from Gilmore Girls? He could totally throw cash into a trust fund and forget about it without having to worry about running into any financial trouble. The majority of us can’t do that. There is another option – putting your money into a UGMA/UTMA Custodial Account can ensure that the money is going towards college or education, or you could look towards getting a Kiss Trust Fund which works on a lower income.

Lower Your Outgoings
You can lower how much you are paying out in many ways. Go through your direct debits online and see which ones are really necessary; keep your bills and tax payments but cut off any subscription services that you may have going on in the background. Take a look at your home and consider whether you need the space you have. If you know that you need to move for more space but can’t afford it, take a look at new-build mobile homes on offer to give you more room for your money. There are also some great budget calculators online that look at where most of your expenditure is going; the majority of them require you to save your receipts on a daily basis to input exactly what you’ve been spending to get an accurate analysis.

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Teach Them To Save
Teaching your children to save what they earn or are gifted is an invaluable life lesson. Childhood is one of the only times where you can get away with making a lot of mistakes, but this is one definitely needs to be learned from. It’s so easy to replace or give money over when they overspend or misplace what they have, but the earlier they realise that this isn’t how they can operate in the adult world, the better chance they have. Show them the importance of saving by making them gather their pennies together for something that they really want – perhaps a new game or a toy. The feeling of satisfaction of earning something rather than having it given to them will override any previous unhappy feelings.

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We all know that parenting is a journey. And, as with any journey, it’s important you don’t fall asleep at the wheel! There’s no denying that parenting is exhausting. It is, in itself, a full-time job, let alone what you do for a living! Not to mention that caring for children can cause a lot of emotional stress. It’s no wonder many of us are exhausted. When we’re tired, we don’t function like we should. Exhaustion could leave you unable to cope with what parenting throws at you. Here’s how to get rest, and why it’s important that you do.

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TIME OFF

Taking time off is crucial for getting the rest you need. You wouldn’t work without holidays. Parenting is no different. Many of us are reluctant to admit we need time off from our kids. A good parent shouldn’t need time away, right? Or, maybe not. Parents who know when to take time for themselves are better equipped to care for their children. That’s not to say that you should take too much time off. One night every few weeks should be enough to refresh you. Make a note of your night off in your diary and make plans. Organize for the kids to stay with a family member or babysitter. Then, the world is your oyster. Think about what you want to do. You could use the night to spend time with your partner, or meet with friends. You might even want to spend the night alone, with a glass of wine and a book. This is your night. Do what you like!

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

Nights off aren’t the only thing that can help you feel rested. It’s also important that you get enough sleep. When you have a lot to think about, it can be hard to sleep. And, parents always have a lot to think about! Even so, there are steps you can take to ensure you get more sleep. From taking the time to unwind in the evenings, to buying a mattress that sends you to sleep the moment you lay down. If you’re uncomfortable in the night, you’re less likely to get the recommended amount of sleep. Treat yourself to a new mattress and pillows. Go all out and buy yourself some california king bed sheets. The more effort you put into the quest, the faster you’ll see results. It’s worth putting the time into your sleep journey, though. The more rested you are, the better chance you stand of being there when your children need you.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE?

But, what difference will all this effort make? The simple answer is a lot. When you’re exhausted, everything is harder to deal with. Tiredness can lead to that feeling of not being able to cope. But, as a parent, you need to be able to cope. If you don’t, how can you expect your children to? So, go on. Find out how to improve your state of mind with rest!