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Congratulations, your pup’s going to be a mom! And just like with any expectant mommy, there’s a lot to think about to ensure her pregnancy is as safe and comfortable for her as possible. There’s also the health and the future of the puppies to consider, so it’s no small task. Your dog’s gestation period should last between around 58 days and 65 days, depending on the breed, so it’s crucial that you get it right from the start.

Get her proper prenatal care

Unsurprisingly, pregnancy can be pretty tough on your pooch’s body, so it’s important that she gets all the prenatal care she will need to stay healthy. Once you discover her pregnancy, take her to visit her veterinarian who will be able to advise on the course of action. They’ll also be able to ensure she is gestating without any problems – heaven forbid – and also perform an ultrasound, so you know how many little bundles of joy to expect. Just as a side note, if you’re planning to breed your dog, it’s best to ensure she has been vaccinated ahead of time, as most vets will advise against vaccination during pregnancy – it also means both mommy and puppies will be protected.

Feed her well

Your momma dog’s sustenance throughout her pregnancy will help to ensure the good development of her pups, so it’s important to follow veterinary advice thoroughly. It is usual to keep feeding her normal, high-quality commercial dog food for the first few weeks of her pregnancy, before switching to a high-quality puppy food in the fifth or sixth week, and increasing the quantity throughout. Puppy food is much higher in nutrients than usual dog food, so it will ensure she’s getting all the goodness she needs for her pups to grow big, strong, and super cute.

Keep the exercise up

A dog will still need regular walks throughout her pregnancy, but especially in the later weeks, it’s really important that she doesn’t overexert herself. Let her rest as much as she needs, pregnancy can be really tiring, and she needs her beauty sleep. If your pooch enjoyed jogging before pregnancy, she could continue this until around the five-week mark, when it’s best for dog and pups to cease jogging and stick with walks.

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Consider the future of the puppies

Pretty soon you’re going to have a load of fluffy, troublemaking little bundles of joy running around the place, and unless you’re planning on keeping them all for yourself (as tempting as it is) you’re going to want them to go to nice homes. If you have friends or family ready for their first furry friend, give them a call. Otherwise, you’re probably going to want to sell them. Make sure you visit Puppy System to find out all about selling your dogs online to ensure they go to a family who’ll care for them.

Create her a comfortable whelping box

Birth can be a stressful and dangerous time for a mommy dog, so making her a comfortable and cozy whelping box can really take the pressure off, allowing her to birth more easily and safely. It’s always a good idea to know where your nearest emergency veterinary hospital is, just in case anything goes wrong.

This is such a wonderful time for any dog lover – who wouldn’t get excited about new puppies? Good luck!

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Most family homes run a tight ship. Everyone has their time in the bathroom, and time is short. Especially in the morning before the school run! When things go wrong, it can throw the whole routine. The clean up becomes a matter of urgency, and the sooner you can get your home back to normal, the better! Dealing with disruption isn’t something most of us like to consider. Even so, preparation will ensure you know what to do when disaster strikes! We’ve got some tips on how you and your family can deal with home disasters.

LEARN BASIC MAINTENANCE

You should be able to deal with core issues in the home by yourself. This isn’t always the case, and if you’re unsure, it’s best not to try! Even so, learning basic maintenance can ensure you take action if the problem is small. Sites like http://www.realsimple.com should help give you some general knowledge. Learn plumbing basics so that you can deal with blocked drains. Learn, too, where your fuse box is. Many times, if the power goes, it’ll be because a switch has tripped. Knowing these basics will save you time and money!

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HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

It’s important to accept that some problems aren’t so easy to fix. If you’re unsure about how to approach a problem, leave it alone. Trying to fix something that needs professional attention will lead to more damage. Not to mention that you’ll put yourself at risk by doing it! The good news is that most professionals, like https://www.benfranklinclt.com/, work on an emergency basis, 24 hours a day. Even if you need professional help, you shouldn’t be out of action for long. Take steps before the event by writing down numbers for emergency plumbers and electricians. That way, you won’t have to worry about finding them when you’re in a panic. Save these numbers into your phone, or write down an emergency list and put it somewhere you can see. The faster you can access these, the better. Remember, every second is crucial when you’re talking about a tight ship like yours!

MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

A professional will be able to tell you how long your problem will take to fix. If you’re going to be out of electricity for a few days, make alternative arrangements. If your bathroom is going to be out of action, you and your family will need to go elsewhere. You can’t send the children to school without washing! Plus, you’ll need to wash, yourself! If you’re lucky, you’ll know someone who can take you in for a few days. If not, you could book into a hotel for a few nights. You may want to do everything possible to stay in your house, but you need to think of your children here. Don’t make them suffer because of your reluctance to stay away. You’ll be able to return to the house whenever you need, so don’t worry about taking too much with you. Just take the basics and get going!

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Your children’s bedrooms should be a haven, where they can escape, relax, and play with no danger at all. But plenty of hazards exist in bedrooms, and it takes a pretty keen eye to know what they are. In today’s guide, I’m going to reveal some of the unexpected dangers that lurk in every child’s bedroom – and how to ensure their safety at all times. Read on to find out more!

Paint fumes

Try to avoid using regular paint that you buy from your local DIY shop. These types of paint are chock-full of volatile organic compounds – or VOCs – that can be toxic to humans and evaporate from the paint ver time. It means you could be exposing your kids to nasty fumes, for years after you first apply it. The solution? Always choose low-VOC paint when undergoing any decorating – not just in your child’s room, but all over the house, too.

Shelves and drawers

Big chests of drawers are an essential for clothes storage, of course. But how safe are they? Make sure you are anchoring your units to the wall, particularly for tall chests or drawer stacks. If they get a little top-heavy, they can quickly fall on top of a small child and cause serious injury. Strengthen your drawers, too – stainless steel drawer slides are ideal. Youngsters love to play mom and are always stuffing things in drawers, and they need to be able to take heavy loads.

Window catches

If your kids sleep on the first floor or higher, make sure you have safety latches on your window. Children can be inquisitive and fearless, which isn’t a great combination when they are looking out of a wide open window. A safety latch will prevent them from getting out and trying something stupid.

Removable lids for storage

Toy chests and storage with heavy lids are a big no-no for children – especially toddlers and youngsters. If you have them, consider taking off the hinges – safely, of course – so the lids won’t slam down and crush or break little fingers.

Low-temperature night lights

Many young children don’t like the dark – but be careful about the type of nightlight you use in their rooms. Certain models can generate a lot of heat and will burn their little fingers if they decide to explore their lights. Only choose low-temperature lights which stay cool to the touch if you want to avoid a stressful and distressing trip to A&E.

Socket blockers

Make sure you invest in electrical outlet covers, to prevent inquisitive little fingers getting a nasty shock. Any plug socket that isn’t in use should have a cover – without exception. Accidents are so easy to happen if you don’t have that protection in place.

Start chores at an early age

Finally, get your children used to tidying their rooms as soon as possible. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common accident in households over the country. Your child’s chances of joining this statistic will increase if they don’t learn how to keep clutter to a minimum. As we all know, even the smallest piece of LEGO can cause an enormous amount of pain if you step on it barefoot!

Deciding to become a parent and bringing up a child, is one of the biggest responsibilities that a person can have in this life. But other than what we have experienced as a child ourselves, we have not other training for it. So it is no surprise that many expectant parents or adoptive parents to be, feel anxious at the thought. It can be a very overwhelming process. Many of us might say that we will never do or say certain things that our parents may have done or said. Yet we often find that we are just doing those things that we had decided not to do. So I’m just going to explore different ways that we can provide the best start in life for them.

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One way to stop us doing things that our parents did, is to be in open communication as parents, about disciplining your children and the standards that you expect from them. Even if you are no longer together as partners, you can still co-parent well with honest and open communication. You both need to be on the same page, so to speak, so that there is consistency for your child or children. Consistency can lead to feelings of security for our children. They know where they stand and what is expected of them.

As well as discipline, you need to think about fostering your child’s confidence, in order to give them the best start in their life. The words that we use can have a massive effect on our children, even from a young age. They hear and understand more than they can say to start with, and things will stay with them. If you are regularly angry and use cruel words, they will think it is because of them. This can change how they view themselves, as well as their self-esteem and self-confidence. Why would they want to be confident in themselves if their parents, the ones that are meant to love them unconditionally, don’t show their love to them? Likewise, our tone of voice and body language can have an effect too. So we need to think about how we present ourselves when we speak to our children. They imitate a lot of things that we do. If we don’t want them to speak unkindly to others, then we need to lead by example.

Physically, we need to be able to provide for our children in order to give them the best start in life. Somewhere safe to live with food and clothing are the basics. Some parents might like to splash out on lots of toys and gadgets for their children. Others might prefer to get their kids kitted out in the latest Versace baby clothing, for example. What we do over and above the basics is up to us personally. If you can afford to do those things, then it is your choice.
Most important of all it is important to make sure that we show our children how much they are loved. Love is often spelled out as time. Our children will know that we love them when we take the time to care for them, spend time with them and enjoy being around them.

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There’s one stage that a lot of parents dread more than any other. Yes, more than nappies, more than weaning, more than potty training! The thing that every parent hopes to keep away for as long as possible is, of course, the teen years. Sadly there’s nothing you can do; your child is going to turn into a teenager eventually! When people think about raising a teenager, their minds are inevitably filled with images of rebellion, angst, arguments, and attitude. And the first thing that you need to come to terms with is that you probably have all of those things in store for you. The only thing that you can do is to decide how you’re going to deal with those things when they happen. Your not-so-little one is going through a lot of changes, and you need to be able to help them walk that adolescent tightrope as best you can. So here are some things that you can do to help support your teenager without losing all control.

Don’t think you can parent in the same way anymore

Your son or daughter is changing. Sometimes they change so much that they’re practically unrecognizable from even a year or two ago. But this doesn’t just apply to them physically. The way that they see the world and how they feel about it are all going to undergo some serious radical changes. They’re going to start questioning things more. Wondering why things are the way they are. They’re going to want more independence, and they’re going to start feeling more like an adult. All of this means that if you keep trying to parent them in the same way that you did when they were younger, they’re going to find it frustrating and stifling. You’re going to end up getting frustrated at their lack of responsiveness to what you’re saying. You need to come to terms with the fact that it’s time to stop treating your children like… well, like children! Try to understand them on their own terms. It might be time to start giving them a little extra trust and freedom. If you try to keep them under your wing, then they’re going to end up feeling resentful and are more likely to try and rebel.

Have the difficult conversations.

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A lot of the changes that your child is going through are going to be extremely strange and scary to them. As they go through puberty, they’re going to come up against a lot of things that they’ve never even thought about before. They’re going to start having to consider what it means to be an adult and all the responsibilities that come with that. They’re going to need someone to guide them through and support them as they face these hurdles. That’s where you come in. You should always make sure that your children know that they can always come to you with any issue. One of the biggest worries that parents of teenagers have is when they start to become interested in other people romantically. This is pretty inevitable and something you’re probably just going to have to come to terms with, as difficult as that can be. The most important thing is that you show them as much support as possible. Without that then there’s a much greater chance that they’ll make bad decisions. It’s your job to offer them guidance and help them make good choices. This applies to things like drugs, alcohol, and safe-sex. Make sure that they’re always safe; you can even order the contraceptive pill online if they are worried about going to a doctor for it. You might not like it, but there is always the chance they’ll be exposed to those things, and you just need to make sure that they’re informed.

Trust them

With all of the adult things that your kids will end up being exposed to this can be really difficult. But here’s the truth: your kids are going to make mistakes. They are going to do things that you don’t necessarily want them to. But the important thing for you is to make sure that you’re always there for them no matter what. Putting your faith in them to make the right decisions is a really important step towards them becoming happy, independent adults. If you’ve done your job right then they’ll be able to come out of their teen years well adjusted and grateful for your love and care.

There’s nothing that changes your life as much as having a baby, and you might feel that you’ve lost yourself a little. Here are some tips on how to feel like yourself again…

Get Practical

As much as you’ve always loved fashion, it’s time to change it up a little now that you have a baby. It’s a good idea to go for dark colours in case of stains – make sure that you have a couple of pairs of comfortable jeans that you can throw on with anything. Leave off the jewellery until your baby’s old enough not to grab at it, and go for a waterproof coat with a good hood that covers your head so you can stay warm and dry when you’re pushing the stroller in the rain with no umbrella.

Get Fit Again

After having a baby you might be a little heavier than you were before. Although you shouldn’t feel in too much of a rush to lose the weight – your body did something incredible! – you might want to get back to normal and into your old clothes. Be careful with ab workouts as your core muscles will be weak. Start up with some walking, running, swimming and a post-natal yoga class – and make sure that you get plenty of fresh air. You could also look into body sculpting if you want to make some big changes.

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Get Dressed Every Day

It sounds simple but you need to try to get dressed every day. Even if you’re exhausted and tempted to wear pajama pants every day for the rest of your life, make the effort, even if you’re only pulling on some yoga pants and sneakers to run to the grocery store. A slick of mascara will do wonders for your confidence and make you feel as if you’ve got it together. Try to leave the house every day, even though it might seem like a lot to organise. It’s important to socialise and to talk to other adults, and not just your baby who, although delightful, probably isn’t the best conversationalist.

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Change Your Hair

You might not want a mom bob, but if you have hair that requires a lot of upkeep, now might be the time to change it. Talk to your stylist about what might look good with minimal effort so you don’t have to spend too long on doing your hair every morning. Go for layers and make sure that it’s long enough to tie or clip back from your face.

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Get Time For Yourself

In order to stay sane, you need to take time for yourself. Talk to your partner and family and arrange time that you can go out to hang out with your friends without the baby, go to a fitness class, or even just go to a coffee shop and read your book with a cappuccino and croissant in blissful silence. You may be a mother but underneath you’re still the same person and you’ll regret it if you give up too many of the things you love for your child. Take time out for yourself and you’ll be a more present and involved mother when you’re home again.

When it comes to moving house, moms are on the ball. They understand how important a decision it can be, as well as how badly things go wrong. New homes need to be convenient, close to schools, within walking distance of the shops, plus have all of the amenities a modern family expects.

But according to Jeff Martel, a real estate expert based in Idaho, what moms are looking for in homes has changed over the last few years. They’re no longer looking for homes with the largest square footage and the biggest yard. Instead, he says, they value configuration more and prefer open plan living and dining spaces, rather than separate, closed off rooms.

Fewer Formal Spaces

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As Martel points out, many modern moms now work from home. As a result, they want an office that overlooks the rest of the house. In traditional builds, this sort of thing just wasn’t possible. But moms can supervise while they work, thanks to the new “nook” trend. A nook is essentially a small office, or alcove, jutting off from the main living area. It’s a part of the space but separated subtly by the layout.

Moms say that these new types of offices are essential for keeping kids in their line of sight.

Cheaper Accommodation

With family finances stretched, moms are also looking for cheaper accommodation. The only problem is, how to find it without compromising on safety and quality? The problem with many more affordable homes is that they come with serious problems, like faulty electrics, moldy walls, and dangerous neighborhoods.

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Manufactured homes offer a solution. Because they are made off site, they often end up being far cheaper than regular brick and mortar homes. What’s more, they’re also much cheaper per square foot and can be set up anywhere with the right permit. Even large families can benefit, thanks to the fact that many pre-fabs are large, coming with up to five bedrooms and separate spaces for the kids.

An Open Plan Kitchen

Moms need space to do the household chores, and so, according to Martel, many women are looking for open plan kitchens that double as laundry rooms. Gone are the days when women did the housework in a separate utility room. Now, Martel says, that function has been incorporated into the kitchen area, allowing for yet more open plan living. Everything happens in the kitchen, he says. And with the growing popularity of islands, the kitchen is now a space being used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Moms Want A Mud Room

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It’s no secret that kids make a lot of mess, especially when it’s muddy outside in the winter. As a result, Martel sees more and more demand for so-called “mud rooms.” These are areas where kids can take off their shoes and boots, without dragging more dirt into the house.

Storage Space: Lots Of It

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Finally, moms are looking for homes with lots of built-in storage. They want attics, space under the stairs and bedrooms with inbuilt storage features. Dressing rooms are in big demand too.

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We’re all looking for ways in which we can help everyone in our family enjoy a healthy life. Not only will living healthily give us plenty of energy needed to make the most of life, but it will also help our immune system and reduce the risk of a variety of diseases and illnesses. And one of the best areas to in our life that we can change for a healthier lifestyle if our diet. But don’t worry; you don’t need to totally overhaul your meal plans and devise a completely new diet for your whole family. There are some changes you can make that are so small, your partner and children won’t even notice that you have made them! Don’t be fooled by these small tweaks, though. Sure, they may be small, but they will still make a big difference to your family’s overall health!

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Serve A Vegetable Appetizer

Rather than eating one large meal at dinner, you should consider cooking two smaller dishes. This way, you are varying the ingredients that you will all be eating in one sitting. That’s not the only reason for treating your family to a two-course meal, though. Another is that it is a great way to sneak in a lot more vegetables into their diet. Make sure that the appetizer is always vegetarian and jam-packed with veggies. This way, your family will fill up on a lot of vegetables before they have eaten their main meal. By the time of the main course, your whole family will have already eaten lots of vegetables, and may not have room for the meat and carbs in their meal. And that is perfectly fine as it’s important that fresh and vegetables make up the bulk of our diets.

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Enjoy One Meat-Free Day A Week

Meats are very healthy for us as long as we enjoy them in moderation. For instance, white meats such as chicken and turkey are a great source of lean protein. Red meat, such as beef, venison, and lamb, is a very high source of important nutrients, including iron. However, many scientific studies now show that consuming too much meat can actually do more harm than good. And that is because it has recently been discovered that there is a link between meat and certain diseases, including cancer and heart disease. This is why it is now recommended that families enjoy a meat-free day each week. This can help you limit your meat intake and make sure that you are enjoying meat responsibly. Finding it hard to give up meat? You can simply substitute it with some high-protein ingredients like tofu and lentils.

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Take Some Daily Supplements

If you think that your diet is already pretty healthy, you may think that it will be hard to improve it. But don’t start feeling too modest just yet; there will always be one or two tweaks that you will be able to make to it that will greatly improve your health. And one of these small tweaks is to start taking daily supplements. Supplements usually come in the form of tablets, but you will also be able to find some in powder form that you can dissolve in water for those of you who still struggle to swallow tablets. Why take supplements? There are many different types, each containing different nutrients. Sure, you could take a broad-spectrum supplement that contains lots of vitamins and minerals, but you will also be able to find ones that are high in certain nutrients. So, if you know that you need to improve your iron intake, for example, you can simply find start taking some iron supplements. You will be able to find a selection of supplements in your local supermarket and health food store, and you can also buy Isagenix online.

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From White To Brown

Do your family love tucking into sandwiches made with thick, white slices of bread? Or perhaps spaghetti bolognese is your family’s favorite dish? If you regularly eat white bread, pasta, and rice, there is one change you can make that will greatly improve your family’s health. You just need to swap all these white, processed carbs for brown, whole-grain versions. So instead of all that white bread, start buying some seeded and whole grain loaves. You will also be able to find whole grain pasta and rice in your supermarket. What’s the point in this swap? Well, there are a lot more nutrients in brown versions of carbohydrates. That is because white carbs have been processed and had their nutrients stripped from them.Not only that, though, but whole grains take a lot longer to digest. As a result, your family will stay full for longer after a meal, and won’t be quite as likely to snack throughout the day!

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Dig Your Slow Cooker Out Of The Cupboard

Do you often feel too tired to cook for your family after work? Lots of people feel this way, and always turn to ready meals and takeouts on an evening rather than spend an hour in the kitchen cooking something from fresh. However, this is pretty bad for your family’s health. That’s because takeouts and ready meals are often packed with sugar and salt, which can make it very easy to put on weight. Thankfully, though, you can still create homemade and healthy meals for your family without having to slave away in the kitchen. You just need to find your slow cooker! This handy appliance will cook you delicious one pot meals during the day while you are at work. All you need to do is put all the ingredients into the pot in the morning before you go to work. Then simply turn it on. You can then leave it unsupervised all day while you are working. Once you get home, you will find a delicious meal that you and your family can enjoy together!

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As you can see, healthy eating doesn’t mean big changes. You will be able to make these tweaks without your family complaining!