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Many families feel as if a full home makeover is something to wait for. Renovating the interior of your home can be hard when you have small children to look after. Stripping back wallpaper, lifting carpets,and adding expensive furniture can feel like a risk if you have children running about the house. With a bit of negotiation and a lot of patience, however, you can create a home that’s perfect for both parent and child. A home should not exist purely for the children, nor for the adults who run it. A home that is warm to return to should showcase a bit of everyone’s personality.
Hire an interior decorator Anyone who has attempted painting a fence on their day off will know that interior and exterior decorating can be quite the work-out. Not everyone has the stamina to commit to a full day’s painting, let alone when you have children to look after! An interior decorator can help you identify trends in interior painting to experiment with, too. Swap the coffee table for an ottoman If you’re looking to keep it safe when it comes to a child-friendly makeover, try and remove head-and knee-level breakable and hard surfaces. Anything that your child can run into and hurt themselves on should be avoided. Coffee tables are great for resting your mug of Joe and stacking magazines, but they are also, unfortunately, tripping hazards. Therefore, swapping your coffee table for an ottoman could be a chic and stylish alternative for your living room. Don’t over-do the theme If your child is going through a superhero phase or is obsessed with the color green, be careful about going in too heavy with the general theme. While it may be the room of their dreams for a few months, they may shift interests as they get older. A Spiderman obsession at the age of eight may transform into something else just three years later. Transforming their room again will cost you both time and money. Start with a neutral base and build on top of it. Adding accents of a particular theme will showcase their interests in a way that can be adapted a few years down the line when they inevitably change their mind. Go machine-washable There’s not necessarily any reason to fear white fabrics, unless perhaps if you have an arty family who is prone to using permanent pens and paints. Using white fabrics in the parents’ bedroom, or opting for pale throws is not necessarily a bad idea; as paler fabrics can certainly handle bleaching far easier. The most important aspect to consider when choosing fabrics is whether they are machine washable or not. Choose stripes, Aztec patterns, polka dots: whatever you wish. Just make sure that in the event of an accident, it can be hurled into the washing machine. A family-friendly home makeover is all about keeping it practical as well as stylish. You don’t have to scrimp on style at all; you just have to make sure that your furniture is child-friendly, and washing machine safe.
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Getting into financial difficulty can happen to anyone. You could lose your job or be off work sick for a while. Suddenly, your income drops to a fraction of what it was when you took on your credit cards, gym subscription, and other things that are not a problem as long as your income stays at the right level. You can tighten your purse strings as much as you can and still not be able to meet your monthly commitments, but hopefully, these few suggestions might help.
Stops Subscriptions You No Longer Use Go through your bank statements and credit card statements with a fine-tooth comb and you may find old subscriptions that you are paying but no longer need. It could be a book club or memberships of a society you used to go to but no longer bother with. It might be fine letting them run when your finances are good, but now they are tighter you need to stop anything like this to reduce your monthly outgoings. Banks and credit card companies make very few mistakes, but while you are checking out your statements, keep your eyes open for anything that does not look right. Talk to Your Creditors If you have a bill you cannot pay, do not ignore it. Talk to the people you owe money to and they may well come to some arrangement to help you through a bad patch. The only problem with this is that often they will agree for a limited period, and once that runs out, they will expect you to make your payments as usual. Of course, you can always speak to them again if you still have a tight budget, as at the end of the day they just want the debt cleared. Consolidate Your Debts If you have more than one credit card, a car on HP and finance for the sofas you bought last year, together these could all be too much to pay from your reduced budget. You could be better off each month if you had one loan to pay to clear all your debts, and then you would have just one monthly payment that would be more manageable. Searching online loan websites need not be a daunting prospect. At LoanMoz, they are able to review thousands of loans from many different lenders and they will be able to help you find a good deal to consolidate your debts and make life less stressful. You may even find that you end up paying a lot less interest on things such as your credit cards. Losing your job or becoming ill can be a stressful time for you and your family without financial matters making the situation even worse. What you should not do is close your eyes to the problems and hope they will go away because they won’t. Anyone you owe money to is going to want payment at some point and dealing with the money issues as soon as you know they are likely to happen will be much simpler than waiting till you are getting ‘red letters’ through your door. It’s estimated that around 15% of the adult population will experience depression at some point in their lifetime with16.2million U.S adults experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year.
People with depression often also suffer from anxiety, both of which can be brought on by stress, life circumstances, genetic vulnerability, and medical problems, as well as a chemical imbalance in the brain. Of course, it doesn’t help that society has never been more critical and judgmental than it is today. True, many have come far in their acceptance of people from other backgrounds, social groups, religions, genders; but the rise of social media and reality TV has led to a level of scrutiny and probing into other people’s lives that can be too tough for some to handle. Ask yourself these questions: • How often have you altered or faked an image on social media? • Have you ever posted a smiling picture when on the inside you were feeling sad? • Do you ever lie about an exciting weekend when in reality you have spent two days on the sofa? • Have you ever gone out when you didn’t want to for FOMO (fear of missing out)? Don’t feel bad about it; most people have done at least one of the above and probably more if they are completely honest. The question is why? Wouldn’t it make you feel better not to have to embellish or even lie about your life, but instead, embrace who you really are. Embrace your authentic self. It can be easier said than done, but by following the below steps, you will be well on your way to being your true self every day. Start by writing down what makes you ‘you’ You may have spent so long trying to be someone that you are not that you don’t even truly know who you are anymore; what you like, what you want to do with your time, what your aspirations are. Try to put to the back of your mind what you think you should be like, in order to reconnect with yourself, your wants and your desires. Seeing these statements written down can help you build a true mental picture of yourself and can also act as a reminder if you are ever having a moment of self-doubt. You could even start writing a journal of your journey; detailing times when you felt truly authentic as well as the times when you have faltered. Know your worth If you want others to accept you for who you truly are, then you need to value yourself first. This can be a tough one for people who are used to backing down or simply accepting a certain situation or person to avoid confrontation. However, it is vitally important that you work on building your self-esteem and set your own boundaries for what you will and will not accept in your daily life. Form truthful relationships By surrounding yourself with people who add value to your life, people who you can trust, people who accept the real you; you are much more likely to be able to stay true to yourself. Friends who realize your true potential and encourage you to achieve your goals are the friends that you need, not ones who are constantly negative. Ignore the haters As you start to be true to your authentic self, those around you will soon notice the difference in your demeanor, your interactions, and your overall positivity, but there will likely be some who are cynical. These people may feel threatened by the changes you have made to your life; they may even feel like it shines a spotlight on their own lives and how they are not being true to themselves. You should ignore these negative influences. You have done the work on yourself; it is up to them to evaluate their own lives. Embrace what makes you unique Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if everyone was the same? Do you really want to look like Kim Kardashian and every other reality TV star and wannabe whose life mission is to look like her? Of course not. Do you love to experiment with bold hair colors? Do you adore standing out from the crowd in the latest crazy socks? Or are you a secret sci-fi fan? If yes, why keep it a secret any longer? There is room in the world for everyone, for all types, for all personalities, for all people, so embrace and flaunt what makes you special. Do not bow to the pressure to conform Even the strongest, most secure individual can, at times, bow to the pressure of society to conform to the ‘norm.’ Whatever that is. However, this can be a slippery slope and can lead to you once again forgetting your authentic self. If this happens, it can be useful to look back on your journal or initial statements about what makes you ‘you.’ Remember: you are unique. Each and every one of us is. This is what makes us special. Now, go be your best self! Separation and divorce can take a significant toll on the whole family, not just the couple in question, and it takes a lot of effort to minimize the emotional distress. The first stage is usually the physical separation which involves one or both people moving out of the shared home. This is obviously more complex if children are involved as they will need a lot of support during this time.
Next is the emotional separation, which can be challenging to navigate. Negative emotions can appear without warning and be overwhelming, and it’s common for each partner to appear to intensely dislike one another despite being emotionally involved. The final stage is to separate psychologically; for example, to see yourself as an individual once more and to move on with your life. It’s a difficult time for all involved, and it’s likely that in the early days you will go through a rollercoaster of emotions. This guide outlines some of the possible issues people can face after separation and how they can navigate their way through the turmoil. Manage your anger It’s natural to feel anger or resentment either towards your ex-partner or towards yourself, but it’s important that you don’t allow these feelings to dominate. This is particularly relevant if abuse, deception and/or infidelity have played a part in the decision to separate. Find out more about managing anger after separation online. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of depression Depression does not appear overnight, and often the symptoms become more and more severe with time. Stay alert to signs and symptoms of depression so you can seek medical advice sooner rather than later. Ask for help if you need it This may be one of the most traumatic and challenging periods in your life and that of your children, so don’t be hesitant or feel shame about asking for help when you need it. This might range from asking a family member or friend to help out with childcare or to be a shoulder to cry on, or you might want to speak to a mental health professional who can help you process what you’re feeling. Depending on your circumstances, you may also want to contact a family law specialist who can advise you on the next steps should you or your partner be seeking a divorce or you need to finalize arrangements for children. Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms In addition to eating well, exercising and getting sleep, it’s best to avoid turning to drugs or alcohol in order to cope. Some people may believe that alcohol may help them to sleep or that drugs may improve their mood, but neither is a healthy solution and often makes the situation worse. If you catch yourself overeating in an effort to comfort yourself, be aware that this cannot carry on long term without having an impact on your health. Of course, if you are caring for children, this point becomes even more important as you need to be able to care for them and to set a healthy example whenever possible. Although you might believe that marriage equals your happy ever after, this is simply not true. There are many aspects to your marriage that you need to actively consider in order to have a healthy relationship with your partner. Whether your marriage is on the rocks or has just started out, here are some of the most important top tips for saving a marriage.
1. Find Alternatives to Divorce The latest divorce statistics show that divorce is on the decline, with only 42% of marriages ending in divorce. Rather than leaping straight into a permanent divorce, many couples are able to fix their marriage through a range of other options, such as a marital separation agreement. This arrangement allows couples to decide on all of the factors and terms of their divorce on a temporary basis, allowing you to see what your life would be like without the other person. This can help to save your marriage as you may soon discover that you and your partner do not want divorce to be an option, leaving you to work harder to save your marriage. However, if you are ready to divorce, you should be able to accept this before the marriage turns sour, especially if you have kids. In the event of this, you should find a family lawyer to help to guide you through the process. 2. Communicate with Each Other The most important factor in any marriage is communication, as this will allow you to solve any issues that you have immediately before they start to cause ruptures in your marriage. It will enable you both to work on a solution that you are equally happy with. Not only this, but good communication between partners helps to allow you to build trust between you, as each party will be able to believe that the other partner will discuss any issues that they have with them. 3. Plan Time Together The secret to any good marriage is the ability to spend time together and rejuvenate the romance in your marriage. Whether that be a trip to a fancy restaurant, an evening at the theatre or cinema, or a night spent at home, these occasions will serve as reminders of why you love each other and make sure that you can always inject the fun back into your relationship. Not only this, but planning time together can make a great escape from your daily responsibilities such as work and family, and you should try to find a babysitter for these dates. 4. Have Individual Interests A marriage can be stifling if you are constantly together, and the best step that you can take to keep your marriage fresh is to have separate interests. You can simply cosy up with a book in a different room to your partner, meet up with friends alone, or join different social activities and clubs, such as amateur dramatics or sports. These will allow you to have valued time away from one another to work on your individual interests and reduce the number of arguments you have. We’ve talked a lot about helping others, overcoming difficulties together, and showing compassion in every situation. Helping others is always a good thing. More importantly, it is always a rewarding thing. If you are thinking about doing more to help others, you are certainly not alone. One of the things worth considering if you love helping others is pursuing a career as a social worker. The career path is not only rewarding emotionally, but also financially. Even better, there are plenty of reasons why becoming a social worker is a good decision to make in 2019. You’re Good at It If you love the way you can assist others in overcoming their challenges, you are already good at being a social worker. Skills such as empathy and active listening are the skills you already master, so transitioning to a role as a social worker will not be difficult. Having the confidence to say that you are good at helping others with their problems is also a good thing. That confidence level is what will make you shine in your new role. Besides, the people you will be helping need to feel as confident about you to begin accepting help. It’s Easy to Master Other skills such as organization, note-taking, and persuasion are skills that can be mastered. There are a lot of courses and programs designed to make you an effective social worker. There are even bachelor’s and master’s degrees that you can pursue in this field. Earning a master’s degree in social work is a lot easier now that there are MSW programs online from reputable universities. Top names like Florida State University are making their MSW programs available to more students from across the country. The Demand is High It is also worth noting that the demand for capable social workers is at its all-time high. More people need help than ever before, which means there is a growing need for capable social workers right now. When you consider the uncertainties and stress factors affecting the public right now, that increase in demand makes sense. High demand for qualified social workers is not a trendy thing either. You can expect the demand for social workers to grow continuously over the coming years. If you do decide to pursue a master’s degree in this field, there will be a lot of opportunities to seize by the time you finish the course. It’s Challenging The last reason we are going to cover in this article is the challenges that comes with being a social worker. This isn’t the boring profession that people usually believe. As a social worker, you will be meeting new people, facing different challenges, and earning a lot of emotional rewards along the way. It is a career that will take your personal growth to a whole new level. Since you already love helping others, it is also a career that aligns with your passion perfectly. With these four reasons in mind, making the decision to become a social worker is a lot easier to do. All children differ in their range of abilities and interests, but one thing that most children have in common no matter their age istheir curiosity. Children will somehow find themselves in some of the most precarious and dangerous situations around the home, and while all they want to do is explore and learn, they can sometimes end up bringing harm to themselves. Not only is there a risk of injury around the home, but there are also many harmful toxins, parabens, carcinogens and germs which can go unnoticed in the air and on the surfaces around the home which are harmful to the health of your family. For these reasons and more, it is important to find ways to make the home environment safer for everyone, so here are some simple tips on how you can do just that.
Guard against accident and injury Due to the curious nature of children, some bumps and bruises along the way as they explore the world are to be expected, but as parents its only natural to want to make the home a safe haven for your children. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to make your home a little safer, such as lowering your water heater to 120 degrees F, as 140 degrees F can scold children in seconds, and always testing the water temperature before a child uses it. Additionally, some other points of reference would be to use safety locks on windows, and gates on staircases, to prevent accidental falls. Avoid irritants and allergens There are a range of indoor environmental pollutants which can easily go unnoticed in the atmosphere, as well as allergens which cling to material surfaces around the home. While there are simple steps which can be taken to avoid the worst of these substances, such as creating a smoke-free environment and protecting against mold, these only protect against the more visible threats. To protect against allergens, you might also consider using a hypoallergenic memory foam mattress topper in each of your bedrooms, as this stops mattresses for becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. Additionally, it is beneficial to use as many natural cleaning products as you can, and avoid using toxic anti-bacterial sprays and pesticides around the home which may contaminate the air and irritate the skin. Test for harmful gases Many parents know the importance of having, and regularly testing, any and all fire alarms in the home to guard their family against the threat of fire. However, there are many households that do not utilize carbon monoxide monitors, which are also incredibly important in any homes where gas is used, such as forheating or cooking utensils, as well as in homes where open fires are used. Moreover, there are even fewer parents who know about the harmful effects that high levels of radon, a radioactive gas which is naturally released when uranium breaks down in soil, rocks, and water, can have on their family’s health and wellbeing. Thankfully, there are simple test kits available to check the environment around the home for such dangerous substances, in order to provide you with some peace of mind. Making the decision to work from home as a mom can be a scary one. This may especially be true if you’re used to formal employment and engaging with colleagues every day. However, there are multiple benefits of working from home, and one is getting to spend more time with your kids. However, finding a balance can be hard especially if you haven’t worked from home before. Continue reading to find some helpful tips for new work from home moms.
Create a Schedule Getting organized is one of the best first steps you can take when preparing to become a work from home mom. Without a timetable, it’s very likely that your days will be frustrating and unproductive. Seeing as you’re going to have work deadlines, create a timetable that helps you maximize the free time you have and attend to your kids as well. When creating a schedule, include set office hours or blocks of time that you can work without distractions. You also want to organize your to-do-list in a smart way, which could mean completing simple tasks while your kids are playing and leaving more time-consuming ones until nap time. Ensure Your Home is Functional One disadvantage of working from home is the number of distractions that you’re likely to experience. You would be surprised at how something as simple as a leaking faucet or broken AC could set back your whole working day. Ensure you do a maintenance check so that you can identify anything that needs fixing. If you do find a few things that need to be fixed, call in a handyman to help you fix them properly. If you search for “handyman services near me” online, you should be able to find a good service at a decent price. This way, you have peace of mind knowing that everything is working properly and hopefully, nothing is going to break anytime soon. Create a Routine for the Kids Similar to creating a schedule, it’s also essential that you create a routine for your kids. If they’re old enough to understand, let them know that you’ll be working from home and get them familiar with your work timetable. Also, organize playtime and think up as many child-friendly activities as possible to keep them busy. It could be arranging reading time, arts and crafts, or outdoor play if you have a garden. The point should be to keep them busy with independent play while you get things done. Meal Plan Food is an important part of the day for both you and your kids. You’re going to need as much energy as you can get to make it through each day, so plan meals ahead of time. You want to plan healthy and nourishing meals and snacks the day or week before, so you aren’t wasting time thinking about what to make. Meal prep is also a way to cut your cooking time in half. If you decide to do weekly meal planning, do it on Thursday or Friday. Take a look at your fridge and see what leftovers you have as well as what groceries you need to buy over the weekend. Write down what meals you would like to make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of the week and keep a balanced diet in mind. Not only will doing this save you time, but it could also save you from buying unnecessary groceries. Be Flexible No matter how much you plan, some days, nothing will go accordingly. Be flexible knowing that unforeseen circumstances will arise and you’re just going to have to work through them. It may also help if you have an extra pair of hands on deck where possible which you could achieve through play dates. On days you aren’t able to achieve both being a great worker and being a great mom, don’t be so hard on yourself. Use Tools Effectively Don’t neglect technology in your quest to become a super work from home mom. There are endless tasks that technology can help you complete, so find them and use them. For instance, use time tracking apps like Timely or Everhour to help you identify areas where you’re highly unproductive. Also, try automation tools to help with tasks that don’t require strategic thinking to free up your time. Working from home can be convenient, but it requires a level of discipline. If you’re able to master organization you should find that you become a pro at balancing motherhood and work. Shopping with your daughter can be fun at times, but when it comes to the prom dress, that’s where rifts usually begin to appear and quarrels break out. It’s not exactly anybody’s fault, it is more likely to be about the generation gap. So how can you do a better job of being a “cool” mom while shopping for your daughter’s prom dress?
It’s not easy, and there may still be a few arguments involved, but with the following tips, you could just be able to turn the whole experience into a much nicer and more satisfying one that it usually is for most parents and daughters. Consider the Cost-Efficiency More than the Cost Itself Depending on the kind of financial status your family is in, this may or may not be relevant, so this particular tip is variable to a degree. That being said, the budget for the dress needs to be set with the cost-efficiency in mind, rather than the cost itself. Prom dresses from reputed brands provide true value for the money you spend on your daughter’s prom dress over any cheap alternative you can possibly find while shopping at the local stores. It is a misconception that prom dresses are a one-time wear, because your daughter will also be able to wear the same dress at formal balls, weddings, reunion dances and even on New Year’s Eve! Take a look at these prom dresses from Jovani, which are not just beautiful prom dresses, but dresses that will continue to serve your daughter for years to come as a gorgeous evening dress as well. The color, design and the quality of the fabric will keep your daughter looking beautiful for years to come, as long as she takes proper care of the dress. Increase your budget if you can afford to, because high-quality prom dresses are worth the price. Shop Online: It’s Probably Going to be Better During prom season, traditional shopping does have its charms, but there are a few very definite problems with the process, which can be summarized as follows: • The prom crowd will make everything take a lot longer; everyone else wants the perfect prom dress too! • If you are a little late, chances are that the best stocks will have run out • Your options, time and energy are all severely limited if you decide to shop offline • It might be hard to find a time when both you and your daughter are free Most reputed or brand-exclusive online stores offer plenty of customization options, replacements and returns, so as long as you start to shop early, online shopping could be the best way to shop for prom dresses without either of you having to waste a lot of time and energy. Besides, the options are virtually unlimited, and you can definitely browse through more prom dresses online than you can during a traditional shopping venture, within the same timeframe. In addition to all that, there is a good chance that arguments regarding the choice and budget will be a lot less fierce when you are not already competing with a crowd of moms and daughters! Do Not Make It Your Event The prom may or may not be the most beautiful night in your young daughter’s life, but it’s still her night. It isn’t uncommon for moms to become too overbearing and press their own idea of the prom and the prom dress onto their daughters. This is often the reason why fights do break out while shopping for the dress, especially when the parents are paying for it. As a mother, you do have the right to give suggestions and provide guidance, even if your daughter is an adult now. As the person paying the bills, you also have the power to give her the dress you want to give her, but that is not an ideal mother-daughter shopping experience! You should set a budget that seems appropriate to you, but you should not force her to wear something that you think is right for her, even if you have the power to. That choice should be your daughter’s, as it’s her night, and she deserves that option to choose, even if it has to be within certain set parameters as deemed appropriate by you. Cooperation is key here, and always remember that the entire prom night is, by definition, meant to be a special night for your daughter. If you are strapped for cash, discuss it with her like you would with an adult, but don’t undermine the night. There’s nothing wrong with setting a strict budget when you need to, and you don’t have to get her the most expensive prom dress in the world, but not discussing the situation is a sure way to ruin the shopping experience. Have you considered the possibility of working in the caring professions? There are some wonderful and rewarding roles available and excellent career opportunities as well, and as the proportion of seniors in the population rises, so too does the requirement for nursing and elderly care facilities.
People who enter the caring professions tend to fall into two camps. In one camp are the people who see care as their vocation, a career they’ve always wanted because of their naturally caring nature. In another are the people who take on caring roles for more practical reasons, because they need a job and there’s often plenty of care roles available. What’s interesting is how many of the people who start off working in caring roles for financial reasons, then discover they have a talent for it and a previously unrealized affinity for the role. This shows that there are many people capable of becoming outstanding nurses or carers who don’t realize they have the abilities and the interest to make caring a rewarding, fulfilling job. You don’t have to be someone who is obviously born to be a people person to be a care worker, so if you haven’t considered nursing or other related professions because you don’t feel that vocational imperative, don’t assume that you haven’t got what it takes. You also may not have realized how many interesting, varied roles there are within the caring professions. For instance, being a nurse doesn’t automatically mean working long shifts in a busy ward at the hospital. You could choose to be a nurse in private practice, working alongside a small team of physicians or a single doctor. Or you could specialize in a particular field of medicine; for example, mental health, sports medicine, chronic pain management, oncology, dementia, or obstetrics. One field that people who have experience of caring for their own children might gravitate towards is the role of a school nurse. The school nurse plays a vital role in keeping pupils healthy, so they don’t miss school, and caring for the kinds of minor injuries and illnesses common in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. If you want to find out how to become a school nurse, there are many helpful websites where you can see what’s involved in the role and how to gain the qualifications you need. You might assume that it’s too late to move into a career like nursing because you can’t afford to retrain from scratch, but you’ll see there are plenty of courses that include online learning, and in some cases are mostly completed electronically. Also, you can often work as a support worker in a hospital or other facility while you train, so you’re earning money and gaining experience at the same time. Whether you’ve always harbored a secret wish to work in the caring professions, or never considered it to be a role you could do, it’s worth considering nursing and other caring roles and not assuming such a career can’t be yours. |
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