Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

Best Home Improvement Blogs to Follow

Home improvement sounds like a pretty intimidating thing, but it really isn’t. Contrary to what you might believe and what’s shown on TV, home improvement can range from just getting a new vase or painting an accent wall in the bedroom to a massive renovation project with a big budget.

Any good home improvement blog covers all these topics, and its goal is to make you realize that home improvement is very much within your reach. Not only is it their job to give you new ideas and suggestions on what to do, but it’s also their job to make sure you know exactly how to pull it off.

Keep reading to find out about some of the best home improvement blogs that will make you feel like your new project is no big deal!

1. HomeZada

Are you ready to discover strategies to save money, save time, and be better organized in managing your largest financial asset and biggest expense, your home? Are you managing one or multiple homes and struggling with the best tools to manage these properties? HomeZada provides homeowners with a complete digital home management system. This includes offering a secure, cloud-based solution to track a home inventory, a home maintenance calendar, managing home improvement projects, storing important documents, and understanding total homeownership costs with home finances. When you know more about your home, you can make the best decisions for your family, your home health, and your personal finances.

HomeZada also provides our partners in insurance, lending, real estate, and homebuilding the ability to stay connected to their customers in a new educational format by being present inside HomeZada during a time when homeowners need exactly what they need to manage their homes. This enables these organizations to engage, retain and gain net new customers.

2. Box Construction

Box Construction is the premier general and remodeling contractor serving clients in the Temecula and Murrieta areas including Wildomar, Menifee, and Lake Elsinore among other surrounding communities. Their core focus is a home remodeling and room addition. They specialize in kitchens, baths, and ADUs.

3. TONA

TONA is an international sanitary ware brand that advocates advanced sanitary ware culture and is known for its superb German craftsmanship and unique cutting-edge design. TONA’s design is inspired by natural elements, pursuing the design concept of “Less is more”.The brand logo of the European daisy, which has a fresh temperament, and exquisiteness, reflects the brand’s vigor and vitality. TONA began as a manufacturer of German-style bathroom furniture after nearly 20 years gradually grew into a global bathroom furniture brand merchant. The main products are bathroom furniture sets, bathtubs, smart toilets, and shower enclosures.

4. Imagineer Remodeling

Imagineer Remodeling is a Southern California-based full-service home remodeling company. We specialize in complete home remodeling, renovation, and design services for every room of your house. Your imagination is the basis of our inspiration and the cornerstone of an exceptional yet functional design. By providing you with a one-stop remodeling center, we handle every stage of your project, from your vivid concept to a professionally crafted design and completion. We work directly with designers and manufacturers to cut out the middleman and offer you the best prices, quality, and customer service.

5. HowTL – Home With Technology

HowTL – Home With Technology, is a Smart Home Tech and Home Improvement Blog that helps you make your home smarter, safer, and more efficient. Whether it’s controlling lights, thermostats, or monitoring security systems from a smartphone, tablet, or computer; they provide the latest technology solutions for all of your needs. They offer detailed product reviews, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. They also feature articles from industry experts ranging from home automation veterans to professional installers, so you can get an in-depth look at the technology that’s out there for your smart home. HowTL understands that nothing is more important than the safety and security of your home and family. That’s why they provide helpful advice on protecting your home from intruders, scams, natural disasters, and other risks. They also offer informative posts about energy-saving methods and tools that can help you save money on your utility bills each month. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for the latest trends in smart home tech, a renter interested in upgrading their living space, or an experienced installer searching for the best products and services; HowTL can help you get the most out of your home.

6. Campark

Founded in 2008, Campark is a technology company focusing on security products. We’ve been dedicated to creating the best smart security camera for home and business owners for years. We hope that every small step we take can serve as a protective shield for you, your family, and your privacy. We always adhere to the business philosophy of customer first, starting from customer experience, and constantly innovating and improving products. So far, we have provided a full range of reliable and affordable innovative home products and won the trust of our customers in a professional manner.

Selling Your Home? Here Are Five Ways To Make Things Go More Smoothly

Selling your home is a stressful and emotional time. You are probably in the middle of buying somewhere new, and you are saying goodbye to somewhere that may have a lot of special memories. It is also a process that can be long, complicated, and costly. Here are some tips to help things go more smoothly.

Start Preparing Now

Put your home on the market as early as possible. Remember that the process takes time and rushing may lead to accepting a lower price. Ask yourself if you can wait out property market trends. Shop around for the best real estate agent. Get multiple quotes on what you should be asking for. Give yourself room to maneuver in the price but be firm on the lowest offer you would consider.

Think About When You’re Selling

Consider the season carefully and what people will be looking for. Focus on the yard, green space, and exterior in the summer. Remember that surface-level issues may be more visible in bright sunlight. Think about how you could make your yard bright and enticing to boost the curb appeal of your home when selling in winter. Get your heating and insulation working to boost your chances of winter home selling. Take photos of your home for listing sites that best showcase your home regardless of the weather.

Put Yourself In The Buyers’ Shoes

Ask yourself what your priorities would be when buying a home. Work on the areas that often cause problems for new homeowners, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and lounge. Avoid undertaking any major new work while your home is available for viewing. Focus on making your home clean and tidy. Hire a professional cleaner to conduct a deep clean of your entire house before you allow viewings. Start getting rid of non-essential items and clear as much space as you can.

Spend Money To Make Money

Invest in repairs and updates to your property that will attract buyers. See if your boiler or heater needs an upgrade. Upgrade to double glazing and better insulation. Spend money on fixes and updates that you can show off, such as new appliances, tiling, and new guttering.

Remember That It’s A Long Process

Hourglass — An hourglass is measuring the time

Prepare yourself for several failed attempts at selling. Find a real estate agent who has a good track record for chasing leads. Be firm on your price and know when the time is right to tell the buyer to keep looking. Remember that new COVID-19 strains will affect the market. Gather as much information as you can about your property and prepare for a long list of questions. Stay up to date with the latest changes in the property market so you can adjust your price accordingly.

Top 3 Functional Medicine Tests You Should Request for Optimum Health

Taking the usual lab tests can give you an overview of your body’s current status. However, if you really want to know what your body is saying, you need tests that can take a deeper look into what your body is telling you.

Functional medicine testing has grown in popularity for its ability to pinpoint specific problems. From sleep problems to issues with stress, the tests can help identify the root causes of illnesses and solve them.

If you aren’t sure which specific ones your doctor should be requesting, below is an overview of the three most recommended functional medicine tests you should have on your list.

1. DUTCH Test

The Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones Test, commonly known as the DUTCH test takes a closer look at your body’s production of sex hormones, including their metabolites, patterns, and distributions. This gives your health care providers a clearer view of the hormone pathway in your body.

This comprehensive test is ideal for both men and women. It helps diagnose stress issues, sleep problems, estrogen dominance, DHEA levels, and fertility issues.

It measures the following hormones:

DHEA
Cortisol
Estradiol
Cortines
Estriol
Estrone
Testosterone
Melatonin
Progesterone

The test involves the collection of a small amount of urine from filtered paper. The collection is done about four times a day.

To prepare for the test, you’ll be advised to avoid fava beans, avocado, and banana within two days of your first collection. If you take supplements like L-Dopa, Tyrosine, Quercetin, and Mucuna, it’s a good idea to skip them as well.

The timing for collection varies. For postmenopausal women, you can collect your specimen any day. However, if you are a premenopausal woman with a regular cycle, you should start collecting between the 19th and 22nd days of a 28-day cycle. You can find out more about the proper collection time by talking to your clinician.

The DUTCH test is sensitive enough to pick up the different levels of estrogen in your body. This makes it better than other single tests that involve the collection of blood and saliva.

Once your test results are analyzed, you may be given herbs, supplementations, or low-dose bio-identical hormones to help correct abnormalities. You may also be given recommendations on the adjustments you need to make in your lifestyle. The list includes changes in your stress management, nutrition, sleep, and exercise.

2. GI Map Test

This stool test can help detect the underlying cause of your digestive issues. If you frequently suffer from reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, taking it should help optimize your digestive health.

Apart from people who have digestive problems, the GI Map Test is also ideal for those who experience chronic fatigue, mood disorders, skin conditions, autoimmune problems, and hormonal imbalances.

Compared with other stool tests, this one works through the use of the PCR analysis technique. It’s what makes it possible for the test to determine the presence of multiple bacteria, fungi, and parasites using just one stool sample.

The GI MAP Test is approved by the FDA. In fact, it’s the only stool test to get such approval.

And the best part about it is that it’s safe and easy to do. You can actually do it in your home. You’ll be able to get the results within 10 to 15 days in your email.

The GI test checks a wide number of markers that are important for your gut health. It includes:

Secretory IgA- your gut’s first line of defense
Calprotectin- measures your gut’s inflammation
Gliadin IgA- a marker of food intolerance
Zonulin- shows intestinal permeability
Steatocrit- reflects the level of fat absorption

In addition to those markers, the test also checks for parasitic pathogens, normal bacterial flora, and other opportunistic bacteria.

Now, why is this test important?

Your digestive health has a huge effect on the amount of nutrition your body is able to absorb. Getting fewer nutrients means having less fuel for your body to function properly.

3. Organic Acids Test

Organic acids refer to the chemical compounds that mammals excrete through their urine. They are considered products of metabolism.

Several genetic disorders happen when there’s a production of inefficient enzymes that react at an abnormally usual rate. This results in the accumulation of metabolic intermediates.

The OAT or Organic Acids Test gives you a better view of your overall health by checking more than 70 metabolites. Taking it means giving your healthcare provider a more in-depth view of every system in your body.

It’s a good idea to take the test if you experience any of the following:

Mood changes
Fatigue
Anxiety
Joint pain
Inflammation
Weight gain
Blood sugar dysregulation
Dermatitis
Bloating
Depression
Dermatitis

Taking the test is quite easy, in fact so easy it is a great test for both kids and adults to do. All you need to do is collect about 10mL of your first-morning urine. To ensure accuracy, you need to do the collection before eating or drinking.

Additionally, you should also refrain from eating grapes, apples, cranberries, and pears within 48 hours before collecting your urine.

You should also refrain from taking reishi mushrooms, echinacea, and arabinogalactan.

OAT can help uncover several health issues like metabolic dysfunctions. Some examples include ketosis, inborn errors of metabolism, insulin resistance, and amino acid deficiency.

The test can also show if you have inflammatory bowel disease, candida overgrowth, or gut dysbiosis.

Although the test is quite accurate, it won’t mean anything if you don’t have a skilled interpreter. The research on organic acids is fairly new so you should look for clinicians that have a deep knowledge of the test and organic acids in general.

Final Thoughts

A health worker is working with test tubes

These three tests are just a part of the long list of functional medicine tests you can take to get a clearer view of your health. If you feel that those tests aren’t enough or if you’re not sure which ones you need, you always have the option to talk to a reliable functional doctor.

Functional medicine practitioners are capable of recognizing your uniqueness and how factors like genetics and environment can affect your individual bodily ecosystem. It’s important that you find the right clinician so you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

How to Look After Your Mental Health?

Mental health is a much-discussed topic in today’s time. With the increase in the suicide rate every year, professionals are focussing on bringing on awareness to maintaining good mental health. Just like your physical health, you need to work on your mental health to remain mentally fit. Here are a few tips that will help you stay mentally fit.

1. Keep Active:

Regular exercise can actually help release happy hormones named endorphins, which will elevate your mood. Also, it increases your self-esteem and makes you feel better, which will result in significant improvements in your mental health.

2. Talk About Your Feelings:

This is really important, especially if you are facing some stress in life. People find it tough to share their personal issues with their friends and family out of shame. This practice needs to stop, and awareness needs to be spread. If you share your feelings, you will feel lighter, and also your family will help you see through the tough times and come out stronger.

3. Eat Well:

Your body needs all nutrients to stay healthy overall. This includes brain activity too. This is why maintaining a balanced diet to remain physically and mentally fit is essential. Stay away from fad diets that may help you reduce weight but also make you mentally weak.

4. Keep in Touch:

The pandemic has imposed social distancing, which has made it challenging for people as we humans are social creatures. This only means you may feel isolated and mentally low. Make use of technology to stay in touch with your friends and family to always feel cheerful.

5. Ask for Help:

It is never too late to ask for help. Do not feel overwhelmed to do that. There are helplines and support groups that will help you through your situation. It will also ensure that you do not fall into major depression and give you the mental strength to move past your pain.

6. Take a Break:

A change of scene can help your mental health. Always work, and no payment is terrible for your mind. This is why you must take vacations to get a break from your work at least after every three months, which will also help in increasing your productivity when you get back. Apart from that, you should also take short breaks in between your work to just stretch and relax your mind before you get back to your job.

7. Sleep Well:

Sleep is one of the most critical parameters that can decide your mental health. People who do not get adequate sleep can be stressed, and the stress, in turn, will not let them sleep well. You need to break this vicious cycle by getting yourself a comfortable mattress from the mattress store Miami FL. Once you start sleeping well, you will be able to get rid of many mental issues and prevent physical illness.

The Bottom Line:

Your fitness level is defined based on both your physical and mental health levels. Hence, adopt a lifestyle that can keep you fit overall, which will help you lead a healthy, happy, and long life.

Christmas Gift Inspiration For All Your Loved Ones

As wonderful as Christmas is, the lead-up to the big day is often stressful, to say the least. Especially if you have a big family or a long list of friends and coworkers to buy for, finding the perfect gift for each person can be a challenge. Thankfully, Visa gift cards and this guide are here to help.

Read on for inspired gift ideas for all the people in your life, no matter what your budget is.

Slippers

Sheepskin slippers are super comfortable and they look great, too. But, if your budget can’t stretch to these expensive slippers, there are plenty more affordable options out there. Think memory foam, knit, and fluffy slippers.

Book Club Subscription

Books — The books are arranged on the shelves

You can delight the book-lovers in your life with a book club subscription. And, the best part is that you decide how long to keep the subscription going. Depending on your budget, you could start them off with a three-month subscription or treat them to a whole year’s worth of books.

Monogram Stationery

For a gift with a more personal touch, think about monogrammed stationery. You may even get a thank-you note written on the very customized paper you gifted.

Portable Speaker

Ideal for music lovers, portable speakers are easy to transport and provide great sound quality. There are also lots to choose from, including the compact, the large and loud, and even in-shower speakers.

Potted Chili Plant

Indoor chili plants make for fun gifts that are useful for home cooks, too. And, not only that but houseplants also help to boost mental and physical health. Gift them in a gorgeous pot to make even more impact.

Monogram Wine Glasses

If you know a wine-lover, monogram wine glasses will show them that you really understand them. You could even buy them in sets. That way, they’ll have a personalized glass for reds, whites, and sparkling wines.

Photo Frame

Whether you gift it with a picture inside or not, a stylish photo frame is always a thoughtful gift. It shows you really care about the memories another person makes, either with you or with others.

Massage Gun

Friends who love to work out or those that struggle with aches and pains will appreciate a massage gun. They’re ideal for easing sore muscles, working out knots, and relieving tension in the body.

Reusable Coffee Mug

Lots of people rely on coffee for their morning pick-me-up. Make sure your loved ones never have to go without by gifting them a reusable coffee mug. They’re super practical and eco-friendly to boot.

Bookends

You can find gorgeous bookends that make a real statement. Shop for ones that suit your friends’ and families’ personalities for an affordable, meaningful Christmas gift.

Monogram Phone Case

Coworkers tend to be the toughest people to buy for. But, with personalized gifts for coworkers, it’s easy to show you care. With trendy monogram phone cases finished in stunning real leather, your gifts will be the talk of the office.

One for the kids

It can be hard to know what to get kids these days, with many of them already up to their eyeballs in the latest gadgets! One great idea could be an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). So long as they are used safely and under adult supervision, ATVs are a fun way to get outdoors, and have adventures, while learning many aspects of safe vehicle operation!

Recipe Book Stand

Treat the budding chefs in your life to an attractive recipe book stand. They’re convenient and considerate in equal measure, not to mention affordable.

Sunrise Alarm Clock

There’s no better way to wake up than with sunlight and birdsong. By giving a loved one a sunrise alarm clock, they can have that every morning, no matter how dark and quiet it is outside.

Hometown Map Prints

Map prints look striking on any wall. For people who love their city or those who miss home, a hometown map print could be the perfect present.

Monogram Socks

Giving socks at Christmas might sound a bit basic. But, with monogram initials, your recipients are sure to love them.

Infused Oils Set

Introduce loved ones to exciting new flavors with infused oil gift sets. With garlic, chili, and herb-infused oils, you can open up a whole new world of culinary experimentation in a simple but effective way.

Portable Projector

A portable projector allows people to experience the magic of cinema in any room in their house. They make for an exciting gift for any recipient, but they’re sure to go down best with movie lovers.

How to Make the Most Delicious Pecan Pie in 7 Easy Steps

Crisp on the outside, chewy in the center, and with some of the best flavor you can imagine, homemade pecan pie is a special treat not to be missed. Although it’s considered a traditional dish for certain holidays, many people enjoy it year-round. In this article, we’ll teach you how to make an amazing pecan pie from scratch. We’ll take you to step by step through each stage of preparation so that your final product comes out perfect every time.

1. Purchase the best pecans and the best pie crust.

The rolling pin is used at the beginning of the process of making pecan pie

Here we go with some of the most important steps: buying pecans and a good pie crust. Of course, you can make your own dough, but if you don’t want to get out of bed or breathe in flour dust (it’s bad for your lungs), then buy pre-made dough at the supermarket!

As for the pecans, a lifestyle influencer and founder of a PR agency, Amra Beganovich advise to: “look for shiny ones!” If they seem dull, either their oil has dried up or they were previously microwaved. The latter is not a big deal since it only destroys a small number of nutrients, but still! You can also ensure that you’ll have tasty pecan halves by purchasing them from a store that sells them loose by weight. If you’re interested, just ask the cashier what other customers usually put in their bags when they leave 🙂

An old proverb says that the best pecans are always found where squirrels can see them. I don’t know how true this is, but it’s an interesting idea to think about while grocery shopping!

2. Put the pecan halves in a zip-lock bag or Tupperware container along with 1/4 tsp of salt per cup of pecans.

The next step, putting the ingredients in a container together, ensures that all of your efforts will be worthwhile! No more bland pie crusts or sad-looking pecan pies for you unless you follow these steps! You can add some honey or spices to the mix too, but it’s completely up to you.

3. Use a rolling pin to crush the pecans into more of a paste than a whole nut.

As for this step, if you don’t have a rolling pin then use what you have! I once used my credit card and that worked out just fine 🙂 This step is very important because it ensures even cooking throughout all parts of your pie crust. Or maybe it doesn’t do anything? I’m not sure what this step’s purpose is, but it certainly isn’t the most important one can pie without putting dough over the “filling” first? It would be like eating mashed potatoes with no gravy… what’s even the point! Whether you made your own dough or bought it from a store, make sure to roll it out so that you have enough for your crust AND so that there are no air bubbles before hardening it into a solid block of deliciousness 🙂

4. Bake the pecan paste at 300°F for 30-40 minutes.

There are many different baking methods out there! You can choose whichever suits your tastes best. Here are some tips to keep in mind though:

– Don’t let the pecans burn! If the baking process takes too long, then take them out of the oven.

– Don’t overcook! After 30 minutes, check on your crust every five minutes just to make sure that it’s not getting too dry and browned. Once it reaches a golden color, take it out IMMEDIATELY !!! Overcooking will cause all of those delicious nutrients in the pecans to denature and become useless.

5. Bake until golden brown on top.

Here it comes cooking time! In order to ensure that all of the flavors blend together just right, you should cook the pie for about 45 minutes to an hour. Just check it now and then to make sure that your crust is golden brown on top, but don’t take it out too soon! The best pecan pies are always cooked until all of the flavors have melded together into one delicious slice of goodness 🙂

6. Let cool before serving.

The last step, do not to eat your pie hot out of the oven … unless you want a mouthful of burnt sugar or dough! This step is important because it gives all of those scrumptious flavors time to blend together perfectly. And if you’re pressed for time because you can’t wait until tomorrow morning to try this recipe, I understand completely since I’m an impatient person too. Luckily, this pie tastes just as good at room temperature or even chilled! I know that the oven takes up a ton of space and you might not have any more room for other dishes, but don’t worry… there’s still one more step left after this!

7. But wait… there’s another important step!

Pecan pie is delicious by itself, but if you want to make it “pop” then serve it with vanilla ice cream! This completes the flavor profile because now your pecan pie will taste like caramel sauce drizzled on top of vanilla flavored creaminess. Adults and kids alike are sure to enjoy these two together at any time of year 🙂

Are you craving some right now? You know what to do!

I hope that you enjoy these steps and see for yourself how easy it is to make the most delicious pecan pie in 7 easy steps! Please let me know how you like this recipe if you decide to try it out, I’d love to hear from all of my fellow sweet tooths out there 🙂

What are your favorite fruits or nuts? Have any good recipes with them that you want to share? Let’s chat about it in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to follow me on my other social media pages for updates on when new blog posts go live! Thanks again 😀

How To Select the Ideal Music For Your Wedding Ceremony?

Music plays an important role in any wedding ceremony because it helps in creating a festive & romantic setting for you and your fiance. It’s simply impossible to even think of a wedding ceremony without the ideal songs or music. And since this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most couples out there, the room for error is very marginal. Such is the reason why you need the proper suggestions to ensure that you choose pitch-perfect music for your wedding day.

The following are some of the most significant recommendations that you can undertake to ensure that you choose the ideal wedding music.

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Music For Your Wedding Ceremony

1. Book Your Wedding DJ

According to the best wedding DJ in Sydney, before you start your planning for the wedding music, you need to first hire the person who will be presenting it, in front of all the guests. By hiring your preferred wedding DJ, you can ensure that your music will be showcased in the same manner as your expectations. This is the reason why it’s essential to communicate all your requirements & expectations to your hired wedding DJ. Your wedding DJ can also even suggest or guide you in your music selection process.

When you proceed to hire wedding DJs, be sure to check their websites, reviews, social media handles, and so on.

2. Consider Your History

It doesn’t matter how long you and your fiance have been together, but there’s bound to be a similar taste in between – be it an artist, song or even a music genre – through which both of you can connect easily.

Think about your past – is there any tune or song that you loved to play in your car with your partner? Or is there a song that you often play in your kitchen when cooking food with your fiance? It can also be a song that helps you and your fiance remember about one another or a tune that you both loved when attending a music concert together. The list is practically endless. Any of the aforementioned guides will help you find the perfect wedding music in Sydney.

3. Look Online Or In Stores

Nowadays with so many music streaming services online, you can easily search for tunes from specific artists, themes, or genres. Be it Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music – finding the right kind of music isn’t challenging anymore, especially when you have the technology at the palm of your hands. Simply sit down with your partner and start wish-listing for songs to play at your wedding.

If you’re not happy with the results online, you can always head over to your local record or music shop, and make the decisions there-in. You can play the music in person and get a feel of how the tune will be heard through the big speakers. Furthermore, you can expect the music collection at a record shop to be a lot more diverse than online music streaming platforms, especially because of licensing issues.

4. Know The Lyrics Of The Songs

Even though it might seem like a trivial issue, you must know the lyrics of the songs that you’re planning to play at your wedding ceremony. You don’t want to play a tune that’s not fit to be played at a wedding, thereby ruining the morale & mood of your wedding guests. Thus, knowing the lyrics is crucial because you get to know what the song is all about.

In case you’re planning to hire a wedding DJ for your upcoming wedding ceremony, be sure to get in touch with our experts today. We’d be happy to help you out right away.

Your Mental Health After a Miscarriage: What you Should Know

Miscarriage is common yet hardly spoken about. Because of the lack of information and support, many women are surprised by the intensity of their emotions after a miscarriage. It is completely normal to experience a whirlwind of emotions, everything from guilt, sadness, shock is expected.

Unfortunately, 10 to 20% of known or diagnosed pregnancies result in a miscarriage, most of these take place before the 12th week of gestation.

A miscarriage refers to the loss of pregnancy before the 20-week mark. Between 10 – 20 % of all known miscarriages happen before the 12th week of the pregnancy.

Most miscarriages happen as a result of a genetic abnormality that results in the fetus not developing. There is no concrete evidence that mundane, everyday activities cause miscarriage.

An early pregnancy loss is a shocking and traumatic event for women, their partner, and their families. The days, weeks, and months are often filled with many emotions, most even experience emotional distress. Although these emotions and feelings do subside over time, there may be psychological concerns that remain.

In the weeks after a miscarriage, many women experience a range of emotions. Coupled with the feelings of sadness, guilt, and self-blame – women’s bodies undergo a range of hormonal changes while the body adjusts to no longer being pregnant. These hormonal changes are bound to lead to heightened emotions too.

Feelings of shock, sadness, guilt, and anxiety about future pregnancies are all very common emotions when it comes to processing a miscarriage. These feelings are perfectly normal. The emotional healing that takes place after a miscarriage often requires more time and may take longer to heal than the physical pain. Allowing yourself time and space to grieve the loss of the life you never got to hold may help you come to terms with what has happened in the long run.

Did I cause it?

Some women worry that they might have done something to cause the loss of the pregnancy. Don’t blame yourself. This unfortunate loss is something that happened to you, not something that you did.

Most miscarriages take place due to the pregnancy not being normal (about half of all cases of early pregnancy loss are due to fetal chromosomal abnormalities).

Can I get pregnant after a miscarriage?

At least 85% of women who have suffered a miscarriage go on to have normal pregnancies and births in the future. Only 1-2% of women have repeated pregnancy losses.

Many might start to think about how long they should wait before they can start trying for a baby again?

This really does depend on your situation. We suggest speaking with your doctor before you begin to try again. Many physicians recommend waiting until your menstrual cycle ends before you start trying to conceive. It is important to take the time to process the loss and take the time to heal, physically and emotionally

Can another miscarriage be prevented?

There are many things that we as women believe that we can control, but unfortunately, a miscarriage is not one of those things. The factors that lead to miscarriage are largely out of human control. Although it is important to note that there are factors that increase the risk of a miscarriage such as age and overall health.

6 tips for coping after a miscarriage:

Angel — Sculpture of an angel and the human hand is placed alongside a teddy bear

After having a miscarriage, it is important to give yourself time to heal, both physically and emotionally. What can you do to cope with the loss and start feeling better?

Give your body and mind time to heal – although we don’t like to always admit it – time is often the best healer. Take the time for your mind and body to heal.
Let yourself grieve the loss – take the time to acknowledge what has happened. Many people think that if they don’t acknowledge it if they did let themselves go through the emotions that it didn’t happen.
It is important to put yourself first – What you have just experienced is an emotional and traumatic event. It is important to try and stick to your regular schedule. Get back into a sleep schedule, eat well and maintain a healthy weight, do something active each day, relax, limit caffeine intake, avoid alcohol, and don’t smoke.
Seek out support – It is often easier to work through trauma when you have someone who supports you. When you are ready, find someone who is able to support you. It often helps to speak to someone, confide in your partner, a friend, a spiritual leader, or a counselor. Joining a support group might be helpful too.
Commemorate your baby – This will not only help you process what has happened but will often give you some sense of closure. You can do this in various ways, have a small ceremony with your partner to say goodbye, write a letter or create a memory box – do whatever feels right for you.

Pregnancy loss can be devastating. In an instant, your hopes and dreams for the future have changed. We hope that you can find some sort of solace in the fact that you are not alone.

Types of Schools for Children With Special Needs

Finding the right educational facility for your child with special needs is no easy feat. After all, they will be spending a large chunk of their formative years there. This is why you want to provide them with the best learning environment in which they can grow and thrive.

While a typical classroom may work for some, the majority of students with special needs may not find it suitable. Fortunately, there are quite a few options when it comes to choosing the best school for your little one. Below, four types of schools to explore and make the most of your child’s educational experience.

Public school

Friendship — Two boys are playing together

When exploring different schooling options, many parents consider the possibility of enrolling their special needs child in a local school. A public school in the neighborhood can be a great option for many reasons. For starters, it gives your child an opportunity to meet and develop relationships with their peers from the area. The school will also include your child in many in and after-school activities, and it’s free, which is great.

That said, it’s important to mention that public education is often underfunded. What this means is that public schools often lack teachers trained to work with children with learning difficulties. This makes it more difficult for these children to thrive. A public school may also not be suitable in cases where the child is dealing with marginalization or bullying. If that’s the case, they’re more likely to thrive in an environment that’s more specialized.

Special needs school

Father and son — Father and his son with trisomy of the twenty-first chromosome – Down’s syndrome

As a parent, you want to help your special needs child reach their full potential. Sometimes, that will mean enrolling them in a private setting that’s been tailored to fit their particular needs. As the name itself suggests, special needs schools are set up to cater specifically to children with disabilities. This means that they have staff that’s fully trained to work with special needs children. Plus, their entire curriculum is modified so that it’s able to meet the individual needs of every child who gets enrolled.

While these schools have staff who’s willing to work with children with special needs, they have several drawbacks. For instance, they do not need to follow the same procedures and laws as public schools. And while there’s certainly a higher chance of your child feeling socially accepted, these schools are outside a local community. As such, parents may find it difficult to get and stay in touch with therapists, teachers, and the friends of your child.

Therapy-specific or condition-specific school

Sometimes, the perfect learning environment for a special needs child will be the one that focuses on a specific diagnosis. For instance, if your child has a certain condition such as autism, ADHD, or a particular mental health issue, they may benefit from being enrolled in a condition-specific school. If you’re looking for a school that has a specific therapeutic or philosophical approach to special needs education, your safest bet would be to look into therapy-specific schooling options.

Both therapy-specific and condition-specific schools offer teaching options that are suitable for special needs children. If there’s a particular teaching strategy or a therapeutic approach you prefer, you shouldn’t have trouble getting the teachers and staff on board with it. Keep in mind that condition-specific and therapy-specific schools are relatively rare which is why they may involve traveling long distances.

Homeschooling

Perhaps you’re having difficulty finding a curriculum and learning environment that best suits your child’s special needs. This is when many parents decide to take control over their little one’s education and begin homeschooling them. This can be beneficial for the child in more ways than one.

For starters, it’s the parents who get to create the learning environment and design it according to their child’s needs. Homeschooling also allows parents and children to avoid dealing with common school issues such as bullying or test anxiety. That said, homeschooling can be an isolating experience, and may not even be a viable option for parents working full-time. While it can be a chance to create a one-on-one learning environment that’s the perfect fit, homeschooling can be draining. Some parents find homeschooling to be overwhelming, especially in cases where a child is dealing with significant challenges. If you do opt for homeschooling, you may need to apply for permission depending on the state you’re in.

Wrapping up

No one child is the same, and no type of school is best and most suitable for every student. You, as a parent, know your child’s strengths and challenges best. As such, you should be able to determine what’s the best type of school for your little one with special needs and make a smart choice.

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